Apple

Apple asks devs to blur out guns and nudity on App Store screenshots and promotional footage

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 13, 2015

Apple is determined to make the App Store a safe playground for children and has begun enforcing its own long-standing which requires that app icons, screenshots and video previews adhere to the 4+ age rating, PocketGamer reports.

Developers who do not censor the App Store marketing material will see their apps rejected from the store. A few devs corroborated Apple's intent to make the App Store family-friendly and inoffensive.

Some of the developers who voiced their concern include Tempo developer Splash Damage, creators of Gang Nations and Bullet Rush and many others.

Fleksy’s Valentine’s Day update brings Hotkey extensions, animated themes and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 1, 2017

Yesterday, Fleksy announced a major Valentine's Day themed update to its record-smashing software keyboard for the iPhone and iPad.

Fleksy Keboard 5.2, a free update for existing users, brings out a myriad of new features, including animated themes through an Energy Theme Pack, a slew of customizable Extensions, Valentine hearts animations upon each key press, custom phrases or email addresses and much more.

Everyone can now use Pages, Numbers and Keynote for iCloud Beta

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 13, 2015

Apple wants Windows and Android customers to use its iWork productivity suite as well so they announced that now everyone can use Pages, Numbers and Keynote web applications through the iCloud Beta web interface, even if they don't own Apple devices.

An Apple ID account is still required to access Pages, Numbers and Keynote for iCloud, but the big news is that people can now create an Apple ID on the fly.

As noted by MacRumors, the announcement was made yesterday on the beta.iCloud.com website, indicating that these web apps may soon be accessible through the regular iCloud.com website, too.

Apple enables two-step verification for FaceTime and iMessages

Cody Lee ∙ February 12, 2015

Apple has enabled two-step verification for its FaceTime and iMessage services, The Guardian reported on Thursday. The move will force users who have the authentication system enabled to input an app-specific password when logging into either of the two services.

For those unfamiliar with the term, two-step verification is an opt-in system that adds an additional layer of security to Apple ID accounts. It requires users to input authentication codes when logging into iCloud on new devices, the web, and now iMessage and FaceTime.

Apple supplier Avago Tech rumored to provide 3D Touch technology for iPhone 6s

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

A report Thursday by the The Economic Daily News claims to have identified a company that will supply Apple with a pressure-sensitive touch technology for the next iPhone. US-based Avago Tech, which lists Apple as a key customer, will be the main supplier of a 3D touch technology for an ‘iPhone 6s’ refresh, supply chain sources assert.

For what it's worth, recent reports by Tech News Taiwan and UDN did mention that the next iPhone might adopt the Watch's Force Touch feature that uses tiny electrodes around the display to differentiate between a light tap and a deep press.

Dr. Panda’s Restaurant 2 is App Store’s new Free App of the Week

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 12, 2015

Part of its ongoing weekly promotion, Apple's App Store editorial team has now chosen a new Free App of the Week, Dr. Panda's Restaurant 2 by TribePlay, giving you an instant saving of three bucks.

Optimized for iOS 8 and designed for ages 6-8, this iPhone and iPad game comes with a notable educational value attached to the download.

The app helps children understand life and the world around them by inviting them to become chefs and make the pizza of their dreams and other dishes while experimenting with various ingredients.

It'll educate kids on the basic steps of making all sorts of different foods and help them familiarize themselves with how different recipes and kitchen tools work.

Who's ready to cook the food of their dreams?

Apple increases size limit of app packages from 2GB to 4GB

Cody Lee ∙ February 12, 2015

Apple announced this afternoon that it has increased the size limit of an app package submitted through iTunes Connect to 4GB. That's double the previous size limit of 2GB, which had been in place since the App Store launched in 2008.

The move should appease both developers and game-makers, who have been struggling to keep their app sizes under 2GB despite the multiple increases in display resolutions of Apple's various mobile devices over the past several years.

Pay Once & Play: Apple highlights great games with no in-app purchases

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Apple has begun highlighting non-freemium games in a new App Store section entitled "Pay Once & Play." The company describes the new section as an area where users can download "great games with no in-app purchases."

As noted by MacStories, the section is divided into 3 categories: Recent Releases, Blockbuster Games and App Store Originals, and it features a wide variety of games including Minecraft, Thomas Was Alone and Threes!.

Alto’s Adventure is launching next Thursday and I can’t wait to play it!

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 12, 2015

I don't have a clue about skiing and snowboarding, but that doesn't mean I'm not a sucker for winter games in the App Store. Especially if they're based on an endless running concept, incorporate artistic backdrops, have a somber soundtrack and delight with buttery-smooth execution.

That's why I'm so much looking forward to Alto’s Adventure, an upcoming iPhone and iPad game set against a beautiful, procedurally generated alpine landscape. The game is releasing in the App Store next Thursday, February 19 and it stands poised to become a big hit.

Meet Phorm, an iPad mini case that enhances your virtual keyboard with tactile keys

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 4, 2016

What if Apple's virtual keyboard could give you tactical feedback on each key press? This very idea has led Tactus Technology to embark on a project that'd result in a special case that magically morphs into a tactile keyboard buttons which raise up directly on your iPad mini's screen.

You're still using your on-screen keyboard, it just has a tactile feel to it now. Based on microfluidic technology, the Phorm, as they're calling it, consists of an iPad mini case and a screen protector which does all the magic.

A huge slider on the back of the case lets you dynamically add or remove fluid-filled keyboard buttons that give you tactile feedback. “The anxiety of auto-correct disappears, your productivity increases,” says Tactus.

So, is the Phorm but a gimmick? Read on.

Rumors intensify that Apple indeed is building a car

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2016

Reviving an old ‘iCar’ rumor, Business Insider on Monday ran a story citing an Apple employee as saying that the Cupertino company has been in fact working on something in “vehicle development“ that will “give Tesla a run for its money.”

“Apple's latest project is too exciting to pass up,” the source said. “I think it will change the landscape and give Tesla a run for its money.”

The following day, Bryan Chaffin, co-founder of The Mac Observer, wrote he was “certain” that Apple's building a car after talking to sources who estimated there's an “80 percent chance” of it working on an actual car rather than some car-related tech.

Could Apple be really building an automobile? What's going on here?

ESPN app gains iPad and iPhone 6 support, introduces ESPN Now and rebrands itself

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 12, 2015

A refreshed, rebranded, thoroughly revamped and much improved ESPN app is now available for download in the App Store.

ESPN 4.2 brings universal support for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, a thoroughly redesigned interface and long overdue support for the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus screen resolutions.

The updated software now combines the ESPN SportsCenter app for the iPhone and ESPN ScoreCenter for the iPad into a single unified experience, now rebranded under the new ESPN App name.