iPhone News

iTunes Gift Cards now available in custom $15-$500 denominations

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 30, 2012

This is interesting. If a new report is anything to go by, Apple has added an interesting option for retailers carrying physical iTunes Gift Cards. As you know, iTunes Gift Cards are normally offered in $15, 25, $50 or $100 denominations. The new cards provide for custom denominations ranging from $15 to $500.

These give customers a much-needed flexibility to load their iTunes account with a custom credit of their choosing rather than having to choose between Apple's four preloaded amounts. Apparently one supermarket chain and at least one retailer are rolling these out as we speak...

Android apps revenue now growing quicker than iOS apps revenue

Oliver Haslam ∙ November 30, 2012

Owners of iPhones and iPads have historically pointed to the App Store's plethora of quality produce as the reason for the platform's dominance. It's always been the reason many have chosen iOS devices over those powered by Android, but things may be beginning to shift in a whole new direction.

While app developers have always suggested that getting Android users to buy apps is an exercise in futility, a new report claims that things are changing, with Android developers now finding a much improved landscape, as revenue from Android devices grows quicker than that of the App Store.

And not just by a little bit, either...

Griffin to launch official Lightning cables next week

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Lightning-flavored accessories were fairly scarce in the first few months following Apple's September iPhone 5 launch. But over the past few weeks, we've started seeing more of them surface.

The latest batch of supplements comes from Griffin. The third-party manufacturer announced yesterday that it would be launching a handful of new Lightning-to-USB cables next week...

Apple now selling unlocked iPhone 5 models in the US

Cody Lee ∙ November 29, 2012

Great news for folks in the US who have been waiting for Apple to start selling unlocked versions of its latest handset. As we were expecting, the company has begun selling contract-free, unlocked GSM models of the iPhone 5 tonight in both its retail stores and online...

Poll: is iTunes 11 snappier?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

More than anything, today's release of iTunes 11 has put Apple's reputation on the line. After delaying the media jukebox program for a month in order "to get it right", and having fired iOS chief Scott Forstall while letting SVP Eddy Cue rise as “a prime architect of Apple's software strategy", the iPhone maker must not stumble now. While iTunes 11 does not exactly mark a fresh start for the decade-old app, it truly delivers important enhancements while de-cluttering the interface and introducing under-the-hood tweaks.

These all work in concert to make your experience enjoyable and more streamlined. And now that you've played with it, iDB wants to know whether iTunes 11 feels snappier on your system versus the previous version...

Starbucks and Apple launch new (RED) gift card

Cody Lee ∙ November 29, 2012

This is kind of cool: Apple and Starbucks have teamed up to offer the Starbucks iTunes (RED) eGift basket, a joint gift card that offers credit for both Starbucks and iTunes purchases. And, as you might have guessed, the (RED) moniker means that a percentage of the profits made from the eGift basket will go towards AIDS research...

Iconfactory posts teaser for upcoming Twitterrific 5 release

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 9, 2016

Good news Twitterrific fans, Iconfactory has just published a teaser page for the upcoming 5.0 release of its popular Twitter client. The app, which has collected a number of accolades over the years (including an Apple Design Award), has not seen a major update since early 2011. So needless to say, expectations are high...

Apple ranked top retailer in cellphone buyer survey

Cody Lee ∙ November 29, 2012

In addition to its carrier satisfaction survey, Consumer Reports also released the results of its cellphone buying experience survey this morning. The firm's National Research center asked 10,000 subscribers who had purchased a cellphone in the last two years to rate their buying experience. And surprise, surprise, Apple came out on top...

Unlocked iPhone 5 hitting online Apple Store tonight, retail outlets to follow soon?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 11, 2018

Like an elusive unicorn, the unlocked iPhone 5 remains a pipedream in the United States, where the government doesn't require telcos to offer unlocked, contract-free devices alongside subsidized ones, like in Italy, France and elsewhere.

If you're unwilling to commit your soul to your carrier just to get your hands on an iPhone 5, you may wanna keep a close eye on the online Apple Store at around 9pm tonight as it's been reported factory-unlocked devices will appear as early as this midnight...

Apple’s Remote app gains iTunes 11 support, Up Next, revamped iPad UI and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 29, 2012

Following the official release of iTunes 11 for Mac and Windows and an incremental Apple TV firmware update, today's update bonanza continues with the release of a minor update to Apple's Remote iOS app. It now plays nice with iTunes 11, of course, and includes a redesigned interface on iPad tablets that takes design cues from the new iTunes, just as the previous version was reminiscent of desktop iTunes. As for iTunes 11 support, the updated Remote app now includes overhauled library views, an expanded view for your media, improved search results, the new UpNext feature and more...

New in iTunes 11: redeem giftcards with your Mac’s FaceTime camera

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 29, 2012

As we're sorting through all of the major changes in iTunes 11, the Interwebs is starting to light up with reports of the little things and nice-to-haves that Apple did not include in the full changelog for iTunes 11. One of such features that I know will be hugely popular with parents and people who buy iTunes Gift Cards is the ability to redeem any such card with your Mac's camera, without typing in a single character, just like that. It's just one of those little things that make life more easier and enjoyable. Here's how it works...

Apple rolls out 5.1.1 Apple TV software with iTunes Up Next

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 29, 2012

Hot on the heels of posting the eagerly anticipated iTunes 11, a major revamp of the jukebox app focused on iCloud integration and cleaner navigation, Apple of California also started pushing an incremental update to the Apple TV, its $99 set-top box. The iOS 5.1.1 firmware number with a build number of 10A831 is now available as a Software Update for both the second and third-generation Apple TV. To apply it, just choose Settings > General > About on your Apple TV...