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Twitter’s Vine reaches 13 million users on iPhone, lands on Android

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 9, 2018

Twitter's Vine debuted in late-January exclusively on Apple's iPhone so you could easily spam the web with a few seconds worth of "viral" clips. While we knew it would eventually land on Android, its somewhat slow adoption had prompted Twitter to go back to the drawing board and add more features.

Less then five months later, Vine for Android is a reality. And reminding us that Vine still exists, Twitter has proudly announced that the iPhone edition now has thirteen million users - hardly what you'd call a successful iPhone app.

Perhaps a bit unsurprisingly, many features from the iOS app are currently missing in the initial Android release. On the other hand, the Android version happens to include a feature Twitter says isn't possible on the iPhone...

Google Drive iOS app gains commenting and swipeable galleries

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 3, 2013

If you use Google Drive to keep your files safely backed up in the Google cloud, pay attention as the Internet giant has just pushed an interesting little update making its iOS client a whole lot more useful for collaborative work than before.

Google Drive for the iPhone and iPad has been bumped up to version 1.4, adding swipeable images while viewing them in full screen, in addition to comments for your Google Docs files.

The first feature lets you swipe through the images stored in your Drive as you would in Apple's stock iOS Photos app. The latter capability supports viewing, creating, replying to and resolving comments in Google Docs files.

Commenting was previously available via the web interface, but not on mobile devices. The free application is now live on the App Store so go ahead and update it if you haven't already...

Chrome 27 for iOS is out with conversational voice search, faster reloading

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 11, 2018

Boy, today must be the day to update your iOS apps. Hot on the heels of major updates for both WordPress and Google Drive comes a new version of Chrome. The update, which brings the app to version 27, includes conversational voice search and other improvements.

We knew Google was planning on bringing its Siri-like conversational voice search feature to iOS—it said so shortly after it added the option to its desktop browser. Now you can perform voice searches in the mobile browser, and get both visual and audible results...

Chrome rises as Android loses ground in mobile web usage

Ed Sutherland ∙ June 3, 2013

Next to email, a mobile browser is often the most-used app on a smartphone or tablet. Although Safari still rules the iPhone and iPad crowd, there is a bit of internecine warfare within the Android camp. Google's Chrome is increasingly the default browser on Android mobile devices as usage declines for the stock Android browser.

The gains in May by Chrome against the stock Android mobile browser coincide with Google's decision last year to replace the stock Android browser with Chrome on all Android devices...

WordPress for iOS gets complete UI makeover in 3.6 update

Cody Lee ∙ June 3, 2013

Folks with WordPress-backed websites will be happy to hear that the blogging platform has posted a significant update to its iOS app today. The update, which brings the app to version 3.6, features a completely redesigned user interface, a new shortcut for posting, and several other improvements...

Apple releases WWDC 2013 app with session videos, Passbook support and more

Cody Lee ∙ June 3, 2013

Apple has this morning posted a new iOS application for its upcoming World Wide Developers Conference. The event, which starts one week from today, will feature a keynote by the company and a wealth of resources for 3rd party app developers.

The app will help WWDC attendees stay on top of the latest news and events going on at the conference, letting them navigate their way around the venue (Moscone West), watch daily session videos, and discover new labs and workshops...

Why budget iPhone doesn’t mean lower profits

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated November 29, 2016

Android smartphone makers have been doing it for years: controlling a market using inexpensive handsets to outnumber the more expensive iPhone. But when the idea that Apple should also produce a more affordable and contract-free device first appeared, a hue-and-cry erupted as if the next MacBook was to be powered by Windows 8.

Now comes calmer heads - ironically from Wall Street - showing Apple's gross profit margin would increase by six percent because more people will buy the Apple smartphone if the company lowers the cost of owning an iPhone.

That's right, all the hand-wringing going on about a less-pricey iPhone being suicide for Apple's bottom-line could be all wrong...

Plants vs. Zombies 2 arrives on July 18

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 18, 2018

We previously heard that Plants vs. Zombies 2 will hit iOS later this month. Today, Seattle-based game publisher PopCap Games announced that the sequel to the widely popular franchise is coming to an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad near you on July 18.

Unlike the original, the sequel will be released as a free download with the obligatory in-app purchases, but don't worry - PopCap promises that the vast majority of the game will be entirely free to play. Go past the fold for more details and a brand new promo trailer...

Proof-of-concept charger can install malware on iDevices in less than 60 seconds

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 3, 2013

Unlike the malware-infested Android, Apple's mobile platform is mostly malware-free. Little wonder that Apple prides itself with reviewing apps "to guard against malware" while asserting that other mobile platforms pose a "security risk".

But what if malicious users could hack your iPhone via a specially built charger - and in less than a minute? That's exactly what three researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology claim is possible as they prep to show off a proof-of-concept charger which can be used to invisibly install malware on non-jailbroken iOS devices...

Apple fails to pay $6.5M in taxes on iPad sales in France

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 3, 2017

As if Apple's recent woes with the United States government over offshore tax havens weren't enough, the French association SACEM (they control royalties) has now discovered that even though Apple did charge iPad buyers a 1 percent tax for cultural works, it's failed to pass the money to SACEM.

The inexplicable slip up could cost Apple dearly, especially in light of the recent debate over how U.S. corporations creatively pay little to no taxes on the revenue earned from overseas sales...

Apple goes to trial today over e-book price fixing allegations

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 3, 2013

As you know, the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) in April 2010 filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple over allegations that it conspired with five major publishers to raise prices of e-books sold on the iBookstore in order to break Amazon's monopoly. Now, DoJ previously called Apple a facilitator and said email messages from Steve Jobs prove its guilt. U.S. District Judge Denise Cote believes the government will prevail and Reuters reports this morning that Apple is scheduled to square off with the government in a Manhattan courtroom later today.

Apple, of course, maintains its innocence. So, why all the fuss?

Apple reportedly reaches iRadio deal with Warner Music

Cody Lee ∙ June 3, 2013

Citing sources "familiar with the negotiations," a new report is out claiming that Apple has finally reached a deal with Warner Music over iRadio licensing terms. Warner was one of the three remaining label holdouts on Apple's upcoming Pandora-like music service.

Rumors about the service have been flying about for months. It was expected to launch earlier this year, but Tim Cook and company have been having trouble reaching deals with the top four record labels. And now they are reportedly aiming for a WWDC launch...