Apple

Touch ID could gain new gaming features, scrolling and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Touch ID could get significantly more useful in future iOS devices, according to an Apple patent filing revealed this week. The filing, first spotted by Patently Apple, is extremely lengthy (combines several patents) and offers an overview of where Apple thinks fingerprint technology is headed.

One of the more interesting inventions is a portable touch display with integrated fingerprint sensors. So instead of touching the Home button, you could simply touch a designated part of the display to unlock your device or authenticate something. Apple says it could even offer tactile feedback.

Analyst “confirms” 12MP camera with smaller pixels for the next iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 30, 2016

Apple's forthcoming iPhone refresh — presumably an ‘iPhone 6s’ and ‘iPhone 6s Plus’ — is set for a major upgrade in the camera department as Apple has reportedly relented and decided to join the megapixel race with a twelve-megapixel iSight camera on the back of the new phone(s).

But the megapixels don't tell the whole story.

According to Kevin Wang, IHS's Technology Research Director for China, the pixel size will be smaller, raising questions about the camera' performance in low-light conditions.

Apple doubles previous iCloud Contacts limit to 50,000 contact cards

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 15, 2015

As indicated in the official support document which was updated last evening, Apple has now doubled the previous iCloud Contacts limit from 25,000 contacts to 50,000 items.

These contact cards can be shared and synchronized with the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices, as well as with Mac and Windows PCs, and can be accessed through any modern web browser at iCloud.com.

Watch Bentley’s second ‘Intelligent Details’ film, shot and edited on latest iPhones

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 15, 2015

Last year, car maker Bentley produced a documentary video to promote its $300,000 Mulsanne, using specialized accessories and a few App Store apps to shoot and edit the promotional film entirely on the iPhone 5s and iPads.

Now Bentley has upgraded to the latest iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus handsets to shoot a new short film, officially part of Bentley's 'Intelligent Details' series, with a little help from stabilized camera systems, professional lenses and filters and apps like FiLMiC Pro.

Music labels ostensibly applying pressure on Spotify to ditch free service for 3-month trial

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 15, 2015

In another sign that Apple may have conspired with major record labels to kill free music streaming, Digital Music News is now reporting that both Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment are pressuring Spotify, the leading subscription streaming-music service, to end its free, ad-supported service and instead limit music lovers to a three-month free trial.

As previously reported, Apple's alleged backing of these efforts have prompted scrutiny from the United States Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission and the European Union’s Competition Commission into Apple's business practices in the music space.

Apple Watch manufacturer reportedly solves production hiccups

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 15, 2015

Quanta Computer, which assembles the Apple Watch, has been plagued with poor yield rates resulting in capacity problems that have led to limited shipments of the device. As a result, Apple has been struggling to meet orders and has been unable to roll out the device to additional markets to this date.

But production woes are now a thing of the past as Quanta vice chairman CC Leung confirmed solving production bottlenecks, according to a report Friday by DigiTimes, a somewhat reliable Taiwanese trade publication.

Oculus Rift’s Mac development ‘paused’ as team focuses on 2016 Windows launch

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 15, 2015

Both OS X and Linux development of the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset has been put on hold as the team focuses on a strong launch of the Windows version of the product, the company has confirmed in a blog post today.

While Oculus focuses its energies on a “high quality consumer-level VR experience at launch across hardware, software and content on Windows,” they want to “get back to development for OS X and Linux” but “don't have a timeline” yet, said Atman Binstock, Chief Architect at Oculus and technical director of the Rift.

First HomeKit devices coming in June, Apple says

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

The first HomeKit-enabled smart-home devices will be launching sometime in June, Apple told the Wall Street Journal on Thursday. The statement refutes an earlier report that claimed that delays with the home automation platform would push its launch back until August or September.

“HomeKit certification has been available for just a few months and we already have dozens of partners who have committed to bringing HomeKit accessories to market," Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller told The Journal. "We’re looking forward to the first ones coming next month.”

Hit puzzler ‘Quetzalcoatl’ goes free as Apple’s App of the Week

Cody Lee ∙ May 14, 2015

Apple has just named “ Quetzalcoatl” its App of the Week for this week. This means that from now through next Thursday, you’ll be able to pickup the popular puzzler for both the iPhone and iPad for free—a solid savings of $1.99.

Quetzalcoatl features 180 carefully designed puzzles, which will provide you with dozens of hours of addictive gameplay. You beat the puzzles by maneuvering game pieces to match like-colored tiles, before the walls close in on you.

YouTube testing iOS app redesign with small subset of users

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

Google has been testing a revamped version of its YouTube application for the iPhone and iPad with a small subset of users, Abdiel Ortiz and Sebastien Debaenst noted on Twitter. This isn't necessarily new as some folks have been talking about YouTube's iOS overhaul for over a month now.

What is new, however, is a detailed hands-on video put together by Tech Invasion which gives us a first look at the new software centered on Material Design, Google's design language guiding software development across mobile, desktop and the web.

Sunrise Calendar update introduces Meet, the fastest way to schedule one-to-one meetings

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 5, 2018

Sunrise, a powerful cross-platform calendar application, on Thursday launched Meet, a companion iOS 8 keyboard specifically designed to make scheduling one-to-one meetings ridiculously easy.

Available as a free update to the Sunrise app in the App Store, Meet lets you schedule one-to-ones with another party like a pro, without having to leave the context of the app you're currently in or switch to Sunrise for that matter.

Software hiccups delay Apple’s HomeKit launch until late August or early September

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 14, 2015

Apple was forced to delay its planned launch of HomeKit, a Siri-assisted platform for the connected home, as its software teams continue working around the clock to shrink down the code base to run efficiently on small devices, according to a report Thursday by Fortune.

Fortune writer Stacey Higginbotham claims that Apple’s connected home platform will likely arrive in fall — late August-ish or early September-ish — rather than in early summer as originally planned.