New Boxie app promises to ‘prettify your Dropbox’

I've never thought that there was anything wrong with Dropbox's iPhone client. It works well enough for me. But there are some folks who think the app lacks features, is tough to use, and isn't visually appealing.

Well if you happen to fall into that category, you may be interested in Boxie. The app, which launched today, promises to 'prettify' your Dropbox with a clean, easy-to-use user interface and several handy features...

Inaccurate iPhone 5s sensor readings blamed on new accelerometer supplier Bosch

Cody recently relayed a Gizmodo report describing how an unknown portion of iPhone 5s owners have been experiencing inaccurate compass and inclinometers readings, consistently off by a noticeable margin. A huge thread on Apple's support forums details the persistent problem.

One report Wednesday offered the most likely culprit: a change in supplier. It wasn't immediately clear whether the issue can be fixed by way of firmware update or if some sensors are off by design, in which case Apple might replace faulty iPhone 5s units at no cost...

Following spam attack, Instagram ignores requests to fix broken features [updated]

Do you remember the Instagram smoothie spam attack that happened a few months ago? For those of you that are not aware of the situation, let me give you a brief history. On July 27 of this year, many users found out their account had been hacked into, and pictures of smoothies and juices with a link to some scam site disguised as the BBC were posted from those hacked accounts

Although Instagram never actually explained what happened that day, the company quickly took "actions to secure the accounts involved, and the posted photos are being deleted."

I was one of these people affected by the attack. I actually noticed my account had been hacked well before Instagram reacted. I did all I could do at the time, which was changing my password and making sure my account was not tied to any third party applications.

Since that day, I was never able to use Instagram to its full capabilities, and although I have emailed support several times clearly explaining my issue, I never heard back from them...

Oyster brings its unlimited e-book subscription service to iPad

If you read a lot but find electronic books Apple offers on its iBook Store a tad pricey, you should consider Oyster, an awesome subscription-based e-book service that gives you unlimited access to over a hundred thousand titles for a flat monthly fee of just $9.95.

'The Netflix of e-books,' as some call this New York-based startup, launched last month as a private beta on an invite-only basis on Apple's iPhone and iPod touch.

Today, the service announced it is now open to everyone. Moreover, they've released a new version of the iPhone app which adds native iPad support ahead of Apple's October 22 media event. I have more information right after the break...

Meet FingerLoc, AuthenTec’s bulky and unreliable Touch ID predecessor

After Apple had snapped up AuthenTec, an Israel-based NFC and smart sensor maker, for about $400 million in the summer of 2012, speculation abounded as puzzled pundits couldn't envision Touch ID coming. Shortly after, Apple told AuthenTec's clients such as Samsung to buy their sensors elsewhere.

It also shuttered the startup's Embedded Security Solutions division while tasking AuthenTec engineers with rethinking fingerprint scanning on mobile. The results were nothing short of amazing: Apple has managed to take competition by surprise by seamlessly integrating the sophisticated Touch ID sensor into the iconic Home button, a far cry from the unreliable solutions that require you to swipe the sensor.

One publication was lucky enough to have been invited to a private presentation of an early Touch ID prototype by the AuthenTec co-founder F. Scott Moody...

Olloclip launches improved 4-in-1 iPhone camera attachment with dual macro lens

The iPhone camera lens attachment maker, Olloclip, today updated its multipurpose 3-in-1 iPhone 5 camera lens (it started out as a Kickstarter project) with compelling new features. The new 4-in-1 module packs in fisheye and a pair of wide angle lenses as before, with the addition of a more powerful 15x macro lens. The other side of the dual-sided accessory sports the 10x macro lens with an 18mm focus distance which was retained from the original model. Jump past the fold for the full breakdown...

Why would Apple cut iPhone 5c production down?

That is twice in two weeks that we hear Apple has asked suppliers in China to cut down on production of the iPhone 5c. Although the first report from Chinese website C Technology came more as a rumor than an actual fact, today's WSJ report that echoes the same information definitely gives more credence to the claim.

This is the ideal news for Apple naysayers, downers, and other AAPL bears. Clearly, if Apple is cutting down orders on the iPhone 5c, then it must mean the device isn't selling as well as expected. But is that really the truth?

Ireland to alter tax laws in wake of Apple uproar

Ireland's Finance Minister announced plans to close a loop-hole in the country's corporate tax laws, eliminating the ability for companies such as Apple to operate as virtually 'stateless' firms ungoverned by any nation's taxing authority. The change in the Irish laws means the iPhone maker cannot avoid declaring tax residency in either the U.S. or Ireland.

Earlier this year, Apple's ability to funnel payments through a unit in Ireland to avoid paying taxes brought U.S. scrutiny by the Senate and testimony by Apple CEO Tim Cook...

Consumer Reports praises new iPhones, but calls latest Droids a better buy

A lot (some?) of people partially base their purchasing decisions on reviews and comparisons of consumer products by Consumer Reports, an influential U.S. monthly published by Consumers Union since 1936. It also irked Apple fans over milking the iPhone 4 over Antennagate meme for all it was worth.

In turn, Consumer Reports lost some of its credibility and luster, especially after it changed its mind and backtracked on its original 'can't recommend the iPhone 4' stance.

Today, the publication is back at it again, having put Apple's new iPhones through their paces. Even though it loved the iPhone 5c and came away impressed with the iPhone 5s's improved camera and Touch ID fingerprint scanning, Consumer Reports still thinks Motorola's latest Droid handsets are a better buy versus the new iPhones...

How rapid adoption of iPhone 5s/5c is preventing Android-like fragmentation

We've all heard the Android propaganda: vast numbers of cheap smartphones based on Google's mobile software will overcome the quality of Apple handsets. Not so fast, say new web traffic numbers. In less than a month, 40.6 percent of iPhones online are the new iPhone 5s or iPhone 5c models.

Indeed, if this upward curve continues, the majority of iPhones will be using Apple's latest technology at most one year old. By comparison, Android continues suffering from fragmentation marked by apps developed for a time when Apple's iOS 3 was just launched...

Nike’s iPhone 5s M7-optimized Move app landing on November 6

Cody told you about Nike's second-generation FuelBand fitness bracelet that was announced at yesterday's media event in New York City. The $149 Nike+ FuelBand SE accessory is coming November 6, bringing with it Bluetooth 4.0 support for low-power performance, in addition to hourly reminders, a clock mode and support for the iPhone 5s’s new M7 chip.

As a sidenote, the accompanying media release mentions that the Nike+ Move app which Apple's marketing boss Phil Schiller showed off briefly during the iPhone 5s/5c keynote is coming to the App Store the same day, on Wednesday, November 6, 2013...

OtterBox unveils Preserver series of iPhone 5/5s/5c waterproof cases with Touch ID support

Accessory maker OtterBox makes a compelling range of protective case, sleeves and rugged cases for smartphones and just yesterday they announced a new Preserver series for the iPhone 5, as well as the new iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s, the latter featuring full Touch ID support. The two-piece highly protective cases with snap assembly is bound to add discernible bulk and weight to your device.

In exchange, you'll get full protection from dust and water. The company says the case can withstand drops from up to 2 meters, or about 6.6 feet, as well as protect your device when fully submerged up to 2 meters deep for as much as 30 minutes...