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.

10 great gift ideas for iPhone-controlled fun

Welcome to the latest edition of iDB’s ongoing Gift Ideas series, where we provide curated roundups of some of our favorite products. Throughout the year we cover and test a number of devices and accessories, so we decided to use that experience to help those searching for the perfect present. Today’s roundup is focused on RC (remote control) vehicles that can be controlled via iPhone.

LG’s display division to start volume production of foldable displays for 2018 iPhones

LG's display-making arm is said to be gearing up to kick off volume production of foldable displays for future iPhones, said Korean news outlet ETNews. In addition to Apple, LG Display should supply foldable displays to Google and Microsoft in 2018. LG-developed foldable display prototypes were of sufficient quality for the company to secure global manufacturers as its partners.

When is Apple going to pay FaceTime the attention it deserves?

The other day I overheard a woman at the coffee shop spiritedly conversing on FaceTime with what I can only presume was her mother. The topic of discussion had been the daughter’s holiday trip, and her mom said something that struck a chord with me: why can’t you show me the photos on here? This got me thinking (at which point I stopped listening in, promised). Since its inception, FaceTime has received dreadfully little attention from Apple. The introduction of FaceTime Audio aside, the service practically makes for an absolute freeze-up in an otherwise constantly forward moving software environment.

As consumers, we have become used to companies spending more resources and time on pet projects of theirs and conversely less on comparably idle services, but what is astonishing is that this analogy does not explain the ongoing neglect of FaceTime. Because for all its faults and plainness, FaceTime is tremendously popular. For reasons only known to the Cupertino giant however, it does barely show in the application’s development. To add insult to injury, the lackluster state is likely to persist for yet another year until the next big software update for iOS rolls in. Never mind the fact this means forever in industry years, but it’s even worse because FaceTime is already adrift of the competition.

With that said, it is time for Apple to start play catch-up and resuscitate the service. Since the coffee shop encounter, I have been mulling over how Apple could ramp up the offering realistically in the near future. Here is what I believe is feasible and crucial for FaceTime to implement within the next year:

Download Super Mario Run in the App Store right now

As promised, Super Mario Run, Nintendo's first real smartphone game, launched on the App Store today, December 15. The side-scrolling, auto-runner platformer is available free of charge with a non-compulsory $9.99 upgrade to unlock the game's three modes completely.

If you don't see the GET button quite yet, force refresh the App Store app, then simply tap on the Notify button in the App Store description of the game. Enter your password or use Touch ID when prompted, and the game will begin downloading. If that doesn't work, iDB editor Jim Gresham suggests force-quitting the App Store app, rebooting the device, launching the App Store app, and then download the game.

The anticipated title is optimized for one-handed play: as Mario automatically runs from left to right, you just tap the screen to make him jump. The longer you touch the screen, the higher he jumps. As with other Mario games, you'll be avoiding various obstacles and collecting coins along the way whilst attempting to get our hero safely through the level in the fastest time possible.

10 great gift ideas for a smarter home

Welcome to the latest edition of iDB’s ongoing Gift Ideas series, where we provide curated roundups of some of our favorite products. Throughout the year we cover and test a number of devices and accessories, so we decided to use that experience to help those searching for the perfect present. Today’s roundup is focused on gift ideas that help make homes smarter.

How to bypass jailbreak detection in Super Mario Run

The highly anticipated Super Mario Run platformer game from Nintendo launched on the App Store Thursday afternoon, but anyone who has a jailbroken device is in for a surprise when they try to play, as it appears Nintendo built jailbreak detection into the game.

This is particularly common among a number of hit games from the App Store, including Pokémon GO, and causes the app in question to do nothing but crash whenever you attempt to launch it, but there is a way around it if you still want to play Super Mario Run on your jailbroken iOS devices, and we’ll show you how.

26 Super Mario Run moves to help you go further in the game

Super Mario Run just launched on the App Store, and as you can imagine, there has been a lot of energy from Apple and Nintendo fans around the world.

Being made for a smartphone rather than a handheld gaming unit as these kinds of games are usually made for, the game mechanics for Super Mario Run are a little different from your average Super Mario game.

In this post we'll be outlining the many different moves you can perform in Super Mario Run and explain what they do.

Instagram passes 600 million users

Aping Snapchat seems to have paid off in a major way for photo-sharing service Instagram as it announced passing a whopping 600 million users earlier today. The last hundred million Instagrammers joined the service in the past six months, said the Facebook-owned company.

Instagram infamously ripped off Snapchat Stories with its own Stories feature, which debuted in early-August.

Video: how Mario games have evolved over the years

With Super Mario Run now live on the App Store following its announcement at the iPhone 7 event back in September, both Apple and Nintendo are now promoting the game like crazy. Early reviews indicate that Super Mario Run has all the hallmarks of the Mario franchise even though the game is optimized for one-handed gameplay so Mario constantly moves forward through the courses. Celebrating Mario's App Store debut, Nintendo has put together a little video showing how the game has evolved over the years.

iOS 10.2.1 and macOS Sierra 10.12.3 now available to public beta testers

After seeding iOS 10.2.1 beta 1 and macOS Sierra 10.12.3 beta 1 to members of the Apple Developer Program yesterday, Apple today released versions of these software updates for public beta-testing. If you sign up at the Apple Beta Software Program website to become a beta tester and install an appropriate configuration profile on your device, you too will be able to install the first beta of macOS Sierra 10.12.3 on your Mac and take iOS 10.2.1 for a spin on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

How to save battery when playing Super Mario Run

Nintendo's highly-anticipated Super Mario Run launched on the App Store Thursday afternoon as a free download with a non-compulsory $9.99 In-App Purchase to unlock all of the gameplay modes and levels. If you're as excited for this game as I am (amazing what nostalgia can do, eh?), you'll be collecting those coins like there's no tomorrow.

In order to prevent unwanted battery drains, we have some tips for you about minimizing energy consumption while playing Super Mario Run on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

Twelve South launches all-new Journal case, BookBook for iPhone 7 now available

Want to give your new iPhone 7 that vintage look without sacrificing device protection? Look no further than BookBook, the family of stylish leather cases from premium accessory maker Twelve South. Starting today, their BookBook case is available for iPhone 7/Plus and they also have an all-new edition, called Journal. Billed as their most luxurious folio case, Journal uses full-grain leather on both the outside and inside for a clean look.

Like BookBook, Journal features slots for cards, cash and ID. Both BookBook and Journal are now available for $59.99 and $69.99, respectively.