Year: 2012

Sick of the arguing, judge orders Apple-Samsung lawyers to meet

Cody Lee ∙ August 13, 2012

It's been a long two weeks for US District Court Judge Lucy Koh, who is currently presiding over the high-profile Apple-Samsung trial. On top of the usual court arguments, it's been filled with nonstop bickering between the attorneys of both parties.

And Koh says she tired of it. In a new order, filed late yesterday afternoon, the Judge said that she was disappointed by the efforts to meet and confer on final jury instructions, and that she wanted lead trial counsel from sides to meet in person...

Claimed photos of new iPhone’s motherboard surface

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

Surprise, more photos of leaked next-generation iPhone parts have surfaced. Over the past few days we've seen images of what are believed to be the battery and dock connector of Apple's next smartphone. And now this.

New pictures of a purported next-gen iPhone piece have popped up online this evening. This time, the component in the photos is said to be the motherboard of the upcoming handset...

Question of the week: How do you feel about the removal of the stock YouTube app?

Jeff Benjamin ∙ August 11, 2012

Now that the dust has settled from the revelation that Apple has done away with the stock YouTube app, what are your thoughts?

We've polled you about your YouTube app usage, but now we want some in-depth insight on your feelings about YouTube's removal from iOS 6...

Nito Installer released for jailbroken ATVs

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

The jailbroken Apple TV community has been awfully quiet as of late. There still hasn't been any news on the ATV3 jailbreak, and there may never be, and innovation on the ATV2 front has sort of stalled.

Until today, that is. Kevin Bradley, better known as nitoTV, has released a new utility for jailbroken Apple TVs called nito Installer. The app makes installing software on hacked ATVs easier than ever before...

Turn your iPad into a hardcover book with eBook Jackets

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Here's another Kickstarter project that has made a name for itself by blowing past its funding goal. Out of Print's eBook Jackets are essentially hard cover book cases for your iPad.

The cases are customizable, and comparatively inexpensive. So if you own an iPad, either second or third generation, and use it to read eBooks, you might want to check this out...

Again, why you should never buy an iPad in a parking lot

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 11, 2018

Craigslist is arguably one of the web's most popular destinations for folks looking to buy stuff at a bargain. A virtual garage sale of sorts, one can find anything from furniture to exercise equipment.

Of course, you can also find electronics on Craigslist — Apple products even. But as we've said before, you should always be wary of buying Apple gear in a parking lot. And again, here's why...

Another reason why Google lags behind Apple: Customer service

Jeff Benjamin ∙ August 11, 2012

Not to pile on after Sebastien's review of the Nexus 7, but I just had to share this little tidbit of information.

I emailed Google customer service over an issue that I had with the Nexus 7, and I received a response. The problem is, the response came 17 days later. Yes, a one followed by a seven. 408 hours after the fact.

It's just another reason why Google has a long way to go before they can come close to the Apple experience...

An iPad user reviews the Nexus 7

Sébastien Page ∙ August 11, 2012

A review for an Android device is probably the last thing you'd expect to read on iDB. For those of you who are paying attention though, you probably noticed Jeff's review of the device a couple weeks ago, and now that I've been using the Nexus 7 for a about two weeks myself, I'd like to share my thoughts with you.

Of course iDB is an Apple-focused blog. Of course we are biased towards the iPad and just about everything iOS, but when a device like the Nexus 7 comes out, we feel that we owe it to ourselves and to our readers to have a look at it. After all, it's good to have a point of comparison, especially if we are going to look down on Android as we often do here.

Now that we have the housekeeping stuff out of the way, let's dig into this brief and honest review of the Nexus 7. Does it live up to the hype? Is Android better than iOS? Can the Nexus 7 replace my iPad? A few questions and more that will be answered in the next paragraphs…

Apple offered to license its portfolio of patents to Samsung in 2010

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

The high-profile patent trial between Apple and Samsung has exposed some pretty interesting intel on both companies. But the information brought to light tonight might be the best yet.

According to some new court filings, executives from the two tech heavyweights met in hopes of reaching a settlement back in 2010. And Apple actually offered Samsung a licensing deal...

A complete breakdown of iOS 6’s new Wi-Fi Plus Cellular feature

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated February 7, 2016

As we told you yesterday, Apple has incorporated a new Wi-Fi Plus Cellular option in iOS 6 beta 4. This new setting allows apps to use cellular data when there are issues with the Wi-Fi connection.

You can find the Wi-Fi Plus Cellular toggle in the General > Cellular panel, which is within the Settings app.

Once iOS 6 is formally released to the public, should you enable this option? Is there a risk involved when it comes to racking up extra cellular data charges with your wireless provider? We'll answer these, and other questions inside...

Smarter Stand makes your Smart Cover smarter

Cody Lee ∙ August 10, 2012

If you have an iPad, and a Smart Cover for that iPad, then that makes you the perfect candidate for the Smarter Stand. The tiny accessory, composed of 2 clips, promises to turn your Smart Cover into a full-featured iPad stand.

Wish your Smart Cover was more sturdy when propping up your iPad? Smarter Stand can help with that. Wish your Smart Cover offered a wider range of viewing angles? Smarter stand can help with that too. And here's how it works...

G-Form protected iPhone survives 1000 foot drop

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

Here's an interesting video that will help you waste the remaining minutes of your Friday afternoon. In their typical over-the-top fashion, the folks over at G-Form have just uploaded a new clip proving how tough their iPhone cases are.

Outfitted in nothing but their G-Form gear, wing-suited base jumpers took an iPhone along with them on a 1000 foot free-fall to see if the case would live up to its reputation. And as you might have expected, the handset survived...