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Photos of alleged budget iPhone shell surface [updated]

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

A pair of photos have surfaced this morning, allegedly showing the plastic shell of Apple's rumored budget iPhone. The Cupertino company has long been said to be working on a lower-cost handset to help it make inroads into emerging markets like China and India.

The two images come from Nowhereelse.fr, who has shared accurate photos of leaked Apple components in the past. And while the site acknowledges that it's possible the part could simply belong to a Chinese clone, it does match up with several previous reports...

Happy anniversary, iPhone!

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 29, 2013

On this day six years ago, the original iPhone went on sale at Apple and AT&T stores in the United States - following six months of unbelievable hype and media frenzy that I suspect won't repeat anytime soon. It's somewhat hard to grasp that it's been six years already and that the original Jesus phone, as the media nicknamed it, was so rapidly obsoleted by subsequent models that it's now become a piece of history itself.

A lot has changed since June 29, 2007. The iPhone back then didn't have the App Store and was pitched as three devices in one: a "widescreen iPod with touch controls," a "revolutionary mobile phone" and a "breakthrough Internet communicator".

Today, it's anything you want it to be thanks to smart developers who pour their heart and soul into their apps, and there are now 900,000+ of them in the App Store. It's fair to say there's a world of difference between 2007 and 2013 in terms of mobile technology, here's why...

It takes 72,000 downloads a day for an app to reach top 10 spot in the App Store

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 12, 2018

You have a whiz-bang idea for an iOS app, but want to know how much effort it will take to get into the top 10 list? On general, it requires 4,000 daily downloads for an app to reach the top 10 paid apps, and it requires earning $47,000 per day for paid apps to reach rank 10 in the grossing charts, a new study finds. For the bean-counters in the audience, that translates to $32 in purchases per minute or $1,920 per hour.

Another tip: never try to break into the top 10 during weekends. Instead, you'll have better luck on Thursdays. If you want little competition, try Google or Amazon, where all you hear are crickets chirping, according to an app analytics firm...

Five cases to protect your iPhone at the beach

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated November 29, 2016

It was a pleasant time, gathered with family on the sandy East coast beach. There was a gentle breeze and a calming 80 degree forecast. Everything was going perfectly until I had the displeasure of dropping my naked iPhone on the beach. What a way to kill your afternoon.

Obviously, when Sebastien asked me to do a beach-friendly iPhone case roundup, I was certainly onboard with the idea. After spending the remainder of the afternoon making homemade ice cream and sucking the sand out of my iPhone's speakers, ports, and mute switch, I was cautiously excited to have removed all of the visible sand grains from my infected device. Nothing will stop your heart faster than dropping a $600 iPhone into the slushy beach sand, or swimming pool, or your favorite mixed drink, an oncoming wave, or everyone's favorite place to drop a phone, the toilet.

Inside, I highlight multiple waterproof options to keep your Apple product safe from the elements this summer, and year-round for that matter...

New ‘Motion Tennis’ game teams up with your Apple TV for Wii-like action

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 17, 2019

I've long thought that between the motion sensors built into the iPhone and iPod touch, and the AirPlay-compatible Apple TV, Tim Cook and company had a Wii-like gaming console on their hands. They just obviously, for whatever reason, haven't realized the potential yet.

But the folks over at Rolocule seem to get it. The India-based app-maker just released a new game called Motion Tennis that utilizes the gyroscope and other sensors stashed inside the iPhone, as well as the Apple TV's AirPlay feature, to offer Wii-like motion gameplay...

This week’s apps: TouchCast, Anchor, Squrl, and more…

Lory Gil ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

The weekend is finally here and, I don’t know about you, but I am ready to relax, have a beverage, and play some games on my iPad. Sure, there are people to see, parties to attend, and ruckuses to be had, but who needs social interaction when you’ve got apps and games like these?

Whether you’re trying to make it into the film industry, looking for something to watch on television, or getting back to your favorite TCG pastime, we’ve got a list of apps and games that will make you want to tell your brother you can’t babysit for him this weekend…

The myType is a pocketable Bluetooth keyboard for your iPhone or iPad

Cody Lee ∙ June 29, 2013

When Apple introduced the first iPhone back in 2007, it sparked a revolution in the smartphone industry: no more physical keyboards. Think about it, outside of BlackBerry and a few scattered Android handsets, who is still making smartphones with physical keyboards? No one, really.

And I don't personally mind it. It took some getting used to, but I've gotten pretty quick at typing on the iPhone's touchscreen. But for those who haven't quite picked it up yet, there are plenty of accessories available to help you out— like this new myType Bluetooth keyboard...

Actiwidget: add Activator action shortcuts to Notification Center

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 12, 2018

Actiwidget is a brand new tweak by Activator developer, Ryan Petrich. Actiwidget allows users to add Activator shortcuts directly to Notification Center. It's an idea that seems so simple, yet only until now has it been brought to fruition. The tweak, which uses Activator's preferences for configuration, adds yet another way to execute your favorite actions. Take a look at our video demonstration inside to see how it all works.

How to view a map via the Spotlight search page

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 12, 2018

Mappr is a recently released jailbreak tweak that replaces the traditional Spotlight search with that of a map. The map can be configured in the Settings app to track your location or to change the map type.

Although the idea of Mappr sounds interesting, its execution leaves a bit to be desired. Check out our video walkthrough to see what I mean.

WSJ: Apple signs iOS device chip deal with TSMC, decreasing dependence on Samsung

Cody Lee ∙ June 28, 2013

Following up a scoop from DigiTimes earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal is reporting this afternoon that Apple has finally inked a deal with TSMC, or Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., to produce chips used in the company's iPhone and iPad products.

The two sides reportedly signed the deal, which has been in the making for a few years now, earlier this month after TSMC met Apple's requirements for speed and power usage. And it signifies yet another move by the Cupertino firm to distance itself from Samsung...

Flipboard updated with support for Instagram video

Cody Lee ∙ June 28, 2013

Flipboard users will be happy to hear that the app has just been updated with support for Instagram's new video feature. Facebook's popular video sharing service can now capture and post video clips up to 15-seconds in length.

And with the latest Flipboard update, which brings the app to version 2.0.4, you can now open and view these videos within the application. The update also includes new ways to share magazines, and the usual array of bug fixes...

Here’s how to get 30% off JailbreakCon tickets

Cody Lee ∙ June 28, 2013

We're now just a little less than 2 months away from this year's JailbreakCon—an annual convention for hackers, developers, designers and jailbreakers. The event will be held at the Raddison Hotel in New Rochelle, New York on August 23 and 24.

Folks who are hoping to attend WWJC, but haven't gotten their tickets yet, will be happy to hear that iDB has been given a special deal to pass on to our readers. For a limited time, folks using our coupon code can get a 30% discount off admission...