iPhone News

Apple gets federal babysitter to watch over iBooks sales

Apple's federal e-book babysitter was named Wednesday. New York Judge Denise Cote assigned former Department of Just Inspector General Michael Bromwich to monitor Apple's compliance with antitrust laws concerning e-book sales. In July, Apple agreed to an independent monitor after being found guilt of conspiring with five publishers to fix prices.

Although Apple has called such a monitor unnecessary, DoJ prosecutors demanded the step as part of the final court remedy. Judge Cote, however, threw Apple a bone, reducing Bromwich's monitoring duty to just two years, less than half of the five years the Justice Department had originally wanted...

Twitter mulling standalone Direct Messaging app

Twitter, of all companies, could enter the crowded instant messaging space dominated by WhatsApp, Viber, Apple, Google, Microsoft and Facebook with a standalone direct-messaging app. According to a new report Thursday, the company plans to "significantly update its direct-messaging product".

One of the options being considered is making Twitter's Direct Messages the focus of the rumored standalone app. It wasn't immediately clear how exactly such an app would compete with Viber and WhatsApp, the two leading services in the instant messaging space that tie to your cell phone number...

AT&T offers more LTE in random places

U.S. wireless carrier AT&T today announced that its fourth-generation Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network is rolling out to the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, as part of its ongoing rollout across the market which began with 4G LTE launch in Jefferson City in April.

Customers located in parts of Camdenton, Eldon, Gravois Mills, Lake Ozark, Laurie, Linn Creek, Osage Beach, Sunrise Beach and Versailles should now start seeing LTE logos on their devices such as Apple's iPhones, after upgrading to AT&T's speedy service.

Last week, AT&T's LTE expanded in a bunch of new markets in the United States and I have a quick breakdown for you waiting just below the fold...

Verizon activates 3.9M iPhones, representing 51% of its Q3 smartphone activations

The leading wireless telco in the United States, Verizon Wireless, this morning released its third quarter results revealing 3.9 million iPhone activations (which is different than the actual unit sales).

It's the same as its previous quarter and 26 percent up from 3.1 million iPhone activations in Q3 of 2012.

Apple's share of total smartphone activations at the Big Red carrier, however, has jumped from 43 percent in the second quarter of 2013 to as much as 51 percent of the 7.6 million total smartphone activations in the third quarter.

Due to iPhone supply constraints, there will be some carryover in sales to the fourth quarter, Verizon cautioned. Year-over-year smartphone activations at the carrier were up by 26 percent and revenue improved 4.4 percent to $30.28 billion, CFO Fran Shammo said in an earnings call with investors. More tidbits after the break...

Anki Drive iPhone-controlled cars launching October 23 for $199

During Apple's WWDC keynote this summer, Tim Cook called a couple of guys from Anki up on stage to show off their new iOS accessory/game called 'Anki Drive.'

Anki Drive is essentially a set of self-controlled, iOS-connected vehicles that race around a vinyl race track. The company describes it as a "video game in the real world."

Although the demo failed initially, folks were impressed by the Anki Drive cars. And many will be happy to hear that they'll finally be available for purchase next week...

New iOS 7 GarageBand and iPhoto icons hint at impending redesign

Redesigned icons for Apple's iPhoto and Garageband iOS apps popped up last night, suggesting that both are on the verge of receiving iOS 7-style makeovers. The icons are flatter, bringing them more in line with the update.

While Apple updated the look of its stock apps in iOS 7, most of its App Store applications have remained untouched. iBooks, iMovie, the two aforementioned apps, and several others are all still awaiting their UI overhauls...

Batman: Arkham Origins now available for iPhone and iPad as free to play download

The Batman Arkham series made its way to the iOS platform with the release of Batman Arkham City Lockdown in December 2011. For those who haven't played the game, you basically were challenged to battle against Arkham City’s most dangerous villains. With the console version of Batman: Arkham Origins now just around the corner, Warner Bros. Entertainment figured it should drum up the excitement by pushing a mobile version ahead of the October 25 console edition launch.

This free to play mobile game looks great and is available now worldwide on the App Store so do give it a whirl, especially if you're into action games and the Batman series...

Apple’s environment lady discusses greener iCloud and Apple Earth

In his efforts to help Apple's stalling green initiatives hit the ground running, CEO Tim Cook looked for some outside help and in May hired Lisa Jackson. Formerly the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Jackson is charged with overseeing iCloud data centers and Apple's other environmental projects and reports directly to Cook.

Speaking earlier today at the sustainability conference VERGE in San Francisco, she noted that “Tim Cook didn’t hire Lisa Jackson to be quiet and keep the status quo” and shared a few updates concerning Apple's clean energy strides.

Plus, she detailed what the company's been doing to upgrade its dirty iCloud data centers to cleaner and renewable energy sources. I have the full breakdown for you right after the break...

Real Racing 3 update adds Ferraris, new track, HUD customization and more

Electronic Arts posted a significant update for its popular Real Racing 3 title today, bringing the game to version 1.4. The update includes a number of additions, including new cars, a new track and new HUD customization options.

The new cars come from the Ferrari family, meaning you can now get behind the wheel of the FF, the 458 Italia, and the V12-powered F12berlinetta. And the new track is Spain’s Circuit de Catalunya, famous for its sweeping turns...

Tweet from T-Mobile CEO suggests carrier will carry new iPads

While we feel like we have a pretty good idea of what to expect in regards to Apple's new iPads it's going to announce next week, there are a few things we still don't know—like when and where the tablets will be available.

But we may have gained some insight on the latter question today. T-Mobile's outspoken CEO John Legere tweeted out a link to an article on Apple's upcoming keynote this afternoon, and indicated he's excited for the event...

New iPhone Basics section on Apple.com offers quick iOS 7 tips

As Apple continues to refine the appearance of its numerous support web pages, several iDB readers let us in on a newly published website section.

Titled iPhone Basics, it was conceived to provide novice and power users alike with useful tips on getting the most out of their iPhone and iOS 7.

All of the articles available are iOS 7-specific, iOS-friendly and optimized for touch-based navigation. Regardless of whether you consider yourself a rookie or are Mr. Know-It-All, you're advised to give iPhone Basics a visit and test your knowledge of iOS 7...

Amazon said to be working with HTC to build smartphone

We've been hearing about Amazon's plans for the smartphone space for years now—at least since 2011. Pundits feel that since the tech giant has already waded into the hardware waters with a tablet, a handset is the obvious next step.

But the chatter has really picked up over the past week or so, with the Financial Times, and now Bloomberg, reporting that Amazon has been in talks with HTC since June to develop handsets for sale to users of Amazon's Prime service...