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Some entry level Bluetooth speakers to consider

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

We love music. For years, well before iPods, we took music everywhere. From records to CD's, music is a part of every day life, especially with the invention of MP3 players and the subsequent iPod. However, these are personal devices with single use headphone jacks. Music is most fun when enjoyed with those around us, or at least without being tied down by a corded headset.

Setting music free, is the Bluetooth speaker. As a reviewer, it seems Bluetooth speakers continue to advance in popularity. Not only do I get asked to review them more frequently, but I seem to have more personal conversations about them too. Which one is best, more portable, louder, more clear, better battery and so forth. To throw a few out there for consideration, I rounded up four different models for your consideration...

Google Hangouts for iOS updated with status updates

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

Google posted a significant update for its Hangouts app yesterday, bringing the Android client to version 2.0. The update included several new features like SMS and MMS support, animated GIFs, and one-tap location sharing.

The good news is that the tech giant didn't forget about iPhone and iPad users, and posted a new version of its iOS client as well. The bad news is that it's not half the update that Android users got, with just a handful of changes...

Griffin introduces new iOS-controlled ‘Moto TC Rally’ car

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

Folks in the market for a new remote control car that you can control with an iOS device should check out Griffin's new 'Moto TC Rally' offering. It's half the price of the recently released Anki Drive kit and uses Bluetooth 4.0.

The fact that it uses Bluetooth 4.0 is huge for a few reasons. In addition to requiring almost no power, this means that you won't be restricted to line-of-sight, nor will you have to attach a bulky controller pack to your device...

Facebook app update brings post editing to iPad

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

Last month, Facebook rolled out an update for its iOS app that allowed users to edit posts and comments and preview all of their changes. But up until now, these features have been exclusive to the iPhone.

That changed, however, late last night, when a new version of the Facebook client popped up in the App Store. The update, which brings the app to version 6.7, brings the ability to edit posts to iPad users...

Apple addresses Mavericks issues with updates for Mail and iBooks

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Good news this afternoon for folks who have been dealing with teething issues in the just-released OS X Mavericks. Apple has posted updates today for the Mail and iBooks apps, which should resolve two of the more popular complaints.

The iBooks update brings the app to version 1.0.1 and includes bug fixes and stability improvements. And the Mail update promises to improve general stability and compatibility with Gmail, solving issues that made the client unreliable...

Beware of Monsters Rising in the App Store

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

Although Halloween passed us by a week ago, ghoulish apps are still making their way into the App Store. It is possible that the developers didn’t quite get their apps into Apple for approval early enough. No matter, monsters are fun to play with any time of the year.

Monsters Rising is an action strategy combat game that involves gesture-based controls. Draw shapes on the screen to trigger attacks that will send Minotaur, mummies, and other monsters back to their mythological homes…

The harsh realities of getting a job in Apple’s supply chain

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 7, 2013

Current CEO Tim Cook under Steve Jobs used to run Apple's vast network of suppliers and contract manufacturers and has largely been credited with turning the company into a well-oiled money-printing machine. But making sure trains run on time involves the incredible complexities associated with hiring tens of thousands of workers - and fast, too - who tediously assemble iPhones and iPads in factories located in China and Taiwan.

Apple and its manufacturing partners have been taking a lot of heat over worker treatment in these sweatshops so the iPhone maker eventually started tracking the work hours of 1+ million supply chain workers and took other proactive measures to ensure fair hiring.

But now, another issue is making headlines: the inhumane treatment of would-be employees by employment brokers who take high advance fees from workers and their families, contrary to Apple's rules. Read on...

Google Drive refreshed with multi-accounts, single sign-on and wireless printing

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 26, 2017

In terms of feature additions, it's been a quiet period for the Google Drive iOS app after a major visual makeover two months ago brought the software in line with its Android counterpart. But the team hasn't been standing still. In a small but sweet update Thursday, the app has finally gained a much requested new feature - support for multiple Google Accounts - as well as the ability to print your documents wirelessly via either Apple's AirPrint or Google's Cloud Print protocol.

Jump past the fold for additional tidbits...

Apple’s Bluetooth hotspot patent points to iWatch

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 7, 2013

The United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) on Thursday published an interesting Apple patent that has iWatch written all over it. The filing titled 'Network access using short-range connectability' describes a low-power wireless hotspot functionality via Bluetooth 4.0 that basically provides network connectivity akin to the iOS Wi-Fi hotspot feature, but without draining the battery as much.

By relying on the Bluetooth 4.0 low-energy protocol, also known as Bluetooth LE or Bluetooth Smart, such a wireless hotspot is a fit for a device like the rumored Apple smartwatch, which must be super power-efficient. Another benefit of using the Bluetooth LE-enabled hotspot is that your iPhone can instantly wake up the host device...

GT Advanced’s 2014 revenue to grow 15x thanks to sapphire deal with Apple

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

As officially confirmed earlier this week, Apple has teamed up with smartphone cover glass maker GT Advanced in a $578 million multi-year deal which gives the iPhone maker steady supply of sapphire glass, a crystalline form of aluminum oxide hailed for its unmatched scratch resistance and hardness second only to diamond.

GT will be investing big money in large capacity furnaces to forge the precious gemstone on an industrial scale at Apple's upcoming eco-friendly, 700-employee facility in Mesa, Arizona. Although the deal is subject to “certain exclusivity terms” and GT expects "substantially lower" gross margins, it's of strategic nature and will be cash positive to GT.

By some estimates, GT's revenue next year could experience an unheard-of 15x increase based on the Apple contract alone...

RunKeeper is now optimized for Apple’s M7 motion-tracking chip

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 7, 2013

RunKeeper, a personal trainer in your pocket, has been updated today and among a pair of AirDrop-related enhancements is a little gem which particularly stands out: support for Apple's M7 motion coprocessor.

As a long time user of fitness-related apps such as Pedometer++, Argus and Strava Run, I can't tell you how many times I wished these GPS-enabled apps were not power hogs.

The M7 is easily one of the most overlooked iPhone 5s features. The aforementioned fitness apps as of recently have M7 motion tracking and you can just immediately tell how the chip improves the experience by not forcing you to keep an app open at all.

The M7 works independently of the main A7 processor, dutifully recording and storing up to a week's worth of motion data. This allows an app to load up your motion history as if it were active all along. Without a doubt, M7 support is a major power-friendly enhancement. So, how does the newly-implemented M7 integration make RunKeeper better?