Month: May 2013

Huge 1Password update brings lots of changes

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 13, 2013

1Password is something of a hit with some members of the iDB team. Though I can obviously speak for myself only, I happen to know Jeff is a fan so it goes without saying we're both pretty excited about today's update.

The new 1Password version 4.2, now available as a free download to registered users, comes with a whole bunch of changes. For starters, it's got an optimized in-app web browser that on iPad includes the Strong Password Generator capability.

The improved browser can automatically submit passwords after using AutoFill for login items and now also recognizes a URL in the clipboard and offers to open it for you. That's just scratching the surface, go past the fold for the full changelog...

Twitterrific updated with Droplr, Readability support and more

Cody Lee ∙ May 13, 2013

Good news for Twitterrific users this afternoon. The folks over at the Iconfactory have released an update to their Twitter client, bringing it to version 5.2.2. The update includes a handful of new features, as well as several bug fixes and improvements.

As for the new features, the app now supports the popular bookmarking service Readibility, and Droplr for image uploads. And the long list of improvements includes larger font sizes for the iPad app, more accurate timeline details, and more...

Google now gives you 15GB of shared Gmail, Google+ Photos and Drive storage

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

Hands up who lives in the Google cloud. If you keep your images on Google+ Photos (formerly Picasa Web Albums), manage documents in Google Drive or file messages with large attachments in Gmail, you are tapping the power of Google's cloud storage. But up until today, each of these relied on their private cloud locker in the sky, which was inconvenient.

This morning, Google has tweaked the offering to include fifteen gigabytes of unified, free storage shared across Gmail, Drive and Google+ Photos. Previously, Google gave you ten gigabytes for Gmail and an additional five gigabytes of combined storage limited to Drive and Google+ Photos.

The change strengthens the Drive brand while simplifying things for consumers, akin to Apple's iCloud that comes with five free gigabytes of shared cloud storage...

Phiaton’s Moderna MS 200 earbuds blast the bass [review + giveaway]

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated February 24, 2018

Stumbling across my Phiaton friends at CES, they were quick to point out the new MODERNA MS 200 earbuds, which recently hit the market. The hot rod red coloring and genuine carbon fiber speaker wells were the first attraction, as they lay on the display table. Even in a crowded pre-convention party, they sounded like a winner.

Now, having listened to the MS 200's from the comfort of my home, I can confirm my suspicions were true. With a racing red headphone cable matching a classic black earphone chassis, more than quality sound are the causes for head turning attraction. These half in-ear buds are quite the performers, with bass enthusiasts getting what they desire.

Gone are the days where bulky headphones were the only great way to hear the beats of your music. Take a look past the fold for a breakdown on looks and performance, while possibly scoring your own pair to take home...

How to bypass the outgoing video size limit in Messages

Cody Lee ∙ May 13, 2013

Have you ever noticed that, by default, you can't send videos from the Messages app longer than three and a half minutes? It's a precautionary thing, so users don't unknowingly eat up their monthly data allotments by sending large clips.

But some folks out there still have unlimited data plans, and would like to be able to send longer videos via a text or iMessage. And for those of you who fall into that category, we've come across a few easy workarounds to that size limit...

Apple and Google asked to help NYC solve mobile device thefts

Ed Sutherland ∙ May 13, 2013

Is Apple doing enough to prevent an upsurge in thefts targeting the iPhone? That's the question New York State's Attorney General is asking the smartphone maker, citing several violent incidents involving thefts of mobile phones. In a letter to Apple, Android-maker Google, Galaxy manufacturer Samsung and others, Eric Schneiderman wants details on what the companies are doing to prevent thefts of handsets.

The state's top law enforcement official noted thefts of Apple products in New York City between January 1 and September 23 rose forty percent while major crimes in the Big Apple increased by just four percent...

How ‘Uncarrier’: T-Mobile increases iPhone 5 down payment to $149

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 13, 2013

When T-Mobile, the nation's fourth-largest wireless carrier, started selling the iPhone 5 back in April, it offered the iconic smartphone for $99 down payment and 24 monthly payments of $20 to cover the full cost of the phone. And in an effort to push the device and lure would-be consumers into signing up, the Deutsche Telekom-owned telco last weekend started offering the device for the $0 down payment, with trade-in.

Unfortunately, the launch promotion for new users has ended now. As a result, the 16GB iPhone 5 now has a $149 payment, $50 more than before. Wait, the $99 down thing was actually a promo offer?

Samsung unveils 5G mmWave tech for ‘tens of gigabits per second’ wireless downloads

Ed Sutherland ∙ May 13, 2013

When you just can't wait a minute to download that huge video, Samsung comes to the rescue. Sort of. Eventually. Reports Monday indicate Apple's rival has found the key to delivering gigabit download speeds through a new fifth-generation cellular radio technology, dubbed 5G mmWave. It's unclear whether the new tech can gain acceptance to eventually overtake 4G networks still rolling out.

For the iPhone maker, however, Samsung breaking today's wireless speed barrier may mean more court wrangling as the two companies seek any advantage in the lucrative smartphone market...

SoundCloud now has Google+ Sign-In and sharing

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 13, 2013

Nearly a year ago, the Internet giant rolled out Google+ Sign-In as a way to counter Facebook Connect, a feature web site owners predominantly tap to simplify the sign in and account creation process for their users.

The Google+ SDK for iOS was released shortly after, giving Apple's registered iOS developers a set of tools and social plugins to write programs that are deeply integrated with the Google+ thing.

Although apps that support Google+ Sign-In are few and far between, at least relative to Facebook Connect-enabled mobile software, more and more developers are integrating Google+ features into their warez. The latest example: SoundCloud, an online audio distribution platform that today updated its iOS app with support for Google+ Sign-In and sharing...

Bill Gates recounts emotionally on final meeting with Steve Jobs

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 6, 2018

Microsoft co-founder and chairman previously reflected on his meeting with Steve Jobs shortly before his death on October 5, 2011 at the age of 56. According to Walter Isaacson's official bio book on Jobs, the two talked about their 30-year relationship and rivalry, including the early days of the Macintosh.

Last night, Gates sat down with 60 Minutes' Charlie Rose to once again recount his final meeting with Jobs. In an emotional outpouring, teary-eyed Gates reflected on the wide range of topics they discussed, including admitting their failure to re-innovate educational through technology. Your video is right after the break...