iPhone

Stay up-to-date on the latest iPhone news and learn new tips and tricks with our comprehensive tutorials. From software updates to new features, we’ve got you covered.

BitTorrent Sync update brings a major productivity element to peer-to-peer file syncing

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 1, 2018

BitTorrent Sync made its App Store debut back in August 2013, its major appeal being the underlying distributed technology that facilitates secure file syncing between devices but without a roundtrip to the cloud, thus appealing to privacy-minded customers.

The mobile component to BitTorrent’s peer-to-peer file syncing product, BitTorrent Sync for iOS is receiving a major update later today with an important productivity element added to the app: you can now save various types of files created in other apps right into a Sync folder to share with connected devices via a new Share sheet action.

Apple’s smudge-detection patent prevents an iPhone screen from accidentally turning off

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 4, 2015

When you bring up an iPhone to your ear to take or receive a phone call, the handset taps the built-in proximity sensor near the ear piece to detect that you're holding your phone up and then turns off the display to prevent spray input from your face.

But sometimes a smudge from your finger can block the path of light back to the phone's sensors, prompting the device to shut down the display because it thinks you're holding the device near your head.

A new invention Apple was granted a patent for was published Tuesday by the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO), describing a smudge-detection method designed to prevent an iPhone screen from accidentally turning off due to smudges.

iPhone 6c apparently launching next summer

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 4, 2015

So-called 'iPhone 6c,' the true successor to Apple's mid-tier iPhone 5c which sells SIM-free for $450, won't arrive this year as previously rumored.

Instead, the device should drop by the summer of 2016, if a new report by DigiTimes is an indication.

The story backtracks from DigiTimes' previous report which speculated that the iPhone 6c would launch this fall alongside 'iPhone 6s' and 'iPhone 6s Plus' models.

Be that as it may, the iPhone 6c will reportedly be powered by an Apple-designed chip built on the 14/16nm FinFET process technology by Samsung and rival Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the sources said.

Viber for iOS gains link previews, animated stickers, easier video calling, better compression & more

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 4, 2015

Viber, the third most popular messaging platform after Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp (owned by Facebook) today delivered a few new features to its iPhone and iPad application in the App Store.

The new Viber 5.5 for iOS now includes rich link previews in the chat window, has the ability to exchange contact information via messages (in addition to QR codes), introduces animated stickers, permits easier video calling directly from a contact's profile or the recent calls list and more.

Google confirms brand new Street View mobile app arriving early next month

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 4, 2015

Two months ago, Google hinted it was readying a brand new mobile application called Street View. The app was designed to provide easy access to your photo spheres and those from Google and other contributors. Today, the Internet giant sent an email blast confirming that the native Street View for iOS app is coming in early-September.

The search company did not share detailed information about the upcoming software, but we've been able to glean a few tidbits. For starters, the Street View app will replace Google's Photo Sphere Camera mobile app for iOS and Android. More important than that, Street View will be capable of linking to a dedicated spherical camera hardware.

Readdle holds a massive App Store sale in celebration of its 8th birthday

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 4, 2015

Ukrainian developer Readdle is behind some of the best productivity applications for the iPhone and iPad. It's hard to imagine that eight years have passed since Readdle released its first app in the App Store, but it has. To celebrate its eighth anniversary, the company has launched a massive App Store sale, cutting the price of some of its popular apps in half.

The promotion runs for 48 hours so now is your chance to add your favorite Readdle apps to your collection, if you don't have them already. Here's a quick list of apps that are available half price until Thursday, August 6 at 9am Eastern time.

Twitter testing out dedicated News tab in mobile apps

Cody Lee ∙ August 3, 2015

Twitter is experimenting with a new "Featured News" tab in its mobile apps, reports BuzzFeed. The tab surfaces trending news items, which the social network hopes will keep users engaged.

"We're experimenting with a news experience on iOS and Android," a Twitter spokesperson told the publication. "We are continuing to explore new ways to surface the best content to users."

Struggling to return strong profits, Samsung slashes price of Galaxy S6 phones

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 3, 2015

After posting another disappointing quarterly earnings, a fifth straight profit drop, Apple's chief rival Samsung has now slashed the retail price of Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge flagship smartphones by a hundred euro, or about $110, BetaNews learned.

The consumer electronics giant's mobile division suffered a 37.6 percent drop in operating income during the April-June period after badly miscalculating demand for the higher-priced Galaxy S6 Edge, leaving it with unsold inventory of the regular Galaxy S6 devices.

Apple to become a carrier by 2020, report claims

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 3, 2015

You might be able to replace your dreaded carrier with Apple by 2020 as the company is reportedly in talks to launch its own virtual network service in the United States and Europe, Business Insider reports.

A mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO, leases mobile network capacity rather than own spectrum or run expensive wireless network infrastructure.

According to Business Insider's sources in the know, carriers would auction capacity to Apple so it could run the service itself. The Cupertino firm “is privately trialling” an MVNO service in the United States, the story goes, and is negotiating with wireless carriers in Europe about bringing the service to that continent.

Could iPhone 6s lose protruding camera after all?

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 3, 2015

The slightly protruding camera lens on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus that Apple's design tzar Jony Ive likened to “a really very pragmatic optimization” could become a thing of the past after next-generation iPhones arrive next month.

Monday, uSwitch published claimed CAD design renders for upcoming iPhones which were obtained from @OnLeaks. The drawings depict a little thicker next-generation 'iPhone 6s' than the current model, measuring 7.1mm thick versus the current iPhone 6 with a thickness of 6.9mm, without the protruding camera.

However, renderings of an 'iPhone 6s Plus' suggest the phone is 7.8mm thick with the camera protrusion versus the current iPhone 6 Plus that measures 7.1 mm deep. Unless erroneous, the discrepancy might hint that the protruding camera that featured on the iPhone 6 “could be missing from the iPhone 6s but will reappear on the iPhone 6s Plus,” notes the publication.

Again, the 0.5mm camera bulge is present on renderings of the 4.7-inch iPhone 6s, but is nowhere to be found on technical drawings depicting the 5.5-inch iPhone 6s Plus.

SwiftKey previews upcoming ‘Your Signature Emoji’ feature in iPhone app

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 31, 2015

Have you ever wondered which emoji symbols you use the most as your unique writing style? Well, the popular smartphone keyboard, SwiftKey, is previewing a new feature called 'Your Signature Emoji' which was designed to help you find out precisely which emoji characters you use more than other people.

Available as a beta for SwiftKey's iPhone users, and coming soon for everyone, this feature takes advantage of SwiftKey's knowledge base which gets continually updated as you're typing away.

Create colorful keyboards that match your mood in an instant with Photokeys

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 1, 2018

Photokeys by developer Appyfurious was released in the App Store last evening. This quite interesting application makes it easy and fun to create your own colorful keyboards in seconds, from any photo in your library.

Just take or import a picture, adjust color themes as you like and your keyboard is ready for use in any application.

If you're unhappy with the results, refine your custom designs with manual controls to mix and match your own colors and achieve the keyboard nirvana. But wait, there's much more to Photokeys, a 99-cent download from the App Store, than meets the eye.