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Apple invention lets you change brightness of UI elements independently of content

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Although Apple already permits owners of Mac, iPhone, iPod and iPad devices to adjust the user interface in a global way, a newly-published patent application describes how certain elements of the UI could be adapted. The application details a method to filter certain areas of the user interface, permitting users to adjust certain areas of the interface while leaving other locations untouched.

Along with giving us more control of an application's user interface, the adjustments outlined in the application titled 'User Interface Contrast Filter' could help improve such things as battery life...

Extended AppleCare+ warranty said to launch in Europe soon

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 29, 2016

AppleCare+, Apple's extended warranty coverage for iPhones and iPads, could soon launch across Europe, if there's merit to a report published yesterday by the French blog iGen. AppleCare+ is currently available only to customers in the United States, Canada and Japan, and can be activated in-store or online within 30 days of a device purchase.

The $99 extended coverage gives you a piece of mind by providing repair or replacement coverage, both parts and labor, from Apple-authorized technicians for AirPort wireless appliances as well as your iPhone and iPad, its battery and the included USB cable and power adapter...

Apple researching automatic FaceTime camera selection

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 29, 2013

With the growing number of handsets - including the iPhone - which include both front and rear-facing cameras, there is that decision during FaceTime calls and videoconferencing on where the focus should be: the caller or the subject? Now comes word Apple wants to automate that question, using cues to switch between the two video streams.

In a just-published patent application, the iPhone maker proposes software that can select the front or rear camera by watching for moving lips or listening for speech. The invention could come in handy for the growing denizens of news people becoming their own photographers, as well as creating better family vacation flicks...

Yahoo gives Flickr iOS app live filters and pro editing tools

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 29, 2013

There has never been a better time to dive deep into iPhone photography. With Twitter's Vine popularizing impulse sharing of short video clips, Instagram ruling the photo sharing space and having acquired the video startup Luma, it may seem as if the outcome of this rivalry will be determined between Facebook/Instagram, Twitter/Vine and Google and its Google+ Photos.

But people seem to be forgetting about Yahoo and its Flickr photo sharing service. After being neglected for so many years, the awoken Internet giant under Marissa Mayer's leadership has made some notable strides in the mobile photography space.

And with today's major update, Yahoo's Flickr iOS app has gained some interesting mobile photography features that instantly make it on par with the aforementioned giants. Here's the full breakdown...

iOS remains developers’ first choice, report shows

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 29, 2013

Despite all the chatter about Android and other smartphone platforms trying to entice developer, when it comes to picking their first choice, developers opt for iOS. In addition, 27 percent of developers chose the iPad as their second priority compared to a fifth for Android tablets. The survey by researcher Forrester shows that while Android has the numerical lead, when it comes to developer unveiling a mobile product, iOS is considered first...

Abyss Attack review: a traditional vertical shooter game

Lory Gil ∙ Updated March 14, 2018

A few days ago, I told you about the vertical shoot-em-up (shmup) game M.A.C.E. As a follow up for fans of games like the Raiden series of long ago, we’ve got another vertical shmup for you, only this time it’s underwater.

Raiden takes place on the ground, M.A.C.E. takes place in space, and Abyss Attack takes place in the dark recesses of deep sea…

Test your memory with The Impossible Line

Lory Gil ∙ Updated March 14, 2018

Do you remember playing the game of Memory? There would be a bunch of cards, face-down, on the table and you had to remember where each one was in order to find its mate and make the match.

The Impossible Line is a casual puzzle game that tests your ability to remember where objects are, but this is not your kid’s card-flipping memory game. You’ll be bouncing off of walls if you don’t remember where they are…

Mailbox updated with cloud search, account-specific signatures, Chrome support

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 13, 2018

As far as I'm concerned, Orchestra's excellent email application Mailbox - now owned and maintained by Dropbox- needs only a few little touches to become the ultimate mobile email client. With today's not-to-be-missed refresh, Mailbox has become the closest thing to email nirvana, at least for me.

Didn't use Mailbox because it wouldn't let you customize signatures on a per-account basis? Solved!

The annoying inability to search every message in your Gmail account? That too! And as a bonus, Mailbox can now open links in Google's Chrome iOS browser...

ESPN’s News and Deportes channels added to Apple TV and iOS

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 17, 2019

Less than 48 hours after Apple added new video content from Vevo, Weather Channel, Disney Channel, Disney XD and Smithsonian Channel to its $99 Apple TV set-top box, ESPN announced Wednesday it's enabled access to two new channels - News and Deportes - on the Apple TV and iOS devices, through the WatchESPN software for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

This is important because ESPN is a global powerhouse.

Owned as a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and Hearst Corporation, the U.S.-based cable and satellite television channel is a lot of people's go-to source for all things sports...

T-Mobile blacking out employee vacations for September 20 iPhone launch?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

In another sign indicating Apple's upcoming iPhone 5S/5C could land on store shelves shortly following a rumored September 10 introduction, T-Mobile USA has reportedly blacked out vacations for its U.S. retail employees from Friday, September 20 and through Sunday, September 22.

While a new report cautions there's no telling whether the blocked period is related to new iPhones, Apple's handsets have historically made their way to retail stores a week or two after the official announcement so the nation's fourth-largest telco would be wise to ensure its retail army is ready for the big day...

Apple could face legal hurdles with a “Champagne” iPhone

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated December 29, 2016

"Champagne is neither a colour, nor anything else than the name of wines from Champagne." This is the tweet sent a few days ago by the Comité Champagne, a trade association that represents the interests of independent Champagne producers and Champagne Houses in France.

The tweet, which came with a link to a page showcasing significant victories of the Comité Champagne in defending the Champagne name across the globe, was a not-so-subtle way for the organization to send Apple a message that it'd better think twice if it decided to indeed call its rumored gold iPhone model Champagne...