Joe Rossignol

Joe Rossignol is a former iDB editor.

Giveaway: Enter to win Voombox Travel wireless speakers

To kick off the week on an exciting note, we're pleased to announce our latest giveaway of the Divoom Voombox Travel speakers. The palm-sized, water-resistant wireless Bluetooth speakers are built for the outdoors, designed with a sturdy metal body and shock absorbing rubber that can sustain rugged conditions. The speakers are compatible with iPhones, iPads and other smartphones and tablets. Read ahead for how to enter…

iOS 7.1.2 released with improved iBeacon connectivity and bug fixes

Apple has seeded iOS 7.1.2 as an over-the-air update and through iTunes for compatible iPhone, iPad and iPod touch models. The latest software version includes improved iBeacon connectivity and stability, fixes a bug with data transfer for certain third-party accessories and corrects a major Mail attachment privacy issue. The full changelog has been posted ahead.

If you are currently jailbroken on iOS 7.1.1 or below, you will be happy to hear that the Chinese jailbreak tool Pangu is compatible with iOS 7.1.2. You are safe to update to the latest software version, at which point you can follow Jeff's guide on how to jailbreak iOS 7.1.2 using Pangu. Just like on iOS 7.1.1 and below, it remains an untethered jailbreak.

Audi rolling out CarPlay and Android Auto in 2015 vehicles

Audi announced on Thursday that it will be integrating both the CarPlay and Android Auto software platforms into the Multimedia Interface for its premium lineup of vehicles. The new functions will be available for new Audi models starting in 2015, marking a milestone for the car manufacturer in terms of smartphone integration.

Audi was a founding member of the Google Open Automotive Alliance earlier this year, and already offers navigation via Google Maps and streaming music via Google Play Music. CarPlay integration will also bring iOS to its vehicle lineup, following close dialog between the Audi development lab in Silicon Valley and Apple… 

Apple to stop development of Aperture in favor of Photos on OS X Yosemite

Apple has confirmed that it will no longer be developing its professional photo editing software Aperture when OS X Yosemite is released later this year. The company is shifting focus to the new Photos app that it previewed at the WWDC keynote, which effectively replaces both iPhoto and Aperture on previous versions of OS X. The app is set to launch early next year… 

How to watch the NHL Draft on iPhone and iPad

The future players of the National Hockey League will be chosen on a pick-by-pick basis tonight at the NHL Draft, which begins tonight at 7:00 PM Eastern on NBCSN in the United States and TSN in Canada. It will be interesting to watch how the first round plays out, as there is no clear consensus on who will be picked first overall. The second to seventh round picks continue tomorrow at 10:00 AM Eastern.

The first pick, which belongs to the Florida Panthers, could be used on anyone from Kingston Frontenacs center Samuel Bennett or Barrie Colts defenseman Aaron Ekblad to Kootenay Ice center Sam Reinhart or Prince Albert Raiders center Leon Draisaitl. To help you follow the action as it unfolds, we've prepared this guide on how to watch the NHL Draft on iPhone and iPad… 

Apple adds ‘Best New Game Updates’ section to App Store

Apple has introduced a new section on the App Store called "Best New Game Updates" for showcasing recently updated games for iPhone and iPad. The new category accompanies the long-existing "Best New Games" section, which is now exclusively for promoting new game releases. Plants vs. Zombies 2 and FarmVille 2 are among the first lineup of updated games featured.

App Store discovery has been a growing problem for developers, as the total number of apps available has eclipsed the 1 million mark and counting. This new section should provide at least one additional way for iOS gamers to uncover the best new content updates, and I personally recommend reading our daily App Recap roundup on top. Take a look at the first 16 apps featured ahead… 

YouTube previews new ‘Creator Studio’ app for iPhone

YouTube has announced that it will be releasing an iOS version of its "Creator Studio" app in the coming weeks, as part of a broader effort to offer improved tools for a growing number of content creators. The app is already available on Android, allowing anyone that uploads YouTube videos to track analytics, including views, minutes watched, total subscribers, estimated earnings, engagement statistics and more… 

Samsung rolling out 21-day trial program for smart devices

Apple and Samsung continue to fight for supremacy as the top consumer electronics maker in the United States, and the latter has a new move up its sleeves to help thwart its competitor. Beginning in July, the South Korean handset maker will be kicking off a 21-day trial program that allows customers to test drive select smartphones, tablets and smart watches from its product lineup.

After quietly launching the trial program in Manhattan last month, Samsung will be extending the offer to Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Santa Clara. The devices available to test drive are the Galaxy S5 and Note III smartphones, the Gear smart watch and the Gear Fit fitness tracker. Prospective buyers can test the devices on different carriers, with Samsung compensating the wireless costs. A refundable deposit of $350 must be made beforehand… 

Walmart discounting iPhone 5s to $99, iPhone 5c to $29 tomorrow

If you are planning on purchasing a new iPhone, you will be happy to hear that Walmart is discounting the 16 GB iPhone 5s to $99 (down from $149) and 16 GB iPhone 5c to $29 (down from $49) when activated on a two-year service agreement. The new prices are effective tomorrow, making this one of the better iPhone deals available in-store in the United States… 

Apple hires head software engineer from Atlas Wearables, likely to work on the iWatch

Apple is believed to have an interesting pipeline of new products planned for the second half of this year, including new Macs, iPhones and its first wearable device. It has been speculated over the past several months that the company is gearing up to launch the so-called "iWatch" in the fall, a smart watch that will double as a health and fitness tracker for managing your heart rate, calories, blood glucose levels and more…

What is your jailbreak story?

Earlier this week, we were treated to the pleasant surprise of an iOS 7.1.1 untethered jailbreak by the Chinese team Pangu. I had the privilege of discussing the jailbreak with our video guru Jeff Benjamin on the most recent Let's Talk Jailbreak episode, which was a lot of fun. In the podcast, Jeff asked me to introduce myself to the community and to describe my jailbreak roots.

The story begins in December 2007, when I was on a family vacation near the sandy beaches of Cape Coral, Florida. My older brother, now a software engineer at Google, was incredibly interested in this new product called the iPod touch. In particular, he wanted to jailbreak it. As a thirteen-year-old eighth grader at the time, I had never heard of the device. I especially did not know what jailbreaking was…Â