news 1 st: August 2012

Friday, August 10, 2012

Alleged iPhone 5 battery photos reveal bump in capacity

A leaked photo purportedly of the upcoming iPhone's battery shows a slightly higher capacity and voltage, which could help power the built-in 4G LTE.

(Credit: Apple)
Buyers of the next iPhone may get a bit more juice out of the battery.
An image of the new battery sent to and posted by blog site 9to5Mac shows a capacity of 1440 mAh, a bit higher than the 1430 mAh on the iPhone 4S and the 1420 mAh on the iPhone 4, according to iPhone repair shop iFixYouri.
The battery's voltage has also received a small kick, jumping to 3.8 from the 3.7 on the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4. And the boost in capacity has led to a boost in watts-per-hour, measuring 5.45 wHr, up from 5.3 wHr on the iPhone 4s and 5.25 wHr on the iPhone 4, 9to5Mac added. The new battery itself is also larger than its previous counterparts.
The capacity and voltage increases are relatively small, and Apple typically bumps up the numbers with each new phone to handle more demanding processors and other hardware. This year's model may also offer a larger 4-inch screen, another potential drain on the battery. But the company may have something else up its sleeve this year to warrant the changes.
The iPhone has been dinged in the past for its quick battery discharge, an issue that Apple tried to address with each new tweak to iOS 5. So the new battery may deliver a bit more life from the get-go.
The extra juice could also play a role in powering the 4G LTE that reportedly will be part of the new iPhone. The higher speed technology is a known battery hog, leading to battery drain issues on several existing 4G phones. Apple resisted jumping onto the 4G bandwagon in the past, seeing the technology as still a work in progress. Since then, the company has outfitted its latest iPad with 4G LTE.
Apple has apparently been able to implement LTE in a way that doesn't chew up as much battery life, Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu said earlier this year.
"Our industry checks indicate Apple has made notable progress in improving battery life that has plagued competitors," the analyst said in March. "This is due to Apple's ownership of core intellectual property including systems design, semiconductors, battery chemistry, and software."

Tiltpod Mobile adds an iPhone tripod to your keychain

This clever-looking $15 gizmo lets you set up your iPhone for rock-steady, hands-free photography.

The Photojojo Tiltpod Mobile.(Credit: Photojojo)
Your iPhone comes packing a pretty decent camera, but there's no camera on the planet that doesn't benefit from the stability of a tripod.
Just one problem: Tripods tend to be long, large, unwieldy accessories, not the kind of the things you can just slip into your pocket.
Until now. Photojojo's Tiltpod Mobile puts an iPhone tripod on your keychain.
If the name sounds familiar, you might be thinking of the original Tiltpod, which combined a magnetic tripod-mount screw head with a small base designed to be worn on your wrist. It was built for small point-and-shoot cameras.
The Tiltpod Mobile is intended for the iPhone 4 and 4S, replacing that screw head with a slotted holster that's just the right size for those handsets (as long as they're not in a case, that is). The magnetic ball-head mount remains, allowing you plenty of room to tilt and pivot the phone. And the "grippy" rubber base promises to hug any kind of surface.
Photojojo sells the gizmo for $15, plus $2.50 for shipping. It's currently listed as out of stock, but you can order one with the promise of shipping on Monday, August 13 (which is not much of a wait at all).
Obviously it would be nice if the Tiltpod Mobile was a bit more universal, or even if it could somehow accommodate an iPhone in a case. That said, it's arguably the single easiest way to pack a tripod, and therefore worth a look.
While we're on the subject, be sure to check out the Canopy Kapok and Kungl iPhone cases, both of which add a screw mount to your phone for pairing with more traditional tripods.

New hints of possible iOS 6 feature tweaks

We already know the big new features in iOS 6, but several leaked changes have turned up on rumor sites providing more alleged details.

(Credit: CNET)
With the release of iOS 6 highly likely in September (concurrent with the expected iPhone 5 announcement), the rumors around unannounced feature changes at tech sites are reaching an all-time high, so I decided to round up some of the big ones here. We already know about the main features in iOS 6 Apple announced at WWDC in June, but this list is more about leaked info that other sites are talking about. Obviously, we can't know for sure if any of these will be true at launch, but it's always fun to talk about what might be in store for iPhone users once iOS 6 is released.
iOS 6 Rumors

No more waiting for the site that never loads.(Credit: MacRumors)
Wi-Fi Plus Cellular
MacRumors reports that Apple has added a new toggle in iOS 6 that will let you set your iPhone to automatically switch to cellular data when your usual Wi-Fi connection is not working.
If true, this is an excellent addition to iOS 6 because it's annoying when you launch Safari or other Internet-connected apps only to gradually realize that you have no Internet connection. With this switch turned on, your iPhone or iPad will automatically recognize the problem and switch to a cellular data stream to continue the operation at hand.

