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October 16 event wallpapers: “it’s been way too long”

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

As with all Apple event invitations, we rush to provide you with a way to celebrate on your own device! Almost right on cue, we were able to receive wallpapers from our consistent iDB reader, Jason Zigrino. The imagery is extremely simple in this invitation, unlike some other more developed invites. The term "It's been way too long" will certainly keep some armchair analysts awake at night pondering over its hidden meaning.

We are fairly certain the event will contain new iPads and some second device, which leaves people guessing Apple TV, new MacBooks, iMacs, or maybe retina iMacs. Currently, the guessing game is available for anyone to play, as the invitation leaves everything open for interpretation.

Apple issues invites for October 16 media event: ‘it’s been way too long’

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 8, 2014

Following claims by ReCode's well-informed John Paczkowski that Apple's been prepping to hold an iPad-focused media event on October 16, the Cupertino company on Wednesday morning confirmed the report by issuing invites to select members of the press, The Loop first reported.

Featuring a colorful Apple logo outline adorned by the the tagline “It's been way too long,“ the invite prompts the media to attend the event which begins at 10:00am Pacific / 1pm Eastern at the firm's Town Hall Auditorium in Cupertino, California.

Latest iOS 8 beta enables HomeKit on Apple TV

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 8, 2014

The latest Apple TV Software Beta 2 which was seeded to developers yesterday alongside new iOS 8.1, Xcode and Yosemite betas enables support for HomeKit on the $99 media-streaming box, as first reported by AppleInsider.

In addition to HomeKit, the software includes support for Family Sharing and contains functions allowing developers to test AirPlay functionality with their iOS apps. Although HomeKit functionality was spotted in earlier Apple TV betas, Apple has removed the feature last month without an explanation.

Leaked images show off thinner iPad Air 2 design with Touch ID and no mute switch

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 8, 2014

Vietnamese blog Tinhte.vn on Wednesday leaked [Google Translate] a fresh batch of images showing off what appears to be a noticeably thinner chassis for Apple's upcoming second-generation iPad Air tablet with Touch ID fingerprint scanning.

Curiously enough, the shots show the recessed volume buttons like on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, but no mute switch on the side, in turn prompting watchers to speculate that Apple may have ditched the button due to the tablet's thin profile.

Speaking of thinness, the unit pictured on the photos is said to measure just 7 millimeters. By comparison, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are 6.9mm and 7.1mm thin, respectively, and the iPhone 5s measures 7.6mm in depth.

Let’s Talk Jailbreak 76: The closet connoisseur

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Episode 76: We break down a new iOS 8 keyboard that brings several jailbreak tweak features to iOS 8. We also talk about a ton of recent jailbreak releases such as Monochrome, CallBar for iOS 7, CCShuffle, Cou, Ascend, and more.

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Sponsor: Visit GoToAssist.com and click on the Try It Free button. After your free trial, use the promo code ‘GoToAssist3030’ to receive 30% off the standard monthly rate if purchased before October 31st.

How to use Reachability on older devices

Alihassan Mahdi ∙ October 8, 2014

Due to the larger screen of the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus, Apple introduced a new feature in both the devices called Reachability. Basically, what this feature does is that it moves the top half of the screen to the bottom half when you double tap on the Touch ID. The reason behind this is to make it easier for users to continue one-handed use even on the new iPhones and to reach the top contents of the screen more easily.

If you ever wanted to enjoy the same feature on older iOS 7 devices, you should probably check out a jailbreak tweak called Reachability7 by developer Mohammed Marbouh.

CallShortcut lets you add your favorite contacts to the Home screen

Alihassan Mahdi ∙ October 8, 2014

Just recently, an updated version of CallBar was released for iOS 7 that makes it a whole lot easier to manage your incoming calls. CallShortcut is yet another jailbreak tweak that provides a quicker way to call your contacts, directly from the Home screen.

Developed by Gertab and David Glinski, CallShortcut allows you to add any of your contacts to your Home screen. These appear as icons on the Home screen just like other app icons and when you tap on any of them, the call will be placed immediately. This provides a quick shortcut to your favorite contacts without ever opening the Phone or the Contacts app.

GT Advanced bankruptcy unlikely to affect Apple Watch production

Cody Lee ∙ October 7, 2014

GT Advanced's decision to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy will not affect supplies of upcoming Apple Watch, says KGI Securities' Ming-Chi Kuo. In a note to investors this morning, the well-connected analyst says that because the device's screen is so small, Apple can turn to other suppliers for sapphire if need be.

Kuo notes that aside from GTAT, Apple is already working with a handful of other sapphire ingot (or cast) suppliers including Hansol and Harbin Aurora Optoelectronics. Because Watch drop-test requirements aren't as stringent as they are for smartphones, general sapphire manufacturing processes are adequate.

More Apple Pay details leak after iOS 8.1 beta 2 release

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Earlier today, Apple released iOS 8.1 beta 2. Like the previous beta release, it was quickly inspected by UK developer Hamza Sood, best known around these parts for his contributions to the jailbreak community.

With iOS 8.1 beta 1, Sood revealed details regarding Apple Pay's presence in the stock Settings app. This time around, we get our first glimpse of the Passbook setup screens, and credit card data entry screen.

Apple reportedly withheld $139 million payment from GT Advanced prior to bankruptcy filing

Cody Lee ∙ October 7, 2014

Apple withheld its final payment of $139 million it was due to make to GT Advanced, reports The Wall Street Journal, ahead of its decision to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. It's not known why the company withheld the money, but it's been speculated GT was not able to meet sapphire yield requirements outlined in its deal.

That deal involved Apple loaning GT Advanced a total of $578 million to help get a large sapphire factory in Arizona up and running. The two companies announced the partnership last fall, which many believed would result in the production of a large amount of sapphire display covers earmarked for Apple's newest iPhone models.

Study finds Siri and other hands-free systems to be very distracting while driving

Cody Lee ∙ October 7, 2014

Despite its good intentions, using Siri while driving is actually quite dangerous, according to a new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. After a series of tests involving 45 drivers completing in-car tasks with various voice control systems, researchers found Apple's digital assistant to be a "high level of mental distraction."

In fact, Siri performed the worst out of all of the various systems they tested, and even resulted in two crashes during the simulator study. The popular assistant was also rated the least intuitive and the most complex, and AAA criticized it for its lack of consistency and flexibility when it came to recognizing voice commands from its drivers.

Facebook developing brand new mobile app for anonymous sharing

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 7, 2014

Facebook is reportedly close to releasing a brand new mobile application said to let its users communicate among themselves without using their real name or Facebook account, The New York Times reported Tuesday.

Already likened to a Whisper/Secret clone, the anonymous chatting app is expected to be released in the coming weeks, according to two people briefed on Facebook’s plans.

The software would mark a notable reversal for the social networking giant, which has more than a billion active accounts and whose business policy largely revolves around encouraging its customers to use their real name to identify themselves on the service.