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16/32GB Wi-Fi Retina iPad mini shipping times slip to 5-10 days

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 23, 2013

Apple's iPad mini with Retina display used to ship in 1-3 business days for the more popular versions with sixteen and 32 gigabytes of storage, with the more capacious variants with 64 and 128 gigabytes of storage being delivered in 5-10 days.

In another development that won't please holiday shoppers, the entry-level 16GB Retina iPad mini along with its 32GB variant have become harder to come by as shipping estimates on the online Apple Store slip to 5-10 days. Matter of fact, now all capacities, colors, wireless and carrier models (Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi + Cellular) of the iPad mini with Retina display are shipping in 5-10 days...

Apps of the Week: Oceanhorn, Boxer, Flight Track 5, and more

Lory Gil ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is less than a week away? I could swear that Father Time is sitting in his dusty old study, moving the clock hands forward during this holiday season. I don’t even have my meal plan ready yet.

If you are looking for a new email client, want to do a little coding, or have a hankering for classic video game ports, we have a few apps that will make you smile this weekend…

Improve Do Not Disturb with ‘DNDPro’

Jeff Benjamin ∙ November 22, 2013

DNDPro is a new jailbreak tweak from dba Technologies. It serves to improve iOS's native Do Not Disturb capabilities by letting you control notifications while using certain apps.

DNDPro offers more granular control than the stock Do Not Disturb functionality. You can decided to disable all alerts while within a specific app, or only let banner notifications through.

If you like Do Not Disturb, but don't feel like it caters enough to power users, DNDPro is a tweak that should pique your interest. Have a look inside as we break down its features.

Google+ gains full-res photo/video backup, location sharing, inline translation and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

The search monster Google has posted another update to its Google+ app for the iPhone and iPad, this time bringing a new iOS 7 perk: the ability to upload your iOS Camera roll photos and videos automatically and in glorious full resolution, to a private album on Google+ Photos, viewable only by you (unless specified otherwise). This brings the iOS app to parity with its Android counterpart.

It's really useful because your photos get sent to the cloud in the background, even if you haven't opened the app. You could previously enable Camera backup in Google+, but this would not back up full resolution images and the app would upload for only a few minutes after it quit.

It's a very interesting addition that turns the Google+ thing into a viable cloud backup of your iOS Camera roll. This Google+ update comes with other tweaks and nice-to-haves so jump past the fold if you're interested to learn more...

Amazon app redesigned for iOS 7

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Just in time for the holidays, Amazon has redesigned its iPhone and iPad app for iOS 7. The update comes a week before Black Friday—the beginning of the biggest shopping weekend of the year for most retailers.

The app gives users virtually full access to the ecommerce giant's staggering selection of products, which ranges from electronics to clothes, and everything in between. And now it looks right at home on iOS 7 devices...

Foxconn looking to invest $40 million in new US plant

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

As part of its ongoing efforts to expand its North American operations, Foxconn is looking to invest over $40 million over the next two years building a high-tech manufacturing facility in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Bloomberg is reporting this week that the company, which counts Apple as its largest client, will spend $30 million on the new plant and $10 million in research and development at Carnegie Mellon University...

Rumor: Instagram to get private messaging feature

Sébastien Page ∙ November 22, 2013

An interesting piece of news coming from Om Malik:

Well-placed sources tell us that the company is gearing up to launch new private messaging features inside its still red-hot photo and video sharing service. It is also experimenting with the idea of group messaging, our source tells us. The new features are likely to find home in the next version of Instagram, which is expected before end of the year. An Instagram spokesperson (not surprisingly) declined to comment.

So far, the only way you can communicate with an Instagram user is by leaving a comment on one of his photos, which is everything but practical. Private messaging sounds like a natural and useful evolution of the service.

As an Instagram user, would you welcome this new feature?

Show Us Your Setup: Jeff Benjamin’s work space

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

Every so often, we'd like to showcase the work space of an iDB writer. We want to give you a behind the scenes look at our work spaces so that you can get to know us better.

A lot of people have asked me about my setup over the years, so I thought it would only be right if I'm the guinea pig in this test. In this edition of Show Us Your Setup, I showcase my writing, blogging, and video editing work space. In a later edition, perhaps I'll show you my entire video setup.

By and large, this is where I do 90% of my writing for iDB. It's also where I sit when recording and editing Let's Talk iOS. I also sit in this exact spot when editing videos, or doing any of the other day to day activities to help Sebastien keep iDB running smoothly. Inside, I'll explain some of features of my setup, the products I use, and my mindset when choosing this setup.

Virgin America becomes the latest airline to let you use electronics during takeoff and landing

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

Virgin America, one of my personal favorite airlines, is now allowing its passengers to use their electronic devices during takeoff and landing.

As of today, Virgin America is allowing travelers unrestricted use of most portable electronic devices (PEDs) from “gate-to-gate” on all phases of flights on all of its aircraft within U.S. airspace. Although some carriers have already lifted the restriction of PED use on many aircraft and during certain categories of flight, Virgin America’s fleet of 53 new Airbus A320-family aircraft is the first cleared by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for PED usage during all categories of flight – even during CAT II and CAT III precision approaches and landings.

Unlike most other airlines, Virgina America has also been cleared by the FAA to let its passengers use electronic devices during all categories of flight (yes, that means even in low visibility).

Frontier is now the last major airline not allowing PED usage on its flights. It should only be a matter of time.

Honda says iOS mirroring will be available in 2014 Civic

Cody Lee ∙ November 22, 2013

It looks like Honda is going to be one of the first auto-makers to ship a vehicle compatible with Apple's new iOS in the Car feature. A representative for the company confirmed with a customer via Twitter that the tech will be available in its 2014 Civic.

For those unfamiliar with iOS in the Car, it's essentially Apple's next level of in-car device integration. Where 'Eyes Free' only let users access Siri, this will allow users to access apps like Phone, Maps, Music and more via their car's built-in touchscreen...

Some US, Canada Apple Stores opening early on Black Friday

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Black Friday is next week, and for those unfamiliar with the term, it's the Friday after Thanksgiving that kicks off the busiest shopping weekend of the year. Retailers open their stores early and offer significant discounts on their products in hope of luring in holiday shoppers.

And it looks like Apple will be participating in the festivities this year. While we haven't yet received word on the company's Black Friday deals, it does appear that many of its retail stores in both the United States and Canada will be opening early to accomodate the crowds...

Cellular Retina iPad mini hitting regional U.S. carriers, starting with Bluegrass Cellular

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 22, 2013

The United States wireless carrier Bluegrass Cellular started selling the iPad Air on November 1, along with many other regional U.S. wireless companies.

And as cellular models of the iPad mini with Retina display have recently begun trickling into Apple’s U.S. retail stores, the Kentucky-based carrier has started selling nearly every Retina mini model.

Moreover, Bluegrass is offering the device via both its web store and directly to customers who shop in one of its retail stores. Customers can buy the device either on or off-contract, with monthly installments making it easier on the wallet. The full breakdown is right below...