Apple

Alternative iOS web browser iCab optimizes for iPhone 6 and iOS 8, 1Password extension and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 7, 2014

iCab Mobile by German developer Alexander Clauss used to be my favorite browser alternative for the iPhone and iPad. Yesterday, Clauss pushed a substantial update bringing out support for Apple's iOS 8 software and the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus “Retina HD” display sizes, along with several improvements such as Bing and Waibo search suggestions, new Bluetooth keyboard features, the ability to use 1Password or Dashlane as external password manager and more.

This update is free for existing users of iCab Mobile.

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Amazon updates Instant Video for iOS 8 and iPhone 6, improves playback experience

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 7, 2014

The online retail giant Amazon on Tuesday refreshed its Instant Video iOS client for the iPhone and iPad with iOS 8 compatibility and native support for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus display sizes.

Aside from these compatibility fixes, the release adds a pair of enhancements aimed at improving your video-watching experience.

The latest version 2.9 is available free of charge in the App Store, arriving a month following version 2.8 which brought us a brand new search history feature and quick resume capability.

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Former Microsoftie releases Talko for iPhone, a new take on unified messaging software

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 4, 2018

Ray Ozzie, Microsoft's former Chief Technical Officer and Chief Software Architect, has released a brand new iPhone application which promises to “give people their voices back,“ as journalist Steven Levy put it in a hands-on post on Medium.

Named Talko, it combines phone calling, text messaging, virtual conferencing and photo sharing into a single app that lets you talk to people, exchange messages, organize conversations with #tags and audio bookmarks, share photos in an Instagram-y fashion and more.

The app is available free in the App Store.

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Google updates Gmail for iOS with iPhone 6 and 6 Plus support

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 11, 2016

The Internet giant Google has at last gotten around to updating the native Gmail application for iOS with native display support for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

As a result, owners of these new devices can finally enjoy crisp typography and user interface while taking full advantage of the bigger canvas to see more of their emails and inbox without scrolling.

Now available in the App Store free of charge, the new Gmail version 3.1415926 only lists native support for the new iPhone display sizes.

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1Password updated with iPhone 6 support, Touch ID timeout improvements and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Developer AgileBits on Monday issued 1Password 5.1 adding native display support for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus and fixing a number of issues and oversights related to the Touch ID and PIN Code features.

This release also introduces some new capability such as the ability to add brand new tags to your items, enable or disable third-party custom keyboards within the Advanced Settings and more, while fixing “the most popular issues and crashes”.

1Password has recently gone the freemium route and now offers basic features free of charge, with advanced features available through Apple's In-App Purchases mechanism.

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Grab Ski Safari: Adventure Time, IGN’s latest free game of the month

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 6, 2014

IGN has named Cartoon Network's Ski Safari: Adventure Time its Free Game of the Month for October. Simply visit IGN's promo webpage here and click the big red 'Get My Free Game' button in order to redeem your free copy of the iPhone and iPad game, a 99-cent saving.

Filing as a stunt skiing endless runner, this hilarious game features Finn, a silly kid with an awesome hat, and Jake, a brassy dog with a big kind heart.

You'll be skiing with your butt and sliding your way through themed worlds like Ice Kingdom, Fire Kingdom, Candy Kingdom, the Forbidden Dungeon and the Mystery Mountains.

The game features mathematical costumes, algebraic stunts, the ability to hitch a ride with Cartoon Network's popular characters, including Jake, LSP, Flame Princess, Marceline, Princess Bubblegum, Lady Rainicorn, Ice King and Gunter, and much more.

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Apple’s sapphire maker GT Advanced Technologies files for bankruptcy

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

GT Advanced Technologies, an Apple partner that runs the sophisticated manufacturing plant in Mesa, Arizona which churns out sapphire components for iOS devices, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday.

Filing for bankruptcy lets GT continue normal operations and meet its obligations until it reorganizes its business and negotiate new financing arrangements with its creditors.

As of September 29, 2014, the company has approximately $85 million of cash. The company owns and operate furnaces and related equipment on the behalf of Apple at the Mesa facility. Earlier this year, the iPhone maker said it will prepay $578 million for the equipment and related retooling. GT agreed to reimburse Apple for those funds over a period of five years beginning in 2015.

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Facebook working on money transfers through Messenger app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

As Apple gears up to mainstream mobile payments with the recently announced Apple Pay service launching later this month, the social networking giant Facebook is developing its own peer-to-peer payment service that should allow users of its Messenger software to transfer money between themselves, as discovered by iOS developer Andre Aude.

The solution simplifies money transfers by levering the existing Messenger infrastructure and user interface, allowing users to pay for goods directly in the chat window just like you would attach a photo or a location.

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New Bose-NFL deal bars players from wearing Beats headphones on camera

Cody Lee ∙ October 4, 2014

The NFL has signed a new marketing deal with Bose Corporation, which could spell trouble for Apple's Beats. According to Recode, the new partnership has the National Football League banning its players from wearing Beats headphones while on TV.

The ban encompasses all other non-Bose headphone brands, not just Beats, and includes TV interviews conducted during pre-season training camps, practice and on game day—starting before kickoff and not expiring until 90 minutes after the play ends.

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iPhone 6 Plus said to be accounting for 60% of iPhone 6 shipments

Cody Lee ∙ October 3, 2014

Sales of the iPhone 6 Plus are exceeding initial expectations, according to a new report from Digitimes. Citing sources with knowledge of part shipments to Apple manufacturers, the outlet says the 6 Plus is expected to account for 60% of total iPhone 6 shipments.

Apparently, Foxconn has been tasked with handling the bulk of production for the iPhone 6 Plus, and Pegatron has the iPhone 6. Digitimes says that part shipments to both suppliers were similar in early September, but have tipped in Foxconn's favor as of late.

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Apple in talks with record labels to lower Beats Music fees

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple is working to bring down the fees associated with Beats Music, reports Recode. The site says the company is speaking with major record labels about a new set of rights and features it would like to include in a revamped version of the streaming music service for less than $10 per month.

Discussions are in their early stages, as Apple isn't launching the overhauled Beats Music service until next year, but some critics wonder just how successful the firm will be in convincing folks in the music industry to agree to a price cut on a product they never wanted to exist in the first place.

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