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Samsung predicted to beat Intel, become #1 chip vendor this summer

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 12, 2017

Samsung's chip-making unit has been making some great strides in the past few years and now the South Korean chaebol is predicted to overtake Intel and become the world's top producer of computer chips. Should the prediction come true, this will be a major blow to Intel, which has been the leading chip maker in terms of sales for 26 years since 1991.

According to researchers with NH Investment & Securities, cited in a report by The Korea Herald, Samsung could overtake Intel as soon as this summer due to the rise in number of data centers and expanded demand of solid state drives.

Intel captured an estimated thirteen percent of global chip sales in the first quarter of 2016 versus Samsung's 9.1 percent share. But during the March quarter of 2017, Intel took up 14.7 percent while Samsung held a comparable figure of 13.4 percent.

“Starting the March-June period, Samsung's global market share of chips will surpass the 15-percent mark to outpace its rival, helped by its improved competitiveness in the memory segment,” the report added.

Apple no longer uses Samsung's chip fabrication plants to build its in-house designed processors for iOS devices, but iPhones and iPads still use Samsung-built flash memory modules and the iPhone 7's LTE modem is being dual-sourced from Intel and Samsung.

Minecraft to gain cross-platform multiplayer this summer, 4K HDR support coming in fall

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 17, 2018

An upcoming summer update to Minecraft: Pocket Edition for iPhone and iPad will include full support for cross-platform multiplayer, the game's developer Mojang announced today in a blog post ahead of the Electronics Entertainment Expo show, which runs from June 13-15, 2017 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

“We’re releasing a new update for consoles, which brings players together across mobile, console and Windows 10,” developers wrote. They'll be adding in-game multiplayer server, too.

A server browser in the Minecraft start menu will let you search a list of servers which you can join right away. They'll be launching with four servers—Lifeboat, Mineplex, InPVP and CubeCraft—with more to follow at a later stage.

And as a cool bonus, any downloadable content you purchase will be accessible amongst the various devices at no extra charge!

Mojang highlighted the upcoming features in a promo video, embedded below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyr3XZrZssk

The free update will permit fans of Minecraft on iOS to play the game with players on other devices, including Android, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows 10 PC and VR. Currently, Minecraft: Pocket Edition for iOS lets you play with friends on Xbox One consoles or PCs.

Mojan will be rebranding the game on Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, mobile and VR as just “Minecraft”. Support for Minecraft: Java Edition, which is the original PC game, will continue. “This means when you buy 'Minecraft', you're buying a game that can you can play with friends across devices,” said developers.

Plus, this fall, players will be able to explore endless worlds, rendered in 4K HDR resolution, via another upcoming update. Support for 4K resolution across platform will be free.

However, advanced effects will require a new “Super Duper Graphics Pack”, which will bring out features like dynamic shadows, lighting that streams through fog, movement in leaves and grass, new textures for mobs and villagers, directional lighting, edge highlighting and more.

They'll have additional information about the release date of the free 4K update and “Super Duper Graphics Pack” DLC closer to release. As always, we'll keep you in the loop.

Minecraft: Pocket Edition for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch is $6.99 on App Store.

Minecraft: Apple TV Edition is $19.99 on tvOS App Store.

Hands-on with Apple’s new leather case for Apple Pencil that prevents rolling and broken tips

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 12, 2017

You know how Apple Pencil is weighted to prevent rolling and how it always stops rolling with the word “Pencil” facing upward on its metal band? Well, Apple's attention attention to detail doesn't stop at the stylus.

Today, we have Apple's brand new leather case for Apple Pencil put through its paces by our resident video editor Andrew O'Hara. In his hands-on video, Andrew finds that the case has been designed to prevent rolling and broken tips.

And while you can put your stylus with the bottom part in first, it won't be stuck inside the case because the body is soft: you just squeeze it down the tube until it comes out.

And here it is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlaVSLN4bgc

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“This simple leather secures the cap, prevents it from rolling off your desk, and keeps the tip from being damaged,” says Andrew in the video.

