Apple

Facebook readying Phone app, may turn Messenger into a platform

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 23, 2015

Facebook wants to be more than just a social network. The company has been working on a dedicated Phone mobile app and is considering moves to turn its standalone mobile Messenger service into a platform of its own, according to web reports Monday. The dedicated Phone app would show rich information about callers and automatically block calls from commonly blocked numbers.

As for enhancing Messenger, this could entail adding features beyond exchanging media and instant messages, like bringing news and way richer content sharing to the service.

We'll know for sure next week at Facebook’s F8 conference, an annual gathering for Facebook developers where the company usually announce major platform advancements and new services.

Fitbit Surge gains bike-tracking, multi device support announced

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 23, 2015

Monday, fitness tracker maker Fitbit took pre-emptive steps ahead of Apple Watch launch next month, giving its fitness bands new features.

The company announced a new outdoor bike-tracking feature on its $249 Surge fitness tracker. In addition, it rolled out multi-tracker support allowing users to easily switch between multiple Fitbit models throughout the day. Multi-band support allows Fitbit fans to register up to six fitness trackers in their Fitbit account, one of each model.

The system then automatically pings the user when she or he switches trackers.

Apple praises ‘Becoming Steve Jobs’ biography, calls it ‘better than anything else we’ve seen’

Jake Smith ∙ March 23, 2015

Apple is throwing itself behind the latest biography to tell the life of late co-founder Steve Jobs, ahead of its release on Tuesday. "Becoming Steve Jobs" by Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli has elicited a response from Apple's often-quiet press team, as to why it chose to provide interview access for the completion of the book.

New Apple Wireless keyboard with backlit keys appears on Apple’s online store

Jake Smith ∙ March 23, 2015

An updated version of Apple's wireless keyboard appeared on Apple's Czech Republic online store on Monday, most notably packing a backlit keyboard.

Apple hasn't updated the product description noting the backlit feature, however the F5 and F6 keys indicate dimming and brightening functionality like found on Apple's laptop line. The keys have also seen a slight redesign, and the CD eject button has been replaced with a power button.

Apple reportedly having issues making Apple Watch’s screen

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple is having issues manufacturing the 1.5-inch AMOLED screen for the Apple Watch, and as a result, has cut initial production and shipment targets in half, according to UDN Mobile.

Citing sources in Apple's supply chain, the Taiwanese publication says Apple has cut shipments from between 2.5 to 3 million units to between 1.25 and 1.5 million units.

Apple Watch on fashion shoot in Australia, Steve Wozniak buying Sport edition

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 23, 2015

The Apple Watch tour of the world's top fashion and lifestyle magazines continues with a fashion debut Down Under in the form of a multi-page style guide in the latest April issue of women magazine Elle Australia.

The featured article has the publication's in-house fashion editor Sara Smith sharing tips for making the Watch work in women's wardrobe.

Meanwhile, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has chimed in with his thoughts on the device, saying he'll be opting for an entry-level Apple Watch Sport model.

Siri can’t wait for Apple Watch

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 22, 2015

Jokers as they are, Apple engineers have included Siri in the company's meticulous preparations for April's arrival of the Apple Watch, if the responses the voice assistant is giving to Watch related queries are anything to go by.

As first spotted Sunday by French enthusiast blog iGen.fr, asking Siri about the Watch's release date or simple stuff like what she's doing yields some funny responses and amusing remarks concerning the highly anticipated wearable gizmo.

New in iOS 8.3: placing phone calls through speakerphone via ‘Hey Siri’ command

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 22, 2015

Users who upgrade their iPhone to iOS 8.3 when it's released next month will be finally able to tell Siri to make a phone call through the device's speakerphone when the 'Hey Siri' option is enabled, reports 9to5Mac.

You can say, for example, 'Hey Siri, call my Mom on speaker' and the call will be automatically transferred to the iPhone's speaker, like it should have always been, may I add.

Again, provided the 'Allow Hey Siri' option is enabled in Settings > General > Siri and the phone is plugged into power.

iBooks is offering exclusive sneak peek from upcoming ‘Becoming Steve Jobs’ biography

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 22, 2015

The new Steve Jobs biography by Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli is launching on iBooks this Tuesday and Apple is now offering an exclusive sneak peek into the prologue and first chapter, including Schlender's first interview with Jobs when he moved to NeXT, as noted yesterday be the official iBooks Store account on Twitter.

'Becoming Steve Jobs: The Evolution of a Reckless Upstart into a Visionary Leader' should appeal to everyone who — like CEO Tim Cook — felt that Walter Isaacson's official biography did Apple's legendary co-founder a great disservice.

New in iOS 8.3: download free apps and iTunes media without entering Apple ID password

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 22, 2015

A new 'Password Settings' section has been discovered in the Settings app of the current iOS 8.3 beta which will permit users to set up their iPhone, iPod touch or iPad so that downloading free iTunes apps and iTunes media won't require an Apple ID password.

The new option is only exposed to users when Touch ID is disabled, reports 9to5Mac. With Touch ID enabled, the new option is unavailable.

This is understandable to an extent, because approving purchases — free or paid — with the tap of a fingerprint is a frictionless experience.

Here’s how Apple will let customers try on in-ear headphones

Jake Smith ∙ March 20, 2015

Following a report last month, Japan-based blog Macotakara was able to snag a look at the kit Apple Store employees will use to allow customers to try-on in-ear headphones before making a purchase.

The urBeats, Beats Tour, and PowerBeats 2 Wireless, all made by the Apple-owned Beats Electronics, and the RHA MA450i, JayBird BlueBuds X, and the Bose QC20, are seen in the kit that Apple Store employees will use to help present to customers.

Firewatch preview: stunning mystery adventure for Mac set in Wyoming wilderness

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 2, 2018

If you own a Mac, the name of developer Panic may ring a bell. What do you mean 'no'? This Portland, Oregon based studio is responsible for some well-known Mac utilities, such as the FTP app called Transmit (now available on iOS as well) and the brilliant web editor Coda, to name but a few.

Anyways, Panic has provided the funds to launch a small but scrappy new game studio, Campo Santo. And Panic and Campo's inaugural Mac game called Firewatch will be a sight to behold, that's for sure.

A mere glance at this eye-candy of a game tells you that Firewatch is going to be something special, an atmospheric adventure bound to push the envelope in terms of both graphics and storytelling.