Weekend news roundup: all the best Apple news from the week starting November 25

It’s been a busy week filled with lawsuits, new patents, acquisitions and a host of Black Friday deals. Check out our round up below of all the best news you may have missed this past week. Apple acquires 3D sensor maker PrimeSense AllThingsD now reports that Apple has completed its acquisition of PrimeSense for $360 million, slightly more than the $345 million reported last week. Eric Schmidt posts guide on switching from iPhone to Android, says it’s like switching from PC to the Mac As the Chairman of Google, it doesn’t come as a surprise when Eric Schmidt promotes Android, but in a rather unusual move, he took to Google+ to help his friends make the switch with a detailed step-by-step guide, who he says are switching from iPhone to Android. Apple wins patent for Lytro-like Light Field camera that lets you refocus image after shooting Apple was today awarded a patent for a Lytro-like Light Field camera that would let you refocus images after you’ve taken them with the help of a “refocusable imaging mode adaptor.” QuizUp security flaw sends your personal data to other players You may want to hold off on playing popular trivia game QuizUp, as the game may be sending your personal information to other players. This security and privacy flaw was detected by developer Kyle Richter and described in a recent blog post. Honda confirms Siri Eyes Free is coming to 2013 Honda Accord, Acura RDX and ILX models After announcing support for Siri Eyes Free earlier this year, Honda is finally ready to deliver on its promise and bring the technology to select vehicles in its 2013 and 2014 lineup. New and improved App Store engine detects and fixes typos on your behalf Anyone who has spent time in the App Store looking for new apps will agree that search has always been a weak point for the iOS App Store. One the biggest flaws — the lack of autocorrect for typos — was reportedly corrected in a recent update to the App Store search engine. Judge dismisses consumer lawsuit over data privacy against Apple U.S District Court Judge Lucy H. Koh has dismissed a consumer lawsuit over data privacy against Apple. Stolen Smartphones can now be blacklisted on International Carriers as well Last year major U.S carriers launched a database to block stolen handsets on their network. The purpose was to stem the tide of stolen phones and other devices, which has been on the rise. Pebble Watch now available on Amazon Pebble started shipping its smart watch earlier this year and has been gradually increasing its retail presence. After a successful Kickstarter project, the company landed on the retail shelves of Best Buy. In another big boost for the company, the smart watch is now available from Amazon. Black Friday Deals Roundup Here’s a round up of all the Black Friday related posts to ensure you haven’t missed them. Some deals may have expired, but a lot are in effect through the weekend. Best Black Friday 2013 Deals on iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c Best Black Friday 2013 Deals on iPad Air, Retina iPad mini Best Black Friday 2013 Deals on MacBook Pro, MacBook Air and iMac Black Friday 2013: Best Deals on iPhone, iPad and Mac Apps & Games Best Black Friday 2013 Deals on iPhone and iPad accessories Black Friday Deals: Save up to 20% on iTunes Gift Cards Hot deals from our Deals Hub: The Micro Drone 2.0 With an Aerial Camera The iPhone 5/5s Tough Armor Bundle The Universal Lens Kit – Essential Bundle for All Phones The Black Friday Deal Bundle The iPhone-Controlled Cobra iHelicopter The Karma WiFi Hotspot + 1GB Free Data + FREE Shipping Dragon Dictate for Mac 3 Continue reading →

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Having problems with Touch ID? Here’s a simple trick to fix it

The Touch ID is great when it works, but a number of iPhone 5s users have complained that the fingerprint sensor fails to recognise the correct print on the first try. If you’re facing these accuracy issues, you can follow this simple tip to improve Touch ID on your iPhone 5s. Apple lets you enrol up to five different fingers with Touch ID, so that you can unlock your iPhone with not just one, but multiple fingers. It turns out that, if you scan the same finger multiple times Touch ID’s accuracy improves greatly. From Huffington Post: I thought that having more — and more varied — prints of my thumb could only help, so I tried it by “enrolling,” as Apple calls it, my thumb two more times. The result was fantastic — Touch ID now works much better than it did before, probably over 90 percent of the time. “Entering multiple examples of the same print enhances pattern matching. Basically, it enables the pattern matching to be more flexible.” Adding more prints can lower the rate of false rejects. To add enrol more fingers on your iPhone 5s, follow these steps: Launch the Settings app and navigate to General > Passcode & Fingerprint Enter the passcode if prompted Tap on Fingerprints option Then tap on Add a fingerprint… Follow the procedure on screen to complete scanning and enrolling your finger Let us know if you’ve noticed an improvement in Touch ID performance and accuracy by following this tip. See also: Improve Touch ID accuracy and performance by rescanning your finger Continue reading →

