iLife and iWork apps to come pre-installed on 64/128GB iPhone 6/Plus

Customers who've purchased a 64 or 128-gigabyte edition of either the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus won't need to download Apple's iLife and iWork productivity suite when the handset hits store shelves this Friday as the apps will come pre-loaded on their device, according to an internal Apple Retail training document obtained by Dan DeSilva of 9to5Mac.

Apple since last September started providing Pages, Keynote, Numbers, iMovie, GarageBand and iTunes U apps as free downloads to every new iOS device owner.

T-Mobile to add iPhone 6 to ‘Test Drive’ program

T-Mobile, the nation's fourth-largest wireless carrier, this past weekend told technology website Re/code that devices upgraded to iOS 8, including the latest iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus smartphones, will be soon available through its 'Test Drive' program. Introduced at its 'Uncarrier 5.0' event back in June, 'Test Drive' allows customers to borrow an iPhone free for a week to test out T-Mobile’s network.

Microsoft buying Minecraft maker Mojang for $2.5 billion, commits to keeping iOS game alive

Following weeks of speculation, software giant Microsoft on Monday officially confirmed it's spending a cool $2.5 billion to buy Mojang, a company behind the highly successful Minecraft video game which tasks players with building constructions out of textured cubes in a 3D procedurally generated world.

The Stockholm-based firm is to become part of Microsoft Studios, the Windows maker has confirmed.

The deal, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory review, will enable “richer and faster worlds, more powerful development tools and more opportunities to connect” across the Minecraft community as the game is set to take advantage of Microsoft’s cloud and mobile technologies.

Google announces first low-cost Android One handsets launching in India, starting at just $105

The Internet giant Google during a Monday media event in India announced the first wave of low-cost Android handsets running the company's optimized Android One software, with prices starting as low as $105.

“The world is filled with potential: people who are ready to leave their mark and need a phone as ambitious as they are,” said the firm during the event. The Android One project has been conceived to bring stock Android experience to inexpensive mid-to-low-range handsets sold in emerging markets such as Russia, India, Brazil and China.

Apple confirms taking four million iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus pre-orders in 24 hours

Apple on Monday put out a press release confirming it took four million pre-orders of the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in the first 24 hours, representing a twofold increase over the two million pre-order sales for the iPhone 5 in 2012.

“iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are better in every way, and we are thrilled customers love them as much as we do,” the media release quotes Apple CEO Tim Cook as saying. The four million pre-orders for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in 24 hours set a new record for Apple.

Destroy your enemy with a match of three in MUJO

Match-three games have come a long way since the days of Bejeweled. Now, matching objects can yield all manner of fun. Take Tsum-Tsum, for example. Objects actually move around on the screen completely altering your ability to match them.

MUJO is another match-three game that is unique in what it has to offer. Sure, you’ll be matching up a series of tiles with similar icons, but if you match the patterns correctly, you’ll make the gods stronger and destroy your enemy all at the same time.

Prevent fraying cables with AwesomeCables

We spent several Let's Talk iOS episodes chatting about fraying cables. Many people suffer from OEM Lightning cables that over time fray near the tip. Arguably, this happens from bending, flexing, and tugging on the cable. Personally, like Cody, I have never experienced this problem. However, most of my cables remain in place, whether in the office, kitchen or car, I do not tote them around. Also, I am careful to pull them from the pin head, as opposed to using the wire as my tugging point.

Here to resolve several issues, including the fray, is AwesomeCables. The newly released 6' Braided Cable showed up for review, thanks to their offer. I am a big fan of the build quality and, most importantly, MFi certification.

New Samsung ad calls iPhone 6 Plus a Galaxy Note imitation

Samsung began airing a new TV spot this weekend for the Galaxy Note 4—its new flagship handset that begins shipping next month. Like most of the company's recent ads, this one goes after Apple, with a specific focus on its just-announced iPhone 6 Plus.

Titled "Then and Now," the commercial points out that while Apple prepares to begin selling its first handset with a display over 5 inches, Samsung has been doing it for years with its Galaxy Note line. It essentially calls the iPhone 6 Plus a Note imitation.

iPhone 6 wallpaper packs

With the excitement of a new iPhone, comes the need for individuals to customize their newest devices. Late last week, we were able to get our hands on the official iOS 8 wallpapers thanks to a few tricks from dedicated iDB readers. The official wallpaper images quickly became one of the most visited wallpaper post in site history. If you missed them, jump over to the download gallery and pick them up for iPhone or iPad, even before iOS 8 launches on September 17.

The Wallpapers of the Week section is dedicated to bringing stellar images to you on a weekly basis. Every Sunday, we release a new set of wallpapers, primarily for iPhone, but also for iPad and desktop. When new iPhones launch, there is always a scramble to find quality images to make a single iPhone stand out amongst the crowd of others. Step inside for your newest downloads.

The best to-do list apps for iPhone

Not everyone needs a super duper comprehensive getting-things-done list. I may need to be able to schedule out every moment of my day, but it wasn’t always like that. I used to just make lists, which I think is the best way to be the most productive. Sometimes, you need a little bit of both. A solid list-making app can go hand-in-hand with a robust scheduling app. Whether you need something simple, or something complex, we've got a list for you today of what we think are the best to-do apps for iPhone.

Early iPhone 6 case roundup

With the actual product launch behind us, we can turn to the accessory realm. Dedicated devices have been in production behind the scenes and I received information about a few select versions about a week ago. The cases in the post are either going on sale today or by week's end. Either way, the purchasing link is included below the case description.

Keep in mind, early production cases sometimes are not built on actual dimensions, instead using dummy devices that leak from the Chinese supply chain. Having never held any of these in my hands, or even an iPhone 6 for that matter, I cannot guarantee exact fit. However, if you are looking to keep your iPhone protected from day 1, you may want to nab one of these guys.

Web-sling your way to saving the world with Spider-Man Unlimited

Gameloft and Marvel have teamed up again to bring us another web-slinging adventure from the quick-witted Spider-Man. As if we haven’t had enough fun with The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man: Total Mayhem.

Spider-Man Unlimited is the first free-to-play Spidey game on iOS. The hand-drawn episodic runner is set in the Marvel Universe where you will hang out with the likes of Nick Fury and the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, as well as fight the Green Goblin, Vulture, and more. It is also this week's Editor's Choice in the App Store.