The song-a-day man Jonathan Mann can be funny as hell, even more so considering he’s been able to write a song a day for more than two years straight without ever running out of inspiration. He’s back at it again with a new song about Apple’s mapping woes. If you like it, check out his birthday song to Siri from last week (part one from last year is here). Joy of Tech also has a nice take on what happens when Apple Maps meet Siri… Read More
Facebook Messenger refreshed with chat bubbles, iPhone 5 support, Favorites
By Christian Zibreg on Sep 29, 2012
Facebook’s standalone chat client called Messenger has been updated yesterday to version 2.0. In addition to bug fixes and support for iOS 6 and the iPhone 5‘s taller four-inch display (so you can see more messages with less scrolling), the app comes with the handy new Favorites feature and the interface has been tweaked around chat bubbles. I also weigh in on why you’ll want to keep the chat app and the full-blown Facebook client both running on your device… Read More
When Apple was designing the original iPhone, Maps was an afterthought
By Christian Zibreg on Sep 29, 2012
Piggy-backing on the ongoing Apple Maps drama, The New York Times gives us a couple interesting tidbits that help explain the origins of Google Maps on the iPhone. For starters, Apple never intended to put maps on the iPhone. It was a decision late CEO Steve Jobs made last minute, one that would cost Apple its reputation five years later as Apple rushed its own solution out of the door too early.
In a way, the report notes, Apple Maps continue on a string of Internet services missteps, with notable examples of the recently axed Ping social network for music, Siri, a controversial digital assistant, the MobileMe suite of web tools and recent iCloud outages.
These blunders expose Apple as a hardware and design-focused culture, which is more often than not a difficult match for online services on a world scale, where Google rules the landscape by a wide margin… Read More
Apple removes superlatives from Maps description
By Christian Zibreg on Sep 29, 2012
Apple appears to be really determined to avoid having this Maps thing snowball into a devastating PR catastrophe which, by the way, already has tarnished Apple’s reputation. Following yesterday’s unexpected CEO apology and the subsequent recommendation of mapping services on the web as well as third-party Maps alternatives, Apple has made a subtle change in Maps wording.
No longer are Apple Maps being referred to as “the most beautiful, powerful mapping service ever”. Instead, the app’s now about “a beautiful vector-based interface that scales and zooms with ease”… Read More
How to downgrade iOS 6 to iOS 5.1.1 on A4 devices
By Jeff Benjamin on Sep 28, 2012
Have an iPhone 4, iPod touch, or below running iOS 6, and would like to downgrade back to iOS 5.1.1? Doing so is easy is you have your SHSH blobs saved for iOS 5.1.1 and can follow the steps inside. Unlike the beta period of iOS 6, you must have your SHSH blobs for iOS 5.1.1 save for you device now, because Apple has stopped signing iOS 5.1.1.
To downgrade, you will need the latest public version of RedSn0w. We will use the SHSH Stitching feature to combine the appropriate IPSW file for 5.1.1 and your corresponding SHSH blob for the device you wish to downgrade. It may sound a bit confusing, but it’s extremely easy if you follow along carefully.
Take a look inside for the full walkthrough and video how-to. Read More
Survey: nearly 60 percent of iPhone owners have already adopted iOS 6
By Ed Sutherland on Sep 28, 2012
Apple’s iOS 6 has been out for just over one week and already almost 60 percent of iPhone owners and more than 41 percent of iPad users are using the updated software. The figures from Onswipe are just the latest showing the new version of Apple’s mobile software is being adopted at a record pace.
A survey of 100,000 visitors to website’s using Onswipe’s touch-friendly conversion service indicates that 59.43 percent of the iPhone users are on iOS 6, while 41.3 percent of iPad owners are using the recently-released software. By comparison, it took iOS 5 four weeks to gain 38 percent adoption… Read More
How to unlock the full iOS 6 Maps app on older devices
By Jeff Benjamin on Sep 28, 2012
iOS 6 Maps is stepped in controversy, but not everyone hates it, including yours truly. I’ve never personally experienced any navigation issues with the iOS 6 Maps app, and for me, it’s a huge upgrade over the stock Google Maps app of yesteryear.
