Year: 2012

Apple’s next big thing is an intelligent remote? I should have been an analyst.

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 9, 2012

With the successful iPhone 5 launch now behind us and the rumored iPad mini introduction allegedly upon us later this month, the rumor-mill is no doubt busy thinking about Apple's next big thing. The mythical Apple television set instantly springs to mind, dubbed by the media as the iTV. Not so fast. According to one analyst, an intelligent remote rather than a standalone HD TV set is up next for the Cupertino, California designer of shiny gadgets...

Watch how the iPad helps spread hope

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 9, 2012

Project HOPE, a United States-based health care organization, explains in this heartwarming video how Apple's iPad helps Project HOPE volunteer and pediatric physician Dr. Dana Braner treat sick children around the world. Watch how the iPad "lights up their faces" as Dr. Dana discusses how the device helps him treat young patients who now find regular medical check ups far less intimidating...

Brazil approves iPhone 5 for sale, may see Portuguese support for Siri

Cody Lee ∙ October 9, 2012

In addition to this morning's story that the iPhone 5 will launch in India at the end of the month, another report has surfaced regarding international availability of Apple's latest handset.

The report claims that Brazil's telecommunications regulatory authority has just approved the iPhone 5 for sale in the country. And word is, Siri has learned how to speak Portuguese...

Report: iPad mini is WiFi-only, Apple to update iPad 3 with UK’s 4G LTE and Lightning

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 8, 2016

We may have been exposed to a surprising amount of leaks pertaining to the looks and hardware features of a smaller iPad Apple is thought to be introducing later this month. One important feature has remained a mystery thus far: the device's price point.

With both Amazon and Google selling their seven inchers for just $199, Apple's mini iPad cannot and shouldn't cost substantially more in order not to ruin its chances in the marketplace.

Among the possible tricks Apple could employ in order to keep the costs down: re-using some of the iPad 2 components and yes - skimping on some features, including cellular networking...

How to install Siri on iOS devices running iOS 6

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Would you like to use Siri on your old iPod touch 4th generation or iPhone 4 running iOS 6? The first thing you need to do is jailbreak your device, and then install Cydia.

Once you've jailbroken your device and installed Cydia, you can then add the necessary Cydia repo to install the package needed to configure Siri on these devices.

Check inside for our full tutorial.

Google appears to be tiring of the patent wars

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 9, 2012

Following up on a revealing Sunday piece by The New York Times that looks at patent wars from both sides to conclude that Apple (like other tech giants) patents anything and everything just to prevent rivals from patenting the same inventions, Google's chief legal counsel David Drummond has now called for an all-encompassing software patent reform.

Criticizing broken patent system in the United States, Drummond advocates for a change to make the system more akin to Europe and some other countries, which make it much harder to get a software patent of any kind, let alone something as basic as Apple's slide-to-unlock gesture...

Rumor: Apple’s been working with mysterious carbon fiber supplier for 3 years

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 9, 2012

A report by the Japanese blog Macotakara recently asserted that Apple ordered parts made of carbon fiber, presumably for an entirely new product (no iBike jokes, please), though for all we know the company could be simply looking to replace aluminum in products with lighter and stronger carbon fiber parts.

The report would name neither the supplier nor the product in question and today the same blog ran another story shedding more light on the matter.

Apple apparently has been working with the mysterious supplier for at least three years, suggesting that the shipments of carbon fiber parts (said to be too large to simply be a sample) stem from Apple's multi-year partnership with the vendor...

Apple may have changed the iPad mini’s round shape design

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 9, 2012

Apple tomorrow is allegedly expected to invite select members of the press to an iPad mini-focused media event, likely to be held at some point next week. With part leaks, dummies, schematics, mockups, gorgeous renders and news of manufacturing ramp up all leaking on a daily basis, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the iPad mini design has been set in stone weeks ago.

A new report by a reliable Japanese blog now claims Apple's changed the iPad mini design and one "large OEM mobile accessory maker" had to throw cases it already made, likely based on same leaks and rumors we've been hearing about...

BBC launches iPlayer Radio streaming app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 29, 2017

BBC has previously made available its fine (I'd dare say, the finest) television programming, documentaries and news channels on the iPhone and today the London, United Kingdom-headquartered public service broadcasting corporation revealed a new radio streaming app.

The BBC iPlayer Radio app allows you to stream live shows and download already-broadcast shows. It sports a nice dial interface akin to Apple's Podcast app, letting one quickly scan available shows and enjoy BBC's radio programmes on the go, even if it's limited only to UK residents (there's a way to bypass that)...

Apple’s Lightning authentication already cracked?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 10, 2018

Apple's new Lightning connector, currently utilized on the iPhone 5 and the new iPod touch and iPod nano, features an authentication chip, also found inside the Lightning cable. The chip, along with tightened 'MFi' terms, exists to ensure that only Apple-authorized Lightning accessories (like the Lightning to 30-pin adapter) function with Lightning-equipped iOS devices.

Some folks suspect it also serves to prevent third-party alternatives offered by places like Alibaba.com. I guess Apple won't be too pleased realizing that cracked chips which bypass its authentication functions are now reportedly available...

Poll: should Apple fear Google’s upcoming flagship 10-inch Nexus tablet?

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 9, 2012

As we told you earlier today, Google is thought to have teamed up with Samsung on a new flagship tablet. The device is believed to feature a ten-inch display with a greater resolution and pixel density than the iPad 3's Retina display.

The search company reportedly feels so confident about the upcoming tablet that it's gonna adorn it with the Nexus branding. With Amazon having recently unveiled an 8.9-inch high-end tablet and now Google eyeing the same market segment, rivals are taking the fight for tablet supremacy to Apple's own turf, where the iPad dominates. Should Cupertino be concerned?

Apple awarded second patent for a two-step screen unlock

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 9, 2012

An interesting patent grant surfaced in the United States Patent & Trademark Office's (USPTO) database this morning related to a two-step screen unlock feature. This is Apple's second patent grant for the feature, with first patent issued in June 2012. One of the inventors listed on the second grant for a dual slider locking approach is Apple's iOS chief and Senior Vice President Scott Forstall...