Nikon has added a waterproof, shockproof, and freezeproof camera to its Nikon 1 range. The Nikon 1 AW1 is an interchangeable lens camera with a 14.2-megapixel CX-format CMOS sensor, which can survive in water to depths of 49 feet, can survive falls of up to 6.6 feet, and will work in temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit....
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Apple is running another new iPhone commercial. It's called "Plastic Perfected," and it's promoting the iPhone 5c. There's no voice over, and the soundtrack for the commercial is a song called "Rill Rill" by Sleigh Bells (though it's an alternate mix from the album version). Visually, the commercial features (computer generated) liquid plastic in several colors being poured into the shape of an iPhone 5c. It's very reminiscent of some of the early iMac commercials that features iMacs swirling around the screen. That, combined with the great music makes for a very compelling ad.

Apple's highly anticipated iOS 7 is finally out and in the wild, and there's plenty that's new in this update. From a redesigned user interface to revamped apps, There's little that hasn't been touched by Apple engineers this time around. With that much changed, is iOS 7 worth installing? The Mac Observer's Jeff Gamet says yes. Read on to see why.

Apple released iOS 7 on Wednesday. It's a fabulous update to Apple's mobile operating sytem, but there are nine new features that aren't available on certain older models that can otherwise run iOS 7. We broke those features down into table format to make it easier to see.

Apple has released iOS 7 today, and iOS 7.0.1 is already in the queue for the upcoming iPhone 5s and 5c. iOS 7.0.1 reportedly aims to fix issues with Touch ID and iTunes purchases. It’s unclear if the two new devices will ship with iOS 7.0.1 on Friday, or whether…

As is typical with a new iOS release, Apple today updated their iTunes Store Terms and Conditions to account for several new features included in the OS. While most of these are trivial and expected, one addition clarifying the way rental downloads work jumped out at us. In short, you have thirty days to begin rental downloads and then another thirty days to start watching once you've completed your download. More details in the article.

Fire up your downloads because iOS 7 is available. As promised, Apple released iOS 7 for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch on Wednesday ahead of the end of the week launch of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c.

Amazon’s Amazon Instant Video app updated to version 2.1. Most notably, the free app now supports AirPlay to let users watch Amazon’s titles on the Apple TV. IMDB cast and director information, ratings, trivia, quotes, and goofs have also been added to the app.

Apple is currently in the process of releasing iOS 7-focused updates to its own apps, and we’re expecting a bunch to hit the App Store today. Here’s what’s now available. The Apple Store app has been updated to version 2.8 — it’s been optimized for iOS 7 with a…

Apple rolled out updates for its Apple Store and AirPort Utility apps for the iPhone on Wednesday ahead of the release of iOS 7. The release notes for both say they've been updated with support for iOS 7, which doesn't come as a surprise at all.

Apple rolled out an update for its iCloud website ahead of Wednesday's official launch of iOS 7. The site refresh brings iOS 7's look and feel to the web-based versions of Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Notes, Reminders, and Find My iPhone.

Folks with more than one email address, listen up—you can configure each of the accounts on your iOS device to play a different sound when new messages come in. With this, you'll know without looking whether an email was sent to your important, work-related address or just to that old Hotmail account you're still holding on to. Sound neat? Then come on in for Melissa's last iOS 6 tip!

It's always a guess on how much inventory Apple will have for an iPhone (or iPad) launch, but carriers are saying they will have little inventory for Apple's launch. One carrier source characterized inventory levels for launch day as "grotesquely low." Another carrier said it was extremely disappointed in Apple's inventory deliveries.

I'm a sucker for this sort of thing: Rocketcases announced some new cases for iPhone 5s on Tuesday, including two Game Boy Retro cases and a Nintendo Controller case. The company also has its Retro Cassette Tape, and a VHS Tape case. They're $14.95, and they're pretty cool. Most of these cases are also available for iPhone 4, 4s, and 5, and the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s cases are the same. 

A new report suggests that iPhone 5s supplies will be constrained at launch, as the iPhone 5c will make up the majority of stock at Apple Stores on Friday. Apple is reportedly expecting the space gray iPhone 5s to be the most popular, with fewer silver and gold options in…

The first unboxing photos of Apple’s iPhone 5s and 5c were recently posted on Weibo. Apple’s cardboard iPhone 5s box almost exactly matches a previously leaked box, with one exception — there is no iTunes Store icon on the box, likely a regional difference. Contents of the box were…

If you want to be among the first to buy an iPhone 5s, you have two choices: Stay up late Thursday night to order online, or get in line early at your local Apple Store this Friday. Online orders for the new iPhone model will start at 12:01 AM pacific time on Friday, September 20, and in store sales will start later in the morning at 8:00 AM local time.