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Accessorize Your iPad with this Stand and Stylus [Deals Hub]

With the holiday season upon us, we can’t help but imagine a shiny new iPad dancing through our dreams and into our hands. With the new models available in time for the gift-giving season, it’s the perfect way to treat a loved one–or yourself. To round out the iPad experience, add some great accessories as stocking stuffers, like the Slide Stand and AluPen Stylus. You can get both on sale now from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub. Getting the most out of your iPad doesn’t always mean downloading apps. Sometimes it’s about how you interact with the device. You don’t have to be hands on at all times with the Slide Stand, the elegant stand that keeps your iPad at the perfect angle at all times. With the AluPen Stylus, you can write away on your iPad as if it were a notebook, gliding across the screen with ease. Both accessories are must haves for any iPad owner. You can get the Slide Stand and AluPen Stylus together for just $59.99 from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub. That’s a 33% savings off the retail price. It’s a great deal and gives you an excuse to use your iPad even more, so grab this offer today. Continue reading →

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The Atlas Sky Headphones Look as Good as They Sound [Deals Hub]

The perfect pair of headphones can please two different types of people: The audiophile who wants the perfect sounding set of speakers that wrap around their ears and the fashionista who knows having the right style matters, too. The Atlas Sky Headphones from MEElectronics is sure to satisfy both of these needs. You can score a pair on sale from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub. Fresh off the production line, the Atlas Sky Headphones are the newest development to come out of the MEElectronics labs. Equipped with sound specs that are sure to be music to your ears like 113dB sensitivity and 40mm dynamic drivers, these headphones will make anything you listen to sound good. Not content with just that, the Atlas Sky headphones come in a pretty package that features IML labeling technology, providing a modern look and scratch-resistant surface. They look good, sound good, and are on sale now. You can get the Atlas Sky Headphones, the brand new offering from MEElectronics, for just $64.99 from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub. That’s a 35% savings off the retail price. Get the latest and greatest for a great price and grab this offer today. Continue reading →

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Apple’s European’s stores go live with cash discounts, not gift cards for Black Friday

Apple is kicking off its Black Friday sales in Europe with cash discounts instead of the gift cards that were offered in Australia and New Zealand. These cash savings are how Apple handled its Black Friday sales in the past. The Black Friday sale in the US is expected to follow in the footsteps of New Zealand and Australia by offering gift cards with purchases. Everyone assumed all of Apple’s retail chain would adopt this gift card promotion, but apparently that is not the case. It’s not clear why European stores are still offering cash and not adopting this new gift card-based promotion. In the UK, discounts are expectedly modest: iPad Air: Save £31 ($50) to £61 ($99) iPad mini: Save £15 ($24) on nonRetina models, no discount on Retina models iPad 2: Save £25 ($40) iPod touch: Save £25 ($40) iPod nano: Save £11 ($18) MacBook Air: Save £81 ($132) MacBook Pro: Save £81 on both Retina and nonRetina models ($132) iMac: Save £81 ($132) Apple TV: Save £15 ($24) AirPort Extreme: Save £15 ($24) AirPort Time Capsule: Save £25 ($40) The Black Friday sale in the US and Canada should begin at midnight PST (3AM EST). Do you plan on picking up some new hardware over the Black Friday weekend? [Via MacRumors] Continue reading →

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Pebble Watch now available on Amazon

Pebble started shipping its smart watch earlier this year and has been gradually increasing its retail presence. After a successful Kickstarter project, the company landed on the retail shelves of Best Buy. In another big boost for the company, the smart watch is now available from Amazon. It’s a big endorsement of Pebble that Amazon wants to carry the smart watch. Amazon is one of the top online retailers and is popular among the average consumers, not just the tech crowd. A featured slot on Amazon’s electronics website could be a big boon to the startup company. Amazon is also selling the watch for $148.99, which is a slight discount off the watch’s $150 retail price. Besides Amazon, you can buy the watch from AT&T or directly from Pebble’s website. [Via AppAdvice] Continue reading →

