iPhans will call it as unjustified, but at the same time they simply call EU Vs. Microsoft as justified and now they may call it as EU needs money to cover its bad debts. In any case it is mandatory of two year guarantee in EU, sheesh I would love to have it here in US as a consumer. AppleCare comes with 1 year warranty and anyone in EU who purchased Apple product would be eligible for second year guarantee. And it seems Apple or its retailers either ignored it to inform its users about this or not prominently advertised it. That made Italian Regulators to fine Apple for 1.16 million USD (900,000 Euros), which of course is just a tiny drop in the ocean though. Taking this as a cue, EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding is calling for an investigation by the EU’s 27 states. Bloomberg is reporting Reding wrote member countries to verify that Apple and its retailers failed to advertise and inform buyers’ right to a minimum two-year warranty for products such as the iPhones and iPads.

“Apple prominently advertised that its products come with a one-year manufacturer warranty but failed to clearly indicate the consumers’ automatic and free-of-cost entitlement to a minimum two-year guarantee under EU law,” Reding said to ministers in the letter, which was obtained by Bloomberg News. “These are unacceptable marketing practices.”

In addition to this The Portuguese Association for Consumer Protection is also looking into AppleCare.

Of course, Fanbois or Fangals complain that EU found fining successful companies like Microsoft, Apple, Google, Intel etc. would help the struggling economy there and bailout the struggling countries in Europe. One thing for sure, most of my Apple fan friends think fining Microsoft and Google is right, but not Apple.

Sources: Bloomberg, 9to5Mac

Images: Apple

Yesterday we reported that Rovio’s Bad Piggies, the sequel to Angry Birds would be released and indeed it has hit the App Store for Apple and Google Play for Android fans. Since 2009 Angry Birds has reigned supreme on the most popular charts and has spun off to sell millions in marketing products, but will Bad Piggies have the same success? For $.99 you can do your part to make sure that Bad Piggies is a huge success and keep the coffers at Rovio swelling! Hit the App Store or Google Play to get yours now. Windows Phone owners will have to wait a while longer.

As super functional (or underwhelming in actuality) as the new iOS 6 may be, there are a large ground of people out there reluctant to upgrade until a jailbreak is available. Doesn’t matter if you’re hard to port with your parrot and sword or you’re just bored and acting as if our pointless little springboard tweaks makes your life easier, the jailbreak community is huge! For some, there is some relief, the good folks at redmondpie puts together a tutorial for us!

Compatible devices:

• A4 based iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch 4th-gen only.

Notes:

• This a tethered jailbreak, and is limited to the above mentioned devices only. There is currently no untethered jailbreak available for iOS 6 yet.
• iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPad 2, iPad 3 and iPod touch 5th-gen are not supported by this jailbreak.
• If you rely on unlock, do not update to iOS 6 yet.

Check out redmondpie for the entire walkthrough, good luck!

I have been waiting for the download and at 12pm it hit. Downloading iOS 6 now and will be following up through out the day on how everything is working. Started on my iPhone 4S first and will follow with my iPad 3. Go grab yours now on iTunes!

Before you watch the videos below you got to queue up some MC Hammer “Hammer Time” in your mind because that is exactly what I was thinking when they tested out the AMZER ShatterProof Screen Protector that not only took some hand drill abuse, but got the dog mess hammered out of it too! At only .2mm thick, the AMZER ShatterProof Screen Protector is backed by the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) having passed D1004 Tear Strength, D2240 Hardness and D4329 UV Light Discoloration Tests. The protector is scratch resistant, stress resistant, drop resistant and a has special self healing capability with dissipative functioning embodied – it is virtually indestructible making your iPhone 5 unbreakable!. Well , the iPhone 5 you preordered this morning like I did is more like it!

