Year: 2016

New low quality mode in iOS 10 Messages uses circa 100KB per sent image

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 15, 2016

As you know, iMessage overcomes many of the limitations of standard MMS. Every time you attach an image taken on your iPhone and iPad to an iMessage, it's delivered in its original size and resolution. Some downscaling may occur, but only for very high resolution images: those taken with an iOS device are always delivered in their original form without any resizing taking place.

And herein lies a problem for those of you who send a lot of images via a cellular data connection.

Knowing a typical photo taken on an iPhone 6s weighs in at between three to five megabytes (or even more), it does add up pretty quickly. If you're concerned about cellular data consumption (as you should be), pay attention as Messages on iOS 10 offers a brand new low quality mode.

We've determined it downscales images sent through iMessage to circa 100 kilobytes each. In other words, for the amount of data you'd normally spend to shoot someone a single photo via iMessage you get to send 30 to 50 images in low quality mode.

Apple’s free app of the week: Super Phantom Cat

Cody Lee ∙ September 15, 2016

Apple on Thursday updated its App of the Week promotion with the game Super Phantom Cat. This means that for the next 7 days, you can download this popular retro platformer for both iPhone and iPad for free—a solid savings of $2.

This charming side scroller is beloved for its beautiful retro graphics and whimsical character design, retro styling, and easy Mario-esque controls. It also features an awesome chip tune soundtrack, unlockable characters, and bonus levels.

iPhone 7’s second grille at the bottom is for the mic, not a second speaker

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 15, 2016

One of the smaller but no less important features included in both new iPhone 7 models is an entirely new and “immersive” stereo speaker system that Apples claims provides twice the sound. Risking to be chastised in comments for bringing this up, I do feel we need to clear up the confusion and reiterate that a second speaker grille at the bottom of the phone does not actually house a speaker and is there purely for cosmetic reasons.

Apple releases second macOS Sierra Golden Master to developers

Sébastien Page ∙ September 15, 2016

Just eight days after releasing the macOS Sierra Golden Master, Apple has released a second version of the GM to registered developers today. Available via the Apple Developer Center, the new GM is build 16A323, while the previous one was 16A320. Scheduled to be released to the public on Tuesday, September 20th, this version of macOS Sierra will most likely be the final version.

New Surface ad wants you to think that your Mac “ain’t fast enough”

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 15, 2016

It's been only three days since Microsoft's advertising department unleashed a new ad salvo at Apple's direction in the form of a commercial for its Surface Pro 4 tablet/laptop hybrid and now it's posted yet another video to conveniently reiterate its message ahead of iPhone 7's launch tomorrow. Titled “Power of Touch”, the 30-second commercial doubles down on the ”the Mac lacks a touchscreen” theme.

Not only does Microsoft poke fun of the fact that Macs are long overdue for a refresh (yours supposedly “ain't fast enough” lately), but also disses the Mac for not shipping with a detachable keyboard or a stylus.

Using the Reminders app on Apple Watch

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated July 31, 2019

Apple Watch offers a standalone Reminders app, and as you'll soon learn, it can be just as functional as the iPhone app.

The introduction of an official Reminders app on Apple Watch was great because this little app on your wrist will help you get through all your errands throughout the day and keep track of your busy life.

The app is used with Siri since there is no keyboard to input text on the Apple Watch like there is on your iPhone. With that being said, using the Reminders app may feel a little awkward at first, but it should become a second nature to you in no time at all.

iMessage bubble and screen effects not working in iOS 10? Try this

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated October 25, 2022

One of the flagship features of iOS 10 is the new pack of bubble and screen effects you can use to give some pop to your messages. If you're anything like me and my wife, this is the first thing you tried after installing iOS 10. But if you're anything like me and my wife, you might have also ran into some problems where one of the devices was able to send effects, but not receive them.

iOS 10 jailbreak: hacker Luca Todesco shows off iPad with MobileSubstrate support

Anthony Bouchard ∙ September 15, 2016

Less than two weeks ago, iOS hacker Luca Todesco, better known to the community as @qwertyoruiop, showed off a working jailbreak on iOS 10, that he called yaluX.

Now he's at it again with an even more detailed video that demonstrates working Cydia Substrate-based jailbreak tweaks.

Motorola is telling supposed real-life iPhone loyalists to “Skip the Sevens”

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 15, 2016

Remember Motorola? Yes, they're still in the business and some of the handsets they make come with cool features, like quick customization modules that snap onto a phone using integrated magnets to add features like powerful speakers, external battery packs and so forth. It also made the first Android handset with a special low-power chip which made possible an always-listening “OK Google” mode.

With the iPhone 7 sales about to kick off, the Lenovo-owned company is now telling customers to “skip the sevens” and has produced a video in which supposedly genuine Apple fans express their disappointment with incremental iPhone 7 improvements like “a little better camera” and “a little faster processor”.

What happens next is a typical marketing crap.

Oz: Broken Kingdom, an RPG game demoed at iPhone 7 keynote, just hit the App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 15, 2016

At each iPhone introduction, Apple would usually invite one or more game developers on stage to demonstrate titles which show off the power of its latest chips. This month's iPhone 7 introduction was no exception. To showcase what's possible with the new A10 Fusion chip, Apple invited This Game Studio co-founder Heather Price on stage to show off a mobile game called Oz: Broken Kingdom, which just launched in the App Store as a freemium download.

A new take on Oz, Broken Kingdom sports crisp and detailed Metal-driven graphics that take full advantage of the A10 Fusion chip, although it supports older devices as well.

Here’s a new “Meet the new Home Button” step in iOS 10 installer on iPhone 7

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 15, 2016

With less than 24 hours left until first iPhone 7 shipments start hitting customers' doorsteps, YouTuber Marques Brownlee has put together a nice unboxing video featuring both new black options for the device, a supper glossy variant called Jet Black and its matte counterpart, referred to by Apple as simply Black.

The video offers interesting observations regarding the RAM, CPU performance, non-moving Home button and a new “Choose Your Click” Home button option.

How to prepare for your iPhone 7

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated January 20, 2023

Many anxious Apple customers are anticipating their new iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus handsets and are scheduled to receive them as early as this Friday.

Some customers are dealing with shipping times extending as far out into the future as October or November, but regardless of how long you'll be waiting, everyone who bought an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus has one thing in common: we should all be preparing for the day when it arrives.