Apple

Skype gaining better sign in experience, faster startup and iOS 7 mic permissions

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Microsoft-owned Skype app for the iPhone and iPad is about to get bumped to version 4.14, gaining under-the-hood tweaks for faster startup time and iOS 7-specific permissions for microphone access.

The update has been officially announced on the Skype blog earlier in the morning and should drop later during the course of the day.

Over the past two months, Skype's mobile app has received its iOS 7 style visual makeover and gained the ability to make HD quality 720p video calls from the fourth-generation iPad and later and the iPhone 5 and later...

Apple updates AirPort Utility app with 64-bit support

Cody Lee ∙ November 4, 2013

In addition to Remote, Apple has posted an update for its AirPort Utility app this afternoon. The app is used to help users manage their Wi-Fi network and AirPort base stations, including Express, Extreme and Time Capsule.

For those unfamiliar with AirPort Utility, it offers a number of administration features like the ability to change network settings and security modes. The update isn't a big one, but it's worth note for people who use the app...

Apple opening next-gen sapphire glass plant in Arizona, creating 2,000 US jobs

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

The Arizona State Governor Janice K. Brewer has just issued an interesting press release confirming that Apple will open a manufacturing plant in Mesa to build components for products. The manufacturing facility will create more than 700 high-quality jobs in the first year and "generate significant capital investment".

She kept mum on details, but the "significant capital investment" rules out server farms and perhaps alludes at some sort of a new plant to assemble products other than the new Mac Pro, which is being assembled in a Texas plant. UPDATED with new info, jumps past the fold for the latest..

Google to add account authentication for saved passwords to Chrome for Mac

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 12, 2023

The great thing about Apple's iOS 7 password syncing feature is that setting up iCloud Keychain on your device with an iCloud Security Code prevents anyone from gaining access to your saved web passwords by going to Settings > Safari > Passwords & AutoFill > Saved Passwords. That is, viewing any saved entry there requires providing an iCloud Security Code, or your account password on the Mac.

This added layer of protection ensures I can't steal your iPhone while it isn't auto-locked and use the Settings app to hijack your online identities in a snap. Not so much with Chrome for Mac. Currently, Google's browser does not require any form of authentication to reveal saved passwords. The Internet giant is aware of the problem and is aiming to deploy enhanced security for saved passwords in an upcoming Chrome build...

T-Mobile clears up the confusion around no-interest iPad financing and free 200MB data

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

T-Mobile has caused quite a stir announcing carrying the new iPads with no downpayment, especially the promise of 200MB of free LTE data for life for those who opt for cellular models, as long as they remain customers.

Our own Jeff Benjamin praised T-Mobile's un-carrier move, noting no other U.S. wireless company has offered free data to iPad users.

The controversy was born after some customers complained that T-Mobile reps told them they couldn't claim 200MB worth of free monthly data unless they were paying phone customers. Otherwise, it's a $10 a month On Demand plan charge and T-Mobile CEO John Legere calling it an “executional mistake” didn't help.

So, what exactly is going on here? Is the 200MB free tier a bait and switch or a legitimate offer, with some strings attached? We lay it all out for you right after the break...

Apple finally updates Remote app for iOS 7 look

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 4, 2013

Apple has finally issued a long-expected update to its Remote app for the iPhone and iPad. Designed with the cleaner iOS 7 appearance in mind, the free universal binary download has been overhauled top to bottom for iOS 7 look and feel and aso offers compatibility fixes for iTunes 11.1, but no new feature additions.

With the Remote app, users can control their desktop iTunes and the $99 Apple TV using their iPhone, iPod touch or iPad devices, from without having to use Apple's aluminum Remote for prolonged text entry, for example...

Apple working on fixes for Mavericks Mail, iBooks, Safari and Remote Desktop Client issues

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

Apple's free Mavericks update contains a set of compelling headline features and nice-to-haves, like tapping the ambient light sensor to detect motion in order to prevent system sleep.

