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At long last, Instagram is adding much-needed Drafts to save unfinished posts for later

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 5, 2016

You cannot find it mentioned in release notes accompanying the most recent Instagram update which brought out a new Snapchat-like Stories feature, but either that or an earlier update has quietly added a much-needed Drafts feature to the popular mobile photography app.

Called by some fans the best feature that has happened to Instagram in quite a while, Drafts lets you save the photo you're currently editing as a draft.

This is quite useful, if not essential, in case you just spent your time making detailed edits to a photo, but ultimately decided not to post it until later.

Another hands-on video shows genuine-looking, working Lightning EarPods in action

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 14, 2017

Apple's official Lightning-based EarPods (that could be marketed under the 'AirPods' moniker, according to a trademark filing) were already filmed on video and depicted on leaked photos. Today, UK-based mobile accessory firm MobileFun posted a hands-on video of its own of what appears to be a wired, Lightning-based edition of the EarPods.

Apple, as you know, is widely expected to ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack from its next iPhone in favor of Bluetooth wireless headsets and Lightning-based wired ones, the latter potentially providing lossless digital sound.

Apple said to be building wireless earbuds with low-power Bluetooth chip

Cody Lee ∙ August 4, 2016

Apple has spent the last few years developing a custom Bluetooth radio chip for wireless earbuds, reports Forbes. Citing a source with knowledge of the project, the outlet says the earbuds could be ready to launch this fall.

If true, the timing makes sense, given that Apple is slated to unveil a new iPhone in September. The handset is expected to ship without the customary headphone jack, indicating the company is going all-in on wireless.

Apple gives away Brushstroke painting effects app

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 4, 2016

Brushstroke is one of those image effects app with a unique twist. Not only does it transform your photos into faux paintings, but optionally lets you order mounted canvas prints of your images directly from the app that you can hang on the wall.

Apple named Brushstroke its Free App of the Week in December 2014. If you forgot to grab this nicely done $2.99 iPhone and iPad app for $0 back then, now's your chance.

Google Photos gains 3D Touch shortcuts and storage optimization feature

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 16, 2024

Google today issued a minor refresh to its native Photos app on the App Store, introducing 3D Touch shortcuts for the Home screen and a much-needed new feature designed to optimize storage space on your device. Bumped to version 1.13, Google Photos for iPhone and iPad produces a 3D Touch menu upon pressing its Home screen icon, giving you access to the following shortcuts: I'm Feeling Lucky, Free Up Space and Make Shared Album.

In addition to these 3D Touch shortcuts and the new storage-optimization feature, this edition of the app packs in unspecified performance improvements.

Apple’s free app of the week: hocus

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 1, 2018

Apple on Thursday updated its App of the Week promotion with the game hocus. This means from now through next Thursday, you’ll be able to pick up the minimal puzzler for both iPhone and iPad for free—saving you $1.

Hocus is described as a perspective illusion puzzle game. Players are tasked with moving a red cube through a maze of gray beams—very similar to Monument Valley. There are 85+ levels, and you can even design your own.

Apple Store app updated with new design and ‘For You’ recommendations

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 1, 2018

As expected, Apple on Thursday released an update for its Apple Store app, bringing the online shopping client to version 4.0. Fulfilling previous reports, the update includes a redesigned interface, and a new 'For You' recommendation feature that offers you suggestions on products to buy based on your previous purchases.

Will overhauled Apple Store shopping app launch today or next Thursday?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 6, 2017

Welcome to Thursday, when Apple typically refreshes its app and content stores with new apps, games and media. Bloomberg said last week that Apple was working on a totally overhauled Apple Store shopping app that should include a “For You” tab and have the same basic features and interface across the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

Reports on Twitter and MacRumors reveal that a banner for the new Apple Store app has now gone live on some international App Stores, suggesting imminent launch.

iOS 9.3.4 released with an “important security fix” that patches Pangu jailbreak

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 4, 2016

Apple on Thursday unexpectedly released iOS 9.3.4, a minor update to the mobile operating system powering the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Release notes accompanying the small download mention that iOS 9.3.4 provides “an important security update” and is recommended for all iOS 9 users. The update can be applied over-the-air on iOS 9 devices in Settings → General → Software Update and has been confirmed to patch the Pangu jailbreak.

Square Enix releases free-to-play Mobius Final Fantasy on App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 4, 2016

Developer Square Enix yesterday announced availability of Mobius Final Fantasy, its new free-to-play role-playing game set in the Final Fantasy universe and created by producer Yoshinori Kitase and writer Kazushige Kojima, who are both known for their work on the Final Fantasy VII and the upcoming Final Fantasy VII Remake.

The iPhone, iPad and iPod touch game is available on a free-to-play basis with optional In-App Purchases and can be played with just one hand as it was “custom-tailored for mobile platforms”.

Leaked video shows Camera app running on a working iPhone 7 prototype

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 4, 2016

Earlier this morning, we ran some pretty convincing photographs which appear to picture a functional, powered on iPhone 7 running Apple’s internal testing software, called SwitchBoard. Geekbar, the Chinese team who leaked these photos, has now published on Weibo video evidence to convince naysayers. The fit and finish of the claimed device shown in the photos and on this video screams an Apple product.

Apple posts new Shot on iPhone video for Olympics with words from poet Maya Angelou

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 4, 2016

Apple just published a brand new video on its YouTube channel this morning, the latest one in its successful 'Shot on iPhone' advertising campaign. Titled “The Human Family” and narrated with words of wisdom by Maya Angelou, who was an American poet, memoirist and civil rights activist, the sixty-second clip talks about the value of family while showing a series of photographs and videos featuring friends and family that were taken by iPhone users from around the world.