Year: 2014

Apps of the Week: Final Fantasy VI, Paper, Modern Command, and more

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 27, 2019

February has begun, which means it is no longer the start of the New Year. Are you sticking to your resolutions? So far, I’m doing pretty good with mine. Not great, but pretty good. Hey, we’ve got 11 more months to get it together, right?

This weekend, if you are planning on staying in with epic video games sessions on your iPhone, want to catch up on your Facebook news reading, or forgot to order flowers for you mom because you were playing videos games too long, we’ve got a list of apps and game to give you something to do this weekend…

Sega adds MFi controller support to Sonic titles

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

It got off to a rocky start, but things are looking up for Apple's MFi controller platform. We're starting to see more (and cheaper) controller options become available for iOS devices, and developers are adding MFi support to their games daily.

Case in point, Sega just updated 2 of its most popular Sonic iOS titles with MFi controller support. Now in addition to Sonic the Hedgehog 2, both the original Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic CD are compatible with the new breed of gamepads...

Mega iOS app updated with photo sync, passcode lock and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Popular cloud storage service Mega has pushed an update for its iPhone client today, bringing the app to version 1.1. The update puts the client more on par with Dropbox and other cloud clients by adding photo sync, a passcode option and more.

The biggest new feature for me is the passcode lock, as it allows you to set a four-digit passcode that would be required every time you launch the app. But I'm sure many folks will find the new automatic cloud-photo-syncing feature just as handy...

Proposed CA bill would require antitheft tech in smartphones

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 19, 2018

The New York Times is reporting that California State Senator Mark Leno plans to introduce a bill that would require all cell phones sold in the state to include antitheft technology. He hopes to curb smartphone thefts—a major problem in larger cities.

The bill is being co-sponsored by San Francisco DA George Gascón, which isn't surprising considering he's long been pushing for Apple and other manufacturers to build 'kill switches' in their devices. And if it passes, it could go into effect as early as next year...

Snapchat vulnerability opens up iPhone users to DoS attacks

Cody Lee ∙ February 7, 2014

According to a new report from cyber security researcher Jamie Sanchez, the Snapchat app contains a vulnerability that makes it possible for hackers to launch a denial-of-service (DoS) attack that can temporarily freezes a user's iPhone.

Sanchez and a fellow research discovered a flaw in the app's system that allows a hacker to send thousands of messages to a Snapchat user in seconds, which can cause crashes. And often times, these crashes can only be fixed with a reset...

On the Line review: let your fingers do the running

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

There are hundreds, if not thousands of “endless runner” games in the App Store. So many now that, when I see the term, I usually groan and pass it by. However, from time to time, a unique take on the game will come along and surprise me.

On the Line is one of those little surprises. It is called an endless runner, and I suppose in its most technical terms, it is, but this game is anything but typical. There are no coins, no bonus items, and no character. Your finger is the runner…

Exhaustive list details Apple’s recent hires for rumored iWatch project

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Last night we passed along a report from The Wall Street Journal, which featured an interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook talking about the company's past, and its future. And one of the things he harped on was that it has some big things in the pipeline.

A quick look at the rumor mill tells you what some of those things could be: a bigger iPhone, a new Apple TV product, etc. But perhaps the most anticipated unreleased Apple product is the health-sensing, fitness tracking smartwatch known as the iWatch.

We've seen a lot of evidence that Apple is working on a new wearable device, but none of it is more telling than its recent string of medical and fitness expert hires. And 9to5Mac has put together an exhaustive list, detailing what each brings to the table...

Tim Cook on bigger iPhones, ‘crappy’ Android experience, not making junk and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 7, 2014

Following notable excerpts from Daisuke Wakabayashi’s interview with Tim Cook in The Wall Street Journal, the financial newspaper has now posted the whole thing on its Digits blog.

The full interview gives us a more detailed insight into the mindset of Tim Cook's Apple as the CEO discusses recent topics of interest, including Lenovo's $2.9 billion purchase of Google's Motorola Mobility unit and additional information regarding Apple's share buyback program.

He also took time to touch upon the ongoing discussion concerning supposedly bigger iPhones in the pipeline, the current products not yet hitting the ceiling and lots more. I've included the best quotes and tidbits for your reading pleasure after the break...

This sweet iPhone 6 concept is definitely worth checking out…

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 30, 2016

We've run a few iPhone 6 concepts here on iDownloadBlog, but none has captured our attention like the newest work by Italy's established 3D artist Federico Ciccarese who took a crack at envisioning what a large-screened iPhone could look like. Like most mockups, this is one concept that Apple most likely will never make, probably.

Nevertheless, that doesn't mean a guy can't dream, no? With that in mind, do take a look at Federico's latest batch of iPhone 6 mockups and then chime in with your thoughts down in the comments...

Target launches time-limited deals on iOS devices

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

Target, the nation's second-largest discount retailer, is launching some pretty interesting deals on Apple's iOS devices. Starting this coming Sunday, February 9, and through next week's Saturday, February 15, customers in the market for an iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPad Air and any iPad mini can get discounts in the form of gift cards.

The time-limited promotion will see some of these devices discounted by as much as $50 versus Apple's asking prices. Jump past the fold for the full per-product breakdown...

Incipio’s Cashwrap NFC iPhone case now available to Verizon customers

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2018

Case maker Incipio two weeks ago announced its new iPhone case, the Cashwrap. It brings mobile wallet functionality to the iPhone 4/4s/5/5s by incorporating NFC technology. The case is compatible with the carrier-backed Isis Mobile Wallet app which makes it possible to pay with your device at participating retailers, mass transit systems and more, using an Iris account.

AT&T initially rolled out the Cashwrap to its own retail stores and yesterday the accessory became available to order in Verizon stores nationwide and from the Big Red carrier’s online store...

Are you ready for iOS 7.1 in March?

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 7, 2014

Software updates to Apple's mobile operating system typically used to get rolled out within a few weeks following the public launch of a major iOS release.

But as Apple transitions to a more aggressive release schedule on the OS X side - the firm switched from an 18-month cycle to annual OS X refreshes - Apple's engineers are taking their time dealing with the initial complaints, bugs and issues that have been plaguing iOS 7 users since September 2013.

The latest chatter by credible publications coupled with reliable information coming from my own sources points to a public release of iOS 7.1 in March...