Apple's case for Apple Pencil is available in Saddle Brown, Taupe, Midnight Blue and Black finishes. Priced at $29 a pop and currently shipping in 1-2 weeks, it can be grabbed from Apple's web store. The price is a bit on the high-side, but then again—this isn't an ordinary, sloppily designed stylus case.

Basic analytics coming to iOS 11’s Podcasts app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 17, 2018

Like many stock apps in iOS 11, Apple's Podcasts app has been redesigned around an Apple Music-style appearance with consolidated tabs, bigger thumbnails and more.

As reported by Recode's Peter Kafka and Six Colors' Jason Snell, Apple is also making some notable changes to the way podcast feed works so that both podcast creators and advertisers can see what listeners actually like.

As for users, they'll be able to download full seasons of their favorite podcast shows and the Podcasts app will determine if a podcast should be played in chronological order.

There are other updates focused on making podcast creators' lives easier as well. According to Apple's own spec sheet regarding the Podcasts app updates in iOS 11, the updated Apple Podcasts specification now provides the following features:

Podcast creators can now provide clear, concise titles. Improvements to how episodes are ordered and recommended within a season. The ability for new subscribers to receive the full current season in their Library. Quick play lets users pick up listening where they left off.

Podcasts will be able to define individual seasons and explain whether an episode is a teaser, a full episode or bonus content. Snell explains that these extensions will be read by the Podcasts app and used to present a podcast in a richer way than the current linear approach in iOS 10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFsAlcnlmSo

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As explained, Apple is going to share more data with podcast creators and advertisers.

With basic analytics, podcast creators will have the ability to see when listeners play individual episodes, what part of individual episodes they listen to, which parts they skip over and when they stop listening. To protect your privacy and prevent targeted advertising, Apple will provide aggregated, anonymized performance data that cannot be tracked to individual users.

Currently, podcast creators can see when someone has downloaded an individual episode, but that's about it when it comes to analytics.

How do you like these changes coming to the Podcasts app?

Share your opinion in the comments section below.

How to build extra_recipe from source code using Xcode

Joaquim Barbosa ∙ Updated June 24, 2019

If you're an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus user on iOS 10.0.0-10.1.1, the time has come for you to switch from the mach_portal jailbreak to the newer, more stable extra_recipe. If you're a flagship user on iOS 10.1 or iOS 10.1.1 it's as easy as downloading the .ipa and sideloading it; you can follow our guide on the subject.

However, if you're on iOS 10.0.0-10.0.x, or if you have a device other than the iPhone 7(+), there isn't currently an .ipa available which supports you. For that reason, we'll show you how to build your own straight from the source code on GitHub and push it to your device, so you needn't wait to get the newest features and device support.

How to switch your jailbreak from mach_portal or Yalu to extra_recipe

Joaquim Barbosa ∙ Updated June 24, 2019

If you're currently jailbroken with mach_portal for iOS 10.1(.1), you should switch over to the new extra_recipe jailbreak. It uses a different exploit from mach_portal, and boasts better stability. iPhone 7(+) users on iOS 10.0.0-10.0.3 can also get in on the fun, and some users of Yalu for 10.0.1-10.2 can make use of extra_recipe if they wish too. Follow our guide to see how to go about it.

iOS 11, macOS High Sierra, iMac Pro wallpapers from WWDC 2017

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated May 7, 2018

Last week, Apple announced and highlighted new versions of iOS and macOS. Improvements for both operating systems look impressive, especially iOS 11 for iPad. With each OS release, Apple also includes at least one new hero wallpaper that symbolizes the newer version. Then, a mad dash occurs to obtain the images, providing you access, even without the need to rely on a beta release. Take a step inside for three wallpaper downloads.

Jailbreak tweaks of the week: Apace, SocialDownloader, TimeMover, & more…

Anthony Bouchard ∙ June 11, 2017

It has been a busy week amid preparations for WWDC 2017, but that hasn't stopped the jailbreak community from hammering out jailbreak tweaks to improve the aesthetic and function of jailbroken iPhones and iPads.

In this piece, we'll talk about all of the jailbreak tweaks that were released throughout the past work week. We'll start first by going in detail with our favorite released, then we'll outline all of the rest afterwards.