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Kim Dotcom’s cloud service Mega launches iPhone app, gives 50GB encrypted storage free

Popular cloud storage service Mega has launched its iPhone app that lets you access your files stored on the service’s services while you’re on-the-go. Mega was created by internet personality Kim Dotcom’s after his previous file-sharing service MegaUpload was shut down by the US DoJ. The service is fairly similar to Dropbox, SkyDrive etc., but boasts of superior encryption and security. Most importantly, its free-tier includes 50GB of free storage, which is much more compared to Dropbox’s 2GB or SkyDrive’s 7GB storage quota. If 50GB isn’t enough, you can upgrade to the $10.99/month ($119/year) plan to get 500GB of storage. Download link: ➤ Mega for iPhone – free Continue reading →

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Apple’s iOS doubles Android in worldwide ad impressions

Android may be leading iOS in phone and tablet shipments, but Apple beats Google’s mobile OS in ad impressions, suggesting the iPad and iPhone are being actively used by the folks who buy them. According to mobile advertising buying platform Adfonic, Apple’s iOS devices accounted for 63 percent of all global ad impressions in Q3 2013. This is up 3 percent from an earlier quarterly report. While iOS climbs, Android is on the decline, dropping 6 points in Q3 2013. It now rests well below Apple with a 32 percent share of ad impressions. Beyond the top two is BlackBerry with a 3 percent ad impression share and Windows Phone with 0.9 percent. Looking at manufacturers, Apple (63%) was number one with Samsung (20%) in the number two spot. Together, Apple and Samsung are responsible for 83 percent of ad impressions globally. The remaining 17 percent is shared by the other mobile manufacturers including LG, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and Motorola. The leading device on the iOS platform is the iPhone with 35 percent of ad impressions and the iPad with a 21 percent share. The iPod touch accounted for 6 percent of ad impressions. Not surprisingly, the iPhone was the top mobile device and the iPad was the top tablet, with 49 percent and 76 percent ad impression share, respectively. [Via AppleInsider] Continue reading →

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Rumored Facebook reader may include “Save for later” feature

Facebook users already spend a lot of time on the network and soon they may have another reason to spend even more time pouring over posts and articles on the social network. This new attention-grabber may be an Instapaper-like feature that allows you to save articles to read at a later time. According to a report on AllThingsD, Facebook is testing a feature that would bring a piece of Instapaper and Pocket to the social network. The feature allows users to save links shared on Facebook to a “Read It Later” list. It was originally spotted by MyTechSkool, which noticed a small bookmark button inside stores on the new feed. Click the button and the link will be sent to a “Saved” menu that’s accessible inside the Facebook app. A Facebook representative wouldn’t comment on the feature only saying, ““We’re constantly testing new features, but we have nothing further to share at this time.” Facebook is rumored to be working on a newsreader-like service and the ability to save articles to read later would be an integral part of such a service This feature has been available to some users, but it is not known how many people have spotted in their mobile Facebook app. Have you seen the “Saved” feature? Continue reading →

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Capture All the Sights this Holiday with the Universal Lens Kit [Deals Hub]

This season is so full of moments that are made to be captured. From scenic drives through winter wonderlands to warm embraces with family members–and of course, tons of food to take pictures of–these are memories that deserve to exist in pictures. You can capture it all without need of lugging around a bulky camera when you have the Universal Lens Kit for your iPhone. It’s on sale in the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub. With the Universal Lens Kit, your iPhone turns into the only camera you ever need. Using a simple magnetic system to attach the lens, you can easily switch between any style of photo. Use the fisheye lens to get a 180-degree angle on everything that is happening, attach the macro lens to get up close and personal, or use the wide angle lens to make sure everything fits in frame. It’s the perfect accessory to take to your holiday happenings or to pack into the stocking of the photography fan in your life. You can get the Universal Lens Kit for just $23.99 from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub. That’s a 65% savings off the retail price. It’s a must have for anyone frequently snapping pictures on their phone, so grab this offer while you can. Continue reading →

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DNDPro: Jailbreak Tweak gives you more granular control over ‘Do Not Disturb’ feature

