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Unofficial Lightning docks arrive

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 10, 2018

As Apple prepares to convene with accessory makers next month in order to lay out new rules pertaining to third-party Lightning gear, companies like iPhone5mod continue to exploit the supply-demand imbalance in order to produce unofficial accessories like cables and adapters that all use cracked Lightning chips.

iPhone5mod already has a few of these in its offering and they've just announced another accessory which could easily strike a chord with long-time Apple fans: a Lightning dock. Just like it removed the optical drive from the new iMac, Apple with the iPhone 5 stopped making docks for Lightning devices. Therefore, this opportunity has basically presented itself...

The iCade 8-Bitty Unboxing

Jeff Benjamin ∙ October 30, 2012

I recently got my hands on an iCade 8-Bitty Bluetooth controller from Think Geek. The controller harkens back to the 8-Bit days with its boxy design, hence its name.

The 8-Bitty plays nice with all iOS devices, and even works with Android phones and tablets as well. Take a look inside as I unbox the controller, and check back soon for a more in-depth review...

Apple delays iTunes 11 for a month to ‘get it right’

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 30, 2012

That's right, no new iTunes on Halloween for you! As you know, Apple promised to release iTunes 11, a major overhaul, by the end of October. Now it seems yesterday's management re-shuffling has affected the release schedule a bit as the company said today that iTunes is "is taking longer than expected".

The new release date is now being pegged at the end of November, a month from now, as Apple needs some more time to get the new iTunes right. That's a repeat of last fall, when Apple similarly postponed the launch of iTunes Match.

And perhaps inadvertently, Apple may have silenced the critics, just like that: instead of shipping prematurely, which reportedly was one of Scott Forstall's deadly sins (Maps, Siri), Apple is now taking its time to have such a critical piece of software in the perfectly solid shape before getting it out of the door...

Bluegrass Cellular to sell the iPhone 5 with a $50 discount starting Friday

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 30, 2012

It's been originally reported that regional carrier Bluegrass Cellular would start selling the iPhone 5 on September 28 alongside Alaska’s GCI and Appalachian Wireless, but something delayed those plans. Be that as it may, today the Kentucky-based carrier announced it will start selling Apple's latest phone on Friday, November 2.

The company has plans to undercut AT&T, Verizon and Sprint with an aggressive pricing policy. Bluegrass Cellular will also offer the iPhone 4S for just $49 and the iPhone 4 will be available starting at 99 cents, it's been confirmed. These prices, of course, are valid only with a two-year service contract...

Apple’s green ranking drops to 118 in US

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 11, 2018

Despite recently obtaining a green apple logo, the iPhone maker's ranking when it comes to green issues took a beating. The consumer tech giant ranks 118 among U.S. companies, a 68-point drop from a year ago. According to one report, Apple failing to answer a survey on greenhouse gas emissions from its American facilities via the Carbon Disclosure Project in both 2012 and 2011 was the chief reason for the poor showing...

Samsung bets on Windows

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 30, 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC9ZJf_CUTA

Say what you will about Samsung, but it's always been a multi-platform player. True, the company's bet on Android has paid off big time, but Samsung also maintains another smartphone operating system, its own Bada software, and pledges to build a plethora of desktop and mobile products driven by Microsoft's new Windows 8 desktop operating system and its Windows Phone 8 counterpart.

The South Korean conglomerate currently makes Windows-based Smart PC and Smart PC Pro, in addition to a Windows Phone 8 tablet and smartphone. All are marketed under the new ATIV moniker (whoever thought of that one?). I kinda like how the commercial above highlights different usage scenarios for these devices. By the way, what's up with the evident James Bond theme to advertising recently?

Google gives its iOS search app Siri-like voice magic

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 30, 2012

Google’s most advanced voice search has arrived on iOS! The company yesterday issued an update to its Voice search app for Android with new Google Now features for Android 4.1 devices. And today, the search Goliath has finally released a long-expected update to its iOS app. It brings a bit overdue iPhone 5 compatibility in addition to - and this is huge - the vastly improved voice search capability with artificial intelligence aspects akin to Google Now on Android Jelly Bean devices.

Give it a few more releases and this app is bound to compete with Apple's Siri. Also on tap are the usual bug fixes and a few other tweaks and enhancements. It's a free universal binary that supports all iOS form factors natively so make sure to update to the latest version. Jeff had a chance to take it for a spin, I've included his video hands-on right below...

Shake ups and shufflings: some thoughts on the new Apple

Sébastien Page ∙ October 30, 2012

If there's one thing that really came as a surprise this month, it's certainly not the iPad mini, or any other product announcement, but the executives shake up and shuffling at Apple. SVP of Retail John Browett is gone, and that's a good thing, and really, hardly a surprise. The biggest surprise was that he was hired in the first place. The real bombshell in yesterday's abrupt announcement is the departure of SVP of iOS Software, Scott Forstall.

Although it was the biggest kick, Apple's press release also told us that Ive would now be in charge of Human Interface (aka everything design), iOS and OS X groups are now one, Maps and Siri are now part of the Internet Services unit, and Mansfield will lead the new Technologies group.

Now that we've gathered a little more information about the news and that I've had time to really soak it in, I'd like to share my thoughts on the situation, and what it all means for the new Apple...

Analysts assure investors that Apple is in good hands without Scott Forstall

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated June 13, 2016

The departure of Scott Forstall, long-time aide to the late Steve Jobs, leaves Apple "in good hands," analysts are assuring investors. Additionally, Jonathan Ive, the design guru, will likely gain even more power, overseeing both hardware and software. Forstall, head of iOS until Monday, was in charge of the company's move toward Apple Maps. He reportedly was forced out after refusing to sign a public apology letter following the mapping debacle. But friction was building between Forstall and a cadre of executives now surrounding Apple CEO Tim Cook...

UK’s Everything Everywhere launches 4G LTE network

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 30, 2012

Everything Everywhere today launched its 4G LTE network in the United Kingdom, giving UK shoppers plenty of reasons to buy the new iPad mini, the iPhone 5 and the fourth-generation iPad this holiday season. All these devices feature improved cellular connectivity that supports a wider gamut of LTE frequency bands across the world's carriers.

Apple's web site also lists Everything Everywhere as being compatible with the 4G LTE flavors supported by Apple's late-2012 iOS devices. Go past the fold for plans and pricing information...

Need for Speed: Most Wanted is here, get downloading

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 30, 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpGS1K9mLPQ

Electronic Arts today in North America released Need for Speed: Most Wanted on the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita and Xbox 360 consoles, as well as on Windows PCs and Apple's iOS and Google's Android mobile platforms. The game is available now for seven bucks both over at the App Store and Play Store. Need for Speed: Most Wanted rolls out in Australia on November 1 and in Europe the following day.

A version for Nintendo's new Wii U console is slated to hit North American shores, Europe and Australia some time next year. The game invites you to drive "the world's hottest cars ripping through the open world, screwing with the cops and get away in style". In addition to the above launch trailer, I've also included several nice videos below the fold...

Google matches Apple with 700,000 mobile apps

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2016

Because Google's free Android software is available in many shapes, price points and across a variety of carriers and manufacturers, the search giant has relatively easy and early on taken the lead in terms of device activations. But even with its clear lead in terms of unit sales, Android has always lagged behind iOS in terms of quantity of the apps found on its store, dubbed the Google Play Store. Today, Google has announced that its store now carries 700,000 third-party apps, which means that the Play Store has officially matched the App Store in sheer number of apps available...