Year: 2012

Run for the hills, Galaxy S III ad assault begins

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 21, 2012

I know this is an iOS blog, but today Samsung launched its Galaxy S III in the United States with much fanfare and we thought you'd be interested in some of the television commercials they're running now. They're shiny, 100 percent devoid of Apple bashing and way cooler than Samsung's first promo video for the S III.

You can also bet on Samsung bombarding us with more commercials for the S III in the coming weeks. If these two adverts are an indication ("the next big thing is already here"), I'm expecting some fast jabs at the iPhone (though Terry Gou would disagree).

The question is, will Samsung's latest baby become the first smartphone to outsell the iPhone?

How to enable 3D maps on older devices

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 28, 2017

One of the biggest new features of iOS 6 is the new reinvigorated Maps app, which no longer relies on data from Google. The new Maps app also features turn-by-turn directions, and 3D capabilities.

Sadly, for owners of older devices like the iPhone 4 or the iPhone 3GS, you'll get the new Maps app sans 3D capabilities or turn-by-turn directions. As usual, the jailbreak community has come through with a solution to at least one of the omissions — 3D maps.

Check inside as we walk you through adding 3D maps to your officially unsupported older device...

Launch Center Pro now available for iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 27, 2016

Launch Center Pro hit the App Store with a splash today, receiving rave reviews from several outlets. The app is the encore to App Cubby's Launch Center, which debuted back in 2011.

Though it's received a significant makeover, the app itself has maintained its premise. Which is to give power users a more efficient way to launch apps and perform actions in iOS...

Car maker Ford creates remarkably effective password manager app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 5, 2017

Being overly paranoid about my passwords, I've traditionally resorted to using a bunch of tools to keep my login credentials safe, ranging from brute force solutions that involve keeping passwords in an encrypted text file up in the cloud to pricey utilities such as 1Password.

The problem is, these time-sucking tools involve daily management and require that I adapt my workflow. Wouldn't it be nice if my Mac could automagically recognize me by way of my iPhone? Enter KeyFree Login, an iPhone app from car maker Ford that puts all password managers to shame with its ubiquity and simplicity. It's magic, really.

By enabling Bluetooth on both your Mac and iOS device, you'll be automatically authenticated to Facebook, Twitter and whatever websites you use, each time the two devices are in range, no setup required whatsoever, just by standing next to your computer...

Quickly shut down your device with QuickPowerDown

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated February 25, 2013

Fancy a way to shut down your device in the quickest fashion imaginable? Then you may want to give QuickPowerDown a look.

QuickPowerDown is a jailbreak tweak that allows you to outright bypass the "slide to power off" menu when shutting off your iPhone. Along with that, there is also a settings panel in the Settings app that lets you configure different actions to the power button...

How to add the iOS 6 photos menu to iOS 5

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated February 25, 2013

With iOS 6, the iPhone and its brethern gain an all new photo sharing menu interface that includes the likes of Facebook, Twitter, and more. Its interface is much more pleasing to the eye than the current bland sheet based interface used on iOS 5 and below.

Thankfully, you don't have to be a developer to enjoy the new iOS 6 interface, because there is a new jailbreak tweak that mimics the new interface and even provides greater functionality than what iOS 6 users have. Take a look inside as we go hands-on with iOS 6 Photos Menu...

SlideWriter now available for iPad via the App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

SlideWriter has landed on the iPad with a souped up virtual keyboard that takes cues from a concept video gone viral.

It's a note taking app which makes it easier to edit text by simply sliding your finger above the keyboard to quickly move the cursor.

But hold your horses, it's not exactly what you've been hoping for...

How Apple’s casual search engine Siri is containing Google search on iOS

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 26, 2016

Steve Jobs used to defend his "thermonuclear" option against Android by stressing how Apple did not enter the search space while Google had decided to challenge the iPhone with its Android.

Jobs' words no longer hold true. With Siri, an AI-driven personal digital assistant, Apple has begun slowly but surely eating into Google's significant search traffic coming from iOS devices.

As such, Siri is emerging as a key tool for casual search on iOS devices. And with iOS 6, Apple is expanding her reach with new alliances, making it easier for users to bypass Google, especially for local search...

Analyst: the next iPhone will be a true world phone

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 21, 2012

Latest checks from Apple's suppliers in Taiwan indicate that the next iPhone is in fact launching in October, as previously rumored, full twelve months following release of the iPhone 4S last October.

In a landmark deal with the China's and world's biggest carrier, the handset will support China Mobile's proprietary TD-SCDMA 3G network, making it a true world phone...

Sharp to begin delivering cutting-edge iTV panels to Foxconn in Q3 2012

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 21, 2012

Back in May, a report quoted Foxconn CEO Terry Gou as saying his company was “making preparations” to assemble a full-blown television set for Apple. It proved bogus when Foxconn issued a statement claiming Gou “neither confirmed nor speculated about Foxconn’s involvement in the production of any product”, but such an ambiguously worded denial only added fuel to fire.

According to a new rumor by Chinese news site 21cbh.com (via AppleInsider), based on talks with a Sharp executive and other sources at the company, Sharp will begin delivering LCD television panels to Foxconn in the third quarter of this year, for the specific purpose of assembling Apple television sets...

Asphalt 7: Heat races into the App Store, costs just $0.99

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

Gameloft's Asphalt is one of the longest standing racing series on the App Store, offering a combination of fast-paced racing action, carrier management, officially licensed cars from hot manufacturers and great multiplayer.

Asphalt 7: Heat arrives just in time for the summer, available at an unbeatable price of just 99 cents, which buys you both the iPhone and native iPad version. It's a steal, really...

Apple fined $2.29 million over “4G” iPad claim

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

Apple has bent the truth by advertising its iPad in Australia as having "4G" capability, thus misleading would-be buyers. For that, Cupertino has now been fined a whopping $2.29 million, Associated Press reports.

The case was brought by regulators shortly following the iPad's release in Australia, when the company began advertising the tablet as "iPad with WiFi + 4G" though it cannot connect to Australia's fourth-generation LTE network. Apple will also have to pay 300,000 Australian dollars in litigation costs...