iDownloadBlog.com

Apple to release iOS 7.1 ‘any day now’ with support for SXSW iTunes Festival app

Cody Lee ∙ March 4, 2014

The highly-anticipated iOS 7.1 update could be landing any day now, according to a new report by Daring Fireball's John Gruber. The long-time Apple speculator and dot-connector has in the past proven to have knowledgeable sources that work inside the company.

Gruber says that a 'little birdie' has informed him that the app for Apple's upcoming iTunes Festival at SXSW in Austin, which will be used for providing information and streaming live performances, will require iOS 7.1. Thus the update should ship any day now...

Ayeris jailbreak theme released for iPad

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Ayeris—the follow up jailbreak theme from Ayecon creator, Surenix, is now available for jailbroken iPad users. The theme, which was initially released for the iPhone last month, brings a subtle yet refreshing refinement to the look and feel of stock iOS 7.

If you've already purchased Ayeris for the iPhone, then the iPad version is only $0.99. Check inside for additional details.

Mercedes-Benz posts CarPlay video tour showcasing real-world Siri integration

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 4, 2014

After Volvo yesterday posted a nice hands-on video highlighting Apple's newly launched in-car system dubbed CarPlay (previously known as iOS in the Car), Mercedes-Benz (one of the three CarPlay launch partners) has posted a video tour of its own which gives us a hands-on demo of CarPlay in its new C-Class and showcases real-world Siri integration.

The clip depicts a driver using Siri to get visual directions with a little help from Apple Maps and using a dedicated hardware button to interact with Apple's smart voice assistant. As previously stated, CarPlay does not allow for third-party mapping apps such as Google Maps...

Apple’s CarPlay is powered by BlackBerry’s QNX

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 4, 2014

Monday, at the Geneva Motor Show, Apple's in-car system previously known under the 'iOS in the Car' moniker got formally announced and rebranded as CarPlay. Launch partners Volvo, Ferrari, and Mercedez-Benz backed the feature as dozens of vendors pledged to support CarPlay in their upcoming vehicles later this year.

Volvo confirmed that CarPlay's connection and video mirroring functionality is based on a streaming H.264 video feed, prompting watchers to speculate that the feature is based on AirPlay, an Apple-designed media streaming technology.

In a rather surprising find earlier today, N4BB was able to confirm that CarPlay runs on QNX, an operating system the embattled Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry acquired Harman International Industries back in 2010...

Logitech launches Harmony Smart Keyboard for Apple TV

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 4, 2014

Navigating the Apple TV interface using the included Apple Remote rather quickly becomes a cumbersome affair. Fortunately, you could always hook up an external keyboard to the device (here's how) because the Apple TV supports Bluetooth keyboards.

Realizing that owners of streaming-media devices need a better control system, accessory maker Logitech on Tuesday revealed its new full-fledged Harmony keyboard remote for the living room. It was specially designed for controlling devices such as the Apple TV, Roku and Xbox One and includes dedicated hardware keys and functions allowing you to search for shows, navigate menus and browse the web from your couch...

Apple announces finance chief Peter Oppenheimer to retire at the end of September

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 4, 2014

Apple has just announced via a media release that its longtime finance chief Peter Oppenheimer will be retiring at the end of September, ending a roughly 18-year career at the technology giant. The company called it a planned transition so he could take time for himself and his family.

In naming his successor, Apple said Luca Maestri, 50, will gradually take over as CFO in June to allow for a smooth transition. As per the release, during Oppenheimer's CFO time, Apple's revenue "grew from $8 to $171 billion".

It's interesting that Maestri left Nokia in February 2011, the same month the struggling Finnish cellphone giant announced they were adopting Microsoft's Windows Phone. He joined Apple in March of last year..

Brace yourselves for stunning on-rails shooter Star Horizon, arriving March 20

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2018

Fans of such shooters as the excellent Arc Squadron (a free download in the App Store), are going to fall in love with Star Horizon after it hits iOS later in March.

Powered by the Unity game engine (which now supports iOS 7 controllers) and created by developer Tabasco Interactive, Star Horizon shows what a long way we've come in terms of GPU performance on mobile devices.

Console-like graphics, stunning lighting effects, detailed 3D models of starships and fighters and just all-around fancy visuals are bound to knock your socks off. Jump past the fold for a trailer, screenshots and additional highlights...

iSpaceship designer talks Steve Jobs involvement, project’s scale and smart planning

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Apple has just finished demolishing the Campus 2 site after receiving an unanimous approval for the project from the Cupertino City Council last November. When construction completes in 2016, a whopping 12,000 Apple employees will move into their new 2.8 million square foot, ring-shaped home.

But how exactly was the massive glass and metal structure conceived, what was Steve Jobs involvement in the planning process and what influenced the four-story building's unique design which earned it the nickname of 'iSpaceship'?

Renowned architect Norman Foster, the chairman of Foster + Partners, led the project and talked all of the above, and then some more, in an interesting interview with Architectural Record, here are the highlights...

Apple’s new CarPlay feature will not support Pandora at launch

Cody Lee ∙ March 4, 2014

When Apple officially announced CarPlay, its highly anticipated vehicle integration project, yesterday, it noted the feature would support third-party music apps. The list it provided, however, was rather short including just iTunes Radio, Beats, Spotify, Stitcher Radio and iHeartRadio.

So what about all of the others? It's not looking good. Pandora confirmed with MacRumors last night that CarPlay will not include integration with its popular streaming music service, at least at launch. Despite this, the company says that Apple "continues to be a valued partner."

Facebook updates Paper with new sharing options, sound settings and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

Facebook has posted an update for its just-released Paper app this morning, bringing the app to version 1.0.2. The update adds a handful of new features, as well as several improvements including those in the form of reliability and performance.

On the new feature front, Facebook has added the ability to share articles via Facebook Messages, text message, or email. And you can also now turn off the app's sound effects so you can browse through the posts of your friends and family in peace...

Intel reportedly buys smartwatch maker Basis for $100+ million

Cody Lee ∙ March 4, 2014

TechCrunch is reporting that Intel has acquired smartwatch maker Basis for between $100 and $150 million. The buyout follows a scoop from February that the startup was shopping itself around to a number of high-profile tech firms including Google, Microsoft and yes, Apple.

For those unfamiliar with the brand, Basis makes a smartwatch-like device called the Basis Health Fitness Tracker, which it calls the “world’s most advanced health tracker.” The wearable is capable of capturing heart rate patterns, tracking multiple sleep stages and much more...