Year: 2014

Amazon revamps Cloud Drive Photos for iOS 7, adds Timeline and other new features

Amazon today refreshed Cloud Drive Photos, its free iOS app that lets you store, view and access photographs and video files in the company's cloud-based storage service, Cloud Drive.

The app's been bumped to version 3.0 and completely redesigned with iOS 7 look and feel in mind that promises to "bring enjoyment back to viewing photos and videos on the go."

On top of the new looks, Cloud Drive Photos 3.0 brings out a Timeline thing (more on that later) that looks great on the iPad, has a simpler navigation with new sorting features, boasts upload enhancements with improved background fetching and more.

The update is now live in the App Store so grab it while it's hot...

G-PAD silicone sleeve throws your iPhone back to Game Boy days

A new IndieGoGo campaign created by Aws Jan wants to throw you back to the 1990s by turning your iPhone into a Game Boy using a silicone rubber game pad sleeve.

The G-PAD sleeve is intended for the GBA4iOS emulator that has been making its rounds in high schools across the world, as teenagers and young adults want to relive their childhoods by playing Game Boy games. What's more convenient than playing from their iPhone?

Windows Phone 8.1 update introduces native Passbook support

Microsoft today released a developer preview of its forthcoming upcoming Windows Phone 8.1 software update and one outlet has spotted an interesting new feature allowing folks to import Passbook items into the Microsoft Wallet app.

Announced at WWDC last summer, Passbook lets you store coupons, boarding passes, event tickets, store cards and more into the stock iOS Passbook app and sync these items across other iOS and Mac devices through iCloud.

Apple has envisioned Passbook as an iOS feature, but several Android apps now support the feature, like PassWallet. And now people on Microsoft's mobile platform will soon be able to use Passbook on their Windows Phone devices as well...

MiniPlayer iOS jailbreak tweak is now available for Mac

MiniPlayer, a gorgeous jailbreak tweak by Italian developer MPow, has been available on iOS for quite some time and with time, it's gotten even better.

As Jeff noted in his review of MiniPlayer 2.1 last May, this tweak makes it ridiculously easy to control your music directly from the app's interface with a simple tap and hold gesture on the now playing album art.

Subsequent updates have added more stuff like Play Next, enhanced scrubbing and search and what not. And yes, it's an iOS 7 compatible tweak.

If you've been loving MiniPlayer on your jailbroken iOS device, you can now have that compelling experience and minimalist user interface (courtesy of Surenix) on your Mac, too! Read on for the full reveal...

Pandora alarm clock now available on iPad, launches Pebble app for iOS

You've been able to wake up to your favorite Pandora station since last December, assuming you're enjoying the popular Internet radio service on your iPhone. On Monday, Pandora has finally rolled out the useful alarm clock feature to the iPad.

It's pretty straightforward and works a lot like the alarm clock feature in the iPhone edition: you just pick your favorite song or station to play as your alarm, knowing you'll be woken up to your favorite music.

And should you decide you could use a few extra minutes of sleep instead of waking up early to eat breakfast, you can do so by adjusting your snooze time...

Readdle updates Calendars with new iPad UI, custom reminders on iPhone

Ukrainian developer Readdle has updated its free and paid Calendar apps for iOS with a refreshed user interface on the iPad sporting better layout and improved navigation. On the iPhone, the new Calendars 5.4 lets you set customer reminders and both editions include a pair of maintenance fixes and other improvements.

Now available to download in the App Store, both the free Calendars app and the $2.99 premium Calendars have been updated with the aforementioned features...

Nintendo DS emulator that runs on both non-jailbroken and jailbroken iOS devices arrives

Back in February, GBA4iOS 2.0 released with iOS 7 controller support and Dropbox integration, running fine on both non-jailbroken and jailbroken devices.

If you're not a big fan of Game Boy Advanced, Game Boy Color and original Gameboy games, how about a similar iOS emulator that lets you play Nintendo DS titles, no jailbreak required whatsoever?

