Year: 2014

Battlefield 4 tech demo shows off incredible power of Apple’s Metal graphics framework

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 6, 2014

Hands up who's sick and tired of hearing about “console-level graphics” every time an iPad game hits the App Store?

I know I am and it's high time developers stopped overusing the marketing buzzword in their blurbs, methinks. No tablet on the market has the oomph to take on consoles, plain and simple.

While the advent of Metal, Apple's new low-level graphics framework in iOS 8, clearly won't make iPad games any better than their console counterparts, it does provide more aesthetically pleasing experiences involving far more detailed objects, lush visual effects and richer environments.

Apple is highlighting Metal-powered games in a dedicated App Store section and today folks behind the Frostbite graphics engine are showing off a pair of great looking screenshots of the Battlefield 4 console game running on an iPad and powered by the Metal-drive Frostbite engine.

Swype keyboard is temporarily free in the App Store

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 30, 2018

I have a love/hate relationship with third-party keyboards. On the one hand, they theoretically provide a better way to input text on your iOS device. On the other, I've found them to actually make me waste more time than I would using the stock keyboard. But I'm not giving up yet on keyboards, especially on Swype, which has been my favorite one so far.

Normally priced at $0.99, Swype is currently available for free as Apple's App of the Week in the App Store for a limited time. If you aren't familiar with Swype, check out Lory's first look at the third-party keyboard. Since she published it, the app has also been updated with support for more languages and improved iPad layout, making it an even more solid option.

Slated keyboard for iOS 8 translates text in real time

Cody Lee ∙ November 6, 2014

The folks at Gist have added a new third party iOS 8 keyboard for your consideration, called Slated. Admittedly, this area is starting to become crowded, but unlike the other offerings that aim to add colors or new input methods to your keyboard, it has a more serious task.

Slated has the ability to translate what you type into more than 80 languages, in real time. Simply pick a language, start typing, and watch the evolving translation appear below the text entry field. It also translates backwards, so you can participate in complete conversations.

Saurik touts jailbreak and Cydia stability for iOS 8, enables Cydia purchases

Jeff Benjamin ∙ November 6, 2014

Another day, another milestone. Saurik, the man behind Cydia, has re-enabled purchases for paid Cydia apps and tweaks, which means that you can now purchase apps and tweaks that were, for a time, unobtainable for some.

He also made sure to lend credibility to the stability of both Cydia and the iOS 8 jailbreak via a pair of tweets—the first of such since the iOS 8 jailbreak arrived.

Apple TV updated with new CBS News channel

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple today added the CBS News channel to the ever-expanding library of content on its Apple TV. The app was pushed OTA and automatically, so users in areas where the channel is available should notice the addition without having to update their software.

The move coincides with the launch of CBS' new CBSN streaming news network, which is being billed as the "first live anchored news network across all leading digital platforms." Strangely enough, CBS doesn't mention the Apple TV in the official press release.

Google Drive gains Touch ID, iPhone 6/6 Plus support, Storage extension and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 6, 2014

After adding passcode protection to Google Drive for the iPhone and iPad half a year ago, Google on Thursday added more coolness to the software.

First and foremost, the app now includes full support for iOS 8 technologies and can finally lock itself behind Touch ID fingerprint authentication.

And should you happen to own one of the new 4.7-inch iPhone 6 or 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus devices, Google Drive will take full advantage of the increased resolutions to show more files and content.

They've also added a new option to save videos from Drive to your device and implemented a handy system-wide Storage extension allowing you to access your Drive in almost any iOS 8 app.

Google Drive is available at no cost in the App Store.

Amazon launches futuristic connected speaker with Siri-like assistant

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 6, 2014

I'm not really sure what to think about Amazon's crazy connected speaker with built-in personal digital assistant. What I do know is that the Echo could be a close approximation of what a next-generation Apple TV with built-in Siri might be like. Taking another swing at hardware, the Echo is well designed: it sports both sexy looks and the smarts.

It's also got a few cool tricks up its sleeve to dazzle unsuspecting users. In a nutshell, the Echo will talk to you, play music, read your news headlines, check the weather, find facts online — and also sell you things — for $199.

Upscale: Change the resolution on your jailbroken iPhone

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Upscale is a new jailbreak tweak that allows you to run higher resolutions on jailbroken iPhones. The tweak, which is currently in beta, features serval presets to choose from via its settings.

This tweak makes it possible to run the iPhone 6 or 6 Plus resolution on older devices like the iPhone 5 or iPhone 5s—devices with substantially less screen real estate. The result is an interface that features less than ideal tap-zones, but much more room to work with on screen.

Upscale is a compelling jailbreak tweak that everyone should at least investigate. First noted and discovered by developers cpdigitaldarkroom and coolstar, this is a tweak that will surely turn a lot of heads. Full details after the jump...

Calcbot by Tweetbot creators leaps onto the Mac

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 6, 2014

Developer Tapbots has made a name for itself with an excellent Twitter client for the Mac and iOS, Tweetbot. They have other apps in their portfolio, too, and on Thursday released a nicely done Mac edition of Calcbot, an intelligent calculator and unit converter that made its iOS debut in July of 2010.

Despite a somewhat steep asking price, keep in mind that Calcbot combines a compelling calculator and a powerful unit converter into a single, beautifully designed experience.

Calcbot is a $4.99 download from the Mac App Store.

Google Maps with OpenTable reservations, Uber integration and Material Design now rolling out

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 6, 2014

Announced yesterday, a much-improved Google Maps for the iPhone and iPad featuring Material Design appearance, OpenTable reservations, Uber integration and more is now rolling out in App Stores worldwide.

Featuring engaging animations, shadows and depth — courtesy of Google's newly-found design language for desktop, mobile and the web — Google Maps 4.0 promises to be the funnest version of the app to date.

The search giant says the layers and buttons “come to life so you know just where to touch to get directions, recommendations and imagery.”

Download the app now, give it a whirl and tell us how you liked it in comments.

Google Maps 4.0 is free in the App Store.

Filippo Bigarella teases Springtomize for iOS 8

Jeff Benjamin ∙ November 6, 2014

Is this enough to get you to take the plunge? I know it will be for Sebastien, and perhaps even Cody. Springtomize for iOS 8 was officially teased by well-known (and well-liked) developer, Filippo Bigarella.

Springtomize is the type of tweak that lets you customize virtually every aspect of your iPhone's SpringBoard, hence the name "Spring" (SpringBoard) and "tomize" (Customize). We've done extensive reviews of this extremely popular tweak in the past, so if you're not familiar with it, I advise you to get up to speed and review our Springtomize coverage.

If you've yet to jailbreak, will this be enough to push you over the edge?

Twelve South unveils SurfacePad for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 6, 2014

I've been on the lookout on a case to protect my iPhone 6 Plus and think Twelve South's just-launched SurfacePad fits the bill. Priced at $39.99 for the iPhone 6 and $49.99 for the iPhone 6 Plus, the SurfacePad is a premium “buttery soft leather jacket” that protects the new iPhones without adding bulk and weight or concealing their gorgeous design.

It has reinforced stitching around the perimeter for long-term durability, with soft microfiber lines protecting your precious investment from the inside and soft napa leather protecting your device from the outside.

Both the $39.99 SurfacePad for iPhone 6 and $49.99 for iPhone 6 Plus are available through the Twelve South website.