In iOS 7, Apple improved the Do Not Disturb feature by allowing users to silence incoming calls and notifications while iPhone is either locked or unlocked. But if you are looking for even more granular support then you should check out DNDPro, a jailbreak tweak that was recently released on Cydia. After installing DNDPro, you can enable Do Not Disturb when you launch an app using the Force Do Not Disturb feature where you can enable it for each app installed on your iPhone. It also gives you an option to exclude apps from the Do Not Disturb feature, so you don’t miss notifications from an app even when Do Not Disturb is enabled by enabling the “Ignore Do Not Disturb” toggle in Notification settings for an app. You also have the option to just show banner notifications when you are using an app instead of alerts. Check out the detailed video walkthrough of the jailbreak app below: DNDPro developed by dba Technologies is available on Cydia for $0.99. Let us know what you think of the jailbreak tweak in the comments below. Continue reading →

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Foxconn ramps up iPhone 5s production to 500,000 units per day

When Apple launched iPhone 5s in September, it wasn’t very easy to get one, especially if you wanted a gold iPhone 5s. However, just in time for the holiday season, the shipping estimates for iPhone 5s has dropped to just 3 to 5 business days, and a recent survey suggests that it is reaching 90% availability in Apple’s U.S. retail stores. Apple has managed to achieve it thanks to its manufacturing partner Foxconn, which has ramped up iPhone 5s production. Wall Street Journal provides some insight: The Taiwan-based contract manufacturer, which has more than one million workers in China, has operated 100 production lines around the clock in Zhengzhou, north central China, at full capacity, according to executives at Hon Hai. The company has about 300,000 workers at its Zhengzhou site , dedicated to just making the iPhone 5S and key components such as metal casings. To get a glimpse of just how complicated it is to manufacture the iPhone 5S, Hon Hai executives said the company has about 600 workers on each iPhone 5S production line to handle assembly work. “We have been churning out about 500,000 iPhone 5Ss everyday, the highest daily output ever,” said the executive who declined to be named. The Foxconn executive has also revealed that it takes a longer time to assemble an iPhone 5s compared to the iPhone 5c. Foxconn has only 500 workers on each iPhone 5c production line, as it is a lot less complicated. There have also been reports that Apple has significantly scaled back the production of iPhone 5c units, which has probably also helped Foxconn in diverting resources to assemble iPhone 5s. It is just incredible to find out the scale at which Apple and its partners operate to manufacture an iPhone. [Via Wall Street Journal] Continue reading →

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BillGuard helps you save cash with a robust fraud protection service and new money management tools

BillGuard is a startup money management service based in Tel Aviv that wants to help you save some of your hard-earned cash. The company kicked off its business with a service that allowed users to find and block unwanted charges on their credit cards. As reported by TechCrunch, a recent update to its iOS app added money management tools into the mix. BillGuard offers a useful service that allows you to easily identify fraudulent charges and dispute them with minimal hassle. The service also helps to identify recurring charges from subscriptions and other services that go unnoticed because the user has forgotten about they signed up for X, Y or Z over a year ago. BillGuard is moving beyond these protection services and now allowing customers to better manage their money with two new spending tools — Spend Analytics and Smart Savings. You can probably guess what Spend Analytics does by its name — the tool helps users see how they are spending their money so they can identify areas of overspending. Smart Savings also looks at your spending history, not to analyze your cash flow, but to help you find deals. The app knows when and where you make your purchases and can find bargain that you normally wouldn’t know about. The company is only at the beginning of its journey, but it’s got a impressive start. The company has already saved users up to $50 million in fraudulent charges. It’s raised $13 million in funding and now has 23 employees. You can read more about BillGuard on its website and check out its money management app, which is available for free in the iOS App Store. Continue reading →

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How the iPad gives NBA players a competitive edge

Though the Portland Trial Blazers beat the New York Knicks on Monday in the team’s 11th straight win, the real story can be found on the bench, where athletes are using Apple technology to improve their game. As reported by SB Nation’s Blazers, several members of the Trail Blazers use iPads as an integral part of their court side game. The iPads are used to both check their own game and examine the strategy of their opponents. Wesley Matthews and LaMarcus Aldridge were the biggest advocates of the new technology. Matthews told Blazersedge that he uses the tablet to examine plays on both sides of the ball. On his offensive touches, he’s concerned with his shooting form, whether he’s rushing his shots, and whether there were additional options available to him when the ball swings his way. On defensive plays, Matthews is checking for his stance, his spacing relative to his opponent, and how players are scoring on him. This all done using video that is captured during the game and sent almost immediately to the iPad. When they players come out for a shift, they can pull up their clips and review the previous plays. It allows them to make adjustments early in the game instead of waiting for the half-time break. According to the players who use it, it gives them a serious competitive advantage. Continue reading →

