Apple

Infuse 2.3: connect to UPnP/DLNA apps like XBMC and Plex to stream videos, new gestures and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

One of the best iOS media players around, Infuse by jailbreak developer FireCore of the aTV Flash Black fame, has received a major updated today that enables support for UPnP and DLNA media streaming protocols which allows the software to stream, download and sync media residing on compatible UPnP/DLNA device such as XBMC, Plex, WMC, PS3 Media Server and more.

The release includes a plethora of other new features and improvements such as half a dozen new gesture controls, the continuous playback feature, improved streaming for certain NAS devices and a bunch of user interface tweaks.

The new Infuse 2.3 is available free in the App Store, with an optional in-app purchase to unlock advanced features like AirPlay subtitle streaming, support for additional video formats and more...

CEO of indoor positioning startup Wifarer has joined Apple ahead of iOS 8 Maps push

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

According to an exclusive TechCrunch report Thursday, Philip Stanger, the CEO and co-founder of indoor positioning startup Wifarer, has joined Apple's Maps team ahead of the anticipated push to improve the company's in-house mapping software in time for the assumed launch of iOS 8 this Fall.

He's now with the Apple Maps team in a “leadership role,” the publication has learned though the report cautions that Apple did not acquire the startup as some sources have speculated.

Wifarer, which is available as an iOS and Android app, features dynamic real-time indoor positioning to help people navigate malls, museums and other venues. Apple of course has its own micro-location indoor positioning system in the form of iBeacons.

Watchers have speculated that these micro-transmitters installed in shopping malls, retail stores, airports and elsewhere could also be used to collect data to improve Apple Maps and Stanger's hiring certainly seems to point in that direction...

Google Drive update adds passcode protection

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 1, 2014

Google's frontend iPhone and iPad app for its Drive cloud-storage service has received a much-needed passcode lock feature in an update this morning.

If your productivity depends on the Google cloud and you store your documents, presentations and spreadsheets in Google Drive, a thief was able to access all your files simply by launching the Drive app on a stolen device.

Fortunately enough, this won't be possible going forward as Google Drive 3.0 is now live in the App Store with a handy new passcode feature...

Microsoft updates OneNote for iPhone/Mac with new look, Office Lens and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 1, 2014

After updating Office for iPad apps with a new printing capability and a few other useful features that boost your mobile productivity, software maker Microsoft today issued a refresh for its note-taking app, OneNote, that contains some much appreciated enhancements on both the iPhone and Mac systems.

The new versions of OneNote, available free in the App Store and Mac App Store, have gained a dozen new features.

Most notably, OneNote for the iPhone now lets you create new notebooks and sections, includes a new design and comes with an optical character recognition feature called Office Lens. The Mac edition has received even more goodies...

Rumor: larger OS X 10.10 presence at WWDC as some iOS 8 features shift back to iOS 8.1

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 1, 2014

Reliable blogger Mark Gurman is stepping back from some of his earlier claims regarding rumored iOS 8 features like Healthbook and public transit in Maps.

Apparently, the blogger's sources have had a change of heart, now cautioning that some of the headline features planned for iOS 8.0 (code-named 'Okemo') could be moved to iOS 8.1.

As a result, Apple could place a larger emphasis on the next major release of its desktop operating system for Macs, code-named 'Syrah' after the wine.

It is speculated that the company's been allocating iOS user interface teams to OS X as Apple races to finalize a brand new OS X design in time for WWDC, which kicks off with a keynote on June 2...

Video of alleged iPhone 6 dummy unit gives a better look at various physical changes

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 29, 2016

Two days ago, French blog NowhereElse.fr passed along a batch of photos of an alleged iPhone 6 dummy unit that appear consistent with earlier mockups, photos of supposed cases, molds, front panel parts, schematic drawings and more.

"Evidence" - and I use the term loosely - seems to point to an ultra-thin device with a slim 6mm body with various physical changes such as a relocated sleep/wake button, redesigned volume buttons and so forth.

Give the video included after a break a watch and join us in the comment section...

Snapchat picks up live video chatting and text messaging

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

The controversial ephemeral photo sharing service Snapchat has received a major update today bringing out a text messaging feature conveniently named Chat, plus another one called Here which allows you to engage in live video chats with other users.

To start chatting, just swipe right on a friend’s name in your Snapchat inbox. Yes, the service will immediately clear all message exchange upon leaving the chat screen, leaving no traces of your communication session.

How to get snapchat update? Well, the update should land on the App Store later today so keep your eyes peeled..

Beats Music is coming to iPad soon

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

Beats Music, a new streaming music service from music mogul Jimmy Lovine, musician and producer Dr. Dre and other industry figures, is about to extend to the iPad soon.

According to the startup's teaser image shared on Twitter - captioned with the 'Something Big is Coming' tagline - the iPhone-only app should soon be available on Apple's tablet, too.

The $9.99 per month service launched on January 20 and is still struggling to hit the ground running despite an impressive set of features and a library of over 20 million songs that can be streamed on-demand to the iPhone, Windows Phone and Android devices and to your web browser...

Apple begins sending sapphire to China as iPhone 6 production ramps up

Cody Lee ∙ April 30, 2014

Apple announced last fall that it was opening up a new crystal sapphire production plant in Mesa, Arizona with partner GT Advanced Technologies. It's believed that the company is using the facility to make sapphire display covers for the upcoming iPhone 6.

Adding weight to the theory is a new report claiming that GT shipped small quantities of sapphire from Arizona to one of Apple’s partners in China this month. The news comes as manufacturers are believed to be ramping up production on the next-gen iPhone...

Apple’s upcoming HQ is beginning to take shape

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 30, 2014

After completing demolition of a site located along Cupertino's Ridgeview Ct. where Apple is set to construct a 2.8 million square foot ring-shaped structure dubbed iSpaceship (officially called Campus 2), a new aerial image reveals that the upcoming corporate campus has started to take shape.

KCBS news and traffic reporter Ron Cervi was able to capture a photo from the air which shows that a large portion of the site has been demolished now, with the rubble completely cleared out...

Samsung’s Galaxy S5 video tour takes swipes at iPhone 5s and Apple’s Retina display

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 30, 2014

Yesterday, four new feature tour videos cropped up on the Samsung Mobile USA channel on YouTube, showcasing the handset's full HD Super AMOLED screen, the selective camera focus feature, its ultra-power saving mode and the bundled S Health app. Unlike some of the conglomerate's previous promotional videos, these clips do a good job explaining how the four aforementioned features enhance experience for the user.

However, Samsung being Samsung meant the firm couldn't resist comparing its flagship to Apple's iPhone 5s in terms of the display size, image quality and pixel count. I've included that clip, along with the remaining three videos, after the jump...