Apple

Grand Theft Auto 3 refreshed with cloud saves, iPhone 5 support, custom playlists

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 30, 2013

Rockstar Games has refreshed Grand Theft Auto 3: The 10 Year Anniversary Edition for the iPhone and iPad today, adding several notable features that enhance the experience. Like Electronic Arts' Real Racing 3, the Grand Theft Auto game now supports cloud saves for hassle-free gameplay across devices.

Now you can start playing on your iPhone and continue right where you left off on the iPad, and vice versa.

This is tremendously useful in today's multi-device world and it's a shame other game makers don't support cloud saves out of the box. Grand Theft Auto 3 also now plays nice on the iPhone 5's taller screen and you can use your own iTunes playlist...

Apple pushing interactive flexible displays

Ed Sutherland ∙ May 30, 2013

So far, Apple devices with touch screens react to taps and swipes. Future applications could also respond to pressure. The iPhone maker has applied for a patent on technology which would detect when you press your finger.

The invention may further expand how consumers interact with technology, particularly with wearable devices. The patent application, filed in 2011 and published Thursday by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, provides the popular GarageBand music app.

The ability to sense increasing finger pressure could allow virtual pianists to play notes louder, Apple writes. Although GarageBand on iPhone and iPad already imitates pressure by measuring device vibration via the accelerometer sensor, Apple's invention calls for a new force detection layer on mobile screens...

Alleged case video depicts reduced iPad 5 width and height

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 30, 2013

A rather credible Vietnamese publication has posted a video Thursday which purportedly depicts a case thought to have been designed for Apple's next-generation full-size iPad, the iPad 5. Now, rumor mills expect the next iPad to adopt the iPad mini's narrow side bezels and thinner appearance.

Although iDB couldn't confirm the authenticity of the video at press time, it does indicate that narrower side bezels on the iPad 5 could result in a device that's both narrower and has slightly reduced height compared to the current-generation iPad 4...

Apple accelerating custom chip development

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Apple has seen a few high-profile departures of its silicon experts for graphics giant AMD. For example, Apple’s lead chip designer Jim Keller left the company last August to join AMD's Mark Papermaster, who was briefly Apple's VP of iPhone engineering.

Another example: Wayne Meretsky, who is known for his work on Macs and other Apple products, in January became AMD's VP of Software Development. And perhaps most importantly, director of graphics architecture Raja Koduri in April left for AMD, where he had previously worked before Apple poached him in April 2009.

Now, Apple is striking back. According to a number of job listings and LinkedIn profiles, Apple this year picked up at least a dozen former AMD graphics engineers for Orlando Design Center, its rumored brand new shop for custom chip development. These hires indicate Apple's accelerated custom chip development as the firm seeks to further distance itself from rivals, whose products mostly incorporate off-the-shelf chips...

Apple announces London iTunes Festival starring Justin Timberlake and others

Cody Lee ∙ May 29, 2013

Apple has tonight announced details for its upcoming iTunes Festival, an annual music festival it's sponsored for the last 5 years. This year's event, like last year's, will be taking place at London's historic Roundhouse venue throughout the month of September.

Head of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue says that the Festival will be the "best ever," with a star-studded lineup of over 60 acts. Global superstars like Justin Timberlake and Thirty Seconds to Mars are scheduled to perform during the 30-day event...

Google rolling out new-look Gmail inbox with categories and tabbed UI

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 29, 2013

In a steady stream of updates, Google has been perfecting its mobile Gmail app, adding new features and smoothing out rough edges over time. For example, back in March the Gmail iOS app added new gestures so you could swipe left and right to move between messages, without having to return to their inbox. And in a minor update earlier in the month, the software gained ability to open web links in Google's other apps, like Maps and YouTube.

Well, today's a big day as the Gmail team just announced a brand new inbox across mobile Gmail apps and on the web. So, what's new? Basically, categories and tabbed interface, to allow for easier organization of email messages.

Read on for additional details and promo video...

Don’t expect new iPhones or iPads at WWDC

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 29, 2013

There has been some commotion in the past 24 hours concerning a comment Tim Cook made during his D:11 talk last evening. Specifically, when asked to talk about Apple's next big thing, tight-lipped Cook wouldn't budge and instead reminded the audience that Apple's June 10 keynote at the upcoming WWDC 2013 will be a launchpad for the next versions of iOS and OS X operating systems

"What I can say is that we have our developer conference in less than two weeks," he said. "We’re going to be rolling out the future of iOS and OS X and we’re all super excited to do that." Some commenters were quick to interpret Cook's comment as a sign that WWDC after all might see a new iOS device launch. Not so fast, warns the prominent and very reliable blogger Jim Darlymple, known for his deep Apple connections...

WSJ: Foxconn rival Pegatron is primary budget iPhone manufacturer

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 6, 2017

We first heard from The New York Times that the world's top contract manufacturer Foxconn is looking past the iPhone amid Apple's slowing growth. Reuters previously ran an anti-Apple piece which asserted that Tim Cook & Co. are looking to shift from Foxconn to rival Pegatron, which currently builds the older iPhone 4/4S models.

On Monday, The Wall Street Journal ran a story claiming Foxconn is looking to manufacture, market and sell its own mobile accessories compatible with iOS devices. Moreover, the story goes, Foxconn is said to be expanding its high-margin retail operations and investing in content and services.

Today, the Rupert Murdoch-owned newspaper sheds more light on the subject, claiming Cook has re-shuffled Apple's supply chain and re-iterating that Pegatron will be the "primary assembler" of Apple's rumored low-cost iPhone, which the Journal expects to be offered "later this year"...

Get 1Password and Knox for half price

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

I'm a big fan of Agile Bits' 1Password utility and I know Jeff is a recent convert, too. This awesome password management utility has been recently updated on iOS with a host of enhancements.

However, 1Password's steep asking price of $17.99 effectively discourages impulse purchases - even more so on the Mac, where the app is normally a $49.99 value.

In addition to 1Password sale, Agile Bits is also offering a time-limited 50 percent discount on its Mac file encryption software dubbed Knox...

Full video of Tim Cook D11 interview now available

Cody Lee ∙ May 29, 2013

As many of you know, Tim Cook participated in a rare public interview last night at AllThingsD's D11 conference. Speaking with the site's Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg, the CEO talked about a number of topics, including Apple's interest in wearable computers and iOS 7.

We've already covered several aspects of the lengthy discussion with a thorough recap, including a few video clips, and a top 15 list of the most interesting points. But for those of you who just can't get enough of Cook's comments, the entire interview has just been posted...

On average, an iPhone is used an hour and 15 minutes per day

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated February 24, 2018

As the world migrates from dumb feature phones to more powerful smartphones, there are a greater number of options available beyond just talking and texting. What features are most used by smartphone owners and is the pattern different based on whether the handset is powered by Apple's iOS or Google's Android? To start, iPhone owners tend to spend more time with their smartphone compared to Android users, new marketing research indicates.

The typical iPhone owner spends one hour and 15 minutes using the Apple smartphone - 26 minutes more than owners of Android handsets, according to Experian Marketing Services. Additionally, Android owners typically make voice calls while iPhone owners are busy texting, emailing and taking photos...