Apple is launching an 8GB version of the iPhone 5c

The rumors are true, Apple is launching an 8GB version of the iPhone 5c. After internal documents from German carrier O2 clued us into a new variant of Apple's mid-tier phone, carriers across Europe have now begun taking orders for it. UK operator O2 and French provider SFR are offering the handset for free and one euro respectively on multi-year contracts, discounting it by more than £50 ($83) to tempt new customers. Apple has also added the new model to many of its online stores worldwide, pricing unlocked models at £429 ($714), which means you'll need to pay an extra £40 ($67) to double your storage. While the 8GB variant is available in China, it remains conspicuous in its absence from the company's US store. Apple has remained quiet regarding sales of its multi-colored iPhone, but today's price drop could certainly indicate sales didn't meet expectations.

Nexus 5 Render Delivers Virtual Hands On

The Nexus 5 remains unofficial but already we’re getting a fantastic glimpse thanks to intrepid designers who are keen on bringing the Nexus 5 rumors to life. The latest might just be the best look yet as a designer has developed a three-dimensional image of the Nexus 5 that prospective buyers can fiddle with ahead of the Nexus 5 launch date.

For weeks, we’ve seen Nexus 5 renders leak to the surface, showing off what an LG Nexus 5 could look like. Those renders, which have been based on the leak that we saw in Google’s Android 4.4 KitKat video as well as the possible Nexus 5 FCC filing, depict a device that looks similar to the Nexus 4 in the front but possesses a back that is reminiscent of the Nexus 7 tablet that is currently out on shelves.

Those renders have all offered detailed looks at the Nexus 5 though we haven’t seen anything close to the 3D render that emerged just a short time ago. The render. made by a user on reddit, and posted on a site called Sketchfab, shows off the LG Nexus 5 in 3D form, offering a way to go “hands-on” with the device ahead of its launch.

The render is once again based on the various leaks that we’ve seen and it very accurately shows off the device that may very well be one of, if not the only Nexus 5 that arrives later on this year.

Once again, we see the giant camera lens, we see the Nexus 7 inspired black matte design, we see the large Nexus logo, and we see a device that doesn’t appear to be massively changed up front in terms of design and style. All in all, it’s a beautiful look at what Google could announce in just a few short weeks as a competitor to the iPhone 5C, iPhone 5S and the other big name smartphones on the market.

Rumors suggest that Google could be looking to announce the Nexus 5 in mid-October alongside Android 4.4 KitKat, its new operating system that emerged earlier this month. Android 4.4 KitKat, while official, doesn’t have any official information as Google neglected to offer a release date or any Android 4.4 features. The software is expected to land with the Nexus 5 and potentially roll out to other Nexus devices shortly after the announcement.

The rumored Nexus 5 seen here next to the Nexus 4 and Galaxy Nexus.

At least one Nexus 5 is thought to be coming from LG, the same company that made the Nexus 4. Rumors suggest that it will have a 1080p display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, 13MP camera, and all of the bells and perks of a Google-powered Nexus smartphone.

Rumors also suggest that Motorola could be making a Nexus 5, different from the Moto X, but thus far, that device has not shown up on the radar.

White 64GB iPhone 5s on AT&T Best Choice… At Least for Me

Choosing the right iPhone 5s may be challenging for some, but my choice is crystal clear thanks to my experiences with the iPhone 5. Apple’s offering more iPhone options than ever with the iPhone 5s release, making it more important than ever to carefully evaluate your options. Unfortunately, not all iPhone 5s models are born equally .

Starting September 20th, Apple will sell a total of 84 distinct iPhone models in the United States. Yes you read that right. At the top of the heap is the iPhone 5s, available in three colors and storage capacities. The iPhone 5c is Apple’s new slightly more affordable model and will come in two storage sizes and five colors. The 8GB iPhone 4s in black or white will be offered for free with a two-year contract.

So why am I leaning towards a white iPhone 5s on AT&T, rather than all the other options? Read on for my detailed explanation:

Upgrading from the iPhone 5

It’s important to note that I am not a typical smartphone user. As part of my duties here at GottaBeMobile I own and use several devices. I have an iPhone 5 on three of the four major U.S. carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon).  I also use an HTC One, Samsung Galaxy S4 and Nexus 4. Rather than trying to split all of my time evenly  between all of these devices, I simply use whatever works for me at any given time. I use my HTC One more when I want to produce highlight videos. I use my Verizon iPhone 5 for data-intensive tasks like streaming movies, since it’s the only device I have that’s on an unlimited plan. 

