Year: 2012

‘SpeakEvents’ makes boring push notifications come alive with voice

Jeff Benjamin ∙ February 27, 2012

SpeakEvents is a jailbreak tweak that audibly speaks the contents of new messages, tweets, emails, etc.

I like to look at it as the opposite of Siri; actually it's the perfect complement to Siri, because instead of you talking to the iPhone, it's talking to you.

I know this sounds like a potential recipe for disaster, but SpeakEvents has the ability to go into quiet mode during designated times, and you can make it work on a per-app basis.

Check out further video coverage of SpeakEvents straight ahead...

‘Notificator’ allows you to customize iOS system events with banners and sounds

Jeff Benjamin ∙ February 27, 2012

Wouldn't it be neat to receive a banner notification once that huge app finishes downloading? What about a less intrusive banner notification when your device is running low on battery life?

Notificator is an upcoming jailbreak tweak that can do that and more. In total there are eight system events that can be customized with both banners and sound to keep you abreast of what's happening on your device.

Take a look at our full video preview inside...

How to enable fast Notification Center background blurring

Jeff Benjamin ∙ February 27, 2012

Looking for an instantaneous method for blurring the background after invoking Notification Center?

If so, then perhaps Ryan Petrich's longwinded FastBlurredNotificationCenter will suit your needs.

This is a free jailbreak tweak available on Petrich's beta repo, which causes an instant blur effect for Notification Center.

Inside we have a brief video of it in action, along with the link you need to score a free copy for yourself...

Sprint commits to buying 24 million iPhones from Apple

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Sprint is the most recent carrier to have gained Apple's iPhone on its network, after paying big bucks. According to its 10-K filing with the SEC released this morning, Sprint has committed to buying almost $15.5B worth of iPhones from Apple, The Next Web points out.

Asymco figured that each iPhone is sold for roughly $630 ARPU from Apple to Sprint. This means, Sprint has committed to buying almost 24 million iPhones...

Proview amends its iPad lawsuit, now accusing Apple of fraud

Cody Lee ∙ February 27, 2012

By now, most of you have heard about the Proview vs. Apple lawsuit. The Chinese monitor-maker, who is currently in steep financial trouble, is suing Apple over the use of its iPad trademark in China.

Even though some judges have already ruled in Proview's favor, Apple is denying the allegations. The company claims that it purchased the rights to the iPad name years ago, and has emails to prove it. Now hear what Proview has to say...

Rumor: more evidence that the iPad 3 will employ A5X processor

Jake Smith ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Most publications are agreeing on most of the specs for the upcoming iPad 3. The consensus seems to be that the iPad 3 will feature a Retina display, larger battery, upgraded cameras, iOS 5.1 w/ Siri support, and LTE. However, the main question lingering is if the iPad 3 will feature the rumored upgraded dual-core A5X processor or quad-core A6 processor.

AllThingsD has published a report on the latest out of analyst Steve Mullane. Mullane says he's been hearing from supply chains that the iPad 3 will feature the dual-core A5X processor...

AT&T plans to allow developers to pay for users’ data

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 3, 2018

In an interesting move, AT&T plans to allow developers to pay for users' data, when users are using the developer's app, reports the WSJ. AT&T's network and technology head John Donovan told the WSJ in an interview at MWC 2012 that the service will be similar to a toll-free 1-800 number.

The move will surely be interesting, letting a user use an app without any data being charged to them whatsoever. Donovan says AT&T hopes to roll out the new service within the next year...

Taking the ‘Deck’ jailbreak tweak for a spin [video]

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated March 9, 2016

The Deck teaser video with a simulator preview was nice, but nothing does it justice like a little hands-on action.

A few minutes ago I was able to go one-on-one with the upcoming Deck jailbreak tweak from SBCoders.

Is it as smooth as the initial preview video? You betcha.

Vimeo releases iOS app update, featuring full screen video playback on iPad

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 3, 2018

Vimeo is a popular alternative to YouTube for sharing videos. Vimeo is known for hosting higher quality pieces and short films, thanks to its pro accounts. The service previously had just an iPhone app, but today has updated its app to version 2.0, bringing support for the iPad.

The iPad UI lets you navigate through Vimeo's functionality natively and also lets you play video full screen. As you can see, it looks very high quality.

Vimeo for iOS also features:

Cellhelmet: the only iPhone case that comes with insurance

Cody Lee ∙ February 27, 2012

When you're looking to make a new iPhone accessory, you generally want to stay away from crowded markets unless you know you have something really special. And that's exactly what the folks at cellhelment are banking on with its new iPhone case.

There are already thousands of cases available for Apple's popular handset, but none of them carry guarantees like this one. Meet the cellhelmet, the first and only iPhone 4/4S case that comes with a free year of smartphone insurance...

Is Best Buy pulling the iPad 2 from its display shelves for the iPad 3?

Jake Smith ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

All signs are indicating that the iPad 3 will be announced in the first week of March at an event held by Apple in California. The iPad 3 is rumored to include some pretty impressive specs, including a quad-core processor and a 'truly amazing' Retina display.

It would make sense that retailers like Best Buy would begin pulling the iPad 2 from its shelves to make way for the iPad 3. According to a leaked screenshot from Engadget, Best Buy has begun pulling the iPad 2 from its shelves...

Motorola goes after Siri with its Android Voice Action feature

Cody Lee ∙ February 27, 2012

We've seen Motorola take on Apple in the courtroom, now it's taking on its popular digital assistant feature. The company just posted three videos to its YouTube account of three of its handsets taking on the iPhone 4S in voice-control.

The videos star the Motorola Atrix 2, the Photon 4G and the Electrify using Android's Voice Action component. The sentiment here seems to be that Motorola believes that its feature is superior to Siri, but we'll let you be the judge of that...