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Honda confirms Siri Eyes Free is coming to 2013 Honda Accord, Acura RDX and ILX models

After announcing support for Siri Eyes Free earlier this year, Honda is finally ready to deliver on its promise and bring the technology to select vehicles in its 2013 and 2014 lineup. Honda confirmed that Apple’s Siri Eyes Free technology will be available in the Accord, the Acura RDX and the Acura ILX. It will be installed at Honda dealerships as an aftermarket add-on. It’ll tie into Honda’s proprietary HondaLink and AcuraLink connected vehicle software, which provides access to the automobile’s speakers and microphone. Siri Eyes Free will allow users to send messages, compose emails, create reminders and more without taking their eyes off the road. The iPhone display is turned off and drivers use only the car to interact with their phone. Honda will announce the full list of vehicles eligible for Siri Eyes Free update during a Google Hangout on December 3. [Via MacRumors] Continue reading →

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Retina Apple Displays could come soon, as AUO introduces 4K display panels

When Apple launched the much-awaited Mac Pro, it boasted that the desktop could support up to three 4K displays at once, but it didn’t seem to have its own line of Cinema Displays ready with 4K capabilities. This could change soon, as AU Optronics has introduced new 27-inch and 320inch 4K display panels. From MacRumors: Both panel sizes offer 4K resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, which could use the new Thunderbolt 2 connectivity standard to support either much larger desktops than with the 2560 x 1440 resolution of the current Apple Thunderbolt Display or high-quality “Retina” sharpness at an equivalent of 1920 x 1080. The panel use the same signalling standard that Apple supports, further indicating that these displays would be a good fit for a future Apple Retina Display. AUO’s panels are already in production, but mass production isn’t scheduled until Q1 of next year, so it’s quite possible that Apple’s Retina Displays won’t be available in December, which is when the Mac Pro goes on sale. MacRumors also notes that instead of adopting a 16:9 3840 x 2610 resolution of its displays, Apple could choose the wider 4096 x 2160 resolution, possibly targeted at professionals, many of whom are from the film industry. [via Panelook] Continue reading →

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Equip Your iPhone 5/5S With a Suit of Armor [Deals Hub]

We always want to keep our valuables safe, and what’s more valuable to our daily lives than the iPhone? It’s with us everywhere we go, sitting ready in our pocket when not in use, helping us communicate and stay connected, providing us information and access that we need. Your iPhone is too important to not be protected. You can get all the gear you need to keep your iPhone 5/5S safe from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub. Covering every inch if your iPhone in protective material might seem like it would add heft to the device, but that’s not the case with the bundle of protective casings from Spigen. You’ll get the Tough Armor case with interchangeable frames so you can get the look you want, the GLAS.t Slim Screen Protector to prevent scratching and damage to the display, and the LCD cleaner kit to make sure your iPhone’s screen is always crystal clear. This is the best way to protect your favorite mobile asset. You can get this protective bundle for your iPhone 5/5S for just $39.99 from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub. That’s a savings of 50% off the retail price. That’s a great deal for something that could save you hundreds of dollars in damages, so grab this offer today. Continue reading →

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Apple wins court case against man who claims to have invented the smartphone

NetAirus Technologies is a company owned by 70 year old Richard L. Ditzik, an electrical engineer who patented the idea of a handheld device that can connect to the internet, make phone calls, and be used as a personal digital assistant. In other words, he patented the smartphone. Ditzik has been in court with Apple over this patent for quite a few number of years, but now, according to Bloomberg, the case is over, and Apple has won. Why was Ditzik awarded a patent for something he clearly didn’t invent, but just imagined would one day exist? That’s a question only a lawyer could answer, but it’s certainly a topic that’s being fiercely debated in courts all around the world. The US government recently tried to pass legislation to squash such patent abuses from taking place, but thanks to lobbying from IBM and Microsoft, companies that hold a sizable portfolio of software patents, said legislation died. Hypothetically speaking, what would have happened if Apple would have lost the case? They would have had to sign a big check over to Ditzik and then that would be the end of that. Not the best scenario, obviously, but these patent cases are almost never about getting a product off store shelves. Some interested party usually just wants to pad their bank account. Continue reading →

