Apple

App Store for iPad finally lets you sort Purchased apps alphabetically

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 12, 2013

Apple appears to have quietly made a subtle yet significant change to iTunes backend in an effort to make it easier to comb through your Purchased App Store items.

As observed by an iDB reader, the iPad storefront now includes a brand new lefthand bar which makes it easy to sort your Purchased apps alphabetically.

The tweak certainly helps find a needle in the haystack, especially when compared to having to scroll through a long list of Purchased items that used to be sorted chronologically. Coupled with the handy search field, this enhancement lets you zero in on a previously purchased item in no time...

Apple posts iAd Workbench tool, eases minimum ad spend requirement

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

It is no secret that iAd, Apple's mobile advertising network based on its Quatro Wireless acquisition, is struggling. Originally conceived to help app makers improve their bottom line by injecting highly engaging interactive iAds into their warez, the platform has been marred with high ad rates, big brand exodus, executive reshuffling and Apple's relative inexperience in running a mobile ad network.

But Apple isn't standing still. Today, the company launched a new iAd Workbench tool that helps its registered developers better target their users, manually, automatically or both. This allows for a much finely-graded targeting criteria, down to the specific device, gender, age, location and preferences...

Ashton Kutcher’s Jobs flick to debut on August 16

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 12, 2013

Following Funny or Die's awfully received iSteve flick, another Steve Jobs biopic is slated for release later this summer. Ashton Kutcher's jOBS film, which debuted at the Sundance festival back in January, was originally slated for a worldwide release on April 19, but got delayed. According to the latest Hollywood chatter, the movie is now set to launch on August 16 in the United States...

Apple’s marketing goes back to its roots

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 12, 2013

Earlier this week, Apple showed the WWDC crowd what could only be described as a pair of mission-statement videos. As we reported, these highlight Apple's renewed focus on simplicity in iOS 7 and underscore its famous 'Designed by Apple in California' signature.

The commercials didn't escape the attention of the eagle-eyed Bloomberg reporters who found out that Apple's long-time advertising agency TBWA\Chiat\Day is responsible for these videos.

Watchful readers will remember that the same agency is behind the company’s most memorable advertisements like the 'Think Different' campaign and the now legendary '1984' ad that launched the original Macintosh.

These clips are reportedly part of Apple's ongoing branding campaign and more will follow soon...

Meet Craig Federighi, the head of OS X and iOS

Cody Lee ∙ June 12, 2013

Despite the decidedly polarizing reactions to the completely redesigned iOS 7, most folks seem to agree that Apple's WWDC keynote on Monday was a success. It showed off new software, new hardware and even gave folks a sneak preview of its unfinished Mac Pro.

And the whole team looked confident. Every executive that took the stage did a great job—particularly the relatively unknown Craig Federighi. Apple's newly-appointed head of software seemed to be a crowd favorite as he introduced everyone to the future of OS X and iOS...

Gameloft teases Asphalt 8: Airborne

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 11, 2013

French games maker Gameloft is on a roll lately. Hot on the heels of teasing its upcoming Modern Combat 5 for iOS and Android and releasing Gangstar Vegas on the App Store, just a few hours ago it posted the first Asphalt 8: Airborne teaser.

Yup, the next installment in the Asphalt franchise promises to up the ante with high-octane action.

This usually entails smashing vehicles into each other and taking control of crazy fast racing cars that defy gravity and fly all over the place, almost as if someone's watched a tad too many Fast and Furious movies. We're not complaining, though. Asphalt 8: Airborne looks business and we can't wait to get our hands on it. Your action-packed trailer is right after the break...

New in iOS 7: dynamic and panoramic wallpapers

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 11, 2013

Good news for those who love to personalize their iPhone with the photos depicting their significant other, kids, dogs, kittens and what have you: with iOS 7 Apple has gone beyond adding a bunch of new wallpapers, having implemented cool new enhancements to really bring those wallpapers to life.

Taking a page from Google's Android (obviously), iOS 7 includes dynamically animated wallpapers created by Apple's design team. Not only that, the operating system lets you set any panoramic image from your Camera Roll as your Lock/Home screen background for a jaw-dropping effect. But wait, there's more...

WWDC 2013 keynote now available for download through iTunes

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 9, 2016

Shortly following its live-streamed WWDC keynote talk yesterday, Apple has posted a streamable replay to their home page.

I like to keep those keynotes handy for offline viewing, but saving a video stream to a computer is unfortunately a mess which involves too much trickery without guarantees for success.

Luckily, Apple has catered to the archivist in us by making the entire presentation available for download through iTunes...

New in iOS 7: support for third party game controllers

Cody Lee ∙ June 11, 2013

As with any major Apple event, where numerous announcements are made, I feel like some of what was talked about yesterday flew under the radar. Specifically, there were several cool features in iOS 7 that didn't get enough attention.

One of those features is support for third party gamepads. Physical controllers for iPhones and iPads have long been left to the ThinkGeeks and the Kickstarter projects, due to the lack of support. But that's going to change with iOS 7...

Prosecutors cautiously optimistic Activation Lock in iOS 7 could curb urban iPhone theft

Ed Sutherland ∙ June 11, 2013

Apple's Monday announcement that its new iOS 7 would include an 'Activation Lock' comes just days before the iPhone maker is to attend a Smartphone Summit. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón say they await details of the new iPhone feature.

After being stung by reports that it is not doing enough to prevent a rash of iPhone thefts, Apple argued Activation Lock would prevent thieves from using a stolen handset...

Google officially buys social mapping startup Waze

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

It's official: Google has just bought Waze, a social mapping and location startup, for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition strengthens Google's already leading Maps solution and related location services on the web and mobile devices. The deal follows months of speculation, with stories earlier this year predicting Apple would acquire the Israeli startup in order to improve own data in iOS Maps...

Apple replaces Google with Yandex on Safari in iOS 7 in several countries

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 11, 2013

When Apple’s SVP of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue during yesterday's keynote said that Siri in iOS 7 will integrate Bing web search results, everyone went silent. While Google is still the default search engine in Safari, Apple will pre-install the Yandex search engine in Russia and several other countries, a Russian newspaper reported Tuesday. The development could signal Apple's intention to gradually distance itself from Google search...