Apple

Apple credits iOS 7.1 security changes to evad3rs and other jailbreak community members

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 10, 2014

Following the release of the first major iOS 7.1 software update earlier today, Apple has now updated contents of the support document which outlines security updates for its products with a link to this newly created document describing iOS 7.1 security improvements.

In it, Apple credits prominent members of the jailbreak community such as evad3rs, the team behind the evasi0n jailbreak, as well as Google and others who reported issues and helped contribute toward the security changes within iOS 7.1...

Instagram to pester us with more ads as it signs major $100M deal

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 10, 2014

Facebook-owned Instagram is about to monetize its more than 150 million active users in a big way, by continuing to pester them with a growing number of really expensive photo and video ads. Not that fans of the photo and video-sharing service will necessarily approve of the move, but Instagram has now signed its first major deal, reports AdAge.

Come on, you knew this was coming: first ads began showing up on Instagram back in November 2013.

That being said, today's announcement is on an entirely different level as the people of Instagram have managed to sign a lucrative deal with an ad agency worth a cool $100 million. According to people familiar with the matter, the team is now rolling out a paid advertising program with a year-long commitment from Omnicom to spend north of $100 million to advertise for its clients on Instagram...

Apple updates Remote app with better iTunes Radio control, purchased content support, more

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 10, 2014

You're probably aware by now that Apple today released iOS 7.1 with CarPlay support and improvements to Siri, Touch ID and more (jailbreakers should stay away from this update, for now).

Additionally, the firm's unleashed a companion Apple TV 6.1 software update with a new way to hide Home screen icons and seeded Xcode 5.1 and iAd Producer 4.1.2 (both with iOS 7.1 compatibility) to its registered iOS devs.

And now, the iPhone maker's free Remote app for the iPhone and iPad has received an update with support for accessing your past TV show and movie purchases and more. Remote 4.2 is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch free in the App Store...

Two new iPad models discovered in iOS 7.1

Cody Lee ∙ March 10, 2014

After months of betas and rumors, Apple released iOS 7.1 to the public today. The update features a number of improvements, and apparently it also includes support for two new, unannounced tablet models: the iPad4,3 and the iPad 4,6.

Before you get too excited though, the consensus is that these new models likely represent minor hardware revisions for existing iPads, rather than all-new products. It seems the model numbers aren't very far off from current iPad models...

Fruit Ninja developer Halfbrick Studios announces its latest puzzle game, Bears vs. Art

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Halfbrick Studios may not be as prolific as big name studios when it comes to churning out new iPhone and iPad games on a monthly, sometimes even weekly basis, but their addictive games had me burn lots of midnight oil.

Today, the creator of Jetpack Joyride and Fruit Ninja has announced its latest puzzle game, Bears vs. Art. Soft-launched in Australia in Canada (global launch is due "soon"), Bears vs. Art involves Rory the bear and some stuck-up art connoisseurs.

The concept combines elements of speed and action to create "a totally new experience" in which our hero must sabotage supposed works of art in more than a hundred galleries. Finally a game that expresses bears' natural animosity toward art! I've included more tidbits and a trailer right below the fold...

Apple TV 6.1 update adds new way to hide apps

Cody Lee ∙ March 10, 2014

In addition to launching iOS 7.1 for the iPhone and iPad today, Apple also rolled out new firmware to the Apple TV. The software, labeled as version 6.1, brings about a handful of improvements, including the ability to hide channel icons from the ATV's Main Menu.

While you could hide icons in previous versions of Apple TV software, the process was very convoluted, forcing you into the Settings menu > General > Restrictions > Hide. But with today's update, you can now skip all that and hide icons right from the home screen...

iOS 7.1 is out with CarPlay support, Siri and Touch ID improvements and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Apple has just released long-expected iOS 7.1 for public consumption, the first major software update to its mobile operating system in nearly six months. As you know, Apple last September gave iOS a substantial visual makeover that inadvertently brought issues like random restarts and crashes.

Apple claims it's fixed these problems while adding a myriad of user interface refinements and a few new features, including Siri and Touch ID enhancements.

You'll also appreciate noticeably faster animations and transitions, as well as new accessibility options, performance improvements and more. If you're jailbroken, do not upgrade to iOS 7.1 - you've been warned...

Apple looking to add acquisition analysts to its M&A team

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 10, 2014

Apple is looking to boost its Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) team by hiring acquisition integration analysts, giving us a vague indication that a more diligent strategy to snapping up other companies could be in the cards for the Cupertino firm.

The new job position was posted earlier today on Apple’s job listings website and reported on by Mark Gurman of 9to5Mac. A listing for Acquisition Integration Analyst reveals that Apple is looking for an M&A expert to assist in its acquisitions, by working with the company's HR, Legal, IS&T, Real Estate, Operations, Finance and Tax departments...

iPhone trade-in program launches in Canada

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 10, 2014

After Apple's in-store iPhone trade-in program arrived in France last week, the company has now launched the initiative across its retail stores in Canada (as rumored), Mark Gurman of 9to5Mac was first to report Monday morning.

The initiative strives to entice would-be buyers to purchase their next iPhone from Apple Stores rather than through carriers and/or other retailers, by offering people to trade-in their old devices in good working condition for store credit, based on the value of their existing device...

New report alleges Samsung will build iPhone 6’s A8 processor after all

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 29, 2016

Shortly after Taiwan’s Commercial Times ran a story about Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) seemingly having started production of an upcoming Apple-designed A8 chip on an exclusive basis (as Samsung reportedly dropped out of the race due to yield issues), an unnamed Samsung executive in a defensive PR move took to blogs to argue that the rumor is greatly exaggerated.

Pouring cold water on the Commercial Times report, the Galaxy maker told ZDNet Korea (via GforGames) that the conglomerate has already signed a contract with Apple concerning next-generation A8 chip production. Moreover, the firm is currently in the final testing phases and is gearing up to kick off mass A8 production at its Austin, Texas facility.

The multi-billion dollar chip plant is almost entirely dedicated to Apple silicon production. Samsung's semiconductor arm has thus far churned out every iOS device processor since the original iPhone...

Samsung removes standard-essential patents from upcoming Apple trial

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 9, 2014

Apple and Samsung will duke it out in the courtroom over technology patents later this month. As the second California trial looms (it begins March 31), the two technology giants have filed a stipulation with the United States District Court of California which narrows the second case, patent blogger Florian Müeller reported on his blog, FOSS Patents.

Under the stipulation, Samsung withdrew its asserted claims based on three standard-essential patents while Apple dropped all of its counterclaims relating to these patents...

Medium iPhone app is coming next week

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 9, 2014

Medium, a rising blog publishing platform dedicated to high-quality writing, is launching its native iPhone application next week, The New York Times' Bits Blog reported yesterday. Filing as Medium's first mobile application since the service's inception in 2012, the app will initially be strictly focused on reading Medium posts and won't include editing functionality akin to, say, WordPress's free iOS app.

The service already has a great mobile site that looks business on small form-factor devices and releasing a native iPhone app could go a long way toward boosting its appeal among mainstream users...