Year: 2014

Apple could be laying the groundwork for custom UI themes in iOS 8

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

There's no doubt that Apple for the first time in iOS history is opening up its mobile operating system by giving developers the tools to create previously unheard-of features like custom iOS 8 keyboards, new filters for the Photos app, custom Share sheet actions and several other types of App Extensions.

It would also appear that Apple is testing a feature that would allow end users to choose alternate looks for the iOS 8 user interface with different font types, custom color schemes and more.

This could be a huge boon to tinkerers and a great selling point because never before has Apple allowed people to customize the iOS look and feel without jailbreaking their devices...

Amazon updates Kindle for iOS with in-app support for Audible content

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Amazon today issued a nice little update to its Kindle iOS app to make it easier to enjoy Audible content.

Previously, listening to Audible audio books required opening a separate apps, but the new Kindle version 4.3 for the iPhone and iPad now includes support for Audible content.

As a result, you can listen to Kindle books enriched with their respective audio companions right within the Kindle app itself.

Audible, for those unfamiliar with it, is owned by Amazon. Your changelog and additional information can be found right after the break...

Apple clamping down on music downloading apps, ones incentivizing ad watching and social sharing

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Apple appears to have been cracking down on iOS apps which enable users to download music and software making it possible to download other file types from file-sharing networks.

But that's not all, as the Cupertino firm is seemingly asking developers to stop with the practice of incentivizing people to watch in-game ads and share promotional messages on social networks in exchange for in-game coins, virtual items, etc.

Although iOS 8 has relaxed the rules pertaining to third-party development by providing APIs to extend system functionality and create custom keyboards, custom actions in Share sheets, photo and video editing extensions for the Photos app and more, it's obvious that Apple wants to bring order to its App Store and is now prohibiting iPhone and iPad applications that promote apps by other developers...

Costco preparing to begin selling iPhones and iPads

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

According to a new report from MacRumors, Costco has reached a new agreement with Apple that will see it eventually carrying iPhones, iPads and other products. The warehouse club chain used to sell iPods, but quit offering them in late 2010 when it and Apple parted ways.

The news comes by way of an internal email sent to employees of Costco's Wireless Advocates division, informing them of the new partnership. The memo only mentions iPhones and cellular iPads, but Wi-Fi only iPad Air and iPod models have popped up in stores' inventories...

Report says iPhone 6 will feature NFC, wireless charging and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

It seems like we have a pretty good idea of what to expect, in terms of appearance, for the iPhone 6. Several reports have pointed to the handset having a larger display and a new iPad-like design, and most of the leaked cases and components we've seen thus far match up with that.

But when it comes to features and functionality of the new iPhone, things aren't so clear. The latest of a number of scattershot reports comes from VentureBeat, which cites sources saying that the device will have built-in support for NFC tech, wireless charging capabilities, and more...

Hidden icons in iOS 8 show Apple’s working on car-finding feature

Cody Lee ∙ June 10, 2014

Last fall it was reported that Apple was working on a new feature for its Maps application that could assist users in finding their car. Using the iPhone's M7 chip, it was said the app could register the location of a parked vehicle, and then help its owner return to that spot at a later time.

The expectation was that this car-finding feature would turn up in iOS 8, but WWDC came and went with no mention of the functionality. It still could make its way into the public release of the software though, as new evidence shows Apple has indeed been working on such a feature...

Let’s Talk iOS 032: What didn’t happen at WWDC

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Episode 32: Cody and Sebastien discuss some of the things that didn't happen at WWDC 2014, including iOS 8 Maps improvements, the standalone iTunes Radio app, a Passbook-inspired Healthbook app, iPad split screen multitasking, and more.

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Apple tells the FDA that it feels morally obligated to improve health devices

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

We know that Apple was in a health-oriented talk with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last December, but the specifics of that discussion were not revealed until this morning. Three months after filing a Freedom of Information Act request, Apple Toolbox has received an official response from the FDA about what it talked about with the world's most valuable tech corporation. Read ahead for highlights from the conversation…

Target offering 16GB Wi-Fi iPad mini for $199

Cody Lee ∙ June 9, 2014

Target is holding a significant sale right now in the run-up to Father's Day, and is discounting a number of its products. Among the deals, the retailer is offering the 16GB Wi-Fi model of the first generation iPad mini for $199.

That's a solid $100 off of the tablet's original price tag, and even beats out the ‘Special Limited Time’ pricing offered in the refurbished section of Apple's web store. We've got the full details on the short-term promotion below...

App Recap: 8 apps to look at for iPhone and iPad

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated March 20, 2018

It's hard to believe that the sixth anniversary of the App Store is in just one month. I still fondly remember being a fourteen-year-old kid and downloading Super Monkey Ball on my original iPod touch. It's unbelievable how quick time flies, but we've certainly come a long way since those days. The quality of apps, and especially games, on the App Store is unparalleled compared to what was available six years ago. Look no further than this edition of App Recap, which covers the best new, updated and discounted apps for iPhone and iPad. We've got 8 apps to look at today…

Facebook’s Snapchat competitor ‘Slingshot’ briefly appears in the App Store

Cody Lee ∙ June 9, 2014

Last month, word got out that Facebook was working on a Snapchat competitor called Slingshot. Despite the company's recent $19 billion acquisition of WhatsApp, it's still very interested in the video and ephemeral messaging space that's popular among teens.

Today, we got a sneak peek at the app when it prematurely surfaced in the App Store this afternoon. From what we've seen so far, it is beautifully designed and offers both familiar features, such as annotation, and non-familiar features like unlock-able content...

iOS 8 code reveals split-screen view for running apps side by side

Joe Rossignol ∙ June 9, 2014

Last month, the well-connected blogger Mark Gurman reported that Apple was likely to introduce a split-screen multitasking feature for iPad on iOS 8. The company did not mention the feature at its WWDC keynote, however, leaving many to wonder if the functionality is still coming. According to a pair of tweets from iOS developer Steven Troughton-Smith, it definitely appears possible…