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New patent reveals Apple’s future plans to turn Touch ID into trackpad, integrate sensor into display

Just a few days after a patent application revealed the inner-workings of the iPhone 5s’ Touch ID, a new Apple patent application filed with the WIPO shows the company’s future plans for the Touch ID fingerprint sensor. The Touch ID Trackpad The patent reveals that Apple envisions using the Touch ID not only for authentication, but even for using it as a trackpad, which would track the motion of a user’s finger and accordingly adjust the UI. Apple uses the Maps app as an example, where users could move their finger left or right on the Touch ID home button, and the map would pan in that direction. An upward movement could then activate the multitasking interface. This is pretty exciting since it opens up another avenue for gestures without creating a lot of conflicts with the existing ones. Some of the gestures Apple lists in the patent application: Revolving finger around sensor Twisting finger on the sensor Finger movement in the right/left/up/down directions Finger movement in the four different diagonal directions The Touch ID trackpad could even double up as a joystick for games, helping bring on-screen game controls off the screen. Touch ID in the Display Even before the Touch ID was introduced with the iPhone 5s, patent applications as well as rumors suggested that Apple would integrate the fingerprint sensor right within the display, effectively making any portion of the touchscreen a sensor. This could be done since Touch ID as well as the touch screen on the iPhone are made of capacitive sensors, albeit with some differences. The Touch ID being integrated into the touchscreen could enable a number of useful features, one of which is letting certain apps launch after a tap only if the fingerprint is valid. So banking apps or your mail app, which contain sensitive data, would launch only if your fingerprint matches the stored fingerprint. Another cool feature this could enable is creation of gestures based on which fingers you touch the screen with. So if you long-press with your right thumb, you could launch mail, but if you long-press the display with your left thumb you could launch the camera app. The whole application is pretty incredible, detailing features like multi-user profiles and login, using the sensor for parental control, authorizing payments etc. To read the whole thing, head over to WIPO’s website. [via MacRumors, Unwired View] Continue reading →

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iPhone 5s/5c may launch in China next month at the China Mobile Global Partners Conference

China’s Radio Regulation Bureau, the people who dole out spectrum to the country’s operators, has recently announced that China Mobile will get 130 MHz of spectrum, whereas China Telecom and China Unicom will both get 40 MHz. During China Mobile’s Global Partners Conference, which kicks off on December 17th, it’s said that the world’s largest operator will finally announce that they’re going to start selling the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c. Why is this important? China Mobile has 740 million subscribers. Let that number sink in for a second. They have more people making phone calls and sending text than there are people living in the United States and European Union, combined. So when they launch a new phone, it’s a big deal. But aren’t there people in China already using the new iPhones? Oh absolutely, but they’re purchased straight from Apple, without a subsidy, and chances are they’re imported from either Hong Kong or Taiwan. With China Mobile offering the iPhone, they’ll be in a position to sell it with a contract, like iPhones are sold in the USA. Is China important to Apple? Very much so. During every Apple quarterly financial earnings call, an analyst always brings up China, and Tim Cook proudly boasts how big China’s revenues are in terms of the company’s total sales. It’s a market with over 1.3 billion people, many of which are only now becoming “middle class”. What better way to show off your new found wealth than by buying an iPhone, iPad, and a MacBook? Easier than buying a new Mercedes, that much is certain. Continue reading →

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Confirmed: Apple acquires 3D sensor maker PrimeSense

Last week, it was reported that Apple had acquired PrimeSense, an Israeli based 3D sensor maker. However, AllThingsD had clarified that while Apple was in talks to buy the company, “the deal was not yet done”. AllThingsD now reports that Apple has completed its acquisition of PrimeSense for $360 million, slightly more than the $345 million reported last week. AllThingsD has got a confirmation from Apple: Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet confirmed the PrimeSense deal with the boilerplate comment the company typically provides when news of one of its acquisitions leaks: “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.” Microsoft had used PrimeSense’s sensor technology in the original Xbox Kinect. It has however started using homegrown sensor technology in the latest generation Kinect, which ships with the Xbox One, that launched last week. Here’s a brief description from the About section on the company’s website: As a fabless semiconductor company, our patented technological breakthroughs have made us the leading B2B provider of low-cost, high-performance 3D sensing and machine vision technologies. By giving digital devices the gift of sight, PrimeSense technology is powering the evolutionary path for a wide range of industries and markets. Our technology is already powering more than 24 million devices around the world. With it, we’re enabling Natural Interaction between people and devices and between devices and their surroundings for robust, user-friendly experiences. They’ve also included the following video, which shows how their 3D sensing technology could be used in TV, mobile, computers, retail, healthcare etc: PrimeSense is the second Israeli company bought by Apple this year, as it bought flash memory startup Anobit in late 2011. It remains to be seen how and when Apple plans to incorporate the 3D sensing and natural interaction technology, but seems like a good candidate for most of its products such as iPhone, iPad, Mac and rumored Apple Television set. [via PrimeSense] Continue reading →

