iPhone Savior

iFork Creator Hauls In $350K Bending Silverware

     

When Judson Jennings originally launched his forked up iPhone stand in Spring of 2010, he had absolutely no idea that his functional design which was bent out of forks and spoons would ultimately lead him into a six-figure career crafting art from silverware. Frankly, neither did I.

In 2011, Jennings is still growing his Forked Up Art business which just reached $350,000 in sales, with some 800 of his whimsical iFork iPhone stands selling for $25 each. It was the clever iFork design that started a domino effect of success that sill shows no sign of slowing down.

When I first spotted the iFork stand posted on the Etsy.com craft site in March of 2010, Jennings was a broke college student working on his Business Administration degree at the University of Utah. He created two iPhone-centric designs at the time, one called Fork Head and the other he called Spoon Head. The catchy iFork name came later.

In less than 24 hours after the iPhone Savior post was published, CNET and a host of other tech blogs re-posted my forking discovery and Judson Jennings was quickly overwhelmed with orders on Etsy, which he sold out of a multiple of times.

"I was in school and sold 100 iFork guys in one day," Jennings told iPhone Savior in a recent phone interview. "I didn't even think this would be possible as a business model."

The iPhone 5 Concept Apple Will Never Make

 

Designer Antonio De Rosa, has imagined what the iPhone 5 of his wildest dreams would look like in his latest ADR Studio design inspired by Steve Jobs. The signature of Apple's Co-founder can be seen written in white on the back casing of his iPhone SJ.

Rosa's amazing concept product includes a "Totally glass capacitive screen on a polycarbonate lightweight body." along with an A6 dual core processor and a new 10-megapixel camera.

Sterne Agee technology analyst Shaw Wu called the launch of Apple’s next-generation iPhone 5, "more important than Apple’s upcoming “iPad 3″ and even its rumored “iTV,” Wu wrote in a note to clients on Wednesday.

“[The iPhone] is arguably the single most important of AAPL’s businesses representing 44% of revenue in FY11 and what we estimate to be at least 60% of profits,” wrote Wu. “It also has the largest unit opportunity with a yearly TAM (total addressable market) of 1.5 billion mobile phones.” - Source BGR

Wu also cites his unnamed sources telling him the next model iPhone will use faster 4G cellular connections, in the form of “Long Term Evolution,” or LTE, technology, and will have a remodeled case, along with a sleeker, thinner form factor, and a slightly larger screen.

Antonio describes his own sleek work of art as "A classic reinvented. Again." It serves as the first iPhone 5 concept published in 2012. I'm certain we'll see many more intuitive designs before Apple ultimately launches their highly anticipated next-generation handset later this year.

I think this one raises the bar for all the others that may follow.

[via 9to5 Mac]

Aluminum-backed iPhone 5 coming next summer with 4-inch display

 

iLounge is reporting that their "most reliable source has spoken", revealing that Apple is redesigning its next generation iPhone 5 for a summer launch. The same iPhone 5 that was widely rumored for release in 2011 will actually be unveiled dressed in metal with a wider and slightly longer body style in 2012.

"We’ve been told that the device will have a 4-inch display and will be 8mm longer than before, with a metal casing (probably aluminum). It is on track to be introduced in summer of 2012, and is still in the engineering phase, not early production." Jeremy Horwitz wrote for iLounge.

According to iLounge Editor-in-Chief, Jeremy Horwitz, it was poor battery performance that doomed the initial iPhone 5 prototype version, whereas the updated version will be built LTE-ready in order to combat battery drain. The fabled teardrop body style rumored earlier this year will not be part of the new design. Chalk that awful idea up to wishful thinking by a gaggle of iPhone fantasy drones.

The report went on to confirm that a third-generation iPad will emerge a bit thicker (0.7mm) sometime in March "in order to accommodate the twin light bar system needed for its higher-resolution display," according to Horowitz.

I was one of the many disappointed when iPhone 4S hit the shelves in 2011 instead of the new fifth-generation iPhone form factor which will do away with the fragile back glass. It remians one of my least favorite parts of Apple's design. With that said, carriers continue struggling to keep up with high customer demand for iPhone 4S a month after launch. AT&t and Verizon wireless are quoting up to a three week wait for the device in stores.

