Last Friday was busier than normal for Apple-related news, and that trend continued right into the weekend, which saw the arrival of iPhone 5-compatible nano-SIMs at T-Mobile retailers, yet another free iCloud storage bump for former MobileMe subscribers and AT&T slashing its return window in half -- which is likely to just send more iPhone buyers to Apple, where a 30-day return window still exists.
Although Apple has yet to offer an unlocked version of the iPhone 5 in the U.S., it's easier than ever to get the device unlocked through unofficial means -- or simply use the Verizon model, whose SIM card slot comes unlocked right out of the box. Carrier T-Mobile has been preparing for the unlocked iPhone 5 will plans to stock nano-SIMs by mid-October, but a report from TMoNews reveals that retail stores are starting to receive them already. You'll want to call your local retailer before venturing out to grab one, and keep in mind that T-Mo's data network is still most incompatible with the 3G/4G found in the iPhone -- a situation they're working quickly to address.
Last week, we reported on an apparent bug in Apple's iCloud storage subscription plan that appeared to give former MobileMe members an extension on their complimentary upgrade until the year 2050. As many assumed, that was indeed a goof, but late Friday, Apple posted a support document announcing that former MobileMe members are indeed getting an additional extension for one more year, until September 30, 2013. The free storage bump was scheduled to end on September 30 this year and Apple even sent out emails to members using more than the 5GB of free iCloud storage reminding them the paid upgrade was imminent. Hey, we just saved $40 for another 12 months, so we're not complaining.
On Saturday, Engadget reported that AT&T was planning to cut its return and service cancellation policy in half beginning October 7 -- an unfortunate leak that the carrier confirmed later that day. Instead of the generous 30 day return window to decide that latest handset isn't for you, AT&T is now allowing only 14 days, and indeed, the policy has already kicked in as of Sunday. There's no word on how this new policy will play out in certain states like California, where a 30-day return period is required by law.
There's been quite a bit written since the release of the iPhone 5 on September 21 about a strange "purple haze" appearing on photos taken with the handset when bright light sources are shining into the camera lens. As it turns out, this anomaly is not new to the company's latest handset, as documented in a new Apple support document. "Most small cameras, including those in every generation of iPhone, may exhibit some form of flare at the edge of the frame when capturing an image with out-of-scene light sources," the support note posted on Sunday reads. "This can happen when a light source is positioned at an angle (usually just outside the field of view) so that it causes a reflection off the surfaces inside the camera module and onto the camera sensor." The solution is simply to move the camera slightly to change position or shield the lens flare with your hand. "PurpleGate" averted?
Apple finally updated its free Apple Store iPhone app on Friday, adding support for the new iPhone 5. Apparently the app needed a little more time in the oven, given that the rest of Cupertino's own apps had already been updated for the four-inch display of their latest handset in the days prior to the iPhone 5 actually going on sale. Strangely, the Apple Store app still isn't universal, nor is their an iPad-specific version, but hey… that's what Mobile Safari is for.
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(Image courtesy of TMoNews)
