iPhone

Prepare yourself for a heady dose of tech nostalgia, as we explore the origins -- and evolution -- of Apple's iPhone.

Hit play on the video above and see Steve Jobs' iconic gadget traced back to its roots. We'll be charting the most important new apps and features that the iPhone has sprouted over the years -- as well as its biggest mis-steps.

These days, we take highfalutin smart phones for granted, and it's easy to forget that prior to 2007, so-called smart phones were little more than blocky plastic bricks, with hard-to-view screens and slathered with … Read more

At long last, T-Mobile announced that it will carry its own iPhone 5, in addition to letting you bring over an unlocked iPhone 5 from another carrier, like from AT&T.

Yet, when T-Mobile's own iPhone hits stores on April 12, it'll be a slightly different model and experience compared with other carriers. Here's what's altered.

Unlimited 4G FaceTime Since T-Mobile has now switched over to a prepaid, no-contract model, anyone who has an unlimited plan ($70 per month for individuals) will be able to use the iPhone 5's FaceTime calling feature over both … Read more

Anyone who got into it with Apple over botched early versions of the iPhone and iPod Touch may be in the running to get some extra cash.

The hardware giant has agreed to shell out $53 million to settle a class action lawsuit originally filed against the company in 2010, according to Wired. The suit involved Apple vs. user warranty disputes.

Apparently, thousands of owners of the original iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, or the first three generations of the iPod Touch who unsuccessfully haggled with Apple to get their defective device replaced or repaired under warranty can submit claims … Read more

One of the most important aspects of a handset's overall user experience is which carrier it's operating on.

Now that T-Mobile is offering the device, the iPhone 5 is finally available on all four major U.S. carriers. (Regional networks like U.S. Cellular, Cricket Wireless, and C Spire sell the handset as well.)

Each of these four networks -- AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile -- have different plans, prices, and bundles. In addition, T-Mobile's iPhone in particular comes with a number of differences compared to the others. However, with all the little nuanced phone … Read more

The iPhone has been out a while, but new cases for it keep arriving.

Update, April 11, 2013: Added Skech Lisso Book and Otterbox Armor Series cases.

What's the best one? Very hard to say. The problem is that everybody has different tastes in cases. And, of course, some folks choose not to bother with them at all.

In doing this roundup, I've tried to present a good selection of products, highlighting some of the better cases that have hit the market -- or are about to. But this is by no means a "best of" … Read more

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Hi-fi reviews based purely on the feel of the knob .

- Which celebrities can you pay to message on Facebook?

- Can you bully a celebrity? Short answer: no.

- How the hell do you pronounce GIF anyway?

- Follow Emily Dreyfuss on Twitter.… Read more

The next major versions of two of Apple's key products are said to face delays as the company scrambles to add new security and display technologies.

In a note to investors this morning, summarized over at Apple Insider, KGI Securities analyst Ming-chi Kuo said the next iPhone is being held up by Apple's desire to include finger-scanning technology.

"Apple has to work out how to prevent interference from the black-and-white coating material under the cover glass," Kuo wrote.

Presumably that technology -- which could authenticate a user's identity without a passcode or passwords -- would … Read more

A flexible-display iPhone or iWatch may be on Apple's to-do list after all.

The company has already shown interest in flexible devices by filing a few patent applications aimed in that direction. A recent job ad and still more patent filings provide further hints that the technology is on Apple's agenda.

A job ad posted by Apple on April 1 specifically said the company was looking for a display specialist to work with LCD, AMOLED, and flexible displays. The ad has since been taken down, but 9to5Mac captured a screenshot just in time, revealing the full description:

Apple may shake up the next version of iOS with the introduction of a true mobile wallet, forecasts Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty.

Dubbed a "killer app" by the analyst, the mobile wallet feature would surface as part of iOS 7, which Apple is expected to preview at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

Huberty's prediction echoes that of fellow Apple analyst Gene Munster, who also thinks a digital wallet is in Apple's future. However, Munster believes the technology won't surface on iOS devices for another year or two.

Apple got its feet wet in … Read more