Although some blogs have suggested you to take the report from iLounge with ''a grain of salt", past leaks from the wildly popular tech blog have been more accurate than most. So I suggest you avoid the salt altogether and take your iPhone rumors like you take your shots of Patrón... straight up with no chaser.

Ultra-Thin 15-Inch MacBook Air Expected In March

DigiTimes is reporting that March 2012 will deliver Apple faithful a 15-inch ultra-thin MacBook Air or a thinner MacBook Pro according to sources from their upstream supply chain who can't seem to make up their minds.

"Suppliers of Apple have recently started shipping a small volume of components for a 15-inch ultra-thin notebook model from Apple in November and the device could be either MacBook Air or just a thinner MacBook Pro." wrote Digitimes. "The new MacBook is expected to appear as early as the second quarter of 2012, according to sources from the upstream supply chain."

According to the report, mass shipments of the new dream machine will begin in March and could be cataloged in either the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro line. It's the waffling and pure speculation in their report that should cause some reason for doubt, qualifying their story as only a rumor.

DigiTimes, a Taipai-based daily that keeps a close tab on Asian supply chains, is known for its notoriously mixed track record when reporting facts on Apple product launches. Despite that reality, the rumors they churn out are usually the kind that cause instant stir no matter how far fetched they may ultimately be. So consider yourself warned.

With that said, it doesn't mean we still can't dream out loud.

[via DigiTimes]

Apple Announces HairPort Extreme Personal WiFi

 

CUPERTINO, CA - Apple has finally announced what is anticipated to become their most popular WiFi solution yet. HairPort Extreme turns any common hairdo into a personal hotpot for making a stronger and more personal WiFi connection according to the company's official press release.

HairPort Extreme is sold in an aluminized aerosol canister, and when applied directly to hair follicles "Apple’s new HairNet™ technology will automatically bond with adjoining particles to create an Internet connection lasting up to 24 hours". Simply point, click and spray away. 

“HairPort Extreme will change the way you connect to the world,” says Apple’s press release. “The more hair you have, the stronger your connection.”

Apple is also expected to offer a unique line of HairPort-compatible wigs in a range of popular styles, including afro, mullet, beehive and the repulsive comb-over. HairPort Extreme Pre-orders begin today at Apple store online.

"HairPort Extreme is your mane connection to the internet."

[via Scoopertino]

Video: Drunk Apple Engineers Talk iPhone 4S

Here's the banned iPhone 4S promo video you were never meant to see. Add alcohol and let the candid iChat begin. These Apple engineers help us truly understand the big 'S' in iPhone 4 without holding back. These guys are definitely shaken not stirred.

Apple's Big iPhone Event To Be Held On Cupertino Campus

Apple's grand iPhone media event scheduled for October 4th will be held at the company's campus in Cupertino according to a report by AllThingsD. Previous Apple events have been scheduled at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) in San Francisco where even the hanging of the event banners were big news. Both the iPad and iPad 2 where unveiled there, along with earlier iPhone announcements.

AllThingsD writer John Paczkowski, speculates that the "The company felt a more intimate venue was best for newly installed CEO Tim Cook’s first media event."

While it's certainly possible that YBCA was already booked for October 4th, it's more likely that the Apple campus location allows Steve Jobs easier access to attend the event at will.

Although mister Jobs may choose not to make an on stage appearance, Apple's intimate venue allows much easier access for the company's chairman of the board to come and go. That's my two cents anyway. I find it difficult to imagine Steve Jobs will not be somewhere in the wings during CEO Tim Cook's first big media coming out party. But that's just my wishful thinking talking. What do you think?

Apple Removing Home Button On iPad and iPhone

 

Jonathan Geller, over at BGR (Boy Genius Report), is convinced that Apple is planning to remove the iconic 'Home Button' from the next versions of iPad and iPhone in favor of expanded multitouch gestures arriving with an iOS 4.3 software update. The news is being credited by Geller as "pretty wild information from one of our Apple sources."

"The reason Apple just added multitouch gestures for the iPad in the latest iOS 4.3 beta is because the iPad will be losing the home button," Geller wrote.

"Yes, we are told that Apple, at some point in time, will remove the home button from the iPad’s design. Instead of button taps, you will use new multitouch gestures to navigate to the home screen and also to launch the app switcher." He went on to say.

