iOS

Was Google’s Gamble on Android Really Worth It?

Cody Lee ∙ November 1, 2011

When the original iPhone launched in 2007, Google and Apple actually had a good relationship. Google was set to be the iPhone's default search engine, and Google was also going to power the handset's Maps application. Everything was wonderful. And then came Android.

The Android operating system was born in Palo Alto, California in 2003. Two years later, the company was acquired by—you guessed it—Google. The deal was worth an estimated $50 million, but the Android OS could end up costing Google much more than that...

Google Reportedly Finishing Up Native Gmail App for iOS

Cody Lee ∙ November 1, 2011

If you're an iPhone owner and also happen to be a Gmail user, you may want to pay attention. Word on the street is that Google is putting the finishing touches on a native Gmail application for the iOS platform.

MG Siegler, an Apple columnist for TechCrunch, made the announcement last night. The tech writer has learned that Google is nearly finished with an iOS-flavored native Gmail app, and it's headed for the App Store...

Apple Purchases Another 3D Mapping Company

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 16, 2017

Aside from small additions like displaying alternate routes and the Show Traffic option, the Maps application received little attention from Apple during the recent iOS update. Some pundits expected the app to at least receive turn-by-turn directions.

But a revamped Maps app might still be in Apple's plans. 9to5Mac is reporting that Apple has just quietly acquired "mind-blowing 3D mapping company" C3 Technologies, and that the Cupertino company is looking to take iOS maps to the next level...

The Difference Between “Shipped” and “Sold”

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

There's a headline bouncing around the tech blogs this morning that goes something like this: "Samsung Overtakes Apple to Become Top Smartphone Manufacturer." The news comes in wake of Samsung's earnings report it issued to investors this morning.

The Korean handset maker didn't offer any specific numbers, but it did tell shareholders its smartphone shipments were up 40% this quarter. Some analysts are estimating that the increase equals 28 million smartphones, which clearly beats Apple's 17 million, right?

Sprint: Android Phones Hog More Data Than the iPhone

Alex Heath ∙ October 28, 2011

Sprint CEO Dan Hesse recently made a few interesting comments about the iPhone on his network. Namely, Hesse noted that Android users put more of a strain on Sprint's network than new iPhone owners.

Android apps are "more chatty" with the network, and iPhone apps do a better job of handling data via W-Fi networks and offloading information. Due to the iPhone's light footprint on Sprint's network, the carrier plans to continue offering an unlimited data plan for the indefinite future.

Patent Shows Apple’s Interest in 3D Gesture Controls

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

Apple has spent the last several years revolutionizing the way we interact with our mobile gadgets. Sure, there were touchscreen devices before the iPhone. But none of them worked as well Apple's handset. And the same can be said about Siri and voice control.

It appears that Apple isn't going to settle for just touch and voice controls. A new patent application has surfaced that reveals that the Cupertino company is experimenting with non-touch gesture controls for its iOS devices. And here's how it would work...

On Android’s Software Fragmentation

Cody Lee ∙ October 27, 2011

We've expressed our opinions on Android software multiple times here on iDB. You can imagine that, as an iPhone blog, we are a little biased towards the iOS platform, but our issues with Android don't come unwarranted.

One of our beefs with Android is that its apps seem to lack the polish that iOS apps have — even in software that is available on both platforms. Why is that? Well, not only do developers have to worry about multiple screen sizes, they also have to worry about multiple versions of Android...

Seas0nPass Updated to Jailbreak Apple TV on iOS 4.4.2

Alex Heath ∙ Updated May 16, 2016

The Seas0nPass jailbreak tool has been updated with support for the Apple TV on iOS 4.4.2. Apple pushed out the minor 4.2.2 update for the Apple TV 2G a few days ago.

Seas0nPass supports a tethered jailbreak for iOS 4.4.2, meaning that you will have to re-jailbreak every time your Apple TV reboots. More details after the break...

What Android Handsets Looked Like Before and After the iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 10, 2018

The ongoing Apple versus Google war can be traced back to Google's entry into the smartphone market. Apple launched its iPhone in the Summer of 2007, and within two years Google answered back by releasing its mobile OS, Android.

This led to a series of events, and eventually an onslaught of litigation between the two companies over "copycatting." The jury is still out on who copied who, but Daring Fireball points to some evidence that seemingly falls in Apple's favor...

Apple Granted Patent for ‘Slide to Unlock’ Gesture

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 3, 2018

When Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone back in 2007, he had a blast showing off the company's first handset. One feature he particularly enjoyed demonstrating was the phone's unlocking mechanism — the now famous Slide to Unlock component.

He loved that users could unlock the phone so easily, and it wasn't something that could be triggered by accident in a pants or coat pocket. He loved it so much, that he didn't want anyone else to have it. So naturally Apple filed a patent application...

‘AppLocker’ Password Protects Your Individual iOS Apps

Oliver Haslam ∙ October 24, 2011

Here's a pretty useful little iOS tweak, especially if you've got kids who like to go tapping icons on your iPhone, with little regard for your saved game progress or super-important work document you've been editing.

Just as AppLocker's name might suggest, this $0.99 tweak adds a new pane to Settings.app, in which a password lock can be added to all your iOS applications, meaning they won't launch unless you know the special word.

That's all fine and dandy, but AppLocker goes one step further than that...

How to Push Links from iOS to Your Desktop

Guest Author ∙ Updated March 5, 2018

How many times have you realized you needed to continue your iPhone browsing session on your laptop or desktop PC? What about when you come across an app for your Mac that you want to download to your PC, not your iPhone?

Sure, there are plenty of options for downloading something to your iPhone or iPad, or even to Dropbox , but there is an unparalleled advantage to seamlessly transferring a link or webpage to your Mac. Whether you want to send a DMG, an installer package, a torrent, or a website that only supports Flash, your options are limited when you try to view them from an iOS app.

Luckily, there are several solutions that have sprung up over the past year. Pushing from a browser to an iPhone has been relatively simple for quite some time, but one-tap solutions to go from iOS to Mac are finally available. Read on for our list of creative services that offer you just that…