Apple

Wikipedia reboots its official iOS app: native, speedy, mobile editing and loads more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 28, 2016

I've never been a fan of Wikipedia's iOS app because it's basically such a piece of you-know-what. Available since August 2009, the software's never managed to win me over.

Put simply, it's always felt to me like a hastily written web app, because that's essentially what it is. But not anymore. Say 'hello' to the much-improved Wikipedia Mobile 4.0, now available as a truly native app for the iPhone and iPad.

Yup, no longer is Wikipedia on iOS a second-class citizen that wraps a basic web browser inside some iOS code!

The Wikipedia foundation has built the new version from the ground up for speed and it shows - everything is a lot snappier. There's a super-convenient table of contents sidebar but more importantly, now you can edit Wikipedia in the palm of your hand.

Moreover, Wikipedia Mobile makes it easy to switch to reading Wikipedia written in another language and the app is now available in more languages than before.

Jump past the fold for the full reveal...

Facebook Messenger now lets you share and view fullscreen photos and videos

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 31, 2014

Facebook today issued a small update to the Messenger client for iOS. Now bumped to version 9.0 (yeah, their versioning scheme is a bit odd), the refreshed iPhone and iPad application finally makes it possible to share and view fullscreen photos and videos.

Previously, sharing a photo or a short video clip would render content in a smaller section within the larger conversation view, similar to Apple's iMessage...

Microsoft adds new features to Word, Excel and PowerPoint for iPad

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 31, 2014

Software giant Microsoft has issued a trio of updates to its Office for iPad applications in the App Store. Now available as free downloads, the refreshed editions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint for iPad bring over a dozen new capabilities enhancing your experience.

Some of the headline improvements include much-requested user-facing features such as the ability to use third-party fonts in your documents, export docs as PDF files, a new Presenter View for PowerPoint, new Picture Tools that let you crop to focus on the right part of an image, external keyboard support in Excel and more...

Wunderlist 3 releases, adding real-time sync, public lists and 60+ new features

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 31, 2014

After previewing its major version 3.0 update earlier this month, 6Wunderkinder has now released the refreshed Wunderlist 3, the latest version of the popular cross-platform to-do, task and list management app.

With 60+ new features across iOS, Android, Chromebooks, Mac and on the web, Wunderlist 3 is a huge release for the Berlin, Germany-based company. Two standout new features deserve a mention: an all-new real-time syncing engine and public lists...

Crowdfunding platform Indiegogo launches iPhone app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 16, 2016

Crowdfunding platform Indiegogo last month soft-launched its inaugural iPhone app in the Canadian App Store. As of today, the software is available to download in the United States and App Stores around the world.

The free of charge iPhone-only app lets you manage and support Indiegogo campaigns on the go (pun intended) by discovering new campaigns through recommendations based on past activity and preferred categories.

The app will send you notifications each time a contribution is made to you campaign. Yes, you can also post campaign updates and photos, thank contributors and more...

Samsung’s troubles prove Apple knows exactly what it’s doing with its iPhone business

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 14, 2018

Samsung's co-CEO and mobile chief J.K. Shin is in the hot seat as the company posts its third straight quarter of operating-profit declines.

It's fascinating to watch how quickly things are turning for the conglomerate responsible for nearly one-fifth of South Korea's Gross domestic product.

Operating profits were down sharply, decreasing a whopping 25 percent year over year. More importantly, Samsung's favorite business metric - the market share - is under pressure, too: its worldwide share of smartphones slipped to 25 percent in the second quarter from 32 percent a year earlier.

This is bad news considering that 76 percent of the firm's profit comes from smartphones. What gives?

Sega releases Crazy Taxi: City Rush worldwide

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 31, 2014

After soft-launching in select markets, Crazy Taxi: City Rush, an all new sequel to Sega's popular arcade phenomenon, has now launched globally for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

Available free of charge with optional In-App Purchases, the game introduces intuitive one-touch driving controls and packs in a bunch of new crazy passengers, a brand new city to explore and a variety of special missions and challenges.

Created by the original Crazy Taxi designer, Kenji Kanno, and Sega’s top mobile developer, Hardlight (creators of Sonic Dash, Sonic Jump and Sonic Jump Fever), City Rush stays true to its arcade racing roots...

Weather Channel for iPhone gains detailed hurricane tracking, boat and beach planner

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

The Weather Channel, Apple's new data provider for the stock iOS 8 Weather app, has refreshed its iPhone app with a pair of useful new features.

Version 6.2, now available free in the App Store, introduces a Hurricane Central feature for detailed hurricane tracking and another one dubbed Boat and Beach Planner that lets you prep for the beaches with the marine forecast summary.

Jump past the fold for full details...

Rumor: iPhone 6 launching on October 14, an ‘immense’ day for Apple

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 31, 2014

According to a rather dubious rumor published by MacRumors, citing a source familiar with an internal Apple Retail Store meeting, a senior Store Leader allegedly told staff that the whole month of October will be very busy for Apple Stores and the company itself, singling out October 14 as a particularly "immense" day for Apple.

Furthermore, the company is apparently planning a media event for Tuesday, September 16, nearly a month ahead of the iPhone 6's assumed October 14 launch...

Apple reportedly laying off some Beats staff, transitioning Beats Music to iTunes servers

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 30, 2014

Apple’s $3 billion acquisition of Beats Music, a music-streaming service, and Beats Electronics, a highly lucrative premium headphone business, is nearing its completion.

Monday, the European Commission okayed the deal, saying it won't stifle competition in Europe.

Though still pending regulatory approval in the United States, Apple is expecting to complete the purchase by the end of September.

Analyzing the inner workings of the Cupertino firm in the wake of the Beats acquisition, a reputable publication has shed more light on the transition phase and behind-the-scenes moves...

No new Apple TV box expected this year

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 30, 2014

We've been kinda holding our breath for an Apple TV hardware refresh this year. Sadly, early signs haven't been encouraging thus far.

For instance, part leaks are non-existent while useful information in terms of which new hardware capabilities the updated box might bring is few and far between.

Pouring cold water on the "New Apple TV in 2014" meme, The Information, a new publication by the former Wall Street Journal reporter Jessica Lessin, has learned that Tim Cook & Co. have no plans to update the hardware in the $99 media-streaming box this year.

Depending on who you ask, cable companies are "dragging their heels" in terms of negotiating content deals for the device, whereas Apple is reportedly biting off "more than it can chew"...

Russia asks Apple for source code to alleviate espionage concerns

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Russia's Ministry of Communications and Mass Media has suggested that Apple, along with German tech giant SAP, open the source code for its software to ensure that it's not enabling US intelligence agencies to spy on the country.

The request comes just a week after a security researcher accused Apple of building surveillance backdoors into iOS, and as the United States and Europe expand their sanctions on Moscow over Russia's involvement in Ukraine affairs...