Apple That

Of all iPhone 5’s shortcomings, one of them may actually be a benefit to another company. This shortcoming comes by way of the iPhone 5’s camera with its purple lens flare problem. Fotodiox, based in Illinois, has just developed a new iPhone 5 case that promises to “greatly reduce purple lens flare”.

There isn’t anything really revolutionary or mind blowing about the case that allows it to accomplish this feat. The case simply has a piece of rubber that acts as a lens hood to keep stray light from coming in. The rubber piece is held in place by the actual case, which is designed to keep the back and sides of your phone from incurring damage.

If you are unfamiliar with the purple lens flare then count yourself lucky. The problem is that a purple color usually shows up on the edges of photos when a light source is immediately nearby. Unfortunately, the problem can also occur even when the lights are off frame. In addition to that, it can affect both pictures and videos.

Many Apple customers have been complaining about the issue ever since the phone launched last month. A support document that went up on Apple’s website noted that “most small cameras” exhibit this effect when there’s a nearby light source that is out of the frame of view.  Apple also stated that you would need to readjust your camera or block off any light using your hand to get rid of the problem completely.

If you are suffering from purple lens flare on your iPhone 5 and you want a semi-cheap alternative that also protects your phone, then you should look into Fotodiox’s camHoodie case. The case is available now from Fotodiox for only $24.95.

Source: CNET – New iPhone 5 case offers to fix purple flares

On what is supposed to be a triumphant week for Apple with the release of their new flagship iPhone 5 and the updated iOS 6, there is one glaring problem that has many of Apple’s customers up in arms, the updated Maps app for iOS 6. Since the release of iOS 6 to the public on Wednesday, there has been criticism from all over the globe decrying Apple’s new mapping application, which takes the place of the standard Google Maps app that has existed on the iPhone from the very beginning.

The replacement of the standard Google Maps application by an app that was built and designed by Apple themselves is just another stage in the ever continuing war between Apple and Google for domination of the world’s mobile market. Apple, with this update to iOS, is attempting to cut as many ties to Google as possible, most notably with the new mapping application and the removal of the standard YouTube video app, which of course is owned by Google.

Much of the criticism of the new mapping application has been about missing locations, such as the Statue of Liberty, and the lack of public transit directions. While the new mapping application offers iOS users free, voice guided turn-by-turn navigation for the first time, a feature already included on android phones, it does not necessarily make up for the many omissions that exist. Part of the problem is the fact that Apple is relatively new to the “mapping game” and that compared to what is arguably the industry standard, they come up a bit short. Apple is confident however that the more people use the iOS 6 application, the better its mapping system will get, just as Google maps improved with millions of users’ input. In the meantime, however, customers of Apple’s popular mobile operating system are not pleased and are demanding Apple fix the problems that exist.

Ultimately it remains to be seen how Apple will update its new Maps application, and if it will indeed improve to the standard that Google Maps has set. It is rumored that Google may release a standalone app that, like they did with YouTube, may satisfy the needs of iOS users. While this will assuredly prolong the war between the two giant tech companies, it may satisfy the customer base that just wants to know where they are going.