Year: 2014

David. brings minimalist platformer gaming to iOS

Lory Gil ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

When I think of platformer games, the last thing I am thinking about is minimalism. However, it appears that there is a new trend in mobile games and it comes in the form of cubes and blocks. Last week, we told you about Sometimes You Die, which does not follow any traditional platform game rules.

David. is a similar game that doesn’t look like it’s supposed to, but still employs game mechanics you are familiar with. The game’s developer describes it as a mix between Limbo, Shadow of the Colossus, and Angry Birds…

Texas Instruments pledges support for iBeacon tech in several Bluetooth products

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

It's been almost a year now since Apple unveiled its iBeacon geolocation technology, and I really don't think it could have hoped for better results. The tech has been implemented in a number of settings including retail and grocery stores, MLB ballparks, and more, and it seems to get more popular every day.

As evidence of that, Texas Instruments pledged its faith in iBeacon today, announcing support for the tech across its Bluetooth low energy portfolio including chips for embedded and automotive applications. The company also launched a new iBeacon-location app that works with its SensorTag development kit...

Corel launches new Pinnacle Studio video editing app for iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 20, 2018

Corel, the Canadian software developer behind long-time hit titles like CorelDRAW and Paint Shop Pro, has released a new app for iPhone today called 'Pinnacle Studio.' It's a powerful video editing app that offers a wide range of editing features and special effects.

Looking to spruce up a home video? Pinnacle's montage templates allow you to create multi-layer 3D animations, transitions and titles. Want hi-def? The app supports video shot in 24, 25 and 30 fps and outputs in full-1080p. Keep reading for a full overview...

All.Notes review: the Notes app that iOS should have been

Lory Gil ∙ Updated March 17, 2019

Apple’s Notes app isn’t all that bad. It is easy to access and simple to use. It gets the job done. However, it is sort of the “unnoticed stepchild” of iOS apps. It doesn’t do anything particularly special.

All.Notes makes up for what the Notes app lacks. It comes with lots of bells and whistles and even syncs with a compatible Mac app. Apple is going to be jealous when they find out…

Case makers betting on relocated power button on iPhone 6

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 16, 2014

It's still too early for case makers to receive design specifications for Apple's upcoming bigger iPhones, but that's not stopping them from commissioning cases, molds and mockups based on the flurry of iPhone 6 rumors.

One particular report seems to have captured the case makers' attention: according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the next iPhone will have a relocated power button, moving from the top of the device to the upper right side.

Kuo is regarded as one of the most accurate analysts out there so it's no surprise that Chinese vendors are already showing off their cases with cutouts in the right places...

The winner of our iPad mini giveaway is…

Sébastien Page ∙ April 16, 2014

We did it again! Thanks to the support of the guys behind Fairway Solitaire Blast, we managed to put together one of our awesome giveaways that is going to reward an iDB reader with an iPad mini with Retina display.

Before we announce the winner, I want to thank the Fairway Solitaire Blast for making this giveaway possible, and also all of you who took the time to enter for a chance to win.

Now without further ado, let's announce the winner...

Hyundai confirms CarPlay functionality on all-new 2015 Sonatas

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 28, 2017

Japanese car maker Hyundai today officially confirmed that CarPlay functionality will be available in its upcoming 2015 Sonata vehicles. CarPlay launch partners include Volvo, Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz, but many other manufacturers have pledged to support Apple's in-car system later this year, Hyundai being one of them.

The new version of the mid-size Sonata sedan was unveiled at the New York International Auto Show earlier today with premium design, a stiffer body structure, improved ride quality, a quieter cabin and "class-above safety features."

It's slated to hit dealerships early this summer...

Instagram and Facebook stepping up fight against spammers

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 16, 2014

Facebook-owned Instagram has responded to complaints from users who have noticed a sharp increase in the number of fake accounts and followers that are spamming them. If you fire up Instagram's free iPhone app and hit the Following button, you'll see a message about changes in followers.

"We've removed deactivated and spam accounts," the message reads. "Your list of followers and people you follow may have changed" as a result.

This is a welcomed albeit way overdue change.

I've been a frequent victim of spammers on Instagram. Some of these guys are really smart in how they get on your Following list with the ultimate goal of populating your feed with spammy posts often disguised as so-called viral images and videos...

Amazon combines Cloud Drive and Kindle documents, giving you 10GB combined free storage

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 16, 2014

If you own a Kindle, check your Amazon Cloud Drive: you should now have ten gigabytes of cloud-based storage, twice as much as before.

On Wednesday, Amazon emailed its Kindle customers to let them know their Kindle documents had been integrated with their Cloud Drive, resulting in a combined ten gigs of free Amazon Cloud Drive storage.

The welcomed change applies to Kindle customers only, who can now use their combined account to store not only Kindle documents, but photos, videos and other file types as well...

Apple launches 8GB iPhone 5c in 14 new markets

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Apple last month released a cheaper iPhone 5c with just eight gigabytes of storage to address mid-tier markets where, in its own words, "LTE is becoming more established." The handset was initially available in only five markets: the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia and China.

Starting today, customers in an additional fourteen countries around the world can buy the 8GB iPhone 5c, bringing the number of regions where the smaller capacity handset is available to nineteen countries...

For Samsung, Steve Jobs’ death was ‘the best opportunity’ to unleash anti-iPhone ad blitz

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 16, 2014

Apple's second California trial against Samsung over smartphone patents has given us an unprecedented insight into Samsung's obsession with beating Apple and Apple's worries over losing the cool factor to Samsung due to the snarky ads that ridiculed the iPhone as an outdated and dull phone.

As you know, Samsung's campaign headlined under the 'The Next Big Thing' tagline went viral in September of 2012, thanks to a particularily scathing ad that ridiculed folks who'd wait in line for an iPhone 5.

The commercials were meant to counter the iPhone 5 "tsunami," as Samsung execs put it, and have managed to enrage Apple's marketing boss Phil Schiller so much that he proposed in an email to CEO Tim Cook that the firm fire its longtime ad agency.

According to a highly confidential email exchange between Samsung execs, we now know that the South Korean firm saw Steve Jobs's death as the “best opportunity to attack the iPhone” and tarnish the Apple brand...

Fandango app updated with new design, new rating system and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 9, 2018

Whether you use it or not, the Fandango Movies app for iOS is a fairly big deal. Not only does it offer up movie info and trailers, but it also facilitates theater ticket purchases. In fact, you can start the process with Siri, as Fandango is deeply integrated into the assistant.

Anyway, the app got a major makeover this morning, with the release of Fandango 6.0. You'll notice the visual changes right away—particularly in movie pages, theater lists—as well as the all-new ratings system, spotlight carousel, and a number of other enhancements...