(Credit: Bluetooth SIG)
Bluetooth data sharing
As previously reported at 9to5Mac, Apple has relaxed privacy settings for Bluetooth to allow data sharing among apps. We don't know much more than that, but theoretically this could make features like Passbook require almost no action whatsoever during ticket and event transactions. It could also be used for sharing data among iOS apps, such as multiplayer games.
This has been available on other smartphones for ages, and if it comes to fruition, it's about time it worked on the iPhone as well. I don't see there being much of an impact (this is not a killer feature, by any means), but it's something that iOS devices need.
iOS 6 Rumors

The screen on the left shows five rows of apps compared with four rows of apps on current iPhones.(Credit: 9to5mac)
Five-row home screens
Another 9to5Mac story is related to a more widely known assumption that the new iPhone will have a larger display. Apparently, in some leaked photos of alleged parts for the new iPhone, the new version appears to have a taller screen (while the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the hardware remain the same). The taller screen shown in the photos would push the new iPhone display resolution to 640x1,136 pixels, making it very close to a 16:9 ratio -- perfect for viewing full-screen movies natively.
The other advantage of a taller display, according to 9to5Mac, is that Apple could then show five rows of app icons on the home screen rather than just four. Aside from cutting down on multiple pages on your home screen, it would allow developers to take advantage of more screen real estate in their apps.
This rumor will certainly have an impact (how long have we wished for a larger screen?) with both being able to run 16:9 movies in full screen natively and saving a little room. If true, this will be one of the better interface improvements in iOS 6.
iOS 6 Rumors

According to the rumor, you'll only need to enter your ID for paid apps.(Credit: Cult of Mac)
No Apple ID when the app is free
Anyone who has downloaded an app from the App Store is very familiar with punching in an Apple ID before the download begins. It can even get a little annoying when you have to do it every time (when your iPhone has gone to sleep and you wake it up again).
Cult of Mac reports that you won't have to enter your Apple ID when downloading a free app; the same will be true for updates and apps you have previously purchased. However, this will supposedly not be true for paid apps -- those will still require a sign-in.
This particular rumor is not life-changing, but it certainly gets rid of what I think is a common annoyance. I suppose it would be possible for your friend (or kid) to download several free apps without your permission, but you can always delete them, and for the convenience it seems like a wise move that will save time.
iOS 6 Rumors

This screen shows the App Store button at the bottom, but what is it for?(Credit: MacRumors)
Passbook gets App Store access
Another rumor from MacRumors says that Apple has added a button at the bottom of the interface for the new Passbook app that will take you to the App Store. While it's not clear what this means, they assume that Apple will add a new section for apps with Passbook integration at the iTunes App Store.
I'm not sure if I agree with their assessment, but I also can't think of other uses for the App Store button. It seems like if the button was meant to take you to Passbook-integrated apps, it would say something like "More Passbook Apps" or something more descriptive. Like everything else in this list, we'll have to wait and see what happens when iOS 6 is released.
Check out our rumor roundup for the iPhone 5 -- from the likely to the crazy -- that we've heard so far in 2011 and 2012.

Atari classic Pitfall reborn for iOS

Pitfall Harry returns in this lively "free runner," which is both an excellent homage to the original and a fun spin on the genre.

