Year: 2012

Chitika: recent iOS 6 adoption spike due to China iPhone 5 launch

Cody Lee ∙ December 21, 2012

Earlier this week, a report surfaced from MoPub, a mobile ad serving platform, suggesting that the recent release of Google Maps caused a 30% spike in iOS 6 user adoption. And of course, it made sense that some folks were holding out on updating until they were sure they'd have a proper Maps app.

But what didn't make sense was how far off MoPub's findings were from Chitika's. You see Chitika, another large ad network, also looked at iOS 6 user adoption after the Google Maps release, and it only saw a 0.2% bump. So why the huge discrepancy? It likely has to do with the firms' coverage areas...

Apple appeals Judge’s decision to dismiss Samsung injunction

Cody Lee ∙ December 21, 2012

As expected, Apple is filing for an appeal on Judge Koh's decision to throw out its request for a permanent injunction against Samsung's products. In addition to the $1 billion in damages it won back in August, the iPad-maker was seeking a US sales ban on all of Samsung's infringing devices.

But in a pair of rulings handed down Monday, Koh denied both Samsung's request for a re-trial due to jury misconduct, and Apple's injunction request, noting that it would not be in the public's best interest to halt Samsung handset sales when only a few features were found guilty of infringement...

The Daily Recap – Dec 20, 2012 edition

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCHjuw-z_lA

Welcome to The Daily Recap for December 20th, 2012. Watch our video for a quick look at some of the top stories from the day in less than two minutes. If you missed out on any of today's big news, this is a great way for you to get caught up fast.

For your convenience, you'll also find links to all of the stories listed in today's recap inside...

A rare interview with famous iOS hacker pod2g

Sébastien Page ∙ December 20, 2012

I met pod2g for the first time a few months ago at JailbreakCon. Before meeting him, I was a bit nervous because the man was already a legend in the jailbreak community. Besides his accomplishments, all I knew about Cyril (his real name) was that, like me, he was French.

Over the course of 4 days, Cyril and I became friends and learned about each other. We didn't talk much about jailbreaking. Instead, we were just having casual talks about everything and just about anything. During that time, I was able to see Cyril interact with other people. Despite the fact that he is as close as it gets to gaining the rock star status, Cyril was incredibly humble, friendly, and accessible to everyone who would walk by to talk to him.

Cyril and I have stayed in touch ever since, exchanging a few messages here and there, checking out each other's projects. Today, he agrees to answer a few questions for iDownloadBlog readers in this rare interview...

Instagram app updated with new Mayfair filter and the usual bug fixes

Sébastien Page ∙ December 20, 2012

Instagram has been taking a lot of heat this past week and while everything seems to almost be back to normal, what better way to remind everybody that Instagram is the best way to share underexposed waffle pictures than releasing a new filter?

Just about 10 days after launching the new Willow filter, the Instagram app has been updated with one new filter labeled Mayfair, as well as the usual bug fixes...

10 tips for getting the most out of Google Maps

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Google Maps made its triumphant return to iOS last week, and there's no question that it's a massive hit. It saw 10 million downloads in its first 48 hours, and it's still the #1 free app in the App Store.

For those of you who haven't tried Google Maps yet, or haven't figured what all of the commotion is about, Google today published a list of 10 tips that will help you get the most out of the software...

Apple named as potential buyer of home automation startup R2 Studios

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

This is pretty interesting. The Wall Street Journal is reporting this afternoon that id8 Group R2 Studios, a home automation startup founded by Slingbox's Blake Krikorian, is in talks to be acquired. Not much is known about the company outside of its Crestron remote control app, but there are reportedly some big names participating in the buyout talks, including Apple...

Auxo completely reinvigorates the iOS app switcher

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Back in October we posted a tidbit on an iOS app switcher concept that was making waves across the Internet. Initially posted on The Verge forums, designer @Sentry_NC's concept was met with approval by many, including readers here on iDB.

A lot of times, though, these sorts of things never go anywhere. Concept photos and videos are nice, but rarely do they evolve into anything more than that. Well, I'm happy to tell you that Sentry's concept hasn't followed the status quo in this regard. Bent on making his concept a reality, he collaborated with developers, Jack Willis, and JamieD360, to bring the idea to fruition.

We've been fortunate enough to gain access to the final build of the real live working tweak. Auxo is its name, and changing the stock iOS app switcher for the better is the game...

T-Mobile closes 2012 by bringing iPhone-friendly HSPA+ to 14 new cities

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Not to be outdone by rival Verizon and AT&T which rolled out their fourth-generation Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks to 29 and five new U.S. cities this week, respectively, T-Mobile USA today announced that its iPhone-friendly HSPA+ service on the 1900MHz band is launching in fourteen new metropolitan areas.

The carrier says these markets can take advantage of voice and data enhancements, improved signal strength and in-building coverage. The $4 billion network modernization plan announced ten months ago already enhanced coverage for more than a hundred million people, T-Mobile said...

Google Play grows, App Store still cash king

Ed Sutherland ∙ December 20, 2012

What's better: to be taller or wealthier? Carry that debate to Apple versus Google and you have the latest on the battle between Apple's App Store and Google Play. While Google's revenue is growing, Apple's application store for iOS devices simply overwhelms the Mountain View, California firm in terms of cash, even if there's another, much darker side to app economy.

During the last four months, Google Play's combined daily revenue grew at 43 percent compared to the App Store's 21 percent, according to research firm Distimo. However, over the entire year, App Store revenue rose by 51 percent.

But wait, there's more. In November, the App Store rang up $15 million in average daily revenue. That compares to $3.5 million for Google Play during the same time...

Steve Jobs wanted to name Safari ‘Freedom’, ‘Alexander’ or ‘iBrowse’

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 20, 2012

Here’s a nice little nugget. Though it's now taken for granted, the Safari browser was almost named "Freedom". Yes, "Freedom", of all the monikers. Steve Jobs apparently considered a bunch of silly names for Apple’s browser that included “Freedom”, “Alexander” and “iBrowse” before settling with “Safari”.

He also spent some time trying “Freedom” because he liked the sound of it and how it signified Apple’s freedom from Microsoft and Internet Explorer. One programmer who worked on the Safari project shares an anecdote describing how he persuaded Jobs to drop the “Freedom” name as it sounded like a “feminine hygiene product”...