The Mac Observer Spin:
Since Apple isn't offering a preorder option for the iPhone 5s, you'll have to line up early if you want one on Friday. Get ready for long lines.

Apple has extended the life of legacy iPhone and iPod touch models by adding the ability to download older versions of apps from the App Store. The new feature gives users the option of downloading apps that are compatible with the version of iOS that's running on their device, instead of facing alerts that say the apps they want aren't compatible.

The Mac Observer Spin:
This is a very welcome App Store feature, and it means even more legacy iOS devices can continue to do their job instead of ending up in desk drawers collecting dust.

Apple's technology is everywhere, but a photograph of an iPad being used on the front lines in the civil war in Syria is garnering media attention. The photograph shows a member of the Free Syria Army using an iPad to eyeball-aim a mortar.

There was lots of grumbling when Apple obsoleted legacy speaker docks by moving iPhone and iPad to the Lightning connector, but a company called Auris saw some opportunity in that grumbling. It has a Kickstarter project called Skye that is essentially an AirPlay receiver for your legacy 30-pin Dock speakers. Slip it on your Dock the way you used to slip on your iPhone, and you then send music from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC (through iTunes) wirelessly. Android and Windows Phone are also supported through DLNA. It's Wi-Fi (rather than Bluetooth), so range won't be an issue in most settings. Auris is trying to raise US$56,000, and has already raised $21,800 in just the first day. Early backers can get a Skye with $64, $69, $74, or $79 (it will retail for $89). It's a pretty cool idea, so check it out.

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Bump quickly gained popularity on the iPhone shortly after Apple opened the App Store, and now it's going to be part of the Google family. According to the company, Google is buying it out but business will continue as usual.

The Mac Observer Spin:
Considering how the SnapSeed purchase went, there's a chance that Bump will stick around. Google kept the mobile versions of SnapSeed around and has continued to support it. So the big question is whether or not Bump is Google's backup plan if NFC data sharing fizzles out on Android.

Touch ID, the built-in fingerprint technology in Apple's new iPhone 5s, is causing production problems and will limit availability on its September 20 launch day, according to analysts. Both Brian White from Cantor, and Peter Misek from Jefferies both say they're hearing the sensor yield is below expectations, limiting just how many iPhone 5s units Apple can build.

The Mac Observer Spin:
Apple hasn't said if iPhone 5s numbers are limited, but without a preorder option it seems fairly likely. The new fingerprint sensor looks like a reasonable culprit for the problem, too.

Customers in China and Hong Kong will be able to reserve the iPhone 5s or 5c online starting at 6 a.m. tomorrow — Tuesday, Sept. 17. Most customers worldwide are only able to reserve the iPhone 5c at this point, with no preorders being taken on the 5s.…

Apple has sold out more of its iPhone 5c preorders with ship dates pushing back from the September 20 launch date into October. The unlocked 16GB yellow iPhone 5c was the first to sell out last Friday with delivery dates changing from September 20 to September 25.

The Mac Observer Spin:
Assuming the preorder sellouts indicate interest and not limited supply, it looks like the 16GB unlocked iPhone 5c is turning out to be really popular.

Some observers underestimate what's to be gained by Apple's 64-bit A7 in the iPhone 5s.  Is it really just a marketing stunt? Or an inadvisable plan to put 64-bit ARM CPUs into MacBooks? John Martellaro explains why the move to marry iOS with 64-bits is so darn clever, now and for the long term.

The technology Apple uses comes from Authentec, a company it bought over a year ago for US$365 million. The company was known for its fingerprint scanning technology and Near Field Communication (NFC) tech, too. At the time, there was speculation that Apple was bringing NFC to the iPhone for a digital payment system, but in the end it turned out Apple was far more interested in fingerprint scanning than NFC.

iLounge has posted a comparison gallery featuring the newest color of the iPod nano and iPod shuffle. While Apple.com’s web site calls it “Space Gray,” the newly released iPod color is only listed as “gray” on the nano’s packaging, and has no name on the shuffle’s smaller box. Our…

Apple began preorders for the iPhone 5c just after 3AM eastern time Friday morning, and by 11AM it was starting to sell out. The unlocked yellow 16GB model has been the first to go, and if demand stays high, other models will likely follow suit.

Apple's brand new iPhone 5c will be in stores on September 20, but the company and its partner carriers began accepting preorders early Friday morning. As of 9AM eastern time, all models were still available for order with delivery on launch day.

The Mac Observer Spin:
Just because iPhone 5c preorders aren't already sold out doesn't mean Apple has a flop on its hands. The company could have been able to ramp up production enough to meet demand, and that may have played a part in why the iPhone 5s isn't available for preorder.