"We’re told that this change will make its way over to the iPhone as well. Our source said Apple employees are already testing iPads and iPhones with no home buttons on the Apple campus, and it’s possible we will see this new change materialize with the next-generation iPad and iPhone devices set to launch this year."

You can read more about the rumor of a disappearing iPhone home button and learn how Apple's Photo Booth application may be making an iPad 2 debut as well.

Even though I can't imagine the iPhone or iPad without a physical home button, I also believed I could not live without a slot-loading SuperDrive drive on my MacBook Air. That was over two years ago. I haven't missed it yet!

"Steve Jobs didn’t want any physical buttons on the original iPhone at first, and it looks like he may soon get his wish." - Jonathan S. Geller BGR

The Woz Goofs CNN With White iPhone 4 Mod

Although Steve Wozniak's goof on CNN may not have been deliberate, the Apple co-founder failed to reveal that the White iPhone 4 he had in his possession during a CNN interview last week at the Computer History Museum in Silicon Valley, was actually a modified black model.

"I've got three [phones] in my pockets right now, including my white iPhone," said Wozniak, who donated computer artifacts to the museum. Source: CNN

Sadly, Woz's white iPhone 4 is a fake. It turns out that the iPhone's front and back were modified with a kit purchased from a New York teenager, Fei Lam, before Apple shut down his highly lucrative operation. 

"I saw a post and got in quick and ordered my set of parts," Wozniak told CNN.

The teen hauled in over $130,000 by peddling authentic white iPhone 4 conversion kits using parts he acquired directly from a source close to the Foxconn factory in China.

While it certainly is good to be "The Woz", Apple's former technology guru is not in possession of an advanced copy of the coveted great white iPhone 4. At least not yet that is.

The ridiculously delayed white iPhone 4 is expected to launch in Spring of 2011 according to Apple, although no official date has been given yet by the company.

[9to5 Mac]

Apple Did Not Acquire 'iMuffs' Creator Wi-Gear

News that Apple acquired a Bluetooth wireless headphone maker called Wi-Gear, the creator of iMuffs, turned out to be little more than a sketchy rumor according to a report by Barron's.

“The rumor is false,” Wi-Gear CEO Mark Pundsack said via e-mail in response to an inquiry from Tech Trader Daily. “Wi-Gear and its IP are still available for sale.”  Source Barron's

Wi-Gear CEO Mark Pundsack confirmed with Barron's that Wi-Gear has "ceased operations," as the company notes on its Web site.

The iMuffs acquisition rumor was hoisted up by the blog 9to5Mac.com. The blog's author Seth Weintraub, updated his original speculative post, including an apology of sorts in bold type.

“Our source assumed that the movement of Wi-Gear co-founder Michael Kim to Apple was an indication of a purchase.  We unknowingly used this same event to “verify” his story.  We tried to get ahold of Pundsack but were unable to. We’re sorry, we were wrong.” - Source  9to5 Mac 

The Apple rumor game is a slippery slope of impending doom. Getting it wrong is an occupational hazard that eats bloggers for lunch more often than not.

Steve Jobs iWear Launches In Time for Halloween

Apple has decided to unveil one of the most sought after and iconic costumes for Macheads right in time for Halloween. Because everyone is dying to be like Steve.

The new Steve Jobs inspired "iWear" clothing line will be sold at select Apple retail stores and Bloomingdale locations through the holiday shopping season. The entire ensemble will be boxed up inside Apple's unique packaging for less than $150.

Now anyone can be transformed into Steve Jobs with his trademark mock black turtleneck, Levi's 501 Jeans, (non-prescription) replicas of Steve’s glasses (and gray New Balance 991 sneakers according to the guys at Scoopertino.com

"iWear is the perfect next step for Apple," said San Francisco fashion designer Elam Nikserof.

"Steve Jobs has such a massive influence in our daily lives already, it just makes sense for him to dress us too."

The new “Be like Steve” print ads are already appearing in major consumer publications with a TV campaign expected to air sooner than later. The epic iWear tag line is Apple brilliance as usual.

"Think different, dress alike."

*White mock-turtleneck currently unavailable for order.

