iDownloadBlog.com

Sentry’s new App Switching concept makes it easier to move between apps

Cody Lee ∙ March 27, 2013

We're always in search of ways that iOS can be improved, which is why you'll see a number of iOS concepts and ideas on iDB that are aimed at making Apple's mobile operating system better. Take this recent one on multitasking, for example. It's beautiful.

But not all concepts attempt to make iOS better-looking—some try to make it more functional. And that's the idea behind today's concept. It takes the current app switcher, and makes it more efficient by allowing faster access to more of your suspended apps...

Comparison of iPhone ownership cost on AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

With yesterday's announcement that Apple's iPhone 5 will finally start selling through T-Mobile on April 12, we can now compare the total cost of ownership across the nation's four largest wireless carriers: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile.

A bunch of outlets ran their spreadsheets to assess the current landscape, including Zagg, best known for its line of protective coverings for consumer electronics.

In figuring out how much one saves on T-Mobile over two years versus other carriers, Zagg concluded that T-Mobile’s contract-free iPhone 5 comes in at a very cool $580 cheaper over two years. However, the difference evaporates if you switch your significant other or an entire family of four to the nation's fourth-largest carrier...

If Samsung made an iWatch…

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 27, 2013

..it would look something like this. Of course, the South Korean chaebol indeed is working not so secretly on its own smartwatch and if a set of leaked screenshots is anything to go by, it'll have a 500-by-500 pixel resolution display. Meet us in comments...

Plants vs. Zombies 2 launching early this summer

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 18, 2018

Plants vs. Zombies, a tower defense game originally published by PopCap Games for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X, hit Apple's iOS platform in February 2010. The title has some ardent following and though I've never been a huge fan, it's true that the iPhone and iPad versions helped the game take off in a big way. PopCap announced today that a sequel, unimaginatively titled Plants vs. Zombies 2, will be launching early this summer...

Samsung owns most mobile patents worldwide

Ed Sutherland ∙ March 27, 2013

For some time, patents have been viewed as the latest competitive weapon. A company can still lose in terms of product sales, but reap a tidy sum through patent litigation and licensing. Samsung, the South Korean firm which makes everything from silicon chips to cell phones, now has the world's largest collection of patents, topping rival iPhone maker Apple.

Thanks to its rise as a mobile powerhouse, Samsung topped the list both in overall mobile patents held and patents granted in 2012. By comparison, Apple ranked No. 7 in mobile patents involving infrastructure and platforms, according to a new analysis of the fast-changing mobile patent landscape...

Belkin launches new Ultimate Keyboard Case for iPad

Cody Lee ∙ March 27, 2013

Belkin today announced the online availability of its newest iPad accessory, the Ultimate Keyboard Case. Well, it's available for pre-order today, and will start shipping to select retailers in May.

So what's so special about the Ultimate Keyboard Case? With a keyboard that is just 6.4mm thin and weighing 17 oz, it's now the slimmest and lightest keyboard folio of its kind on the market...

Twitterrific iOS app finally gains push alerts, but…

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

...but you probably won't be able to take advantage of them because native Push Notifications are still in beta so developer Iconofactory had to limit the much-needed feature to the first thousand users, as determined on a first-come, first-served basis.

The system is very similar to the reservation tickets in the Mailbox app. Luckily, I was able to reserve my spot on time so my copy of Twitterrific version 5.2 has native push alerts turned on.

Tucked away under the app's settings, push alerts can be turned on and off individually for direct messages, replies, mentions, favorites, retweets and follows.

Another handy treat: each of these can be color-coded so you get a better idea of a particular notification's importance after it appears on your screen, especially handy when these alerts start cropping up on your Lock screen...

BMW folds 4 new iOS apps into Apps-enabled cars

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 27, 2013

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, better known as BMW, features a special option dubbed Apps which integrates iOS software from third-parties for some cool in-car entertainment and driving experience.

Part of the luxury automaker's ConnectedDrive initiative, the Apps platform supports model year 2011 and later vehicles and is controlled through a dedicated iOS app aptly named BMW Connected App. These apps are still few and far between so today the German car maker launched new additions.

A total of four iOS programs that integrate with the BMW Apps platform have been confirmed: Amazon's Audible app which lets you listen to audio books, real-time location sharing software Glympse, the subscription-based music streaming service Rhapsody and Pandora-like TuneIn app that features offers over 70,000 stations and two million shows...

Music HUD offers current track album art and more at a glance

Cody Lee ∙ March 27, 2013

Those looking to spice up the volume HUD that pops up when you turn your iOS device's sound up or down might be interested in a recently released jailbreak tweak called Music HUD.

The tweak, which landed in Cydia last week, has the ability to display useful information for the iPod app's currently playing track in the HUD box like album art, artist name and more...

Gmail app updated with easier multi-message editing and navigation

Cody Lee ∙ March 27, 2013

Great news today for Gmail users. Google has updated its email client for iOS this morning, bringing the app to version 2.1. The update includes some nice UX improvements, including easier message navigation.

Users with the new app will now be able to swipe either left or right to move between messages, without having to return to their inbox. It also features easier multi-message editing, a handful of bug fixes and more...

Way to go promoting a beer brand, Carlsberg!

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 27, 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3rNQ2pTyAY

So along comes Carlsberg with a novel idea: how about we market a new cider brand by piggy-backing on Apple's popularity subtly? The results of the company's brainstorming are, well, hilarious and downright amazing - as you can see for yourself.

The creative concept calls for a tongue-in-cheek reenactment of an Apple-like product launch hype, down to the line sitters, an Apple Store-like environment, lots of cheering and clapping and Carlsberg' version of Geniuses.

You gotta love the ambiguous use of tech jargon and the obligatory Apple superlatives like "amazing". My favorite line: "works perfectly in direct sunlight"...

Poll: who’s switching to T-Mobile come April 12?

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 27, 2013

Now that we've established that T-Mobile is the least expensive major U.S. iPhone carrier - thanks to its new policy of selling devices unsubsidized and separate of wireless services - the telco faces the ultimate test of reversing customer defection. If LTE is of prime importance to your mobile needs, you're probably better off with AT&T and Verizon - both Rootmetrics and Consumer Reports rank AT&T's LTE the fastest, with Verizon ruling the LTE coverage game.

On a flip side, while T-Mobile's LTE is only available in seven major U.S. cities, its iPhone-friendly (and speedy) HSPA+ now covers 225 million people in 229 metropolitan areas. Whether or not LTE is a key factor in determining your preferred carrier, perhaps you're merely thinking about switching away from your telco just to show your support for T-Mobile's "Un-Carrier" model.

So, will you make the move come April 12?