Apple launches free repair program for 'No Service' iPhone 7 bug


Apple has launched a new repair program aimed at iPhone 7 users who are experiencing a "No Service" problem. Apple says that affected models that were sold since September 2016 will be repaired free of charge.
The company explains that the No Service bug only affects a "small number" of handsets, and it is caused by a failed component on the main logic board. So which handsets are covered, and how do you go about claiming your free repair?
Virgin Mobile to offer cheap, 'pre-loved' iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus handsets


Virgin Mobile has announced plans to offer Certified Pre-Loved iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus handsets in the US. Starting in February, the company will be offering the phones for between $379.99 and $429.99.
It is already possible to buy a Certified Pre-Loved iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus from Virgin Mobile, and by adding the newer handsets to the program, the company is offering a cheaper way to buy a more recent iPhone.
The FCC wants Apple to enable the iPhone's non-existent FM radio


In the wake of big storms recently, the National Association of Broadcasters and the FCC has piled the pressure on Apple to enable the FM radio in iPhones so they might be used for emergency broadcasts.
FCC chairman Ajit Pai went as far as issuing a statement saying that "Apple is the one major phone manufacturer that has resisted" enabling FM chips in its phones. There's just one problem, as Apple points out. The iPhone simply doesn't have an FM chip to enable.
Want to buy an iPhone? There are too many choices now


At its first ever event at the new Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, Apple took the wraps off its latest iterations of iPhone -- the iPhone 8, its larger sibling the iPhone 8 Plus, and the re-imagined iPhone X.
If you’re in the market for a new flagship smartphone, then choosing between the iPhone 8/8 Plus and the iPhone X could be tricky, as many of the new features are available on both devices, but it becomes even harder when you consider there are even more iPhones to choose from in the official line-up.
The iPhone is still the smartphone to beat


If you look at the iPhone 7 and the Galaxy S8 and compare them to their predecessors, there is no denying that Samsung's flagship has made a bigger leap forward. It is arguably the more interesting smartphone of the two as a result. But, as always, that does not automatically translate into better sales.
The iPhone, for all the minor upgrades it has received over the years, has rarely been dethroned by its rivals, and that was again the case in the second quarter of 2017, when it basically wiped the floor with the Galaxy S8 in terms of sales.
Luxury smartphones are a terrible idea and Vertu's problems confirm it


When I dream of being rich, the one thing that I never imagine buying is a luxury smartphone. It just doesn't make sense to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a device that, realistically speaking, isn't better than an iPhone or Galaxy S flagship. I have not conducted a scientific study to back this up, but I suspect that people who are actually wealthy would agree.
A luxury item, at least from my perspective, has to stand the test of time. It has to be just as attractive today as it was yesterday. A Rolex Submariner from 10 years ago isn't looked down upon now or perceived as worse compared to the latest model. But a phone, that's different. It actually becomes less appealing as time goes by, because its core functionality becomes less and less attractive to the owner when new generations hit the market.
RÖK protects your Apple, Samsung, or Google phone with a case made from real stone [Review]


Although I love the look of my Jet Black iPhone 7, I can be a bit clumsy at times, so I’ll always protect it with a case. There are plenty of phone case choices out there, but my new favorites -- by some margin -- are those from the RÖK collection.
The latest cases from WÜD are made with real stone harvested from a slate quarry. The pieces are sliced thinly, so they don’t add a lot of weight to your device (around 1.2oz/34 grams), and each one is handcrafted and unique. The cases aren’t exclusive to the iPhone either -- you can buy them for numerous Samsung models, Google Pixel phones, and the LG V20.
Apple's iPhone 6s is the most popular smartphone in the world


Apple may not sell as many smartphones as Samsung, but its iPhones consistently rank at the top of the sales charts, typically edging their Galaxy S rivals by a healthy margin. So, it should not come as a surprise that it is an iPhone that is the most popular smartphone in the world as well.
ScientiaMobile, which recently released a report that crowns the Galaxy S7 as the most popular Samsung-made smartphone in the world, today expands its scope and announces that the title for the most popular smartphone in the world belongs to the iPhone 6s.
Apple unveils red iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus


The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus look great in any color, but the black, silver and gold variations aren't exactly the most eye-catching finishes around. However, if you fancy something different, Apple now has just the thing for you.
That's because, for the first time on an iPhone, Apple is now making red available as a color option for its flagship smartphones. The (Product)Red Special Edition, as it's officially called, is offered only for the 128GB and 256GB models.
iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus are the best-selling smartphones in US (again)


Apple traditionally enjoys very strong iPhone sales after it launches new smartphones. And this is certainly true of the three months ending November 2016, when the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus topped the sales charts in US and helped iOS close in on Android in Great Britain.
In US, it is actually an all-iPhone podium, with the iPhone 6s joining the newer models in the top three, according to a new Kantar Worldpanel ComTech report. Apple saw its share rise to 43.5 percent, while Google's Android dropped to 55.3 percent of the market.
My favorite tech items of 2016 [Wayne]


2016 was a bad year in lots of ways -- loads of celebrity deaths, plus Brexit and Trump (depending on your point of view of course) -- but a good year for new tech.
Rather than just looking at what exciting new products made it on to the market in 2016, I’ve decided to take a look at the items that have become part of my digital life in the past 12 months.
Santa brought you an iPhone 7? Here's what to do first


Despite planning to stick with my iPhone 6s for another year, I ended up upgrading to the iPhone 7, and I’m pleased that I did. If you were lucky enough to get an iPhone 7 for Christmas, or an iPhone 7 Plus for that matter, you’re no doubt going to be as happy with the latest Apple smartphone as I am.
Getting started is straightforward, as once the phone is turned on you’ll be walked through the set up process, how to configure the Touch ID fingerprint scanner, and set up a PIN. Once you've set up the basics, it's time to explore what you can do with your new device.
Naked Cases protect your iPhone 7 from scratches, without hiding its beauty


The iPhone 7 is undeniably an attractive smartphone. The Jet Black model is particularly beautiful -- I should know, I own one. However, the high gloss finish of the Jet Black model is prone to scratches, and what Apple refers to as "fine micro-abrasions" caused by everyday use.
Apple suggests that if you want to keep your phone in pristine condition you should use one of the many available cases to protect it. But then people won’t see the beauty of the new device, which is a shame. This is where Naked Cases come in.
Not every iPhone 7 is created equal


Depending on which iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus version you buy, you may experience slower storage and cellular speeds compared to other models in the lineup -- and, at least when it comes to the wireless performance, there may be nothing that you can do about it.
A report on the storage performance of the base iPhone 7 Plus, which features 32GB of storage, reveals that it is a couple of times slower at the same task than a 128GB iPhone 7, in both synthetic and real-life benchmarks.
iOS 10 has a hidden onscreen Home button for iPhone 7 users


With the launch of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus Apple not only removed the headphone jack, the company also replaced the mechanical home button with a static one. What was not revealed, however, is that iOS 10 also has a secret software Home button.
The feature is a safeguard built in should anything go wrong with your physical home button. Should this happen, the button problem will be detected and iOS 10 will offer up a temporary on-screen Home button to tide you over until you can get to the Genius Bar.
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