One problem that I do have with iOS 6′s Maps, however, is how dumbed down the feature is on older devices. Devices like the iPhone 4 get left out when it comes to true turn-by-turn navigation and Flyover (3D) support.
As usual, the jailbreak community comes to the rescue with a new tweak that unlocks iOS 6 Maps on older devices. It’s appropriately titled: Unlock iOS 6 Maps, and it’s a free download on Cydia’s Big Boss repo. Take a look inside for a video walkthrough… Read More
Apple highlights Maps alternatives via a new App Store section
By Christian Zibreg on Sep 28, 2012
Apple’s really determined to right the mapping wrongs. In addition to posting a public apology on its web site and offering instructions on accessing mapping web apps from Google and Nokia, the Cupertino, California-headquartered designer of gadgets just posted a curated recommendations section in the App Store, listing third-party Maps alternatives for the iPhone and iPad… Read More
Apple explains how to create home screen shortcuts to Google and Nokia maps on the web
By Christian Zibreg on Sep 28, 2012
Apple’s boss Tim Cook just issued a mea culpa on Apple’s awesome Maps in the form of an open letter published on Apple’s website. What’s really interesting is that the issue which threatened to snowball into a PR catastrophe has forced Apple to advise customers to use rival services “while we’re improving Maps”.
It takes a tremendous amount of public outcry to force Cupertino into such a defensive position. I imagine heads will roll as Cook gives Apple’s mapping team a kind of dressing down Steve Jobs once gave to the MobileMe team (“you should hate each other for having let each other down”). No matter how you look at it, the Maps fiasco has tarnished Apple’s reputation, at least in my view… Read More
Apple CEO Tim Cook issues open letter apologizing for iOS Maps flaws
By Christian Zibreg on Sep 28, 2012
Acknowledging what has become Mapgate, Apple’s chief executive Tim Cook issued an apology for inaccuracies, faulty data and other issues plaguing Apple’s new in-house mapping service that replaced the stock Google Maps app on iOS 6 devices.
And just as his predecessor did when Apple got entangled in disputes with the music industry over copy-protecting iTunes songs or Adobe over Flash, Cook issued an open letter on the company’s web site to explain Apple’s position on the matter… Read More
Taking the American Express Passbook pass for a spin
By Jeff Benjamin on Sep 27, 2012
Want a quick and easy way to access recent purchases and account balances made with your American Express card? If you’re running iOS 6, then you can now do so with Passbook.
First of all, just to clear up any misconceptions, you can’t actually purchase goods via Amex using Passbook — that functionality doesn’t yet exist. What you can do, though, is sync your Amex card with Passbook to access the convenient features mentioned above — balances, recent transactions, and the like.
As someone who uses Amex exclusively for almost every purchase, large and small, I’ve been anxious to try out Amex’s Passbook offering ever since it was first announced that they were on board. Here’s what I found…
Maps says sorry
By Christian Zibreg on Sep 27, 2012
And the iOS Maps bashing saga continues… Wanna know how it ends? Go past the fold for the remaining three tables. Joy of Tech also has another funny take on Mapgate, by the way… Read More
iOS 6 can pull someone’s full name and Facebook photo based on a phone number alone
By Christian Zibreg on Sep 27, 2012
I’m risking of stating the obvious with this one, but I’d bet my shirt many of your were unaware of this little trick. As you know, Facebook integration in iOS 6 and OS X Mountain Lion can automagically update photos and user names for all matching contacts. What you may not have known is that Apple only needs a person’s phone number to pull this data.
So if a girl you met at a bar last night left you just her phone number, you can easily get her Facebook profile picture to appear on your iPhone when she happens to call you – even if you’re not friends with her on Facebook and even if her profile is hidden on Facebook. Plus, you’ll get her full name in Contacts. How cool is that? Read More
AntiTint removes the status bar tint in iOS 6
By Jeff Benjamin on Sep 27, 2012
AntiTint is a recently released jailbreak tweak from Ryan Petrich that sets out to do one thing — remove the status bar tint found in iOS 6.
