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Ive and Forstall were ‘rarely in the same room’

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2016

That SVP and iOS chief Scott Forstall fell out of favor with Apple CEO Tim Cook and other vice presidents because of his abrasive and divisive style is no secret. Forstall, 44, was Apple's youngest vice president. He was also the brains behind OS X since 2006 and the architect of your iPhone's software. The executive was especially at odds with Apple's famed industrial design guru Jony Ive over software design. According to a new report by Bloomberg, bad blood ran so deep that Forstall wouldn't even participate in Ive's meetings where crucial software and hardware design aspects had been discussed...

iPad mini fares better in drop tests than Nexus 7

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 2, 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbHomq4QwIk

The iPad mini just went on sale this morning in 34 countries and warranty firm Square Trade already has drop tests done. Thanks to its unibody aluminum body and rigid construction, this is perhaps the most durable iPad yet. At any rate, the smaller iPad seems to withstand drops a little better than Google's Nexus 7 and the regular-sized iPad, even if the display on all three devices was completely shattered in the unforgiving face-down drop test.

As a Nexus 7 owner, I was honestly disappointed with poor build quality and especially how loosely the screen fits inside the frame. Of course, these drop tests are not very scientific and you shouldn't read too much into them though the video does a good job highlighting the iPad mini's rigid construction. Build quality and sturdiness, in addition to design, apps and other perks, certainly help justify the $130 premium compared to other popular seven-inch tablets on the market. Go past the fold for more drop test videos...

Apple’s revised apology to Samsung hits UK newspapers

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 2, 2012

As required by the UK court of appeal, Apple today published a public apology to Samsung in The Guardian newspaper, following the previous U.K. ruling that Samsung tablets did not copy the iPad. Snarky Apple yesterday published a public notice of the ruling on its web site and ran into trouble because it cunningly inserted a paragraph quoting the Judge on how consumers can’t confuse the Galaxy Tab with the iPad because “they’re not as cool", prompting Judge Robin Jacob to order that the edits be made within 24 hours.

The iPhone maker has pulled the notice upon request by Samsung, which argued that Apple's version of the notice gave the “impression that the UK court is out of step with other courts". The company did not update its web site with a revised version of the notice at post time. I take it Apple employees are busy launching the iPad in 34 countries so nobody can update the web site...

The winner of our iPad mini giveaway is…

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

The iPad mini is launching today in 34 countries around the world, and what better way to celebrate this event than giving one away to one lucky iDB reader. The response to our iPad mini giveaway has been phenomenal. Several thousand entries later, it is now time to announce the winner of our giveaway.

Without further ado, the winner of iDownloadBlog's iPad mini giveaway is...

MyPermissions lets you nuke Facebook apps that invade your privacy

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 29, 2017

So you're on Facebook and pride yourself with making sure only a select few apps are allowed to access your personal information. But you could be in for a surprise learning just how many apps actually are granted access to the data Facebook has collected on you.

Enter MyPermissions, a new iPhone app which - as the name suggests - scans your Facebook permissions and alerts you when new apps and online services gain access to your personal information on the web. It's a free download and I urge you to check it out right now and take control of your privacy.

You can also revoke Yahoo and Facebook apps right from within the app itself and do more with a handy Chrome extension. More info and a nice video right below...

The iPad mini begins its world tour launch in 34 countries, check out line videos

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 20, 2017

As promised, on Friday the new 7.9-inch iPad and a retooled fourth-generation iPad with Retina display both went on sale in what goes down in history as Apple's broadest and deepest iPad launch ever. The initial pre-order stock was sold out within hours a week ago, with expectation that the smaller iPad will move 1.5 million units during the weekend.

According to first reports, the launch drew shorter lines than for previous iPad launches, with places like Sydney experiencing the familiar lines that stretch for several blocks. Though the turnout wasn't as big as for a new iPhone, you had to stand in line if you wanted to buy the iPad mini at an Apple store. We've got some pretty nice launch videos right below the fold...

The iPad mini means ‘very tough’ holiday for Windows 8 sales

Ed Sutherland ∙ November 2, 2012

Yes, the iPad mini is indeed going to be competitors' worst nightmare. But Apple's new 7.9-inch tablet won't be terrorizing Android tablets as much as the last vestiges of PCs - many now with Microsoft's new Windows 8. On the eve of sales of Apple smaller tablet, the Sterne Agee analyst said Apple has its bulls-eye on PCs and Windows. Clarifying his earlier "nightmare" comment, Wu said observers who believe the new device is chiefly aimed at Android tablets such as Amazon's Kindle Fire HD or Google's Nexus 7 "miss the point"...

Apple looking to make further improvements to Maps in iOS 6.1

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Apple released the first beta of iOS 6.1 to developers yesterday. It's still early, obviously, but we've already discovered a handful of changes in the new firmware, including revamped Lock screen music controls.

And, as a reader has pointed out to us, iOS 6.1 also adds a new "Report a Problem" button to the stock Maps app. It replaces a smaller bug reporter link, and signifies Apple's commitment to making Maps better...

Teardown of 4th gen iPad reveals LG Retina display and more

Cody Lee ∙ November 2, 2012

With the newly-unveiled fourth generation iPad now on sale in some parts of the globe, the inevitable teardowns have begun. As usual, iFixit was first on scene, and has posted a detailed breakdown of the tablet's innards.

As you might expect, there aren't many internal differences between the new iPad and the one Apple launched 6 months ago. But it does have a new processor, and a few other changes, so it's certainly worth taking a look at...

Apple expected to sell 1.5 million iPad minis this weekend

Cody Lee ∙ November 1, 2012

All eyes will be on Apple tomorrow, as the iPad mini officially launches. It's a new product for the company, and a new market, so pundits and analysts alike are anxious to see how the 7.9-inch tablet fairs.

Starting at $329, a lot of people think it's overpriced. And with its A5 processor and no Retina display, it's been described as outdated. But that doesn't mean that Apple won't sell a ton of them this weekend...

New in iOS 6.1: Lockscreen music controls

Sébastien Page ∙ November 1, 2012

Apple released iOS 6.1 beta to developers earlier today and we've been on the hunt for new interesting features ever since. iDB reader Darryl R. sent us an interesting find that isn't life changing, but still deserves a little attention.

When playing a song from the Music app, if you are on the Lockscreen and double tap the Home button, you will notice the new music controls and layout that are now consistent with the controls you find inside the Music app itself...

Scott Forstall was one of Apple’s most prolific inventors

Cody Lee ∙ November 1, 2012

Since Apple announced on Monday that Scott Forstall would be leaving the company next year, we've heard a number of reports regarding the way other employees viewed the long-time SVP of iOS Software.

Needless to say, most of the stuff we've heard hasn't been positive. He's been described as polarizing, and abrasive, and was accused of abusing his relationship with Steve Jobs. But that doesn't mean he wasn't an asset...