iPhone News

TextExpander updated for iOS 7, adds a bunch of snippet management features

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2018

If you're going to do serious typing on your iPhone and iPad, why not save yourself precious time by having short abbreviations automatically expanded into long snippets (i.e. have 'idb' auto-expand to 'iDownloadBlog')?

Although iOS 7 lets you create shortcuts in Settings > General > Keyboard that'll automatically expand into words and phrases as you type, the basic implementation of the feature leaves a lot to be desired.

Enter Smile Software's TextExpander, a tool that gets this job done better than any other software. Available for iOS since last summer, the app contains advanced features like clipboard integration, macros and fill-in snippets. And thanks to the official SDK, third-party apps can implement TextExpander functionality to use your commonly-used strings of text.

On Wednesday, Smile updated the iOS snippet expansion utility with iOS 7-friendly design and a host of group and snippet management improvements. The app is now available in the App Store free of charge for existing customers and I've included additional tidbits right after the break...

ProCamera 7 gains TIFF and high-res Instagram support, printing, Vimeo sharing and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 2, 2014

ProCamera by German developer Cocologics GmbH has been featured on our 10 Best Photography Apps of 2013 list, you rated it one of the Best Apps of 2013 and it's been consistently featured throughout our ongoing iPhone photography series.

Small wonder, given ProCamera combines photo and video recording, advanced editing and sharing into a single app laden with rich controls, more than 76 pro-grade filters and effects, a dedicated Lightbox (like in Camera+), full-res photo preview and lots more.

Cocologics has pushed a major new ProCamera 7 update this morning, adding numerous nice-to-haves while implementing some nice new features like high-resolution Instagram uploads, support for the lossless TIFF file format, in-app printing, an improved Lightbox and Night mode, Vimeo sharing, Open-in functionality and lots more.

The new ProCamera 7 version 5.3 is now live in the App Store and available free to existing users. We have a few promo codes to spare so read on for the full reveal...

Fantastical 2 for iPad: the best calendar app is now available on iPad

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated March 16, 2018

I'd probably be wasting my time if I spent more than a few words introducing Fantastical, an app that most of us here at iDB use on a daily basis, and which we recently ranked as one of the best calendar apps for iPhone. And it's not just us!

Up until today, you could only use Fantastical on your Mac or your iPhone, but things are changing as Flexibits just released Fantastical 2 for iPad, now available in the App Store...

Day One update brings new publishing feature to iPad

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 18, 2018

Great news for all of you Day One users out there. The popular journaling app has updated its iOS client to version 1.14 this morning with iPad publishing, new photo features, and a slew of bug fixes and other improvements.

As you may recall, last month developers Bloom Built added the ability to publish journal entries to the web on the iPhone, essentially turning the app into a personal blogging platform. And now it's available on the iPad as well...

BlackBerry ends partnership with T-Mobile following iPhone promo feud

Cody Lee ∙ April 2, 2014

In a rare, but perhaps not-so-surprising move, BlackBerry announced late last night that it will not renew the T-Mobile (US) license to sell its products when it expires later this month, effectively ending the 10 year (or longer) partnership between the two companies.

The announcement comes after a spat broke out between the sides following the carrier's iPhone offer that suggested BlackBerry users trade-in their phones for Apple handsets. T-Mobile tried to reconcile the matter with the Canadian firm, but it obviously didn't work....

Spotify updated with major redesign and other improvements

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Good news for Spotify users this morning: the streaming music service has delivered a much needed redesign to its web, iPhone and desktop clients. The new look brings the apps more in line with competitors like Rdio, and establishes a single identity across all platforms.

The redesign comes to the iPhone (it doesn't look like it's on the iPad yet) by way of the version 1.0 update. It's much darker than before, and features trendy effects like blur and rounded iconography. Spotify has also made a handful of performance and stability improvements....

Let’s Talk iOS 022: Silence is golden

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated March 20, 2018

Episode 22: We talk about Microsoft's launch of the Office suite for iPad, our favorite tricks from the ultimate Mail app guide, how to quickly delete apps from the iPhone, and our take on Amazon's major moves in technology. Plus, Sebastien mulls the launching of a new joke section for the podcast.

Subscribe on iTunes

Thanks to our sponsor:

Squarespace: the all-in-one platform that makes it fast and easy to create your own professional website, portfolio, and online store. Use promo code LETSTALKIOS for a free trial and 10% off your first purchase.

Auxo 2 review: one of the best jailbreak tweaks ever gets better

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated March 20, 2018

Auxo is dead.

Perhaps that's what some of you thought last June, when you first saw Apple unveil iOS 7 at its 2013 Worldwide Developers Conference. You weren't alone. Even Sentry, the tweak's prolific designer, sat with a temporary moment of dejection as he watched Apple unveil its newest stride in mobile computing.

Less than a year later, Sentry is back, and he's brought along QusicS, a skilled developer who's helped him express a brand new take on a legendary tweak. Whereas the original version of Auxo gained popularity from its full app previews, Auxo 2 is much more of an evolutionary take on iOS 7's App Switcher as a whole.

Ultimately, this has proved to be a wise decision, because Apple's version of the App Switcher is nowhere near the limited mess that it was on firmwares below iOS 7. Auxo 2 is a serious refinement and feature-filled update, and I believe you'll find that it significantly improves the process of switching apps.

We've been testing Auxo 2 since Saturday. Does it live up to the hype? Check out our full review and video walkthrough for the answer.

Apple seeking $2 billion in damages in new Samsung trial

Cody Lee ∙ April 1, 2014

As most of you know probably know by now, round 2 of Apple's US patent battle with Samsung kicked off this week in a San Jose, California court room. The last time these 2 companies met on American soil, in the fall of 2012, Apple was awarded $1 billion in damages.

This time around, the iPad-maker is asking for twice that much. And although it's using different patents, and going after different Samsung devices, it's ultimately trying to prove the same thing as it did before: that Samsung intentionally copied its patented inventions...

Let’s Talk Jailbreak 51: The Auxo 2 interview

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Episode 51: On this week's episode, we conduct our first live interview with Sentry, the creator of the highly anticipated Auxo 2 jailbreak release, which is due to touch down tomorrow on Cydia. Listen in to hear about Auxo 2's development process, pricing details, compatibility info, and more. It's an enlightening peek into how much work goes into creating one of the biggest jailbreak releases of the year.

Pad & Quill introduces beautiful new wallet case for iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

In the world of iPhone and Mac accessories, there are two names I trust almost above all others: Twelve South and Pad & Quill. Both of them have a keen sense of design, and both are known for making high quality products out of high quality materials.

Over the weekend, the latter unveiled a new iPhone case called the Traveler. Like many of P&Q's cases it features a built-in pocket for carrying credit cards and other knick knacks around, but this time instead of a book-like design, they went with a rear shell...

Apple releases Safari 7.0.3 update for Mavericks

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 1, 2014

Apple has released a plethora updates on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, the company has revamped its web-based iWork for iCloud suite and then followed up by half a dozen matching updates to Pages, Keynote and Numbers for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices and Mac computers.

Available now through your Mac's Software Update mechanism, the new Safari 7.0.3 update brings a bunch of bug fixes and a few noteworthy security-related enhancements like the strengthened Safari sandboxing, improved credit card autofill compatibility with websites and more...