News

Custom locations, breeding, trading, new critters & other perks coming soon to Pokémon GO

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 25, 2016

Pokémon GO is the biggest mobile game in U.S. history in terms of daily active users and Apple confirmed that the augmented-reality game broke an App Store record for most downloads during its first week of availability, but that doesn't mean its creators are resting on their laurels—quite the contrary.

As the game continues its global assault, Niantic Labs founder John Hanke teased at what's coming next to the app: custom locations, more monsters, the ability to add customizations to lures, trading characters, more ways to play with Pokéstops and Gyms and other perks.

Iris scanning rumored to come to 2018 iPhones

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 25, 2016

Aside from other exciting hardware features, such as a bezel-less, wraparound OLED screen with integrated Touch ID and click-less Home button, Apple's tenth anniversary iPhone could bring out iris scanning capabilities next year, Taiwanese trade publication DigiTimes said Monday. The technology could be potentially used to replace, or augment, Touch ID verification to boost security.

Some phones, like Samsung's upcoming Note refresh, are expected to adopt iris scanning later this year. Keep in mind that DigiTimes has a hit-and-miss record so the DigiTimes report should be taken with a grain of salt.

Claimed photos of 12.9″ iPad Pro 2 hit the web

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 25, 2016

iPhone 7 leaks and rumors have dominated the headlines for better part of the summer, especially as we've been inching closer and closer to the handset's expected September introduction. But the iPhone 7 isn't the only Apple product that's up for a refresh.

The iPad Pro, which made its debut last September alongside the iPhone 6s, should see its regular annual refresh, too, and now photos sent in to AppleInsider from a Chinese supply-chain source claim to picture a second-generation iPad Pro prototype with a 12.9-inch screen.

WSJ: Apple’s retired hardware chief Bob Mansfield to oversee development of Project Titan

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 25, 2016

Following a report last week alleging that Apple's rumored electric vehicle project was internally delayed after its lead Steve Zadesky left in January 2016 for personal reasons, The Wall Street Journal is reporting today that Apple's enlisted help of its retired hardware chief Bob Mansfield, who will now oversee development of Project Titan.

Verizon to buy struggling Internet giant Yahoo for a reported $4.83 billion

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 25, 2016

Monday, both Yahoo and Verizon Wireless said that the nation's leading wireless carrier will be buying Yahoo's operating business for a reported $4.83 billion. The transaction, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals, should grant the carrier over one billion total monthly search users while giving the two companies more than two dozen media and advertising brands, to be added to the AOL network, plus an email service with 225 million monthly active users.

Deutsche Bank analysts think iPhone 7 will ship with Lightning-to-audio dongle

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 25, 2016

The next iPhone, which sources in China think could be marketed as ‘iPhone 6SE’ to reflect its iterative nature, may ship with a Lightning-to-audio dongle and still end up selling better than the current-generation iPhone 6s, which hasn't quite lived up to Apple's internal expectations.

That's according to a Deutsche Bank research note issued to clients last week, a copy of which was obtained by Business Insider. The investment bankers also shared their predictions for the next iPhone's features, based on their supply checks.

Rumor: ‘iPhone 7’ may be called ‘iPhone 6SE’?

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 25, 2016

German blog Apfelpage.de has learned from sources in China who claim to have seen the next iPhone's packaging that the forthcoming handset will be marketed under the ‘iPhone 6SE’ moniker rather than be called ‘iPhone 7’. Although the report is somewhat sketchy, such a move may not be without its merits.

For starters, Apple is rumored to be switching to a three-year iPhone refresh cycle and, more importantly, the next iPhone seems to sport iterative enhancements and be very similar in appearance to the existing iPhone 6/6s lineup.

Apple leases 40,000 square feet of office space in India for iOS app design accelerator

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 4, 2016

Apple CEO Tim Cook during his May 2016 India trip announced that his company will be opening an iOS app design and development accelerator in the country early next year. Today, The Economic Times reported that the Cupertino firm has reached an agreement to lease 40,000 square feet of office space, spread over two floors at Galleria in North Bengaluru, to house the facility.

Apple confirms Pokémon Go set App Store record

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 25, 2016

Apple confirmed last week in a statement to media that Nintendo's augmented-reality game Pokémon Go was downloaded more times in its first week than any other iPhone app since the App Store's inception in the summer of 2008. Apple’s take from the popular mobile game could help the iPhone maker rake in an estimated $3 billion in additional revenue in the next 12 to 24 months as the game expands into more countries, according to a report from Needham analyst Laura Martin.

The top stories of the week on iDB

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated October 16, 2018

Like every Sunday, we get to take a look at some of the most popular posts that were published on iDB during the week that just ended. Whether it is a news item, a new jailbreak tweak, a tutorial, or an app review, we sum it all up in one convenient place for you.

As always, if you like what you're reading, please feel free to spread the love by sharing our posts on your favorite social network.

We're usually hanging out a lot on Twitter and Facebook, more rarely on Google+.

Don't forget to listen to the latest episode of our new podcast, Let's Talk iOS:

Subscribe on iTunes

Want to support iDB? Visit our Deals Store and buy something from us.

Rumor: iPhone 7 to launch week of September 12

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 23, 2016

Apple typically launches new iPhones in September and assuming the company sticks to its release schedule, this year should be no different. With only six or so weeks until an official introduction, prominent leakster and VentureBeat reporter, Evan Blass, posted on his @EVLeaks account on Twitter that the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be released during the week of September 12. New iPhones typically go on sale on Friday, so we're guessing Friday, September 16, is our release date.

iOS 9 adoption jumps to 86 percent mark ahead of iOS 10 release

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 22, 2016

Earlier in the week, Apple updated iOS adoption numbers via its App Store dashboard for developers. According to the refreshed stats, the various iOS 9 editions now power 86 percent of iPhones, iPads and iPod touches, a two-point gain versus the 84 percent adoption rate that iOS 9 hit on April 20.