Apple

Google searches, now with flights, reservations, package delivery info and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 14, 2013

Regardless of the devices you happen to favor, chances are high you're using Google Search, the default search engine on iOS gadgets and Mac notebooks and desktops.

It's been awhile since we covered Google Search improvements here on iDB and I didn't want to pass on the opportunity to fill you in on today's pretty important round of enhancements to the good ol' Google Search.

Folks using Google Now on iOS on Android have been loving the way the feature automatically serves relevant information pertaining to their flights, reservations, appointments and more. Now all of that is available in standard Google Search on desktop and mobile devices, right in your browser...

Samsung to unveil Galaxy Gear smartwatch on September 4

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 14, 2013

Perhaps looking to spoil Apple's September 10 iPhone 5S/5C party, Samsung of South Korea is reportedly set to make a major wearables-focused announcement six days ahead of Apple's press conference. The South Korean conglomerate last week sent out invites for its August 4 Unpacked 2013 Episode 2 event to launch the Galaxy Note III.

As it turns out, the firm may have another surprise up its sleeve come August 4: a Galaxy-branded smartwatch designed to act as a companion device for its Galaxy smartphones and tablets...

Another high profile investor announces position in Apple, stock crosses $500

Cody Lee ∙ August 14, 2013

Yesterday, Carl Icahn, one of the most prominent investors on Wall Street, set the Internet on fire when he announced that he had taken a 'large position' in Apple. He didn't say how much money, exactly, but the investment is believed to be over $1 billion.

As you can imagine, Icahn's comments also set APPL on fire as well. The already-climbing stock jumped 20 points yesterday, and ended up closing around $490. And today, it's crossed the $500 mark on the back of another high-profile investor's blessings...

iCloud Beta revamped with iOS 7 style design, here’s your gallery

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 14, 2013

Apple's streamlining, redesigning and flattening efforts go beyond iOS 7 or Jonny Ive's title. Today, the company has issued a major revamp to its iCloud.com Beta website. The enhanced experience focuses on an all-new yet familiar look which takes more than a few clues from iOS 7, to put it mildly.

But rather than draw snippets of inspiration from the forthcoming iOS 7 refresh, Apple has taken it upon itself to actually recreate the complete iOS 7 look and feel, right in your web browser and down to the flattened icons, minimalistic look and light fonts.

I've taken a bunch of screenshots so do check out the full gallery right below...

Roku says its set-top box is more popular for streaming than Apple TV

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 14, 2013

A month ago, Frost & Sullivan Consumer Video Devices Market report singled out Apple's $99 Apple TV as the most-used set-top box in terms of content streaming. Specifically, the Apple TV claimed the commanding 56 percent share of streaming device sales, more than twice the share of the #2 Roku, which took 26 percent share of sales.

Not content with its ranking, Roku today cited another research to prove its box is the leading streaming platform...

Google removing Messenger from Google+ apps

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 14, 2013

Another Google service has bit the dust as the Internet giant announces it will be removing Messenger from Google+ for Android and iOS over the coming days. OBviously, as the focus turns to Hangouts, Messenger is no longer needed. Granted, the writing's been on the wall ever since Google released Hangouts for iOS and Android back in May, its answer to the unification of the many Google chat services under a brand new moniker...

2013 iPhone Photography Awards: you won’t believe your eyes

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 14, 2013

iPhone photography fans who haven't heard about the iPhone Photography Awards yet should definitely familiarize themselves with the competition.

Trust me, the quality of the images photography buffs are taking on their iPhones will leave you breathless. It's also a nice reality check for those who happen to hold their own photography skills in high esteem.

The creativity oozing from some of these shots can't be overstated, especially given the rules prevent photo manipulation other than the capabilities provided by the photographer's camera app of choice...

Brazil sues Samsung over alleged factory labor problems

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 14, 2013

Samsung is reportedly facing a $108 million lawsuit from Brazil, which is claiming "serious" labor violations at the smartphone maker's Manaus factory. At least 2,000 workers suffered injuries after being forced to work 15-hour days and not getting enough break time, a Brazilian labor organization claims Wednesday.

The website of the group Reporter Brasil cites Brazil prosecutors and the government's labor ministry. In 2011, the South Korean smartphone maker paid $200,000 to settled similar charges over working conditions made by the government...

Gartner makes it official: smartphones are outselling dumb phones

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Smartphones - once the preserve for geeky first adopters - are now the norm. You notice the change on the street, on television and now with such traditional research firms as Gartner. Sales of smartphones in the second quarter reached 51.8 percent, compared to an astounding 21 percent decline in feature phones, or dumb phones as they're also called, according to the researcher. At the same time, the Asia/Pacific region marked the highest smartphone growth, reaching to 74 percent...

Infographic: the iPhone supply and manufacturing chain

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 14, 2013

Because of its size, popularity and visibility, Apple is being increasingly scrutinized for outsourcing gadget assembly to Asian contract manufacturers.

Although Tim Cook has pledged to bring some of the manufacturing jobs back to the United States with the new 'Made In USA' Mac Pro, critics still slam the company for sourcing product components from Taiwanese vendors. Per usual, the truth is somewhere in the middle.

For example, while iPhone screens are made by Asian vendors, its cover glass is being manufactured in the US by Gorilla Glass in Kentucky. As for the chips, the engine that drives the iPhone is Apple's in-house design, fabbed by Samsung in Austin, Texas.

I stumbled upon a very nice infographic that details the source of the many iPhone components, including the speakers, vibration motor, rear earth metals and more, jump past the fold to have a look...

Another supposed iPhone 5S rear shell shows modified Home button design

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 14, 2013

Another day, another iPhone "leak". With less than four weeks until Apple's September 10 event, a growing number of purported parts can be seen cropping up all over Asia.

The latest is this genuine looking backplate that shows enough tweaks and modifications not to be easily dismisses as an early iPhone 5 prototype design.

The most interesting bit about it is a slight change in the Home button assembly. It could be just Apple improving reliability of the Home button, but with all the rumors pointing to the fingerprint sensor integrated into the Home button, one never knows...

Apple acquires video discovery startup Matcha

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Apple has acquired second screen startup Matcha, according to a new report. The company helped users find interesting movies and TV shows online based on their own preferences, as well as those of their friends on various social networks.

The company mysteriously disappeared back in May of this year, leaving nothing but a brief note on its website saying that the service would no longer be available and that all user data had been deleted. And now we know what happened to it...