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‘SelectiveReading’ allows you to select who receives iMessage read receipts

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 11, 2018

There have been some really great jailbreak tweaks released for iMessage lately. A few weeks ago, we talked about TypeStatus, which allows you to see incoming "now typing" notifications for ongoing iMessage conversations. Now, there's SelectiveReading — a jailbreak tweak that lets you selectively send read receipts to specific contacts.

I've always enjoyed the ability to send and receive read receipts between my iMessage friends. It gives both parties a peace of mind knowing that their message has been received and consumed. But I've always had a lingering beef with the feature as well. I never appreciated the fact that it was all or nothing with read receipts. That is to say, it was either enabled for everyone, or disabled for everyone, there was no middle ground.

Again, the jailbreak community has stepped in to save the day. SelectiveReading makes a feature that I've always wanted to use, but didn't because of its limitations, actually usable. Take a look inside as I divulge more details about this long awaited jailbreak tweak...

Gridlock updated for iOS 6

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 11, 2018

Gridlock 2.0 was released just moments ago, and it brings iOS 6.x support in tow. Gridlock is a tweak that's very popular among jailbreakers, because it gives users the ability to rearrange their app icons using a simple drag and drop action.

Normally, iOS prevents users from organizing app icons in any way but in a linear manner. With Gridlock, you can easily leave blank spaces between app icons. In my opinion, Gridlock is best served when mixed with iOS themes, and jailbreak widgets like Dashboard X. Whatever the case may be, you'll likely enjoy the sense of freedom that you get from using Gridlock.

Skype updated with all new calling experience

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 11, 2018

Good news today for all of you Skype users out there. The video-chatting service released a solid update for both its iPhone and iPad applications this morning with some UI changes, and other improvements.

Those improvements include a fix that makes one-on-one chats [finally] show up in correct order, and the ability to quickly dismiss your recent chats as 'read.' But the star of the update is the new calling UI...

Phil Schiller tweets link to Android-slamming mobile malware report

Cody Lee ∙ March 7, 2013

Phil Schiller, although probably the most active Twitter user of the Apple executive team, doesn't tweet much. And when he does, it's usually generic things like "new Flipboard app for iPhone is very nice," or "way to go Giants!!!"

But the Worldwide Marketing SVP switched things up a bit this morning, tweeting out a very deliberate link to a new mobile malware report by F-Labs that slams Android for its malware issues, telling folks to "be safe out there..."

Meet the GLAS.t Slim, a thinner and lighter glass screen protector for iPhone 5

Sébastien Page ∙ March 7, 2013

I have a hard time hiding my love for the GLAS.t family of screen protectors for one simple reason: I just think they're the best. A few months ago I reviewed the GLAS.t, which I believed was the best screen protector for iPhone 5, but things just got even better!

The fine folks over at SGP sent me their new GLAS.t Slim for iPhone 5 for review. I've been sporting it for a little over a week now and I'm here to give you a quick review of the product...

Facebook unveils revamped News Feed, will start rolling out in coming weeks

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

As expected, Facebook has unveiled a revamped News Feed today. The refresh, which the company says was 'mobile-inspired,' will significantly change the way the personalized stream is displayed on your desktop, smartphone and tablet.

Changes include larger images and videos, the introduction of sub feeds, which will allow you to separate the different content that appears in your feed, and a much more organized interface. More details and a video after the fold...

Google releases ‘Field Trip,’ a new location discovery app for iOS

Cody Lee ∙ March 7, 2013

Google has added another new app to its massive library of iOS offerings today. Previously reserved for Android users, Field Trip is a location discovery app, built to help you find local points of interest.

The app is billed as a way to help you "discover thousands of interesting places and experiences" that fall under a number of categories including places and events, food and drinks, and more...

Lowball royalty offers said to be causing delay in Apple’s streaming music service

Cody Lee ∙ March 7, 2013

Multiple reports are out this morning, claiming that the reason we haven't seen Apple's streaming music service—which was expected to launch as early as Q1 of this year—yet is due to negotiation woes with record labels.

As usual, the problem stems from money. Apparently Apple is only offering the labels half of the royalty rate that they are receiving from Pandora. And the service could be delayed until the summer, or possibly longer...

The fantastic Fantastical update hits the iPhone, we go hands-on

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 7, 2018

I'm a long time fan of Fantastical, a tremendously useful and well-designed calendar and to-do software for the Mac from Flexibits.

Therefore, it goes without saying that I was tingling with expectation after the team had teased an iPhone experience in early-November 2012.

And now, less than three months since its iPhone debut, developers Thursday pushed the first major update. It's a must-have as it addresses a few omissions while expanding on core functionality with some nice enhancements that will admittedly boost your productivity.

These include time zone support, multiple event alerts, even faster natural language parsing, handy user interface tweaks and of course "staggering number of other improvements, parser enhancements, and bug fixes." If you're a fan of the app, we've got you covered with detailed observations of what's new and how the changes affect your daily workflow...

‘ActivityAction’ lends quick access to your favorite iOS URL schemes

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

ActivityAction is a work in progress jailbreak tweak that serves as a plugin to Action Menu. Its purpose is to allow you to create custom actions for any app on your iDevice, which supports URL schemes.

A URL scheme is an essential way for iOS apps to communicate with other apps in iOS. Many apps feature URL schemes, though this isn't something generally advertised as a major feature to the public.

ActivityAction allows you to create specific actions for any app that utilizes these schemes, making it a potentially powerful plugin for Action Menu. Want to see how it all works? Take a look inside for the full video walkthrough and explanation.

Apple prevails in UK’s Samsung 3G suit

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 11, 2018

Apple scored another legal victory against rival Samsung. In a UK court, a judge Wednesday ruled that the iPhone maker does not infringe patents held by the South Korean-based Android smartphone manufacturer. The court's decision marks more than two-dozen failed attempts by Samsung to claim it is owed royalties on standard-essential patents.

The company had alleged Apple did not pay royalties to use its 3G wireless technology patents in the iPhone...

Apple exploring ways of letting users loan and resell “used” iTunes purchases

Ed Sutherland ∙ March 7, 2013

In a world of digital media, ranging from e-books to movies and music, consumers have often questioned the difficulty of loaning or selling their originally purchased items. In an exciting development, Apple has now developed a way to transfer digital content while also protecting the rights of the publisher.

In three patent applications filed in 2011 and 2012, Apple outlines a method similar to selling a house by transferring ownership of the front door keys, only for iTunes purchases. Driven by digital rights management (DRM), the process gives owners of apps, e-books, music and other digital items rights to loan and resell "used" items to other people...