iPhone

Stay up-to-date on the latest iPhone news and learn new tips and tricks with our comprehensive tutorials. From software updates to new features, we’ve got you covered.

Rumor: iPhone 6 enters product validation testing ahead of full blown mass production

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

According to a Chinese source, Apple's iPhone 6 has now entered the so-called Product Validation Test phase, indicating that mass production is looming around the corner.

Product Validation Test, or PVT, is typically carried out on first engineering prototypes in order to ensure that the basic unit performs to Apple's exacting design goals and specifications.

Apple along with its favorite contract manufacturer, Taiwan-based Foxconn, is now reportedly producing a very limited run of iPhone 6 units for a final quality control. During this phase, the assembly lines are running at full speed to detect any potential issues that may hinder the assembly process and ensure that quality control standards have been properly implemented ahead of mass production...

Newly updated Facebook for iOS cuts crash rate in half

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 12, 2014

Facebook late today issued a maintenance update to its primary iPhone and iPad client.

Listing only "bug fixes", Facebook 13.1 would have probably slipped by unnoticed if it weren't for a post over at the official Facebook Engineering blog which has detailed significant under-the-hood changes to fix a longstanding bug that caused unexpected crashes.

Long story short, code changes the team's implemented have helped reduce the software's crash rates on the iPhone and iPad by more than fifty percent...

Twitter announces beta test of new ‘Promoted Video’ ads

Cody Lee ∙ August 12, 2014

Twitter has announced today that it is moving forward with its 'Promoted Video' ad project. The site has been testing Twitter Video Cards for several months now, and the results show that Tweets containing native video generate better engagement and more video views than other types of ads.

Thus, the company made it official today, saying that it's going to be performing a public beta test of Promoted Video on Twitter. The goal of the test is to make it easier for brands to upload and distribute video on the social network, and then of course to measure the reach and effectiveness of it all...

Apple now promoting Beats Music to new iOS device owners

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Back in September of last year, Apple started giving away its own iPhone and iPad apps to new iOS device owners.

To refresh your memory, the previously paid software such as Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iMovie and iPhoto — along with Apple's free apps like Remote, iBooks, GarageBand, Podcasts, Find My iPhone, Find My Friends and iTunes U — appears as an offer when the App Store is opened for the first time on a newly-purchased iPhone, iPod touch or iPad.

You can now put Beats Music on this list as Apple has started to actively promote the on-demand streaming music service to iOS device owners...

T-Mobile’s new prepaid plan gives you minutes and text messages at $0.10 each

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 4, 2016

The nation's fourth-largest wireless operator and the sole 'Uncarrier' in the country on Tuesday announced a brand new Pay As You Go prepaid plan which couldn't be simpler: for a $3 per month minimum charge, it gives you minutes and text messages at $0.10 each.

And if you only occasionally use cellular data on the go, the company now gives you an option to subscribe to 500MB of 4G LTE data per day for a flat fee of $5. Should you need more data, there's also a $10 week-long 1GB pass available so now Pay as You Go customers can finally access T-Mobile's speedy LTE network, too...

BBM updated with revamped UI for adding contacts

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 12, 2014

Today, BlackBerry pushed an update to its BBM for iPhone application (also known as BlackBerry Messenger) featuring an all-new contact-adding experience.

In addition to the obligatory bug fixes and performance improvements, BBM version 2.3.0.12 makes it easier to add new contacts by PIN, email, SMS and barcode.

Among other new features, the revamped software also permits you to search for BBM users, as well as review and accept invites from other people using the cross-platform messaging service...

New iPhone 6 rear shell photos show protruding camera lens and round True Tone LED flash

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Although everyone's favorite parts leaker, Australia-born Sonny Dickson, has remained mostly mum in terms of iPhone 6 component leaks this year, Tuesday morning he took to Twitter to share high-resolution photos of an alleged iPhone 6 rear shell which seem to match up nicely with the leaks we recently saw.

In addition to the antenna breaks at the top and the bottom replacing the glass cutouts seen on the iPhone 5/5s, the images appear to depict an iPod touch-style protruding lens for the device. Also clearly visible on the photos: a circular dual-LED flash module that Apple calls 'True Tone' flash...

Real Racing 3 ‘Speedrush TV’ update now available

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 12, 2014

After adding Le Mans prototype and 'open wheel' vehicles, in addition to such perks as iOS 7 controller support, car customization, the Aston Martin lineup and more, Australian developer FireMonkeys and super publisher Electronic Arts today issued another update to their free-to-play Real Racing 3 racer for iOS.

Now available in the App Store, the new 'Speedrush TV' update challenges you to land a job driving dangerously for a TV commercial. Also included in this update: the Audi R8 V10 Spyder and Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, racing agent Natalia who provides guidance on your career and brand new vinyls allowing you to display your national pride...

California smartphone ‘kill switch’ bill passes state legislature

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 26, 2023

Earlier this year, California Senator Mark Leno introduced a new bill that would require cellphone makers to install 'kill switches' in all of their handsets, rendering them inoperable when stolen. The move comes as smartphone thefts continue to rise in major US cities.

Unsurprisingly, Leno's bill won Senate approval by a vote of 27-8 today, meaning that it's just one step away from becoming law in the state of California. All it needs now is Governor Jerry Brown's signature, and device manufacturers will have essentially a year to comply...

Paper 1.2.1 is out with sharper design and faster performance

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2018

After shipping Paper 1.2 back in June with a slew of new features like mentions, hashtags, profile editing, better photo viewer and lots more, the social networking behemoth, Facebook, today started rolling out another update to Paper for iPhone.

Now available in the App Store free of charge, the new Paper 1.2.1 features several design changes and an all-round faster performance...

Microsoft likely unveiling new Lumia devices at September 4 IFA event

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 11, 2014

Apple's chief rival Samsung has already blocked out a Galaxy Note 4 related slot at the upcoming IFA trade show for consumer electronics in Berlin, Germany and now software giant Microsoft has sent out invites for an IFA event of its own.

It's scheduled for Thursday, September 4, and we're expecting some nice new Lumias with major upgrades in the camera department — and maybe even a rumored Lumia 'selfie' phone. Photography and camera performance have always been the hallmarks of Nokia's design.

High-end Lumias such as the 41-megapixel Lumia 1020 are widely recognized and regarded as the best smartphones for mobile photography. But mobile photography is just as important to Apple so it'll be interesting seeing what new hardware and software features are Microsoft and Nokia have in tow...

iPhone 6 has round True Tone flash, leaked part indicates

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 11, 2014

Virtually every major leak pertaining to Apple's upcoming iPhone 6 has depicted a round flash hole on the back rather than the pill-shaped opening seen on the iPhone 5s.

In turn, several watchers have speculated that Apple may have abandoned True Tone flash altogether and switched back to the inferior single LED flash design.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

True Tone flash is part of the iPhone 5s's improved camera performance. Can anyone in their right mind say that Apple engineers would be willing to forgo dual-LED flash design and therefore sacrifice better highlights and more natural-looking skin tones?

I consistently argued Apple must have instead found a way to engineer a round dual-LED flash. Indeed. Lo and behold, among a plethora of purported part leaks published earlier this morning by a French blog is a component featuring both white and amber LED lights packaged together in a round-shaped part...