The new Pitfall for iOS offers some great variations on the Temple Run theme.(Credit: Activision)
At the risk of dating myself, I'm old enough to remember Pitfall, the iconic 1982 Atari game of running, jumping, and swinging. Old enough, in fact, to have owned an Atari 2600 and a Pitfall cartridge.
Perhaps it was inevitable that the game would get a modern makeover, and so today brings us Activision's Pitfall for iOS.
Yep, Pitfall Harry is back, and looking mighty snazzy after his evolution from the 8-bit universe. The game is a free runner in the style of the massively popular Temple Run, and before you groan, "Not another runner game!", I have two important points to mention.
First, the new Pitfall is all about running, jumping, and swinging -- just like the original. Granted, old Harry wasn't constantly in motion the way new Harry is, but I think the endless runner style is a perfect match for the Pitfall universe.
Second, this is not merely Temple Run with Harry in the driver's -- er, runner's -- seat. Although the mechanics are more or less the same -- keep running for as long as you can, avoiding obstacles along the way -- the game employs multiple camera angles to keep things interesting. At any given time you might be looking at a side view, an angled rear view, or a straight-on rear view. The camera shifts fluidly as you progress from one area to the next, which I found a great improvement on Temple Run's singular format.
Pitfall also adds a bit of combat to the mix, as you can crack Harry's whip at oncoming snakes and scorpions. That happens with a simple tap anywhere on the screen, while tilting your iDevice shifts him left or right to collect the gold and silver bars that appear along his path.
Speaking of booty, the new Pitfall incorporates a store where you can exchange it for power-ups, upgrades, and even new outfits. Don't have enough in-game cash? You can use the real thing (via in-app purchase) to buy extra diamonds.
Perhaps best of all, Pitfall uses checkpoints to help you overcome that dreaded feeling of having to start all the way back at the beginning after a particularly good run. They're tough to reach, but at least they help you make some actual progress in the game. Otherwise, it's far too easy to just give up.
A universal app, Pitfall costs 99 cents -- well worth it for fans of the original, of Temple Run, or of endless runners in general.
Looking for another twist on the genre? Check out Lionsgate's free Hunger Games: Girl on Fire, which hews more closely to Web classic Canabalt. And be sure to shout out your favorite free runners in the comments.

The new Pitfall is great fun, but it's not the game you remember

Pitfall is a classic many gamers will remember from the 1980s. But in this fast-paced remake, you're going to need to stay on your toes to stay alive as long as possible.

(Credit: Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET)
Most of the time I put together an iOS app collection of the week, but on the momentous occasion of classic console game Pitfall's 30th anniversary (was it really 1982?), I'm going to take a deeper dive into the completely remade game.
Many old-school gamers will remember Pitfall, a must-have on the Atari 2600, in which you would run and jump over obstacles and use your whip to swing across chasms.
The new version of the game still requires your best hand-eye coordination, but now it is completely 3D and offers a different experience with much more to discover.
If you were ever a classic-console-game fanatic or like escape games like Temple Run, you should check out my review of Pitfall.

Why a longer iPhone 5 screen needs to happen

If rumors are to be believed, the next iPhone's due for a screen-size shakeup. Here are two good reasons why.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

For months, we've heard talk of an iPhone 5 with a longer screen. The latest stories around the Internet suggest not only that this is a likely reality, but that iOS 6 supports this new resolution: 640x1,136 pixels, to be exact. That's an extra 176 pixels longer than the current iPhone's 640x960 display.

When I heard of the next iPhone's longer screen, I thought: I'd just prefer a slightly bigger screen, not necessarily a longer one. My current iPhone 4S feels like it has a perfect aspect ratio. Why change it?

Then I thought about it, and quickly changed my tune.

A longer screen may sound strange, but it's a very good thing, for two obvious reasons.

HD video
The existing iPhone screen is a tweener: its aspect ratio doesn't fall into the laptop-standard 16:9 category, nor does it match the 4:3 aspect ratio of the iPad. It makes sense that the iPad's not 16:9 because books, PDFs, and digital magazines fit the 4:3 ratio better. The rumored screen of the next iPhone would be 16:9.

Video, however -- especially HD video -- works well with a 16:9 screen. Most Android phones are already 16:9. Apple's own 1080p video camera shoots in 16:9, and the video gets letterboxed or suffers slight digital zoom on the iPhone 4S.

1080p video recorded on the iPhone 4S camera is currently either letterboxed, or zoomed in slightly to fit the screen.

(Credit: Scott Stein/CNET)

A longer screen means less letterboxing, both for self-recorded videos and most TV shows and movies. Sure, some older shows aren't 16:9, while some movies have wider 21:9 aspect ratios. Those will be the outliers. The average piece of video content will fill the screen more, and make the next iPhone's viewing area seem that much larger as a result.

The iPhone (above) is letterboxed; the Android phone below is far less so.

