Apple

Instapaper creator launches Overcast, free podcast app for iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 16, 2014

Following an extensive beta testing period, Marco Arment - the creator of Instapaper, founder of The Magazine and co-host of the Accidental Tech Podcast - today unveiled his latest creation, an iPhone podcast client dubbed Overcast.

Available with basic features free of charge in the App Store (advanced stuff can be unlocked through a one-time In-App Purchase), Overcast for iPhone is accessible to novice users yet packs a lot of punch to make podcast die-hards happy.

Having taken Overcast for a brief spin with our own Let's Talk iOS and Let's Talk Jailbreak podcast series, I came away pretty impressed.

I think Marco's full-featured app has mass appeal (at least in podcast circles) to win over folks who are unhappy with the existing podcast clients on the App Store with its sleek user interface, simplicity and elegance.

If not, perhaps advanced capabilities will make you a convert? I'm talking stuff like Smart Speed, Voice Boost and Smarter Playlists to help you listen to more podcasts in more places, try new shows and completely control your experience...

Could this be iPhone 6’s improved, more durable Touch ID sensor?

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 16, 2014

Purported iPhone 6 parts continue leaking out ahead of the handset's assumed September unveiling. We were recently treated to a stress, bending and scratch test videos of a piece of a purported sapphire-coated iPhone 6 cover glass.

And earlier this summer, alleged leaks revealed a claimed front LCD frame, an alleged rear shell and a SIM card tray, while questionable mockups piqued everyone's interest. It's now time to turn our attention to Apple's next-generation Touch ID.

As you know, the sophisticated fingerprint scanner debuted as an iPhone 5s exclusive last September. Touch ID is expected to expand to new iPhone and iPad models this year and TSMC is said to be already building a more durable variant of Touch ID.

New images that surfaced Wednesday promise to offer a glimpse of what an improved, slightly revamped Touch ID for the iPhone 6 looks like...

iOS 8 Beta 4 could arrive next Monday

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 16, 2014

If history is anything to go by, Apple could seed the next beta of iOS 8 to its registered developers later this month. As in, precisely two weeks after iOS 8 Beta 3 dropped.

As you know, the third beta arrived on July 7, bringing Wi-Fi Calling for T-Mobile iPhones and a host of under-the-hood tweaks and enhancements.

If BGR's sources are right, iOS 8 Beta 4 should be expected on Monday, July 21. Keep in mind that BGR does not have the most reliable of sources and that the publication has been wrong before in predicting dates for iOS betas...

Volkswagen to embed CarPlay in 2016 VW models

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 15, 2014

German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen is in talks with Apple on bringing CarPlay to its 2016 lineup, according to a new report. This is an important development as Volkswagen, itself notably absent in Apple's press release announcing CarPlay, files as the biggest German automaker and the second largest automaker in the world.

According to a source with knowledge of the discussions, a formal announcement is expected in the coming months...

Apple and IBM announce major enterprise mobility partnership

Cody Lee ∙ July 15, 2014

Apple and IBM announced this afternoon that the two tech giants have entered an exclusive partnership to "transform enterprise mobility." The pair will utilize the market-leading strengths of each company to bring about a whole new class of business apps to iPhone and iPad.

These apps will be for a variety of fields, including retail, healthcare, banking and travel, with some of the software becoming available by the end of the year. IBM is also working on a new 'MobileFirst Platform for iOS,' will be an end-to-end enterprise solution for iOS devices...

Google updates Chrome for iOS with Cast support

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 30, 2023

Following a relatively quiet period when it comes to Chrome for iOS, Google is again demonstrating willingness to continue advancing its popular iPhone and iPad browser with useful new capabilities.

The new Google Chrome version 36.0.1985.49 is now available to download in the App Store, bringing out Cast support for websites that have implemented integration with Cast-enabled devices.

Furthermore, this edition also includes stability improvements and bug fixes and a slightly tweaked app icon for your Home screen...

Snapchat launches Geofilters for photos taken at specific locations

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

The popular ephemeral messaging app Snapchat today introduced Geofilters, basically custom filters that only work on photos taken in specific geographic locations.

Geofilters are available by swiping to the right from the Preview screen after taking a photo. This will produce custom-designed text or graphic stickers that can be overlaid on your image to make it more attractive.

As the name suggests, Snapchat Geofilters are location dependent and available for locations in Los Angeles and New York City...

Apple allegedly brings new supplier on board to help solve iPhone 6 battery production woes

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 5, 2016

Problems with mass production of ultra-thin batteries is among the reasons cited for a rumored delay of a 5.5-inch iPhone 6 model.

Last month, Asian sources said both LG Chemical and Samsung, Apple’s battery cell suppliers for the iPhone, were struggling to produce battery components measuring 2mm or less.

Apple's technical requirements apparently pose technical challenges as standard smartphone batteries have a thickness of roughly 2.8 – 2.9 millimeters. A new report alleges that Apple has now solved the issue by bringing a new supplier on board, Hsin Chu, Taiwan-based Simplo Technologies...

Apple’s fabled 12.9-inch iPad Pro rumored to launch before year-end

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 6, 2016

Apple's fabled large-screened iPad, dubbed by the press iPad Pro, is still on the table and should see a formal release before the end of this year, if you trust a report from the Economic Daily newspaper.

The Chinese publication also said earlier this morning that the iWatch will be launching during the third quarter of 2014 in three models and two sizes, with a high-end model ostensibly incorporating a screen with a sapphire-glass coating.

While we don't put too much faith into reports by Chinese media, Economic Daily's accuracy is better than that of most other Chinese and Taiwanese outlets...

Rumor: iWatch to come in three models and two sizes, one featuring sapphire screen

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 6, 2016

Apple's rumored iWatch is said to come in three different models and two sizes: 1.6 and 1.8 inches. That's the gist of a new report from the Economic Daily newspaper which claims that one 1.6-inch model and two 1.8-inch models are in the works, with one of the bigger models incorporating a sapphire-strengthened screen.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo speculated back in April that the iWatch would come in two sizes, one for men and the other for women. That being said, this is the first time we heard that the device would come in both sapphire and non-sapphire varieties...

Apple is now encrypting your iCloud emails in transit between providers

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 15, 2014

A month ago, Apple confirmed that it would soon start encrypting iCloud Mail traffic in transit.

As Google's Transparency Report noted at the time, Apple and several major email providers did not properly encrypt email messages sent and received from other providers like Gmail and Yahoo, creating security concerns.

Although Apple only encrypts emails sent between its own iCloud customers, the company appears to have stepped up iCloud Mail security and is now finally protecting your emails from eavesdropping as they travel between various third-party email service providers using end-to-end encryption...

Google starts clearly labeling Flash content in search results

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 15, 2014

Users of Apple's iPad, back when the device debuted in 2010, were used to seeing holes on websites in place of Adobe Flash content.

But not for long as those holes were getting plugged real fast - even more so after Steve Jobs penned his famous critique of Adobe's proprietary runtime, titled 'Thoughts on Flash'.

Though most web videos no longer require Flash, some websites and web applications continue to rely on Adobe's technology for interactivity, animations and what not. From now on, it's easier to identify Flash items in search results because Google Search now flags Flash content, saving you clicks...