So why do I want to upgrade one of my iPhone 5 units? At first glance the iPhone 5s is very similar to the older model, but there are some key features that I really like. The iPhone 5s has a new motion processor that makes it a better fitness companion. The Touch ID fingerprint scanner is something I’d really like to use. I’m a camera freak, and the iPhone 5s has a better camera than the iPhone 5 that I want to use. The newer iPhone is faster, allowing it to run more features in the new iOS 7 camera app, including slow motion video and 10 frames-per-second photo bursts. Apple claims the iPhone 5s will also have slightly better battery life.  Yes, these are all relatively minor updates to the iPhone 5, but most of them matter to me.

iPhone 5s Color Matters

iPhone color choice didn’t matter much beyond personal preference prior to the iPhone 5. But with the iPhone 5 I learned a lesson. Scratches and scuffs show up really easily on the black iPhone 5, while the white iPhone 5 keeps its good looks in the same conditions. My black iPhone 5 looked used and abused, even though I kept it in a case.

Apple uses the same anodized aluminum construction for the iPhone 5s as it did on the iPhone 5.  The white iPhone 5 color scheme is being rebadged as ‘space grey’ for the iPhone 5s. No matter what you call it, scratches to the anodized surfaces don’t show much since the aluminum beneath the it is the same color. As you can imagine, the aluminum beneath the black and new champagne gold anodized surfaces are indeed also grey, which means it’s only a matter of time before you start seeing visible scuffs and scratches on the back of your black or gold iPhone 5s.

Like most people, I don’t like my expensive gadgets to look like crap due to normal use. Even though I prefer the sleek black look, I’ll be looking for a white iPhone 5s when it launches this Friday.

AT&T is the Best Carrier (for me)

I switched my primary phone number from Sprint to AT&T the day the original iPhone launched. I loved the original iPhone, but I really hated AT&T. The wireless carrier was the exclusive iPhone carrier in the U.S. and it quickly earned a bad rep for poor reception and dropping calls. Things remained miserable for years until AT&T geared up for stiff competition and got its act together. Now AT&T is the best carrier for me and my family because of its solid and speedy 4G LTE coverage in San Francisco.

In general, AT&T’s 4G LTE network is faster and more reliable than Sprint’s, T-Mobile’s and Verizon’s 4G LTE networks in San Francisco. When AT&T’s 4G LTE isn’t available, its 4G HSPA+ network fills in the gaps. AT&T also allows iPhone users to talk on their iPhone while using it to access the Internet. Sprint and Verizon simply kill the iPhone’s Internet connection when calls come in. T-Mobile can handle simultaneous voice and data, but its LTE network is still spotty in some parts of San Francisco.  

As I always tell readers, wireless carrier networks’ reception, speed and reliability can vary from house to house and city to city. While AT&T might be the best carrier for me, I have friends and relatives that live in AT&T dead zones just a few miles away and are better served by Verizon.

64GB Minimum

Apple charges way too much for the privilege of extra storage capacity, but paying $200 now is much better than having to actively manage apps and files to make sure I don’t fill my iPhone 5s up. As it is, I occasionally need to cleanse my 64GB iPhone 5 of unwanted pictures, videos and apps to make sure I have enough room for new content. If Apple offered larger capacities for more money I’d likely jump at the chance to buy a larger drive. I didn’t always need such a large capacity, but now that I’m a father I shoot a lot more video and download the occasional Disney movie. Feature films take up 1.5GB to 2.5GB of space. Shooting video on the iPhone 5 or iPhone 5s takes up about 150MB per minute.

The base 16GB iPhone 5s will only have about 13GB of available storage. The screen grab to the right was taken on my 16GB iPhone 5 and shows how little room is available on it. Sure, I don’t have to worry about taking still photos or installing lightweight apps, but adding a couple of movies and a few videos games could max it out to a point where I wouldn’t be able to do much of anything with the phone.

Weighing Your iPhone 5s Options

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to which iPhone 5s model is best. The $399 price tag for the model I want is tough for some to swallow. Some people view the white iPhone 5s as being too feminine. Most importantly, I don’t recommend anyone buy an AT&T iPhone 5s if they live in an area that doesn’t have reliable coverage. Being able to consistently place and receive calls is much more important than speeds.

Regardless of what you decide, I recommend ONLY buying the model that best meets your needs. If you decide the durable white version is for you, don’t let a salesperson talk you into buying another color if they’re out of stock. The same goes for capacity and carrier. Simply do not let a salesperson rush you into an alternative that doesn’t work for you.

Nexus 5 Video & Photos Show New Nexus in the Wild

The new Nexus 5, at least the one from LG, has seemingly leaked in the wild today as alleged Nexus 5 videos and photos appear to show the device that we’ve seen in leaks well ahead of its rumored October launch date.

Earlier this month, a mysterious Nexus smartphone emerged in an Android 4.4 KitKatvideo, a video that Google promptly pulled offline. At the time, it was not clear if the device was real or an Easter egg that Google purposefully planted in the video to throw viewers off. While nothing is confirmed, it’s looking like the Nexus that was seen in the video could be the real deal.

This could be the Nexus 5.

