Apple

Fun Friday: IKEA spoofs iPad ads, Joy of Tech pokes fun of Apple’s product cycle

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Ikea channels Jony Ive to promote its 2015 furniture catalog, Joy of Tech spoofs the seven phases every true Apple fan goes through in between product launches — dang, it must by a Friday!

To help you get prepared for the weekend, I've cherry-picked a pair of linkbait memes that've been making rounds this week. You should find the Ikea video amusing and the Joy of Tech comic hilarious as you head out for the weekend, your very last weekend before Apple's big reveal on Tuesday changes everything, all over again.

Claimed rear camera with OIS and other iPhone 6 components surface in new photos

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 5, 2014

Modified Russian accessory vendor Feld & Volk, known for customizing iPhones with luxury parts like solid gold volume buttons, Friday on its Instagram profile published photos it claims show a rear camera with optical image stabilization for a 5.5-inch iPhone 6 version, along with an assortment of other claimed components such as the microphone, speaker and the power button with rubber seal.

Jump past the fold, give the images a quick look and join us in comments for an analysis.

Apple-owned TestFlight surfaces in App Store as native app ahead of iOS 8 launch

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

TestFlight, a service allowing developers to beta test mobile apps on the fly, is now available as a native iPhone and iPad application in the App Store.

Apple snapped up Burstly, the company behind TestFlight, back in February to help its registered developers distribute their iPhone and iPad apps to beta testers before pushing them to the App Store for release.

TestFlight is available free of charge and requires iOS 8.0 or later.

BGR: iOS 8.0.1 with ‘further enhancements’ in the works

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 5, 2014

With four days until Apple's big reveal and the impending public launch of iOS 8, the Cupertino firm is already preparing the first iOS 8.0.1 update, BGR reported Friday. The software contains unspecified "further improvements" and Apple is going to seed it to its carrier and testing partners shortly. Note that BGR has a pretty solid track record in predicting carrier-related news.

Just recently, the site correctly claimed that the current iOS 8 Beta 5 would be the final beta released to developers ahead of a Gold Master. Indeed, the iPhone maker last month exclusively released iOS 8 Beta 6 to carrier partners for testing ahead of the iOS 8 launch.

Sony’s side-scrolling CounterSpy stealth game now available on iOS

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 30, 2018

After releasing on the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita last month, Sony's CounterSpy is now available on Apple's iOS platform.

Developed by Dynamighty and published on the App Store by Sony Computer Entertainment America as a premium $4.99 download, CounterSpy is set in an alternate history Cold War era and puts you in the shoes of a budding agent for C.O.U.N.T.E.R.

Your goal in this action stealth side-scrolling game: stop a crazed superpower from unleashing a devastating nuclear missile attack unto the entire world.

Motorola’s Android Wear-powered $249 Moto 360 smartwatch arrives

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Having previewed it in March, handset maker Motorola today launched its Moto 360 smartwatch with wireless charging, a rounded face, optical heart rate monitor, “all-day battery” and other perks.

Starting at $249 and available through Motorola's website, Google's Play store and Best Buy, the device runs Google's Android software for wearables dubbed Android Wear and features premium materials making the circular smartwatch feel “comfortable and familiar” on your wrist.

Tim Cook speaks out on recent iCloud hacks, promises new security measures

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Tim Cook sat down with The Wall Street Journal today, but not to talk about how excited Apple is about next week's iPhone event. Instead, the CEO answered questions regarding the recent iCloud scandal, which led to the posting of dozens of nude celebrity photos earlier this week.

Apple has already released a statement on the matter, claiming that iCloud and its subsequent services had not been breached. Cook reiterated those claims today, and added that the Cupertino company plans to rollout a number of new security features to make its devices more safe.

‘The Photo Cookbook’ goes free as Apple’s App of the Week

Cody Lee ∙ September 4, 2014

Apple has named 'The Photo Cookbook - Quick & Easy' its App of the Week for this week. This means that from now through next Thursday, you’ll be able to pick up the popular app for both iPhone and iPad for free—a great savings of $4.

Showcased by Apple in one of its iPad TV ads, The Photo Cookbook shows you how to prepare for and cook various meals with hi-res photos. Each tutorial is made up of short, straightforward steps, and includes a shot of the finished dish.

Apple Store app updated: now universal, with revamped icon and new shopping features

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 4, 2014

Apple has just updated its official Apple Store shopping application for iOS, now at last provided as a universal binary with a brand new Home screen icon and a few new fancy features to go with it, starting with an all-new design on the iPhone and iPod touch that takes cues from the iPad edition with a much simplified navigation and excellent use of high-resolution product imagery.

Another new feature allows you to start shopping on one device and finish on another, or even on your Mac or Windows PC, because the application now remembers the state of your shopping cart across platforms.

NYT: iPhone 6 has one-handed mode, iWatch has NFC, wireless charging and flexible sapphire screen

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 10, 2017

Joining today's conversation about a flurry of announcements due September 9, journalist Brian Chen filed a report today with The New York Times claiming that Apple's iPhone 6 will feature a so-called “one-handed mode” in an effort to address usability issues anticipated for a phablet-class device.

The lengthy story also takes a closer look at the rumored Apple wearable device which, according to Chen's sources, will have NFC technology and feature a flexible display protected by a sapphire-made cover.

The article corroborates the consensus out there that the iPhone 6 will come in 4.7 and 5.5-inch flavors, both featuring an on-board Near-Field Communications (NFC) chip to facilitate mobile payments.

Apple supplier accused of forcing overtime and endangering workers

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

An Apple supplier has once gain come under scrutiny for labor violations. Both Green America and China Labor Watch are reporting that Catcher, who is responsible for making iPad and MacBook casings for the company, is endangering and exploiting its workers.

At its factory in Suqian, China, Catcher is accused of failing to provide adequate protective equipment for employees handling toxic materials, and various other safety violations. The manufacturer is also charged with forcing overtime: 10+ hours per day, 6 days a week.

Microsoft adds group audio calling with up to four participants to Skype for iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 4, 2014

Skype, a Microsoft-owned Voice over IP (VoIP) provider, on Thursday added another missing feature to its iPhone client after a major visual overhaul of the app in June removed a few popular capabilities.

Specifically, the new Skype 5.4 enables group audio calling with up to four participants. You can also add or remove people to an existing call and disabled users should appreciate a few improvements to the app's accessibility.

The refreshed application is now available in the App Store for free.