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.

WhatsApp adds unlimited voice messaging

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 7, 2013

WhatsApp is arguably the most popular cross-platform mobile messaging solution out there and while it currently lacks a desktop client (unlike its rival Viber), it's just become a whole lot more useful by introducing a significant new feature: voice memos, a pet project of its CEO over the past six months.

Unlike Facebook's Messenger iOS app that requires three taps to make a voice recording, it only takes a single tap to record and send a voice memo in WhatsApp. And no, it's not a staggered release: the new WhatsApp with push-to-record voice messaging is available now simultaneously on iOS, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry and Nokia...

Apple files for patent on fused glass enclosures for use on TV sets and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

Apple filed for an interesting new patent last week on methods for fusing glass pieces together to create various types of glass enclosures. The filing was published by the European Patent Office yesterday, which credits Jony Ive as one of its inventors.

More specifically, the patent application illustrates how the double-sided glass construction design of the iPhone 4/4S could be extended to the iPod, iPad, and various displays. Apple even points to a TV set being encased in glass using its fused process...

Apple seeds iOS 7 beta 5 to developers: this is what’s new

Cody Lee ∙ August 6, 2013

Apple has seeded iOS 7 beta 5 to developers this morning. The update comes just one week after the release of beta 4, as it appears that the company is trying to get back on track after the lengthy Developer Center outage.

Beta 5 is available now to all registered Apple developers via the Dev Center and OTA, which can be installed by visiting the Software Update section in the Settings app of proper devices that currently have iOS 7 installed...

Scosche introduces new ‘BoltBox’ charging cables for Lightning devices

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Folks looking to pick up a new Lightning charging cable might want to check out Scosche's latest iOS accessory. The California-based company introduced the 'boltBOX' today, a new colorful USB charging cable for all of your Lightning devices.

What makes the boltBOX better than your average Apple USB Lightning cable? Well, aside from the fact that it comes in a variety of different colors, it features an innovative retractable design that neatly stores its 3-foot cable when not in use...

Facebook Messenger for iPhone updated with Instagram support and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

Facebook updated its popular Messenger app for iPhone this afternoon, for the first time since May. The update brings the app to version 2.6, and brings about a handful of useful improvements and bug fixes.

Among the improvements is deeper integration with Instagram. Users can now pick photos from their Instagram albums, as well as any other album, on their iPhone and attache them in a Facebook message...

Twitter app updated with two-step verification, enhanced photo search and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

Folks using the official Twitter client on iOS will be happy to hear that it has received a significant update this morning, bringing the app to version 5.9. The update includes a handful of improvements, including 2 step authentication and enhanced photo searching.

Twitter first introduced two-step authentication back in May, following a number of widely widely publicized hacks involving celebrity and other high profile accounts. With today's update, Twitter is bringing the new security feature to iOS and Android devices...

Apple loses ground in low-cost markets of India and China

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 6, 2013

We've often written about calls for Apple to produce a low-cost iPhone suitable for emerging markets, such as China and India. Now comes even more evidence for such a move as China and India are among the world's top three smartphone markets and are estimated to become the leading markets for smartphones by 2018.

Even more worrisome is Apple's declining share of those markets. In China, Apple's most important market, the iPhone fell from fifth place to seventh as local smartphone makers Huawei and Xiaomi grab more share. Meanwhile, in India, rival Samsung has more than a third of the smartphone market, which Apple has heavily invested in terms of marketing resources and newly-designed payment options...

Philips to expand its Hue line with LightStrips and Bloom bulbs

Cody Lee ∙ August 6, 2013

We're huge fans of Philips' line of Hue lightbulbs here at iDB. The iPhone-controlled LED bulbs are completely customizable, allowing you to dynamically change the colors and lighting of a room via the easy-to-use companion app.

Currently, Hue offerings are limited to the $199 starter pack—which includes 3 LED bulbs and a Wi-Fi bridge—and additional 50W LED bulbs. But it looks like Philips is looking to expand the line with LightStrips and Bloom bulbs...

Apple posts new ‘FaceTime Every Day’ ad

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Apple has posted a new TV spot to its YouTube channel and website tonight called 'FaceTime Every Day.' It's the third in a series of advertisements, and like the others—Music Every Day and Photos Every Day—it focuses on a single feature.

More specifically, the ad focuses on Apple's FaceTime video calling feature. And inline with the previous commercials in the series, it shows how a variety of different people from around the globe use the feature in their every day lives. Watch...

Hot Watch: an iOS-compatible smartwatch with some innovative features

Cody Lee ∙ August 5, 2013

If you're still searching for proof that there's a market for smartwatches, look no further than Kickstarter. We've seen a number of projects surface on the crowdsourced funding site—most of which went on to be successful—and today we have another one for you.

Meet the HOT Watch, by Dallas-based think tank PHTL. Now, don't let the cheesy name fool you, this watch is packing a ton of features. It has all of the standard smartwatch stuff, like push notifications, as well as innovative stuff like 'Hands on Talk' technology...

Biometric expert breaks down how an iPhone fingerprint sensor could work

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

After months of rumors and speculation, evidence popped up last month seemingly confirming that future iOS devices will have built-in fingerprint sensors. Code was found hidden in iOS 7 that refers directly to the feature, suggesting we could see it as soon as this year.

The idea, though, of Apple putting fingerprint sensors in its mobile devices spawns a number of questions like: what will it be used for, how will it work, and how durable will it be? Luckily, biometric authentication expert Geppy Parziale has decided to impart some of his wisdom...