Following reports that Apple is working to implement iBeacon tech in its retail stores comes word that Shopkick has beat it to the punch. The shopping app has teamed up with Macy's to deliver the first major retail iBeacon system.
The technology, which is new to iOS 7, uses Bluetooth LE signaling to enable micro-location services and is expected to be a huge hit with retailers. The tech will allow stores to deliver targeted sales and information to their customers...
The Wall Street Journal a month ago revealed that Samsung of South Korea signed a lucrative deal with the NBA worth a hundred million bucks to provide its tablets and TVs that referees will use to review close calls. It's part of the Galaxy maker's ongoing and massive advertising push which includes big name celebrity endorsements, event sponsorships, sports tie-ins and more.
But despite the partnership which moves Samsung into the valuable space so close to the action, Bloomberg is reporting today that NBA is still very much in love with their iPads and has produced a video explaining how NBA uses Apple's devices to improve their games. More on that right after the break..
In line with its announcement last week, Google has updated its Chrome browser for iOS this afternoon, bringing the app to version 31.0.1650.18. The update includes several bug fixes, and a couple of handy new features.
The headlining new feature is called synced autofill, and it will auto-complete forms on the web that you’ve previously filled out while logged in under the same Google account. And there's also a new long-press function...
Apple has long been known for its supply chain prowess, mostly thanks to one man: Tim Cook. Before taking over the CEO position in 2011, Cook was the company's chief operating officer and oversaw a number of successful product rollouts that garnered impressive profits.
But according to a new report, the iPad-maker isn't resting on its laurels. Apple is apparently adjusting its supply chain model from having OEMs being responsible for both component procurement and production, to purely production, as it moves to raise its product margins...
The Internet giant Google today moved closer to consolidating its digital magazine offerings by merging magazines and newspapers along with the Currents app into a new software, known as Google Play Newsstand (seriously?). Google Currents functionality has now been folded into Newsstand, now available for download on Android devices via the Play store.
A spokesperson for the company confirmed that an iOS version is coming in 2014. In addition to subscriptions to digital magazines like Hearst, Conde Nast and Time Warner’s Time Inc. sold through Google Play Magazine, the company has now started selling newspaper subscriptions, with The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Financial Times and Los Angeles Times acting as premium launch partners, among other publications.
Apple of course has its own digital store for magazines and newspapers in the stock Newsstand app on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices so it'll be interesting seeing how Google's latest endeavor plays out in the greater scheme of things...
Tweeticles? Say what? Just bear with me for a second...
I happen to consume a ridiculous amount of written content every day, fast-reading tons of news stories, review articles, op-ed pieces and what not. And when I'm out and about, I need a clean-reading app to do away with bells and whistles on web pages so I can focus on text, akin to iOS 7 Safari's Reader feature (this also helps save precious cellular bandwidth).
Readable for iPhone is one of the best apps for this purpose and with today's massive 2.0 update it's become way more useful.
For starters, it's moved away from HTML5 to native experiences as Readable has been re-written from the ground up with iOS 7 design and features in mind.
It's 64-bit, Dynamic Text aware, syncs across devices via iCloud, lets you navigate using one-tap pagination or read hands-free using 10x speed auto-scrolling, can share specific page positions, accesses your favorites and history offline and lots more.
Tweeticles?
Read on...
PayPal has long had a nice albeit somewhat limited iPhone application available in the App Store. Back in September, they gave the software a much-needed redesign while expanding on feature set with useful new capability like the ability to pay at local shops, save offers and order ahead, to name a few.
Today, the team followed up with another feature-laden update. PayPal 5.2 for iPhone does away with skeuomorphism in favor for a much cleaner look that fits nicely into the overall iOS 7 aesthetics. More importantly, you are now free to withdraw cash, pay using QR codes and more...
Today, Apple has finally launched the Apple Store app for iPad. The iPhone application was released back in June 2010 and all this time Apple has failed to provide the native tablet experience, until today. Apple Store for iPad, available now on the App Store, is heavy on gestures and brings a completely redesigned appearance which feels right at home in iOS 7 and takes advantage of the larger canvas on iPads by putting product images front and center.
The many Apple Store categories are nicely organized and always accessible via a sleek navigation bar which automatically gets out of the way. While the app provides important product description and other meta data, the use of white space and smart design adds up to readability.
Released in time for your holiday mobile shopping, Apple Store for iPad is arguably perhaps the best iOS 7 app Apple has written thus far, and I don't mean that in a small way. Yup, it's that good.
Jump past the fold for the full reveal...
Created by Realmac Software, the same guys who brought you the popular Clear to-do software for iOS and OS X and the Ember scrapbook application for the Mac (among other apps), are out with an interesting new virtual pet game for the iPhone and iPod touch.
Created in co-operation with Impending, the big hatching dubbed Hatch basically delivers Tamagochi-like virtual pet experience in the palm of your hand. The iPhone game is available now in the Apple App Store and I've included a few screenies, videos and more info right after the break...
This week, Apple gave the iPad Editor’s Choice spotlight to a sweet little 3D adventure game by a small independent company. This mobile adventure is proof that epic and expansive games like The Legend of Zelda can work on iOS.
Oceanhorn: Monsters of the Uncharted Sea is a 3-D adventure game where players battle enemies, solve puzzles, and collect coins while exploring the island of the Uncharted Sea. Get ready for questing in this beautifully rendered mobile game…
A good, fast-paced arcade style game is hard to find in the sea of hundreds of thousands of titles that fill the App Store. When a really good one does come out, it usually rises to the top.
Tilt to Live 2: Redonkulous is one of those sweet gems that offer you a fast-paced gaming experience that will put your skills and reaction time to the test. It’s so hard, it’s redonkulous…
Following months of rumors, and a few teasers from the company itself, Logitech has finally unveiled its first iOS 7 game controller. It's called the 'PowerShell,' and it works with any iPhone 5, iPhone 5s or 5th generation iPod touch.
The game pad features console-style controls, with a d-pad, an X-Y-B-A button cluster, and two shoulder triggers. It also features an integrated 1500mAh battery, which will keep your iOS device running long after it runs out of juice...