Apple

Poll: what should Apple name the new iPhone?

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 9, 2014

As we count down the remaining hours before Apple kicks off its exciting media event at 10am PT / 1pm ET, a lot of confusion has risen as to what kind of moniker the company might adopt for its next iPhone model which the press dubbed the iPhone 6.

Now, rumors have pointed to a bunch of different names for the handset, ranging from a clean “iPhone” and ”iPhone 6” to the highly dubious branding schemes such as “iPhone L”, “iPhone Air”, “iPhone Pro” and even ”iPhone+”.

This is your chance to voice your opinion. You'll find a non-scientific poll after the break asking you what you think Apple should call its next iPhone so cast your vote and join us in comments.

NYT: U2 to play role in tomorrow’s Apple event

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

It sounds like U2 is going to be involved in tomorrow's festivities after all. Citing sources familiar with the matter, The New York Times is reporting this evening that the popular rock band will be performing at Apple's iPhone 6 event tomorrow, and even says that it will reveal an integration with Apple’s products that is connected to its next album.

iDB is ready for Apple’s iPhone 6 event tomorrow, are you?

Cody Lee ∙ September 8, 2014

Apple's iPhone event is now less than a day away, and anticipation couldn't be higher. Two redesigned iPhones with larger displays and NFC, a new mobile payment service, and the iWatch, Apple's first major product unveiling since the iPad, are just a few things on the menu.

Apple has said that it will be streaming the festivities to its website and various iOS devices, but for those who won't be able to watch the keynote live, iDB has you covered. We will be here all day, providing coverage of all announcements made before, during and after the event.

China Mobile’s claimed iPhone 6 specs: waterproof, dustproof, sapphire-protected and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 2, 2017

Having started taking pre-orders for Apple's unreleased and still unofficial iPhone 6 a good five days ago, carrier China Mobile has now posted to its official website what it claims are official hardware specifications of the 4.7-inch version of the handset, GforGames reported Monday afternoon.

Some of the more surprising hardware and design features of the handset reportedly include water and dust-resistance and sapphire protection for the display, allowing for a virtually unbreakable device.

However, it's impossible to determine whether China Mobile is making an educated guess or if the firm is in fact relaying Apple-sanctioned information. In case of the former, China Mobile could easily get reprimanded for leaking out its partner's secrets ahead of tomorrow's big reveal.

This tidbit comes after rival China Telecom said recently that a single iPhone 6 model supports all the major wireless standards in the 1.33 billion people market.

In a not-so-smart PR stunt, their post was accompanied by a set of pretty iPhone 6 renderings which creators Tomas Moyano and Nicolàs Aichino posted on Bēhance. It's worth keeping in mind that China Mobile is the world's largest mobile operator by market capitalization, its subscriber base dwarfing AT&T and Verizon combined.

Google adds offline support, accessibility improvements to Play Movies & TV for iOS

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Google has just updated its Play Movies & TV client for the iPhone and iPad with offline support, accessibility improvements and bug fixes, the Internet giant announced in a Google+ post Monday morning.

“With Google Play’s updated iOS Play Movies & TV app, you can download movies and TV shows then take them with you wherever you go, no Internet connection required,” reads the post.

Released this January, the free application (which now sits at version 1.2) continues to lack the ability to purchase movies and television shows on Google Play due to Apple's rules for iOS development.

Unprecedented security precautions for tomorrow’s event, live-stream page takes over Apple.com

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 10, 2017

With less than 24 hours until Apple's press event, security precautions at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts in Cupertino, California have been taken to “unprecedented levels,” reports Cult of Mac editor Leander Kahney who's secretly snagged a few interviews with unnamed staffers at the venue.

The iPhone maker is also ramping up anticipation for the upcoming presentation by forwarding visitors to the Apple.com homepage to a special webpage it set up last week to live-stream the show to the web at large.

WhatsApp updated with a slew of new features

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 8, 2014

Facebook-owned WhatsApp this morning received a substantial update, bringing out a slew of new features to the popular messaging and soon-to-be VoIP platform.

Available as a free download for the iPhone, the new WhatsApp version 2.11.9 now makes it a lot easier to capture and send photos with a new fast camera access button in the interface.

Moreover, the refreshed software lets you archive chats and groups, add captions to media and share iPhone 5s-only Slow-Mo videos at 120 frames per second while introducing new location-sharing features, wallpapers, notification tones, media auto-download preferences in settings and more.

First Ferrari FF models with CarPlay hit the roads

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 8, 2014

Ferrari on Monday started delivering its new Ferrari FF model with CarPlay integration to early adopters, becoming the first commercially available vehicle on the roads with native support for Apple's in-car system, previously known as 'iOS in the Car'. CarPlay is also available for older vehicles as an aftermarket solution from the likes of Alpine and Pioneer.

The $300,000 sports car with a 6.3-liter V12 engine provides a cool 651 horsepower and takes you from zero to 60 miles per hour in 3.4 second (top speed: 208 miles per hour). CarPlay integration in the Ferrari FF includes the familiar features like voice-guided navigation, Siri, music playback, voice controls, messaging, phone calls and more.

Both 4.7 and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 models said to launch simultaneously on September 19

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 8, 2014

Contrary to a flurry of reports stating otherwise, both 4.7 and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 models will in fact hit store shelves at the same time, on Friday, September 19, ten days following tomorrow's announcements. This information reported by the French blog iGen.fr [Google Translate] came from the same source who in the past accurately predicted other Apple launches.

It remains to be seen whether this is just an educated guess or the real launch date. The rumor-mill's been saying for months that the 5.5-incher would hit later due to alleged manufacturing challenges. For what it's worth, Apple typically starts selling new iPhones 7-10 days following the introduction, or the Friday the week after the announcement.

For instance, the iPhone 5s/5c went on sale on September 20, 2013 following its September 10 unveiling. And before it, the iPhone 5 reached retail stores on September 21, 2012 after it had been introduced on September 12.

What’s in a name? 5.5-incher is ‘iPhone 6 Plus’, 4.7-inch model called ‘iPhone 6’

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 8, 2014

According to the Japanese blog MacOtakara [Google Translate] Monday morning, Apple will use 'iPhone 6' and 'iPhone 6 Plus' monikers with respect to a 4.7 and 5.5-inch edition of the upgraded smartphone.

The French blog NowhereElse.fr said last week that the bigger iPhone 6 model will be marketed under the 'iPhone Air' moniker. Unlike 'Air,' Apple's never used the 'Plus' suffix to market an iPhone, or any other product for that matter. If true, this'll be a first.

Spotify promises 30 minutes of uninterrupted music if you sit through 13-30 second video ad breaks

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Spotify, the popular music-streaming service with 40 million strong user base, on Monday announced a new way to stream music for free.

Leveraging its video ads for mobile and desktop that have been in limited testing since mid-June and are now rolling out, free Spotify streamers who opt-in to view short 15-30 second videos on their device will receive 30 minutes' worth of uninterrupted, ad-free music. Spotify, which hails from Sweden, opened its mobile service to non-paying users in December.

Apple starts sending email alerts when you sign in to iCloud via a web browser

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 16, 2016

As noted by Letem světem Applem and confirmed by MacRumors editor Eric Slivka, Apple in the aftermath of the nude celeb pics scandal seems to have taken the first in a series of promised steps to bolster up the security of its cloud.

Now each time you sign in to iCloud through a web browser, the Cupertino firm will issue an email notice which contains a date and time that the account was accessed. This behavior is now enabled by default.

Previously, login alerts had been sent only if there was an attempt to log in to iCloud on an unknown Apple device.