Say Hello To Steve Jobs' New Multi-Touch Mansion

Now that Steve Jobs has been given the go ahead to bulldoze his old (dilapidated) historic mansion in Woodside, California, there's finally room for the secret iPod nano home to take its place.

While we all anxiously wait to get a sneak peek at official plans for the new Jobsian iHouse, the guys over at Scoopertino have dialed up a multi-touch design of their own.

It's a whole new way to Nano.

Apple Set For Media Event On September 1st

Apple has scheduled a surprise media only event on September 1st, when Steve Jobs is expected to unveil the company's newest iPod touch with front-facing camera capable of delivering FaceTime video chats and a revised Apple TV device rumored to be called iTV.

The music-themed rock n' roll fantasy event will be held on Wednesday, September 1st with the keynote starting at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, 1 p.m. Eastern, at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco.

Verizon iPhone 4 Won't Be Launched At 2011 MacWorld Keynote

The most delicious iPhone fairy tales are often served up over the weekend, making the most recent "Why The Verizon iPhone Rumors are True—CDMA iPhone Due in January" burped up by Tech Crunch a sweet qualifying contender. 

The author ends his Verizon CDMA iPhone 4 fable with one fatal flaw that would make most editors trash the entire post at first glance, but that''s not the case here. It's because Verizon iPhone rumors still draw a huge amount of traffic.

"I can’t say with 100% accuracy that an iPhone will hit Verizon store shelves in January, but all of the signals point that way, and it would give Verizon’s CEO some interesting things to talk about in his CES keynote (though he may have to refrain as CES comes before Apple’s typical January keynote)." - Tech Crunch

The writer is referring to Apple's MacWorld keynote in January, a long standing tradition that ended for the company in 2009 with Phil Schiller delivering the final address for Apple. Anyone with half a Mac brain knows that fact.

While the idea of a CDMA version iPhone may have Verizon faithful drooling on command, the wireless giant is scheduled to launch its LTE-enabled 4G devices into 30 markets by the end of the year. Which makes the idea of Apple jumping on the outdated CDMA bandwagon in the U.S. sound like a whimsical farce.

On June 2, 2010, John Johnson, a spokesperson from Verizon Wireless confirmed that the company has "no plans to carry the iPhone in the immediate future". So what's changed since then?

I can say this with 100% certainty, a January Verizon iPhone 4 launch is nothing more than pure speculation. Joe the commenter guy was spot on with his own summation aimed at Tech Crunch contributing writer Steve Cheney over this grand rumor milling buffoonery.

"You don’t know what your talking about, stop spreading rumors." Joe wrote.

Yep. That much is certain.

Steve Jobs Did Not Tweet An iPhone 4 Recall

Sometime after Twitter spoof writer ceoSteveJobs posted a goof heard around the world saying; "We may have to recall the new iPhone.", Britain’s second biggest newspaper the Daily Mail, ran with news from the fake tweet on their Mail Online website in a story entitled; “Apple boss Steve Jobs reveals iPhone 4 may be recalled”.

"The much-vaunted new iPhone 4 may be recalled, Apple boss Steve jobs revealed last night. Posting a message on the social networking site Twitter, the tycoon said; 'We may have to recall the new iPhone. This, I did not expect.' - Mail Online wrote.

Since the international faux pas took place, Twitter faithful have been tweeting up a storm, appropriately calling the error "Mail fail", since most know that ceoSteveJobs is just a parody Twitter account. Even so, the spoof account has attracted well over one hundred thousand followers and is now experiencing a viral growth spurt since the Daily Mail post was published.

Ever since the iPhone 4 launched on June 24th, reports about alleged wonky antenna reception have created a media frenzy surrounding Apple's new device. This latest headline story by the UK newpaper underscores the rampant absurdity building around what many, including the real Steve Jobs, believe to be a non issue for iPhone 4 early adopters.

The original Mail Online post has since been removed, but not before Flickr user Nicdafis grabbed a handy screen shot to commemorate the wildly moronic event.

Which should serve as another sobering reminder to all of us that blogging is truly an amateur sport that should not ever be taken too seriously on any given day. Especially if it's an Apple-obsessed blog like the one you're reading or hundreds of others just like it.

Misinformation travels at stupid speeds. Misinformation via Twitter travels even faster. The truth is out there. I want to believe.

