Month: March 2015

Poll: should USB-C replace Lightning on iPhones?

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 18, 2015

Apple's new 12-inch MacBook has left watchers scratching their head over its one-port design.

By replacing Thunderbolt I/O, standard USB, MagSafe and SD card ports with a single, much slimmer USB-C port (also known as USB Type-C), the company was able to create “the future of notebook.”

At the same time, the new notebook does inconvenience users, at least over the short term, by requiring various adapters to connect the machine to their existing accessories. Thankfully, there're signs that the industry is going all in on USB-C.

Google's recently refreshed Pixel notebook has two USB-C ports, for example. In addition, upcoming accessories, like Nomad's versatile Apple Watch charging dock incorporate USB-C as the new charging standard.

It may be a safe bet to wager that USB-C will eventually take the gadget industry by storm, but this begs the question of Lightning I/O on iPhones, iPods and iPads. Is what we're seeing here Apple's next iPhone connector, do you think, or should the company stick with Lightning I/O for the next ten years?

Tim Cook talks Apple future in sweeping Fast Company interview

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 18, 2015

Apple's chief executive Tim Cook sat down with Fast Company's Rick Tetzeli and Brent Schlender to discuss a wide range of topics in a sweeping interview published this morning.

He discussed topics like the future of the company Steve Jobs co-founded, upcoming Apple Campus 2 (iSpaceship), Steve Jobs' legacy and more.

The Apple CEO also addressed Apple Watch skepticism, explained how Apple lives “outside the box” and said everything about Apple can change except values.

Modern Combat 5 goes free, gains MFi controller support, new multiplayer, Support soldiers, more

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 18, 2015

In addition to going free for the first time (regularly a $4 value), a barrage of new features have been added to Modern Combat 5 in a brand new Spring update to Gameloft's excellent war shooter (an App Store Best of 2014).

Now available in the App Store, Modern Combat 5: Blackout version 1.2 finally supports 'Made for iPhone' game controllers, both form-fitting and extended variants.

There's a brand new multiplayer mode available called Zone Control in which you must capture and defend areas to boost your score. Other improvements include new weapons and character classes and additional character customization.

Card Crawl review: battle your way through a dangerous deck

Josh Gallagher ∙ Updated January 27, 2019

In Card Crawl, developer Arnold Rauers has created an eclectic mix of games that don’t immediately sound like they would fit well together. With the bones of a simple game of solitaire and some heavy inspiration from Dungeons and Dragons, Card Crawl is just strange enough to warrant a closer look.

Conformity app is like having a math tutor in your pocket

Lory Gil ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

It has been years since I had to access the part of my brain that learned algebra and geometry. I never did have to take trig (being a journalism major has its perks). If someone were to ask me today what the Pythagorean Theorem is, I might be able to remember that it has something to do with adding square roots.

Conformity is a calculator that specializes in formulas for general math, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. No more memorizing the Quadratic Equation or trying to remember how to find the volume of a cube.

Lithium: theme the battery indicator on iOS 8 sans WinterBoard

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Lithium is a brand new jailbreak tweak that adds a themed battery indicator to iOS 8. A similar tweak with a similar name, Alkaline, already exists on the Cydia store, and Lithium pretty much replicates the feeling of that tweak.

While some users report that Alkaline works perfectly on their iOS 8 device, it's never worked without a visual glitch on my iPhone 6 Plus. For that reason, I'd be up for trying Lithium on an extended basis.

How to create folder shortcuts on Mac

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated October 1, 2018

On Windows, you create shortcuts. On Mac? There's this little thing called aliases. Aliases are shortcuts that make it easier to find a file, folder, disk, or application. You can place aliases on your desktop, in the Dock, or anywhere else that's easy to find. In this tutorial, I'll show you two easy ways to create aliases on your Mac.

Discovery, Viacom reportedly negotiating with Apple for spot on web TV service

Jake Smith ∙ March 17, 2015

The Wall Street Journal reports Discovery and Viacom are also in talks to join Apple's internet television service, following the publication's initial report on Monday detailing the initiative that will stream to the Apple TV.

Apple Watch gains FCC approval ahead of April launch

Jake Smith ∙ March 17, 2015

Apple's jump into wearables, the anticipated Apple Watch, has been approved by the Federal Communications Commission, ahead of its launch in April, an update to Apple's website indicated on Tuesday.

Let’s Talk iOS 073: Ghost track

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated March 2, 2018

Episode 73 features in-depth discussions about iOS 8.3 beta 3 and its new features, Apple's public iOS beta program, the Apple Watch Activity app, and the best Apple Watch features.

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The Elago Slimfit2 is an attractive minimalist case for iPhone 6

Lory Gil ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

It is slim. It is clean. It protects your iPhone without calling attention to it. It is Elago’s S6 Slimfit2, and minimalists will appreciate its subtleness and unassuming design.

If you prefer simplicity when protecting your gadgets, the S6 Slimfit2 has an ultra low profile made from flexible and durable polycarbonate available in 15 different colors. The soft texture case uses double-coating with an over paint and under paint to improve grip while keeping germs and bacteria from being able to stick to it.

iOS 8 adoption rate now at 77%

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 27, 2018

Our regular tracking of adoption rate figures is back with up-to-date, fresh stats straight from Apple indicating that iOS 8 is slowly but surely finding its way to users iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices.

As of today, Apple's latest mobile operating system is now powering 77 percent devices in the wild, a modest improvement over the 75 percent adoption rate as measured by the App Store two weeks ago.