iDownloadBlog.com

Review: Vevo’s revamped iOS app is a lot cleaner and more fun to use than Apple’s Music

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

In case you missed it, Vevo has completely redesigned its lagging iPhone and iPad application in the App Store. I watch music videos from Vevo artists on YouTube on my desktop. On mobile, not so much and I blame Vevo's hopelessly outdated design, inconsistencies and complicated features for that.

Bumped to version 5.0, the new Vevo experience starts with a black-and-white logo and a matching app icon.

The headline change here is an all-new interface—it gets out of your way, unlike Apple's own Music app, and sports a tremendously useful mini-player. It's almost too weird to say that Vevo's new iOS app is a lot easier and way more fun to use than Apple's stock Music app has ever been, but it's true.

Verizon gets FCC waiver to begin offering Wi-Fi Calling

Cody Lee ∙ November 13, 2015

The Federal Communications Commission on Friday gave Verizon permission to begin offering Wi-Fi Calling. As noted by MacRumors, the Commission granted the carrier a waiver today that will allow it to rollout the feature, which was introduced last year with iOS 8.

The news comes a month after AT&T was granted the same waiver, and it activated Wi-Fi Calling for compatible devices days later. In a statement, it also criticized the FCC for excusing the fact that Sprint and T-Mobile have long been offering the feature without a waiver.

App Store search results are now smarter and more relevant

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

Apple has been working hard in recent weeks to make App Store search results smarter and more relevant, reports TechCrunch. The outlet points to comments from high profile app developers, who began noticing changes to the search results earlier this month and a major algorithm update on November 12.

"I just searched Twitter on the App Store and Instagram is gone," Contrast's David Barnard pointed out on Twitter. "Tweetbot is #4, Twitterrific #5, and more relevant results overall." Tapbots developer Paul Haddad also spotted the change, noting that the change has had a significant impact on his app searches.

Which has lower latency: Apple Pencil or Microsoft’s Surface Pro 4 stylus?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 4, 2016

Microsoft's fourth-generation Surface Pro offers stylus and keyboard cover accessories just like Apple's newly released iPad Pro. Apple, of course, is adamant that the Pencil is the best stylus on the market because it has virtually no lag or delay.

The Apple Pencil takes full advantage of iOS's predictive touch technology, the iPad Pro's special screen design and sensors in its tip that measure every nuanced stroke, angle and pressure.

After putting the device through its paces, El Mundo writer and photographer Angel Jimenez de Luis concludes that Apple's stylus has a bit lower latency than Microsoft's, and he posted a video showcasing tracking capabilities of both accessories.

Samsung reportedly on the verge of supplying OLED screens for future iPhones

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 4, 2016

Samsung, which uses AMOLED screens in many of its flagship smartphones and tablets, could become a major provider of OLED panels for the iPhone maker as a deal is all but secured, according to an ETNews report Friday citing a Samsung Display employee.

The report arrives hot on the heels of a research note that KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo sent to clients earlier this week, in which he estimated that Apple won’t be switching to AMOLED screens for iPhones anytime soon and will continue using the existing LCD display technology for at least the next three years.

Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard deliveries slip to 4-5 weeks, Apple promises ‘regular shipments’

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 13, 2015

If you're in the market for an iPad Pro and are considering purchasing Apple's $99 Pencil or the $169 Smart Keyboard to take full advantage of the tablet's new features for creatives and mobile workers, you're in for some serious waiting as shipping times for these accessories have slipped to 4-5 weeks on the Apple Online Store.

In a statement to Mashable, the company did acknowledge limited supply of the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard in its own retail stores and promised “regular shipments”.

Apple Watch 2 already in the works for summer 2016 release, Apple supplier claims

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 6, 2017

The Apple Watch may have been met with a muted response from critics (and it's still being rolled out around the world), but that's not stopping Tim Cook & Co. from working on a next-generation model.

According to an Apple supplier, a second-generation Apple Watch is already in the works.

It's said to be released late in the second quarter of next year, a little more than a year after the original model’s debut. As reported by Taiwanese media, Barry Lam, the chairman of Quanta Computer, the company that assembles the Apple Watch, said during an investor meeting that the Apple Watch 2 is being developed, shockingly, as we speak.

Gumdrop’s Drop Tech offers military-grade protection for your iPad

Lory Gil ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

If you have ever let a toddler play games on your unprotected iPad Air 2, you have probably experienced that sense of dread thinking about the little one dropping it on the kitchen floor. We want to share technology with children, but don't want it to turn our tablets into $500 paperweights.

Gumdrop makes a Drop Tech case for the iPad Air 2 that is specifically designed to keep your tablet secure when little Bobby wants to read Wheels on the Bus while chasing his sister around the living room.

Great deal: 50% off Shure SE215-K sound isolating in-ear headphones

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

Folks in the market for a new set of in-ear headphones may want to check out the Shure SE215-Ks. For those who aren't familiar with them, these are popular earbuds with premium tech like sound isolation, detachable cables, and a single dynamic micro driver for crystal clear sound. And for a limited time, you can grab a pair for just $99—a 50% savings.

The iPad Pro Lightning connector is capable of supporting USB 3.0 speeds

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

According to CNET's iPad Pro review, Apple's just-released tablet is capable of supporting USB 3.0 transfer speeds via its Lightning connector. The report, which corroborates a finding by iFixit, and was later brought to our attention by MacRumors' Juli Clover, is notable for a few reasons.

First, it would make the iPad Pro the first and only device that Apple makes (that's not a Mac) to support USB 3.0 transfer speeds. Secondly, it means that copying large 4K video files to the device will be much more feasible.

f.lux developers pull the plug on the ability to sideload the app on iOS after being contacted by Apple

Matthew Miller ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

The developers of f.lux pulled their iOS app from their website in Thursday, no longer allowing people to sideload it. According to the developers, Apple informed them that because f.lux was using private APIs, it was in violation of the Developer Program Agreement. While other apps have been able to be sideloaded with no issue, including emulators and other products, f.lux is now gone as developers complied with Apple's request.

YouTube launches standalone YouTube Music app

Cody Lee ∙ November 12, 2015

YouTube on Thursday released a new mobile app called YouTube Music. The app lets you watch and listen to a nearly endless catalog of music, and you can use it for free, with ads of course. The ads go away and you get more features if you sign up for YouTube's recently-launched Red service for $10/month.

So what does it look like? Well searching any video, album or artist in YouTube Music starts a personalized radio station. From there you can check out recommended tracks, trending music, top 40 hits, and up-and-coming artists. There's also a lot of video content here, such as music videos, concert footage, etc.