(Credit: Joseph Kaminski/CNET)

For comparison, look at a 16:9 4-inch Android phone screen, which is what the next iPhone's screen size will purportedly resemble.

Games and virtual buttons
There's another, perhaps bigger reason for a longer screen. I sometimes forget how cramped the iPhone's screen can be for games. Unless a game has particularly good button-free controls, you're stuck with big semitransparent icons hogging the display. Your thumbs go there and start cramping the game screen.

Super Crate Box on the iPhone: Like many iOS games, it has superimposed virtual buttons.

(Credit: Screenshot by Scott Stein/CNET)

It's part of the reason why many iPhone gamers long for physical buttons, and why devices like the iCade Mobile exist.

Buttons on the sides with the iCade Mobile: the right spirit, but not the right solution.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

How about another solution: what if buttons were shifted to margins on the sides? Existing games could be framed by side bars, and extra controls pushed away from the center of the screen. iOS 6 reportedly supports up to five rows of standard iPhone App icons, as opposed to four on every other iPhone. That added space means extra added virtual buttons...not just for games, but for all sorts of apps.

If the new iPhone can support more onscreen app icons, it can support more onscreen buttons.

(Credit: 9to5Mac.com)

App icons measure 114 pixels wide on the Retina Display, but many virtual buttons in games are smaller than that. With a seemingly insignificant 176 pixels of extra width -- 88 pixels to a side -- you could fit a virtual button or two, especially oriented vertically, with ease.

The more those virtual buttons get shifted away, the more space gets cleared up for maps, browser windows, or unobstructed graphics.

In vertical portrait mode, it could mean more than just another row of apps; it could lead to an added row of controls on the bottom, possibly adding a whole new dimension to operational ease on the next iPhone (hot buttons for settings, shortcuts, and even dashboard information). I've envied Android phones for the type of added home-screen controls that an elongated iPhone screen could offer. That's not in the cards for iOS 6 (unless Apple's keeping a big surprise in store), but it could be worked into future versions of iOS more easily with the added vertical real estate.

Extra room for virtual controls, plus added room for letterbox-reduced video: would these be enough to help make the next iPhone a home run?

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

2013 Honda Fit EV first drive: The efficiency expert

With its 118 mpge, the Honda Fit EV is the most efficient car ever tested by the EPA. Better yet, it is easy and enjoyable to drive.

(Credit: Wayne Cunningham/CNET)

Driving a blue Honda Fit EV down El Segundo Blvd. in Los Angeles, I began to feel a bit guilty. To my left stretched a massive complex, a big stretch of beachfront property devoted to a Chevron oil refinery. As the Fit EV whispered by this facility, which Wikipedia told me later was founded in 1911 and gave the town of El Segundo its name, I thought of all the oil workers the little electric car I was driving would put out of a job.

Lacking a gas tank and exhaust pipes, this Fit EV would never need to sully itself at one of the many gas stations I passed on this drive through Los Angeles, except maybe to top off the air in the tires.

The Fit EV represents one of the new breed of electric cars, which current battery technology is making more practical for daily use. And in my drive I found the Fit EV the best of the bunch.

Click here to read the rest of the 2013 Honda Fit EV first drive.

Scion's first real sports car (FR-S, get it?)

The 2013 FR-S is everything it promised to be, a good-looking and excellent-handling sports car, and it includes some surprising cabin tech.

(Credit: Wayne Cunningham/CNET)
The buzz around the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ sister-ships has been very strong, yet the FR-S CNET tested met the hype. Driving the FR-S is one of the more sublime experiences you can have in a car.
Rear-wheel drive and a very mechanical feeling, precise six-speed manual transmission contribute to the sports car attributes, and the engine uses a direct injection system that helps it output 100 horsepower per liter, pretty good for natural aspiration. However, the power feels a little flat until you are up at 6,000rpm. The FR-S won't win any drag races, so don't risk your pink slips.
Being a Scion, we expected a certain amount of modern cabin tech, and the base head unit did not disappoint. Good iPod and phone connectivity is always a plus. More intriguing is Scion's new Bespoke system from Pioneer, which brings in limited navigation and a number of apps by leveraging the driver's own iPhone.
Check out CNET's review of the 2013 Scion FR-S.

Transform your Nexus 7 into a car tech powerhouse

With the aid of a few apps (and a bit of self-restraint), the Nexus 7 can become the navigation and media center of your car's dashboard.

