iPhone News

Apple caught testing offline Dictation for iOS 7

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 6, 2013

Among the headline new Mac features set to debut when OS X Mavericks gets released this Fall is a little but important enhancement to Dictation.

Hawk-eyed readers will recall that Dictation was brought to the Mac as part of OS X Mountain Lion last summer. Based on Siri's speech-to-text component, Dictation on the Mac requires a broadband Internet connection.

In Mavericks, Apple will let you optionally download a nearly 1GB package to power offline Dictation.

But Apple's engineers aren't stopping here and are reportedly privately testing offline Dictation for iOS 7. More details right after the break...

‘VeloxTube for Velox’ adds an enhanced folder to the YouTube app

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Velox is perhaps one of the most disappointing "big" tweaks to touchdown in some time. It's a tweak that possessed tons of potential, but sadly, none of it is being tapped in the way most envisioned. In fact, we're left with tweaks like VeloxTube for Velox instead.

That's not necessarily a knock against VeloxTube for Velox — a jailbreak tweak that brings an enhanced folder to the official YouTube App — it's just that I expected more. Take a look at my video overview of VeloxTube for Velox after the jump, and see what I mean.

Apple invents flexible batteries, likely for iWatch

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 5, 2013

With iWatch trademarks linked to Apple spotted in places like Japan, Russia and a slew of other countries, it is no surprise speculation is intensifying that the iPhone maker is secretly developing a wearable gizmo of some sort. Another piece of the Apple smartwatch puzzle has now fallen into place as The United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) published Friday a patent filing detailing a flexible battery design specifically conceived for a wristwatch and/or other bendable mobile devices...

‘LiveWire Pro’ brings new unlock animations to iOS

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

It's been a while since we've seen a new jailbreak tweak that brings new unlock animations to iOS, but LiveWire Pro is trying to reinvigorate the once popular trend. Not to be confused with the peer-to-peer music sharing service, LimeWire, this is a tweak that brings 7 new unlock animations to iOS. Have a look at our video walkthrough inside for more details on what makes LiveWire Pro tick.

Japan’s NTT DoCoMo not getting iPhone over Apple’s volume and carrier crapware stance

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Japan's top wireless carrier NTT DoCoMo still doesn't carry the iPhone, a decision its executive Katzuto Tsubouhi defended in an interview with the Wall Street Journal by arguing that Apple's device is no longer "the god of all smartphones."

For DoCoMo, Google's Android software provides more opportunities to customize the experience by preloading the handsets with a flurry of the carrier's many services and applications, something Apple strictly prohibits.

But holding out on the iPhone has come at a price as NTT DoCoMo since the iPhone's inception lost 3.2 million users of its 60 million subscribers to rival telcos who sell the iconic smartphone. In pointing the finger of blame at Apple the carrier told Reuters that the California firm wouldn't let it put its logo on the device and preload its lifestyle apps...

Is Apple’s magic wand ‘the simplest interface’ for iTV that Steve Jobs envisioned?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

As Tim Cook & Co. continue “pulling the string” on the TV space, readers with a keen interest in Apple's many patent applications are aware of a 2009 filing involving a wand remote of sorts that may include a motion detection component meant for the television interface.

Last June, the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) granted that patent. And just last month, another major wand-related patent surfaced in USPTO's database that could be the magic required to make the TV experience “just work.”

It outlines a remote control containing fingerprint sensors, theoretically enabling identity and trust in order to authenticate viewers securely and deliver personalized content. It's especially noteworthy in the context of the rumored fingerprint scanning thought to be the killer feature of the upcoming iPhone 5S...

Samsung lambasts Siri dictation in weirdest Galaxy S4 ad yet

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 5, 2013

I appreciate memorable, creative advertising as much as the next guy, but I just don't get a new Galaxy S4 commercial Samsung is airing in Iceland.

Instead of focusing on the handset's features or the usual iPhone bashing, this time around Samsung's creative agency has gone over the top in depicting a guy trying to make a phone call on a real apple.

Realizing swiping across fruit makes no sense, the ad then switches to a happy scene where our hero operates a Galaxy S4. The not-so-subtle jab at Apple is plain weird, to put it mildly. I know ads are supposed to take into account the often vast cultural differences across markets, but I'm not sure Samsung did itself a favor with this particular commercial...

Kim Dotcom’s Mega iOS app in the works

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

If anything, the controversial Megaupload file-sharing service got the Internet mogul Kim Dotcom filthy rich. The German-Finnish entrepreneur is currently residing in New Zealand, where he manages a new cloud-based storage service startup called Mega that promises to protect your privacy from the government's prying eyes.

To help with that, the company acquired an Android app that's now being maintained by Mega contractors. Editions for Apple's iOS and Microsoft's Windows Phone being worked on, which is good news if you were looking to bolster up security of your personal cloud files in light of the ongoing scandal involving NSA spying and the PRISM intelligence program...

Ubisoft sets Prince of Persia release date: July 25

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 4, 2013

Montreuil, France-headquartered games publisher Ubisoft in mid-April confirmed plans to bring its award-winning Prince of Persia game to the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. A pick up and play adaptation of the 1993 Prince of Persia classic, Prince of Persia: The Shadow and The Flame puts you in the shoes of the Prince character who must save his Princess and kingdom “on a journey that will pave the path to his origins.”

Ubisoft yesterday confirmed in the first development diary video on YouTube that Prince of Persia: The Shadow and The Flame is headed to iOS and Android on July 25. I've included that clip and additional tidbits after the break...

How to add a screen fade animation when sleeping or waking your device

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 12, 2018

ScreenFade is a jailbreak tweak that's currently available on the Hashbang Productions beta repo. It's a tweak that adds a fade in and out animation to iOS when putting the device to sleep or waking the device.

On a stock iOS device, you're met with an abrupt on or off when waking or putting the device to sleep; there's no transitional animation to speak of. ScreenFade makes the experience of waking or sleeping your device seem less abrupt. Take a look at our video walkthrough inside to see what I mean.

iFixit’s video walkthrough details DIY iPhone 5 battery replacement process

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 4, 2013

Teardown experts over at iFixit know a thing or two about repairing consumer electronics and just yesterday they posted a nice video walkthrough explaining the process of replacing your iPhone 5's battery. So, if your battery died on you and you're eager to bring life back yourself to the device with a new one, block out your next hour, grab your screwdrivers and prying tools and arm yourself with patience and a steady hand...

Apple could face hurdles applying for iWatch trademark in US and UK

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 13, 2016

Apple's iWatch trademark filing world tour could hit major roadblocks in the United Kingdom and over in Apple's home turf of the United States, it has been discovered.

According to two separate reports, a small California firm has taken steps to trademark 'iWatch' in the United States.

And over in the United Kingdom, a network services firm owns a Community trademark on 'iWatch', basically a trademark that applies across the European Community, which includes Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, France,, Netherlands, West Germany, Denmark, Ireland, United Kingdom, Greece, Portugal and Spain.

As a result, Apple is likely going to have to either pay these companies to buy the trademark or face a legal battle should it in fact decide to launch a rumored wristwatch product...