Apple

Apple updates iWork for iCloud with new features

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 24, 2014

In keeping true to its promise of bringing back most of the missing features pulled from its iWork for iCloud web apps following a major rethinking of the productivity suite, Apple on Tuesday rolled out another refresh to web-based Pages, Keynote and Numbers apps.

Features enabled across all three web productivity apps include tips on how to cut, copy and paste using keyboard shortcuts, the ability to right-click to mask images and suggestions for your most recent screen name when opening a shared document.

Jump past the fold for per-app specifics...

Apple adds MLB At Bat to its list of CarPlay-enabled apps

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 24, 2014

Apple's in-car entertainment solution, CarPlay, features limited support for third-party applications, ranging from Stitcher and Apple's own Podcasts to Beats Music, iHeartRadio and Spotify. Previously demoed at WWDC earlier this month, you can now put MLB At Bat on the list of officially supported CarPlay apps, according to Apple's own CarPlay webpage...

Misfit unveils Pebble activity tracking app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Kickstarter-funded smartwatch maker Pebble has teamed up with another young startup, Misfit, on an activity tracking application for the Pebble smartwatch that doesn't require a dedicated tracking accessory or a smartphone to function.

Of course, the new Misfit Pebble app also talks to the official Misfit for iPhone software, which will be updated soon with support for setting your activity goals via the Pebble, tracking progress and more.

Pebble says it's “the first milestone in an ongoing partnership,” but stopped short of specifying what other goals the arrangement with Misfit might entail...

Console-grade Hellraid: The Escape powered by Unreal Engine 3 hitting iOS on July 10

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 24, 2014

If I had a nickel every time a developer pitched their iOS game with the overused "console style graphics" phrase, I would be filthy rich by now.

Yet in the case of Hellraid: The Escape, an upcoming action role-playing game (RPG) from Techland and Shortbreak Studios, the catch phrase rings true.

Indeed, the forthcoming iPhone and iPad title does seem to "push the boundaries of quality gaming on mobile devices even further."

Originally slated for release in June, the game has been pushed back to July as developers needed more time to work out the kinks and polish up the game's visuals.

If an announcement trailer included after the break is anything to go by, it should be well worth the wait...

Apple TV expands content with new ABC News, AOL On, PBS Kids and Willow channels

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 28, 2017

Apple's media-streaming box has expanded its list of content sources this morning with the addition of both live and on-demand video from ABC News, AOL On, PBS Kids and Willow TV, a sports channel dedicated to international cricket and the Official Broadcaster of Cricket in the United States and Canada.

Integration with ABC News gives Apple TV owners free access to local news, real-time breaking stories and 50 years of historical footage from ABC News' archives, including "This Week in History" and "The Day in Pictures" features.

In addition to the aforementioned new channels, the $99 device has gained a redesigned Flickr app. Read on for the full reveal...

Google-owned Nest takes on Apple’s HomeKit, opens up API for developers

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 29, 2016

Nest Labs, the Google-owned maker of the popular Nest thermostat and smoke detector, has signaled its intention to open up its technology to third-party developers by launching the Nest Developer Program last September.

Since then, Nest has been building a real-time web API for the Nest Learning Thermostat and today, ahead of Google I/O which starts tomorrow, the program has gone active.

The official API allows the Nest to work with all kinds of devices, from smart light bulbs to various home appliances to fitness bands and even cars. "Connect your Nest to things inside and outside of your home, and we'll get even better at keeping you comfortable and safe," says Google.

Contrary to previous assurances by Nest co-founder and former Apple engineer Tony Fadell, Nest devices will need to share some data with Google so the Internet giant could understand your daily habits and intelligently propose new ways of saving energy around the house...

Mailbox updated with Auto-swipe improvements

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 9, 2016

Dropbox-owned Mailbox has introduced Auto-swipe two and a half months ago with much fanfare. The feature has been designed to learn from your usage patterns, so that the app could help you save time by automating email management to a certain degree.

You Auto-swipe settings are kept in sync across devices thanks to Dropbox integration and now the team is building on top of that with additional improvements.

Now bumped to version 2.0.3, Mailbox includes several enhancements to the Auto-swipe feature, including a quicker way of creating Auto-swipe patterns, Auto-swipe suggestions in email view and more...

Bloomberg: Apple to start production of two larger iPhones next month

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Bloomberg has confirmed a storyline that we have heard for the past several weeks, which is that Apple is preparing to ramp up production of the iPhone 6 in both 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models. The report specifically claims that the manufacturing process will begin in China next month, with both smartphones likely to be announced and made available in September.

It has long been speculated that Apple is working on two larger iPhone models, although some rumors suggested that the 5.5-inch model might be delayed because of difficulties in the manufacturing process. This report provides further confirmation that the 5.5-inch model could in fact be unveiled alongside the 4.7-inch model in the fall. Read ahead for details…

Angela Ahrendts shares advice on starting anew at Apple

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts has had quite the experience since joining the iPhone maker's leadership team last month. Ahrendts has posted a letter on LinkedIn that details her transition to her new role at Apple, following an eight-year tenure as CEO of the luxury fashion brand Burberry. In her memo, she discusses a few insights that allowed her to adapt to the Silicon Valley culture…

Aspyr game sale: Star Wars, Borderlands, Call of Duty, Civilization and more now half price

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 27, 2018

Yesterday, my colleague Joe Rossignol's well-received daily App Recap column touched briefly on a few newsworthy discounts on premium Mac games such as SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition, BioShock Infinite and Call of Duty: Black Ops.

Turns out the price drops are actually part of Aspyr's broader promotion, with additional premium titles like Star Wars games, along with Civilization V: Campaign Edition, Borderlands 2 and The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition, being offered half price for a limited time.

Your iTunes download links follow right after the break...

Twitter updates iPhone and iPad app with animated GIF support, #WorldCup enhancements

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 1, 2018

Last Wednesday, the micro-blogging platform Twitter started rolling out native support for animated GIFs to its mobile apps for iOS and Android, as well as to its web interface available on Twitter.com.

Initiaily, the free iPhone and iPad app didn't gain the feature at the time of the announcement as the firm needed more time to implement animated GIFs on backend side.

This morning, Twitter version 6.8 has surfaced in the App Store featuring - you guessed right - the ability to upload animated GIFs from your iPhone and iPad and view them rendered inline, right inside your timelines...

Facebook revamps Pages Manager with iOS 7 styling, adds post editing and other refinements

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 23, 2014

Following up on last week's release of its would-be Snapchat killer, Slingshot, and building on notable updates to Paper, Messenger and its main iOS client, the social networking behemoth Facebook today gave its neglected Pages Manager some love.

Now live in the App Store, the new Facebook Pages Manager 4.0 has a streamlined new look and a brand new app icon which feels at home in iOS 7.0 while offering several improvements such as the addition of post editing, better Page's activity and insights, replies with threaded comments and more...