Apple

Google Wi-Fi app being tested, takes the pain out of accessing public hotspots

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 20, 2014

Google is testing a new iPhone application which aims to make it easier to access public Wi-Fi hotspots on your handset, Engadget reported Thursday.

The software will make it simple to automatically authenticate and connect users to Google's free hotspots inside Starbucks stores "or wherever they are available".

The publication has learned that the Google Wi-Fi app could even tap users' Google Account to “install a dedicated security certificate on their device to automatically authenticate devices when a connection is available,” bypassing the need to go through the clunky login process when joining public Wi-Fi hotspots...

Two-step Apple ID authentication launches in Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Italy and Spain

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 20, 2014

Following a flurry of reports which criticized various security holes allowing hackers to break into people's Apple ID accounts, Apple in March of 2013 finally stepped up account security by rolling out two-step verification for Apple IDs in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand.

Two months later, the feature launched in nearly a dozen additional countries: Austria, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Mexico, Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland and Russia.

And now, as part of the third wave of expansion, the firm is enabling stronger account security for Apple ID users located in Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Italy and Spain...

Astro Golf hits App Store, it’s mini golf with robots in outer space

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

Quick, what could be better than mini golf? Mini golf, with robots, in outer space - of course! Enter Astro Golf by Bolder Games, now available for the iPhone and iPad for $1.99, or half its regular price to celebrate the launch.

The game marries sci-fi concept to adventure elements and physics tricks allowing you to bounce, jump, fly through space, teleport around the course, ride a black hole and what not. Fun obstacles include killer bots, corrosive goo, steam, fire, trap doors and more.

As you can see, this isn't your Daddy's mini golf game. I've included a nice promo video, a few screenies and additional tidbits below the fold...

Fleksy’s predictive touch keyboard now available to all iOS developers

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 29, 2017

After releasing its predictive touch keyboard, Fleksy, in partnership with select launch partner apps such as Launch Center Pro, GV Connect, Blindsquare and Wordbox, the San Francisco-based startup behind the software has moved the SDK out of private beta so now all iOS devs can incorporate Fleksy as an alternative soft keyboard within their apps.

The Fleksy SDK requires no sign up, allows for different keyboard themes and is now available completely free of charge...

Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirms talks with Apple, but says sale unlikely

Cody Lee ∙ Updated September 24, 2017

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, in an interview Bloomberg today confirmed speculation that his Palo Alto-based electric car company has held talks with Apple. He wouldn't comment on what the conversations revolved around, but noted that an acquisition was "very unlikely."

Musk's comments follow a report by The San Francisco Chronicle earlier this week that suggested the two were in buyout discussions. The paper claimed that the meeting took place in Cupertino between Musk, Tim Cook and Apple’s chief of mergers and acquisitions Adrian Perica...

New job listings call for Apple TV content partner and software engineers

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

While it seems like everyone is focused on Apple's rumored iWatch, and the various features it could offer, the company is believed to be quietly working on another major project: a TV device. Not the television set we used to hear rumors about, but a new set-top box.

Adding to recent reports from Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal regarding the project are a pair of job listings recently discovered on Apple's website. They call for a Content Partner Engineer and Software QA Engineer—both of which will work on the Apple TV team...

Apple reportedly secured three year’s worth of sapphire glass

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 19, 2014

With a larger of the two jumbo-sized iPhones rumored to arrive later this year rocking a massive 5.5-inch screen, Apple's adamant to buy huge amounts of thin sapphire laminates, likely to strengthen the handset's cover glass. We know Apple invested nearly $500 million in high-tech furnaces and equipment for its Arizona sapphire plant.

The firm is operating the facility in partnership with GT Advanced.

We've also known that Apple and GT have signed an exclusive multi-year agreement and now Canonical CEO Mark Shuttleworth has gone on the record claiming that Apple has acquired three-year supply of sapphire screens...

Minecraft – Pocket Edition to gain bigger maps, improved AI, inventory and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 19, 2014

Minecraft – Pocket Edition, a mobile version of the popular sandbox indie game conceived by Swedish programmer Markus "Notch" Persson and developed and published by Mojang, is about to get new features in the next update.

One of the more prominent enhancements: a lot bigger maps. Also on tap: an improved artificial intelligence, a better inventory system and more.

A quick update shared on the Minecraft blog also mentions "a bunch of other things" coming. Jump past the fold for more tidbits...

Loop Fob makes swipeless credit card payment via iOS possible

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

Originally a Kickstarter campaign, Loop's mobile payments device, the Fob, is now available for purchase online at the Loop webstore. The $39 adapter has a contactless chip inside and uses patented technology to encrypt your credit card information on a secure memory module. By storing all of your credit cards, the Fob lets you make payments at virtually any terminal in the U.S.

The Boston-based startup has partnered with a bunch of retailers and credit card issuers to make the solution play nice with virtually all of major points of sale in the United States. In addition to the $39 adapter, Loop will also introduce a $99 Loop ChargeCase later this year...

Aerial photo shows significant demolition progress being made at iSpaceship site

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 19, 2014

Apple's upcoming new headquarters, Campus 2 aka iSpaceship, has cleared the last remaining hurdle after the Cupertino City Council unanimously approved the project in November 2013. Apple has since started demolishing the site.

Ron Cervi, news and traffic reporter for KCBS, has posted a nice-looking aerial photograph of the site on his Instagram profile, showing significant demolition progress being made...

After spending 12 years with Apple, head of Technology Advancement Group retires

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 19, 2014

NetworkWorld is reporting that Brett Bilbrey, head of Apple's Technology Advancement Group, has retired after spending nearly twelve years with the company.

During his tenure at Apple, Bilbrey has contributed to a number of projects and was a prolific inventor whose name can be found on a number of patent filings detailing such inventions as a wireless charging system or a 3D imaging camera for iOS devices.

He is also credited with a recent filing for a dynamic, reconfigurable and touch-sensitive keyboard. Most recently, as of August 2008, Bilbrey was heading up Apple's Technology Advancement Group. But what exactly does the group do? Read on...

Latest Samsung ads take swipes at iPhone’s screen size and iPad’s multitasking

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 19, 2014

Samsung is taking a page from Microsoft's book with the release of a new ad featuring side-by-side comparison of its 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab Pro and Apple's iPad. Not only that, Samsung has actually borrowed the concept of Apple's inaugural iPad Air commercial dubbed 'Pencil' and applied it to its ad.

The ad titled 'Multitasking Redefined' highlights Samsung device's multitasking capabilities allowing it to render two apps side-by-side, because "doing two things at once is greater than doing one thing at once".

The 60-second video proudly proclaims the Galaxy Tab 10.1 to be an even thinner tablet than the iPad Air despite a negligible difference in their thickness. There's also another ad which uses a video of a LeBron James slam dunk to mock the iPhone's screen size.

Here it is...