The AppAdvice Week In Review: Apple's iPad Air Arrives
November 3, 2013
Each week, AppAdvice gathers all of the stories we covered and offers a review of some of the best. This week's list features stories on the iPad Air launch, battery issues with the iPhone 5s, and the upcoming arrival of the iPad mini with Retina display.
Apple released the iPad Air on Friday, Nov. 1. As expected, supplies of the fifth-generation tablet were plentiful, both for the space gray and silver models.
The only hitch on launch day occurred at T-Mobile. The No. 4 cellular provider, which had never carried iPads before, had announced that it would be offering 200MB of free 4G LTE data for life to every user who purchased a Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad Air, even for those who weren’t a T-Mobile customer.
On Friday, Brent Dirks and many others noticed that the network carrier’s “free” data offer apparently came with a catch:
To receive your free data on your T-Mobile Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad Air, go through the iOS setup process as you normally would. From there, you’ll be asked to create a T-Mobile account, no credit card required. In return, you’ll be issued 200MB of LTE as part of a “starter” pack -- each month.
For more of our iPad Air coverage, see:
Besides the T-Mobile hiccup, the iPad Air launch was nearly perfect. The same probably won’t be said when the iPad mini with Retina display debuts later this month.
Although Apple has yet to announce an actual release date for the second-generation iPad mini, they are promising it will occur this month. Nov. 29 is probably off the table, because it is Black Friday. Therefore, you can probably circle Friday Nov. 22 as the tablet’s official launch date.
Target noted a release date for the iPad mini with Retina display of Thursday, Nov. 21.
When the iPad mini with Retina display does launch, it will almost certainly be in short supply. Tim Cook said as much during Apple’s recent financial results conference call. The Apple CEO warned analysts and consumers that Apple may be unable to handle demand for the new model.
For those hoping to score an iPad mini with Retina display on launch day, be prepared to stand in line. Stay tuned.
Apple has now admitted that a small number of iPhone 5s handsets were shipped with faulty batteries. Those affected are being contacted by Apple, and will be issued new handsets.
According to the company’s website:
T-Mobile adds some drama on a rather quiet iPad Air launch day
Apple released the iPad Air on Friday, Nov. 1. As expected, supplies of the fifth-generation tablet were plentiful, both for the space gray and silver models.
The only hitch on launch day occurred at T-Mobile. The No. 4 cellular provider, which had never carried iPads before, had announced that it would be offering 200MB of free 4G LTE data for life to every user who purchased a Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad Air, even for those who weren’t a T-Mobile customer.
On Friday, Brent Dirks and many others noticed that the network carrier’s “free” data offer apparently came with a catch:
Unless you’re a T-Mobile voice customer, you’ll get charged $10 per month for your “free” 200MB of data. Voice customers will get a $10 monthly credit on their bill.On Saturday, Nov. 2, CEO John Legere took to Twitter to clarify his company’s position. Legere noted the $10 per month fee was an “executional mistake.” Legere added “everyone” is eligible to get the 200MB of free data, “no strings attached.”
To receive your free data on your T-Mobile Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad Air, go through the iOS setup process as you normally would. From there, you’ll be asked to create a T-Mobile account, no credit card required. In return, you’ll be issued 200MB of LTE as part of a “starter” pack -- each month.
For more of our iPad Air coverage, see:
- What Does The iFixit iPad Air Teardown Reveal?
- Preorder ZooGue's iPad Air Cases And Get 30 Percent Off Their Regular Prices
- Apple Discontinues All But Dark Gray Smart Covers, Cases For Older 9.7-Inch iPads
- Is Apple's Smart Case For iPad Air Worth The Cash?
- Is The iPad Air Really Faster Than The iPad 4?
- Why Apple Didn't Reveal A Gold iPad In 2013
On deck: The iPad mini with Retina display
Besides the T-Mobile hiccup, the iPad Air launch was nearly perfect. The same probably won’t be said when the iPad mini with Retina display debuts later this month.
Although Apple has yet to announce an actual release date for the second-generation iPad mini, they are promising it will occur this month. Nov. 29 is probably off the table, because it is Black Friday. Therefore, you can probably circle Friday Nov. 22 as the tablet’s official launch date.
Target noted a release date for the iPad mini with Retina display of Thursday, Nov. 21.
When the iPad mini with Retina display does launch, it will almost certainly be in short supply. Tim Cook said as much during Apple’s recent financial results conference call. The Apple CEO warned analysts and consumers that Apple may be unable to handle demand for the new model.
For those hoping to score an iPad mini with Retina display on launch day, be prepared to stand in line. Stay tuned.
Battery issues affect a limited number of iPhone 5s handsets
Apple has now admitted that a small number of iPhone 5s handsets were shipped with faulty batteries. Those affected are being contacted by Apple, and will be issued new handsets.
According to the company’s website:
Apple will personally contact customers who own iPhone 5s units with affected serial numbers via a phone call. If a customer feels that their phone is affected, but has not yet received a call, they may feel inclined to call AppleCare. If they do, the AppleCare representative can enter their serial number into the system and check to see if their phone is eligible for a replacement. If the phone is not deemed to be in the group of units with the manufacturing issue, AppleCare is instructed to troubleshoot the phone with normal guidelines.For more information, please see Joe White’s report, How Apple Is Replacing Battery Afflicted iPhone 5s Handsets.
Recommended Reading
- Apple Records A $7.5 Billion Profit In The Fourth Quarter Of 2013 by Brent Dirks notes that Apple had another record-breaking quarter.
- First Look: The Next Issue Digital Magazine Service Arrives On iPhone by yours truly offers an early take on this amazing app.
- Apple Further Teases Remote App's iOS 7 Redesign With App Store Promotional Banner by Aldrin Calimlim explains the upcoming app update.
- Another Report Claims Apple's 'iPhone 6' Will Be A Phablet by yours truly notes that work on the next iPhone has begun.
- Infinity Blade III Gets Its First Content Update: Soul Hunter Quest Available Now by Joe White says go and get the Infinity Blade III update.
