Oliver Haslam

OmniFocus Gains Siri Support and iCloud Syncing

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated February 19, 2018

For those that really take todo systems seriously, the OmniFocus app is often at the top of the list for getting things done. With a suite of apps that covers the Mac, iPad and iPhone, OmniFocus creators The Omni Group have created a real powerhouse of applications that many swear by.

In the latest update for the iPhone version of their OmniFocus app, the developers at The OmniGroup have taken Apple's lack of a Siri API and gone all Chuck Norris on it. Instead of waiting for Apple to give them permission to use Siri to create tasks, they have linked OmniFocus with iCloud, which in turn gives the app full access to reminders created using iOS 5's built-in Reminders app.

The end result? You can now tell Siri to create reminders in OmniFocus...

Apple Goes After Amazon in Court Again Over Using the Term “App Store”

Oliver Haslam ∙ November 19, 2011

While Apple's long-running legal battle with Samsung has been consistently receiving the headlines, Tim Cook's band of highly paid lawyers are also going after another one of the tech industry's big boys, Amazon. Since the beginning of the battle back in March, Apple has been suing the retailer/tablet-maker over its use of the phrase "App Store."

Apple has now revised that lawsuit, claiming that Amazon has altered the way it uses the phrase, removing "for Android" from the end of the company's description of the app store implemented in its new tablet, the Kindle Fire.

Simply calling its store the "Amazon Appstore," Amazon is risking the wrath of Apple's lawyers again...

VoIP-Based Services Like iMessage Reportedly Eating Carriers’ Lunches

Oliver Haslam ∙ November 19, 2011

With third-party instant messaging apps, Apple's own iMessage, and VoIP services becoming more prevalent, it is to be expected that at some point mobile networks will see a reduction in revenue as people move away from using SMS and voice calling.

What we didn't really expect is the move to start happening so soon. But according to one report, carriers are already feeling the pinch.

Research carried out by infrastructure solutions provider Mavenir Systems on behalf of mobileSQUARED suggests that carriers are already finding that third-party solutions are beginning to impact their business, and it's only going to get worse for the bottom line...

Verizon Has a Better Network For Making Calls, AT&T Proves to Have Fastest Data

Oliver Haslam ∙ November 18, 2011

With all three of the major US cell carriers now sporting the iPhone in their arsenal, consumers have never had it so good. Not only can you now choose which iPhone to buy, but you can also choose which carrier to run it on.

Choosing a carrier isn't always the easiest thing in the world, but a new study by Metrico Wireless sheds some light onto the decision, and depending on whether voice or data is the most important thing in your world, the best carrier for you may well vary.

According to Metrico's numbers, AT&T is currently the top dog if you need your data speeds to be as fast as possible, but if you're more of a talker than a surfer, Verizon may be the best choice for your hard-earned dollar...

AT&T Concept Store Uses iPhones and iPads to Checkout Customers

Oliver Haslam ∙ November 17, 2011

With Apple proving that technology companies can indeed make the jump from the drawing board to the street, everyone else is taking a page out of the Cupertino playbook and offering their products directly to customers.

One of those companies is AT&T, one of North America's largest cell phone carriers. Despite already having their own stores across the country, AT&T's top brass clearly know that things can be improved when it comes to customer experience in-store.

With an eye on pushing its stores to a whole new level, AT&T is set to open a new concept store in Chicago, and at 10,000 square feet, it's their biggest yet...

iPhone Sees Near 50% Jump in Enterprise During 2011

Oliver Haslam ∙ November 17, 2011

While Apple is undoubtedly the darling of the consumer market, the enterprise has traditionally been one area that Apple has struggled to make a real impact.

It looks like Apple is going to succeed in the enterprise market, with the iPhone becoming more of a business tool than has been the case thus far. Improved Exchange support, strong security, and that all important 'cool factor' has led to more IT departments being happy to add iOS devices to their systems, and Apple is reaping the benefits...

Belkin’s LiveAction iPhone Camera Remote and Grip Finally Announced

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated February 21, 2018

Remember that iPhone camera remote of Belkin's that went through the FCC last week? The accessory maker has now made it all official, and the remote even has a friend tagging along for the ride.

Belkin today announced the LiveAction Camera Remote alongside the LiveAction Grip, both of which will cost $49.99, with the former now available for pre-order and the latter shipping today.

Both accessories look to take advantage of the cameras in the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and of course, the iPod touch...

Create Awesome Polygonal Art Using Poly for iPad

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated February 19, 2018

There are some great iPad apps out there, if you know where to look. One such app comes from Seoul-based Innoiz, and it goes by the name of Poly.

Poly is an iPad app that allows users to turn any photo into one that appears to be made up solely of polygons, just like the video games of old...

Steve Jobs Wanted Apple to Be Its Own Carrier

Oliver Haslam ∙ November 15, 2011

We all know that Apple likes to own the customer experience from beginning to end. It's the reason Apple creates its own hardware, its own operating systems, and its own App Store. Apple even controls the supply of all its products, thanks to its retail stores. They like to be in control in Cupertino.

One thing Apple doesn't really control is the cell carriers, despite the iPhone being a veritable cash cow. Tentative rumors of Apple wanting to get into the carrier game have been circulating for quite some time. Now, a venture capitalist, John Stanton, claims that Apple co-founder and then-CEO Steve Jobs had wanted to create its own carrier network.

In typical Jobs fashion, Apple didn't want to just be another carrier, they wanted to use Wi-Fi spectrum to power the system, but it was deemed unfeasible at the time...

iPad Survives 1300ft Drop From a Parachute Just For Kicks, and Advertising

Oliver Haslam ∙ November 15, 2011

In a novel publicity stunt, device case maker G-Form has thrown an iPad from the nose bleed-inducing height of 1300 feet.

In order to prove just how strong the company's iPad case really is, G-Form decided to drop one from a parachuting daredevil while a video plays on it, just for effect. As is predictably the case, if you'll pardon the pun, the iPad survives the fall, though it is fair to say that the case itself has seen better days...

iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS Still Top Dog For Smartphone Sales in Q3

Oliver Haslam ∙ November 14, 2011

It would appear that the prospect of a new iPhone being announced alongside a price drop for existing models didn't disuade purchasers from picking up an iPhone 4 or 3GS during Q3, with Apple's two older handsets continuing to rule the roost in the US.

New figures from NPD show that both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS continued to sell strongly during the third quarter, with the premium iPhone 4 sitting pretty above its cheaper brother and a host of Android-powered devices.

Despite Android outselling iOS as a platform, Apple's hardware is still proving to be the most favored by buyers, with HTC, Motorola, and Samsung taking the remaining places in the top 5 handsets by units sold...