A new week is coming, but that doesn't mean you have to miss out on what happened last week. If you think you may have missed a few of the top stories from last week, don't sweat it, we've got you covered.
We've gathered the top 10+ most popular stories from iDB last week for you to check out. As always, make sure that you're friends with us on Facebook, Google+, and that you are following us on Twitter...
With Scott Forstall's departure, watchers and users alike are keeping their eyes peeled for Jony Ive-ification of Apple's mobile operating system. It is no secret that iOS is showing its age in several key aspects, especially compared against Android. The concept of alerts, despite advancements such as Notification Center, is still too obtrusive and leaves a lot to be desired.
That's why I approve a new solution proposed by an Apple fan who has envisioned friendlier and actionable iOS alerts...
This is gonna be every iPhoneographer’s dream come true. Apparently, musician Will.i.am is set to launch an interesting iPhone accessory next week via his new consumer electronics venture.
It basically replaces the device's built-in iSight camera with a 14-megapixel sensor that clips onto the iPhone to provide dramatically enhanced clarity and definition of your snaps.
The gizmo also has its own built-in flash better than the iPhone's. "You dock you phone into our device and it turns you smartphone into a genius-phone", he tells The Telegraph. "We take over the camera"...
Apple's worldwide patent settlement with HTC is set to automatically expire should either firm get acquired by a third-party, patent blogger Florian Müeller discovered combing through court documents. Even more so, a so-called "change of control" clause is mostly beneficial to Apple given its $110+ billion cash pile making Silicon Valley's most powerful company literally unlikely to be snapped up any time soon.
But if HTC gets bought, Apple's prized iPhone patents licensed to the Taiwanese handset maker remain encumbered. What's more, in case of such an outcome Apple is theoretically free to reassert its claims. The settlement also involves HTC subsidiaries S3 Graphics and VIA technologies, both of which were asserting patents against Apple in the past...
The vast majority of iPad mini units incorporate a 7.9-inch screen manufactured by LG Display, a report out of Asia claims. AU Optronics, another Apple supplier, is said to be responsible for a much smaller portion of orders as it reportedly continues to suffer from poor yields in the production of panels.
The news is another indication of Apple distancing itself from Samsung. Remember, Samsung was originally the primary supplier of Retina screens for the third-generation iPad, until LG Display stole the Apple account in August. The Galaxy maker also lost out on the iPhone 5 front to rival panel makers, although the company still manufactures chips for Apple devices...
Another significant win for Apple's popular tablet brand: British multinational banking and financial services company Barclays has confirmed it's purchased 8,500 iPads “to assist our branch colleagues to interact with customers, improving the customer experience”.
The announcement couldn't have come at a worse time for Microsoft, whose Surface tablet hit store shelves on October 26 but so far has generated only "modest sales", per CEO Steve Ballmer...
Following Samsung's motion asking Judge Paul S. Grewal for permission to amend its infringement contentions against Apple with the iPad mini, iPhone 5 and the latest iPod touch, Apple on Black Friday conveniently brought a motion seeking to add latest Galaxy devices to its California suit, including the Galaxy S III running Android Jelly Bean and the four-inch Galaxy S III Mini. The filing adds a total of six recently-released Galaxy gadgets to Apple's ongoing patent lawsuit against Samsung...
I hope you have had a great couple of weeks making some HDR magic with your iPhone. Today we are going to explore a more abstract and fun approach to iPhone photography. If you remember a couple of lessons back we were using a slow shutter speed to create light trails. You probably remember having to hold your iPhone still and leave your camera shutter open for a long time. It was kind of complicated and gear intensive.
This time around, we are going to leave our shutter open for a long time but careless about holding our iPhone still. This is a technique that we in the industry call "Intentional Camera Movement" or ICM. The goal is to intentionally use blur to create something unique and beautiful!
I decided to go completely case-less. Most of you guys probably think I already do that, since I never have a case on my devices when I'm filming a new video.
But that, as it turns out, hasn't been so. I used to only keep my iPhone nude for aesthetic purposes on film. As soon as I hit the shutter release on my camera to stop filming, back in the case she went.
Then I read something that changed my perspective on things. After seeing this post by John Gruber, I started thinking. Why are we so obsessed with encapsulating our devices in protective covering? Aren't we ridding ourselves of the pleasure of using it as it was intended and designed to be used?
I decided to embark on an experiment. One that could prove costly, but at the same time provide me with a since of liberation. I was going to go case-less...
Sooner than later, avid iPhone photographers yearn for a tripod mount to help frame their shots perfectly. That's why we were so excited about the Glif, an all-in-one tripod mount that launched two years ago. And now, from the minds of the original creators Dan Provost and Thomas Gerhardt - the duo behind Studio Neat - comes the Glif for your iPhone 5.
First batch of this awesome accessory is on its way to the warehouse and will begin shipping early next week. If you're serious about iPhoneography, this could be your must-have holiday item. If you're interested in the Glif, I've included more info and a making-of video right after the break...
While Black Friday discounts abound at Apple and around the web, one product where deals are absent is Apple's iPad mini. The reason: people want to buy the smaller iPad deal or no deal, one analyst opines. According to Wells Fargo's Maynard Um, "early checks suggest demand continues to be robust with strong store traffic through the week and early Friday". That ship times remain two weeks for both the Wi-Fi and Cellular models points to the iPad mini becoming a must-have holiday item (kids agree)...
I'm a huge proponent of using technology to make my life easier, especially around the home. Technology for the home has been around for quite some time in the form of home automation systems, lighting, and so forth. Unfortunately, such systems have been extremely pricey in the past, or overly confusing to setup and maintain.
Enter the smartphone.
Smartphones, and in particular the iPhone, have served as a great equalizer over the past few years. I can do things with my phone that I never would have dreamed of just a few years ago, and it gets better with each passing year.
Inside, I'll reflect on some of the cool things that I've been able to accomplish lately with my iPhone, along with videos and links to articles that cover the subjects more in-depth. Have a look...