For one, an FCC filing for an LG device produced some parts that looking strikingly similar to the device in the video. Then, an LG filing for the LG G2 leaked photos of a device that clearly was not the LG G2 and again, looked similar to the Nexus device seen in the photos. Since then, we’ve seen a number of renders emerge, bringing those leaks to life, but today, it appears that the Nexus 5 itself has been captured in the wild.

Photos and video from 9to5Google show what appear to be the same LG Nexus 5 that we’ve seen lurking in FCC documents. This device, however, sports the same Nexus back that we saw in the Android 4.4 KitKat video. The rest of the device looks identical to the device that we’ve seen emerge, something that points to these photos being a very real glimpse at the Nexus 5.

This lines up with the recent FCC leak.

It’s now clear if this is the final design, we could very well be looking at a prototype, but given how accurately the device in the photos lines up with the FCC filing, it’s possible that this is the device that will hit shelves later this year.

What’s more, there are Nexus 5 videos that very quickly show the device operating Android 4.4 KitKat in the wild. The videos don’t show off much, other than the lock screen and the front of the smartphone, but they are still interesting nonetheless and further confirm Google’s intentions.

There are also rumors that suggest that Motorola will be releasing a Nexus later this year but thus far, the LG Nexus 5 has dominated the headlines. This could be because there is no Motorola Nexus or perhaps, Google is trying to throw people off the scent of the other Nexus smartphone.

At the very least, it’s looking like we could see an LG Nexus 5 replace the current LG Nexus 4 and from the looks of things, it could be doing so with a 1080p display, quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor and a 13MP camera, just like the LG G2.

iPhone 5S Release Date: Key Details Confirmed

As the iPhone 5S release date approaches, key details continue to emerge with as Verizon has confirmed that it will be accepting iPhone 5S orders at 12:01AM PST and will be opening its retail stores early to accommodate those that don’t wish to order online but want to buy their new iPhone 5S in-store.

Last week, Apple finally confirmed both the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C, two iPhones that had been rumored for most of 2013. The company not only confirmed their features but also announced a September 20th release date for both. It also confirmed an iPhone 5C pre-order for September 13th and the iPhone 5C remains on sale, in most flavors, through Apple’s website and through the websites of its carrier partners.

Verizon will begin iPhone 5S orders at 12:01AM PST.

Apple uncharacteristically did not announce an iPhone 5S pre-order date, instead choosing to open up orders starting on September 20th, the day that the device is going to be released inside retail stores. Unfortunately, many of the iPhone 5S release date details remained absent on the day of the announcement but finally, the release date details are coming together.

Last week, Apple confirmed that it would be taking iPhone 5S orders at midnight PST and 3AM EST, standard for the iPhone. However, we still had some missing details, thanks to carriers remaining mum about their plans.

Today, we have discovered several Verizon iPhone 5S release date details lurking on its website, something that all but confirms the remaining iPhone 5S release date details.

Verizon’s website suggests that iPhone 5S orders will begin online at 12:01AM PST. We expect other carriers to follow suit so those planning to order on day one should expect the same from AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile.

Verizon stores will open early on Friday for iPhone 5S buyers.

We have also discovered that Verizon’s store locator is confirming plans to open retail stores at 8AM, a special time that is aimed at accommodating iPhone 5S buyers. Apple Stores will also be opening up at 8AM on September 20th and we expect AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile to open their stores up early as well.

TMoNews points to an internal document that confirms that this is the case for T-Mobile though the carrier still hasn’t confirmed its iPhone 5S release day plans just yet.

What this means is that iPhone 5S orders should start at midnight, across the board, and we should see Apple Stores and carrier locations open up early on September 20th.

Verizon stores will likely be joined by AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile retail locations.

Those won’t be the only places to buy the iPhone 5S as Best Buy, RadioShack and Walmart will also be offering the iPhone 5S on September 20th.

Apple’s iPhone 5S is set to replace the iPhone 5 as the company’s flagship smartphone and it will be coming with a fingerprint reader, new processor and a new camera. It will be joined by the iPhone 5C, Apple’s plastic iPhone, that will join the iPhone 5S in replacing the iPhone 5 and the iPhone 4.

The iPhone 5S will start at $199 on-contract while the iPhone 5C will start at $99.99 on-contract.

Nexus 4 Is History as Google Focuses on Fast Nexus 5 Release

The Nexus 4 is no longer available on the Google Play Store and multiple sources indicate it will not make a return as Google sets its focus on the Nexus 5 release, which could be very close.

Google announced the Nexus 4 less than a year ago as the company’s affordable flagship smartphone, but the lack of LTE and relatively small internal storage options likely led to the early retirement.

The Nexus 4 bows out gracefully as the Nexus 5 arrives on the scene in an official Android 4.4 update video, the FCC, photos, renders and in Nexus 5 videos taken at a bar.

At this point it seems Google is doing everything it can to get the Nexus 5 in front of consumers, and with the Nexus 4 no longer offered for sale, a launch and Nexus 5 release can’t be too far off.