The AMZER ShatterProof Screen Protector is retailing at $29.99 and available for a variety of devices other than the iPhone as well. Looks like there is a little delay in shipping as they have 9/21 for all of the different devices they have their screen protectors for. If you are tired of toting your device around in a heavy duty case, then perhaps this is the ticket for you. Head on over to their website for more information: http://www.amzer.com/index.htm

Drill it:

Hammer it:

Features:

• Protects your iPhone 5 from impacts and dirt and dust.
• Provides extreme grade protection to your iPhone 5.
• Its Shock Dissipative Function allows your device to withstand extreme shock and pressure.
• Scratch Resistance
• Easy Application thanks to the silicon adhesion.
• Self Healing Properties deliver resistance to damage.

Specification:

• Product Type: ShatterProof Screen Protector.
• Manufacturer: Amzer.
• Part No.: AMZ94904.

Physical Properties Testing Methods Units Remarks:
Hardness ASTM D2240 Shore A 85¡ 2
Specific Gravity ASTM D297 1.22
300% Modulus ASTM D412 Kg/cm2

• Warp:92
• Weft:87

Tensile Strength ASTM D412 Kg/cm2

• Warp:380
• Weft:365

Elongation ASTM D412 Kg/cm2

• Warp:450
• Weft:435

Tear Strength ASTM D1004 Kg/cm

• Warp:100
• Weft:129

UV Light Discoloration ASTM D4329 Grade 3-4.

Amzer announces the next level of device protection – AMZER ShatterProof Screen Protector

HOUSTON—September 13, 2012—Amzer today introduced the next level of device protection with the arrival of AMZER ShatterProof Screen Protector. The AMZER ShatterProof Screen Protector is a revolutionary product innovated to provide the best protection to the next-generation of wireless devices. AMZER ShatterProof Screen Protector’s extreme grade protection making the device shatter and shock proof. ShatterProof has a unique shock dissipative function – unlike any other product in it’s category – ShatterProof uses the physics concept of dissipation, dissipation embodies the concept of a dynamical system where important mechanical modes, such as waves or oscillations, lose energy over time. ShatterProof does exactly the same to protect devices from drops and shocks, drops and stress which wireless devices usually don’t survive – which is why the name ShatterProof.

AMZER ShatterProof Screen Protector is super thin urethane film at only 0.2 mm thick, ShatterProof  is certified by the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) having passed D1004 Tear Strength, D2240 Hardness and D4329 UV Light Discoloration Tests. The protector is scratch resistant, stress resistant, drop resistant and a has special self healing capability with dissipative functioning embodied – it is virtually indestructible. “With ShatterProof protection, Amzer has proven itself yet again – as the leader of the accessory market, a leader which believes in innovation – we have created a revolutionary product to provide foolproof protection without adding any bulk to the beautiful devices, all this at a very nominal price! When we say Amzer accessories are inspired by real life, we mean it – we proved it.” emphatically says Amzer CEO – Pinakin Dinesh.

AMZER ShatterProof Screen Protector is currently available for the Apple iPhone 5, Apple iPhone 4S/4, Samsung Galaxy SIII and Samsung Galaxy Note, Apple iPod Touch 5th generation, Apple iPod nano 7th generation – other popular devices shall be added to the ShatterProof lineup. AMZER ShatterProof Screen Protector is available on Amzer Stores as well as leading Amzer re-sellers like Amazon, Walmart and Newegg. Suggested retail price (MSRP) for AMZER ShatterProof Screen Protector is US$ 29.95. The entire range of ShatterProof screen protectors can be seen at amzer.com/ShatterProof

Let’s all get ready to scream at the top of our lungs how much we hate the current length of the Apple sync cables that are included with all their devices! Ready? ONE! TWO!! THREE!!!!!! … ARGH!!!! There, I know it made you feel better if only for  a moment right? If you are feeling the exact same frustration as me then I got just the ticket for you in the StarTech 3M Cable for iOS Devices. So hang out with me and read on for another Mobility Digest Review: StarTech 3M iOS Device Cable.

