Day: April 30, 2013

Jawbone opens API for its UP fitness bracelet to third party devs

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Jawbone, a company well-known for its bluetooth headsets and speakers, ventured into the world of fitness accessories last year with its UP bracelet. Well I should say re-entered. That was its second attempt with the UP, after hitting early manufacturing issues.

Today, reviews of the UP still seem to be a mixed bag, but Jawbone is looking to sweeten the deal with third party app support. Earlier today, the company unveiled its new 'UP Platform,' which it says will allow developers to integrate UP data into their apps...

Apple patent suggests whether best to call or text

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

While in the middle of being told Apple is washed-up, a has-been being overtaken by Android, comes a patent which reminds us the company actually has some good ideas left.

Take, for instance, those annoying calls which seem to arrive in the middle of dinner. The gear heads at Apple also find them annoying and created a way to put you in control of who calls you when and whether a text might suffice. Particularly when you have a mouth of spaghetti.

The granted patent describes a "system for facilitating contacting people using electronic devices."

Instead of taking the usual path most technology firms selling smartphones would follow - creating multiple ways to blast messages to you - Apple goes for a more zen-like approach, realizing that understanding when not to make a call could make for the ultimate smartphone...

MirrorCase shoots video while iPad rests laid flat

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

RHP Multimedia launched its MirrorCase for iPhone in May 2012. The iPhone 4/4S (a $49.95 value) and iPhone 5 case ($59.95 value) works with a free companion iOS app to let you take pictures and record video while continuing to use your device. It also doubles as an ergonomic shoulder rest for extended phone conversations. Today, the company on Kickstarter announced an iPad version of MirrorCase. What's in it for you? Read on...

QuickReply for Facebook Messenger updated for iOS 6

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Good news today for jailbreakers who frequently use Facebook's Messenger application. Moeseth has updated his popular QuickReply tweak for the social network's messaging service to be compatible with devices running iOS 6+.

Much like its older sibling, TwitkaFly, QuickReply for Messenger allows users to quickly reply to Facebook messages by tapping on incoming notifications from either the Home screen, Lock screen, or within open applications...

Handle, new iOS email and task management app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

The market for iOS email client has been bursting with activity lately. As Apple relaxed its iOS development rules to allow third-party email clients for its iPhone and iPad, the App Store saw an influx of applications that seek to redefine the web's most popular service.

In addition to Apple's stock iOS email and Google-owned Sparrow, users can now choose between Dropbox-owned Mailbox, Southgate Labs Limited's excellent Triage and many other applications that more or less successfully take the pain out of day-to-day email management. The latest arrival: Handle, a handy iOS email and task management app from Siri investor Shawn Carolan...

Apple and Samsung to battle it out over damages this fall

Cody Lee ∙ April 30, 2013

It seems like it's been a while since we've heard any news on the Apple/Samsung lawsuit front, which is not necessarily a bad thing. But today, the silence was broken as Judge Lucy Koh issued a new case management order to the two sides.

According to the order, the two will be battling it out over damages from their August trial this fall, with the next hearing scheduled for November 12. Here, Apple will get a chance to get back some of the $500M Koh cut from its settlement earlier this year...

Boost Mobile to begin selling prepaid iPhone later this year

Cody Lee ∙ April 30, 2013

Sprint's popular prepaid provider Boost Mobile will begin offering iPhone models this fall, according to an industry insider who claims to have direct knowledge of the company's plan. If true, it would be the fourth major US prepaid carrier to offer the popular handset.

But this isn't the first time rumors of a Boost Mobile, Apple partnership have surfaced. Last summer, the two were said to be working on a deal to bring the iPhone 4 and 4S to Sprint's network by the fall. Obviously, though, those particular claims never materialized...

Vendetta Online now available on iPad [review]

Lory Gil ∙ April 29, 2013

When I got my hands on an iPad more than three years ago, the first thing that crossed my mind was how to get World of Warcraft onto it. Even though Apple has improved the gaming capabilities of their tablet, Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) game developers, like Blizzard, tend to steer clear of the platform, somewhat of a disappointment for a decade-long fan of the epic fantasy game.

Lucky for fans of space-themed player-versus-player (PVP) MMO gaming, Vendetta Online has taken the leap into iOS and is now available on the iPad. If you are already a subscriber to the all-encompassing sci-fi game, welcome to the pocket version. If you’ve never played Vendetta Online, but fancy yourself an experienced simulation space trade and fighter, you are in for a real treat...

Post-PC news: China zooms past US in PC sales, netbooks on life support

Ed Sutherland ∙ April 30, 2013

For US PC buyers accustom to receiving items from China, here's a switch: new research indicates more computers are being shipped into China than America. After China became the largest PC market in terms of buyers, the country is now also the world's top market when it comes to shipping.

According to IHS iSuppli, in 2012 69 million PCs were shipped into China, compared to 66 million units headed for the United States. Despite its size, China still has some catching-up to do with the rest of the world. For instance, while most countries have moved on from desktop computers, a full half of PCs shipped to China are desktops.

That's just one of many intriguing differences in the world's largest PC market...