iOS

Tapping iOS 8 Extensions to offload Apple Watch app processing to iPhone is a smart move

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 19, 2014

In conceiving a feasible solution to running third-party apps in the extremely constrained power environment of the Apple Watch, Apple has come up with a rather peculiar yet familiar idea.

Initially, any third-party app processing will be offloaded to an iPhone in your pocket until the Cupertino firm begins accepting fully native Watch apps late next year.

Such an approach leaves only the app's storyboards and user interface resources running directly on the Watch, with everything else happening on an iPhone.

The only exception that proves the rule are Apple's stock apps which get executed on the Watch itself. In addition to acting as a viewport for third-party apps running on na iPhone, the Watch also manages Notifications and Glances and performs other lightweight housekeeping operations that don't tax the battery much.

To accomplish this feat, Apple is leveraging App Extensions in iOS 8 to run third-party Watch apps in a split mode.

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FT: Apple to bundle Beats Music with iOS next year

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 19, 2014

As Apple continues to migrate Beats Music to iTunes servers ahead of a major service overhaul, The Financial Times newspaper is reporting that the iPhone maker is looking to bundle the subscription music service into its iOS mobile operating system “early next year”.

If true, Spotify will have plenty to worry about because Beats Music would become instantly available on hundreds of millions of iPhones and iPads without requiring a download.

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Viber updated with iOS 8 Share extension, Interactive Notifications and other improvements

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 18, 2014

Although it's been losing ground to rival WhatsApp, which recently passed 600 million registered users, Viber very much remains the second-most popular instant messaging and VoIP solution on mobile.

Following WhatsApp's most recent half-baked update which brought out support for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus screen but no iOS 8-specific features, Viber on Monday refreshed its iOS app for headline iOS 8 features.

You now have Interactive Notifications for easy interactions with Viber alerts and a brand new Share extension making it easy to send content from other apps directly to Viber.

Also new in this update: the unavoidable bug fixes, stability fixes and performance improvements, plus some design changes and other nice-to-haves to provide a more intuitive experience.

Viber is available free of charge in the App Store.

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Fleksy keyboard clocks in a new typing speed record

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 30, 2017

Fleksy keyboard, among the first soft-keyboards for iOS 8, broke the Guinness World Record for fastest texting six months ago and now they've done it again.

As announced Tuesday, following September's release of its iOS 8 keyboard Fleksy has now made the iPhone 6 Plus the fastest phone for typing by clocking in a new typing speed record on the device.

Brazilian teenager Marcel Fernandes Filho, who is seventeen years old, used Fleksy’s iOS keyboard to break his previous record of 18.19 seconds with a new time of 17.00 seconds.

Fleksy Keyboard is a 99-cent download from the App Store.

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Chinese authorities shut down WireLurker site, suspects arrested

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Chinese authorities arrested three individuals last Friday that are believed to have developed the "WireLurker" malware, according to a police post on Sina Weibo. The authorities were tipped off by Chinese security company Qihoo 360 technology. Additionally, the post says that authorities have also identified and shut down the website that was hosting and distributing the malware.

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iOS 8.1.1 is out with bug fixes and performance improvements for iPad 2 and iPhone 4s

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 17, 2014

Apple on Monday started rolling out the latest iOS 8.1.1 software update for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices. If you're jailbroken, stay away from this update as it plugs the Pangu8 jailbreak.

iOS 8.1.1 build 12B435 contains a whole bunch of bug fixes and general performance enhancements aimed at improving the mobile operating system's stability. You can apply the update over the air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

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Spotify users can now control the tunes when in an Uber

Jake Smith ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

Spotify has announced in a (now pulled) blog post that users can choose the music they hear when riding in an Uber, making the taxi-like service a bit more personalized. Now when you book a car with the ridesharing service, Spotify will be the soundtrack to your Uber ride and you'll no longer have to sit through the driver's taste in music.

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Apple issues statement on Masque Attack, says it’s not aware of any affected users

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple tonight broke its silence regarding Masque Attack, a recently discovered vulnerability in iOS. In a statement to iMore, the company says it encourages customers to only download apps from trusted sources and that it's not currently aware of any users affected by the exploit.

Research security FireEye announced its discovery of Masque Attack on Monday. The malware installs itself through a phishing link disguised as a new app or game, and then masquerades as a legitimate app. Once installed, it can access login credentials, credit card info and more.

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Big fingers? ThickButtons enlarges keys you’ll most likely tap next

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 2, 2018

Lviv, Ukraine based custom software development company N-iX, founded by Andrew Pavliv, has created a nice keyboard for iPhones, iPads and iPods running iOS 8 through its spin-off firm.

Named ThickButtons, it helps big-fingered users type more efficiently by using patented technology which enlarges and highlights keys you'll most likely press next while shrinking the remaining ones to reduce the chance of making an error.

Such an input method arguably makes typing with one finger more accurate, especially on four-inch iPhones. The software doesn’t require additional training and doesn’t depend on dictionary.

ThickButtons is $1.99 in the App Store.

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Say ‘hello’ to Overglide, a tiny game playable from the Lock screen and Notification Center

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 11, 2014

I should have suffixed the headline with “no jailbreak required” for added punch. Yes, Overglide for the iPhone and iPad indeed is a tiny game that you play within iOS 8's Notification Center and right on the Lock screen, even while your iOS device is locked.

This cave flyer has you piloting a paper plane as far as possible while dodging the obstacles, and it even comes with Game Center leaderboards and achievements.

How's that possible? Read on or grab Overglide for 99 cents in the App Store and see for yourself.

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Twitterrific 5 gains large image previews, another new font, Today view improvements and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 29, 2016

Twitterrific by Iconfactory, a great looking Twitter client for the Mac and iOS, got refreshed Tuesday with a plethora of improvements, enhancements and several new features. Bumped to version 5.8.2, the freemium app now lets you enable large image previews in your timeline.

You can adjust your settings between small and large image previews in the Theme panel. Tip: consider turn this option off when on cellular in order to optimize bandwidth use. The team has added another new font, Zosimo, to appease those that didn't like the built-in Helvetica, Avenir, Proxima Nova, Signika, Museo Slab and Calluna fonts.

Twitterrific is free in the App Store, with In-App Purchases for unlocking additional features.

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