Microsoft demos real-time voice translation feature for Skype

Last night at Recode's inaugural Code Conference, Microsoft announced a new real-time voice translation feature for its Skype VoIP service. The company says it's currently in beta form, but it plans to eventually roll it out to all devices.

The goal of the feature is to allow users to hold a conversation with someone speaking a foreign language, with Skype providing near-instant voice translations for both parties. And judging by the initial demonstration, it works fairly well...

Apple says Australian iOS device attacks not caused by iCloud breach

On Monday, a number of iOS and Mac users came forward with complaints that their devices had been remotely locked by hackers. In most of the cases, a message appeared via Find My iPhone on the locked devices, demanding payment for the hack to be reversed.

As far as we can tell, the attacks have been concentrated on Mac and iOS products in Australia. And among the various theories of how the hackers were able to set a remote lock has been the fear that iCloud was breached. But Apple says it hasn't been compromised...

Apple launching iPads on Japan’s NTT DoCoMo next month

Apple just issued a press release, announcing that it will begin offering NTT DoCoMo versions of its iPad Air and Retina iPad mini in Japan next month. The carrier, which is the largest in the country, began offering the iPhone for the first time last fall.

The new iPads will be available for pre-order starting June 2, and will officially launch in retail stores a week later on June 10. Those interested in picking up one of the tablets can choose from a variety of purchase plans, some of which call for $0 down...

Apple to announce $3 billion Beats acquisition this week

Apple has remained mum on rumors that it's looking to acquire Beats Electronics, but it appears it's finally ready to break the silence. The New York Post reports tonight that the Cupertino firm is expected to announce the acquisition within the next few days.

Perhaps even more interesting is that the Post says Apple has managed to trim some $200 million off the price tag during the past two weeks of negotiation. According to the outlet's sources, the company has reached a deal to buy Beats for an even $3 billion...

Adobe Revel now offers 2GB of free photo storage

Adobe updated its Revel client for iOS today, bringing the app to version 2.3. The update brings about a few design tweaks, which make the app easier to use, and a handful of bug fixes, but the big news here is the bump in free storage.

Free accounts for Adobe's cloud-based Revel service now get 2GB of storage space, or enough for around 1000 photos. That's quite the change from the previous model, where non-paying Revel users were limited to just 50 uploads/month...

iPhone email client Dispatch picks up folders, new triage features, phishing detection and more

There's certainly no shortage of email clients on iOS. Which reminds me, there used to be a time not that long ago when Apple wouldn't allow third-party email clients on iOS. Silly rules, eh? Dispatch, one of the most efficient iOS email apps, strives to make you more productive by making it easy to get rid of emails by swiping, respond faster with snippets, process emails with other task-based apps and more - all in the name of achieving the inbox zero nirvana.

Our own Lory Gil who reviewed Dispatch last August came away impressed with a robust set of email management capabilities and an accessible, easy-to-grasp interface. Today, Dispatch developers have brought the app to version 2.0. It's a pretty substantial update offering not only a brand new icon and a refreshed look, but a whole host of useful features which strive to boost your productivity even more...

Real Racing 3 gains Le Mans Prototypes, night racing, split-screen multiplayer and more

I don't think people give Electronic Arts and Firemonkeys the credit they deserve for relentlessly updating free-to-play Real Racing 3, one of the finest racing titles available in the App Store.

Following its February 2013 debut, the freemium game has thus far received at least a dozen content updates, each of which is a winner in its own right. For example, in mid-April it's brought us open-wheel vehicles and other treats.

Today's 'Le Mans' update puts you behind the wheel of the Le Mans Prototypes - the ultimate endurance racing cars. It also includes the eagerly-awaited night racing mode on the classic Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans, the ability to link up to four devices via Bluetooth for an immersive split-screen multiplayer and much more...

Spotology review: simple, but addicting

I’m oftentimes surprised at how much time I spend on a single game on any given day. I know a game is going to be good when I go back to it again and again, even after I’ve finished testing it.

Spotology is one of those simple games that I first thought was good enough for a review, but a week after getting it, realized that I can’t stop playing it. We’ve got a game review of Spotology for your enjoyment below…

Apple begins hanging banners at Moscone Center ahead of WWDC

Apple has begun hanging colorful banners at the Moscone Center in San Francisco ahead of WWDC. The design of the banners is consistent with other WWDC14 materials we've seen thus far, with one showing the Conference's tag line: 'Write the Code. Change the World.'

The event is slated to kick off next Monday, and run through the week, with various developer-focused workshops and classes. And of course, Apple will be delivering its annual keynote, where executives from the company will discuss the future of the OS X and iOS platforms...

Netflix working on Dolby Digital 5.1 fix for Apple TV

iPhone screenshot showing a splash screen in the Netflix app instructing user to sign up elsewhere

Folks experiencing problems with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound in the Netflix app on Apple TV will be happy to hear that the streaming video giant is aware of the audio issue, and is currently working on fix.

The bug, 9to5Mac reports, stems from the Apple TV 6.1 update seeded in March. Following the release, a number of users with 5.1-capable systems reported they could only get stereo output from the Netflix app...

VintageKeys lets you switch back to the old iOS 6 keyboard

Ryan Petrich is one of the most influential developers within the jailbreaking scene, with his name behind several well-designed and useful jailbreak tweaks for iPhone and iPad. One of his latest releases is VintageKeys, a useful extension that allows you to adjust the keyboard styling on your device. There are four different keyboards to choose from: modern light, modern dark, legacy light and legacy dark… 

Apple will live stream next week’s ‘exciting’ WWDC keynote address

After confirming via the recently updated WWDC for iOS app that it will be kicking off its summer developer pilgrimage with a keynote on June 2, Apple has just confirmed that the two-hour event will be available as a free live stream on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices, as well as on Mac and Windows PCs.

According to a newly published webpage on the Apple Events microsite, fans are in for some "exciting announcements"...