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.
If you use a passcode to unlock your iPhone or iPad, then you know how important it is to keep other people from seeing the digits you tap on to get into your device.
Since people are inclined to pay more attention to the numbers you tap rather than the pattern of the buttons, a new free jailbreak tweak called DummyPass by iOS developer Wisy uses this concept to your advantage.
Although fewer people are as excited to play Pokémon GO today as when the game first launched last Summer, it still stands as one of the world’s most popular mobile games.
A new Pokémon GO companion app called Pocketdex is now available on the App Store, and was created with love by two prominent members of the jailbreak community: iOS developer Majd Alfhaily and graphic designer Surenix.
If the augmented reality (AR) tape measure app we recently featured has gotten you excited for the possibilities that Apple's ARKit framework brings to developers, you're wholeheartedly recommended to watch this video demonstration of an upcoming ARKit-driven app that will let you take precise room measurement by pointing your iPhone's camera at the corners.
The app will help generate 3D models and automatically calculate the footage for the user. It's a really cool-looking demo and I can't wait to try this app out when it releases.
Watch the demonstration video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw9MPZoPqCQ
The app was created by a company called Smart Pictures, which provides the Measurement Cloud system that enables dimensioning intelligence for the interior world.
Here's a recent ARKit-powered tape measure demo that set the Internet on fire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7DYC_zbZCM
This level of precision is made possible by ARKit's accurate plane detection and reliable object tracking. On existing devices, the ARKit framework leverages data from on-board sensors and uses computer vision algorithms constantly analyzing live camera feed.
ARKit-driven apps should be even better on iPhone 8 because Apple's OLED iPhone is said to feature a dedicated 3D laser sensor on both its front and back for even better augmented reality features and faster, more precise autofocus.
Fast Company is out with a new report that basically reiterates what Barclays and KGI Securities said before: that Apple's OLED iPhone will actually feature two 3D sensors, one on the front and the other out the back. In addition, the device could feature completely waterproof buttons on its side that respond with haptic feedback.
According to the publication's sources, the rear 3D sensor will help iPhone 8 provide improved camera autofocus and enhanced augmented reality features, likely stemming from even more accurate object tracking and better depth detection in ARKit-powered apps.
Like the front-facing 3D sensor, the rear one is said to use a vertical-cavity surface-emitting (VSCEL) laser system that also includes a lens, a detector sensor and a dedicated chip. The VCSEL system would map objects in 3D by calculating the distance the light travels from the laser to the target and back to the sensor, using so-called time-of-flight measurement.
Suppliers Lumentum, Finisar and II-VI will reportedly be providing the VCSEL lasers for the device. STMicro, Infineon or AMS should provide the time-of-flight sensor. Apple could buy the whole modular system from either LG Innotek, STMicro, AMS or Foxconn, added the source.
The system costs about $2 per phone, as per the publication.
The laser-based sensor will also enable a faster and more accurate autofocus than the phase detection autofocus used on current iPhones. That's because the dedicated rear 3D sensor will determine precise object depth by measuring the time it takes the laser light beams to bounce off objects and return to the sensor.
This will let iPhone 8 focus the camera lens on the desired object in milliseconds. Laser autofocus systems are already used in phones from Google, Huawei, OnePlus and Asus.
Carrying over the complete Health database from your old to a new iPhone used to require restoring the new phone from an iCloud backup or an encrypted backup created in iTunes.
Learn how to stop the App Store on your iPhone or iPad from auto-playing videos to save cellular data or keep things still if you have motion sickness.
Apple on Wednesday released iOS 11 public beta 2, which has the same features as a third developer-only beta that was seeded to developers two days ago.
Before it can be installed on your device, you must sign in with your Apple ID at beta.apple.com in order to enroll your iOS device to access the latest public beta of iOS 11.
Next, from your iOS device visit beta.apple.com/profile to download the configuration profile.
Follow the onscreen instructions to allow installation of the profile, which will permit your iOS device to automatically receive over-the-air public beta software updates.
Lastly, go to Settings → General → Software Update to install the public beta.
Screenshot via Joey Antonini
You're wholeheartedly recommended to perform a full iCloud or iTunes backup of the device before installing any beta software. Do not install the iOS 11 public beta on your daily driver.
Here's our overview of the changes in the iOS 11 public beta 2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bixdLWqPIvA
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For the complete list of all the changes in iOS 11 public beta 2 and developer-only iOS 11 beta 3 (which, again, have the same features), check out our previous article.
iOS betas are typically riddled with bugs and various issues until a Gold Master candidate is released ahead of public launch. You've been warned—performance issues, crashes, battery drain and various other problems and hiccups are a commonplace with iOS betas.
Apple typically optimizes iOS for speed and power consumption close to launch.
To report any issues and bugs to Apple, use the included Feedback Assistant app. The iOS 11 software update will release to everyone this fall.
