iOS

Apple to preview in-house Maps at WWDC, ousting Google Maps later this year

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 20, 2017

The usually well-informed Wall Street Journal is throwing its weight behind rumors that Apple with iOS 6 will ditch a Google Maps backend and instead pursue own in-house mapping solution. Sources tell the paper that although Apple could, and probably will, show off the enhanced Maps app at WWDC next Monday, the feature won't launch until later this year.

This should give developers a much-needed head start to incorporate Apple's mapping technology into their apps and take advantage of the reportedly unique features. The story offers other interesting tidbits, including the new calendar-integrated mapping system...

Dang, Instapaper has gone Android

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 4, 2012

In what seems to be the norm lately, another popular iPhone app has expanded to Android, Marco Arment's Instapaper. This awesome and elegant tool to save web pages for reading later can now be used on Android devices natively.

While it lacks the polish and elegance of the iOS version, Instapaper for Android comes with one major advantage...

Microsoft launches SmartGlass wireless media streaming for iOS and Android

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 27, 2017

Electronic Entertainment Expo, the industry's biggest interactive entertainment show, is underway in Los Angeles, California and Microsoft juts announced an interesting software solution for wireless media streaming to the Xbox 360 console from devices powered by Apple's iOS and Google's Android mobile operating system.

Called SmartGlass, the app lets you beam video from your iPhone, iPod touch, iPad or Android device to Xbox Live and Windows 8. Another cool feature: with SmartGlass installed, your mobile device becomes a complementary display in games and apps that support this functionality...

iOS 6 to get Do Not Disturb for notifications, Safari tab syncing, VIP mail recipients

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 4, 2018

iOS 6, the next major release of Apple's mobile operating system slated for unveiling at the WWDC keynote next Monday, will likely bring a few new features already present in the latest build of OS X Mountain Lion.

My personal favorite: The new Do Not Disturb mode in Notification Center that should at least help alleviate that iMessage alert conundrum...

Mockup depicts enhanced Maps on four-inch iPhone 5

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 4, 2012

As you know, iOS 6 will bring an all-new Maps app said to feature Apple's own tiles and brand new in-house solution for breathtaking 3D view.

Though Google is expected to add the third dimension to its own Maps service as early as Wednesday, we've already seen screenshot mockups depicting 3D terrain in iOS 6 Maps.

As for the enhanced two-dimensional view, here's what the new Maps app could look like on that next iPhone that by all accounts seems to feature a taller four-inch display...

iOS 6 to bring Siri to iPad 3, here’s a mockup

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 4, 2012

Much as it has been speculated, Apple is apparently working to enable Siri on iPad by way of iOS 6, according to the inevitable people familiar with the matter. We're talking about full-blown voice assistant, not just the Dictation feature, and it will reportedly work just as you'd expect it to. Here's a mockup based on the description provided by the source...

Google teases “the next dimension” of maps, should Apple be worried?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 20, 2017

Not content with being outclassed by Apple, Google today sent out invitations to select members of the press. The invite graphics teases "the next dimension of Google Maps". The search giant's presser takes place next Wednesday, June 6, at 9:30am, five days ahead of Apple's worldwide developers conference that kicks off with a keynote in San Francisco's Moscone West on June 11.

Looks like both tech titans are keen on taking the maps experience to the next level, which can only be a good thing for us consumers and market watchers. But As Apple debuts its own in-house mapping solution, market dynamics will inevitably change due to Apple's size, brand power and for the simple fact that Cupertino will no longer be paying fees for using Google's tiles in Mac and iOS applications and services.

Of course, it's also the question of pride...

Rumor: App Store, iTunes Store and iBookstore getting facelift and Facebook integration

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 1, 2012

Corroborating iDB's scoop that all Apple's apps which ship with iOS software are about to get a major overhaul in iOS 6, the latest chatter in the rumor mill now has it that Apple at WWDC is launching redesigned front-ends for the App Store, iTunes Store and iBookstore.

As for the new look, you can probably expect the App Store, iTunes Store and iBookstore apps to adopt that sexier silver appearance.

But wait, there's more to this redesign than meets the eye...

iOS-Facebook integration reportedly a reality

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 1, 2012

Following months of rumor mongering and speculation, it would seem that one of the headline new features of iOS 6 indeed is system-wide Facebook integration, TechCrunch has learned from sources. This capability will reportedly work as seamlessly as Twitter integration in iOS 5.

You'll simply provide your Facebook account credentials in Settings and then approve apps to automatically use your account when needed. The report jives with news of apps, not the OS itself, being the focus of iOS 6 that iDB broke today.

As our credible source with deep connections at Apple pointed out, big stuff is expected in stock apps across the board as Apple has apparently re-written them from the ground up to take advantage of new iOS features.

At this point, there's no reason to doubt that Facebook sharing will be rolled out across Apple's apps in iOS 6,, much like Twitter comes enabled in Safari, YouTube, Maps and so forth...

Scoop: big iOS 6 features are in stock apps across the board

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 1, 2012

With just ten days until Apple’s keynote at WWDC in San Francisco, details about iOS 6 and the next iPhone have been trickling out steadily on a daily basis in past weeks.

A credible source has now stepped forward, casting more light on growing expectations concerning the next major update to Apple’s iOS operating system which drives the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

In a nutshell, there’s going to be little, if any, Earth-shattering additions to core OS features. Instead, I was told, headline enhancements are focused on stock apps across the board…

Analyst says iOS 6 brings “notable upgrade” to native Camera and Photos apps

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 1, 2012

Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu writes in today's note to clients that Apple is working on a "notable upgrade" to its stock Camera and Photos apps which come included with the iOS mobile operating system powering iPhones, iPads and iPods.

This isn't terribly surprising given that "notable upgrades" are presumably needed to enable new photo and video sharing functionalities recently mentioned by more credible sources.

I guess Wu's a regular reader of the Wall Street Journal newspaper, which reported last month that iOS 6 will bring the ability to synchronize video clips across devices through iCloud, as well as share sets of photos with other iCloud users and comment on them...