Your Google Nexus 7's new home could be in your car's cabin.(Credit: Antuan Goodwin/CNET)
So, you've got your shiny new Google Nexus 7 in the mail and, after watching the lackluster "Transformers" movie that was included with the purchase, you're looking for something interesting to do with the 7-inch tablet. Why not transform your Nexus 7 into an automotive toolkit that helps you get from point A to B safely and can entertain you along the way?
OK, I'm sure that a number of you are already rolling your eyes and shouting something about distracted driving, which is a genuine concern. I don't see how the 7-inch Nexus 7 could be any more of a distraction than the 7-inch Magellan RoadMate 9055-LM that I recently reviewed. The Nexus 7's lack of an always-on data connection should remove the temptation to check your e-mail, but, yes, slapping a tablet onto your dashboard will require quite a bit of self-control on your part to resist undue distraction. With that caveat in mind, let's get started.
Mounting and power
The first thing you'll need to do is figure out how to mount the Nexus 7 safely in your car's cabin. You'll want a location that provides easy access, but you also don't want the bright, 7-inch screen filling up your entire field of vision. Ultimately, the best location for your tablet will depend on your vehicle, but here are a few suggestions to get you started:
Magellan 9055 in car

My preferred Nexus 7 mounting configuration would be similar to this Magellan 9055 setup.(Credit: Antuan Goodwin/CNET) I wouldn't recommend windshield mounting. The Google Nexus 7's screen is smaller than the almost-10-inch iPad's, but still probably takes up too much windshield real estate to be used safely while driving.Dashboard mounting is probably the best setup for most users because of its simplicity. However, you'll want the tablet as low on the dash as possible to keep it out of your field of view while driving. In a pinch, look for a windshield mounting arm that's maybe a little longer than you think you need and try to hang the tablet below your sight line with a dashboard puck like I did with the Magellan GPS in the photo.The benefit to using something like the Satechi Cup Holder Mount is that the tablet sits about as low as it possibly can, but there are a few tradeoffs. Extra-low mounting means that you'll have to move your eyes (and maybe your head) farther to simply glance at a map. Additionally, depending on the position of your cup holders, the tablet could interfere with the operation of the shifter.
With the Nexus 7 mounted, you'll need a car charger. (You could elect to skip this step, as the tablet's battery life is probably good enough for most short trips.) Tablets suck a lot more power than smartphones, thanks in part to their larger screens. So, if you want to arrive at your destination with a fully charged battery, I'd suggest you invest in a 2.1-amp USB charger. My personal favorite is the Qmadix Twin Tablet Charger 4.2 because it features a pair of high-output charging points (which can come in handy if you want to also charge a cell phone or hot spot), but there are literally dozens of good single-port 2.1-amp choices to be found, so just take your pick.
Connecting to your car stereo
Your tablet is mounted and connected to power. Now, you actually have to connect it to your car's stereo. Normally, the easiest, most applicable way to do this is simply to use a patch cable to connect the Nexus 7's headphone jack to the car's analog audio input. However, I've found the Nexus 7's headphone jack to be oddly placed in such a way that none of the half-dozen 3.5mm patch cables on my desk will make a clean connection. Your patch cable may work, but this route didn't work for me.
In cars that support it, Bluetooth A2DP streaming is your best bet. This wireless connection saves you from having to drape an extra cable in your cabin, involves no fiddling with the Nexus 7's headphone jack, and automatically reconnects when you enter the vehicle.
For more ideas on connecting the Nexus 7 to your ride, check out this handy guide to using an Android device in the car.
Apps to bring it all together
Now, it's time for the fun part: picking your dashboard apps! Depending on your needs, there are apps for navigation, audio playback, and a number of other functions that could come in handy behind the wheel of a car.
The built-in Google Maps app seems like the obvious navigation choice thanks to its new ability to cache map data for offline use. However, it does have its drawbacks. For starters, you can only plan a trip while connected to the Internet. Once you're under way, Google Maps can continue routing and even handle simple rerouting of missed turns, but you'll need to be in range of a Wi-Fi hot spot at the beginning of every trip, somewhat limiting the usefulness of this app.NavFree USA is a free navigation app that lets you download offline maps, search for destinations, and navigate without an Internet connection. Its available list of points of interest isn't as complete as you would get from a connected Google search, but it's good enough to get the job done.

