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Unlocking a cell phone in the US to become “illegal” this weekend

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

If you're interested in taking matters into your own hands when it comes to unlocking you iPhone, then you may want to act fast, or else potentially be at risk of being labeled a law breaker. According to a report by Tech News Daily: On Saturday, January 26th, a DMCA exemption expires that made unlocking a phone on your own terms fully legal.

In all actuality, the exemption was nullified back on October 26 (read the final ruling here), but due to a 90 day grace period of sorts, the final expiration date takes place this weekend. Obviously, unlocking is a big subject here at iDownloadBlog, so we're interested to hear your thoughts on the matter. Bear in mind that it's not all gloom and doom, though...

Google had 5 of 6 top mobile apps in 2012

Ed Sutherland ∙ January 24, 2013

Although Apple did not make it into the top six mobile apps in 2012, Apple Maps prevented Android-maker Google from capturing all six positions, according to Internet research firm comScore. As it is, the Mountain View, California search firm captured five of the six slots, it's Google Maps mobile app falling to No. 2 after briefly being dropped by Apple.

Social media giant Facebook claimed the number one spot in a list of top apps for 2012, pushing Google Maps into second place, Internet researchers announced Thursday. CEO Mark Zuckerberg might consider sending Apple a thank-you note, as the iOS Maps debacle is now seen as the reason for Facebook overcoming its rival...

Twitter launches Vine, a 6-second video sharing iPhone app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

The popular micro-blogging service, Twitter, Thursday launched a brand new iPhone and iPod touch app called Vine. Twitter also officially confirmed it has acquired the startup behind Vine. Little wonder that it's hailing the new software as "the best way to see and share life in motion".

In a nutshell, the app lets you capture and share 6-second looping videos in a simple manner and share them with your friends and family. It supports the iPhone 3GS and higher and iOS 5 or later, is optimized for the iPhone 5 and can be downloaded from the App Store right now, free of charge. Go past the fold for more info...

Our future connected homes

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

At CES, many new companies sprouted in the Connected Home category, the goal of which is to enable ordinary consumers to install connected devices without the hassle of professional appointments and labor charges. I see it as the home upgrade for dummies, a concept I can stand behind. Below, I take a quick glance at several connected home items from CES, all of which are easily installable and operate via iOS...

Apple expanding LTE support to 36 new carriers next week

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

During Apple's quarterly earnings call yesterday, Tim Cook announced that Apple would be adding 36 additional carriers to the list of compatible LTE providers for its iPhones and iPads next week.

The good news is, Cook says these carriers will be in countries that are not currently supporting LTE. So for those of you who have a 4G iPhone or iPad and don't currently get LTE, be on the lookout...

Catch big airs with the ESPN X Games app

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

What is the best part of winter? Winter X games! I am a huge X games fan, particularly the Winter X competition, and the best way to keep up with the details is the free iPhone and iPad apps. In true ESPN fashion, the app just updated last week and the games start tomorrow. So, consider this your public service announcement...

New concept spices up Lockscreen with widgets and new unlock action

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 27, 2017

Users have been voicing their disdain for Apple's decision to stay the course with iOS for years. The operating system, albeit the addition of the App Store and a few new features, has remained largely unchanged since its introduction.

That disdain has sparked a number of iOS-related concepts, and we've just come across a new mockup. In an effort to change things up a bit, it adds widgets, toggles and a new unlocking mechanism to your iPhone's Lockscreen...

Apple Q1 2013 earnings report: 47.8M iPhones, 22.9M iPads, $54.5B revenue

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Here it is folks. After all of the rumors of slipping iPhone and iPad demand, which sent the company's stock tumbling, and the many 'doomed' headlines, Apple's Q1 2013 quarterly earnings report is finally here. So how'd they do?

Given the significance of these numbers, we'll just get right down to it. During the holiday quarter, Apple sold 47.8 million iPhones, 22.9 million iPads and produced 54.5 billion in revenue. We'll have more figures after the break...

Another reason for budget iPhone: China’s tiny Coolpad outselling Apple

Ed Sutherland ∙ January 23, 2013

Those encouraging Apple to introduce a less-pricey iPhone to compete against Android in places such as China have even more ammunition.

In a David and Goliath tale, a tiny Chinese company armed with a sub-$100 smartphone is outselling Apple's iPhone, prompting some local observers to wonder whether the California-based gadget maker can ever overcome inexpensive rivals.

From analysts to former Apple CEOs come recommendations that the company do more to attract China's middle class, now drawn to Android devices. While Apple reportedly considers offering a cheaper iPhone starting at $99 later this year, the Android-based Coolpad is already outselling the iPhone in China and at one-fifth the price of current iPhones...

TwelveSouth’s PlugBug goes on a world tour

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

TwelveSouth makes wonderful accessories for Apple devices and their charging add-on called PlugBug is the perfect epitome of their design approach: not only is the accessory useful, it's damn cute, too. For the uninitiated, the PlugBug will charge your MacBook and iPhone (or iPad or iPod touch) at the same time. The charming little red thingie piggy-backs onto your MacBook's power adapter and has a 10W USB port to connect and charge your iDevice as the MacBook adapter simultaneously juices up your notebook.

How cool is that? Today, a year and half following its debut, TwelveSouth has announced the PlugBug World, an international version with five swappable prong adapters supporting power sockets in the United Kingdom and rest of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North America, Hong Kong, China and a bunch of other markets...

Apple offering popular hipKey proximity sensor online

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

How many times have you misplaced your keys in the last few years? Ok, how about your iPhone? Children? Well the good news is that there are actually iOS accessories that can help you with your forgetfulness, like the hipKey.

The hipKey is a simple proximity sensor, powered by Bluetooth, built to help you keep track of your valuables. It has a key ring, allowing you to attach it to your keys, purse, etc., and a companion iPhone app for easy tracking...

Gartner: Samsung supplants Apple as #1 chip buyer

Ed Sutherland ∙ January 23, 2013

South Korea's Samsung has another reason to crow. After enduring talk that rival Apple would drop its rival for TSMC, demand for Samsung smartphones and tablets made it the largest customer of chips in 2012, replacing the iPhone and iPad maker in the worldwide chip eating challeng, reports said Thursday.

A Gartner report on semiconductor purchases also gives a rare glimpse into how much Apple is spending on chips for its smartphones and tablet devices. According to the researcher, Samsung increased spending on chips nearly double that of the Cupertino firm...