iPod Touch

Apple Maps and Passbook could push 2012 App Store revenue to $4.9 billion

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 20, 2012

An interesting unintended consequence of a downgrade that is Apple Maps in iOS 6: people will grow to rely on transit apps and other third-party software to help get back some of the Google Maps functionality (until Google releases a widely rumored standalone iOS Google Maps app).

And with Passbook debuting in iOS 6, we should increasingly download and use shopping programs (like the Target app) that produce Passbook-compatible coupons, invoices, loyalty points, tickets and other digital items.

As a result of the new Passbook functionality and lacking Maps experience in iOS 6, cumulative App Store revenue for the calendar year 2012 could top nearly five billion dollars, a research firm has forecast...

Apple researching face unlock for iOS devices

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 20, 2012

Google with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich introduced a new way to unlock a device using facial recognition technology. It doesn't always work as intended (especially in low-light situations), is taxing on resources and can be hacked. Still, face unlock is one of the "wow" capabilities Android phone owners like to brag about.

Samsung took facial recognition to the next level with the Galaxy SIII smartphone. The device tracks eye movement, preventing the screen from going dark when you’re looking at it. According to a patent filing published Thursday by the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO), Apple is researching automatic facial analysis to automate locking and unlocking of future iPhones, iPads and iPods...

Apple updates iLife, iWork and other iOS utils

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 13, 2018

With today's release of iOS 6 and OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.2, Apple has updated its Podcasts app with support for iCloud subscription syncing. Just a few minutes later, updates to Apple's other apps went live in iTunes, including iLife and iWork apps and utils like Find My Friends, Remote, AirPort Utility and more. With so many third-party apps being updated for iOS 6 support as we speak, you may want to prioritize your downloads. Here's what's new in Apple's own updated apps for your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad...

Skitch gets cleaner UI, new features, now supports the iPhone natively

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated July 24, 2016

Today's update bonanza has seen mainstream iOS apps improved with support for the iPhone 5 and its taller display. By the way, Apple really pushed those updates at a rapid pace, didn't it?

Among them is Skitch, a Mac and iPad annotation and image editing software, which got refreshed today with a revamped interface and a slew of new features, such as pixelate and highlighter tools, social sharing options and more .

The new Skitch version 2.0, now a universal binary, finally supports the iPhone and we've got you covered with a quick overview and promotional video...

Net neutrality complaint over AT&T FaceTime blocking looms

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 18, 2012

AT&T's initial decision to charge for FaceTime video calls made over its cellular network and the subsequently tweaked rules mandating that FaceTime over cellular users sign up for AT&T's Mobile Share plans both provoked a public outrage which almost snowballed into a PR catastrophe.

Deciding someone should take the nation's biggest carrier to task for taking advantage of its unsuspecting customers, advocacy group Public Knowledge (PG) figured that AT&T's policy violates net neutrality rules by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The group is mulling an investigation into AT&T's practices as Public Knowledge, Free Press and the New America Foundation’s Open Technology Institute all plan to file a complaint with the FCC for AT&T's violation of network neutrality rules...

ITC to investigate Google’s complaint against Apple

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 18, 2012

Even though Motorola Mobility filed a complaint against Apple on August 17, the handset maker is now a Google-owned entity so this really reads as the Google v. Apple complaint. Unsurprisingly, the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today announced that it will be instituting a formal investigation of this complaint.

Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the ITC will set a target date for completing the investigation and a panel of six administrative law judges will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing pertaining to Motorola's (excuse me, Google's) complaint...

Netflix app gets a facelift, new features

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

If you get your entertainment via Netflix, you will love an updated version of the company's streaming app for iPhones, iPods and iPads that was just released for a "more immersive experience". What that means is a crisper, less packed interface which combines your previously watched content, recommendations and latest titles into a single view, with search available throughout the program. Here's your video...

Twitter for iPad gets Facebook-style header photos, in-line content, revamped UI

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 18, 2012

Twitter today finally pushed out an update to its aging iPad app, sporting a major user interface overhaul focused around the newly redesigned profile pages with Facebook-style cover photo, expandable tweets with in-line photos, videos and web pages, full-screen mode and more. Gone are the sliding panels and photo streams are now displayed right below most recent tweets in both mobile apps and on the web. More tidbits right below...

Check out first Bad Piggies gameplay footage

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Angry Birds spinoff called Bad Piggies is slated to arrive on September 27 for iOS, Android and the Mac, but Rovio still wouldn't reveal gameplay video. Luckily, an exclusive hands-on by Yahoo! Games shows us the game's mechanics which takes cues from Amazing Alex, another physics-based game from Rovio.

This means Bad Piggies tasks you with building all sorts of funny vehicles and flying aircraft so that the pigs can steal more eggs. Contrast this to smashing things up in the Angry Birds series. That being said, the safest way to think about Bad Piggies is as the sibling of Angry Birds rather than its sequel. Check out exclusive gameplay footage right below...

Inexpensive third-party Lightning adapters surface on Amazon and eBay

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

It is no secret that Apple enjoys quite a nice profit margin on its own accessories, cables and adapters for iOS devices. The new 80 percent smaller Lightning interface found on the iPhone 5, fifth-gen iPod touch and seventh-gen iPod nano is no exception.

If you have a bunch of legacy accessories sitting around, chances are you will need Apple's Lightning to 30-pin adapter, available in $29 direct-plug and $39 cable flavors. But if you're shopping on a tight budget or Apple's decision not to include a free adapter with the iPhone 5 has been ticking you off, do check out some nice unofficial, much cheaper alternatives that have cropped up on Amazon...

Google buys Snapseed developer Nik Software

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Google is always on an acquisition spree but if their recent deals are anything to go by, it's hard to escape the notion that the search Goliath is specifically going after very successful iOS developers.

It snapped up mobile productivity maker Quickoffice earlier in the summer and in July bought the Sparrow team and merged it with the Gmail team while saying 'no' to new features for the popular iOS and Mac email client of the same name, much to the horror of die hard fans.

If you use Snapseed, a popular photography and image editing app for the Mac and iPhone/iPad, you probably won't like this: Google just bought them for an undisclosed sum...

Could the new iPod touch be the latest threat to point-and-shoot cameras?

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

First the iPhone turned the concept of mobile phones on its head, offering consumers apps as well as a dialtone. Soon, handsets became the go-to devices for taking snapshots. Now the iPod touch -- a master at upending the market for music -- is set to become your favorite point-and-shoot camera.

The new iPod Touch gains a 5-megapixel camera that also includes high-def images and Panoramic views. Now experts say the Touch has all the makings of a rival of the grab-and-go digital point-and-shoot camera. "I think this new Touch will appeal to many people both young and old, who are looking for a point and shoot camera that does more than just take photos," writes Glyn Evans at the iPhoneography blog.