Year: 2014

University of Wisconsin takes Apple to court over A7’s performance-enhancing tricks

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 3, 2014

The University of Wisconsin via its patent-licensing arm, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, has filed a lawsuit against Apple alleging the company's in-house designed A7 chip infringes the foundation's patent designed to improve "the efficiency and performance of contemporary computer processors" by introducing a new process for allowing quicker execution of processor instructions.

It's been reported Monday that Apple's 64-bit A7 chip, which acts as the primary engine driving the iPhone 5s, the iPad Air and the iPad mini with Retina display, apparently uses this technology without permission...

How to set your iOS passcode to your device’s current time

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

TimePasscode is a new jailbreak tweak that lets you use your device's current time as a passcode to unlock your device. Spurred on by a Reddit request, developer Steve Hetelekides has created a tweak that allows you to have a different passcode with every passing minute.

If you're looking for a way to spice things up on the Lock screen from a security standpoint, then this might be the tweak for you. Have a look inside as we demonstrate how TimePasscode works on video.

Pedometer++ totally revamped for iOS 7, now with data export and weekly timeline

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 3, 2014

David Smith's Pedometer++ was one of the first apps on the block to come out with support for Apple's new M7 motion coprocessor found inside the iPhone 5s. A bunch of health and fitness apps on the App Store have since integrated with M7 and today a new and totally revamped version on Pedometer++ has arrived.

Pedometer++ version 2.0, now available free in the App Store, includes a redesigned user interface that honors iOS 7 visual guidelines, in addition to a few new features...

How to control the Music app using gestures

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Gesture Music Controls is a recently released jailbreak tweak from developer Pat Sluth. Its purpose is to allow you to control the stock Music app, and other music playing apps using gestures. These gestures can be used within the stock Music app, Lock screen, and from within the Control Center overlay.

Users can play and pause music, skip to the next song, go back to the previous song, and even share the now-playing track via social media. Have a look inside as we step through each of the features offered with Gesture Music Controls.

Guy impersonates Apple Store employee, tells shoppers to go Android

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 3, 2014

A new prank is making rounds on the web as comedian and YouTuber Tyler Fischer impersonates an Apple Store employee at four different locations in New York City, telling unsuspecting customers to switch to Android because the iPhone is too pricey.

He can be also seen convincing customers that new iPhones are coming tomorrow and that the iPad has "400 megapixels" - megapixels, not megabytes - of RAM and "300 Skype units"...

Mesalation: set a passcode grace period with Touch ID enabled

Jeff Benjamin ∙ February 3, 2014

Mesalation is brand new jailbreak tweak from developer r_plus that allows you to get back the passcode grace period list when using Touch ID. Enabling Touch ID on the iPhone 5s forces iOS to require a passcode immediately and there are no options otherwise.

If you're someone who likes to use Touch ID, but don't necessarily like the idea of having to verify every time your device is locked, Mesalation is the jailbreak tweak for you. Have a look at our walkthrough inside for more details on how the tweak works.

Apple celebrates Mac’s 30th anniversary with new video shot entirely on iPhone 5s, edited on Mac

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

OK, Apple didn't exactly return to Super Bowl with a 30th Mac anniversary ad like advertising legend Lee Clow a week ago hinted it would, but that doesn't mean the company is letting the Super Bowl ad blitz mute its message.

Not only did Apple celebrate the occasion by letting ABC News and MacWorld interview CEO Tim Cook, it also posted an interactive Mac timeline on Apple.com and a new ‘Happy Birthday, Mac’ section on the Mac App Store, dressed up retail stores' window displays in Mac-themed graphics and hung commemorative posters up on the walls of its Cupertino HQ.

The company even hid a custom font on its servers featuring gorgeous Mac model icons. And now, Apple has posted a new video on its homepage dedicated to the 30 years of Mac innovation. The 125-second clip was shot entirely on iPhones and edited on Macs, have a look at it right below the fold and meet us in comments...

Bank of America and U2 team up for Product (RED) iTunes free song promo

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

U2, the famous Irish rock band from Dublin, has teamed up with Bank of America in a new promotion where the latter donates $1 for every free iTunes download of U2's new single titled Invisible to (Product) RED's charity which fights against AIDS.

The promotion was announced via a Super Bowl ad and was designed to help end mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Product (RED) was founded in 2006 by U2 frontman Bono, together with Bobby Shriver of the ONE/DATA, as a way of raising awareness and funds to help eliminate AIDS in Africa...

Help Sherlock Holmes solve his latest case in this iOS game

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

Two weeks ago, the most popular show on PBS launched the first episode of its third season. The 90-minute episodes are possibly the most popular versions of Sherlock Holmes since Robert Downey Junior donned the cap. Frankly, I think the television show is better.

Sherlock: The Network HD is a puzzle game that stars Benedict Cumberbatch (Holmes) and Martin Freeman (Watson). Join the detecting duo as they solve crimes, stir up trouble, and act like smarty pants…

Tim Cook visits with Prime Minister, retailers in United Arab Emirates

Cody Lee ∙ February 3, 2014

Following his trip to Ireland last week, Tim Cook was spotted at several electronics outlets in the United Arab Emirates this weekend. The CEO posed for pictures while visiting malls in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The reason for his visit is unknown, but a UAE-based newspaper is reporting that Cook also met with UAE Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and other officials while in the region...

NBA Game Time app gets big update ahead of All-Star weekend

Cody Lee ∙ February 3, 2014

Now that the Super Bowl is over, and pro football is no more, the attention of many sports fans will now turn to basketball. College teams are just a month or so away from the big March Madness tournament, and the NBA is just two weeks away from All-Star weekend.

And because of that, the NBA pushed out a big update for its Game Time app this weekend. The update brings the app to version 5.2, and adds several new All-Star data points and features including rosters, schedules and everything you need to keep up with the action...

Apple reportedly working on solar, motion charging for iWatch

Cody Lee ∙ February 2, 2014

The New York Times is out with a new report this evening, claiming that Apple is exploring a variety of different charging methods for its mobile devices in an effort to improve battery life. These methods include induction, solar and kinetic.

While patents and other evidence suggest that the company has been experimenting with these technologies for years now, the report cites sources within Apple saying that interest has been reinvigorated by the oft-rumored iWatch project...