Verizon Confirms "No iPhone" Anytime Soon

John Johnson, a spokesperson from Verizon Wireless, has confirmed in a video taped interview that the company has "no plans to carry the iPhone in the immediate future".

The confirmation will come as a huge disappointment for iPhone faithful holding out desperate hope that Apple's new iPhone, expected to be announced next Monday, would be available on the superior Verizon network.

The news has arrived directly on the heels of an official announcement on Tuesday by AT&T, that the number two wireless carrier is dropping its unlimited iPhone and iPad data plans, in favor of data capped pricing along with the addition of a $20 monthly tethering option starting on June 7th. Current AT&T voice and texting plans are unchanged.

Johnson also told Beet TV, that Verizon will introduce its 4-G network to roughly 25-30 commercial markets in the U.S. this year. Verizon will introduce 4-G handsets early next year, according to Johnson. The interview took place yesterday at the All Things Digital Conference.

iPad XL Delivers The Power To Run Flash

The only issue that stands in way of marrying the goodness of Flash with the magical iPad, is the extreme power to make it run like a champ. Problem solved with Apple's iPad XL, it comes with the horsepower necessary to run Flash the way it was always meant to be.

“Honda has engineered the hell out of this thing,” said Steve Jobs, “This is the world’s quietest combustion engine — only 96 decibels. The revolutionary iPad XL gives you all the magic of iPad, and makes it possible to run the flashiest and most tasteless Flash sites on earth.”

It's a shotgun marriage made in heaven.

[Read the delicious details at Scoopertino.com]

Steve Jobs "You Won't Be Disappointed" by WWDC

After Google finished their hype fantastic event last week, announcing Google TV and some vague web-based iTunes competitor, Apple faithful Bryan Webster emailed Steve Jobs, concerned about Goggle leapfrogging Apple.

"I hope you have some good WWDC announcements to blow [Google] out of the water". Webster wrote to Apple's CEO.

Fifteen minutes later, Jobs responded to the email in classic fashion. "You won't be disappointed".  Steve Jobs wrote. Bryan posted email headers to authenticate his communication according to MacRumors.

Gizmodo is reporting that reader Brian Kelleher also emailed Jobs with his own Google related Q&A;

"Do you believe Google is surpassing you guys or do you believe something different? What do you plan on doing if Google is surpassing Apple? Any thoughts?" Brian wrote.

"Not a chance." Steve Jobs wrote back on May 22nd.

Expect Steve Jobs to come out with big guns blazing at Apple's WWDC keynote on June 7th. The next-gen iPhone should be on the keynote set list along with a few more awe inspiring surprises.

And yes... El Jobso will be sporting his Three Wolf Moon mock turtleneck shirt, designed to send Google a clear message about market domination. You go Mac Daddy!

[Image by Fate47]

New Photos of White Next-Gen iPhone Leaked

A Chinese website calling themselves Apple.pro has published photos of what appears to be a partially assembled build of Apple's next-generation iPhone in white. The same website was also responsible for posting the front face plates of both the black and white iPhones a few days back.

A front-facing camera is evident in the second photo, but what's not shown is the back of the device which should also be white if Apple stays true to its design standards. There is still no confirmation that these devices in the images are the real deal.

Another report coming from the gang over at Boy Genius Report, reveals new iPhone menu screenshots from a "field test" purporting to confirm the use of 3G video conferencing.

All of these wild claims will come to light in a few short weeks when Apple is expected to unveil the 4G (forth generation) iPhone at their annual WWDC (World Wide Developers Conference) on June 7 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

In the immortal words of mister Tom Petty; "The waiting is the hardest part."

June Vacations Blocked for AT&T Staffers To Launch New iPhone

It's that time of year again when AT&T prohibits staffers from taking vacations in June in order for the company to support the launch of the newest iPhone summer blockbuster.

It's been reported that multiple AT&T sources have confirmed the vacation block, also enforced by the company for the past two iPhone launches. A June vacation lockdown means that we may not have to wait until July.

Little has been leaked about Apple's next-generation handset other than some key functionality like multitasking, in-app MMS and a Game Center expected with iPhone OS 4. Rumors of the 4G handset hint once again at a front facing camera for iChat.

Behold! The new iPhone cometh.

[iPhone 4G concept rendering by Anthony De Rosa]