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Apple product photographer talks tradecraft, gear and more

Cody Lee ∙ May 8, 2013

Apple is well-known for its minimal, yet seemingly flawless product shots. With their realistic lighting and signature white backgrounds, the images of iPhones and iPads scattered across the company's website almost look like they were computer rendered.

But as photographer Peter Belanger can attest to, that's definitely not the case. The longtime product-shooter spoke with technology blog The Verge recently about his experience working with Apple, and what kind of preparation goes into each photo shoot...

App.net releases new Passport app for managing accounts and finding clients

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

In what appears to be an effort to spur user adoption, the folks over at App.net have released a new iPhone app called Passport. No, it's not a client for browsing the Twitter-like social network. It's more of just an account management tool.

In Passport, users can create their own App.net account, and find and follow other members. It also gives you the ability to update your bio, profile and cover phots, and includes a library of third-party apps that feature App.net integration...

iOS 7 spikes in web traffic logs ahead of WWDC

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

With a little over a month until Apple's summer conference for developers, web site owners are now beginning to see a noticeable spike in traffic from devices that run iOS 7 beta code. Analysis of traffic logs and IP addresses reveals some of that traffic originating from Apple's Cupertino campus, which is usually a tell-tale sign that Apple is seeding the work-in-progress code internally to select engineers.

However, the mobile site conversion firm Onswipe over the past week or so started seeing iOS 7 traffic spikes across a bunch of web sites that incorporate its solutions...

Pegatron sees softening iPad mini orders

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 8, 2013

In another sign of consumers postponing purchasing iPad minis in anticipation of a second-generation model, said to sport Apple's high-resolution Retina display, contract manufacturer Pegatron has cautioned investors Wednesday to brace themselves for as much as a 30 percent revenue decline when it reports second-quarter earnings, the most since a 37 percent decline in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Although Pegatron assembles Apples' iPhone 4S and iPad mini, the Taiwanese corporation also acts as a contract manufacturer for consumer electronics from other makers. But as Apple is one of its principal clients - and given Apple's high-volume needs - Pegatron attributed the decline to shrinking iPad mini orders...

MiniPlayer 2.0 is out with a new look courtesy of Surenix

Cody Lee ∙ May 8, 2013

Earlier this week, we told you about a new jailbreak tweak called MiniPlayer. It's essentially a hidable widget for your device's music controls, which was based on a concept from Auxo-designer Sentry, and looks a lot like the iTunes 11 mini player.

The initial release saw mixed reviews, but if you weren't a believer before you need to checkout today's update. MiniPlayer 2.0 just hit Cydia, and thanks to a complete UI overhaul by Ayecon theme designer Surenix, it looks and feels much better...

Kwikset outs iPhone-exclusive wireless door lock

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Kwikset, the lockset maker owned by Black & Decker's Hardware and Home Improvement Group, today announced an interesting smartphone-friendly wireless lock accessory that inches us closer to a fully connected home.

If you're a fan of the app-enabled wireless lightbub from Philips, how about locking or unlocking your door by simply touching the deadbolt?

And I meant touching it with your finger - you don't ever need to remove an iPhone from your pocket or purse. That's what Kēvo, a UniKey-powered wireless deadbolt door lock, does for you by connecting with your iPhone, iPod or iPad through wireless Bluetooth Smart technology. Say goodbye to fumbling with or looking for your keys - your Phone is now your key...

Popular Clear to-do app goes free for a limited time

Cody Lee ∙ May 8, 2013

Since it launched in February of last year, the Clear to-do app by Realmac Software has been extremely popular. Its unique (at the time) use of swipes and multitouch gestures, mixed with its no-nonsense UI has made it a favorite among iPhone users.

And good news today for those of you who haven't tried Clear yet—either because you haven't gotten around to it, or didn't want to pay for it—Starbucks has made the app its "App of the Week," meaning users can download it for free for a limited time...

Bad Piggies update lets you record and share gameplay footage

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

We're growing increasingly tired of Angry Birds here - that's why we've stopped telling you about each and every content update Rovio puts out. This one, however, is newsworthy as it allows iPad and iPhone users to exclusively capture and upload gameplay videos straight from their devices.

Also new in this update: fifteen new levels to master and two brand new items to use - suction-cup tires and spring-loaded boxing gloves. I've included a gampeplay video showcasing these new items right after the break...

Apple v Samsung fight for mobile profits intensifies

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

For some time, whenever Android proponents argued for the platform's dominance based on handsets shipped, Apple fans would counter by pointing out the iPhone was tops in profits.

Indeed, a new report shows Apple had more than half of all mobile profits during the first quarter of 2013, leading Android handset rival Samsung.

According to Canaccord Genuity, the iPhone maker came away from this year's first period with 57 percent of mobile phone profits, despite having just eight percent of the worldwide handset market share.

By contrast, South Korea's Samsung - which leads in market share - earned just 43 percent of the share of profits. However, the two companies could soon switch positions. The analyst firm claims iPhone sales will be weak in the upcoming June quarter, overshadowed by profits fueled by Samsung's new Galaxy S4...

How to search Google using Velox

Jeff Benjamin ∙ May 8, 2013

As we discussed on yesterday's episode of Let's Talk Jailbreak, Velox is great, not so much because of what it does right now, but because of the many possibilities it opens up for future add-ons. Now the add-ons have begun to flow into Cydia, and one in particular allows you to search Google without necessitating the launch of the Google app.

Check out our overview of Google Search for Velox inside.

Apple to begin producing multiple new iPhones next month, per Morgan Stanley

Ed Sutherland ∙ May 8, 2013

A well-known Wall Street Apple observer expects Apple's manufacturing partners to start producing multiple new iPhone models in June or July, with the new smartphones introduced around September.

While the analyst note meshes with today's report of Sharp gearing up to begin mass production of the iPhone 5S screens next month and other reports mentioning multiple iPhones on Apple's roadmap, what's perhaps most interesting is word that any drop-off in iPhone demand seems to be over.

And in her additional remarks bolstered by others, Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty tells investors Wednesday that Apple could sell many iPhones in China even if the device were not priced cheaply...