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Google to automate production lines at iPhone manufacturer Foxconn with advanced robots

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 11, 2014

Future iPhones could be built by Google robots as The Wall Street Journal reports that the search monster is working with Apple's favorite contract manufacturer, Foxconn of Taiwan, on automating production lines.

Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou reportedly met with Google's Andy Rubin in Taipei to talk new robotic technologies meant to "speed up robot deployment" at Foxconn plants. The machines would run Google's upcoming robotic operating system for manufacturers. The two men have reportedly been collaborating since last year to carry out Google's vision for robotics.

Eagled-eyed readers will remember that Google's boss Larry Page in March 2013 put former Android head Andy Rubin in charge of a moonshot project to create a new generation of robots...

Apple’s VP of iPad and Mac operations retires

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Apple has lost one of its key iPad and Mac executives, Rita Lane, who has retired from the company, according to her public LinkedIn profile highlighted by Mark Gurman of 9to5Mac. Her role at Apple as Vice President of Operations was a significant one.

As such, she was instrumental in helping manage Apple's supply chain and manufacturing for iPads, Macs and Mac accessories. Lane worked under the supervision of Apple's Senior Vice President of Operations, Jeff Williams, who took over from the previous op-chief Tim Cook, now the Apple CEO...

iWatch may have simpler capabilities than initially thought. Disappointed?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 22, 2016

According to a new report by Brian Dolan of MobiHealthNews, the rumored Apple wearable device, the iWatch, may have simpler technological capabilities than those high-profile hirings, job ads, patents and rumors would have you believe.

Citing unnamed sources with "limited but direct knowledge," the report claims the iWatch is more of a companion than a standalone device.

In other words, it may require the iPhone for much of its functionality. MobiHealthNews doesn't have an established track record in terms of Apple rumors so the story should be taken with a grain of salt.

On the other hand, the publication did accurately reveal that Apple hired Michael O'Reilly, former chief medical officer and executive vice president of medical affairs at pulse oximeter firm Masimo Corporation...

Documentarian Ken Burns launches iPad app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 11, 2017

Documentarian and movie director Kenneth Lauren "Ken" Burns is well-known for his style of using archival footage and photographs and giving them life by slowly zooming in on subjects of interest and panning from one subject to another.

This technique became known as 'The Ken Burns effect' and you'll find it in Apple's iPhoto, iMovie and Final Cut Pro X apps and many other software applications.

Today, Ken's out with a new namesake iPad app, now available free in the App Store, which gives you access to streaming videos containing extras, behind-the-scenes and other footage from all 25 of his films, such as The Civil War, Baseball and Prohibition...

realMyst: Masterpiece Edition now available on Mac OS X

Lory Gil ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Twenty years ago, a mysterious and complex puzzle adventure game won the hearts and minds of PC gamers. The wickedly complex puzzles and deeply involving storyline created millions of fans and spawned a few remakes and an equally complex sequel, Riven.

realMyst was one of the remakes, and features free-roaming 3-D graphics and a few awesome features that make it more game-like and less two-dimensional. The 20th anniversary version of the original game has recently been launched in the Mac App Store under the title realMyst: Masterpiece Edition…

Apple top target for patent trolls, sued 92 times in 3 years

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 6, 2016

Apple has taken much criticism over the years for its patent litigation efforts, for going after Samsung, Motorola and other companies for violating its intellectual property. But what many don't know is that the iPad-maker defends itself against just as many lawsuits.

In fact, according to some recently filed FTC documents, Apple has been litigated against by PAEs (or Patent Assertion Entity, commonly known as a patent troll) 92 times during the past 3 years. And that's just the number of cases that actually made it to a courtroom...

Moga knocks 20% off price of ‘Ace Power’ iOS 7 controller

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

MOGA has dropped the price of its 'Ace Power' iOS 7 gaming controller by 20%, bringing it down to $80 from $100. The move follows similar price drops by both Logitech and Strata on their respective MFi controllers, signaling a trend in the space.

The Ace Power was the first of the iPhone-compatible game controllers to hit the market when it launched in November, and it features a d-pad, dual analog sticks, 4 action buttons/triggers, and a built-in 1800 mAh battery for recharging your device...

Popular theming app pulled from Google Play due to Apple copyright complaint

Cody Lee ∙ February 10, 2014

Themer, a popular Android customization app by MyColorScreen, was pulled from the Google Play marketplace last week. The app allows users to browse a selection of home screen themes, and it appears that one of them may be guilty of copyright infringement.

The theme is called 'Seven,' and as you've probably guessed by now, it looks like its creator got a lot of his inspiration from iOS 7. So Apple has filed a copyright complaint with Google, forcing the search giant to remove the app to avoid further legal ramifications...

Sky Gamblers: Storm Raiders named IGN’s ‘Free Game of the Month’

Cody Lee ∙ February 10, 2014

Good news gamers, IGN has named the popular Sky Gamblers: Storm Raiders its Free Game of the Month. This is one of the few times that the game, which normally retails for $4.99, has ever been made available at no cost.

For those unfamiliar with the title, this particular episode of Sky Gamblers was first released in late 2012 and bills itself as the 'ultimate World War II air combat' game with a variety of levels and plane models to choose from...

Five months later, Path gets its iOS 7 refresh. The question is, do you still care?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

The once popular private social network, Path, has finally received today its way, way overdue iOS 7 refresh. I mean, the 2014 Valentine's Day is looming and Apple released iOS 7 back on September 18, 2013.

If you're still using Path - I don't as I'm pressed for time - you'll immediately notice a revamped appearance making the software adhere to the overall iOS 7 aesthetics.

Controls in Settings have been simplified, you can now use the iOS 7 swipe gesture to navigate the menus and browsing the Shop is now cleaner and more streamlined than it used to be.

The team says they've made the new version (3.4) simpler and easier to "do the things you do every day with Path". Jump past the fold to see some nice screenies and learn more about the app. Or, if you're impatient you can just go ahead and immediately grab Path 3.4 free in the App Store...

Google launches new Admin iOS app to manage Google Apps domains

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 10, 2014

Google's official Enterprise Blog today announced a new iPhone and iPad app to manage your Google Apps domain. Google Admin, available free in the App Store, lets you manage Google Apps users on your domain, change passwords, access support, review and filter logs, access group management features such as adding and viewing group members, deleting individual group members and more.

If you're an administrator hosting your domain on Google Apps, the app should be a no-brainer, but keep in mind you're still going to have to access the web interface to use some of the more advanced features...

How to play a Flappy Bird clone on the Pebble Smartwatch

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Flappy Bird continues to be all the rage even after it was removed from the App Store. In fact, it's so popular that a Flappy Bird clone named Tiny Bird was created for the diminutive Pebble Smartwatch. The gameplay is much the same, although it is significantly less forgiving than the game that inspired it (if you can believe that).

Inside I'll show you how to get Tiny Bird on your Pebble watch. And yes, I even have video of my embarrassing hands-on gameplay.