But as any Mac owner could tell you, each major OS X release brings with it inevitable early adopter issues in the form of bugs and various software-related issues and hiccups. Mavericks is no exception.

Though definitely more stable and less susceptible to teething issues than perhaps any OS X release thus far, Mavericks affects your productivity by introducing unreliable performance with Gmail accounts in Mail. Other stock apps suffer from typical 1.0 release issues, but rest assured that Apple is hard at work squashing these pesky bugs as we speak...

JD Power offers bizarre explanation defending its botched tablet rankings

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

With the release of new iPhones and iPads, Apple has retired the somewhat defensive 'Why iPhone' and 'Why iPad' web campaign. It makes sense: Tim Cook & Co. probably think others should now defend themselves against the new iPhone 5s and iPad Air.

Fans will recall both of Apple's web pages gave undecided customers plenty of reasons to consider an iPhone and iPad over competing products, citing - among other reasons - rampant Android malware and high satisfaction scores by J.D. Power.

On the other hand, the removal of J.D. Power scores from Apple's web site could easily have everything to do with J.D. Power's last week tablet scores giving Samsung the top tablet ranking even though the South Korean company won only on price.

The results of that survey have sparked a heated debate and prompted some tough questions among the Apple faithful because the iPad clearly bested Samsung in all of the remaining five categories: Overall Satisfaction, Performance, Ease of Use, Physical Design and Tablet Features.

And now in a seeming PR damage control maneuvering, J.D. Power is attempting to defend the indefensible by claiming the survey wasn't botched and arguing the rankings hold up - even if the reputable research firm's actual explanation is pretty bizarre, to say the least...

Asphalt 8 goes free to play, adds new cars, boosters, limited-time cups and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 4, 2013

Unleashed on August 22 as a 99-cent download, Gameloft's Asphalt 8: Airborne was praised for its licensed cars and a refreshingly new concept doing away with simulation in favor of action-packed suspense where racing cars literally fly all over the place (hence the Airborne name). A month later, the game was free for a weekend and in mid-October became Apple's Free App of the Week on the App Store.

Confirming today the game is now permanently available on a free-to-play basis, Gameloft has unleashed the first content pack which enhances gameplay with new cars and Clio R.S. challenges, seven new reverse tracks in the multiplayer World Series mode, new boosters, support for iOS 7 physical controllers and other perks...

Google to unveil low-cost Moto G on November 13

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 29, 2016

Google-owned Motorola's Moto X smartphone with always-on Google Now functionality launched on August 1, but has failed to gain much traction as pundits deemed its $200 on-contract asking price a lot to pay for what is basically mid-range hardware.

It's also considerably disadvantaged price-wise compared to Google's just-released Nexus 5 with Android 4.4 KitKat, which retails for $349 unlocked. However, Motorola's been rumored to be working on a low cost Moto X variant called Moto G from the onset.

Indeed, today the company issued press invites for a media event on Wednesday, November 13. According to a teaser on Motorola's web page, the low-cost Moto X will be in fact marketed under the Moto G moniker...

iPad Air adoption dwarfs previous iPads

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 26, 2016

This past Friday, Apple's new iPad Air went on sale in 40+ countries at 8am local time. Third-party data suggests that early adopters are in fact liking the thinner, lighter and faster full-size iPad a lot, as corroborated by early reviews. If you compare usage data across its first three days of availability, the iPad Air usage is around five times that of its predecessor, the iPad 4. And compared to the popular iPad mini, the new iPad Air is four times more used during its first few days of availability than the first-generation iPad mini was...

Sprint’s MVNO Ting starts quietly supporting iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

Sprint's mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) Ting has recently started quietly supporting Apple's iPhone, a new report has discovered. According to a help document posted on the carrier's website, Ting customers can now activate the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S on its network. Previously, the Tucows-owned telco would not allow users to bring their unlocked iPhone and use it with one of its no-contract wireless plans.

Ting still isn't selling the Apple handset directly, despite a bunch of regional U.S. wireless carriers now offering the latest iPhone 5s/5c as well as previous iPhones...