News

New software promises to bring 3D Touch to any smartphone, no special hardware needed

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 30, 2016

Apple brought 3D Touch into this world with the introduction of the iPhone 6s in September 2015. Fast forward nine months and Android competitors are still struggling to outfit their devices with an array of force-sensing display sensors.

We know that Google's upcoming Android N will bring system-level support for pressure-sensing screens, but now folks at the University of Michigan have developed a technology that would bring 3D touch-like features to most smartphones, without making any hardware modification.

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How Apple’s advanced self-learning technologies could make Siri a lot smarter

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 30, 2016

The assistant wars are in full swing, with Google Assistant and Viv entering the fray and existing players such as Apple's Siri, Microsoft's Cortana, Hound and Google's Now all stepping up fight for consumers' hearts and minds.

Apple's rumored Amazon Echo competitor, which VentureBeat believes is a next-gen Apple TV, could blow all the assistants out of the water when it comes to deciphering complex natural language queries.

And powering it—VocalIQ, a sophisticate technology Apple acquired back in October 2015. Tech Insider provided an in-depth overview of how VocalIQ could make Siri a lot smarter than it is today. 

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Apple supplier to build nanowire-based flexible toucscreens, likely for future iOS devices

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 10, 2017

Taiwanese trade publication DigiTimes is reporting that TPK Holding is gearing up to product nanowire-based flexible touchscreens. TPK is on Apple's supplier list so there's a high likelihood that future iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices could switch to these flexible screens based on nano silver ink. Originally developed by 3M, silver nanowire films are flexible and transparent to the eye, making them feasible for wearable devices particular.

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Twitter’s iOS app gains Peek and Pop previews

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 28, 2016

Although you couldn't tell it by looking at official release notes for Twitter's version 6.54 update, which make a passing mention of “a few minor updates that you didn’t even know you needed”, the app has finally gained additional 3D Touch goodies in the form of Peek and Pop previews within the app. Before today, Twitter for the iPhone and iPad only supported Quick Actions on the Home screen. Grab Twitter for iOS for free on the App Store.

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Jawbone stops making UP fitness trackers, planning a clinical-grade health device

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 28, 2016

Jawbone, which made a name for itself a decade ago with a lineup of high-quality Bluetooth headsets, has stopped making and selling the UP fitness trackers, according to a report yesterday from Tech Insider.

Sources familiar with the matter have reportedly told the publication that the company has sold its remaining inventory to a third-party reseller, while The Verge adds that Jawbone is now exploring a “clinical-grade health device”.

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Bookmark apps and iTunes content and install them later with Lookmark for iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 9, 2017

Lookmark for iPhone by developer Claes Jacobsson received a major update yesterday, prompting me to take another look at this interesting piece of software.

With Lookmark, you can bookmark apps and other iTunes content very easily from Safari, other apps and your desktop, and install/download them later when the time is right. Yesterday's update added a Share sheet extension which can save apps mentioned on any webpage.

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Apple’s Amazon Echo rival could detect users via built-in camera and facial recognition

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 27, 2016

Apple's rumored Amazon Echo rival, which we learned yesterday could actually be an upgraded Apple TV, will have a built-in camera and use facial recognition to detect users as they enter the room, said the people briefed on Apple's plans who spoke to CNET on condition of anonymity.

Upon recognizing a user, the device would pull up their preferences, such as the music and lighting they like, the sources said.

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Apple: we’re “working rapidly” to bring Apple Pay to “every significant market”

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 27, 2016

Earlier in the week, Apple Pay launched fully in Singapore with five major local banks on board, marking the sixth country where the company's service is currently accepted as a form of payment.

But that's just the beginning as Apple's ultimate goal is to roll out the service to "every significant market" in which the company operates, according to Jennifer Bailey, who was former Netscape executive and now serves as Vice President of Apple Pay.

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