Apple on Wednesday announced its 2017 Back to School promotion for customers in the United States and Canada. Students, teachers and university staff members will get a free Beats Solo3 wireless headphones when they purchase an eligible Mac with education pricing, including the MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac and Mac Pro models.
If you opt for a 10.5-inch or 12.9-inch iPad Pro, Apple will treat you to a free BeatsX wireless earphones or you can pay $50 extra to get a Powerbeats3 in-ear headphones or $150 extra for the Solo3 on-ear wireless headphones.
The Solo3 headphones are a great choice because they contain Apple's W1 chip for more reliable connections, better sound quality and longer battery life compared to Solo2.
The 2017 Back to School deals area available to students enrolled in college, parents, teachers and faculty members. Verification is required at checkout.
Apple also recommends Back to School accessories such as AirPods, Apple TV and more.
Plus, students can take advantage of existing Apple Music deal with a monthly subscription available to eligible students half price at just five bucks per month, or sixty bucks per year.
The Back to School promotion for customers in Australia, New Zealand and Japan went live back in January. It offered an Apple Store credit in exchange for a qualified iMac, Mac Pro, MacBook/Air/Pro or iPad Pro purchase made from February 7 to March 16.
Apple is reportedly in panic mode due to persistent software problems with wireless charging and an all-new 3D sensor, which are increasingly threatening to spoil iPhone 8's launch party.
“June was a tense month for the engineers and designers on Apple’s iPhone team with 'a sense of panic in the air',” a source with knowledge of the situation told Fast Company.
Should engineers fail to fix software hiccups, the Cupertino technology giant may be left with no other choice but to enable these features later on via an iOS 11.1 software update.
“Apple's been working feverishly to fix software problems in its hotly anticipated iPhone 8 that could ultimately cause production and delivery delays,” sources said.
“If the software problems aren’t resolved quickly, the new flagship iPhone could even launch with major features disabled.”
iPhone 8 will use inductive charging similar to Apple Watch, where the phone sits directly on a separate charging device. The wireless charging components provided by Broadcom are not the key issue, claims the publication, it’s the software that’s not ready for prime time.
The company faces similar problems with the new front-facing 3D sensor which will be used for facial unlocking, 3D mapping, augmented reality and other features.
Fast Company's source claims Apple's been struggling to get the sensor to work reliably.
“The sensor hardware is not the problem, but rather the accompanying software,” said the source, speculating Apple should be able to have the 3D software working in time.
“If not, the company could include the sensor in the phone anyway, and turn it on later on with a software update,” reads the article. As for the Touch ID situation, the source says that the fingerprint sensor will be embedded under the display after all.
It wouldn't be the first time Apple shipped an iPhone with inoperable hardware.
Look no further than last year's iPhone 7 launch—the 5.5-inch Plus model shipped with the necessary chips and sensors to support its depth-of-field photography mode, but that key feature was activated only a few weeks later via a software update.
Is Apple running the risk of launching the hotly anticipated OLED iPhone with wireless charging and 3D-sensing functionality disabled at launch, do you think?
Tell us in comments!
In the most recent iterations of iOS, inbound notifications on the Lock screen and in Notification Center aren't displayed as pleasantly as they once were in older versions. App-based notification groups and the ability to collapse certain groups have gone missing.
With a new jailbreak tweak called NCLink10 by iOS developer HiDaN, you can resurrect these feature on even the latest iterations of iOS.
There are countless jailbreak tweaks in Cydia that let you change the look and feel of your notification banners, but not all of them come with an option to preview your changes after you apply new settings.
If you come across this issue often, then you're going to love a new free release dubbed NotificationTester by iOS developer D4ni.
The Economic Times of India reported today that although Apple is in no hurry to assemble additional models in India beyond iPhone SE, it is allegedly planning to eventually expand production capacity and bring “Made in India” devices to overseas markets.
“Apple will focus on iPhone SE model both for India and overseas markets,” a government official said. “It is looking to start exports from India,” the person added.
Apple's manufacturer Wistron has been assembling a limited run of “Made in India” iPhone SE models for two months now in a facility set up at Peenya on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
Those phones currently don't ship overseas and don't carry a lower price tag even though they're made locally. Government officials aware of the matter say Wistron has not made any fresh request for approval.
“Apple will stick to making iPhone SE model at its Bengaluru plant for some more time and has no immediate plan to assemble its flagships iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in the country, according to the government source quoted earlier.
Just yesterday, the same publication reported of Apple's alleged plans to expand local production. According to that article, Apple could manufacture other iPhone models in India at a later stage and even set up a full-fledged manufacturing plant.
Apple is also planning to open its largest global store to date in India by 2020.
It's reportedly looking at 4-5 flagship outlets limited to metros over 5-10 years. The stores will be located at prime locations and should have enough class to make them tourist attractions.
Lastly, the Cupertino giant could launch a dedicated online store in India by October.