The Nexus 4 is no longer available from Google.

Google cleared out the Nexus 4 8GB units last week with a limited time sale and the Nexus 4 16GB is now out of stock with the message, “We are out of inventory. Please check back soon.”

But, according to The Verge and AllThings D, there is no need to check back now or anytime soon.The Verge’s source says this is the end for the Nexus 4, and AllThings D reports, “sources say that Google has no plans to replenish supplies of the device,” all of which points to a very fast Nexus 5 release date.

Typically companies leave the old models on the market at least up until a new phone announcement to avoid losing sales of aging hardware, but it appears Google wants people to wait for the Nexus 5.

One reason for this decision could be a switch to manufacturing the Nexus 5 ahead of the announcement, in order to avoid the supply issues which prevented many buyers from getting the Nexus 4 during the first several months of sales.

The latest rumor suggests Google is planning a Nexus 5 event for October 14th, one day ahead of a rumored Apple iPad and new MacBook Pro event. This event would also mark the official unveiling of Android 4.4 KitKat.

The Nexus 5 release date is not known, but with the Nexus 4 off the market we can expect swift moves from Google. Google’s past actions suggest the company could deliver a Nexus 5 release date as quickly as 2 weeks after a launch event.

This is likely the Nexus 5 courtesy of the FCC.

The Nexus 5 appears to share a design with the Nexus 7 including a matte black finish. We expect a Nexus 5 camera with optical image stabilization and it looks like the Nexus 5 will feature an upgraded battery and the same, no Micro SD card closed design.

16 GB iPhone 5s v. 32 GB iPhone 5c: $199 iPhone Battle Royal

For $199 this year, Apple iOS consumers can choose either the flagship iPhone 5s with all the bells and whistles but with only 16 GB of on-board, non-expandable storage or a mid-range iPhone 5c with double the storage. Both devices will run the latest iOS 7 operating system from Apple and both will connect to a 4G LTE network on the carrier of your choice. So which one should you choose–the more advanced model that’s crippled by storage, or a more mid-range, middle of the pack iPhone that compromises on some key features but offers more expandable storage? Let’s break it down and see where the value is.

iPhone 5c or iPhone 5s?

Apple is offering the iPhone 5c this year in either 16 GB or 32 GB of storage. The lesser storage version starts at $99 and you get a range of colors to choose from. The 32 GB edition costs $199, which is the same starting price as the 16 GB iPhone 5s flagship.

Given the crossover, we’re going to explore some features users may consider when making the decision to choose between either models. It really boils down to opportunity costs and deal breakers.

Storage

The iPhone lineup starts with a paltry 8 GB of storage on the free-on-contract iPhone 4S that launched a few years ago and storage goes up to a maximum of 64 GB on the iPhone 5S. Given that there are no memory card slots on the iPhone of any model, users must predict how much storage they need and choose the right model at the time of purchase.

Fortunately, though, you can still augment your storage in other ways. Thanks to cloud storage, not every digital file, content, video, photo, or music you own has to reside on your phone. iCloud will allow you, for example, to download any iTunes music, video, or TV show on the go so you don’t have to synchronize with your PC and you don’t have to hoard every digital purchase on your phone. Download, install, or store what you need, and if you need something else you already own, go to your iCloud storage and re-download. Problem here is that larger files require a WiFi connection and you cannot download movies or TV shows over 3G or 4G.

Moreover, files that you’ve created can also be offloaded to the cloud. Thanks to Google Drive, Microsoft SkyDrive, Dropbox, AT&T Locker, and other services, you can offload your Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files to a remotely hosted storage locker. This includes music and video files. Just keep in mind, when you upload or download files, you’re consuming data, whether that’s on WiFi or 3G/4G is up to you.

And you can also add storage through accessories. We’ve recently reviewed the excellent Kingston MobileLIte that will allow you to plug in a memory card or USB stick to the wireless streaming accessory and you can connect to the Kingston over the ad-hoc WiFi network as your personal cloud to access what you want. This will give you more flexibility than the traditional iCloud access and you won’t waste your data plan, but it does require you to buy the $60 accessory and the memory cards or USB drives in the capacities that suit you.

Camera

With the iPhone 5s, users should be getting a significantly upgraded camera despite that both iPhone models sport the same 8-megapixel camera. a larger sensor, wider aperture, dual TrueTone LED flash, and digital image stabilization. This means photos in low light conditions will be better, the flash will give you more natural skin tones when taking pictures of friends in a dark restaurant or environment with the flash on, and you can now be running and chasing after your kids and have blur-free images.

Apple’s iPhone models do not lead the camera pack when it comes to specs, but given Apple’s history for making intelligent software that works well with the hardware, we have no doubt that the small improvements made to the camera on the iPhone 5s will result in a significantly better picture-taking experience when mobile.

