Apple

iPhone jailbreaking pioneer George Hotz secures funding for his self-driving car kit

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 9, 2016

George Hotz, one of the pioneers of the early jailbreak scene who used to go by the code-name “GeoHot”, has managed to secure funding for his self-driving kit, Forbes reported Wednesday. Among those interested in his project: the CEOs of graphics giant Nvidia and auto parts supplier Delphi.

Both CEOs have paid visits to Hotz's basement office in San Francisco’s Potrero Hill neighborhood. In fact, Nvidia's boss sponsored Hotz's project with high-performance GPU cards woth $30,000.

But more important than that, he's scored an unannounced seed investment from venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, valuing the fledgling company at $20 million, according to sources.

Microsoft fires another salvo at Apple’s Mac with new Surface Book ads

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 9, 2016

Microsoft is back at it with new commercials that build up to the “I can't do that on my Mac” tagline.

The Windows giant kicked off the new theme with commercials for Windows 10 that highlight some of the things “Macs can't do” such as its built-in Cortana personal digital assistant, support for inking and drawing on notebooks with built-in touchscreens and the ability to log in to Windows with your face.

Yesterday, Satya Nadella & Co. posted new commercials for its Surface Book, a device marketed as “the ultimate laptop” because it's performant and versatile. The commercials, first spotted by The Loop, gush over Surface Book features such as a high-resolution screen and the responsiveness and precision of its stylus.

Leaked case suggests dual cameras and stereo speakers for iPhone 7

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 9, 2016

Prolific leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer today posted claimed images of a purported case for Apple's unreleased iPhone 7 on Twitter.

While not the first iPhone 7 case, this one is pretty interesting as it seemingly corroborates that the handset will in fact ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack while adopting a dual-camera setup on the back and stereo speakers.

Apple is expected to formally announce the iPhone 7, the next major upgrade to its smartphone lineup, in September.

Tips for using your Apple TV Siri Remote like a pro

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 11, 2023

In this guide, we will share some not-so-obvious tips for the Apple TV Remote and help you use it to its full potential.

Video: Steve Wozniak sides with Apple in FBI fight

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 8, 2016

As a strong proponent of privacy and human rights, it is now wonder that Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak would stand firmly with Apple in its fight against the FBI and the United States government regarding creating a backdoor into the San Bernardino shooter's iPhone.

Appearing on the Conan show last night, the Woz said the FBI “picked the lamest case you ever could”. It's “worthless” to expect something’s on the shooter's iPhone 5c that the FBI wants to break into because Verizon had already turned over all the phone records and SMS messages and law enforcement got iCloud backups form Apple.

Google’s Photos app gains support for Live Photos and other new features in latest update

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 8, 2016

Following its announcement that it will be shutting down the Picasa desktop app and the Picasa Web Albums online photo-sharing service, Google is doubling down on its mobile Photos app for iOS and Android.

Last night, the Google Photos app was updated in the App Store to support Apple's Live Photos format. In Google Photos 1.8 for iOS, you can now back up your Live Photos to the Google cloud, as well as view them within the app.

This new service basically offers ‘the command line for the real world’

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 26, 2016

A brand new Y Combinator-backed startup, Prompt, has introduced a really cool service which it likens to “the command line for the real world.” Available via SMS, through Slack's chat bot and on the web, Prompt lets you send simple text commands to access a myriad of online services, make purchases and control Internet of Things devices such as Nest's intelligent thermostats and smoke detectors, WeMo switches, Hue bulbs, Rachio sprinklers and more.

This Apple Watch app buzzes your wrist if you’re about to leave your iPhone behind

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 8, 2016

The Apple Watch has a nifty built-in feature that lets you ping your misplaced iPhone over Bluetooth, but wouldn't it be nice if the watch could automatically notify you when you're about to leave without an iPhone in your pocket?

A new free of charge app, Lookout, solves that problem in one fell swoop. It keeps not only your iPhone, but your iPad, iPod touch and Apple Watch safe and secure and protects your devices from data loss, theft and more.

Rumor: Apple planning massive 5.8-inch iPhone model with AMOLED display

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 8, 2016

Citing Taiwan-based Apple supply chain makers, Taiwanese publication DigiTimes wrote in a pre-publication note yesterday that Apple is planning a huge iPhone model with a 5.8-inch screen based on the superior AMOLED display technology.

Apple is reportedly rumored to “have plans to launch a 5.8-inch iPhone featuring rigid AMOLED display panels in 2018 or even earlier in 2017,” reads the note. Currently, Apple's iPhone 6/6s series is offered in two screen sizes—4.7 and 5.5 inches—while the older iPhone 5s and the upcoming 'iPhone SE' address the market segment for four-inch smartphones.

Ahead of the big tournament, March Madness Apple TV app gains split-screen functionality

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 8, 2016

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced that fans will be able to enjoy the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship tournament action across more places than ever before.

The official NCAA March Madness Live app now supports a dozen platforms such as the Apple TV, the Apple Watch, Amazon's Fire TV devices, Android tablets and smartphones, Windows devices, Roku players and more.

The Apple TV app promises a redesigned GameCenter experience, support for wireless streaming from a mobile device via Google Cast or AirPlay, enhanced VoD capabilities and an updated Bracket Challenge Game for further access to tournament content.

In addition, the app offers an exclusive Apple TV feature which permits fans to enjoy two live games at once with the split-screen feature.

ExxonMobil implements Apple Pay support within its Speedpass+ app

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 8, 2016

Oil giant ExxonMobil is rolling out support for Apple Pay to 6,000 gas stations within its Speedpass+ app for the iPhone and iPad. The in-app feature lets customers pay for fuel at the pump with their iPhone by selecting Apple Pay as a payment option. Availability will reach more than 8,000 Exxon- and Mobil-branded stores by mid-year, said the company.

Apple Maps adds 23 new Flyover locations

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 8, 2016

Apple continues to expand availability of the Flyover feature in its mapping service with today's backend update having enabled a total of 23 new landmark locations all over the world where three-dimensional Flyover view is available.

Select new cities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Italy, Mexico, Spain and Taiwan have gained support for Flyover, such as Spain's A Coruña, Australia's Newcastle, England's Nottingham and more.