The Nexus 7 tablet (top) is as large and powerful as the Magellan Roadmate 9055 portable navigator when running the CoPilot GPS app.(Credit: Antuan Goodwin/CNET) A premium navigation app like CoPilot GPS is probably your best bet for the Wi-Fi-only Nexus 7. This fully featured GPS software features onboard route calculations and the ability to download local maps for your part of the world. You'll need 1.3GB of space to download the full North American maps data, but I was able to specify the Southwest U.S., which includes my current home state of California and requires only 172.6MB of my Nexus 7's 16GB of storage space.The stock Google Play Music app will let you download your music library for local playback once you leave the warm glow of Wi-Fi connectivity and will probably be your first stop on the road to driving tunes.Internet radio apps such as Spotify and Mog will also let you save music and playlists for offline use.If you love podcasts, check out my favorite podcatcher app for Android, DoggCatcher, which can also sync unplayed episodes of your favorite shows on Wi-Fi for offline playback.Google Wallet's compatibility with MasterCard PayPass stations and the fact that it can be used offline after initial setup means that you can grab your tablet when you stop for fuel to pay for gas or buy snacks on the go. Sure, a Google Wallet-enable smartphone would be even more convenient, but I'm just pointing out a possibility.

Apps like Torque can make your Nexus 7 into a secondary instrument cluster and data logger.(Credit: Antuan Goodwin/CNET) Data-logging software such as Torque and Torque Pro can transform the Nexus 7 into a secondary instrument cluster for monitoring your car's cornering G-forces, acceleration, 0-60, and quarter-mile times. With the help of a Bluetooth OBD-II connection like the $99 PLX Kiwi Bluetooth, the Nexus can even give you a look into the inner workings of your engine and its sensors.
To tether or not to tether?
As I said, the Nexus 7's lack of an always-on data connection can keep you from distracting yourself with Facebook and IMs, but it can also limit the device, preventing it from being used with many great free navigation apps like Waze and streaming-music sources like Pandora. The simple addition of a Wi-Fi-tethered smartphone or portable wireless hot spot can make the tablet much more powerful. (Of course, if you're going through the trouble of Wi-Fi tethering to a smartphone, you may decide to simply use the smartphone as the primary device.)

New iPhone connector threatens car compatibility

As most new cars offer some sort of iPhone audio hookup, what does the new 19-pin dock mean for integration?

BMW's current cabin tech uses a USB port to connect with a standard 30-pin iPhone cable.(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
BMW started the trend in 2004, offering native integration between car and iPod. Now almost every new car sold has some method of plugging in an iPhone or iPod. This integration is very convenient for drivers, as they can select music from the device through a car's own stereo controls.
However, reports of a smaller, 19-pin connector for the iPhone 5, replacing the current 30-pin connector, may bork iPhone integration with car stereos. Short of getting a new car to match your shiny new iPhone, what is a driver to do?
The good news is that many cars, such as those from Ford, BMW, and Honda, use a standard USB port to connect to the existing white iPhone cable. The new 19-pin connector is likely to use the same sort of adapter cable as current iPhones and iPods, so should plug right in. However, those existing cars may not be able to decode the signal from the iPhone 5 and its connector, depending on how much Apple reengineers its interface.
Ford's Sync software can be updated by the owner, which may be necessary to make it compatible with the iPhone 5. BMW owners using a snap-in dock will have to wait until BMW comes up with one designed for the iPhone 5.
Cars from Kia, Hyundai, Audi, and Volkswagen use an iPhone cable specific to the car. Those automakers will need to offer an adapter cable with the 19-pin connector, which car owners will need to buy if they want to patch the new iPhone to the car. BMW also used a cable similar to Hyundai's and Kia's in its cars from a few years ago. These will also need the new adapter cable.
Some cars, such as a Nissan Juke we tested recently, have a fixed 30-pin iPod connector in the console or glove box. This configuration is the worst-case scenario. However, Apple or another accessory-maker might step in and offer a 30-pin-to-19-pin adapter module, which could just be left hooked up to the car.
The implementation of most of these solutions may take some time. To fill the gap, there is always Bluetooth audio streaming. As Bluetooth is a standard, the iPhone 5 should pair with existing car Bluetooth systems right out of the box, barring any clever Apple engineering. Most new cars with a Bluetooth phone system also support audio streaming. The primary disadvantage of Bluetooth streaming is that you have to use the phone, instead of the car's stereo interface, to select music.
If all else fails, you can keep that old iPhone around to use strictly as a music storage device for the car.