And given that most users now no longer own or carry a camera with them, the best camera is their smartphone. For many, that smartphone is the iPhone. If you’re the historian in your group of friends or family, then you may want to consider the better camera on the iPhone 5s. If you see yourself taking 90 percent of your photos in bright sunlight or outdoors, then the camera on the iPhone 5c may suffice as it should be very similar in performance to the camera on the iPhone 5, which was excellent to begin with given its specs. However, given this will likely be your camera investment for the next two years, or the length of your contract, having the best camera today may be worth it. After all, it’s a “Kodak” moment, and that in itself is priceless.

Security

The highlight of this year’s flagship iPhone 5s is the biometric fingerprint sensor. Apple has done some work in retooling the sensor so you can press your finger into the home button, rather than requiring a swipe of the finger like clunkier readers of yore. Initially, the Touch ID fingerprint mechanism is extremely limited–you can unlock your phone and you can authorize iTunes purchases–but we expect Touch ID support to grow in the future. Potentially, Apple could allow third-party developers in at a future date to allow you to authenticate yourself on other apps. Imagine opening up mobile Safari and going to the Gmail webpage and then swiping your finger to log-in to your Google account. Or how about swiping your finger to open up your Dropbox app.

And given how connectivity is becoming increasingly important with the “Internet of Things,” security will be be increasingly relevant. Your iPhone could potentially serve as your home’s door keys, the keys to start your car, your means to authenticate your identity online, and more. This is the beginning, and if you’re a user who values convenience and security and see yourself hanging onto this upcoming iPhone purchase for some time, the iPhone 5s may future-proof you for the next two years.

On the other hand, the limited ability of Touch ID right now means that unless you’re a corporate worker or one who resides in environments of high security–medical, insurance, and financial industries, for example–then the iPhone 5c may be the cheaper, more practical option right now. Apple still needs time to figure out how to secure the Internet and it will take some time for Touch ID to be meaningful beyond iTunes purchases and merely unlocking your iPhone 5s.

Games

If you’re a gamer who plays graphics-intensive titles, the iPhone 5s and its new A7 processor coupled with the M7 co-processor may be your ticket to a happier next two years. Coupled with a new 64-bit iOS operating system, the end result is a much improved experience with the iPhone 5s with apps opening faster, graphics being better, and games being smoother with better graphics detail.

The iPhone 5, of which the iPhone 5c is based upon, is no slouch either, but for impatient fingers and users who demand more performance out of their phones, the iPhone 5s will deliver, while at the same time offering improved battery life than the outgoing iPhone 5.

Sensors

While Apple rivals are looking to offload motion tracking and sensing technologies to wearable devices, like smartwatches, Apple is saying the iPhone is still the best device to do this as you’ll likely always have your phone with you wherever you go. And with the new CoreMotion APIs and the M7 motion co-processor, Apple intends to allow developers to create health and fitness apps that will track your steps and movement. The potential for this isn’t fully realized yet, but your phone will be able to monitor how many steps you take, how fast you run, and in turn help you determine how many calories you should consume based on what you’re burning to lose weight, gain weight, or maintain your figure. Overall, it’s one less device to recharge overnight, and the iPhone already has your workout music so why should you have to wear a new fitness band or watch to get added functionality?

While some of this is already available on past iPhone models thanks to a partnership with Nike, on the iPhone 5s Apple is making this easier and improving battery life in the process. Not only is your iPhone a mobile computer, it will be a remote sensor hub that gathers and collects data about you.

And by offloading the data recorded from the gyroscope, accelerometer, and compass from the main processor to the M7 co-processor, Apple will help the A7 be more efficient in handling your tasks more quickly. Additionally, the new A7 processor also supports the 64-bit version of iOS 7. This means that iOS 7 will be able to handle more RAM and more fluid multitasking. Likely, we won’t see the full benefits of going to a 64-bit OS, though the improved hardware of the A7 chipset will mean things will be a little bit more fluid overall right now.

Conclusion

So is a 32 GB iPhone 5c good enough? Or should users upgrade to an iPhone 5s and sacrifice valuable storage that they won’t be able to regain? In a perfect world, everyone who wanted an iPhone would be able to afford and get the 32 GB iPhone 5s without any hesitation, but the reality is that many of us have budgets and the iPhone is a big investment that will last us through the next two years. Given the many hardware benefits of the iPhone 5s, I would recommend going with the base flagship model over the mid-ranger with more storage. The reason is that cloud storage is more readily accessible and you can always offload and backup photos to the cloud whenever you’re connected to WiFi or 3G/4G, negating the need for most situation where storage is required. You can’t later decide to get a better camera or a fingerprint sensor on the iPhone 5c using the same logic.

iPhone 5s Officially Launching at 12:01 AM on Friday, 8 AM in Stores

Waiting to get your hands on the iPhone 5s? You’re not the only one. Apple has confirmedthat they’ll be launching the iPhone 5s starting at 12:01 am on Friday for online orders, and 8 am local time at brick-and-mortar locations, which means that Apple Stores across the US will be opening up early in order to get the new iPhone out to customers sooner.

