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New ‘Spin’ iOS chatting app does full HD 60FPS video and Wideband 44kHz audio

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 13, 2018

Doesn't it bother you that popular mobile video chatting solutions draw from pedestrian video compression technology (maxing out at 720p, at best) and rarely provide acceptable audio quality?

Case in point: Microsoft-owned Skype, which bragged about its recent iOS client update bringing high-definition video calling - though it's limited to 720p. Spin, a brand new free of charge iOS mobile together experience, is unlike any chat you've experienced before.

Three years in the making, Skype's hot new competitor is exclusive to the iPhone and iPad and capable of delivering cinematic experiences with full HD 1080p video (1,920-by-1,080 pixel resolution, to be precise) at sixty frames per second, along with crisp Wideband 44kHz audio.

You and your parents should immediately download Spin. Jump past the fold for the full reveal...

Qualcomm exec says Apple’s 64-Bit A7 chip is a ‘marketing gimmick’

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 27, 2019

In a recent interview with Techworld, Qualcomm's chief marketing officer Anand Chandrasekher told the publication that he thinks that Apple's 64-bit A7 processor is just a 'marketing gimmick' and that it adds 'zero benefit' for the customer.

The executive's remarks follow several weeks of discussion on the processor, which is the first 64-bit chip to land in a smartphone, from all corners of the tech world. Here's why he thinks it's more of a marketing stunt than a technical enhancement...

Eddy Cue talks iTunes Festival and iTunes Radio in EW interview

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

September was a big month for Apple and its iTunes team. In addition to running its iTunes Festival—a 30-day long concert with some 60 performances, the company also launched a new streaming music service called iTunes Radio.

And yesterday, the folks over at Entertainment Weekly had the chance to sit down and talk with the man behind it all: Apple's SVP of software and services Eddy Cue. We've posted a few choice excerpts from the interview after the fold...

NBA 2K14 hits the App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

If you're into sports and are a fan of basketball and the NBA in particular, the newly-released NBA 2K14 for iOS devices should be on your list for consideration. The game has been published by 2K Games, a Take-Two Interactive subsidiary notable for its recent release of Lucid Games' 2K Drive for the iPhone and iPad.

Of course, it's really an updated version of 2K's ongoing NBA series for the iPhone and iPad, refreshed with the 2013-14 season stats, players, venues and other data (just like EA Sports' FIFA series)...

iCloud push email reinstated in Germany

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

After a German appeals court a month ago lifted the injunction which prevented Apple from offering push notifications for its iCloud email service, owners of the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices in the country can finally again enjoy push notifications for incoming iCloud email messages. The feature has been disabled for German users for about 19 months after it had to be shut down following a legal wrangling with Motorola over patents.

Apple’s ever-growing cash horde pegged at one-tenth of all US corporate dollars

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

Some people collects rocks, other people collect stamps. Apple, however, likes cash. Turns out the iPhone maker, all by itself, controls ten percent of all corporate cash in the United States.

Just how much is that? New data shows Apple's bank account of $147 billion represents ten percent of the $1.48 trillion held by non-banking U.S. companies.

Here's another factoid to make you even more uneasy about that measly savings account of yours: all together, Microsoft, Google, Cisco and Pfizer - not exactly nickel and dime operations - account for another fifteen percent of all U.S. corporate cash...

Apple starts training support staff on OS X Mavericks ahead of impending release

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 2, 2013

The AppleCare support staff has begun official OS X Mavericks training in anticipation of the looming OS X Mavericks release, a reliable blog has learned. The upcoming Mac desktop operating system release should hit the Mac App Store before November and will bring a host of improvements and new features, including Maps integration across desktop and mobile, better handling of notifications, and several new features for power users. Apple first demoed OS X Mavericks at its summer developer conference in June 2013...

Virgin Mobile lands iPhone 5s/5c, $100 off unsubsidized

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated July 13, 2017

Virgin Mobile, Sprint's prepaid brand, started offering the new iPhones for $100 less compared to Apple's official unsubsidized pricing. Both the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c are available with a $100 discount when purchased unsubsidized. This means Virgin Mobile customers can get the entry-level 16GB iPhone 5s for $549 (Apple's price: $649) or the colorful 16GB iPhone 5c for $449 (Apple's price: $549). Virgin's plans include unlimited data (throttled after 2.5GB) and start at just $30 a month. More details right below...

Dollarbird review: personal finance meets calendar

Lory Gil ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

Depending on the kind of person you are, keeping track of your finances is either as easy as tying your shoes, or harder than remembering your great aunt’s birthday.

Dollarbird makes it possible for you to plan your monthly budget and keep an eye on your daily spending to help you avoid the dreaded “overdrawn” letter from the bank…

Tin Man Games launches eighth installment in Gamebook Adventure series

Lory Gil ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

Some of you may remember gamebooks from your childhood. They were similar to choose-your-own-adventure games, but with the added twist of including stats-based fights against non-player characters (NPC).

Gamebook Adventures 8: Curse of the Assassin is the latest installment in the company’s ongoing series. Grab your game fuel and get ready for an adventure filled with magic, monsters, and mystery…

Retina iPad mini could face severe supply constraints

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 16, 2016

Despite the fact that we've seen conflicting reports on the topic, the consensus seems to be that Apple is working on an iPad mini with a high resolution display. And it's expected to introduce the tablet at a media event this month.

According to a new scoop from Reuters, however, even if such a product is unveiled in the near future, it may be a while before you can get your hands on one. The outlet says initial supplies for the slate will be severely constrained...

Apple says it’s aware of iMessage issue and is working on a fix

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Since the release of iOS 7 last month, users have been complaining of issues activating iMessage. What's more, out of those who have been able to activate the service, some have been experiencing problems sending and receiving messages.

Well the good news is, Apple is aware of a glitch in the new firmware that is causing the disruption of iMessage activity and is working on it. The company tells The Wall Street Journal a fix will be available in an upcoming software update...