iPhone News

New report alleges Samsung will build iPhone 6’s A8 processor after all

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 29, 2016

Shortly after Taiwan’s Commercial Times ran a story about Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) seemingly having started production of an upcoming Apple-designed A8 chip on an exclusive basis (as Samsung reportedly dropped out of the race due to yield issues), an unnamed Samsung executive in a defensive PR move took to blogs to argue that the rumor is greatly exaggerated.

Pouring cold water on the Commercial Times report, the Galaxy maker told ZDNet Korea (via GforGames) that the conglomerate has already signed a contract with Apple concerning next-generation A8 chip production. Moreover, the firm is currently in the final testing phases and is gearing up to kick off mass A8 production at its Austin, Texas facility.

The multi-billion dollar chip plant is almost entirely dedicated to Apple silicon production. Samsung's semiconductor arm has thus far churned out every iOS device processor since the original iPhone...

Samsung removes standard-essential patents from upcoming Apple trial

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 9, 2014

Apple and Samsung will duke it out in the courtroom over technology patents later this month. As the second California trial looms (it begins March 31), the two technology giants have filed a stipulation with the United States District Court of California which narrows the second case, patent blogger Florian Müeller reported on his blog, FOSS Patents.

Under the stipulation, Samsung withdrew its asserted claims based on three standard-essential patents while Apple dropped all of its counterclaims relating to these patents...

Medium iPhone app is coming next week

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 9, 2014

Medium, a rising blog publishing platform dedicated to high-quality writing, is launching its native iPhone application next week, The New York Times' Bits Blog reported yesterday. Filing as Medium's first mobile application since the service's inception in 2012, the app will initially be strictly focused on reading Medium posts and won't include editing functionality akin to, say, WordPress's free iOS app.

The service already has a great mobile site that looks business on small form-factor devices and releasing a native iPhone app could go a long way toward boosting its appeal among mainstream users...

Google announces Android SDK for wearables releasing in two weeks

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 9, 2014

After becoming the world's top mobile operating system for smartphones and tablets, Google's Android software wants to become the leading platform for wearable devices.

CNET's Daniel Terdiman, reporting from the SXSW conference, has just tweeted that Google's Sundar Pichai confirmed that the Internet giant will be releasing its own Android software development kit (SDK) for wearable devices in the next two weeks.

The move indicates the search company's interest in the emerging wearable devices market, which has not exploded yet but is being closely watched in part due to Apple's rumored iWatch wearable project. Google itself is thought to be working on a smartwatch of its own...

BlackBerry CEO calls iPhone users ‘wall huggers’ due to poor battery life

Cody Lee ∙ March 9, 2014

BlackBerry's newly appointed CEO John Chen isn't afraid to ruffle a few feathers. Last month he penned an open letter regarding T-Mobile's 'ill-conceived' iPhone promotion, and this past week he went after the iPhone users themselves.

Speaking at the Oasis Montgomery conference, Chen was asked for his thoughts on the surging popularity of the iPhone. And his response was 'I call you guys wall huggers,' suggesting the handset is unable to last a full day on a single charge...

AT&T discounts single-line data plans, 2GB now $65 per month

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 9, 2014

AT&T, the nation's #2 wireless carrier, said yesterday that its customers can take advantage of cheaper single-line data plans. Starting today, two gigabytes of high-speed 4G data will set you back $65 per month, which represents a $15 savings compared to the cost of the previous plan. The plan includes fifty gigabytes of cloud storage as well as unlimited international messaging and calling.

An additional line can be added for $25 per month. A month ago, the carrier slashed the prices of its Mobile Share family plans...

T-Mobile tweaks Simple Choice plans with more data, international texting

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 16, 2016

T-Mobile announced this weekend that it would be making some changes to its existing Simple Choice plans. All of the plan options will now include more data and unlimited international texting from the US, in addition to unlimited domestic talk, text and data.

Pricing tiers still start at $50 per month, except now you get a full 1GB of LTE data at this price, instead of just 500MB. And it goes on from there. You now get 3GB of unthrottled LTE data for $60 per month, instead of 2.5GB, and you get 5GB for $70 per month...

Twelve South launches BookBook case for iPad Air

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 16, 2016

After months of waiting, premium accessory maker Twelve South has finally introduced its BookBook vintage case series for the iPad Air. Like the BookBook for the iPhone 5/5s, BookBook for the iPad mini [review] and full-size iPad, BookBook for the MacBook Air and other BookBook cases, the iPad Air edition is hand-distressed using high-quality leather to give each one a slightly different appearance.

It's also a nice theft-deterrent thanks to its dusty tome appearance hiding your iPad Air completely from prying eyes while keeping it protected from elements, dust, nicks and scratches. And like other BookBook cases, it allows you to prop up your device at a 30-degree angle for prolonged text entry and showing off your media. ..

Updated iTunes Festival channel added to Apple TV for SXSW

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Following the release of an updated iTunes Festival app for iOS on Thursday, Apple has rolled out a new TV channel for its Apple TV. For us, the icon is showing up in the second row of icons, right in the middle, so it's almost impossible to miss.

Clicking on the icon takes you to the Festival channel, where you can get the low-down on all of the major acts that are going to be playing at Apple's SXSW event this week. You can also view their concert dates and listen to samples of their music...

Siri guide: everything you should know about Siri

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Siri is a personal assistant feature found on the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, that allows you to use your voice to control your device. You can use Siri to send messages, emails, tweets, and more. You can also use Siri to get movie showtimes, sports scores and times, make dinner reservations, etc.

The great thing about Siri is that it doesn't require you to look at your device's screen in order to interface with it. And Siri is smart enough to consider your location along with the context of your commands and conversations. By doing so, Siri can respond intelligently to your requests.

Inside, we'll teach you some of the history of Siri and show you some of its basic usage features. We'll then present to you with an exhaustive list of voice commands, and discuss Siri's dictation features. Check inside for all of the details...

‘Prince of Persia: The Shadow and the Flame’ named IGN’s Free Game of the Month

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 20, 2018

Good news gamers, IGN has named Ubisoft's 'Prince of Persia: The Shadow and the Flame' its Free Game of the Month. This is one of the first times that the game, which normally retails for $2.99, has ever been made available at no cost.

For those unfamiliar with the title, Prince of Persia: The Shadow and the Flame originally landed in the App Store in 2013. It's the follow up to Ubisoft's Prince of Persia Classic remake with new controls, a new combat system and more...

Walmart drops price of 16GB iPhone 5s down to $119, 5c to $29

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 9, 2017

Not to be outdone by Best Buy, Walmart has launched a new iPhone promotion this week. The national retailer can now beat the electronics dealer in price on the entry level models of both the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c by up to $30.

The sale knocks the 16GB iPhone 5s down to $119, and its 5c counterpart down to just $29. Obviously, both of these prices require that you sign a two-year contract with a carrier, but otherwise there are no gift card or trade-in stipulations...