Tesla posts Q2 loss; says 5,000 Model S sedans to ship this year

Luxury electric car maker maintains revenue guidance despite questions about ability to turn out high volumes of new Model S sedan.

Model S(Credit: Tesla)
Short on revenue but a beat on profit -- bottom line: Wall Street liked what it heard from Tesla about its second quarter.
The luxury electric car maker posted a non-GAAP loss of $93 million, or $0.89 per share, 3 cents better than Wall Street expected, on $27 million in sales during the second quarter. The consensus revenue estimate was $30.9 million.
The loss was slightly better than expectations, though the sales figure came in light as analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected a loss of 93 cents a share on revenue of $30.7 million. Tesla also reaffirmed a 25 percent gross margin target for next year.
In a letter to shareholders published after the close of trading today, Tesla said it was maintaining revenue guidance of $560 million $600 million and Model S volume projection of 5,000 units for 2012. Tesla also said that it expects to deliver approximately 500 vehicles to customers during the current quarter with the balance shipped out during the fourth quarter. It maintained its volume prjection for the Model S at 5,000 units for the full year.
Tesla's ability to crank out the Model S has recently come under question. Several analysts worry that the company will make fewer cars in the third quarter than Wall Street earlier estimated. One analyst, Theodore O'Neil of Wunderlich Securities, is on the record saying that Tesla will miss its monthly manufacturing targets. Instead of 1,000 units per month, he says the company will make half of that number. Originally, Tesla thought it would make 5,000 units in 2012 and four times that many next year.
Not that it has undermined Wall Street's confidence in the company. Several brokerages -- including Needham & Company, Maxim Group and Jeffries Group -- have recently repeated their existing recommendations on the stock while Barclays Capital reaffirmed its overweight rating. In fact, today's news was welcomed by investors who sent shares of the Tesla up around 3.7 percent in extended trading.
In a release, CEO Elon Musk put a positive spin on the earnings.
"We are thrilled that our customers, investors and the media have now had a chance to see for themselves just how compelling Model S is. We are also excited to have delivered the first group of Model S cars. We continue to focus on our long term goals of increasing quality production of the Model S so that we can achieve all of our goals to deliver on our volume, cash flow and profitability commitments."
Later on the conference call with analysts, Musk also offered a tidbit about a bit of behavior not usually associated with company CEOs: He personally inspects the cars before they get delivered to customers.
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Honda integrating Facebook, Yelp in new Accord and Crosstour

Honda announced today a new connected service called HondaLink, which brings connected services such as Facebook, Twitter, Yelp, and Slacker into the car.

In the new Accord, drivers will be able to select HondaLink stations from this touch-screen display.(Credit: Honda)
At this year's CES, Harman International's Aha announced a partnership with Honda. Today Honda hosted a conference showing how that partnership would play out with a new service called HondaLink. This new connected service will let drivers listen to a variety of Internet-based stations, featuring everything from Slacker radio to Yelp listings of nearby restaurants.
The new HondaLink app is essentially a rebranded version of the Aha app, although it integrates with the 2013 Honda Accord and Crosstour, along with future Honda vehicles. Aha serves up different types of Internet feeds as audio. Aha not only can play Internet radio stations, but also converts Facebook feeds to an audio stream.

Drivers will need to have the HondaLink app running on an iPhone or Android device to use the new service.(Credit: Honda)
Drivers will need to load the HondaLink app on either an iPhone or Android device and have it paired with the car through Bluetooth. The app delivers a driver's own Facebook news feed, including friends' status updates. It also uses the car's GPS location to find nearby restaurants for the Yelp feed.
Similar to the Aha app, the HondaLink app masks the Yelp service under stations called "Hungry" and "Coffee", which focus on restaurants and coffee shops respectively. HondaLink will not allow more general Yelp searches, and you can't use it to update your own Facebook status.
When listening to the Hungry or Coffee stations, drivers will be able to select a listing and have its address sent to the navigation system. The car's LCD will only show which HondaLink station is currently selected, without showing specific information such as an actual Facebook status update.
As HondaLink runs on a driver's smartphone, it does not require a separate data plan for the car.