First off, let’s check out the packaging ad first impression. The StarTech USB2ADC3M Dock Connector to USB Cable comes very well packaged as shown below. The inner contents are well sealed and there is plenty of documentation included to answer just about any question you might have. StarTech not only has a top notch website with great support, they even offer a toll free number should you require it: 1-800-265-1844

So enough horsing around I am ready to get the StarTech Cable out of the box and see for myself just how cool having a longer cable to power up m iPad and iPhone is going to be. The Cable is super thick and uses a 20 AWG Wire that is very well insulated. This allows the cable to overcome the 3M length (9.84 feet!) of resistance and charge your iOS device back up while you use it! The StarTech Cable Features:

Features

• 1x USB ‘A’ male connector
• 1x Stepped Apple® Dock connector
• High quality 20 AWG wire
• Offers 3m in cable length
• High quality connectors, suited for repeated connections/disconnections to/from your iPhone®, iPod® or iPad®
• Compatible with all existing Apple® dock cable connectors
• Aluminum-Mylar Foil with Braided Shielding
• Supports high-speed USB data transfer rates of up to 480 Mbps

As you can see in the picture above the StarTech Cable makes the supplied Apple Cable look like puny short cable it really is. I have never gotten the Apple Cable to give me the freedom I need to sit in a chair and use the device while charging. Now with the StarTech Cable I can sit anywhere on my couch and still remain plugged in! This cable is very well constructed with the 20 AWG wire and docking station plug in. I had no issues what so ever engaging the docking plug into any of my devices and it also fits with no problem on the OtterBox Defender Cases on both my iPad and iPhone. The plug end remains plugged in even after I tugged on it a couple times stretching out the cable. The cable, even though it is quite thick, does not bind up or tie up in knots like I thought it might. It remained very straight and trouble free. If you use a lot of iOS Devices I have to say that this needs to be your next purchase!

With the iPhone 5 being released, there is a different plugin that will be implemented. A smaller 8 pin plug end but Apple has already confirmed that they will release an adapter to use with all your old accessories. So purchasing the StarTech Cable should not be a question mark for you and allow you to go ahead and start using your devices with some freedom that the supplied Apple Cable does not give.

The StarTech USB2ADC3M Dock Connector to USB Cable for iPhone, iPad, and iPod is available on StarTech.com for $29.99 and is available now. Some quick searches and you could probably find it a little cheaper on Amazon like I did for $21 bucks.

Yes new is better, almost always some of the time. The thing is better is not the same as best. It can be depending on your point of reference but that is limiting. The iPhone 5 was the most anticipated phone unveiling ever! I don’t think I’m blowing this out of proportion. Even if you aren’t part of the Apple ecosystem you still knew, or heard, what today was and was on some level curious. Lets get to question of the day: Did the iPhone 5 meet the hype?

Hardware

The iPhone 5 is the best phone hardware Apple has ever produced. Lets make that clear. A more powerful processor, better graphics power, better camera, bigger screen, thinner, lighter and equipped with true LTE.

Detailed Specs:

• A6 Processor
• 8 MP iSight Camera BSI Sensor
• Worldwide LTE (3 different models to achieve this)
• Retina Display (325 ppi)
• Talk Time up to 8 hrs on 3G and LTE
• Comes in 16/32/64GB options
• RAM unannounced but 1GB is a reasonable guess.

When viewed from the standpoint of what the non-techie consumer will feel this iPhone will be awesome. It will have the best features that Apple has to offer and should move along in a snappy fashion. To the techie crowd this is a catchup lap, at best. The inclusion of the A6 chip was a very recent leak and a surprise. You would think that Apple would utilize the A5X or A5 chip to power such a small screen but no. I think this indicates that the unannounced iPad Mini will be debuting with the A6 chip. One commenter on Twitter commented that it looks like Apple took the iPhone 4/4S, grabbed a bowling pin to the phone and simply rolled out a thinner, taller phone.

