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Apple granted PrimeSense patent related to 3D virtual keyboards

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

The United States Patent and Trademark Office published 41 patents today that it recently awarded to Apple. We've already covered one pertaining to VR headsets, and Patently Apple points us to another worth mentioning related to 3D virtual keyboards.

The patent is titled "Virtual keyboard for a non-tactile three dimensional user interface," and it covers a 3D capturing device that uses cameras to detect hand movements, allowing users to type on a virtual keyboard by simply moving their hands or fingers.

iOS 8 adoption rate now at 73%

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated February 27, 2018

According to Apple's own data, adoption rate for iOS 8 is now at 73%, a small one percentage point up from when it was measured last, two weeks ago. iOS 7 is of course behind at 24%, and 3% of devices are running a software version that two or more years old.

Google Play Music updated with Material Design, iPad support and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Google today pushed out an update for its Play Music iOS client, bringing the app to the odd version number of 2.0.3828. The update is rather significant in that it brings about proper support for the iPad, as well as new Material Design UI for the iPhone.

In the changelog Google says that it has heard users "loud and clear, and now Google Play Music has an official iPad app." It looks very similar to the redesigned iPhone app, sporting Google's new Material Design aesthetic, but with larger UI elements.

Apple granted new patent for virtual reality iPhone headset

Cody Lee ∙ Updated June 21, 2018

The United States Patent and Trademark Office published over 40 new patents today that were recently awarded to Apple. These filings offer a glimpse at a variety of interesting inventions, including an Oculus-style Virtual reality headset.

The VR patent covers a headset that features a slot for an iPhone or iPod—similar to Samsung's Gear VR. It takes advantage of the device's display and camera for producing heads-up-display graphics set atop a constant live video feed.

Dropbox for iOS gets a new action extension

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated June 22, 2018

If you've been longing to save files from your favorite apps directly to Dropbox without leaving said app, then I have some good news for you. Dropbox was just updated to bring DropBox action extension capability to iOS 8. This means that you can now effortlessly save files directly to Dropbox from many of your favorite apps. It doesn't come with a lot of bells and whistles, but it's a great first step for Dropbox.

EA releases ‘The Sims 4’ for Mac after missing 2014 launch

Jake Smith ∙ February 17, 2015

Electronic Arts has finally released the anticipated "The Sims 4" for Mac, as previously announced in January. The Sims 4 was initially available for Windows in September, but it's taken several months for the company to launch a Mac version of the game, and lead to the company missing its original 2014 deadline.

Southwest Airlines app updated with Passbook support

Sébastien Page ∙ February 17, 2015

The official Southwest Airlines app was updated today with Passbook support, allowing passenger to store their mobile boarding passes for quick and easy access when needed during security screening and boarding at the gate.

Those mobile boarding passes can be downloaded directly from the Southwest Airlines app, or any official email or text message containing boarding information sent by the airline.

Google quietly removes Sparrow email client from App Store and Mac App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

It's the end of the road for the beloved Sparrow email client as Google quietly pulled the free iPhone and Mac download from the App Store and Mac App Store, TechCrunch reported Tuesday.

The Internet giant snapped up the French startup, its apps and technology back in July of 2012, much to the dismay of the Apple community, for a reported $25 million.

Existing users who have downloaded Sparrow to their Mac through the Mac App Store, and have a copy of Sparrow for iOS in desktop iTunes, can continue using the app and should be able to install it on their other devices.

The app's been fully removed from iTunes servers and is no longer available for re-download through the Purchased tab of the App Store and Mac App Store. The Mac edition is still available directly from Sparrow’s own web site.

February 25 Modern Family episode shot on iPhone and iPad, takes place on a MacBook screen

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 17, 2015

Re/code is reporting that an upcoming episode of ABC's popular television sitcom Modern Family was shot entirely on iPhone and iPad cameras and will play out entirely on a MacBook screen, showing exchanges between characters who use FaceTime to communicate among themselves.

The forthcoming episode, titled “Connection Lost,” was shot entirely on an iPhone 6 and iPad Air 2 and is scheduled to air at 9pm next Wednesday, February 25, on ABC.

Touch ID and Apple Pay could be coming to Apple notebooks and the desktop

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 17, 2015

Apple's revisions to the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro notebooks, as well as next-generation versions of the wireless $69 Magic Mouse and the multi-touch enabled $69 Magic Trackpad, could soon gain an embedded Touch ID sensor for fingerprint identification, if a rumor posted Tuesday by Taiwanese blog Apple.club.tw is anything to go by. The site is alleging that Apple wants to bring its payment service from the confines of iOS-powered mobile devices to your desktop.

Apple building up to six million Watches ahead of launch

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 17, 2015

Apple has commission its suppliers to build five to six million Watch units in the first quarter of 2015, ahead of its April release, The Wall Street Journal newspaper reported Tuesday.

Taiwan-based Quanta Computer Inc is the main assembler of the wrist-worn device. Half of the first-quarter production order is earmarked for the entry-level $349 Apple Watch Sport model, or about three million units.

Word, Excel and PowerPoint for iOS gain iCloud storage integration

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 17, 2015

Windows maker Microsoft today announced it's bringing out new cloud storage integration to Word, Excel and PowerPoint apps for the iPhone and iPad, including the iCloud file picker on iOS and Office Online integration for viewing and editing.

The much appreciated support for Apple's cloud-based storage permits customers to store their documents, presentations and spreadsheets to iCloud and access them on their other iOS and Mac devices.