Apple

Samsung exec: we didn’t copy Apple’s iPhone, we just had better marketing

Jake Smith ∙ April 14, 2014

Apple is claiming in the latest patent trial on-going in a California court that Samsung ripped off its iPhone to become the top-smartphone maker in the world, while Samsung says it was just pure marketing genius that helped turn the smartphone tide over the years.

Todd Pendleton, the chief marketing officer for Samsung’s American division, became the first Samsung executive to take the stand on Monday in the latest patent spat. He explained that marketing Samsung's phones as the "Next Big Thing" helped it beat Apple, HTC, and BlackBerry, who in 2011 all held a lead over the South Korean electronics giant.

“I think people knew Samsung for televisions," Pendleton told the court, when reminiscing on 2011. “But in terms of smartphones, there was no recognition for what our product was or what it stood for.”

David Fincher may no longer be directing Sony’s anticipated Steve Jobs biopic

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

David Fincher, of The Social Network directing fame, is no longer being tapped to direct Sony Pictures' highly anticipated Steve Jobs movie, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The Jobs movie from Sony Pictures hasn't been given a title, but it's based on Walter Isaacson's official Steve Jobs biography released shortly after the Apple co-founder's death. It's expected to be a much better representation of Jobs' life than the biopic starring Ashton Kutcher released earlier this year.

Facebook reportedly aims to get ahead of Apple with new payments service

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Get ready to pay for items using Facebook, as the social network is said to be planning a payments service that could launch before the rumored iWallet from Apple.

Facebook hasn't officially confirmed the service, but it's working to receive regulatory approval for it in Ireland, according to a report from the Financial Times. The service is said to allow users to store money and make electronic payments through the social network. Essentially, it will put Facebook in competition with Google Wallet, PayPal, Isis, Square, and soon Apple, if the rumors are true...

Amazon revamps Cloud Drive Photos for iOS 7, adds Timeline and other new features

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 14, 2014

Amazon today refreshed Cloud Drive Photos, its free iOS app that lets you store, view and access photographs and video files in the company's cloud-based storage service, Cloud Drive.

The app's been bumped to version 3.0 and completely redesigned with iOS 7 look and feel in mind that promises to "bring enjoyment back to viewing photos and videos on the go."

On top of the new looks, Cloud Drive Photos 3.0 brings out a Timeline thing (more on that later) that looks great on the iPad, has a simpler navigation with new sorting features, boasts upload enhancements with improved background fetching and more.

The update is now live in the App Store so grab it while it's hot...

Windows Phone 8.1 update introduces native Passbook support

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 14, 2014

Microsoft today released a developer preview of its forthcoming upcoming Windows Phone 8.1 software update and one outlet has spotted an interesting new feature allowing folks to import Passbook items into the Microsoft Wallet app.

Announced at WWDC last summer, Passbook lets you store coupons, boarding passes, event tickets, store cards and more into the stock iOS Passbook app and sync these items across other iOS and Mac devices through iCloud.

Apple has envisioned Passbook as an iOS feature, but several Android apps now support the feature, like PassWallet. And now people on Microsoft's mobile platform will soon be able to use Passbook on their Windows Phone devices as well...

MiniPlayer iOS jailbreak tweak is now available for Mac

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

MiniPlayer, a gorgeous jailbreak tweak by Italian developer MPow, has been available on iOS for quite some time and with time, it's gotten even better.

As Jeff noted in his review of MiniPlayer 2.1 last May, this tweak makes it ridiculously easy to control your music directly from the app's interface with a simple tap and hold gesture on the now playing album art.

Subsequent updates have added more stuff like Play Next, enhanced scrubbing and search and what not. And yes, it's an iOS 7 compatible tweak.

If you've been loving MiniPlayer on your jailbroken iOS device, you can now have that compelling experience and minimalist user interface (courtesy of Surenix) on your Mac, too! Read on for the full reveal...

Pandora alarm clock now available on iPad, launches Pebble app for iOS

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 14, 2014

You've been able to wake up to your favorite Pandora station since last December, assuming you're enjoying the popular Internet radio service on your iPhone. On Monday, Pandora has finally rolled out the useful alarm clock feature to the iPad.

It's pretty straightforward and works a lot like the alarm clock feature in the iPhone edition: you just pick your favorite song or station to play as your alarm, knowing you'll be woken up to your favorite music.

And should you decide you could use a few extra minutes of sleep instead of waking up early to eat breakfast, you can do so by adjusting your snooze time...

Readdle updates Calendars with new iPad UI, custom reminders on iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2018

Ukrainian developer Readdle has updated its free and paid Calendar apps for iOS with a refreshed user interface on the iPad sporting better layout and improved navigation. On the iPhone, the new Calendars 5.4 lets you set customer reminders and both editions include a pair of maintenance fixes and other improvements.

Now available to download in the App Store, both the free Calendars app and the $2.99 premium Calendars have been updated with the aforementioned features...

Nintendo DS emulator that runs on both non-jailbroken and jailbroken iOS devices arrives

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Back in February, GBA4iOS 2.0 released with iOS 7 controller support and Dropbox integration, running fine on both non-jailbroken and jailbroken devices.

If you're not a big fan of Game Boy Advanced, Game Boy Color and original Gameboy games, how about a similar iOS emulator that lets you play Nintendo DS titles, no jailbreak required whatsoever?

Enter NDS4iOS, now available to install through an over-the air download via the NDS4iOS website. This app has been available for ages, but not for non-jailbroken devices. Starting today, NDS4iOS supports both non-jailbroken and jailbroken iPhone and iPad devices, allowing you to play Nintendo DS ROMs though you'll need to set your device's date back to February 8, 2014 to install it properly...

Claimed photos of iPhone 6 molds, schematic and manufacturing equipment surface

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 28, 2016

Apple's next iPhone is thought to be up for an announcement in September so it's no surprise unverified photos of supposed cases and schematics are starting to surface. More purported photographs of iPhone 6 manufacturing molds and production equipment have cropped up over the weekend, hinting at a few design changes.

We have no way of confirming the legitimacy of these photographs and are reposting them here for the sake of discussion.

Jump past the fold to learn more and join the discussion...

Starting in May, T-Mobile dropping all domestic overage charges on its plans

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 9, 2018

T-Mobile is abolishing consumer overages! Arriving as part three of its Uncarrier announcements, the development seeks to dropping domestic overage charges on all wireless service plans from the Deutsche Telekom-owned carrier.

This much-needed change now gives T-Mobile's customers a piece of mind knowing they can safely consume data on the go without worrying about being slapped with exorbitant overage fees for exceeding their monthly data allowance.

If history is an indication, rival carriers should reluctantly follow suit or risk getting left behind. Again, no more overage fees on any of your wireless service plans with T-Mobile, not just the carrier's popular Simple Starter plan that was announced last week...

Alpine’s upcoming $500-$700 CarPlay aftermarket kits arriving this Fall

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 14, 2014

CarPlay, Apple's in-car system formerly known as iOS in the Car, launched last month requiring an iPhone running iOS 7.1 and one of the compatible 2014 cars from Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari and Volvo. A bunch of other car vendors have promised to bring support for CarPlay to their vehicles throughout 2014, but not everyone is rich enough to buy a brand new car just to enjoy CarPlay.

Pioneer Electronics is reportedly considering rolling out CarPlay aftermarket kits for older vehicles and Mercedes-Benz has similar plans of its own. And now, car electronics manufacturer Alpine is said to offer CarPlay aftermarket kits in the United States and Europe this Fall, with a cost of around $500 to $700...