Apple

Apple engineers 2mm-long high-resolution camera that could be suitable for use in Apple Watch 2

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 24, 2015

9to5Mac recently learned from sources in the know that a second-generation Apple Watch will integrate a tiny camera into the top bezel for conducting FaceTime video conversations from your wrist. The report, short on details, has left many questions unanswered and prompted watchers to scratch their head in curiosity.

The logic goes: if Apple couldn't develop a non-protruding camera for the latest iPhones, how on Earth is the company supposed to fit one into such a tiny wrist-worn device?

Having faced the very same engineering challenges, rival Samsung has taken the easy route by embedding a camera into a Gear's band rather than the smartwatch's body.

Though not the prettiest of solutions, it is in fact functional—to a certain extent. But can you really imagine a camera bulge on an Apple Watch band? Yeah, me neither. Thankfully, Apple appears to have shrunk a high-resolution camera into a tiny module that could fit inside an Apple Watch.

TurboScan puts the power of a high quality mobile scanner in the palm of your hand

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 24, 2015

TurboScan by Piksoft Inc., a small Bay Area company, has been available on the App Store for more than five years. Yesterday, they finally launched a free version which leaves no features behind so anyone can now experience the power of a high quality scanner in the palm of their hand, at zero cost.

Ranked #1 business app in the US App Store and with over three million existing users, this document and receipt scanner includes powerful features wrapped around an engaging interface.

Google releases Spotlight Stories, an impressive 360-degree movie app for iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2016

Originally released on Android back in the fall of 2013, Google's 360-degree spherical video app called Spotlight Stories has arrived on the iPhone as a free of charge download.

Based on the technology originally developed by Motorola's Advanced Technology And Products division ahead of Google's 2011 purchase of the handset maker, Spotlight Stories uses a variety of advanced technologies to deliver cool-looking animated stories in the palm of your hand, including 3D and 2D animation, 360-degree spherical video, sound sphere audio and various sensor fusion techniques.

Apple highlights apps for anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Apple has begun highlighting apps with specialized accessibility features. The curated section features apps such as TapTapSee, Color Identifier and more.

Apple has long been praised for its efforts to ensure iOS devices can be used by those with various disabilities, including vision, hearing and motor skill impairments. It also regularly spotlights third-party accessibility applications.

Apple pulls Nest products from its website and retail stores

Cody Lee ∙ July 23, 2015

Apple has stopped selling the Nest Learning Thermostat and Nest Protect smoke alarm online and in its retail stores, reports Mashable. A search for the products on Apple's website now redirects customers to HomeKit-compatible devices.

The move comes a month after Apple debuted HomeKit, a platform that aims to streamline communication between iOS devices and smart home accessories. Among the compatible products available at launch was the ecobee3 thermostat.

Apple working on TV remote with built-in fingerprint sensor

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

The US Patent and Trademark Office on Thursday published three patent applications from Apple relating to biometric input devices. As noted by AppleInsider, all the filings mention a device with a built-in fingerprint sensor that could be used in a future TV remote.

It's not hard to imagine the biometric possibilities of a remote control for a TV or set-top box. The device would be able to identify users—paving the way for custom profiles, settings and parental controls—and could support multi-finger shortcuts and simple gestures.

Could this be a front panel for iPhone 6s?

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 23, 2015

According to the rumor-mill, Apple's suppliers have recently begun volume production of key components for the upcoming iPhones, such as an Apple-designed 'A9’ processor and chassis. These parts will be soon, or already are, all over the place in Asia so little wonder we're now starting to see first component leaks.

The leakage kicked off with a claimed rear housing which has seemingly confirmed minuscule changes to the interior and a stronger body. The leaks now continue with a photo of a rumored front panel of the 'iPhone 6s,' published Thursday by French blog NowhereElse.fr.

Live-streaming from GoPro through Meerkat just became a reality

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 1, 2018

Don't you dare write Meerkat off yet!

As reported by CNBC, the real-time mobile video broadcasting service has just teamed up with GoPro, the maker of tremendously popular action cameras, to allow its users to broadcast their action footage on the Meerkat service, in real-time.

Meerkat's live streaming technology is the perfect fit for owners of GoPro cameras, especially given that GoPro's mobile apps are not built for streaming and only offer barebone features.

Meerkat has made the official announcement regarding its partnership with GoPro at VidCon, the online video creators conference.

A modern take on the classic Pac-Man experience hits iOS after making its console debut

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 23, 2015

A modern take on the classic Pac-Man video game, called Pac-Man Championship Edition DX, is now available in the App Store as a premium download. The iPhone and iPad release was ported over from consoles to the iOS platform by publisher Bandai Namco.

The game retains all of the features that have made the classic maze-running action series so popular and packs in the same souped up graphics and sound design introduced in its console editions.

Nickelodeon’s ‘SpongeBob Moves In’ goes free as Apple’s App of the Week

Cody Lee ∙ July 23, 2015

Apple has just named “SpongeBob Moves In” its App of the Week for this week. This means that from now through next Thursday, you’ll be able to download Nickelodeon's popular city-builder for both iPhone and iPad for free—saving you a solid $4.

On Day 1, players help SpongeBob move into his Pineapple house, get a job at the Krusty Krab and begin building their own Bikini Bottom. As your town begins to thrive, you'll unlock new characters, buildings, decorations and areas like Jellyfish Fields.

Save links for later with Pinterest’s much improved Share extension

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 23, 2015

Pinterest's Share extension on iPhones, iPod touches and iPads has gotten a whole lot more useful in the latest update which just landed on the App Store.

The free of charge application was among the first on the App Store to have rolled out a native Share sheet extension on iOS 8, albeit sporting a very limited set of features.

With the new, much improved Pinterest button for iPhone, you can now save links for later in a more visual way than before, with customizable Pin descriptions and more.

TodoMovies 4 adds Apple Watch app, custom lists, richer views, tabbed navigation and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 23, 2015

As a longtime fan of TodoMovies, an excellent movie tracker by German developer Taphive, I've been using the app to keep tabs on the movies I wanted to watch.

Since its March 2014 App Store debut, developers have constantly updated the app with meaningful feature additions like Motion Posters in TodoMovies 2, a revamped design in TodoMovies 3 and lots of other goodies.

Previously a $1.99 download, TodoMovies went the freemium route and it did help widen the app's user base. And as of Thursday, TodoMovies 4 is available in the App Store with tons more perks.

For starters, it now offers a nicely designed Apple Watch app for your wrist. On the iPhone side, enhancements include custom lists, a richer movie details view, tab-based navigation, support for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus screens and more.

Read on for a quick review based on my brief hands-on time with the new version.