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Video converter Handbrake exits beta after 13 years

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 27, 2016

In a better-late-than-never move, the free cross-platform video converter Handbrake has finally hit version 1.0. The app had been languishing in beta for more than thirteen years. Handbrake 1.0, a free download for Mac, Windows, Ubuntu and other platforms, lets you convert videos easily from nearly any format to a selection of modern, widely supported codecs. With subtitle support, capable transcoding engine and built-in presets for devices like Apple TV, iPhone and iPad, Handbrake makes it easy to optimize videos for your specific hardware.

Apple may launch five-inch iPhone 7s with vertically aligned dual cameras on the back

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 27, 2016

In addition to an iPhone 8 model with all-new industrial design and an OLED-based display, Apple is expected to refresh its existing iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus smartphones next year. According to the fairly reliable Japanese blog Mac Otakara, a brand new five-inch iPhone 7s model should join the mix next year, acting as the medium size option between the expected 4.7-inch iPhone 7s and 5.5-inch iPhone 7s Plus refreshes. The device is expected to feature a dual-sensor camera out the back in a vertical alignment rather than a horizontal one.

Nomad’s Rugged iPhone case makes plastic look classy

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated October 17, 2018

The new Nomad Rugged case has been my daily driver case for close to a month now, and having had the opportunity to go hands-on with it for that long, I have to say I think I’ll probably continue using it for a while longer.

Built into this incredibly thin, yet protective design is a case that can withstand your everyday clumsiness and still look good while doing it. Nomad’s design team has created a TPU-based case that actually looks good that can still take a hit and save your iPhone.

Let’s Talk iOS 167: The best and worst of Apple in 2016

Sébastien Page ∙ December 27, 2016

As the year draws to an end, Cody and Sebastien go back over what they think was the best and worst of Apple in 2016. From specific products to broader features, the guys cover a wide array of topics. They agree to disagree on some of them too.

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Samsung rumored to be working on Galaxy S8 Plus with a massive six-inch display

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 26, 2016

Samsung's next Galaxy update should include a brand new Plus model thought to incorporate a huge six-inch display, putting the device in the phablet territory usually dominated by Note-branded devices, according to a sketchy report from Korea. If true, it's likely a response to the disastrous Note 7 launch that led to a global Note 7 recall and discontinuation.

Apple reportedly partners with Foxconn on R&D facilities in China and Indonesia

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 26, 2016

Last month, Apple officially agreed to set up a research and development center in Indonesia. Now we learn from a report Monday by Chinese-language outlet Economic Daily News that the company's allegedly partnered with contract manufacturer Foxconn to accelerate the planned expansion into the Southeast Asia region. The report was cited by Taiwanese trade publication DigiTimes.

Check out Apple II made out of gingerbread

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 26, 2016

I got for Christmas everything I wanted, but seeing this makes me wonder... One very creative dad who's obviously handy in the kitchen has built an Apple II out of gingerbread for his Apple-loving son and posted the images of it on Imgur for the whole world to see. Batter yet, the Apple II modeled in gingerbread comes complete with an edible chocolate keyboard, motherboard and floppy disk.

Why is Apple reviving its old AirTunes trademark?

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 26, 2016

It seems that Apple may be reviving its old AirTunes trademark for purposes unknown, Patently Apple reported Monday. AirTunes became AirPlay in 2010 so it's a mystery as to why precisely Apple has now decided to file for the figurative trademark “AirTunes” with the European Union's Trademark Office.

According to a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) document, the U.S. trademark for “AirTunes” expired on November 11, 2016. The AirTunes feature originally worked with the original AirPort router.

Here’s one last iSpaceship drone flyover before 2016 wraps up

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 26, 2016

Following his recent Apple Campus 2 construction progress time-lapse video, YouTuber Matthew Roberts today posted a brand new holiday update on his YouTube channel in the form of fresh 4K birds-eye footage of the iSpacehip site captured on Christmas.

Work on the forthcoming campus is expected to be finished early next year, although landscaping work will extend into the second half of 2017. The company should begin moving in employees some time in early 2017.

Google I/O will reportedly return to San Francisco’s Moscone Center

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 26, 2016

Google I/O, the search giant's version of Apple's WWDC, will return to the Moscone Center in San Francisco next year, TechCrunch has learnt. Google I/O 2016 was held at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View to mark the 10th anniversary of the company's first developers conference at their headquarters. Google I/O 2017 should mark a return to the Moscone Center in San Francisco, where Apple has for years held its own annual developers conference.

Withings products removed from Apple Stores following Nokia patent row

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 26, 2016

iOS-compatible smart bathroom scales, thermometers, fitness watches and other HomeKit-enabled smart accessories by French health tracking company Withings have been removed from both online and brick-and-mortar Apple Stores following the latest legal spat with Nokia.

Wait, what do Withings products have to do with the Nokia patent row, you ask. Well, Nokia bought Withings in April 2016 for a reported $192 million, integrating their products into its Digital Health unit led by former Withings CEO Cedric Hutchings. The removal was first reported by MacRumors.

Apple publishes its very first AI research paper

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 26, 2016

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) research communities have been critical of Apple's secretiveness to the point that it's hurt the firm's recruiting efforts and prompted it to change its tough stance against publicizing any internal AI findings. Last weekend, Apple finally published its very first AI paper, Forbes reported today.

Submitted for publication on November 15, the document outlines a technique for improving the training of an algorithm's ability to recognize objects on images using computer-generated images rather than real-world ones.