WWDC 2017: watchOS 4, macOS High Sierra, iOS 11, new iPads, new Macs, and other top stories of the week on iDB

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated March 19, 2025

Like every Sunday, we get to take a look at some of the most popular posts that were published on iDB during the week that just ended. Whether it is a news item, a new jailbreak tweak, a tutorial, or an app review, we sum it all up in one convenient place for you.

As always, if you like what you're reading, please feel free to spread the love by sharing our posts on your favorite social network.

We're usually hanging out a lot on Twitter and Facebook, more rarely on Google+.

Don't forget to listen to the latest episode of our new podcast, Let's Talk iOS:

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And of course, make sure to catch up with the new episode of Let's Talk Jailbreak:

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60+ new Apple Watch features in watchOS 4

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated March 19, 2025

Apple demonstrated a host of useful new features that will ship with watchOS 4 at the WWDC 2017 keynote, but as always, they were constrained on time and couldn’t show us everything the update has to offer.

In this piece, well talk about everything we’ve found new in watchOS 4 so far. We'll include everything Apple demonstrated in addition to lesser-known features that weren’t given the spotlight at the event.

Sherpa, Trybeo, Beacon, and other apps to check out this weekend

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 19, 2018

This week's edition of our Apps of the Week roundup features a new Instagram-based travel guide, an app for posting and accepting wild challenges, and a new social network for linking up with friends. And as usual, we've selected two great new games for you to check out.

Sherpa

Sherpa is a community-generated travel guide powered by photos shared on Instagram. It's actually a very clever idea: an app that scrapes Instagram for photos tagged in specific locations, organized into a travel guide. Sherpa allows you to discover over 15,000 cities, regions and countries through the authentic lens of world travelers, adventurers and locals. Save the places you want to visit, and put together the ultimate itinerary. There is one small caveat here: at the time of writing, the app requires an invite code. But it's pretty simple to download the app and request an invite, so this shouldn't be much of a problem. Sherpa is available for free.

Trybeo

Do you find your life bored or lacking direction? Would you like to step outside your comfort zone and discover exciting new people and adventures? Check out Trybeo. It's a social network based around challenges—you can either accept posted challenges or propose your own. These consist of anything from flipping water bottles to doing cartwheels down an isle at the grocery store, or trying to knock a cone off your friend's head with a football. Take on challenges to become the best player, or up-vote worthy opponents. Trybeo is available for free.

Beacon

Use Beacon to signal your availability to your friends and family. Going to be in town for work or just general visiting? Send out a Beacon. Have an extra ticket to an upcoming Concert or want to go see a movie Thursday? Beacon. Post your impromptu event in Beacon and your friends will be notified immediately. When your friends join the event, you're notified immediately. Everyone can comment in the thread, and you can tell people where to go and what to expect. Bored? You're only two taps away from hanging out with a friend. Beacon is available for free.

Cobi Darts

The Cobi games, for me, are always a good time. The gameplay is accurate, fast-paced and easy to learn. Even if you don't like throwing darts in real life, I imagine you can find some fun in the challenge of Cobi darts. Features include 9 awesome game modes, including classic 501 and 301 games, custom darts and characters and even iMessage support. Cobi Darts is available for free (with some IAPs).

Art of Conquest

Looking for something a little different this weekend? Check out Art of Conquest. This new strategy game gives you full control in a world full of dwarves, magic and monsters in a perfect marriage of MMO and strategy. Besiege enemy strongholds to expand your kingdom, slay nefarious dragons with a band of legendary heroes, and challenge players around the world in epic real-time battles. Command, summon, build and explore. Art of Conquest is available for free (with some IAPs).

More apps to check out Apple’s free app of the week: Framed Monument Valley 2 hits App Store Apple announces completely redesigned App Store

AdvancedStatusTime lets you customize the Status Bar time format

Anthony Bouchard ∙ June 10, 2017

Your Status Bar is home to a digital clock that you can glance at throughout the day to keep track of time, but whether or not you like the way it’s formatted out of the box remains to be seen.

A new jailbreak tweak dubbed AdvancedStatusTime by iOS developer Maxwell Lang gives you a way to customize the time text string so that your time is displayed in the Status Bar how you want it to be.