Microsoft reportedly building iOS-compatible fitness band

Like Apple and several others, Microsoft is said to be working on a smartwatch that it plans to introduce later this year. There have been multiple reports on the project, including one from Forbes in May that described the wearable as a Samsung Gear Fit-like fitness band.

Tonight, Windows blogger Paul Thurott offered up some new details on Microsoft's wearable ambitions, reaffirming that the device will indeed be a wristband with a focus on sensors and fitness. He also notes that the gadget will be compatible with both Android and iOS...

Apple hiring software engineers to help ‘overhaul’ Maps backend

According to a pair of new job listings, Apple is looking for folks to help with a major rewrite of its Maps app programming interface. The listings, which were posted yesterday, call for software engineers to aid the company in a major overhaul of its Maps API.

The job descriptions call for cross-functional leaders to join the Apple Maps API team, which is responsible for the "doorway" to all systems powering the Maps service. The company says it has "big plans" for the API, and is overhauling things front-to-back...

App Recap: a mid-week look at 8 must-have apps

If you're looking for a deal on one of the best calendar apps available for iPad, or interested in trying out a brand new Atari-inspired game, don't go anywhere. This edition of App Recap, which covers the best new, updated and discounted apps on the App Store, has a great selection of 8 must-have apps for iPhone and iPad. Wednesday was not an overwhelmingly busy day in terms of apps, but the list ahead should keep you occupied… 

T-Mobile to begin offering accessories on installment plans this month

According to a new report, T-Mobile is set to begin allowing the purchase of accessories on EIPs (or equipment installment plans) later this month. Citing a leaked internal memo from the carrier, TmoNews says that the new option will be available on July 20th.

The move will enable  customers to pick up their favorite accessories, such as Beats headphones or Bluetooth speakers, without having to pay a large sum of cash up front. As it does with smartphones, T-Mobile will split up the price into small, monthly payments...

Voice messaging could be an integral iWatch feature

As it becomes more clear that Apple is actually planning to release its highly-anticipated iWatch, the rumor mill has shifted towards what kinds of features the smart watch could have. It appears that voice messaging could be at the top of the list, at least according to a recent talk that UBS analyst Steven Milunovich had with Apple CEO Tim Cook in China… 

Taasky is a beautiful and minimalistic task manager for Mac

Taasky for Mac is one of the latest entrants in a highly competitive market of apps for task management, to-do lists and getting things done. How it aims to stand out of the pack is with a beautiful and sleek design, but how does it stack up functionally? Taasky can be best described as simple, both from a design and usage perspective. After giving the app a test drive on my Mac for a few days, here are my first impressions… 

Let’s Talk Jailbreak 63: 50 things you always wanted to know about ProWidgets but were too shy to ask

Episode 63: Jeff, Sebastien, and Cody discuss Pangu v 1.1, the implications of a jailbreak this late in the game, and more. The team also talks about iOS 7.1.x compatible tweaks, Chinese hackers, and nitrogen infused beer.

Sponsor: Use hired.com/jailbreakpodcast to get 5-15 job offers in San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles, and also get a double signing bonus of $4,000 bonus when you accept a job by using the hired.com/jailbreakpodcast url.

iPhone 5c outsold Galaxy S5 in the UK

Green iPhone 5c

I'm sick and tired of hearing armchair analysts repeatedly proclaiming Apple's unapologetically plastic iPhone 5c a failure just because sales numbers don't meet their wet dream targets.

I bought an iPhone 5c for my Mom's birthday. My friend owns one. Yes, I even see it used in public.

To this date, not a single iPhone 5c owner exhibited a case of buyer's remorse.

I mean, you never hear anyone complaining about Apple's practice of keeping past two iPhone generations on the market at reduced prices whenever a new model comes along. The strategy has served the company well and that's exactly what the iPhone 5c is - a previous-gen iPhone repackaged inside a plastic chassis, sold at a discount.

A lot of ink has been spilled to paint the iPhone 5c a dud, but time and again real world numbers simply don't corroborate this notion. A good example is a new Kantar survey proving that Apple's mid-tier handset beat Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S5 in terms of sales in the United Kingdom...

Apple predicted to sell 36.5 million iPhones in June quarter

Apple is poised to have another record-breaking quarter for iPhone sales, if a new prediction proves to be true. According to Wells Fargo Securities analyst Maynard Um, the addition of new carriers and several promotions will help drive iPhone sales to 36.5 million for the June quarter. Um predicts that Apple will have quarterly revenue of $38.2 billion, beating the Wall Street prediction of $37.9 million… 

Apple appears to have ended support for AIM accounts in OS X Messages

For years, Apple's Messages app for OS X (previously known as iChat) has offered support for the aging AIM messaging protocol with mac.com and me.com IDs.

Then on Monday, as it said it would, Cupertino has ended AIM support for mac.com or me.com accounts in Messages on Macs running OS X Lion 10.7.1 or earlier.

However, it now appears that the company has actually phased out support for AIM accounts for everyone, regardless of Mac OS X version, and without giving users a heads-up...

Apple launches $49 security lock adapter for Mac Pro

Apple on Wednesday launched an accessory to keep your gorgeously reimagined late-2013 "trashcan" style Mac Pro secure and tethered.

Available through the Online Apple Store for $49, the Mac Pro Security Lock Adapter ties the cylindrically shaped workstation to your desk using existing Kensington locks or similar third-party locks, so a thief would need to drag the desk itself to steal your precious Mac Pro.

Moreover, it prevents unauthorized access to the computer's internal components by securing the lift-off cover to the base of the machine with a security cable...

Mobile-exclusive Civilization Revolution 2 now available on iOS

As promised, publishing label 2K Games and developer Firaxis today released Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution 2, a mobile exclusive game filed as the long-awaited sequel to the iOS and console port of the 2008 PC original, Civilization Revolution, which was a turn-based strategy game.

The game is now available in the App Store as a premium $14.99 download for the iPhone and iPad.

With new units, new technology, new buildings and wonders, updated 3D graphics and new historic events and battles available in the Scenario Mode, Civilization Revolution 2 is a no-brainer for true fans of Sid Meier's sim games...