Apple

MagCable brings MagSafe-like experience with fast-charging to your iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 25, 2015

If the 12-inch MacBook is indicative of Apple's future plans, the popular MagSafe adapter is on its way out as USB-C comes into full view.

Sadly, USB-C is plagued with a major drawback: the standard doesn't use Apple's proprietary MagSafe charging method which employs magnets to ensure your notebook doesn't fly off a desk or wiggle the pins when you trip on the cord.

With MagSafe's future hanging in the balance, a company called aMagic Ltd. set out to replicate the MagSafe charging experience on Lightning-enabled iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices.

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Philips launches dimming kit for Hue wireless bulbs

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 6, 2017

Philips's 'Hue' programmable LED lights can now be controlled in a more traditional fashion with the new Hue Wireless Dimming Kit and white bulbs.

Announced this morning, the Dimming Kit allows you to adjust the brightness of up to ten white bulbs at the same time and can be installed directly on the wall or used as a remote control of sort for Hue lights.

The Hue Wireless Dimming Kit can be hooked up to Philips' existing Hue hardware via the company's Hue bridge accessory to control the standard Hue and Hue Lux lighting.

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VMware updates Fusion for Mac with support for El Capitan and Windows 10 with Cortana

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated July 24, 2017

VMware today released Fusion 8 and Fusion 8 Pro with support for running Windows 10 with Cortana on OS X 10.11 El Capitan Macs.

A virtualization solution, VMware allows you to run OS X and Windows 10 side-by-side as opposed to dual-booting between the two operating systems.

Fusion 8 and Fusion 8 Pro also support native display resolution of the iMac with 5K Retina display, the USB-C port and Force Touch trackpad of Apple's 12-inch MacBook and sport other enhancements.

The company said existing Fusion 6 or Fusion 7 customers can upgrade to Fusion 8 for $49.99 or Fusion 8 Pro for $119.99. And if you're a Parallels Desktop for Mac user, VMware will treat you to a cool forty percent discount on Fusion 8 and Fusion 8 Pro.

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Viber gains improved spam handling and reporting in latest iPhone update

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 25, 2015

Viber for iPhone was refreshed this morning in the App Store with improved spam handling. I've noticed an increase of spam messages on Viber lately as I've been regularly getting spam messages from seemingly random people telling me I've won a free iPhone or some fishy contest prize.

While Viber offers the ability to block unwanted contacts from messaging you, this update should help sort out the influx of spam on the service.

No other changes are mentioned for Viber 5.5.1, a free download from the App Store.

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Check out The Amazing Bernard, a gorgeously done platformer hitting iOS soon

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 24, 2015

The Amazing Bernard by Kumkwat Entertainment is arriving on iOS devices in the coming weeks and boy does it look beautiful. I'm a huge sucker for adventure/platform games such as Leo's Adventure and can't wait to put my hands on The Amazing Bernard.

The game appears to offer a unique blend of action and exploration as you'll be overcoming obstacles, jumping on platforms and running around like there's no tomorrow. You play as a cartoonish character named Bernie O'Tag but the game packs in even crazier characters to meet and many mysteries to be revealed.

We have a full preview ready for your reading pleasure further below.

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Six reasons breaking up iTunes into highly focused, lightweight apps totally makes sense

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 24, 2015

Most people will agree that iTunes for Mac and Windows is a hot mess. Indeed, the app has long been ripe for a thorough change from top to bottom and inside out, if not a complete reboot.

The reasoning is simple: after more than fourteen years of adding one layer of code atop another and cramming every little feature it could possibly think of into iTunes, Apple has made the app bloated and painfully frustrating to use.

At some point during its development, iTunes has become inundated with various user interface inconsistencies. The most recent version with poorly implemented Apple Music has only made things worse.

Now, some have suggested that Apple break up this resource hog of an app into highly focused apps, each dedicated to managing and syncing their own media type. As someone who belongs to that camp, I've put together an opinion piece listing six solid arguments why breaking up iTunes into smaller apps might just make sense.

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Popular YouTubers are ‘doing some stuff with Apple’

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 24, 2015

According to a new report Monday, Apple has enlisted help of popular YouTubers such as Louis Cole and sketch comedy channel Wong Fu Productions who appear to be working in unknown capacity on future Apple promotions.

MacRumors, which first reported on the news, thinks a variant of Apple's 'Shot on iPhone' advertising campaign could be in the works in time for the 'iPhone 6s' and 'iPhone 6s Plus' launch next month.

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Tim Cook says iPhone activations in China growing as $AAPL stock falls below $100

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 24, 2015

Apple CEO Tim Cook made a rare move today by responding to an email from CNBC's Jim Cramer. Cook's letter, a copy of which was obtained by Business Insider, addresses the company's quarter so far and basically says that everything's fine with Apple's business and performance in China.

Apple's stock has been declining since the company's June quarter earnings showed iPhone sales coming slightly below investors' expectations. This morning, $AAPL fell below $100 amid bigger stock market woes as most indices are in the red today.

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Rumor: 12MP camera on iPhone 6s has a bigger sensor that can take in more light

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 24, 2015

A new rumor published this weekend by Business Insider claims that a camera on Apple's next-generation 'iPhone 6s' and 'iPhone 6s Plus' employs a bigger sensor that can take in more light.

In addition, an unnamed source involved with the next iPhone's camera design told the publication that Apple has created an enhanced lens designed to work with that improved sensor, which is also said to capture more detail by increasing pixel count to twelve megapixels.

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Apple introduces iSight Camera Replacement Program for iPhone 6 Plus

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple on Friday launched the iSight Camera Replacement Program for iPhone 6 Plus. In a support document, first spotted by MacRumors, the company says it has discovered that, in some devices, the iSight camera has a component that may fail, causing your photos to look blurry.

The program only applies to the iPhone 6 Plus, and Apple says that a very small percentage of devices has been affected. But if your 6 Plus is producing blurry photos, and has an eligible serial number, the company is offering to replace your handset's rear-facing camera free of charge.

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