iOS 7

Beat Jony Ive at his own game using this interactive iOS 7 design tool

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 22, 2013

After June's iOS 7 announcement us bloggers have gotten to become premium design experts. So much ink has been spilt on the new look of Apple's mobile operating system, with observations of armchair analyst, resident critics, the quotidian and alike touching on such topics as Apple's golden ratio, the icons, the flatness, the colors and just about every aspect of the software overhaul one could think of.

And that's perfectly okay. And now, those who insist they could do a better job at revamping iOS 7 can take a crack at it. An amusing tool by Usvsth3m lets you create your own iOS 7 design masterpiece by customizing the iOS 7 icons, wallpapers, fonts (good-bye Helvetica Neue, no?), color scheme, corners, shadows - and even put in their own slogan. Will you give it a go and let your inner designer shine through?

Would you pay again for iOS 7 versions of apps you already own?

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

In a few months, Apple will release the largest update to its mobile operating system since the original iPhone debuted in 2007: iOS 7. The software has been virtually rebuilt from the ground-up, with new features and an all-new user interface.

Because this new version of iOS is so different than its predecessor, developers will have to spend a serious amount of time bringing their app code and UI elements up to speed. The question is, should they charge users for these major updates?

Security experts contracted to attempt to bypass iOS 7’s Activation Lock feature

Cody Lee ∙ July 18, 2013

Earlier this year, San Francisco's district attorney George Gascón met with Apple's government rep Michael Foulkes to discuss the rising number of iPhone thefts. He felt like the company could be doing more, on a technological level, to thwart these would-be thieves.

Apple responded in a major way. In June, the company introduced a new feature in iOS 7 called Activation Lock, which can prevent thieves from activating a stolen handset without the proper credentials. But while Gascón says he appreciates the effort, he's not convinced...

iOS 7 smooths out iPhone apps on non-Retina iPads

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 9, 2013

With each passing day we learn more about the subtleties and under-the-hood tweaks that have made their way into the third beta of iOS 7. Today, I want to talk about the iPad's 2x compatibility mode. Hasn't it always bothered you how iPhone apps run pixel-doubled on your iPad mini and other non-Retina iPad devices, resulting in jagged corners and edges and just all-around pixelated appearance?

You can tick that issue off as iOS 7 Beta 3 added a new feature that makes every iPhone app look very clear running on an iPad 2 or iPad mini, in a manner reminiscent of a tweak for jailbroken devices by Ryan Petrich, called RetinaPad...

Hidden code suggests the iPhone 5S could record video at 120FPS

Cody Lee ∙ July 9, 2013

We don't know much about the next-generation iPhone, which is Apple is expected to introduce later this year. It's believed to be an 'S' model, with a faster processor and other upgraded internals. Outside of that, however, we literally know nothing about the handset.

But if past 'S' iPhone releases are any indication, the iPhone 5S will surely offer at least one 'stand-out' feature. The 3GS had video recording, for example, and the 4S added Siri. So what will the 5S' killer feature be? A new report says it could be slow-motion video...

Apple researching safe vehicle telematics with touchscreen and tactile features

Ed Sutherland ∙ July 9, 2013

Apple hopes a new patent granted today will make driving safer in cars equipped with a growing array of screens and devices.

The patent combines the touch screen technology found in iPhones and iPads with haptic feedback, allowing drivers to adjust dashboard controls while keeping their eyes on the road.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office approved Apple's technology, entitled "Programmable tactile touch screen displays and man-machine interfaces for improved vehicle instrumentation and telematics." The technology builds on an earlier patent granted to a Canadian inventor on human interaction with computers...

More proof that Apple’s premium iWork/iLife iOS suite could go free

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 9, 2013

Apple for years offered iPhoto, iMovie and GarageBand iOS apps as a $4.99 download each.

On the Mac, those apps which comprise the iLife suite come bundled with new Mac purchases and Apple's been very actively advertising them as one of the reasons people switch to the Mac.

As for the iWork productivity suite - comprised of the Pages word processor, Numbers spreadsheet maker and Keynote presentation creator - users are expected to pay $19.99 each on the Mac side and $9.99 each on the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

Some watchers think the advent of the free iWork for iCloud web apps with full editing capabilities (currently in beta) may signal Apple's intention to make the entire iWork suite a free affair, giving people one less reason to consider rival platforms. Today, a German blog has discovered an interesting change in the first-run App Store screen in the latest iOS 7 Beta 3 that surprisingly adds individual iWork/iLife apps as free downloads...

New ‘iOS in the Car’ feature to work over WiFi via AirPlay

Cody Lee ∙ July 8, 2013

Among the many new features Apple introduced in iOS 7 is an interesting one called 'iOS in the Car.' It enables you to mirror your iPhone on your in-car display, allowing you to access Maps, Messages and other apps without having to take your eyes off the wheel.

Outside of that, and a list of the handful of auto-makers that have pledged to support it, not much has been said about the feature. A new report is out this afternoon, though, that offers up some new details on the whole thing. And apparently it's going to work over Wi-Fi...

Apple seeds iOS 7 beta 3 to developers: this is what’s new

Cody Lee ∙ July 8, 2013

As predicted by a report late last month, Apple has seeded iOS 7 beta 3 to developers this morning. The update comes two weeks after Apple posted the second beta to its next-generation mobile operating system, and nearly a month after it released the initial version following its WWDC keynote.

The third beta is available for compatible iPhones, iPads and iPod touch models, and can be downloaded by visiting the Software Update section in the Settings app of devices that currently have iOS 7 installed. It should be available in the dev portal shortly. You'll find more details after the fold...

Apple caught testing offline Dictation for iOS 7

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 6, 2013

Among the headline new Mac features set to debut when OS X Mavericks gets released this Fall is a little but important enhancement to Dictation.

Hawk-eyed readers will recall that Dictation was brought to the Mac as part of OS X Mountain Lion last summer. Based on Siri's speech-to-text component, Dictation on the Mac requires a broadband Internet connection.

In Mavericks, Apple will let you optionally download a nearly 1GB package to power offline Dictation.

But Apple's engineers aren't stopping here and are reportedly privately testing offline Dictation for iOS 7. More details right after the break...

iOS 7 hints at growing interest in Apple pre-release software

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated February 9, 2016

Whenever Apple releases new software, consumers rush to give it a try. Now the average Apple user wants in on pre-release software once the domain only of developers and others paid to ensure everything is in order.

There has been such interest in the changes made to iOS 7 that this so-called 'beta' software is being adopted at a faster pace than test versions of iOS 6, one company noted Tuesday.

More than twice as many iPhones are online with the beta version of iOS 7 than was the case when the pre-release version of iOS 6 was made available to developers, according to a company which optimizes websites for mobile users.

Why the heightened interest in software declared not ready for mass use? How is Apple responding to this trend?

Apple enforcing iOS 7 beta gag-order on retail employees

Ed Sutherland ∙ July 1, 2013

As we told you last week, Apple is now seeking feedback on iOS 7 and OS X Mavericks from its retail employees. The program apparently has gotten off to a great start, but now the firm seems to be tightening access to iOS 7 betas and warning store employees they could get fired if a customer is shown the updated mobile operating system before its official unveiling this Fall.

Employees at Apple's retail locations using the beta are being contacted by Human Resources to ensure the test version was obtained through the iPhone maker's official developer's program, not from a third-party, according to a Monday report...