Enter NDS4iOS, now available to install through an over-the air download via the NDS4iOS website. This app has been available for ages, but not for non-jailbroken devices. Starting today, NDS4iOS supports both non-jailbroken and jailbroken iPhone and iPad devices, allowing you to play Nintendo DS ROMs though you'll need to set your device's date back to February 8, 2014 to install it properly...

Claimed photos of iPhone 6 molds, schematic and manufacturing equipment surface

Apple's next iPhone is thought to be up for an announcement in September so it's no surprise unverified photos of supposed cases and schematics are starting to surface. More purported photographs of iPhone 6 manufacturing molds and production equipment have cropped up over the weekend, hinting at a few design changes.

We have no way of confirming the legitimacy of these photographs and are reposting them here for the sake of discussion.

Jump past the fold to learn more and join the discussion...

Starting in May, T-Mobile dropping all domestic overage charges on its plans

T-Mobile is abolishing consumer overages! Arriving as part three of its Uncarrier announcements, the development seeks to dropping domestic overage charges on all wireless service plans from the Deutsche Telekom-owned carrier.

This much-needed change now gives T-Mobile's customers a piece of mind knowing they can safely consume data on the go without worrying about being slapped with exorbitant overage fees for exceeding their monthly data allowance.

If history is an indication, rival carriers should reluctantly follow suit or risk getting left behind. Again, no more overage fees on any of your wireless service plans with T-Mobile, not just the carrier's popular Simple Starter plan that was announced last week...

Alpine’s upcoming $500-$700 CarPlay aftermarket kits arriving this Fall

CarPlay, Apple's in-car system formerly known as iOS in the Car, launched last month requiring an iPhone running iOS 7.1 and one of the compatible 2014 cars from Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari and Volvo. A bunch of other car vendors have promised to bring support for CarPlay to their vehicles throughout 2014, but not everyone is rich enough to buy a brand new car just to enjoy CarPlay.

Pioneer Electronics is reportedly considering rolling out CarPlay aftermarket kits for older vehicles and Mercedes-Benz has similar plans of its own. And now, car electronics manufacturer Alpine is said to offer CarPlay aftermarket kits in the United States and Europe this Fall, with a cost of around $500 to $700...

Readdle’s Printer Pro for iPhone is free today only

AirPrint, Apple's wireless printing technology is great except when it is not. The problem with AirPrint: limited vendor support. Unless you own a printer that works with AirPrint, you're out of luck.

But things don't have to be this way and thanks to a myriad of printer-related apps on the App Store, you can easily send images, documents and other content in select iOS apps to non-AirPrint printers.

One of the best printer apps on the App Store, Printer Pro for iPhone by Ukrainian developer Readdle has gone free for the next 24 hours. This nicely done and powerful productivity app normally retails for five bucks a pop so now's a good time to grab Printer Pro for iPhone free of charge if you haven't already...

Auki: a new quick reply tweak designed by Surenix

As I sit in the airport terminal at 9:30 PM, I get to reflect on the whirlwind that has been the last 30 hours. I landed in San Francisco last night around 6:00 PM and hit the ground running. The blistering break-neck speed of the last day has made it a little difficult for me to register what just happened, but the down time in the Airport—the first real down time I've had in a couple of days—allows me to slowly digest what just occurred.

It's been surreal. Meeting (and interviewing) some of my favorite jailbreak developers—creators of some of the tools and tweaks that I use on a daily basis on my iPhone. Mingling with fans, listening to intriguing talks, and finally meeting Jim Gresham and Sebastien Page, have all been highlights of my visit.

But when it comes to actual jailbreak releases, there has been one run-away highlight of this trip. Surenix—doing his best Steve Jobs impression—announced Auki —a brand new quick reply and quick compose tweak for the iPhone that he designed.

Developed by well-known tweak developer Bensge, Auki prides itself on feeling native and devoid of unnecessary features and bloat. Does it succeed in its lofty ambitions of making you forget about tweaks like Couria, Messages+, and biteSMS? Check inside for the full video first-look.