As for carriers, we’ve already heard from Verizon that it will be selling the new phone starting at 8 am local time as well, and it’ll also be taking orders online starting at 12:01 am Pacific time, so if you don’t want to bother with the crowds, this is how you can reserve your own unit before anyone else does, but you’ll have to wait for it to ship to your doorstep obviously, so that’s definitely one drawback of ordering online as opposed to waiting it out in front of the store.

We haven’t heard from other carriers yet, but we wouldn’t be surprised if AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile followed suit with a similar launch schedule. As for retail stores, we haven’t heard their plans either, but Walmart has several 24-hour stores, and in the past it has launched several Apple products at midnight — a whole eight hours before Apple Stores would begin selling them in stores. It’s not clear what Walmart will do this year, but we wouldn’t be surprised if a midnight launch was in the cards.

Both the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c will officially become available this Friday. The iPhone 5c was put on pre-order last week, and while some models are seeing a bit of a back-order, the highly-anticipated device hasn’t sold out completely yet, which means you’ll most likely have a good shot at getting the model you want come launch day.

The iPhone 5s will start at $199 for the 16GB, with the 32GB costing $299 and the 64GB flavor at $399. The iPhone 5c will start at $99 for the 16GB version and $199 for the 32GB version. The iPhone 5c replaces the year-old iPhone 5 and both phones essentially share the same specs, except the iPhone 5c has a new plastic shell and a slightly better camera this time around. Apple has already begun marketing the iPhone 5c as the phone for everyone, thanks to its selection of color choices that will appeal to most users.

iPhone 5S Release Date: Another Sign You’ll Need to Get Up Very Early

The iPhone 5s release date will likely bring joy and disappointment, for buyers who will need to get up very early and be ready buy the iPhone 5s as fast as they can click, in order to avoid waiting for the second wave of iPhone 5s shipments.

We already know that Apple is taking online iPhone 5s orders at Midnight Pacific / 3 AM Eastern on September 20th, and that shoppers who want to get their new iPhone without waiting for Fedex will need to be lined up for early store openings.

Apple Stores will open at 8 AM, two hours earlier than a normal shopping day, as will Verizon and many other carrier locations who are hoping for enough stock to meet the needs of customers who line up that morning.

iPhone 5s release date quantities are expected to be very low.

We previously share an analyst report that Apple’s supplies of the iPhone 5s are limited due to “terrible” yields of the Touch ID fingerprint sensor and now that Apple took the first and only batch of iPhone 5s pre-orders it looks like supplies will be scarce on the iPhone 5s release date.

While Apple is not taking iPhone 5s pre-orders in the U.S., the company allowed Chinese customers to reserve an iPhone 5s for pickup at a local Apple Store. The reservations started last night, and according to accounts, the iPhone 5s units were not available within a few minutes of orders starting

It is possible that Apple saved a good deal of iPhone 5s units for customers who show up to the Apple Store locations on release day, but even then the speed of this sellout is bad news for anyone hoping to buy an iPhone 5s on Friday. Apple’s iPhone sales typically sell out for release day delivery, but when that happens we are typically talking an order window of an hour or more, not minutes.

Apple’s iPhone 5s in store pickup reservations sold out nearly instantly in China.

iPhone 5s release day in the U.S. could see similar speedy sellouts as consumers go online and line up for the iPhone 5s. We could see iPhone 5s online orders sell out faster than normal, if this initial sale is representative of Apple’s supply. Users should make sure they are awake at least 15 minutes before orders start, which is a middle of the night affair on the East coast, and they should also make sure they have their account info, primary account holder’s social security number, credit card and a backup credit card.

With supply expected to be very tight, it’s also a good idea to have a backup size, color or storage capacity in mind, if you absolutely must have an iPhone 5s on September 20th.

If you plan to wait in line for the iPhone 5s, plan to get there very early, likely several hours ahead of the 8 AM iPhone 5s release time. While many stores will offer the iPhone 5s, buyers will likely find shorter lines at less traveled carrier locations and non-flagship Apple Stores, though these locations will receive fewer iPhones to sell.

It’s no use calling your local Verizon, AT&T, Sprint or T-Mobile locations to ask how many iPhone 5s units they have in stock for release day. Most locations will not receive their iPhone 5s release day units until Thursday and even some on Friday, and Apple will not let them tell customers how many they have in stock.

The iPhone 5s is Apple’s new iPhone with an improved camera, new gold color option, Touch ID sensor to unlock with a fingerprint and a 64 Bit processor.

When to Expect the iOS 7 Download

The iOS 7 release time is not official yet, but thanks to Apple’s predictable schedule, we have a good idea of when you can expect the iOS 7 download and update option on the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

Apple announced the iOS 7 release date of September 18th earlier this month, but in typical Apple fashion the company didn’t disclose all of the details, including the iOS 7 release time.

