iDownloadBlog.com

iTunes tops Netflix, HBO Go and other streaming services in customer satisfaction

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated January 29, 2017

When it comes to iTunes and video streaming, the Apple service is often overlooked by iDevice owners because it is always there - no app is downloaded, no service subscribed. It is that ubiquity that appears to have garnered iTunes high customer service satisfaction when it comes to streaming video.

However, right on its heels are traditional streaming video operators, such as HBO Go and Netflix. But are we comparing apples to oranges, since iTunes doesn't stream content in real-time on computers, giving consumers the false impression of superiority...

AppleCare to launch iOS-friendly web UI and 24/7 chat support next Monday

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 7, 2013

According to the well-informed blogger Mark Gurman, the iPhone maker is about to unveil a revamped support interface on the web that should play nicely with iOS devices, allowing customers to access materials and browse the support sections comfortably from their iPhone, iPod touch or iPad.

The current interface is not optimized for iOS devices so constant pinch-zooming is required. In addition, the company is rumored to be introducing round the clock chat support as early as next Monday.

In giving customers ability to chat with a live agent at any time of day or night, using an iOS-friendly web interface, Apple is hoping to further improve upon its praised customer service...

The iPhone 5S may incorporate dual-LED flash independently of camera lens

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 13, 2016

The not-entirely-accurate Taiwanese trade publication DigiTimes back in June 2011 incorrectly reported that the then rumored iPhone 5 would incorporate dual-LED flash. That hasn't panned out, but the rumor lives on. Numerous reports and a purported backplate seemingly point to Apple adopting dual-LED flash on the iPhone 5S.

But unlike the standard implementations, Apple engineers may have chosen to incorporate the LED flash module completely independent from the camera lens, potentially reducing interference with the camera module...

Infuse 1.3 drops: AirPlay, Wi-Fi file transfers, fullscreen TV out and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

FireCore, the guys who brought you the aTV Flash Black for jailbroken Apple TV boxes, back in April launched their iOS media player app, Infuse, on the App Store.

My initial review praised the attractive user interface and support for more than a dozen non-iOS media formats, but criticized lack of wireless media transfer capability and non-existent AirPlay support, including lack of subtitle streaming over AirPlay which has seriously hampered Infuse's potential to become my go-to iOS media player.

Staying true to its promise, the team in the meantime has been hard at work expanding on the app's initial feature set. I've been testing today's 1.3 update for the past week or so and I'm happy to report that - much to my delight - the new version addresses most of the initial complaints I had with it.

Read on for the full reveal...

Take “a Ride into the Mountains” to discover the joy of casual gaming

Lory Gil ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

You may not be a fan of gaming on your iPhone. Maybe you have Angry Birds and Sonic CD just to give you something to do while waiting for the bus. You may be the kind of person who prefers gaming on a living room console instead.

A Ride into the Mountains may change your mind, or at least give you a reason to add another game to your iPhone. It is simple, fun, and will keep you coming back for more…

Pimp Your Screen: customize your device with backgrounds, icon skins, app shelves, and more

Lory Gil ∙ Updated February 28, 2018

If you want a new look to make your iOS device look just as good on the inside as it does on the outside, there’s an app for that.

Pimp Your Screen is a popular wallpaper app that features hundreds of Retina display quality images so you can make your iPhone or iPad dazzle. The developer recently updated to version 2.0 with great new features, including an improved user interface, a new Themes section, and daily updates to content…

WhatsApp adds unlimited voice messaging

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 7, 2013

WhatsApp is arguably the most popular cross-platform mobile messaging solution out there and while it currently lacks a desktop client (unlike its rival Viber), it's just become a whole lot more useful by introducing a significant new feature: voice memos, a pet project of its CEO over the past six months.

Unlike Facebook's Messenger iOS app that requires three taps to make a voice recording, it only takes a single tap to record and send a voice memo in WhatsApp. And no, it's not a staggered release: the new WhatsApp with push-to-record voice messaging is available now simultaneously on iOS, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry and Nokia...

Apple files for patent on fused glass enclosures for use on TV sets and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

Apple filed for an interesting new patent last week on methods for fusing glass pieces together to create various types of glass enclosures. The filing was published by the European Patent Office yesterday, which credits Jony Ive as one of its inventors.

More specifically, the patent application illustrates how the double-sided glass construction design of the iPhone 4/4S could be extended to the iPod, iPad, and various displays. Apple even points to a TV set being encased in glass using its fused process...

Apple Stores offering discounts on select accessories this month

Cody Lee ∙ August 7, 2013

Apple Retail Stores are offering discounts on select in-store third-party accessories this month, according to a new report. The promotion began August 1st and runs through August 31, and it includes a handful of high-end audio products.

Among the discounted accessories are select Beats by Dre headphones and speakers, which are 10% off, and Jawbone's Big JAMBOX Bluetooth speaker, which is $50 off. And a new deal on Bose QuietComfort headphones starts next week...

‘VideoPane’ brings true video multitasking to iOS

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Judging from the popularity of the preview post, it looks like quite a few of you are highly interested in Ryan Petrich's new flagship video tweak. VideoPane, as it is called, was just released, and it's now available for purchase on Cydia's BigBoss repo.

This is a tweak that allows users to detach video from its native player, and float it on top of the iOS UI in a way that allows you to multitask. VideoPane makes it totally possible to watch video while sending a text message, updating your Facebook status, browsing the web, etc. This is true multitasking with video, and for the most part, it works gloriously.

VideoPace: the best way to adjust the speed of videos on iOS

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

VideoPace is a new jailbreak tweak from Ryan Petrich that we previewed a few days ago. It's a very simple tweak that allows users to adjust the pace of video using a few predefined speed factors available in the tweak's preferences.

VideoPace is wonderful to use when you need to speed through videos — think lectures — or slow down videos — think tutorials, or how-tos. Have a look at our full video preview for more information, and for directions on how to get it.

Apple seeds iOS 7 beta 5 to developers: this is what’s new

Cody Lee ∙ August 6, 2013

Apple has seeded iOS 7 beta 5 to developers this morning. The update comes just one week after the release of beta 4, as it appears that the company is trying to get back on track after the lengthy Developer Center outage.

Beta 5 is available now to all registered Apple developers via the Dev Center and OTA, which can be installed by visiting the Software Update section in the Settings app of proper devices that currently have iOS 7 installed...