New with iOS 6 came the ability for a developer to tint the status bar to match or accent the color of the rest of their app. Many people have found this to be annoying, and would like to go back to the black status bars predominately featured in iOS versions prior to iOS 6.
If you’re jailbroken, then doing so is as easy as installing this tweak. Take a look inside to see how it works… Read More
Google’s iLost ad uses a phony street address to exaggerate Apple Maps flaws
By Christian Zibreg on Sep 27, 2012
Remember an ad Google’s subsidiary Motorola recently published to highlight Apple Maps flaws? “Looking for 315 E 15th in Manhattan?”, Google’s advertisement read. “Google Maps on Droid Razr M will get you there & not #iLost in Brooklyn”, it went on to suggest that iOS 6 Maps will direct users to a wrong road name in the wrong city. Well, guess what? That address doesn’t even exist!
That’s right, 315 E 15th Street is not an actual address in Manhattan. This whole maps thing is really getting blown out of proportion. Why would Google fake an ad and make folks search for an incorrect, ambiguous street address other than make Apple Maps look bad. Apple of course also isn’t one to shy away from deceptive advertising. Remember this? Read More
Camera+ updated with iCloud sync, Facebook single sign-on, taller iPhone 5 interface
By Christian Zibreg on Sep 27, 2012
Taptaptap’s Camera+ sold over nine million copies since its inception in June of 2010 and it’s remained my favorite go-to photography app ever since. A major new version just hit the App Store this morning, bringing several new features.
Most notably, version 3.5 enables iCloud sync and Facebook sharing with single sign-on. The former lets you automatically sync your Lightbox between devices and the latter simplifies Facebook authorization.
And best of all, the team confirms that Camera+ for iPad is around the corner. Count us excited! Read More
Screens updated for iOS 6
By Jeff Benjamin on Sep 26, 2012
Screens — one of our favorite VNC clients for the iPhone — has been updated with iPhone 5 support. Now, obviously, all apps will eventually be updated with iPhone 5 support, so why single out Screens? It’s because the added real estate benefits the app in a major way, seeing as it’s a remote desktop client.
Take a look inside as we showcase a couple comparison screenshots of the newly updated Screens. Read More
Street View coming to Google Maps mobile web app in two weeks
By Christian Zibreg on Sep 26, 2012
I just read through David Pogue’s freshly published article on the Mapgate situation and noticed a couple interesting revelations. The New York Times technology columnist says that in two weeks, you’ll be able to get Street View in the Google Maps mobile web on your iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.
Right now, you can use Safari on your iOS device to navigate to maps.google.com and use Google’s maps on the web, though without spoken directions (you’ll get written directions instead). More tidbits right below… Read More
Survey: iOS 6 leading to increased iPhone customer dissatisfaction
By Ed Sutherland on Sep 26, 2012
For the first time, an iOS upgrade is leaving a bad taste in consumers’ mouths. While it’s usually the case that upgrades are viewed as improving the iPhone experience, a new survey finds iOS 6 actually hurt Apple’s sterling customer service reputation. Apple’s decision to replace Google Maps with its own service appears to be the root cause, say researchers.
“We have always seen an increase in device satisfaction as consumers upgrade their mobile operating system from one version to another,” On Device DEO Alistair Hill told TechCrunch. While the rating for the upgrade from iOS 4 to iOS 5 received high marks, the move to iOS 6 saw ratings decrease to 7.65 from 7.75. On Device surveyed nearly 16,000 U.S. iPhone owners… Read More
Apple could have kept Google Maps until iOS 7
By Christian Zibreg on Sep 26, 2012
Apple could have kept the stock iOS Google Maps for another year, if it wanted, a new report alleges. When Apple publicly announced in June it would drop the native Google Maps app in favor of its own solution, Google was shocked as its contract with Apple to keep the maps app on the iPhone “had more time remaining”, the New York Times reports.
Luckily, if the paper’s sources are to be believed, Google is working on a standalone Google Maps app though it won’t be released immediately because Google wants to do it right and incorporate 3D view as it wants the program to be comparable to Apple Maps, namely its three-dimensional Flyover views of major cities… Read More
