Month: November 2011

Kindle Fire vs iPad 2: Bootup Times, Web Browsing, and Netflix Streaming

Jeff Benjamin ∙ November 15, 2011

I finally acquired my highly anticipated Kindle Fire this morning, and I've been putting it through its paces all day long.

It's a decent first attempt by Amazon, and it has tons of potential, but it still suffers from the fact that it's a first generation device.

Even still, we thought it only appropriate to compare Apple's latest tablet to Kindle Fire. How does the iPad 2 stack up to Amazon's debut entry into the tablet race? Check out the interesting — yet ultimately unscientific — video comparison inside...

iPads Proving to be Extremely Effective in the NFL

Cody Lee ∙ November 15, 2011

The iPad has invaded dozens of industries over the last year. Folks in the field of enterprise, education, health, and politics have seen the benefits of the iOS-based slate. Even professional football teams are starting to realize the potential of Apple's popular tablet.

Earlier this year, we reported that Tampa Bay's Buccaneers were trading in their play books for the iPad 2. Over 90 iPads were distributed to members of the coaching staff and players and, according to a recent article by CNN, they've proven to be a resounding success...

iOS Loses Market Share to Android in Recent Quarter

Guest Author ∙ November 15, 2011

Despite the 17.3 million units pushed in the third quarter this year, Apple's iOS platform has actually lost market share to Google's Android, according to Gartner. The iOS platform made up 15% of the market, which is a 1.6% loss from last year's third quarter. This loss comes contrasts with the huge growth that Android has seen this last quarter, with the little green robot doubling its shares since last year and making up over 50% of all smartphones sold in the three-month period.

Although Apple held its ground with a significant year over year increase in sales, it's very evident that the Android platform is expanding quickly. Nokia's Symbian platform has taken a hard loss this quarter, bringing in less than half of what it did last year. RIM, also saw a 4% decrease, going from 15.4% market share to only 11% this year.

So, what does that mean for our beloved iPhone?

“No Bloatware” Policy Could Cost Japan’s Largest Carrier the iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ November 15, 2011

While most carriers jump at the chance to offer Apple's popular smartphone, others aren't so keen on the device's accompanying terms. An iPhone partnership usually means large, long-term commitments and other compromises that some operators just won't make.

Even Apple's infamous "no bloatware" policy can be enough to keep a company from carrying the device. And according to The Wall Street Journal, that seems to be what's stifling the negotiations between Apple and NTT DoCoMo, the largest carrier in Japan...

Steve Jobs Wanted Apple to Be Its Own Carrier

Oliver Haslam ∙ November 15, 2011

We all know that Apple likes to own the customer experience from beginning to end. It's the reason Apple creates its own hardware, its own operating systems, and its own App Store. Apple even controls the supply of all its products, thanks to its retail stores. They like to be in control in Cupertino.

One thing Apple doesn't really control is the cell carriers, despite the iPhone being a veritable cash cow. Tentative rumors of Apple wanting to get into the carrier game have been circulating for quite some time. Now, a venture capitalist, John Stanton, claims that Apple co-founder and then-CEO Steve Jobs had wanted to create its own carrier network.

In typical Jobs fashion, Apple didn't want to just be another carrier, they wanted to use Wi-Fi spectrum to power the system, but it was deemed unfeasible at the time...

iPad Survives 1300ft Drop From a Parachute Just For Kicks, and Advertising

Oliver Haslam ∙ November 15, 2011

In a novel publicity stunt, device case maker G-Form has thrown an iPad from the nose bleed-inducing height of 1300 feet.

In order to prove just how strong the company's iPad case really is, G-Form decided to drop one from a parachuting daredevil while a video plays on it, just for effect. As is predictably the case, if you'll pardon the pun, the iPad survives the fall, though it is fair to say that the case itself has seen better days...

Understanding iTunes Match: iCloud and More Details

Alex Heath ∙ November 15, 2011

Apple finally released iTunes Match in the US yesterday, and many have already subscribed to the $24.99 a year cloud service. We gave you the complete rundown of iTunes Match yesterday, and we also showed you how to enable the service on your devices.

While iTunes Match is fairly simple to use, there are some more technical details that many will find helpful...

Apple TV Gets Price Drop, New Model on the Way?

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 6, 2016

If you are in the market for an Apple TV this holiday season, you may want to check out Amazon.com. The online retailer is hosting quite the sale on Apple's set-top box, knocking its price down 9%.

The ATV2 typically runs for $100, but Amazon has the device going for $89.99. And it seems like there could be more to the markdown than just a holiday sale, as the retailer has re-branded the ATV2 as a 2010 model...

biteSMS Adds New Quick Compose Feature in Notification Center

Jeff Benjamin ∙ November 15, 2011

The latest version of biteSMS is shaping up to be something special. The team has worked hard for months, issuing beta after beta to get version 6 of our favorite jailbreak messaging client just right for iOS 5.

We already covered some of biteSMS' upcoming new features before, but this time around we're focusing exclusively on one feature in particular — quick compose from Notification Center.

IntelliScreenX has it, and now the biteSMS team has it as well. Check inside for a full video walkthrough of the new quick compose elements of biteSMS...

How to Open the App Switcher From Your Lock Screen

Jeff Benjamin ∙ November 15, 2011

Multitasking on the Lock screen you say? Indeed. LockScreen Multitasking is a new jailbreak tweak that allows you to launch your iPhone's App Switcher directly from the Lock screen.

This makes it possible to launch apps, and enjoy the other features contained in your device's App Switcher without even unlocking it...

TinyUmbrella Updated With Support For iOS 5.0.1

Sébastien Page ∙ November 15, 2011

TinyUmbrella, the tool that allows you to save your SHSH blobs to let you downgrade your iDevice firmware to an older version, has been updated to bring support for iOS 5.0.1.

As we had previously reported, there is currently no way to downgrade an iPhone 4S due to the way Apple now signs your firmware during the restore process (more info about that here)...

Take a Look At the New Netflix for iPad Design

Alex Heath ∙ Updated March 18, 2019

Netflix has just announced its new iPad app design, and it looks awesome. The layout looks much cleaner and optimized for the iPad's display, and the ugly whitespace from the former design has been replaced with an elegant, dark interface.

This redesign comes alongside a revamp of Netflix's Android app, and the design is expected to hit the iPad in "the coming weeks."