TaiG jailbreak updated to version 1.1, upgradable via Cydia

The TaiG 8.0-8.1.1 Untether has been updated to version 1.1, and it comes bundled in the TaiG jailbreak that's downloadable for Windows, and it also comes as a Cydia package for those who have already jailbroken with TaiG.

The update doesn't appear to be a major update, but there are fixes included to fix sandboxing issues present in the previous version of the TaiG jailbreak tool. Users who are jailbroken, and those who have yet to jailbreak should use TaiG 1.1. 

Apple planning big retail push in India with 500 new reseller stores

Apple doesn't operate its own retail stores in India, home to 1.3 billion people, and instead relies on a network of resellers.

And apparently the company has decided to go big in India with a network of 500 new reseller stores, The Times of India newspaper reported Friday.

The move is part of a plan to expand Apple's presence in smaller towns and cities. The upcoming stores are said to be iOS-centric, focusing on Apple's tremendously popular mobile devices such as iPads and iPhones.

Square Enix’s Dragon Quest III launches worldwide

Fans of the classic RPG ‘Dragon Quest III’ will be happy to hear that Square Enix has delivered on its promise to launch an English version of the game. After spending a few months in Japan, the title is now available in the US App Store.

Dragon Quest III is the third installment in Square Enix's popular turn-based RPG series from the early 90s. And as with other ports, the iOS version of DQ III features the same great gameplay as the original, with updated touch controls.

Apple spending $161 million on Campus 2 auditorium, $74 million on fitness center

In addition to the now-iconic "spaceship" building, Apple's upcoming Campus 2 will also feature a state-of-the-art auditorium and fitness center. And according to building permits recently obtained by BuildZoom, the Cupertino firm is spending a fortune on the two spaces.

The permits show that the 120,000 square foot auditorium where Apple will hold future press events is being constructed by BNBT Builders, and is costing the company around $161 million. Additionally, the 100,000 square foot fitness center is costing them $74 million.

Apple Maps team working to improve community crowdsourcing

A new job listing hints the Apple Maps team is working on improving community crowdsourcing, as well as better Siri and Passbook integration. First spotted by 9to5Mac, the listing calls for a 'Maps Community Client Software Engineer' to join the Cupertino firm's growing Maps group.

According to the position's description, the engineer will focus on "high level UI development of the 'Report a Problem' feature." They'll also be working on the frameworks and plugins that enable Maps to "integrate deeply and seamlessly with other applications" such as Siri and Passbook.

App Recap: app-packed Thursday

Welcome to this action-packed edition of App Recap, iDownloadBlog's daily column which highlights some of the best new apps, games, updates, media and other digital goodies found on iTunes. Most developers release major new apps on Thursdays and today was no exception.

From noteworthy discounts and Facebook's Slingshot update to Square's food ordering app, a new and fully-themable iOS 8 keyboard, Tomb Raider II, the official Game of Thrones game and more, App Recap helps you make sense of it all via an easily digestible form so you don't need to waste your precious time finding that needle in the haystack in the App Store.

Starbucks launches ‘Mobile Order & Pay’ in Oregon, national rollout planned for 2015

Starbucks has announced that it's launched a new "Mobile Order & Pay" service that will allow customers to place an order using the Starbucks app on their iPhone and schedule it for pickup. The service, which we first heard about in July, is available now at stores in Portland, Oregon, and will rollout to other locations in 2015.

The whole thing works like you'd expect it to. You can place an order for both food and beverages, and drinks are completely customizable down to the size, dairy and espresso additives, and more. Once you've selected all of your items, you choose the closest participating store for pickup and pay in-app with your Starbucks card.

Apple seeds second OS X 10.10.2 beta to developers

Apple has seeded the second beta of OS X Yosemite 10.10.2 this afternoon. The update, labeled build 14C78c, is available through the Update tab in the Mac App Store and the Dev Center for all registered Mac developers.

Today’s release comes a little more than two weeks after the first 10.10.2 beta, and Apple has asked developers to focus on Wi-Fi connectivity. Users have complained of Wi-Fi issues since updating to Yosemite in October.

Facebook’s Slingshot goes 2.0, hopes you’ll use it

Remember Slingshot? Yeah, me neither. If it's been a while since you last fired up Facebook's app that many folks deem pointless, you may want to give it another try as the social networking giant on Thursday pushed a major 2.0 update, bringing out half a dozen new features.

The app's been rebuilt from the ground up to be “simpler, faster and more fun to share life as it happens”, bringing out private reactions, photo filters, drawings and emojis.

There are also instant notifications on a per-contact basis and you can now share fav shots out to other apps, among other new additions.

Apple rumored to be working on new 4-inch iPhone

Apple is working on a new 4-inch iPhone model for next year, according to website G for Games. Citing sources in the Asian supply chain, the site says the Cupertino firm is aiming to release the smaller form factor device in the second half of 2015.

If true, the move would bring one-handed usability back to the iPhone line—a benefit that Apple frequently touted in previous years, but essentially abandoned in September when it introduced the new 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and 5.5-inch 6 Plus.

Apple names excellent God of Light puzzler its new Free App of the Week

God of Light, an addictive and unique physics puzzler by Playmous Games, has gone free until next Thursday week courtesy of Apple's ongoing Free App of the Week promotion, marking the first time the game's gone free since its February 2014 debut.

This attractive puzzler employs a simple concept where you use mirrors, prisms, splitters, collectors, black holes and filters to control rays of light energy that must be projected through the darkness in order to light up crystals.

I wholeheartedly recommend taking advantage of the discount because God of Light is packed with addictive levels and definitely worth its normal asking price of $1.99.

Apple Stores to host free ‘Hour of Code’ workshops next Thursday

In addition to hosting Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump at the SoHo New York Apple Store as part of its Apps for (RED) promotion to benefit the fight against AIDS in Africa, Apple will be hosting another event at its stores, one tailored for students who are interested in coding.

Supporting the Computer Science Education Week which runs December 8-14, Apple's free Hour of Code 2014 seminar will be taking place at its brick-and-mortar locations next Thursday, December 11.