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.

Google Maps for iOS revamped with Android’s Material Design UI

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 5, 2014

Keen on deploying Android Lollipop’s Material Design across its mobile apps on all platforms, Google on Wednesday announced a new version of Google Maps for the iPhone and iPad featuring engaging animations, shadows and depth.

The fresh new design is all about creating surfaces and shadows that echo the real world, the search firm said.

With Google Maps’ new material feel, layers and buttons “come to life so you know just where to touch to get directions, recommendations and imagery”. The update will be rolling out over the next few days.

Google Maps is available free in the App Store.

Poll: are you using your iPad less often because of iPhone 6?

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 5, 2014

I myself am a heavy tablet user who's picking up his iPad at least a dozen times a day. I especially find the tablet indispensable for catching up on morning news and before nap time, when I would typically consume interesting stories I was saving for later throughout the day.

A month into my new iPhone 6 Plus and already I've found myself using my iPad Air less often.

And if a sketchy report from Taiwan’s Economic Daily News is to be trusted, Apple itself is mulling winding down iPad mini development and devote resources to developing a 12.2 or 12.9-inch iPad model.

While mini tablets may not be dead yet, there's no question that today's smartphone consumer is gravitating toward smartphone-tablet hybrids (phablets) like the iPhone 6 Plus. Which brings me to our question of the day: have you noticed using your iPad less often due to the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus?

How to enable full 60 FPS video recording on iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 5, 2014

With the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Apple's brought out support for shooting full HD video in a smooth sixty frames per second (FPS), as opposed to prior models which limit 1080p video capture to a suitable thirty frames per second.

High frame rates make motion-intense videos even more awesome. For example, video shooting at 60 FPS gets rid of the stutter when panning the camera or capturing fast-moving objects.

And with YouTube now accepting 60 FPS uploads, you can share your silky smooth footage with the web at large. While both new iPhones default to capturing video in the traditional 30 FPS, all it takes to enable the new frame rate is flipping a switch in the Settings app, here's how.

Apple overtakes Samsung as China’s top mobile brand in awareness and loyalty

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 5, 2014

Zooming past its biggest rival Samsung, Apple has officially emerged as China's #1 mobile brand in both awareness and loyalty, according to the latest consumer survey conducted by the China Brand Research Center’s.

The research firm's 2014 China Brand Power Index polled a whopping 13,500 Chinese across 30 cities, aged 15 to 60, from August 2013 to January 2014.

According to CNET, Samsung's focus on market share rather than customer satisfaction and loyalty has contributed to its fall from the top spot it had previously held in China since 2012.

YouTube now accepts silky smooth 60FPS footage captured on your iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Announced four months ago at the VidCon conference, the Internet giant Google a few days ago began rolling out support for playback of YouTube videos recorded in 48 and 60 frames per second (FPS).

This is great news for both video creators and Apple fans, who can now upload their silky smooth 60FPS footage captured on their iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus to YouTube.

For those who have been sleeping under the rock, the new iPhones are capable of capturing full HD (1,920-by-1,080 pixels) footage at either 30 or 60 frames per second, depending on your preference set in Settings > Photos & Camera.

And with YouTube officially accepting 60FPS uploads, your high frame rate footage gets a treatment it deserves.

If you haven't shot any 60FPS video on your iPhone 6 yet, do it now — I guarantee you'll be amazed how smooth it plays back without any stutter, no matter how fast you pan the camera.

Google News & Weather gets iOS 8 Today widget

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

Nearly a month following its App Store debut, the search giant's News & Weather application for the iPhone and iPad has received a Today widget for iOS 8's Notification Center, along with a handful of bug fixes.

Bumped from version 1.0.232 to 1.1.276, the software now provides an at-a-glance overview of the top three headlines within the Notification Center, but no interactivity.

Google News & Weather is free in the App Store.

Real Racing 3 updated with new Maserati vehicles, new events and more

Cody Lee ∙ November 4, 2014

Two months after its 'Classic Lamborghini' update, the folks at EA have posted another new version of its popular Real Racing 3 game today that brings about new vehicles from both Maserati and Ferrari, new bonus events, and much more.

The new vehicles include the Maserati Trident, the GranTurismo MC Stradale, and its limited edition race-spec counterpart. The update also features the LaFerrari—Ferrari's first production car equipped with the F1-derived hybrid engine.

AT&T’s new Next 24 plan lets you pay off your iPhone in 30 months

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 4, 2014

Joining the existing Next 12 and Next 18 plans, U.S. wireless carrier AT&T at Tuesday's AT&T Consumer Industry Analyst Conference took the wraps off its new Next 24 plan which allows customers to take 30 months to pay for their iPhone (or other smartphone) in monthly installments beginning November 9.

Just like the Next 12 and Next 18 plans which allow subscribers to pay off their device in 20 and 24 months, respectively, the Next 24 plan upgrades you to a new device after 30 months have passed and you've brought in your current smartphone in good condition.

As a bonus, the carrier also announced a $150 bill credit for switchers who activate a new line of service with a smartphone on AT&T Next.

Pinterest 4.0 is out with sleek new iPhone interface

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Pinterest has updated its iOS client this morning, bringing the app to version 4.0. The update doesn't feature a lot of changes, but it does include some speed improvements and bring about a sleek new interface for the iPhone.

The Pinterest team says it "de-cluttered and simplified" navigation within the app, so it’s faster to find your way around, and created more space for Pin images and descriptions, making it easier to sift through and digest content.

Apple seeds first iOS 8.1.1 beta to developers

Cody Lee ∙ November 3, 2014

Apple has seeded the first beta of iOS 8.1.1 this evening, with build number 12B432. The release comes just a few hours after Apple pushed out the first beta of OS X Yosemite 10.10.1, and roughly two weeks after it officially launched iOS 8.1 to the public.

Folks who are jailbroken may want to hold off from updating, until it's clear that this won't hamper the Pangu Untether in anyway. Otherwise, feel free to check it out, although you'll likely disappointed—we're not expecting much more than bug fixes here.

Native Google Calendar app with Material Design coming to iPhone soon

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 3, 2014

Fantastical, Sunrise, Readdle, Tempo... You can safely add Google to your list of stock calendar replacements on iOS as the search giant confirmed today bringing the native Google Calendar experience to the iPhone and iPad soon, though without providing a timeframe for availability.

Google currently does not have a Calendar app in the App Store, but that's going to change soon as it's now started rolling out a brand new Calendar experience to first Android 5.0 Lollipop devices.

“Yes, we’re also working on a version for iPhone,” the Gmail team said in a blog post Monday announcing the new Google Calendar for Android 5.0 with Material Design.

Your iPhone becomes virtual room key in select Starwood hotels beginning Wednesday

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 17, 2019

Following an extensive pilot program of a new SPG Keyless service at select Manhattan and Silicon Valley locations since January 2014, Starwood Hotels & Resorts has now begun rolling out virtual room keys that do away with key cards altogether to let guests enter their rooms using smartphones.

Beginning this Wednesday, ten Starwood properties around the world under the Starwood's Aloft, Element and W brands will allow guests to walk past the check-in desk and enter their rooms by using an iPhone as a room key.

This includes hotels in Beijing, Hong Kong, New York, Los Angeles and Doha, the company said in a media release Monday. The service is set to become available on 30,000 doors in 150 hotels around the globe by early 2015.