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Become an iPhone Photographer with this Lens Kit [Deals Hub]

The term “Kodak moment” is slipping out of people’s vocabulary and is being replaced with the iPhone moment. You don’t usually carry a dedicated camera with you anymore because you can capture your moments on your phone that you already have in your pocket. Make the traditional camera even more obsolete and turn your iPhone into the only camera you need with the Ultimate iPhone Photographer’s Lens Kit from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub. With all of the great lenses included in this kit, you’ll be able to capture the world from every angle. Included in this pack is a 8x telephoto lens, a 60x microscope lens, the classic fish eye lens, a wide angle option, and 2x telephoto lenses. Keep your iPhone steady to get the ideal shot with the included tripod, and keep everything in one convenient place with the lens wallet. You’ll be able to capture photos that look so good, you won’t even need a filter for them. You can get the Ultimate iPhone Photographer’s Lens Kit for just $69 from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub. That’s a 65% savings off the retail price of $199. Get this offer today and start snapping away. Continue reading →

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Dropbox for iOS gets iOS 7 makeover, AirDrop Sharing and more

Dropbox released a major update for its app for iPhone and iPad yesterday. Dropbox 3.0 sports an all-new design for iOS 7, with a more streamlined experience for the iPad. It also includes new features such as the ability to share links and files via AirDrop and also seamlessly upload videos to your library. Here’s what’s new in Dropbox 3.0: • Beautiful new design for iOS 7 • Streamlined iPad experience: just tap on your files and photos to toggle fullscreen • Improved sharing and exporting makes it easier than ever to send files to your favorite apps • AirDrop support lets you send links and files in a snap • Seamlessly save videos to your library • Speed! Faster launch, photo loading, and video playback • Vanquished our most common crashes • Fixed bug that caused HTML to render as text • Oodles of PDF viewing updates If the app hasn’t been automatically updated, you can download the update via the Updates tab in the App Store app or use the iTunes link below. Download link: Dropbox 3.0 Continue reading →

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Apple Stores now selling Retina iPad mini to walk-in customers

A little more than a week after a surprise launch, walk-in customers can finally buy the Retina iPad mini from Apple retail stores. Previously, Apple Stores were only offering the Retina iPad mini for buyers who had reserved the device through Apple’s online Personal Pickup option. Supplies of the Retina iPad mini are severely constrained due to low yield rates of the high-resolution Retina displays used in the device. While Apple has started offering the iPad mini for walk-in purchases, supplies still remain low so the Personal Pickup is still a better solution to ensure you get the device you want. From MacRumors: The launch of walk-in sales was noted this morning in a research note from Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Brian White, who indicated that a number of New York City stores received shipments designated for walk-in customers last night and this morning. MacRumors has confirmed that walk-in sales are now being offered in some stores, although one store contacted by MacRumors reported that it was still offering only Personal Pickup options. In the note, White noted that 26 out of 32 Apple Stores have Retina iPad mini stock for walk-in buyers. If you plan on going to a nearby store to purchase a Retina iPad mini, make sure you have a look at one of the online stock trackers to avoid disappointment. Apple’s online store continues to show shipping times of 5-10 business days for both Wi-Fi only and Cellular models. Availability of the Cellular model with carriers is however quite bad, with shipping estimates as much as 6-8 weeks. Continue reading →

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Jony Ive and designer Marc Newson interviewed on Charlie Rose [Video]

