Year: 2014

The first DJ app with Spotify integration arrives

Native Instruments' Traktor DJ and Algoriddim's djay may be among the finest iPad apps for DJs in the App Store, but now there's a new contender in town, a piece of software which lets one mix the 20 million tracks on Spotify. Introducing Pacemaker, the only DJ app with a Spotify connection (don't worry, it works with your iTunes music, too).

Unlike the aforementioned programs, Pacemaker has a simple user interface that's somewhat reminiscent of Windows Phone. There are some nice features included, too, that'll be likely appealing to those who deem Traktor or djay too complex.

Now available as a free download in the App Store, Pacemaker lets you make loops, skip beats, add and arrange effects, swipe to blend your tracks together, scratch like the grandmaster and lots more...

Apple seeds iOS 7.1 beta 5 to developers: here is what’s new

Apple has released the fifth beta of iOS 7.1 to registered developers this morning. The update, which carries the build number 11D5145e, can be downloaded OTA or via Apple’s developer center.

Today’s release comes just two weeks after the fourth beta, which only brought about a handful of changes including a refreshed slide to unlock animation and a new voice gender for Siri UK…

How to display free RAM and system information in Control Center

In his review of CCLoader, our jailbreak guru Jeff mentioned the fact that developers would be able to tap into the tweak and create their own sections in Control Center. That is the basis behind CCSystemStatus, a new iOS extension by vsnraindev that displays your available storage, IP address, free RAM and other system information about your iOS device in Control Center… 

In response to Facebook’s Paper, FiftyThree files trademark application for the term ‘Paper’

Facebook yesterday released its new Paper for iPhone app, a free download, prompting a swift response from Seattle- and New York-based FiftyThree which slammed the social networking behemoth for ignoring the fact that the Paper name has been associated with FiftyThree's own iPad drawing program, also a free download from the App Store.

The small startup said Facebook had ignored requests to change its app name even though FiftyThree filed for the ‘Paper by FiftyThree’ trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office back in May of 2012.

Not content with Zuck & Co. piggy-backing on the established Paper brand, FiftyThree has now moved to file a trademark for the term 'Paper' itself. Grab your popcorn...

‘Unique’ Istanbul Apple Store opening in April, Siri, R&D and more from Cook’s Turkey tour

Yesterday, Turkish government officially confirmed that Apple CEO Tim Cook was meeting President Abdullah Gül at the Çankaya Presidential Compound in Ankara to discuss a potential $4.5 billion iPad deal and other major initiatives and incentives in the 74 million people country.

The official website of the Turkish government on Tuesday published details of the meeting. The two leaders have covered a wide range of topics, including the possibility of an Apple research and development center in Turkey and how iPads could help improve education in the country.

President Gül wanted to know whether Apple could add Turkish support to Siri and Cook was interested in a possibility of Turkey dropping its special luxury taxes that are being applied to iPhone and iPad sales in the country...

New iPhone 6 rumor calls for at least 10MP camera with enhanced filter and wider f/1.8 aperture

Microsoft may be dominating your morning news feed with the official appointment of insider Satya Nadella as its new CEO, but that hasn't stopped the Apple rumor-mill from churning out speculative reports concerning the next iPhone.

According to a new report from the Chinese website IT168, the iPhone 6 will have at least a ten-megapixel camera with an improved filter and a wider aperture...

Microsoft names Satya Nadella new CEO, Bill Gates steps down as Chairman

The search for a new Microsoft CEO following Steve Ballmer's August 2013 announcement of his retirement is finally over as the Windows maker on Tuesday announced major executive changes at the top. Insider Satya Nadella has become the new Microsoft boss and a board member.

He previously held the position of Executive Vice President of Microsoft’s Cloud and Enterprise group and is the third Microsoft CEO since the company's inception. Also important, Bill Gates will be stepping down as Chairman but will retain a board seat serving as an adviser. Lead independent director John Thompson would succeed Gates as Chairman, the software giant said...

Apple pledges $100 million to get kids online

Apple is one of the companies that have put their money where their mouth is in terms of supporting the U.S. President Barack Obama's $750 million initiative to get kids online. According to an Associated Press report this morning, Apple has pledged $100 million in iPads, computers and "other tools".

Other Silicon Valley giants and telecommunications companies are contributing free software, Internet service through their wireless networks, cash and in-kind contributions...

CARROT Fit review: get weight loss support that will make you cry

The CARROT series of apps will either make you giggle or angry. Personally, I am part of the former category. I laugh all the time when that smarmy lady tells me what to do every morning.

CARROT Fit is the weight loss version of the verbally abusive personal assistant. Not only will she call you “flabby,” no matter how skinny you are, but she will also berate you for keeping or gaining any weight. Think about that the next time you eat a Twinkie after 9 o'clock…

Unread: a beautiful new RSS reader for iPhone

Despite the fact that Google shutdown its Reader service last year, there still seems to be a lot of RSS users out there. And if you're one of them (and even if you're not), you may want to check out this new RSS reader for the iPhone called Unread.

Unread, by developer Jared Sinclair, is a new iPhone app for gathering and reading your RSS feeds. Like many post-iOS 7 releases, the app is a contemporary take on a traditional concept with a beautiful UI, gesture-based navigation, and more...

ESPN SportsCenter app updated with Olympics coverage, several improvements

With the 2014 Winter Olympics just a few days away, ESPN has updated its SportsCenter app to version 4.0.3. The update adds a new tab for keeping track of the events in Sochi and a handful of other improvements.

The Winter games are slated to kick off on February 7, and run through the rest of the month. And thanks to today's update, you can use SportsCenter to keep an eye on events, athlete/country medal count and more...

Let’s Talk iOS 014: The Flappy Bird blues

Episode 14: We talk about Apple's record breaking fiscal quarter, the health & fitness tracking features rumored to headline iOS 8, the possible use of solar and motion charging to extend battery life for the long-rumored iWatch, and tons more. We also discuss some of our favorite app downloads from the past week, including Facebook's new Paper app, and, of course, Flappy Bird.

Subscribe on iTunes

Thanks to our sponsor:

lynda.com: Learn iOS, Apple software, programming, web design, and more from easy-to-follow video tutorials at lynda.com/letstalkios.