Apple

Real Racing 3 gains Le Mans Prototypes, night racing, split-screen multiplayer and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 27, 2014

I don't think people give Electronic Arts and Firemonkeys the credit they deserve for relentlessly updating free-to-play Real Racing 3, one of the finest racing titles available in the App Store.

Following its February 2013 debut, the freemium game has thus far received at least a dozen content updates, each of which is a winner in its own right. For example, in mid-April it's brought us open-wheel vehicles and other treats.

Today's 'Le Mans' update puts you behind the wheel of the Le Mans Prototypes - the ultimate endurance racing cars. It also includes the eagerly-awaited night racing mode on the classic Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans, the ability to link up to four devices via Bluetooth for an immersive split-screen multiplayer and much more...

Apple begins hanging banners at Moscone Center ahead of WWDC

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Apple has begun hanging colorful banners at the Moscone Center in San Francisco ahead of WWDC. The design of the banners is consistent with other WWDC14 materials we've seen thus far, with one showing the Conference's tag line: 'Write the Code. Change the World.'

The event is slated to kick off next Monday, and run through the week, with various developer-focused workshops and classes. And of course, Apple will be delivering its annual keynote, where executives from the company will discuss the future of the OS X and iOS platforms...

Apple will live stream next week’s ‘exciting’ WWDC keynote address

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 27, 2014

After confirming via the recently updated WWDC for iOS app that it will be kicking off its summer developer pilgrimage with a keynote on June 2, Apple has just confirmed that the two-hour event will be available as a free live stream on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices, as well as on Mac and Windows PCs.

According to a newly published webpage on the Apple Events microsite, fans are in for some "exciting announcements"...

iPhone 6 models could launch sooner than expected

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 27, 2014

Apple is expected to launch larger-format iPhones this year and the current crop of rumors are confidently pointing towards the 4.7-incher being released around September, with the bigger 5.5-inch model reportedly delayed until year-end or into early-2015 over component issues.

A new report by DigiTimes, a hit-and-miss Taiwanese trade publication, alleges that the launches of the new handsets could be closer than expected after all. Specifically, it seems Apple has commissioned its manufacturing partners to start churning out the bigger model within a month into the manufacture of the 4.7-inch variant...

Synaptics beats Apple to the punch on Renesas SP Drivers acquisition

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Apple has failed to follow through with its rumored acquisition of the chipmaker Renesas Electronics' mobile display chip division, Renesas SP Drivers. Reuters reported Tuesday that the iPhone maker has definitely lost its bid to acquire Renesas to Synaptics, a company that builds touchpads and touchscreens for an array of mobile and desktop devices.

The development is especially newsworthy given that Synaptics was once an Apple supplier (the company is not listed on Apple's list of 2014 suppliers). Basically, this means that the powerful consumer electronics powerhouse has gotten outbid by one of its former suppliers...

Random strangers react to iPhone 6 dummy

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 27, 2014

You've seen kids react to such ancient technology as the Apple II, but how about your average Joe's reaction after being shown a mockup of a piece of future technology? That's exactly what led the guys over at UrAvgConsumer to take to the streets of New York City and ask normals to share their impressions on a dummy unit of the rumored 4.7-inch iPhone 6.

Reactions vary from 'beautiful, I like it' to a complete disbelief. The video is right after the break so give it a watch and meet us in comments...

Reeder 2 gains iOS 7 Background App Refresh, refinements, bug fixes and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 27, 2014

Reeder, a popular RSS client for iOS and OS X by Italian developer Silvio Rizzi, has been bumped up to version 2.2 today.

The $4.99 iPhone and iPad application has notably picked up support for Background App Refresh, an iOS 7 technology which delivers new app content automatically and in the background, so the app is always up-to-date whenever you fire it up.

Reeder 2.2 also includes visual tweaks such as a new loading progress indicator for the in-app browser and refinements like a new setting to disable favicons for subscriptions and article lists. The full list of changes is right after the break...

German carrier leaks likely iPhone 6 release date: September 19

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 27, 2014

German wireless carrier Deutsche Telekom has apparently instructed its call center representatives to nudge wavering customers toward staying with them.

Support staff was reportedly told to drop hints that customers' loyalty could be well rewarded as the company gets to carry the anticipated iPhone 6 in mid-September - more specifically, on September 19.

That's the gist of a new report by Apfelpage.de. The date is likely more than an educated guesstimate.

Remember, Deutsche Telekom is one of the largest carriers in the world and they own T-Mobile. That being said, we're filing this away into our mental drawer under the 'Very Likely' category...

Noted analyst says Apple bringing Touch ID to 2014 iPhone and iPad models

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 27, 2014

Back in April, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo gave us a roadmap of all the products Apple has in the pipeline for 2014 and now he's back with an analysis of Apple's plans for the Touch ID sensor.

His conjecture is that every new iPhone and iPad model shipping in 2014 will be outfitted with an improved Touch ID fingerprint reader.

Kuo has become one of the most reputable Apple analyst analysts out there who churns out some of the most reliable predictions about Apple's future product plans so it's worth paying attention to what he has to say...

FT: Apple readying software platform for the connected home

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 26, 2014

If a new report Monday by the reputable Financial Times is an indication, Apple is working on a brand new software platform for the smart home.

Details are scarce, but the paper has learned that your iPhone - or any iOS device, for that matter - would get turned into "a remote control for lights, security systems and other household appliances.” The move is said to part of a bigger push into the Internet of Things.

Citing unnamed sources, the article goes on to note that the Cupertino company will be previewing the new platform at its upcoming summer pilgrimage for developers, the Worldwide Developers Conference, which kicks off with a keynote on June 2...

Google releases VirusTotal Uploader for OS X

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 26, 2014

Google on Monday released a useful tool for OS X aimed at beefing up Mac security by making it easy to upload suspicious files for scanning. The software works in conjunction with the popular VirusTotal service which was designed to accept user-submitted suspicious files.

It's simple to use and the whole experience is quite frictionless. After installing the free tool onto your Mac, you can simply right click on any file and selecting the pertinent option from the context menu to upload the file to VirusTotal for scanning...

Apple now makes it clear you’re not allowed to update or redownload refunded apps

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 26, 2014

If you've ever asked for a refund on a Mac, iPhone, iPod touch or iPad app you purchased in the Mac App Store or the App Store, Apple somewhat unexpectedly did allow you to update your existing installations - even reinstall previously refunded apps.

That's no longer the case. According to multiple reports, users who try to update or reinstall refunded iOS and OS X applications are now greeted with a prompt informing them that Apple no longer supports the practice...