Users who want to avoid any issues shouldn’t try to get iOS 7 as soon as Apple starts the downloads, but for users who can’t wait to try out the new iOS 7 features, here’s when you can expect a release.

The iOS 7 release time is very likely set for September 18th at 10 AM Pacific. Check out when the iOS 7 release could be in your time zone.

The odds are very good that Apple is planning an iOS 7 release time of 10 AM Pacific on September 18th. This is the same time Apple released the iOS 6 update, the iOS 5 update and the iOS 4.2 update. It is also the time Apple released all but one of the iOS 7 betas.

This time makes sense for Apple who is based in California, as it allows the company to prepare for a release that won’t ping most iPhone or iPad users in the middle of a commute and it lets Apple’s support staff get in and ready for any issues.

Here is the iOS 7 release time for your time zone.

• Eastern – 1 PM
• Central – 12 PM
• Mountain – 11 AM
• London – 6 PM
• Moscow – 9 PM
• New Dehli – 10:30 PM
• Shanghai – 1 AM Thursday
• Tokyo – 2 AM Thursday
• Melbourne – 3 AM Thursday
• Auckland – 5 AM Thursday

While Apple is predictable with iOS release times, one reason the company may avoid announcing a specific iOS 7 release time is to prevent server overloads. While Apple was able to handle the demand for iOS 6 last year, the company may not want the equivalent of digital lines, which would likely outpace the iPhone 5s lines already forming across the U.S. and abroad.

Apple announced over 200 new iOS 7 features at the iPhone 5s announcement last week, highlighting not only the new iOS 7 features but the completely new look for iOS 7.

The iOS 7 download is free for the iPhone 4 and newer, iPad 2 and newer and iPod touch. Users can upgrade to iOS 7 directly from the iPhone or iPad without the need to plug into a computer.

The video below highlights many of the new iOS 7 features and offers a glimpse at the new iOS 7 design which Craig Federighi, Apple’s SVP of Software Engineering called, “the most significant iOS update since the original iPhone.”

7 Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Release Date Predictions

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 release date has cleared its final hurdle in the United States with all five Galaxy Note 3 devices passing through the FCC’s clutches on the way to their respective carriers. With some information still missing and a Galaxy Note 3 release date incoming, it’s time to make some predictions regarding its upcoming release.

Earlier this month, in Berlin, Germany, Samsung took the stage to announce the Galaxy Note 3, its Galaxy Note 2 successor, which will be hitting more than 140 countries on September 25th and will be hitting the United States and Japan in October.

Unlike past Samsung launches where there wasn’t any release date information to be had, the Galaxy Note 3 release date in the United States emerged for several carriers shortly after the device and its new screen, processor, S Pen, design and software were announced. In fact, we saw the Verizon Galaxy Note 3 become one of the first devices with specific release date information, something that didn’t happen with the Galaxy Note 2 or the Galaxy S4.

The Samsung Galaxy Not 3 arrives in October.

In fact, the Galaxy Note 3 release in the U.S. feels like an episode out of the Twilight Zone. While AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon have made their plans known, Sprint and U.S. Cellular, who have typically been first to announce information, remain silent about official details. And with October approaching quickly, prospective Galaxy Note 3 buyers are looking for answers.

We don’t have any official answers from Sprint and U.S. Cellular just yet but we do know that their Galaxy Note 3 models will be coming soon, thanks to FCC filings that emerged just yesterday, a final hurdle that smartphones need to pass before they hit shelves.

On the heels of that news, and with October in focus, it’s time to make some bold predictions about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 3 release date in the United States.

Galaxy Note 3 Orders Will Arrive Early

The first Samsung Galaxy Note 3 release date belongs to AT&T which will be releasing the Galaxy Note 3 on October 1st, a day ahead of T-Mobile and more than a week ahead of the Verizon Galaxy Note 3 October 10th ship by date. We expect that the AT&T Galaxy Note 3 will be the first Galaxy Note 3 that lands in consumer hands and we expect that some orders will arrive early, possibly in September.

Expect the Galaxy Note 3 to arrive early for those that pre-ordered.

In the past, we’ve seen carriers ship out pre-orders early, with those orders arriving a day or two ahead of the official release date. Whether that’s a thank you to those that ordered early or not isn’t clear but what’s clear is that it has happened. The Galaxy Note 3 isn’t expected to have supply issues, thanks to Samsung’s fantastic supply chain, and thus, we don’t expect a sell out. So, we expect AT&T to deliver it, at the very least, on or around October 1st.

Will this happen at every carrier? It’s hard to say, but we wouldn’t be surprised if other carriers got their Galaxy Note 3′s out before their announced release dates to appease consumers and get the ball rolling.

