Apple

Siri in iOS 7 getting better at pronouncing names

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 24, 2013

Not only is Siri getting a facelift and new features in iOS 7 as Apple continues to focus on improving her usability and the accuracy and reliability of the responses, she's also getting smarter thanks to backend changes which don't require a software update. For example, one of such server-side improvements is the ability to place phone calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to help save lives.

But there's one aspect of Siri that has seen little changes since her inception: inaccurate pronunciation of certain names. But no more. Although not specifically addressed during the WWDC 2013 keynote, it's been discovered that Siri can now initiate a learning process of sorts whenever it has trouble understanding your pronunciation of a person's name...

Apple Board mods Tim Cook’s pay package to be more performance-based

Cody Lee ∙ June 21, 2013

According to a new filing with the SEC this afternoon, Apple's Board of Directors has elected to modify Tim Cook's payment package he was awarded in 2011 after being promoted to CEO. The change, which apparently came at Cook's request, takes the one million restricted stock units he was set to receive over the next 10 years and makes the compensation more performance-based...

AOL joins RSS race, announces its own Google Reader replacement

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 21, 2013

Wow, it's never been a more exciting time to be in the RSS space. And who would have thought it would have taken the Internet giant announcing its popular Reader service is heading to the graveyard of technology?

And with the impending July 1 Google Reader shut down all but upon us, the market for RSS readers is bursting with activity like never before. Of course, RSS isn't going anywhere as there are a few dozen quality apps out there.

In addition, the likes of Digg, Flipboard, Feedly and many others are stepping in to fill the void with their own Google Reader replacement services. And now, you can put AOL on your list of upcoming Google Reader alternatives. You remember AOL, right?

Concept vid makes the case for a 1080p 5.7-inch iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 21, 2013

While Tim Cook patiently keeps on insisting that Apple isn't interested in making an iPhablet, that's not stopping analysts, media, watchers, bloggers - and even Apple's supply chain partners - from speculating. The latest example: just last week, Reuters ran a report claiming Apple is considering launching 4.7-inch and 5.7-inch iPhone models in six different colors next year.

The 5.7-inch form factor didn't come out of blue: presumably, it's the right size for a 1080p Apple phablet. Figuring as much, UK's T3 magazine has put together an interesting concept video making a good case for a 1080p iPhone...

Sega discounts Sonic iOS games to just 99 cents

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 17, 2019

If you're anything like me, you're a heavy gamer who plays tons of games on your iDevice - and on a pretty much regular basis, too (or at least when the time schedule permits).

That's why I'll only make a passing mention of productivity deals like Readdle’s premium Calendars+ going free for a limited time.

If that fell on deaf ears with you, don't despair - iDB has you covered as games maker Sega has slashed all its Sonic games on the App Store to just 99 cents.

The promotion includes the original Sonic The Hedgehog along with the second and fourth installment, as well as Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing and Sonic CD. Jump past the fold for quick details...

First full trailer for Ashton Kutcher’s ‘Jobs’ film released

Cody Lee ∙ June 21, 2013

The first official trailer for Ashton Kutcher's 'Jobs' was finally released today, giving the general public its first glimpse at the movie. We saw a snippet of the film earlier this year, when it debuted at the Sundance Film Festival, but it never really made it beyond the tech world.

'Jobs' has had an interesting year thus far. After receiving mixed reviews at Sundance, the film's April release date was canceled and the project was shelved. Then, earlier this month, we learned it would finally be hitting theaters in August. So without further ado, here's your trailer...

Apple’s iTunes owns 75% of digital music sales

Ed Sutherland ∙ June 21, 2013

Apple's iTunes is one of those happy ironies. Begun as a way to boost sales of Macs and other hardware and content with breaking even, the service now rakes in $20 billion per year selling digital warez such as video, books, apps and music - a whole lot of music. In fact, Apple now sells 75 percent of all digital music, according to a new analysis.

In a series of peeks into how iTunes earns all that revenue, independent analyst Horace Dediu paints a picture where more than a half-billion users are pointing to a future where apps surpass digital music sales...

iPad mini to finally hit Brazil next Tuesday following eight-month wait

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

It's widely believed an unknown portion of iPad mini production is being handled by Foxconn’s recently built manufacturing facilities in Brazil. It's remarkable then that the iPad mini is still unavailable in the country. The situation is finally set to take a turn for the better as the iPad mini is slated to arrive in Brazil next Tuesday, June 25. As you know, Apple launched the iPad mini in the United States and several other key markets eight months ago, in October 2012...

Samsung reportedly cutting Galaxy S4 production, S3 going in early retirement

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

The unstoppable advance of Samsung may have hit a bump in the road. A report from South Korean claims the Apple smartphone rival plans to reduce production of its just-released Galaxy S4 by 10-15 percent, while sending the S3 to an early retirement.

The South Korean-based firm also believes the flagship Galaxy S4 won't be able to increase its share of the smartphone market alone, requiring a range of new models to do the job, the Thursday report claimed...

Virgin Mobile to land iPhone 5 next Friday

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated July 13, 2017

After months of speculation, Virgin Mobile announced it will finally start carrying Apple's iPhone 5 starting Friday, June 28. The handset will be offered on a subsidy basis on a two-year contract and with one of the Beyond Talk plans, starting at $35 a month for unlimited 4G LTE data and messaging. Virgin Mobile is owned by Sprint and supports both Sprint's CDMA 3G and LTE 4G radio technology (see coverage map here)...

FTC to launch inquiry into patent trolls, including issuing subpoenas

Ed Sutherland ∙ June 21, 2013

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is expected today to approve an investigation into so-called patent trolls, according to the New York Times. Results of the investigation could be used as part of a possible antitrust lawsuit.

FTC chairwoman Edith Ramirez has said the technology involved in one smartphone could spur thousands of patents. In 2012, patent trolls - politely referred to as patent-assertion entities - comprised 60 percent of some 4,000 patent lawsuits. In 2011, the number of patent lawsuits were half that amount, the Times reported...

Apple starts charting iOS adoption, 96% of users are on iOS 6

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 21, 2013

Apple has started charting the iOS adoption figures via a portal for its registered developers. While Google's been doing this for quite some time now, it's the first time Apple offered the continuously updated official iOS adoption data.

Key takeaway: a whopping 96 percent of Apple customers are now using iOS 6, as measured by the App Store during a 14-day period ending June 3, 2013.

There is a massive difference compared to Android 4.x versions that, according to Google's dashboard web page, was on 58.6 percent of Android devices accessing the Android Play store during a 14-day period ending on June 3, 2013.

And with 39.8 percent of Google customers on the now outdated Android 2.2 Froyo and up to Android 3.2 Honeycomb software, Apple's huge advantage in terms of platform fragmentation is undisputed...