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Massive Kindle update adds Book Browser on iPad, Goodreads integration and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 15, 2014

Just in time for the holidays, Amazon on Monday issued a massive update to its Kindle mobile client for the iOS platform, bringing out integration with the Goodreads recommendation engine, an all new Book Browser allowing iPad users to retrieve additional information about the books with personalized book sample suggestions to download and read.

Other highlights of this update include the ability to start playing Audible audiobooks as they're downloading with progressive playback, book details in the Library, the Next In Series information and so forth.

Opera Mini adds new features, including opening links from other apps via iOS 8 extension

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

The Opera Mini web browser for the iPhone and iPad by Opera Software has received a much-needed iOS 8 extension and a few other features in its latest 9.1 update. The extension makes it easy to open links in Opera Mini from other apps using the multi-purpose iOS Share menu.

After enabling the new ‘Open in Opera Mini’ extension in the Share menu, you'll be able to open links in Opera Mini from other apps, including browsers like Safari and Chrome.

“This is especially helpful when you want to jump from Safari to Opera Mini to save on mobile data,” developers noted alluding to their browser's Turbo mode which compresses web pages to cut down on your cellular data usage.

The Stratus XL controller takes iOS gaming to the next level [review + giveaway]

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Since Apple announced MFi controller support for iOS games, fewer options appeared than originally anticipated. The reason for a slow response is a bit surprising. However, my point of view is slightly skewed as an iOS accessory hardware reviewer. Still, I cannot imagine why app developers would not want to build in the support. Even more shocking is the small list of hardware options.

At CES 2014, it seemed like controllers would be the new thing. Unfortunately, several companies I chatted with never released their controller. We have come a long way since January 2014 and a full year plus another six months since the MFi controller support protocol released at WWDC.

SteelSeries was one of the first companies to-market with their SteelSeries Stratus. The Stratus was an extremely small MFi controller, but perfect for on-the-go gamers. Recently, they released the Stratus XL, a full sized battle tested design, similar to a true console handheld. After settling down with the XL, it changed the way I look at iOS as a gaming platform.

BBM gains iOS 8 and iPhone 6 support, stickers in group chats and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 15, 2014

BlackBerry is rolling out a new version of BBM for iOS with support for Apple's latest iOS 8 mobile operating system, native display support for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus screen sizes, the ability to send stickers in a group chat and more.

“You can’t help but notice the sleek and modern design updates like a flat UI and attractive transparencies,“ boasted Canada's embattled company. The overhaul makes the app look sharp across supported Apple devices.

T-Mobile teases Uncarrier 8 event tomorrow, expands Wideband LTE in NY

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 15, 2014

T-Mobile, the nation's fourth-largest wireless carrier, is wrapping up 2014 with a major ‘Uncarrier’ media event taking place tomorrow, December 16, at 10:30am EST / 7:30am PST.

The Deutsche Telekom-owned company confirmed in a media release Monday that anyone will be able to watch tomorrow's announcements via a live webcast on Yahoo! News.

The outspoken T-Mobile CEO, John Legere, will be answering live questions about the company’s latest Uncarrier news during the live webcast hosted by Yahoo's David Pogue, who will be taking questions for John from Twitter through @JohnLegere and @Pogue and the #Uncarrier8 hashtag.

Viber introduces support for Viber Games, adds Sticker Menu

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 15, 2014

Viber, the popular messaging platform second only to WhatsApp, today refreshed its iOS application with support for downloadable mobile games while introducing a new Sticker Menu to make finding sticker packs easier.

Viber Games, the headline new feature in Viber 5.2 for iOS and Android, allows users to play select mobile games with Viber characters Violet and Legcat and see how many coins they can earn.

iDB holiday gift guide: Jim’s picks

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Another year down and year three of the iDownloadBlog Holiday Gift Guide hits the site. As tech bloggers, it is our job to make sure you know about the awesome new things that come out during the year. We pride ourselves in filling a Santa list that is top notch and informed.

The following list of items may or may not be things I currently own or reviewed. Items in my gift guide are simply my favorite gadgets, accessories or tech related items.Throwing price to the wind, but still keeping it within a reasonable reach of most consumers, take a step inside for my most wished for items.

Apple airs new holiday commercial “The Song”

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Apple today began airing a new holiday-themed commercial entitled "The Song." The spot showcases products from all of the company's major device lines, including a MacBook Air, iPhone and iPad, and how they can be used to create "thoughtful, emotional gifts."

More specifically, the ad shows a woman using her MacBook Air and GarageBand to record herself singing along with a recording of her grandmother from several years ago. She then presents the song to her on an iPad, as a gift, and as you can imagine, it's a big hit.

Winter chilled wallpapers for iPhone and iPad

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Confessing previously to my winter wallpaper obsession, this week's picks are in the same genre. If you did not catch the past few posts in Wallpapers of the Week, several of them contained snow. More directly, the "snow frost" post started the winterization of the walls section.

Today's selection is also a tribute to the cold winter months approaching for the northern hemisphere. A collection of photographs play well with snow and ice to give that chilling affect to an iPhone or iPad screen. Inside, we have six different photographic wallpapers for your enjoyment.

22 new and updated tweaks that will keep you busy this weekend

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated June 18, 2023

I'm not sure about you but this week wasn't as exciting to me in terms of jailbreak tweak releases as it was the last few weeks. But maybe it's just me, because looking at the numbers, there are no less than 18 new tweaks, some of them more "full-featured" than others.

Maybe the most interesting thing about this week was the preview we got of CarPlay Activator, an upcoming jailbreak tweak that brings CarPlay directly to your iPhone screen.

But I'm digressing. This column is mostly about new and updated tweaks, and we have 22 of them in this post today.

The best Photo apps of 2014

Lory Gil ∙ December 14, 2014

Sometimes, I feel sorry for educated photographers that spent thousands of dollars and years of their lives studying the subject in school. Since mobile devices have advanced in camera technology, we are all taking pro-quality pictures of our cats every day.

We love iPhone photography so much around here that we have an entire section dedicated to it. So, we take new apps in the category pretty seriously. We sat down with the new releases for 2014 and decided which ones stand out for their awesome features. Then, we voted on the best. Below is a list of the winner, runner-ups, and the best all-time photography app.

The week on iDB

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

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+.

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