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Is iOS 7 battery life getting you down? These tips may just help

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

It's a situation we seem to find ourselves in with each iOS update, yet we always seem to be surprised when it happens. Alas, it seems that iOS 7 has left many of us with the same battery problems that plagued almost every other big point-0 release of the operating system that powers the iPhone and iPad.

Anyone with a long memory will remember that we had your back when iOS 5 was causing chaos with iPhone 4S batteries a couple of years ago, and with iPhones the world over seemingly unable to hold a charge as long as they used to, we thought it might be time to offer one or two tips on trying to eek as many hours out of a charge as possible.

So, without further ado, let's get started turning things off...

BlackBerry halts BBM for iPhone rollout after Android version leaks

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Last week, BlackBerry confirmed via its Twitter account that it would be launching BBM for iPhone this weekend—today in fact, September 22. But as you've probably noticed, it's nowhere to be found.

So what happened? Well the app actually landed in the New Zealand App Store, and a handful of other countries yesterday. But it appears that a leaked version of the Android app halted the rollout...

Wallpapers of the week: parallax ready walls for iOS 7

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated March 15, 2018

We are all settled with our new devices after a grueling week of long lines and iOS 7 upgrades. It was a big week for Apple fans the world over and next week will continue to excite as customers who ordered iPhone 5s electronically begin receiving units on Monday and Tuesday.

To prep for my reviews, I purchased a green 5c and silver 5s, of which the 5c arrived Friday. Although I had access to iOS 7 since WWDC, I opted to remain with an iPhone 5 iOS 6 JB until my new device arrived in the mail. Consequently, I have only been running iOS 7 for the past 24 hours through my new device. I must say, it is quite the shocking experience, but I am getting used to the new interface.

As the self proclaimed wallpaper guy for iDB, one of the new features I am very excited about is the parallax effect. Utilizing the iPhone's accelerometer, gyroscope, and a little coding magic, the wallpaper appears to move behind the icons when tilting the device. To enhance the effect, applying a wallpaper slightly larger than the iPhone's screen resolution is important. Step inside to download our first featured post with parallax ready images...

Good deal: 50% off Spigen iPhone 5/5s case and GLAS.t bundle

Cody Lee ∙ September 22, 2013

Looking for a way to protect that shiny new iPhone 5s you just purchased? What about your iPhone 5? Either way, if the answer is yes, you should definitely check out this new Spigen promotional bundle from Stack Social.

For a limited time, the deal site is offering the Tough Armor Case, the GLAS.t SLIM—which we reviewed back in March, and loved—and the Ultra Crystal Screen Protector at a significant discount. More details after the fold...

Apps of the week: OmniFocus2, Shade, Total Conquest, and more…

Lory Gil ∙ Updated February 12, 2018

Now that Apple has released iOS 7 for everyone, at least 18 percent of us will be checking out what new features all of those iOS 7 updated apps have, while some lucky Apple fans will be testing out the slow-mo camera and Touch ID of the new iPhone 5S.

Whether you are looking for new apps to compliment your new iOS look, or just want a good old fashioned strategy game, we have a list of apps and games that will make your weekend go by way too fast…

Coda Forte bluetooth headphones offer wireless quality

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

When using a headphone, cable is not an option, switching to Bluetooth is obviously the best idea. There are many areas where cordless headphones are optimum, including late nights playing your favorite iOS game next to your wife, who is sleeping and doesn't know you broke the no-gadgets-in-the-bedroom agreement. Keeping yourself out of the dog house is made simple with a pair of headphones.

However, fumbling around with a cord is not always preferred. iFrogz, which was purchased by ZAGG, would agree that wireless is the way to take listening to the next level. The iFrogz Audio Coda Forte Bluetooth Headphones with Mic, which I will term "Coda" henceforth, is an answer to the corded headphones of the past. Having previously reviewed ZAGG headphones, I am not new to the ZAGG audio scene but the Bluetooth addition is new territory...

Good deal: 30% off Touchfire Keyboard for iPad

Cody Lee ∙ September 21, 2013

If you're in the market for a keyboard accessory to help you type more efficiently on your iPad, you might want to check out the Touchfire. It's a silicon insert that fits over your iPad's display, offering tactile feedback as you type.

And right now, the folks over at Stack Social are running a promotion on the Touchfire KeyBoard, enabling you to pick one up at a nice discount. For a limited time, the deal site is knocking 30% off the accessory's retail price tag...

Apple no longer signing iOS 6.1.3/4

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Bad news this evening for anyone hoping to downgrade from iOS 7 to a lower firmware. It appears that Apple is no longer signing iOS 6.1.3 and 6.1.4 for a majority of its devices, effectively terminating their ability to downgrade.

This is significant for a few reasons. For one, folks who upgraded to iOS 7 and don't like the redesigned UI are now essentially stuck with it for the foreseeable future. And more importantly, word is a 6.1.3/4 jailbreak is coming...

New in iOS 7: Motion Activity

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

Apple's iOS 7 software includes a new privacy section nested inside the Settings application. It exists to explicitly cater to next-gen fitness apps specifically designed with Apple's new M7 chip in mind. As you know, the M7 motion coprocessor is iPhone 5s-exclusive (actually a rebranded NXP LPC18A1 chip - that's the power of marketing to you)...

U.S. Senator Al Franken challenges Apple on Touch ID privacy implications

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

What are the privacy implications of the iPhone 5s fingerprint sensor? U.S. Senator Al Franken wants Apple CEO Tim Cook to answer that question and more. In a published letter to Cook, Franken writes that "important questions remain about how this technology works." In addition, the senator wants the Apple chief to explain how the Touch ID sensor may be used in the future.

In response, Apple published online a document explaining that fingerprints obtained by the new iPhone 5s are walled-off from the iOS software and application developers...

Loyalty: almost all iPhone 5s buyers apparently own an iPhone

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Remember the days when Apple or Android hoped to snag a customer from the rival camp? You can file that dream alongside winning the Super Ball lottery, because nearly all of the people lined up Friday to buy one of Apple's new iPhones already owns an iPhone.

According to one Apple observer, 90 percent of people lined up in New York, San Francisco and Minneapolis are upgrading from an older iPhone. The finding reflects both the loyalty of Apple users as well as a U.S. smartphone market where few consumers switch from one handset brand to another.

The 90 percent upgrade figure tops that of the iPhone 5, when 83 percent of those purchasing the handset in 2012 said they already owned an iPhone...

Review: iPhone 5s Slo-Mo video capture

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Slo-Mo video capture is what all of the cool kids are doing these days, and if you happen to own a shiny new iPhone 5s, you can now join the fun.

The slow motion effect is the result of video that's captured at a very high frame rate, and then slowed down. This allows you to have video with reduced speed without any herky-jerkyness. The end result is a professional quality slow motion effect that you and your friends will love.