Apple

Apple working on fuel cell tech that could give devices weeklong battery life

Cody Lee ∙ September 3, 2015

Apple continues to show interest in using hydrogen fuel cell technology, as evidenced in its latest patent filing. On Thursday, the United States Patent and Trademark Office published a patent titled "Fuel Cell System to Power a Portable Computing Device."

The invention appears to be, at least initially, targeted at the MacBook, as the filing mentions MagSafe several times. But last month, the British firm Intelligent Energy proved the tech can be shrunken down, by showing off an iPhone with a hydrogen fuel cell.

Rotating bezel on Samsung’s new Gear S2 smartwatch shown on video

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 5, 2016

Two days ago, Samsung officially unveiled its new smartwatch lineup: the Gear S2, Gear S2 classic and the Gear S2 with 3G connectivity.

The new lineup from Samsung appears to stack up surprisingly well against the Apple Watch: both smartwatches are premium built and feature easily changeable bands, sleek software, fitness and heart rate tracking and more.

But whereas the Apple Watch uses the Digital Crown for navigating its user interface, Samsung has opted for a rotating bezel that “gets better with every turn,” a feature seen on some traditional watches.

Coupled with “the revolutionary circular user interface,” as they're calling the Gear S2's Tizen operating system, the rotating bezel appears to be just as precise, novel and interesting as the Apple Watch's rotating crown.

Google releases standalone Street View app for iPhone and iPod touch

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 3, 2015

A month ago, Google promised to release a standalone Street View mobile app “early next month.” Today, the Internet giant has made good on that promise as the all-new Google Street View app just hit the App Store (actually, it soft-launched in August 2014, but today's update feels like a whole new app and anyone can use it now).

Available for the iPhone and iPod touch, it lets you browse and enjoy Google's awesome street-level photography.

With this software, you can move and pan around by dragging your finger on the screen and even upload your own 360-degree photography to Google Maps to share your photo spheres with the world.

Apple rolls out brand new Twitter account dedicated to App Store games

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 3, 2015

The App Store has been on Twitter since September 2009 but as of today, a new curated Twitter account dedicated to highlighting the App Store games is available as well. It's now yet known whether gaming-related tweets will now be exclusively posted on @AppStoreGames alone or retweeted on @AppStore but it's an encouraging sign of Apple's mobile gaming prowess.

“Embrace the future of gaming,” reads the account's bioline. “Straight from our Games Editors.”

Google Photos for iOS gains photo reordering, selective backup, better sharing and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 3, 2015

Less than two weeks following a refresh that brought out a Timehop-like feature for rediscovering your photos from the past, Google Photos for the iPhone and iPad on Thursday received another noteworthy update.

The new Google Photos 1.3 for iOS introduces four distinct improvements to your photo-management workflow, like the ability to reorder photos in your library and another one letting you selectively back up individual photos and videos.

Apple admits Apple Music needs more work, Android app and Sonos integration coming

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 3, 2015

Even though Apple Music Connect “is growing big-time,” there's still “a lot of work going into making” Apple Music better and “a bit of homework to be done” when it comes to improving Apple Music Connect, said an Apple executive in an interview with The Guardian newspaper this morning.

KGI: upcoming iMac refresh taps LED phosphor material to boost color saturation of the display

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 3, 2015

Following his prediction a month ago that next-generation iMacs will launch very soon, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed more details in an analysis shared Thursday with clients, a copy of which was obtained by AppleInsider.

The new iMac upgrade will feature a “much better display,” owing to the use of a LED phosphor material known as KSF to boost color saturation.

Apple to iPhone 6s suppliers: ‘give us more, give us more’

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 3, 2015

Apple's 'iPhone 6s' and 'iPhone 6s Plus' may have entered volume production one to two weeks later than originally expected, but the Cupertino firm is now asking component suppliers to increase their output ahead of next Wednesday's unveiling.

A new report Thursday by Reuters alleges that increased orders might serve as a confirmation of Apple’s faith in the new handsets. The report cites Japan Display CEO Mitsuru Homma, who said that his company's “biggest client” is “coming to us with more orders, saying ‘give us more, give us more’.

Skype issues a thorough revamp of iPhone and iPad app with new features

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 3, 2015

Microsoft-owned Skype on Thursday announced a major redesign of its mobile application for the iPhone, iPad and Android devices. The new Skype 6.0 for iPhone and Skype 6.0 for iPad (still two separate downloads) features a sleeker look that the company says was “built for both the iPhone and iPad,” includes simpler navigation, a more powerful search and improved multi-tasking when switching between call and chat screens.

KGI confirms iPhone 6s has 5MP front camera

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 3, 2015

Apple's upcoming 'iPhone 6s' and iPhone 6s Plus' smartphones were previously rumored to incorporate a five-megapixel sensor out the front and now a revered analyst is reaffirming those rumors.

Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, arguably the most reliable Apple analyst in the world, is reporting in a note to clients, a copy of which was obtained by MacRumors, that aside from upgrading the back shooter to twelve megapixels, the front-facing camera on the new phones will be five megapixels.

Apple Watch estimated to have sold more than one million units in China

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 3, 2015

In China, an extremely important market that accounts for nearly one-fifth of Apple's global revenues, the Apple Watch has sold more than one million units, according to a new estimate by a Chinese company called TalkingData.

The numbers, shared by Business Insider, indicate that sales of the Apple wearable in the 1.33 billion people market have exceeded 1.07 million total devices.

Samsung unveils CarMode for Galaxy, new SmartThings hub, sleep-tracking device and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2016

IFA, the world's leading trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances, is running from September 4 to 9 in Berlin. Ahead of the big event, Samsung Electronics has unveiled some rather interesting gadgets, including its own version of CarPlay, a sleep analysis accessory, its first 4K Blu-ray player and more.

More than anything, the company is betting big on so-called Internet of Things, a common moniker denoting software platforms powering smart devices that tap into the power of the cloud to achieve interoperability and rich data sharing.

To this extent, the South Korean giant last year purchased an open-platform smart home company, called SmartThings. Following the acquisition, SmartThings today unveiled its very first new product, a hub for the connected home that connects to cameras to monitor and protect your home.