Year: 2014

Let’s Talk Jailbreak 53: WWJC interviews with Surenix, Ryan Petrich, and pod2g

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Episode 53: We went to JailbreakCon to talk to some of the mainstays of the jailbreak community. Inside, we talk to Surenix, Ryan Petrich, and pod2g about any and all things related to jailbreaking. You'll learn about the development and design process of Auki from Surenix, Ryan Petrich's mindset when it comes to developing new tweaks, and pod2g talks about the inner-workings of the evad3rs jailbreak dream team. pod2g also answers the question that we've all been wanting to hear—will they release an iOS 7.1 jailbreak? Listen and subscribe to hear all of the answers.

On Apple’s transition to larger-screened iPhones…

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 15, 2014

We've seen our fair share of the supposedly leaked technical drawings, front panel parts, third-party cases and manufacturing molds concerning Apple's next iPhone, but what about bigger-screened apps?

A form factor change will probably yield a higher screen resolution so developers will need to optimize apps for 4.7 and 5.5-inch canvases. The larger 5.5-inch iPhone reportedly got delayed over production issues so we'll sharpen our focus on the 4.7 incher.

Now, current iPhones rock 640-by-1,136 screens, resulting in a pixel density of 326 pixels per inch (ppi). Should the next iPhone come outfitted with a larger 4.7-inch screen at the same 326ppi, its resolution is going to increase to about 756-by-1,344 pixels.

Quickly, do the math in your head: that's 40 percent more pixels for the apps and content you care about. Sweet, no?

I have a few smart mockups and some thoughts to share with you on what apps could look like on a larger-screened iPhone 6 and what Apple can do to weather this transition...

Apple seeds OS X 10.9.3 build 13D43 to developers

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Apple has seeded another beta for OS X 10.9.3 to registered Mac developers this afternoon. The update comes one week after the sixth beta of 10.9.3 was released, which brought about few notable changes.

The new beta build is available to registered Mac developers through the Software Update tab in the Mac App Store, or as a complete download via the Mac section of Apple’s online developer portal…

Real Racing 3 updated with new ‘open wheel’ vehicles, expanded roster and more

Cody Lee ∙ April 15, 2014

Hot on the heels of its major Aston Martin update last month, the folks at EA have posted another new version of its popular Real Racing 3 game today that brings about new 'open wheel' vehicles, an expanded roster and more.

The new vehicles fall under the new 'Open Wheelers' category, and include classics such as the Caterham Seven 620R, Ariel Atom 3.5 and Atom V8. The 2014 Porsche 911 RSR and Hyundai Veloster Turbo have also been added...

Tech companies ask court to keep Steve Jobs’ personality out of hiring trial

Cody Lee ∙ April 15, 2014

Although the patent battle with Samsung is far from over in northern California, Apple's legal team has to start preparing for another high profile trial coming up next month. The iPad-maker, along with Google and others, is being sued over no-hire agreements in Silicon Valley.

This week, those companies in a joint court filing asked that witnesses in the upcoming suit not be allowed to offer evidence that Steve Jobs was "a bully." Emails regarding the case are fine, but excerpts from the Isaacson bio and other sources should be barred from admission...

Apple patent ditches GPS for Wi-Fi to better determine location indoors

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Apple has been granted a patent by the US Patent and Trademark Office on Tuesday that will help its Maps app better track your location indoors.

The patent describes a technology that temporarily ditches the GPS sensor, and uses Wi-Fi access points, location databases, and other sensors to determine your location where the GPS sensor may not be as accurate, Apple Insider first reported.

Apple joins Google, HTC and others to curb smartphone theft

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Apple has entered into the "Smartphone Anti-Theft Voluntary Commitment" with HTC, Motorola, Samsung, and others, to curb the smartphone theft epidemic that has been plaguing many city streets.

Under the voluntary agreement, the manufacturers are planning to add several new security features to their smartphones going on sale after July 2015, to make for an industry standard.

Under the Commitment, manufacturers' smartphones must:

Galaxy S5 fingerprint scanner isn’t immune, can also be tricked like iPhone 5s

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

The fingerprint scanner on Samsung's flagship Galaxy S5 is suffering from the same security flaw as the fingerprint scanner on the iPhone 5s, creating a bit of a risk for owners.

Germany-based security blog H Security found that using a wood glue mold from the fingerprint already set on the Galaxy S5, someone else could gain unauthorized access to your phone. Given Samsung's fingerprint scanner tie-ins with the PayPal app, this means not only contacts and photos are up for grabs, but mobile payments, as well.

Google launches new ‘Helpouts’ iPhone app

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 21, 2019

Google this afternoon launched an iPhone client for its growing learning and tutorial service called Helpouts. The app gives users the ability to find and schedule Helpouts, start their own free Helpout, read reviews and listing details, and send other users messages.

For those unfamiliar with Google's 'Helpouts' service, it's a website that connects you to experts from various fields including cooking, health and Art & Music. These experts hold video classes teaching you how to do everything from playing the guitar, to editing photos...

China Mobile iPhone sales boosting App Store downloads in China, pushing revenue up 70 percent

Jake Smith ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

App Store downloads and sales have risen vastly in China, following the deal between Apple and China Mobile to launch the iPhone on the world's-largest carrier during the first quarter of 2014.

Research website App Annie found in a report released Tuesday morning that China was the key market for iOS App Store growth during the first quarter of 2014, boosting revenue on the China App Store up around 70 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2013.

Screens VNC 3.0 for Mac is out with all-new design, menu bar icon and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2018

Fans of Edovia's 'Screens' application will be happy to hear that the studio has updated the popular VNC client for Mac to version 3.0. The release follows a major update to the iOS app in December, and brings an all-new design, several new features and various other improvements.

For those who haven't used Screens VNC before, it enables you to connect to your Windows, Mac or Linux computer from virtually anywhere in the world. The remote connection is secure, and provides access to your files, applications, media, text documents and much more...

iTunes Radio expanding to UK soon, iAd director meets with UK ad agencies

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

More signs are pointing to an imminent iTunes Radio launch in the United Kingdom. The company recently banned London-based music streaming service Bloom.fm from advertising on its iAd platform citing competitive reasons and now Apple's iAd director is meeting with the country's ad agencies, seemingly in preparation for iTunes Radio roll-out in the 63 million people market of United Kingdom...