Software

iOS6 has proven to be a nice, evolutionary update to iOS5 To be clear, I feel the iOS5 update was a much bigger deal. It brought Siri, Notification Center, Game Center and a few other social integration bits. iOS6 is like Apple’s admission that they’ve begun to hit the wall on how far they can take the user experience of iOS. They replaced Google Maps with their own native mapping solution. There are over 200 new features in iOS6 but thus far people are having a hard time finding them. It was thought that most of the big user features were being withheld because they were iPhone hardware specific. As it turns out iOS6 is what we thought it was. Bummer.

Key Software features:

• Siri: Your favorite “personal assistant” gets a major upgrade and is now out of beta. Can now open apps using Siri & set reservations using OpenTable integration among other things.
• Passbook: Passbook keeps things like airline boarding passes, movie tickets, and gift cards all in one place.
• Maps: Gone are Google Maps as the native solution and enter Apple’s own mapping solution. Beautiful 3D maps, free turn-by-turn directions and even a 100 million deep point of interest database.
• Safari & iCloud: iCloud Tabs shows the web pages you have open on all your devices, so you can pick up browsing wherever you left off. iCloud saves your bookmarks across all your devices, too.
• FaceTime over 3G: Now you can use FaceTime while consuming your data plan, if that’s your thing.
• Panorama Mode in Camera: Yes, the ability to take a panorama photo natively in your camera app is now available.

Concluding Thoughts

Apple had the chance to shut the door on every OS not named Android. There has been so much pent up demand that I could see 100 million iPhones being sold in the next 6 months easily. Did they capitalize? No dice, they whiffed! In a world where Google is rapidly polishing Android (Jelly Bean anyone?) and Microsoft is bringing their game up several notches with Windows Phone 8 Apple needed to bring some kind of leap ahead feature that would cause their competition to chase their tails for the next product cycle. Instead I walked away from the event thinking about how every single thing Apple announced today was a catchup move. Moves were made to get them back to “all things being equal” position and letting the lock-in of their ecosystem and brand name value win the day for them. There was no NFC, no wireless charging, not even a suped up camera. There was absolutely no “take my money now” feature announced.

Samsung debuted some progressive, innovative software solutions with facial detection and their answer to Siri. Nokia last week delivered what may be the most innovative phone bringing along with it wireless charging, NFC, Pure HD+ screen that exceeds the ppi of the iPhone 5’s retina display, innovative camera tech and bold colors. When compared to these two beautiful phones the iPhone simply comes up short. Yes the iPhone 5 will be the most popular selling phone of all time. This is more to do with Apple’s brand and marketing then the hardware and software accompanying it. The iPhone 5 failed to meet the hype and that’s sad. I, as a techie, want to see Apple make the other guys push harder and faster than they ever have before. Trust me, it’ll be better for everyone when Apple gets back to that.

Speaking on a purely hardware/native software point of view the iPhone isn’t the best anymore. That battle is up for grab between the Samsung Galaxy S III and the Nokia Lumia 920.

For those of you who loved you some iOS but just didn’t care much for the phone (how is that possible?) the iPod Touch has always been a perfect little device. Good news, the next generation of the iPod Touch will be getting a retina display of 1136 x 640 and the highly capable A5 chip from the previous generation iPads. We just didn’t want you to miss this tidbit with all the iPhone 5 news going around, im sure someone out there cares!

source bgr

The world found itself off it’s axis when Apple announced they would be removing the youtube app from the os. Not to fear, google has stepped in and provided all with an official app. The app has been written from the ground up in native code, so it performs nicely! Cat videos as usual folks!

theverge put together a nice video for your viewing pleasure.

Today’s review item is a quick one. If you have ever used a zip lock style bag to protect your phone or other electronic devices then today’s item will be very familiar. Bracketron created a set of form fitting zip lock style bags for mobile devices such as smart phones, tablets and eReaders; of course the Apple branded devices are covered too.

If you like to go to the beach or use your devices in hostile environments then the SmartWraps are an ideal way to protect your electronics. Plus the proper size fitting baggy makes use the intended device much simpler and less sill looking than an iPhone in a snack size Zip Lock bag.

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