Ample Supply

Yes, we expect that there will be ample Samsung Galaxy Note 3 stock available on release date. For one, this is a niche device with its massive 5.7-inch display and S Pen stylus which push the price to $299.99, far more expensive than an average smartphone. The iPhone 5S this is not, so we don’t expect to see overwhelming demand.

Speaking of the Galaxy S4, we saw Samsung do a great job of keeping the device in stock across all carriers, even with it in hefty demand. As we’ve pointed out, Samsung has talked about how its plastic designs, the Galaxy Note 3 features a plastic faux leather back, enable it to keep devices in supply even when there is a ton of demand.

The company learned its lesson with the Galaxy S3 launch and we haven’t seen major supply issues plague a flagship in the U.S. since. The Galaxy Note 3 isn’t sold out yet during the pre-order process and we don’t expect that to change.

We expect just about everyone to be able to walk into a store on release day and buy this phone.

Sprint Galaxy Note 3 Release Date

Oddly enough, the Sprint Galaxy Note 3 is still without an official release date. Sprint, in the past, has been quick to announce details for its Galaxy devices but for whatever reason, it has been slow to the trigger with the Galaxy Note 3 release date.

Officially, the carrier says that it will be coming this fall. Fall officially begins on September 22nd and ends on December 20th giving Sprint a wide window to release the Galaxy Note 3. However, we think that the carrier will be releasing the phablet in early-to-mid October just like its competitors.

When exactly, isn’t clear. We think early-to-mid October though.

For one, Sprint needs all of the help it can get. The carrier remains the only major U.S. carrier that offers true unlimited data to new customers but competition is fierce. Sprint’s 4G LTE network is still dwarfed by those of AT&T and Verizon and T-Mobile and its new off-contract data plans and new LTE network have made it a major player.

In other words, Sprint needs to get the top devices out before or around the same time its competitors do in order to compete. It loses customers if it launches late.

With the device now past the FCC, we think it’s only a matter of time before Sprint makes its plans known.

U.S. Cellular Galaxy Note 3 Release Date

Same goes for the U.S. Cellular Galaxy Note 3. The point of carrying a big time phone like the Galaxy Note 3 is to attract customers to your network. U.S. Cellular remains firmly planted in as the nation’s fifth largest carrier and with a growing LTE network, like Sprint, it wants to make some headway with consumers.

Offering the Galaxy Note 3 up on a reasonable date goes hand-in-hand with this so we expect the company to get the device out in early-to-mid October as well. Officially the carrier tells us that it will be out in October though it doesn’t specify a date.

Look for it to arrive in and around the dates for other carriers so that it can stay competitive.

Immediate Galaxy Note 3 Deals

Competition is going to be fierce this year. The iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C arrive September 20th. The Sony Xperia Z Ultra is expected to arrive this month. The HTC One max is getting closer. And the Nexus 5 will more than likely arrive at some point in mid-to-late October. In other words, the Galaxy Note 3 is not only dealing with other big name smartphones, its release is also going to be sandwiched by the iPhone and the Nexus 5.

What this means is that we should get a healthy dose of Galaxy Note 3 deals when it’s released as retailers look to lure in consumers looking for instant gratification. Last year, we saw immediate Galaxy Note 2 deals, we even saw the device slashed down to $199.99 as early as December. And while we don’t while we don’t expect places like Amazon to offer deals that low right off the bat, we could see $50 discounts on day one.

There will be Galaxy Note 3 deals and that’s something that Galaxy Note 3 buyers need to keep in mind on the road to the Galaxy Note 3 release date in the U.S.

Lots of Galaxy Note 3 Accessories

At the Galaxy Note 3 launch event, Samsung detailed Galaxy Note 3 accessories including the S-View cover that will be a tempting purchase for those toting a Galaxy Note 3. Samsung has a penchant for launching its accessories after a release date so we can’t be sure if the S-View cover will be available on day one in the U.S.

Accessories will likely be widely available for the Galaxy Note 3.

However, we do think that there will be a bunch of Galaxy Note 3 accessories available right off the bat. For instance, Spigen says that its accessories will be coming soon. And we have a feeling that Otterbox is going to have some cases available as well, perhaps right from the start. There will also likely be some other less-known accessory options available right from the get-go as well.

Galaxy Gear Will Be Hard to Find

Finally, we think that the Galaxy Gear may be a little difficult to find on the Galaxy Note 3 release date. First of all, we haven’t seen every single carrier announce availability yet. In addition, Verizon isn’t selling the Galaxy Gear without a Galaxy Note 3 included. And finally, we haven’t seen carriers offering up the orange Galaxy Gear, just the white and black.

Don’t expect to find the Galaxy Gear that you want on release day.

We think some carriers will have it available on release day but there will likely be others, AT&T perhaps, that launch it after the Galaxy Note 3 arrives. And those looking to snag colorful versions of the Galaxy Gear may have to go through a retailer to get one as there aren’t any signs of release day availability, even at the carriers offering up the watch.