iOS 7 is out, get downloading

Like clockwork, Apple has just released the long anticipated iOS 7 software update. Packed with innovative new features and rocking the controversial Jony Ive-approved user interface overhaul, the seventh iteration of Apple's mobile operating system for iOS devices is now available to owners of the iPhone 4 and later, iPad 2 and later, iPad mini and fifth-generation iPod touch.

Building on its predecessor, iOS 7 comes packed with new features such as Control Center, AirDrop wireless file sharing, Vimeo and Flickr integration, ad-supported iTunes Radio, FaceTime audio calls and more. It also improves upon the existing feature set with such stuff as enhanced alerts, the improved Notification Center, smoother multitasking, improvements to Siri, Safari, Photos and many other stock apps...

iTunes TOS amended with Touch ID, Popular Near Me clarification

In another sign of the imminent iOS 7 release, Apple has just released iTunes 11.1 for Mac and Windows with support for iOS 7 devices and installations, also bringing out new features like iTunes Radio, Podcast Stations and Genius Shuffle.

As part of the release - and consistent with Apple's history - the company has updated the iTunes Terms & Conditions. The document has been amended with additional information regarding authenticating your account for purchases and automatic delivery of app updates, in addition to the previously unknown tidbits about the App Store's Popular Near Me feature...

BlackBerry Messenger to reportedly hit the App Store September 21 [updated]

Folks looking forward to the release of BlackBerry's Messenger app on iOS will be happy to hear that the long wait may almost be over. A new report suggests that BBM will hit the App Store this Saturday, September 21.

BlackBerry first announced that its popular messenger app would be landing on iOS and Android back in May. And earlier this month, one of its developers confirmed on Twitter that it had been submitted to Apple for review...

iTunes 11.1 is out with iTunes Radio, Podcast Stations, Genius Shuffle

In another sign that iOS 7 release is imminent, Apple has just posted the iTunes 11.1 update which brings out not only iOS 7 compatibility, but a few new features, including the long-expected, ad-supported iTunes Radio streaming, in addition to Podcast Stations, the new Genius Shuffle capability, support for iOS 7 device sync and more.

You're going to love Genius Shuffle, "a magical new way to experience your music library" that plays songs that go great together from iCloud.

And if you're into podcasts, iTunes 11.1 lets you create automagically-updated custom stations of your favorite podcasts. I've included the full changelog right after the break...

Apple tops PC customer satisfaction for tenth year

Apple once more tops PC customer satisfaction. The Mac and iPad creator practically owns the top spot, ranking No. 1 in the American Customer Satisfaction for nearly a decade. Since 2004, Apple has scored highest in pre-sale expectations, perceived quality and value, number of complaints and customer loyalty.

The firm scored 87, 1.2 percent higher than 2012 and topping the 79 rating for average PC customer satisfaction. Where were the competitors? In the basement, or lower...

Apple posts iOS 7 user guides for the iPad and iPod touch

With each new iOS release, Apple typically makes available the accompanying user guide through the Manuals section of its website. With the advent of iBooks and the iBookstore, the company started reformatting these manuals for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices, making them available as free downloads on the iBookstore.

As we count the remaining hours until today's iOS 7 release, we've just spotted the official iOS 7 manual on the iBookstore...

iPad mini 2 back shell in space gray?

With the iPhone 5s and 5c, Apple has clearly adopted a new color scheme for this year's iPhones. On the plastic end, we have white, red, green, blue and yellow as your vivid color choices. The flagship iPhone 5s, however, has switched to three finishes: in addition to the much talked-about gold variant, there's also a silver model which closely resembles last year's white iPhone 5 and an all new space gray model, basically a subtly toned down black iPhone 5 design with a gray backplate that gives it a more metallic feel.

Which begs the question of new iPads. With these design changes in place for new iPhones, will Apple adopt a similar strategy for the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2? A new part that leaked Wednesday shows a new space gray color finish on a back shell said to belong to the forthcoming second-gen iPad mini upgrade...

Infinity Blade III launches on the App Store

Infinity Blade has long been a so-called system seller, an iOS masterpiece meant to highlight the power of Apple's iOS platform by taking the GPU inside your iPhone, iPod touch and iPad to its limits.

Developer Chair said in July that Infinity Blades: Dungeons had been canceled due to internal reshuffling that saw the company focus on the third installment in the series, Infinity Blade III.

Apple during its iPhone 5s/5c keynote last month invited representatives from Chair to demo the game on stage. In a quick follow-up, Chair then posted a trailer video and this morning the game surfaced on the App Store, ahead of the expected iOS 7 release later today...

First iOS 7, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s reviews hit the web

Right after its big iPhone event last Tuesday, Apple gave a select group of journalists early access to the final build of iOS 7, along with its two new handsets: the iPhone 5c and the iPhone 5s.

The move is a familiar one for the company, who typically gives out products for analysis ahead of launch. And tonight, right on schedule, the embargo lifted on this week's round of reviews...

Apple officially launches iOS 7-inspired iCloud.com

On the eve of the official launch of iOS 7, Apple has rolled out a new version of iCloud.com to the public. The redesign, which has been in beta for several months now, brings new icons and other elements inspired by tomorrow's update.

Additionally, every web app has been rebuilt to match its mobile counterpart, including Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Notes, Reminders and Find My iPhone. And the wallpaper now mirrors the dynamic, slow-moving wallpaper in iOS 7 as well...

Let’s Talk Jailbreak 28: On the eve of two iPhones

With the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c release mere days away, Sebastien and Cody discuss their thoughts on Apple's keynote, the hardware for both new phones, and various other relevant tidbits of information. The pair also discuss the controversial iPhone 5c case, the hardware's somewhat surprising price point, along with an outlook for its sales potential. Of course, we also talk about our favorite jailbreak tweaks of the week, along with the promising prospects surrounding an iOS 7 jailbreak.

iPhone 5s inventory expected to be extremely limited at launch

With Apple not offering pre-orders on its new iPhone 5s, customers wanting to pick up the handset will either have to stay up late Thursday night to order it online, or head to their local retailer Friday morning.

But no matter which route you decide to take, make sure you act quickly—no dawdling. Early reports are indicating that iPhone 5s inventories, at retailers and carriers, are going to be very limited at launch...