With over 1,400 votes from iLounge readers, our latest poll – “If Apple includes a fingerprint scanner in the next iPhone, will you use it?” – has now ended. With rumours of a built-in fingerprint sensor in the next-generation iPhone, we asked readers to let us know if they considered…

Apple released security updates for Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and OS X Lion, both the consumer and server versions of the software. Unfortunately, the security patch notes haven't been posted on Apple's security site, so we don't know which issues they fix.

Rovio’s Angry Birds Star Wars ($1) has updated to version 1.4. The game now features 30 new Endor levels. New gameplay elements including bouncing items off drums and waking up jumping Ewoks have also been introduced with the update. A big battle has also been added, in which players…

Apple's new iPhone 5s uses a 64-bit A7 CPU. The next generation 64-bit apps will be a little bit larger and hybrid 32/64-bit apps will be almost double in size. If you're you're thinking about a 16 GB iPhone 5s, should you consider a 32 GB model instead? John Martellaro asks the experts.

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 5s and 5c have larger batteries than the iPhone 5, according to FCC disclosures. Anandtech reports the iPhone 5s has a 5.96 Wh battery, and the iPhone 5c has a 5.73 Wh battery, as compared to the 5.45 Wh battery on the iPhone 5. The iPhone…

There's a new update for Angry Birds Star Wars adds 30 levels on the Moon of Endor. The update includes AT-ST Walkers, jumping Ewoks, Speeder Bikes, and more as your birds take on Stormtrooper pigs and Darth Vader before you destroy the Death Star's deflector shield. Angry Birds Star Wars is priced at US$0.99 for the iPhone and iPod touch, and $2.99 for the iPad. Free versions for the iPhone and iPad are available, too.

Both Sprint and Verizon will start taking iPhone 5c preorders starting at 12:01AM pacific time (3:01AM eastern) on Friday, September 13. Apple introduced the new midrange iPhone model during a special media event earlier this week.

The Mac Observer Spin:
It's great that Apple is doing iPhone 5c preorders, but kind of sucks that there won't be iPhone 5s preorders. Looks like Apple will have some lines come launch day on September 20.

Following the introduction of the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s yesterday, Apple is selling off its stock of iPhone 5 units at $99/$199/$299 for 16GB/32GB/64GB models with a standard contract, iLounge has confirmed. The recently discontinued device will also be sold for $549/$649/$749 off contract. The prices are notably for…

The Super High Capacity charger from RAVPower has 10,400 mAh capacity with 1 amp and 2 amp dual USB output. Users can charge an iPhone or iPod at the same time they are charging an iPad.

Miniot has announced new cases for the iPhone 5s and 5c. The Dutch casemaker has “redesigned” its iWood case as the iWood 5s ($106). iWood5s comes in walnut, padouk, cherry, oak, mahogany, and maple. Miniot has also included its book ($194), contour ($194), and cobra ($194) cases in its…

I am thrilled today to welcome Many Tricks on board as this week's sponsor here at TMO, especially so because I get to tell you about Moom, their window-managment-enhancement software for OS X. Are you ever frustrated by how much effort it takes to get, say, your Safari window to just the right spot, only to close it and have a new one reappear somewhere else on your Mac's screen? How dare your Mac have the audacity to just pretend like it never happened, right? Moom can help... read on!

Our own Dave Hamilton was interviewed on Bloomberg TV Tuesday as part of a three person panel discussing Apple's iPhone 5s and 5c media event. Host Pimm Fox had his guests explain the importance (or lack thereof) of Apple's product announcements. You may particularly enjoy Dave taking issue with Ashley Swartz of Furious Minds (she formerly managed Samsung's digital marketing strategy for Digitas) when she said that Apple was a one-trick pony and a typical consumer electronics company. It's a fun  discussion.

Apple used its Tuesday media event to focus on new iPhone models and the launch of iOS 7. The big software update will hit on September 18, and insider sources say a software update for Apple TV will hit at the same time.

The Mac Observer Spin:
Even though Apple hasn't said an Apple TV update is happening next Wednesday, it makes sense. iOS 7 includes improved AirPlay streaming features plus iTunes Radio, and Apple TV needs an update to take advantage of those features. We'll be watching for the update.

Apple has added its AppleCare+ extended warranty coverage to iPod touch and iPod classic, at a cost of $59 for either device, then $29 per service incident. AppleCare+ launched in Europe yesterday, with iPod coverage in the UK, France, and Italy. That iPod coverage is also now available…

Apple quietly announced that as of yesterday, its Cards service for iOS is no longer available, putting an end to an unusual standalone app that debuted in October 2011. A support page notes that “Cards ordered before 1 PM Pacific time on September 10, 2013, will be delivered,…

While Apple was busy showing off new iPhones on Tuesday, the company also quietly discontinued its Cards service for iOS. The service let users order custom made greeting cards that would be mailed to the recipient. While Cards may be gone, you can still order custom cards through iPhoto.