Month: May 2013

Kwikset outs iPhone-exclusive wireless door lock

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Kwikset, the lockset maker owned by Black & Decker's Hardware and Home Improvement Group, today announced an interesting smartphone-friendly wireless lock accessory that inches us closer to a fully connected home.

If you're a fan of the app-enabled wireless lightbub from Philips, how about locking or unlocking your door by simply touching the deadbolt?

And I meant touching it with your finger - you don't ever need to remove an iPhone from your pocket or purse. That's what Kēvo, a UniKey-powered wireless deadbolt door lock, does for you by connecting with your iPhone, iPod or iPad through wireless Bluetooth Smart technology. Say goodbye to fumbling with or looking for your keys - your Phone is now your key...

Popular Clear to-do app goes free for a limited time

Cody Lee ∙ May 8, 2013

Since it launched in February of last year, the Clear to-do app by Realmac Software has been extremely popular. Its unique (at the time) use of swipes and multitouch gestures, mixed with its no-nonsense UI has made it a favorite among iPhone users.

And good news today for those of you who haven't tried Clear yet—either because you haven't gotten around to it, or didn't want to pay for it—Starbucks has made the app its "App of the Week," meaning users can download it for free for a limited time...

Bad Piggies update lets you record and share gameplay footage

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

We're growing increasingly tired of Angry Birds here - that's why we've stopped telling you about each and every content update Rovio puts out. This one, however, is newsworthy as it allows iPad and iPhone users to exclusively capture and upload gameplay videos straight from their devices.

Also new in this update: fifteen new levels to master and two brand new items to use - suction-cup tires and spring-loaded boxing gloves. I've included a gampeplay video showcasing these new items right after the break...

Apple v Samsung fight for mobile profits intensifies

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

For some time, whenever Android proponents argued for the platform's dominance based on handsets shipped, Apple fans would counter by pointing out the iPhone was tops in profits.

Indeed, a new report shows Apple had more than half of all mobile profits during the first quarter of 2013, leading Android handset rival Samsung.

According to Canaccord Genuity, the iPhone maker came away from this year's first period with 57 percent of mobile phone profits, despite having just eight percent of the worldwide handset market share.

By contrast, South Korea's Samsung - which leads in market share - earned just 43 percent of the share of profits. However, the two companies could soon switch positions. The analyst firm claims iPhone sales will be weak in the upcoming June quarter, overshadowed by profits fueled by Samsung's new Galaxy S4...

How to search Google using Velox

Jeff Benjamin ∙ May 8, 2013

As we discussed on yesterday's episode of Let's Talk Jailbreak, Velox is great, not so much because of what it does right now, but because of the many possibilities it opens up for future add-ons. Now the add-ons have begun to flow into Cydia, and one in particular allows you to search Google without necessitating the launch of the Google app.

Check out our overview of Google Search for Velox inside.

Apple to begin producing multiple new iPhones next month, per Morgan Stanley

Ed Sutherland ∙ May 8, 2013

A well-known Wall Street Apple observer expects Apple's manufacturing partners to start producing multiple new iPhone models in June or July, with the new smartphones introduced around September.

While the analyst note meshes with today's report of Sharp gearing up to begin mass production of the iPhone 5S screens next month and other reports mentioning multiple iPhones on Apple's roadmap, what's perhaps most interesting is word that any drop-off in iPhone demand seems to be over.

And in her additional remarks bolstered by others, Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty tells investors Wednesday that Apple could sell many iPhones in China even if the device were not priced cheaply...

Ruin your productivity with Dots for iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Dots, a simple iPhone game about connecting, launched a week ago on the App Store as a free iPhone download.

Seven days later, Dots was downloaded more than a million times, has become the #1 app in eight countries and is a top 5 app in fifteen other countries. Basically a digital take on Connect the Dots, it sports clean UI, a delightful use of sound and addictive mechanics.

Make no mistake about it, Dots is guaranteed to keep fans of puzzlers glued to their iPhone...

Apple wants to take a peek inside Android source code

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 8, 2013

Apple's proxy fight against Google and its Android platform has just taken an interesting turn as the iPhone maker asked the court to force Google into turning over Android’s source code. The request is part of Apple's ongoing California patent fight against Samsung. Bloomberg reports today Apple is dissatisfied with Google's handling of the request.

According to Apple's lawyers, the search giant in “improperly withholding information” related to Android's source code documentation. Google's mobile operating system, Apple argues, “provides much of the accused functionality” and argues the Google platform is used in all of Samsung’s allegedly infringing products...

T-Mobile’s new iPhone 5 ad uses ‘Intertubes’ metaphor

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 8, 2013

In his now legendary attempt to criticize an amendment that would have prohibited service providers from charging for a tiered Internet structure, former Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens in 2006 likened the web to a series of tubes. “The Internet is not a big truck," he famously said, "It’s a series of tubes.”

Tapping that meme, T-Mobile USA on Wednesday posted its third iPhone 5 commercial that literally depicts its network as a sewage pipe which pumps out twice as many gak compared to its rivals. The message couldn't be clearer: T-Mobile's pipes aren’t as clogged up as its competitors' are.

I'll be revisiting that commercial in a year or so to check how clogged up T-Mobile's tube gets after data-hungry smartphone users crowd its LTE network. As for the commercial, T-Mobile won the Internet for today. Your video is right after the break...

How Samsung’s S Voice responds to questions about iPhone, Siri and Apple

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 8, 2013

Apple's Siri isn't just known for her witty responses, but also for a few Easter eggs Apple intentionally included in the app. One of the more famous is Siri's response to the marriage question. When asked "will you marry me?", Siri responds that "my End User License Agreement does not cover marriage.”

Nokia even accused Apple of recalibrating Siri to name iPhone the best phone rather than its own Lumia 900 handset. And, a law student took an issue with sponsored Siri responses to questions like “what’s the best smartphone/tablet ever?”

Looks like Samsung's own voice-activated digital assistant, dubbed S Voice, could find itself under similar criticism as bloggers discover some interesting Easter eggs in the software. One of the funnier S Voice responses unsurprisingly covers topics such as Apple's iPhone and Siri...

Here are some great apps for celebrating Mother’s Day

Lory Gil ∙ Updated February 5, 2018

Mother’s Day is right around the corner and you may have forgotten to get a gift for the most important person in your life. Have no fear. You can send her a digital card, or make her a virtual bouquet of flowers. If you are really creative, you can find a way to turn a few iOS apps into the best Mother’s Day she’s ever had.

Whether the mom in your life needs pampering or just wants to be left alone on her special day, we’ve got a list of apps we think will help make this Mother’s Day great. Mom, if you are reading this, I love you…

T-Mobile announces 500,000 iPhones sold in first month

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

T-Mobile released its earnings report for its first quarter late last night, and the numbers aren't looking too good. The carrier saw a 7% dip in its revenue from the same three month period last year, as well as a 7.5% drop in profits.

But it wasn't all bad news. T-Mobile's newly-acquired iPhone handsets seem to be doing very well, with the company reporting that it has sold more than 500,000 of them since they officially went on sale last month (the 12th)...