Update

Messages app gets timestamps, contact photos, and other UI enhancements in iOS 7 beta 2

Earlier today, Apple released the second beta of its next-generation mobile operating system, iOS 7, to developers. The update comes exactly two weeks after the original beta of iOS 7 was released, and brings with it a number of new features and improvements.

Thus far we've covered the revamped Voice Memos app and new Siri voices, and now we're going to talk about the different changes in the stock Messages app. Apple has added contact photos to group conversation threads and a few other UI enhancements...

Siri gets new male and female voices in iOS 7 beta 2

Earlier today, Apple released the second beta of its next-generation mobile operating system, iOS 7, to developers. The update comes exactly two weeks after the original beta of iOS 7 was released, and brings with it a number of new features and improvements.

One of the more prominent changes we've seen has to do with Siri, Apple's snarky digital assistant. Not only has it gotten smarter, but in beta 2 the virtual secretary received new voice templates. You can now choose from a male or female voice in several languages...

iOS 7 beta 2 is out: brings iPad support and other features

Apple has seeded the second beta of iOS 7 to developers this morning. The update comes exactly two weeks after the initial version of the new firmware was released, following the company's annual WWDC keynote.

The change log hasn't been released yet, but the consensus seems to be that this update is likely more about speed and performance improvements than about adding major new features or making significant changes...

Safari Upload Enabler finally updated with support for iOS 6

Folks who have been around the jailbreak community for a while will likely remember a popular tweak called Safari Upload Enabler. Before Apple added the ability in Safari to upload photos and videos in iOS 6, it was one of the only ways you could natively upload files from within the mobile browser.

Well we have some good news today for all of you jailbreakers, Safari Upload Enabler has finally been updated with support for iOS 6. Developed by H. Samara and N. Bassen, the new version of the tweak is out in Cydia now with a number of improvements, including a new Dropbox API and more...

Rdio responds to iTunes Radio with new Song Stations feature

Apple sent shutters through the music streaming industry last week when it confirmed rumors that it had been working on a new radio service. The still-in-beta service allows users to create custom radio stations based on their favorite songs, genres, artists or albums—similar to Pandora.

iTunes Radio won't be available to everyone until the fall, but early positive feedback has some music services scrambling to respond. And today, Rdio issued its response in the form of an app update that includes Song Stations, a feature that allows you to create custom radio stations...

Vine updated with new share button and other UI improvements

I haven't quite figured out what to do with Vine yet, Twitter's video social network, but others don't seem to be having that problem. The app is consistently listed among the top 5 iPhone apps in the App Store, and I see shared Vine videos on Facebook daily.

And if you happen to be a Vine user, you'll be happy to hear that the app received a nice little update today. The new version, marked as version 1.1.3, includes a new share button to make reposting videos to other networks easier, and other UI improvements...

Mailbox app updated with support for portrait orientation on iPad

Folks who have taken a shine to the popular Gmail client Mailbox will be happy to hear that the app was updated today. The new version, which is marked as 1.3.1, brings about the usual bug fixes and one significant new feature: support for portrait mode on the iPad.

The Mailbox team tweeted out word of the update this afternoon, which will finally allow Mailbox users to view and compose email in portrait mode on the iPad. In previous versions, these two functions (as well as others) were limited to landscape mode on the tablet...

Hands-on with Apple TV 5.4 Beta: iTunes Radio, Conference Room Display, custom subtitles

To go along with the recently released iOS 7 Beta 1, Apple has also made a companion Apple TV beta software available for download to its registered developers. The pre-release code enables such new capabilities as iTunes Radio free music streaming, a new Conference Room Display setting and fully customizable subtitles.

The first beta of what would later become the Apple TV 5.4 software update was posted to Apple's portal for developers after last Monday's keynote. The pre-release version is meant to be used for testing AirPlay with third-party iOS apps. As we haven't had a chance to cover it extensively, here's what to expect in terms of features...

Shazam updated with new ‘Pulse’ feature for discovering new music

It seems like music discovery is all the rage these days. Twitter launched a new iPhone app back in April, and Apple launched its iTunes Music service earlier this month, both of which place a large focus on helping users discover new music.

And today, Shazam pushed further into the space. The popular song, album and artist identifier released a significant update to its iPhone and iPad apps this morning with, among other things, a new 'Pulse' feature for discovering new music...

Hacked T-Mobile carrier update brings HD Voice to the iPhone 4S

Folks with an iPhone on T-Mobile might be interested to hear that there's a new hacked carrier update available that promises a number of enhancements. It was created by the same folks who brought you hacks for Sprint, Verizon and AT&T.

This time around, the developers say that the modded update is good for more than just speed improvements. For iPhone 5 users, it adds a 4G toggle so you can switch it off to conserve battery life. And for 4S users, it adds HD Voice support...

Apple updates WWDC app with improved video playback and more

Earlier this week, Apple released an iOS app for its upcoming WWDC. The app will help attendees stay on top of the latest news and events going on at the conference, and allow registered developers to watch daily session videos.

Those that have downloaded the app will be happy to hear that Apple has updated it for the second time this week. This time around, it has received a number of improvements, including several bug fixes for video playback...