Redesigned icons for Apple's iPhoto and Garageband iOS apps popped up last night, suggesting that both are on the verge of receiving iOS 7-style makeovers. The icons are flatter, bringing them more in line with the update.
While Apple updated the look of its stock apps in iOS 7, most of its App Store applications have remained untouched. iBooks, iMovie, the two aforementioned apps, and several others are all still awaiting their UI overhauls...
The Batman Arkham series made its way to the iOS platform with the release of Batman Arkham City Lockdown in December 2011. For those who haven't played the game, you basically were challenged to battle against Arkham City’s most dangerous villains. With the console version of Batman: Arkham Origins now just around the corner, Warner Bros. Entertainment figured it should drum up the excitement by pushing a mobile version ahead of the October 25 console edition launch.
This free to play mobile game looks great and is available now worldwide on the App Store so do give it a whirl, especially if you're into action games and the Batman series...
In his efforts to help Apple's stalling green initiatives hit the ground running, CEO Tim Cook looked for some outside help and in May hired Lisa Jackson. Formerly the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Jackson is charged with overseeing iCloud data centers and Apple's other environmental projects and reports directly to Cook.
Speaking earlier today at the sustainability conference VERGE in San Francisco, she noted that “Tim Cook didn’t hire Lisa Jackson to be quiet and keep the status quo” and shared a few updates concerning Apple's clean energy strides.
Plus, she detailed what the company's been doing to upgrade its dirty iCloud data centers to cleaner and renewable energy sources. I have the full breakdown for you right after the break...
As Apple continues to refine the appearance of its numerous support web pages, several iDB readers let us in on a newly published website section.
Titled iPhone Basics, it was conceived to provide novice and power users alike with useful tips on getting the most out of their iPhone and iOS 7.
All of the articles available are iOS 7-specific, iOS-friendly and optimized for touch-based navigation. Regardless of whether you consider yourself a rookie or are Mr. Know-It-All, you're advised to give iPhone Basics a visit and test your knowledge of iOS 7...
Cody recently relayed a Gizmodo report describing how an unknown portion of iPhone 5s owners have been experiencing inaccurate compass and inclinometers readings, consistently off by a noticeable margin. A huge thread on Apple's support forums details the persistent problem.
One report Wednesday offered the most likely culprit: a change in supplier. It wasn't immediately clear whether the issue can be fixed by way of firmware update or if some sensors are off by design, in which case Apple might replace faulty iPhone 5s units at no cost...
If you read a lot but find electronic books Apple offers on its iBook Store a tad pricey, you should consider Oyster, an awesome subscription-based e-book service that gives you unlimited access to over a hundred thousand titles for a flat monthly fee of just $9.95.
'The Netflix of e-books,' as some call this New York-based startup, launched last month as a private beta on an invite-only basis on Apple's iPhone and iPod touch.
Today, the service announced it is now open to everyone. Moreover, they've released a new version of the iPhone app which adds native iPad support ahead of Apple's October 22 media event. I have more information right after the break...
After Apple had snapped up AuthenTec, an Israel-based NFC and smart sensor maker, for about $400 million in the summer of 2012, speculation abounded as puzzled pundits couldn't envision Touch ID coming. Shortly after, Apple told AuthenTec's clients such as Samsung to buy their sensors elsewhere.
It also shuttered the startup's Embedded Security Solutions division while tasking AuthenTec engineers with rethinking fingerprint scanning on mobile. The results were nothing short of amazing: Apple has managed to take competition by surprise by seamlessly integrating the sophisticated Touch ID sensor into the iconic Home button, a far cry from the unreliable solutions that require you to swipe the sensor.
One publication was lucky enough to have been invited to a private presentation of an early Touch ID prototype by the AuthenTec co-founder F. Scott Moody...
That is twice in two weeks that we hear Apple has asked suppliers in China to cut down on production of the iPhone 5c. Although the first report from Chinese website C Technology came more as a rumor than an actual fact, today's WSJ report that echoes the same information definitely gives more credence to the claim.
This is the ideal news for Apple naysayers, downers, and other AAPL bears. Clearly, if Apple is cutting down orders on the iPhone 5c, then it must mean the device isn't selling as well as expected. But is that really the truth?
Ireland's Finance Minister announced plans to close a loop-hole in the country's corporate tax laws, eliminating the ability for companies such as Apple to operate as virtually 'stateless' firms ungoverned by any nation's taxing authority. The change in the Irish laws means the iPhone maker cannot avoid declaring tax residency in either the U.S. or Ireland.
Earlier this year, Apple's ability to funnel payments through a unit in Ireland to avoid paying taxes brought U.S. scrutiny by the Senate and testimony by Apple CEO Tim Cook...
A lot (some?) of people partially base their purchasing decisions on reviews and comparisons of consumer products by Consumer Reports, an influential U.S. monthly published by Consumers Union since 1936. It also irked Apple fans over milking the iPhone 4 over Antennagate meme for all it was worth.
In turn, Consumer Reports lost some of its credibility and luster, especially after it changed its mind and backtracked on its original 'can't recommend the iPhone 4' stance.
Today, the publication is back at it again, having put Apple's new iPhones through their paces. Even though it loved the iPhone 5c and came away impressed with the iPhone 5s's improved camera and Touch ID fingerprint scanning, Consumer Reports still thinks Motorola's latest Droid handsets are a better buy versus the new iPhones...
We've all heard the Android propaganda: vast numbers of cheap smartphones based on Google's mobile software will overcome the quality of Apple handsets. Not so fast, say new web traffic numbers. In less than a month, 40.6 percent of iPhones online are the new iPhone 5s or iPhone 5c models.
Indeed, if this upward curve continues, the majority of iPhones will be using Apple's latest technology at most one year old. By comparison, Android continues suffering from fragmentation marked by apps developed for a time when Apple's iOS 3 was just launched...
Cody told you about Nike's second-generation FuelBand fitness bracelet that was announced at yesterday's media event in New York City. The $149 Nike+ FuelBand SE accessory is coming November 6, bringing with it Bluetooth 4.0 support for low-power performance, in addition to hourly reminders, a clock mode and support for the iPhone 5s’s new M7 chip.
As a sidenote, the accompanying media release mentions that the Nike+ Move app which Apple's marketing boss Phil Schiller showed off briefly during the iPhone 5s/5c keynote is coming to the App Store the same day, on Wednesday, November 6, 2013...