Apple

Sega launching Sonic Jump follow-up soon

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2019

If you enjoyed Sega's Sonic Jump on your iPhone and iPad, you'll want to put the official sequel called Sonic Jump Fever on your wish list. Arriving a year and a half after the original Sonic Jump remake (Sega's first iOS exclusive), the follow-up is due for release this summer.

The fast-paced, leaderboard-focused vertical jumping platformer will have you compete against friends for high scores, with a little help from boosters like Fever Mode (hence the name) that pushes your character into hyper-speed for some "earth-shattering scores"...

FIFA issues second update to iOS app ahead of 2014 World Cup Brazil

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 11, 2014

After initially releasing a World Cup 2014 themed update to its free iPhone and iPad application, FIFA in keeping true to its promise this morning posted another update ahead of the 2014 World Cup Brazil, which kicks off with a match between the Brazilian host team and Croatia tomorrow.

The refreshed version 2.1 build includes support for live-streamed content, push notifications for your favorite teams, interactive voting for Man of the Match and more...

Best Buy price-matches Target’s $199 iPad mini deal

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 16, 2017

Right as the United States retailing giant Target announced a significant sale by taking a cool $100 off of the original iPad mini's $299 price tag, rival Best Buy is mirroring the deal now in the run-up to Father’s Day.

That's right, you can now pick up an entry-level Wi-Fi-only iPad mini with sixteen gigabytes of storage for just $199 versus Apple's asking price of $299. LTE variants have been discount, too. The deal is available in select retail locations and does not extend to Best Buy's online store...

New part photos contrast supposed iPhone 6 design to iPhone 5s

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 30, 2016

Judging by the growing number of part leaks coming our way, production of Apple's iPhone 6 should be moving full steam ahead. Coming straight out of China from a pretty reliable source, past two weeks have brought us purported iPhone 6 back cover parts, as well as the inner shell.

Now the same source has posted additional shots depicting what appears to be a front as well as back iPhone part, photographed next to an iPhone 5s for a nice design comparison...

Google Shopping Express expands to new places, adds recommendations, new items and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 11, 2014

Google's Shopping Express for iOS has received a nice update bringing the free iPhone and iPad application to version 1.8 and introducing several new features that elevate your on-the-go shopping experience.

For starters, the app makes Google's same-day delivery service available in more places, including in and around the West Los Angeles and Manhattan areas. This version also enables product recommendations based on the stores you shop most, adds new items and more...

ESPN Radio talk shows and local NPR stations now airing on iTunes Radio

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

Right on cue, Apple's free iTunes Radio service has now started delivering the World Cup 2014 audio stream and other national and global news content from ESPN, as well as over forty new National Public Radio (NPR) stations bringing live programming for news, talk shows and more.

And in addition to the World Cup stream, iTunes Radio now offers original ESPN programs, including such national sports talk shows as SportsCenter All Night, SVP and Russillo, Mike & Mike, The Dan LeBatard Show and The Herd.

As for NPR, a total of 42 NPR stations have made their way to iTunes Radio, including New York Public Radio, San Francisco’s KQED, Washington, D.C.'s WAMU and more, plus a number of popular programs like All Things Considered. Additional iTunes Radio stations are already being planned...

$14.99 iTunes movie collections: The Dark Knight, LOTR, Matrix, Lethal Weapon and Ocean’s

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 4, 2017

I'm a big spender on digital warez sold on Apple's content stores. Typically, I would pick up various digital books and iOS/Mac apps on a regular basis - music not so much, that's what Spotify is for.

I'd also rent TV shows and buy movie downloads from time to time. You couldn't go as far as to say that I'd buy anything because I'm very particular and as such purchase only items that have really piqued my curiosity. The problem is, my interests are very diverse and my wallet can only bear so much.

But if you're a movie buff and don't mind having your movies tied to Apple devices (hello, FairPlay DRM!), you must have spotted Apple's movie bundles before, some of which are sold at a deep discount.

In this not-to-be-missed opportunity the California firm is currently offering several memorable movie trilogies in high-definition, including The Matrix, The Lord of the Rings and more, priced at $14.99 each...

Apple said to expand its in-house advertising team to 1000 employees

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

Following a report last week claiming that Apple is shifting more of its TV advertising in house, Ad Age has taken an extensive look at the company's new marketing strategies. To regain its edge amid tough competition, Apple has been working hard on assembling an in-house creative team that will eventually number 1000 employees. The company is going after some of the top advertising talent, even poaching executives from its longtime partner TBWA/Media Arts Lab.

Apple now employs the controversial tactic of pitting TBWA against its internal team, siding with whoever comes up with the best creative ideas and running with it. The in-house team has already won at least a few campaigns, including an ad for the iPad Air last year showing off the thinness of the tablet. The internal team was also behind another iPad Air called Your Verse, featuring American actor Robin Williams…

Screens VNC app now supports Dropbox, in addition to iCloud

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2018

An app called Screens is one of the best and most elegant pieces of software for accessing your desktop through the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices, over Wi-Fi or cellular. It lets you connect to remote computers as if you were sitting in front of them, run apps remotely, copy documents between machines and lots more.

Edovia Software, the company behind Screens, has updated both the $19.99 iOS client and $34.99 Mac client with support for Dropbox for seamless syncing of your saved screens across devices...

Macphun Bundle offers $260 worth of pro photo-editing Mac software for just $99.99

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 10, 2014

San Diego, California based developer MacPhun is kicking off the summer with an attractive bundle which appeals to your inner photography buff.

The prolific developer is responsible for some of the top-rated photo-editing software on iOS and OS X platforms and you could imagine I've gotten pretty excited about their new promotion. Beginning Tuesday, June 10 and through Sunday, June 22, you can get a $260 worth of Mac software for just $99.99.

That's a cool $160 saving right off the bat. The MacPhun Bundle includes Creative Kit Plus which is comprised of Intensify Pro, Snapheal Pro and Focus 2 Pro apps. They're also throwing in a ViewBig Premium membership and a free copy of a brand new app, when it ships later in the summer...

Traces of Preview, TextEdit, standalone iTunes Radio and Siri API discovered in iOS 8 code

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

As a prominent iOS developer noted on Twitter, looks like Apple is actually toying with a standalone iTunes Radio app, as previously suspected.

In addition, Apple looks to be prepping new stock iOS 8 apps - TextEdit and Preview - as well as potentially enabling third-party Siri access.

Code hooks and hidden assets discovered in the iOS 8 Beta code seem to support these findings, largely corroborating much of the earlier findings by prominent Apple blogger Mark Gurman.

Note that this is no guarantee that Apple will roll out these features - that is, it will only introduce them when they're ready for prime time. For example, The New York Times previously reported that split-screen functionality didn't make the cut in iOS 8. With that in mind, it's fairly safe to speculate that Preview, TextEdit, third-party Siri access and a standalone iTunes Radio could be slated for the iOS 8.1 update...

Apple could be laying the groundwork for custom UI themes in iOS 8

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

There's no doubt that Apple for the first time in iOS history is opening up its mobile operating system by giving developers the tools to create previously unheard-of features like custom iOS 8 keyboards, new filters for the Photos app, custom Share sheet actions and several other types of App Extensions.

It would also appear that Apple is testing a feature that would allow end users to choose alternate looks for the iOS 8 user interface with different font types, custom color schemes and more.

This could be a huge boon to tinkerers and a great selling point because never before has Apple allowed people to customize the iOS look and feel without jailbreaking their devices...