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TSMC reportedly lands contract to build A8X processor for iPad Pro

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 15, 2014

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world's leading independent semiconductor foundry, has landed a contract to fabricate Apple's upcoming A8X mobile processor, Taiwanese trade publication DigiTimes reported Wednesday.

The chip, which leaked on claimed photographs earlier this week, is said to feature faster graphics.

In addition to an improved GPU, it reportedly incorporates twice as much RAM as its A8 counterpart, which powers the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. As such, the A8X should power Apple's rumored 'iPad Pro' tablet with an ultra high-resolution 12.9-inch screen.

Flurry lets you change the blur and tint level of iOS 7

Alihassan Mahdi ∙ October 15, 2014

Along with having an all around flatter design, iOS 7 heavily uses blur effect across the whole interface. If you ever wanted to adjust the blur level of various aspects of iOS 7, you should probably check out a brand new jailbreak tweak known as Flurry.

Developed by dantesieg, Flurry allows you to easily configure and adjust the blur and tint level of iOS 7. Any changes that you make will be applied to various interfaces such as the Notification Center, Control Center, Lock screen passcode, Home screen dock and way more.

In addition to the above mentioned interfaces, the tweak also blurs the Navigation Bar, Tab Bar, buttons as well as the Action and the Sharing menu.

Design concept reimagines popular iOS apps for Apple Watch

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

When Apple launches the Apple Watch early next year, it will mark the beginning of a new platform for developers. Thanks to WatchKit, the device will support third party applications, including extensions for current iOS apps and new standalone software.

With this in mind, a couple of graphic artists have created a design concept that reimagines what popular iOS apps would look like with an Apple Watch-style interface. Posted to Behance, the images include concepts for Skype, Instagram, Twitter and more.

Apple to unveil 27-inch Retina iMac this week, initial iPad Air 2 supplies may be limited

Cody Lee ∙ October 14, 2014

Apple plans to unveil a new 27-inch iMac with Retina display at its event tomorrow, reports Ming-Chi Kuo. In a note to investors, the highly regarded analyst offers up last minute predictions of what Mac and iOS products we can expect to see announced during the keynote.

Kuo says that a 27-inch Retina iMac is on the docket, and should be available before the end of the year. Due to the difficulties involved in developing and mass producing different hi-res panels, however, he doesn't see a 21-inch version arriving before the second half of 2015.

Good deal: 96% off Mac app bundle featuring Ember, Fantastical and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Heads up Mac users, StackSocial has just launched an awesome bundle promotion for software that includes 8 premium Mac applications and an OS X/Web developer course that teaches you how to make apps in HTML, CSS and Xcode for 96% off their normal retail prices.

The bundle features high profile titles like Fantastical, the popular calendar app by Flexibits, and Ember, Realmac Software's highly regarded image manager. There's also AfterShot Pro 2, Disk Drill Pro 2.3, Capo 3, and more. Keep reading for a full breakdown of the promo.

Roundup + poll: what are you most excited about for Apple’s Thursday event?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

In less than 48 hours, journalists blessed with Apple's “It's been way too long” invitation will gather on the Town Hall Campus grounds in Cupertino, California for another dose of technology news.

With new iPads and OS X Yosemite on everyone's mind, it's time to step back and asses exactly what other goodies Apple may or may not deliver at its media conference. And what better way to make such a roundup entertaining than a listicle augmented by a poll?

Here's a dozen predictions of our own so please kindly vote for your favorite one.

Get Ghostbusters 1 and 2, and other movie bundles for just $9.99 right now

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

Great news movie fans! iTunes is offering up some excellent deals on a number of movie bundles for a limited time. You can score Ghostbusters 1 and 2, Bad Boys 1 and 2, and several other bundles for $9.99—a nice savings of $16 and $6, respectively.

While the iTunes Store has a permanent Movie Bundles section that offers film packages at cheaper-than-full-retail prices, these particular double features have been further discounted—some by more than $20. We have a full list of the bundles below.

Apple said to be planning October 24 launch for new iPads

Cody Lee ∙ October 14, 2014

Apple is planning to launch its new iPads on October 24, according to a new report from MacRumors. Citing a reliable source, the outlet claims that the new tablets expected to be unveiled on Thursday will become available for purchase on Friday of the following week.

The source told the site that Apple was shipping "mass quantities" of a new product to the United States, in preparation for the October 24 launch, although they did not specifically say iPads. That being said, given timing and context, the product is almost certainly tablets.

Macworld/iWorld 2015 canceled, event on indefinite hiatus

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 10, 2017

Bad news for the Apple community on Tuesday, as news broke that the 2015 Macworld/iWorld Expo has been canceled, and the trade show is going on an indefinite hiatus. IDG made the announcement this morning, thanking the community for "30 amazing years."

The group didn't offer up any explanation for its decision to cancel the event, but it's not hard to guess what happened. Attendance at the annual convention has been on the decline since 2009, when Apple decided to quit attending and host its own media events.

Experience Instagram in a whole new way with Grids for Mac

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 30, 2018

There's no shortage of unofficial Instagram clients for the Mac, even if the vast majority of them offer limited functionality and clunky user interfaces. Enter Grids by ThinkTime Creations, a beautiful new way to experience Instagram on your Mac with its adaptive grid-based interface, deep interactions and a number of other compelling features.

The $1.99 app, which launched earlier today, offers full Retina display support, native full-screen mode, notifications for new feeds, the ability to interact with your followers, their Instagram snaps and videos and much more.

Borderlands: The Pre Sequel launches on Mac alongside console and PC release

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Aspyr Media, the games publisher specializing in porting top AAA games to the Mac, on Tuesday announced immediate release of Borderlands: The Pre Sequel, the latest installment in the popular Borderlands franchise by 2K and Gearbox Software.

Combining aspects of shooters and role-playing games, the game has you floating through the air while taking enemies down from above using new ice and laser weapons, exploring the lunar landscape with new vehicles allowing for more levels of destructive mayhem while gradually unfolding the story behind Borderlands 2 villain, Handsome Jack and his rise to power.

Microsoft launches Skype Qik, its own ephemeral video messaging app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 30, 2018

Tuesday, software giant Microsoft launched a brand new ephemeral messaging app, Skype Qik, in a bid to take on the likes of Snapchat and other applications in the increasingly crowded ephemeral messaging space.

“Imagine if you could reinvent the Skype experience, taking into account how messaging, selfies and app culture have changed the way we communicate,” reads the blurb.

The free of charge iPhone app is based on Microsoft's $100 million acquisition of the mobile video provider Qik three years ago. Microsoft retired the original Qik app soon after, clearing the way for a re-introduction of the reimagined Qik software for iOS, Android and Windows Phone.

As the name suggests, Skype Qik is being promoted through the Skype brand, itself owned by Microsoft. Matter of fact, Qik runs alongside Skype to provide an ongoing form of video chat allowing you to share laughs, and chat with groups of friends.