IK Multimedia unveils compact audio interface for Macs and iOS devices

IK Multimedia is behind some of the best apps for musicians carried on Apple's App Store, like the excellent AmpliTube Slash which has a digital effects processor based on the former Guns ‘N Roses guitarist’s favorite amps.

The company is however primarily known for its nice gear that includes a whole bunch of different effects processors, amps, mics, controllers and other gadgets tailored to musicians and music studios.

The Modena, Italy-based firm today announced a new portable audio interface, the iRig Pro, appealing to aspiring musicians who want to connect microphones, guitars or MIDI devices to their Mac, iPhone, iPad or iPod touch devices...

Upcoming iPhone app ‘Ping’ fuses email and instant messaging

There's a war going on right now for email, and a major battleground is the mobile app space. On iOS alone, there are a number of applications that promise to change the way you use electronic mail like Mailbox and Dispatch.

And today we're adding another one to the list: Ping. Ping is an upcoming iPhone app that packs a number of useful features like snooze, push notifications and search, and it can replace email conversations with IM-like threads...

China Mobile ‘has all of the power’ in iPhone talks as Apple makes concessions

Apple usually is in the cat-bird seat when it comes to negotiations. The brand's allure, coupled with billions in cash and a handset responsible for rocketing smartphone sales has made the iPhone maker a brutal negotiator. Now comes word Apple may have made concessions in order to get the world's largest carrier on its team.

Just what Apple had to concede to gain support from China Mobile varies from a low-priced iPhone 5C to even a slice of some profits. While the latter possibility is rather far-fetched, observers agree: the Chinese carrier "has all the power" in these negotiations...

Last-ditch effort: Best Buy (again) offers 16GB iPhone 5 for $149.99

In another attempt to clear stock ahead of new iPhones thought to be hitting the Apple and carrier retail outlets come September 20, the U.S. consumer electronics retailer Best Buy has once again slashed $50 off Apple's iPhone 5. The offer only applies to the entry-level model with sixteen gigabytes of storage, which will now set you back $149.99 on a new two-year contract with AT&T, Verizon or Sprint...

Redesigned Google Drive app brings card-style thumbnail layout from Android

With just five days left until Apple's big iOS 7/iPhone 5S/5C big reveal next Tuesday, a bunch of iOS 7 focused updates have begun trickling in. Some of the most popular apps from both Apple and well-known brands like PayPal are now being refreshed with a matching flat iOS 7 look and feel, including major games such as Electronic Arts' Real Racing 3.

You can now add Google's Drive app for the iPhone and iPad to your iOS 7 compatibility list. You'll immediately notice a drastically redesigned interface that behaves much like its Android counterpart, without looking out of place on iOS 7.

Along with a few other enhancements, you're going to absolutely love the card-style thumbnail layout from Android as it makes it dead easy and fun to browse and preview your files - and it looks even more gorgeous on the iPad.

Jump past the fold for additional facts...

Major PayPal iOS update: new UI, pay at local shops, save offers and order ahead

It's been months since PayPal issued any significant update to its iPhone client. Today, the company took to the official blog to announce a brand new version of PayPal for iPhone, a major step up compared to the previous basic version.

In addition to the revamped interface, the refreshed software features front and center a new Shop section which makes it easy to find shops or restaurants nearby that accept PayPal payments. That's just scratching the surface: the new build finally lets you check out at your local stores, pay at table, order ahead and even browse for local offers.

As a bonus, the application now makes it possible to switch payment methods on the go to make sure you get reward points from a particular card. Another useful capability: the popular Bill Me Later payment option has been added. I've included additional information and PayPal's promotional video past the fold...

Konami’s Star Wars Force Collection fights its way into App Store

iOS gamers are having a field day today. First 2K Games released its iOS-exclusive 2K Drive. Next, Electronic Arts updated Real Racing 3 with seven generations of the legendary Porsche 911 and full iOS 7 compatibility. And finally rival Activision followed suit by unexpectedly unleashing a brand new Call of Duty game.

If none of the above is your cup of tea, then how about some Star Wars? Right on cue, publisher Konami today released Star Wars: Force Collection, the first Star Wars digital card battle game. If you're into the genre, Force Collection should keep you occupied with 230 character cards that include Episodes I-VI's famous heroes, villains and vehicles such as X-Wings, AT-ATs and Tie Fighters...

TapTapFolder: launch the first app in a folder with a tap

TapTapFolder is an innovative new jailbreak tweak that just recently appeared on the Cydia store. It's a tweak that allows end users to launch the first app contained within a folder using a single tap on the folder itself.

You may be wondering to yourself: "How do you launch any of the other apps contained within a folder?" It's actually pretty simple: you utilize a double tap gesture on the folder to open its contents.

I really dig TapTapFolder, because not only is it useful, but it does something that, to my knowledge, has never been done before on the Cydia store. Have a look at our full video walkthrough inside.

Real Racing 3 update brings seven generations of Porsche 911 and full iOS 7 compatibility

Keeping true to its promise, the most prolific iOS games publisher Electronic Arts has released another major content update to its free-to-play Real Racing 3. Celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of one of motorsport's most legendary vehicles, Real Racing 3 'Porsche 911' update expands your garage with the addition of the seven generations of the legendary Porsche 911. More tidbits and a few nice clips can be found right below...

Lucid Games’ 2K Drive now available for download

Last month, 2K Games announced a new iOS exclusive racing title called '2K Drive.' The game features a number of real world vehicles, more than 25 tracks, 100+ unique events, and what the developers call "the most precise driving on iOS."

Combine all of this with impressive graphics and gameplay, and needless to say the game caught our attention. So we were excited to hear this morning that 2K Drive has been released on the App Store, and is now available for download...

Call of Duty: Strike Team unexpectedly hits iOS

This one came out of a clear blue sky. Following negligible promotional activities, publisher Activision on Thursday unleashed a new Call of Duty game for the iPhone and iPad. Titled Call of Duty: Strike Team, it promises a brand new Call of Duty experience built from the ground up for mobile and tablet devices.

The game combines both first and third-person action: you can dynamically switch from run-and-gun first-person view to reconnaissance and coordinated squad attacks in third-person view. The graphics look top-notch and you can fully customize your squad’s loadouts and abilities before leading them into combat. More tidbits right below...

Deutsche Telekom hints iPhone 5S could support LTE Advanced

There has been little, if any, confirmation regarding the next iPhone's improvements in the cellular radio technology department, which hasn't stopped pundits from speculating whether or not the iPhone 5S features support for the ultra-fast LTE Advanced standard, also known as LTE-A or simply LTE+.

Samsung notably promised to offer an updated version of the Galaxy S4 with LTE+ soon and now a cryptic comment by Deutsche Telekom suggests the iPhone 5S could in fact work with the latest cellular networking technology that offers at least twice the download speeds of the current-generation LTE standard...