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EarthLockScreen places a rotating globe on your iPhone’s Lock screen

Jeff Benjamin ∙ September 4, 2015

With EarthLockScreen, a free new jailbreak tweak that recently landed on the Cydia store, you can have the world in your palm. Yes, that was a terrible attempt at a joke, but you get the point.

EarthLockScreen quite literally lives up to its name in that it places a spinning globe right on your iPhone's Lock screen. I'll be the first to admit that this tweak has little to no practical value, but my curiosity got the best of me and I had to try it out. In this post, I'll show you what you can expect from EarthLockScreen.

Review: Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 – a budget Android phone with a unique feature

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

It's almost unfair how many great budget smartphones there are that run Android. I think it's safe to say that there is an embarrassment of riches for Android platform users in the budget phone category.

I've already reviewed phones like the Asus ZenFone 2, and the 3rd-generation Moto G—both highly competent phones. Today, I get to go hands-on with a similar phone, as far as price is concerned, in the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 ($249.99 on Amazon).

Review: you don’t need Apple Watch to get reminded to stand up with this nifty Mac app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 4, 2017

Your Apple Watch pings you when it's time to stand up and move a little and so should your Mac, except that it doesn't. Maybe you don't own an Apple Watch? Lead a sedentary lifestyle much? Hopelessly out of shape? You should make standing up a habit as standing for just three hours every day, five days a week, has the same health benefits as running ten marathons a year.

You could create a reminder to ping you every hour to stand up, but that's not an elegant solution as these alerts reach all your devices, not just your Mac.

A far better solution that I want to talk about today would be something like Stand. Stand is a simple Mac app built by developers Red Davis Hector Simpson which sends you a notification every hour to get up from your desk and move around a little.

Runtastic introduces Moment, an analog watch with fitness tracking features

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Runtastic on Friday announced the Moment, an analog watch with fitness tracking features. The maker of popular mobile fitness apps, which was recently acquired by Adidas, says the device has the potential to disrupt the wearables market because of its unique blend of traditional timekeeping and technology.

Like most fitness-focused wearables, the Moment is capable of tracking steps, distance, active minutes, calories burned, sleep cycles and goals. But unlike other trackers, it's waterproof up to 300 feet, so it can be used to track swimming, and it runs on a standard watch battery, so it doesn't need to be recharged.

Apple believed to have acquired motion capture firm Faceshift

Cody Lee ∙ September 4, 2015

Apple may have bought Swiss real-time motion capture firm Faceshift in recent weeks, reports MacRumors. The site points to a company registry filing that shows all three of their original corporate directors stepped down in mid-August, and were replaced by a mergers and acquisitions attorney from Baker & McKenzie—a firm Apple frequently uses.

Faceshift has some interesting technology that can quickly and accurately capture facial expressions using 3D sensors. They've worked with both game and animation studios, and even built their own software. More recently, the company has been working on a Skype plugin that allows users to transform into avatar characters during real-time video chats.

NYT corroborates revamped iPad keyboard, says less pricey gold Apple Watch coming

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 4, 2015

With just a few days left until Apple's 'Hey, Siri' iPhone 6s event, the New York Times newspaper reported Friday the event will include announcements of a refreshed keyboard attachment for iPads and new metal finishes for Apple's watch, including a less pricey version of the Apple Watch Edition.

Earlier this morning, 9to5Mac hinted that the new keyboard will be for a rumored 'iPad Pro,' that the site claims is in tow for Wednesday's announcement.

Sphero launches iPhone-controlled astromech droid from ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 4, 2015

Sphero, makers of the namesake spherical robot toy, today released a brand new connected toy, an iPhone-controlled BB-8 droid from the upcoming 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' movie. Yes, it’s now possible to explore the galaxy with your own trusty astromech droid by your side.

Featuring an adaptive personality that changes as you play, the little robot can show a range of expressions and even “perk up when you give voice commands”.

First Apple Store in Belgium opening in Brussels on Saturday, September 19

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 4, 2015

I'm based out of Europe and it's always been a mystery to me as to why Apple lacks official retail presence in Belgium. Well, the company is finally opening its first brick-and-mortar store in the twelve million people market.

The forthcoming store will be located in Brussels, the largest city and capital of Belgium, the de facto capital of the European Union and headquarters for NATO, and is scheduled to open doors to customers on Sunday, September 19.

iPhone 6s front camera has panorama and slow-mo modes, Apple readying iPad Pro keyboard

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 4, 2015

Earlier in the week, 9to5Mac corroborated analyst and supply chain reports that Apple's upcoming 'iPhone 6s' and 'iPhone 6s Plus' smartphones will also bring major improvements to the front-facing FaceTime camera which should go from a paltry 1.3 megapixels on current iPhones to five megapixels.

Today, the blog said that the FaceTime camera on upcoming iPhones will feature support for selfie panoramas and slow-motion video capture. The report added that Apple is working on a keyboard accessory for an 'iPad Pro' and offered a few more tidbits regarding Apple's announcements come this Wednesday.

New documentary ‘Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine’ hits theaters and digital platforms

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 4, 2015

‘Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine,’ a provocative documentary that focuses on the dark side of Apple's late co-founder Steve Jobs, is hitting theaters and video-on-demand services today.

The 120-minute documentary is about the impact of Jobs’ work on modern society while cunningly playing off the controversies that had surrounded Jobs’ persona for many years.

Amazon Prime Music gains search suggestions, curated collections, sleep timer and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 4, 2015

Following a major update to Amazon's video-streaming client for iOS which now allows offline playback for Prime movies and television shows, the online retail giant today gave its Prime Music app a little love, too.

The new Amazon Prime Music 5.0 for iOS introduces curated collections featuring hand-picked music, search suggestions to make music discovery even easier, a brand new sleep timer feature and more.

Infernal Innovations’ car mount magnetically suspends your phone

Timothy Reavis ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

One of the many first-world problems people face everyday is having a convenient place to stow their smartphone whilst driving. Leaving it in one’s pocket seems to be the default move, but if talking while driving is legal in your area, pulling a phone from your pocket is arguably more dangerous than the phone call itself. Even for simple tasks like skipping a song, or following driving directions, there has to be a better solution.