Apple

Microsoft to Safari users: Google screwed you, use Bing instead

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 29, 2017

Exploiting a record $25 million settlement Google negotiated with The United States Government over the iOS Safari privacy breach that erupted back in February 2012, software giant Microsoft put together a little web page meant to convince Apple users to use Bing as their default search engine.

The Windows maker is reminding us of Google's failed promise of not tracking Safari users without their permission, suggesting Google's credibility has been tarnished beyond repair. Want to do something about it?

Use Bing instead, the company proposes...

Google tells iPhone 5 users to go download Google Maps

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 19, 2017

Apple is suffering harsh criticism over its in-house mapping solution in iOS 6 which has for better or worse effectively replaced a Google Maps-backend. Apple Maps have been called a disaster waiting to happen and even pundit John Gruber called the system a downgrade. With more than 65 percent of the world's population left with no transit directions, traffic data and street-level imagery, Apple Maps understandably drew ire from users around the world.

No wonder nearly 85 percent of our readers think Google should write a native Maps app for iOS, just as it's done with the excellent YouTube iOS app. Commenting on the situation, Google UK Marketing Director Dan Cobley asserted that a standalone app could be released soon...

Apple researching face unlock for iOS devices

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 20, 2012

Google with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich introduced a new way to unlock a device using facial recognition technology. It doesn't always work as intended (especially in low-light situations), is taxing on resources and can be hacked. Still, face unlock is one of the "wow" capabilities Android phone owners like to brag about.

Samsung took facial recognition to the next level with the Galaxy SIII smartphone. The device tracks eye movement, preventing the screen from going dark when you’re looking at it. According to a patent filing published Thursday by the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO), Apple is researching automatic facial analysis to automate locking and unlocking of future iPhones, iPads and iPods...

Samsung shoots down the Galaxy S4 rumor

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 13, 2016

The Korea Times reported on Monday, citing unnamed company officials, that Samsung is getting ready to announce the next-generation Galaxy S4 smartphone at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain in February 2013, followed by March 2013 availability. The story claimed the Galaxy SIII successor would be "more than enough to curb Apple’s latest iPhone". However, the report is inaccurate as Samsung was quick to deny the rumor via its Korean account on Twitter...

Apple abandons e-book agency model in EU

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 19, 2012

As the European Union (EU) last December started looking into claims that Apple was conspiring with publishers to raise e-book prices, Apple and several major publishers agreed last month to offer pricing concessions in an effort to end an EU antitrust investigation. Back in the U.S., a federal judge approved settlements with three publishers and the Federal Communications Commission.

Following that decision, EU officials are willing to market test commitments proposed by Simon & Schuster, Harper Collins, Hachette, Holtzbrinck and Apple for the sale of e-books that would give retailers the freedom to set prices freely for the next two years...

Passbook apps now showing up in App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

iOS 6 went live today and with it a new feature called Passbook, basically a central repository for coupons, airplane tickets, loyalty cards and other types of digital coupons. Now, Passbook can detect and automatically import these digital items from your email messages and on the web sites you visit.

All web developers need to do is implement support for Apple’s new “.pkpass” mime type, like airlines did. Supporting the new feature, Apple added a new dedicated App Store section that lists third-party programs which support Passbook...

Apple updates iLife, iWork and other iOS utils

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 13, 2018

With today's release of iOS 6 and OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.2, Apple has updated its Podcasts app with support for iCloud subscription syncing. Just a few minutes later, updates to Apple's other apps went live in iTunes, including iLife and iWork apps and utils like Find My Friends, Remote, AirPort Utility and more. With so many third-party apps being updated for iOS 6 support as we speak, you may want to prioritize your downloads. Here's what's new in Apple's own updated apps for your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad...

Samsung airs Galaxy ad ridiculing folks who’d wait in line for the iPhone 5

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 19, 2012

As expected - and right on time ahead of Friday's iPhone 5 launch - Samsung has taken another cheap shot at Apple with a new television commercial. Like last year's anti-Apple campaign, this one again pokes fun of people who would wait in the line for a new iPhone (even if the vast majority of readers in iDB's non-scientific poll said they pre-ordered their device).

It increasingly appears Samsung is attaching its brand name to Apple in the hope of getting the kind of exposure, recognition and reputation Apple is enjoying. Don't take it all to hear - Samsung's ad is funny at times. And to those who beg to differ: we can always laugh at ourselves (here, here and here)...

iOS 6 now available for download

Cody Lee ∙ Updated June 7, 2024

As expected, Apple has released iOS 6 this morning. After months of seeding beta versions of the new software to developers, it has finally made the update available to the public.

iOS 6 is the latest version of Apple's mobile operating system, and it adds over 200 new features to the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. But there are a few things you should know before you update.

Note: If you're not seeing iOS 6 yet, don't worry. It's a rolling update, so it will get to you eventually. Also, downloads might be running slow right now given Apple's servers are slammed...

Poll: should Google write native iOS Maps app?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Coincidentally or not, The New York Times reports that Google will update its Maps for Android app today with new features, just as Apple is prepping to release iOS 6 for public consumption. iOS 6, as you know, drops a Google Maps-backend in favor of Apple's own mapping solution. But Apple Maps are lacking in several areas.

For example, with Apple Maps users don't get as high quality satellite imagery as with Google. Street-level photography is non-existent and transit directions are provided via dedicated App Store apps. And although Apple partners with local providers for accurate data, it currently cannot match Google, which has manpower and assets to collect its own data (and has been doing so for years).

But while Google released a standalone YouTube app for iOS following Apple's removal of the stock app, the search Goliath stopped short of saying whether a standalone Maps app is in the works for iOS devices. With this in mind, we've put together a little poll so place your bets now...

Apple to seek $3B in damages from Samsung

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Apple will seek $3 billion in damages from Samsung when the two companies meet in court on Friday, a Korean newspaper reports Wednesday. The amount is triple that awarded in August, when a California jury ruled the South Korean firm violated Apple's patents.

According to the Korea Times, citing a "reliable source," Apple will ask for the $3 billion because the iPhone maker "wants to quickly address the harm that Samsung's infringing products are said to be causing." If granted, the $3 billion would mark a record reward for technology patent lawsuits...

Mini iPad dummy caught on video

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 19, 2012

Remember photos of an alleged iPad mini dummy unit from yesterday? Gizchina has gotten its hands on one of the units floating around in Asia, presumably made according to guesstimates by case vendors concerning the device's purportedly smaller design. A video the site produced gives us a better understanding of what the alleged device may look like, though we couldn't vouch for its authenticity. Also note that case vendors quite often get it wrong (remember a teardrop-shaped iPhone from last year) so take this clip with a few grains of salt...