Apple

Google+ gains full-res photo/video backup, location sharing, inline translation and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

The search monster Google has posted another update to its Google+ app for the iPhone and iPad, this time bringing a new iOS 7 perk: the ability to upload your iOS Camera roll photos and videos automatically and in glorious full resolution, to a private album on Google+ Photos, viewable only by you (unless specified otherwise). This brings the iOS app to parity with its Android counterpart.

It's really useful because your photos get sent to the cloud in the background, even if you haven't opened the app. You could previously enable Camera backup in Google+, but this would not back up full resolution images and the app would upload for only a few minutes after it quit.

It's a very interesting addition that turns the Google+ thing into a viable cloud backup of your iOS Camera roll. This Google+ update comes with other tweaks and nice-to-haves so jump past the fold if you're interested to learn more...

Honda says iOS mirroring will be available in 2014 Civic

Cody Lee ∙ November 22, 2013

It looks like Honda is going to be one of the first auto-makers to ship a vehicle compatible with Apple's new iOS in the Car feature. A representative for the company confirmed with a customer via Twitter that the tech will be available in its 2014 Civic.

For those unfamiliar with iOS in the Car, it's essentially Apple's next level of in-car device integration. Where 'Eyes Free' only let users access Siri, this will allow users to access apps like Phone, Maps, Music and more via their car's built-in touchscreen...

Some US, Canada Apple Stores opening early on Black Friday

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Black Friday is next week, and for those unfamiliar with the term, it's the Friday after Thanksgiving that kicks off the busiest shopping weekend of the year. Retailers open their stores early and offer significant discounts on their products in hope of luring in holiday shoppers.

And it looks like Apple will be participating in the festivities this year. While we haven't yet received word on the company's Black Friday deals, it does appear that many of its retail stores in both the United States and Canada will be opening early to accomodate the crowds...

Cellular Retina iPad mini hitting regional U.S. carriers, starting with Bluegrass Cellular

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 22, 2013

The United States wireless carrier Bluegrass Cellular started selling the iPad Air on November 1, along with many other regional U.S. wireless companies.

And as cellular models of the iPad mini with Retina display have recently begun trickling into Apple’s U.S. retail stores, the Kentucky-based carrier has started selling nearly every Retina mini model.

Moreover, Bluegrass is offering the device via both its web store and directly to customers who shop in one of its retail stores. Customers can buy the device either on or off-contract, with monthly installments making it easier on the wallet. The full breakdown is right below...

Unlocked SIM-free iPhone 5s now available in online US Apple Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 22, 2013

I no longer buy my smartphones subsidized because I just can't stand paying north of $2,000 in service fees over the course of my contract. Beginning with the iPhone 4s and onward, I've been purchasing my iPhones contract-free and unlocked. Of course, this means paying the full price upfront.

On the flip side, contract-free iPhones are unlocked out of the box, which gives me the freedom to switch carriers as easily as popping in another SIM card. Although a bunch of oversea markets have had the fully unlocked iPhone 5s for several weeks, Apple has now finally started selling the device in the United States through its online store...

Apple now allowing walk-in Retina iPad mini sales

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 22, 2013

You can now finally just waltz inside your nearest brick-and-mortar Apple Store and pick up an iPad mini with Retina display, an indication of Apple slowly buy surely catching up to demand, despite the shortages which are expected to ease in Q1 2014.

When Apple quietly and rather unceremoniously put the device on sale on November 12, it limited availability to online orders-only, which customers could either have shipped or picked up personally at a desired Apple Store.

Walk-in purchases were not possible due to high demand up until now, with LTE-enabled models only recently having started arriving to Apple's retail outlets...

Second Real Racing 3 Ferrari update adds Enzo Ferraris, cinematic replays and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 22, 2013

Electronic Arts' Ferrari-focused Real Racing 3 update is out for a little more than a month and earlier this week the super publisher pushed another update which will make Ferrari fans happy and glued to their iPhones and iPads.

Building on the new racing tracks, events and Ferrari's racing cars from the previous update, the Enzo Ferrari lineup has now joined Real Racing 3's selection of extreme performance cars.

The latest update also adds other perks and goodies, including cinematic race replays (finally!), four new event series with a total of 100+ new events, weekly time trial tournaments and more. Your promo clip and other highlights are after the break...

Jony Ive on Charlie Rose on the value of simplicity

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 23, 2017

Apple's SVP of Design Jony Ive along with his good friend, industrial designer Marc Newson, has lent his magic touch to a few one-off items for Sotheby’s (RED) charity auction to help fight AIDS in Africa. Some of the unique objects the two men designed include a one-off red-colored Mac Pro, a unique aluminum-clad desk and a gorgeous Leica M camera.

Ahead of tomorrow's charity, Ive and Newson sat last night with American television talk show host and journalist Charlie Rose to discuss how they interacted to create these unique objects of affection that'll end up being used by their highest-paying owners...

Apple files for 5 new patents related to Liquidmetal, 3D printing

Cody Lee ∙ November 22, 2013

On Thursday, the US Patent and Trademark Office published five patent applications Apple has filed regarding the process by which it would use Liquidmetal to build next-generation products including smartphones, tablets and digital displays.

Apple has been rumored to be experimenting with amorphous metal alloys ever since it signed an exclusive deal with the California-based company Liquidmetal Technologies back in 2010. But like most rumors, this one has yet to materialize...

Apple highlights various ways people use iPad in new ‘Life on iPad’ webpage

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Apple has added a new webpage to its website entitled "Life on iPad." The page is dedicated to showing the various ways people are using the popular tablet, and as of right now, it features stories on how 6 people use it in their day-to-day lives.

One of the stories talks about how champion speed skater Bridie Farrell uses the iPad to review practice and race videos as she prepares for the Olympics, and another shows how Siemens Energy-Wind Service technicians use the device at work...

Dropbox iOS 7 update: AirDrop, video uploads, full-screen iPad viewer and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 21, 2013

The popular cloud-storage startup Dropbox recently teased an image that gave us a glimpse into its iOS 7 makeover and we were pretty ecstatic about the new look. The good news is, the app is now live on the App Store - and it looks even better than we were hoping for!

Dropbox 3.0, now available for download on the iPhone and iPad, is a major redesign that feels right at home in iOS 7 because it honors Apple's guidelines.

It's not just the looks - Dropbox packs in some interesting and much welcomed new features like an improved PDF viewer, wireless AirDrop sharing (finally!) on iOS 7 devices, enhanced exporting and video importing, speed improvements and more.

As a bonus, full-screen viewer for photos and files is now but a tap away. Do give me a favor and jump past the fold to check out release notes and some really nice iPhone and iPad screenies...

Apple adds new features to iWork for iOS and Mac

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 17, 2017

As you know, Apple earlier in the month has promised to bring back dozens of recently-removed iWork features over the course of six months. In keeping with that promise, a barrage of updates has gone live Wednesday on the App Store and Mac App Store, adding new capabilities to the iWork suite of applications on Macs, iPhones, iPads and iPods.

This is the first major refresh since last month's downgrade stealthily removed arguably less popular though essential features in favor of cross-platform document compatibility between OS X, iOS and the web.

I've included full release notes and a couple of highlights right after the break...