Apple’s SVP of design Jony Ive and industrial designer Marc Newson were interviewed on The Charlie Rose Show about their collaboration to make customised products for a charity auction, whose proceeds would go towards Product (RED). The duo has designed a custom, one-of-a-kind Leica camera, an aluminium desk, a special red Mac Pro, and gold EarPods. The interview aired last night in some regions, and is going to be aired again tonight. Bloomberg has posted the entire 38-minute interview, which we’ve embedded below: An excerpt from the interview quotes Ive as saying: Simplicity is refining and being able to define the very essence of what something does and therefore, you understand what it is and you understand what it does. But simplicity, I think for us, is not just the absence of clutter, it’s not just stuff that’s not there, it’s this tremendous gravity to trying to find that very simple solution. Here’s are a few of the custom products Ive and Newson have designed: A special edition Mac Pro customised by Ive and Newson Ive and Newson’s custom-made Leica camera A pair of Solid Rose Gold EarPods The (RED) desk made of anodised aluminium You can learn more about the Ive and Newson’s auction by watching the video below: [via MacRumors, @charlierose] Continue reading →

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Apple rejects TextExpander Touch for using Reminders to Share Snippets

Smile Software, the developer of TextExpander Touch for iOS, the extremely useful typing utility, has relied on workarounds to get around some of the limitations of iOS. One such workaround was the way the app used Reminders for shared snippet data storage for the inter-app communication limitation. Apple isn’t happy with these workarounds, as the App Review Team has told Smile Software that the update to their iOS app won’t be approved if it doesn’t remove the use of Reminders for shared snippet data storage. Yesterday, after a period of engagement with the App Review Team from Apple, they informed us that TextExpander’s use of Reminders for shared snippet data storage is not an intended use of Reminders and will no longer be accepted. TextExpander touch will not clear review until this is resolved. Apps which implement the current TextExpander touch SDK may not clear review until their TextExpander touch SDK is updated. As you can see this has an implication on apps that implement the current TextExpander touch SDK. The company has informed TextExpander touch SDK developers that they have figured out a workaround, and are hoping to release the updated SDK by the end of November 25th, which they hope will be approved by Apple. Our only alternative appears to be providing TextExpander data via x-callback-url. User action will be required to acquire and update snippet data. Each app will have its own copy of the TextExpander data, which will not sync automatically with user updates made in the TextExpander touch app. It’s not ideal, but it is within the App Store Review Guidelines. It also means users won’t lose TextExpander touch support in your app. The only reason developers like Smile Software have used workarounds is due to the lack of a standard for inter-app communication. Instead of rejecting such workarounds, Apple should ideally provide a solution to developers, so it is easier for the developers to handle such use cases, and can in-turn offer a much richer user experience. Let me know what you think in the comments below. [Google Groups via Cult Of Mac] Continue reading →

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Apple launches new “Life on iPad” section on its website

Apple has launched a new section on its website called “Life on iPad.” The new section features the video with the same name that was first introduced at the iPad event last month. The text on the webpage has this to say: We designed iPad to be the best tool for all the things you do. But we never imagined where you’d end up taking it. Here are a few stories. The “Life on iPad” video shows how different people from all over the world use iPads in their daily lives for all sorts of tasks like ordering food, driving, flying, playing music, using it during surgeries, drawing and a lore more. The first iPad ads highlighted that specifications alone are not enough, the device needs to be intuitive to the point where technology gets out of the way, to make the experience delightful and even magical. With the “Life on iPad.” Apple appears to again highlight that specifications alone are not enough, and it is how we use it that counts. Thanks Alan for the tip! Continue reading →

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Apple starts including video trailers on App Store for select apps, starting with Clumsy Ninja

Ever since the App Store debuted in 2008, Apple let developers showcase their apps only through screenshots, but this could soon change as evidenced by the App Store page of newly launched iOS game Clumsy Ninja. Along with the standard screenshots, Clumsy Ninja’s App Store page features a minute-long trailer for the game. The video trailer seems exclusive to Clumsy Ninja for now, but we could see this rolling out to all iOS and Mac developers in the future. From MacStories: The big news is, of course, the fact that Apple is embedding a video in the App Store, which has historically only allowed developers to include up to five static screenshots for their apps. Clumsy Ninja’s video opens the built-in iOS media player in portrait mode, and it features music playing in the background with no voiceover or custom App Store branding. It is, effectively, a game trailer on the App Store. Clumsy Ninja is an iOS game that was originally previewed during the iPhone 5 keynote last year. The trailer is only available via a special feature page for the app, and not through the regular page. To see the trailer, follow this link on your Mac, PC or iOS device. Continue reading →

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WhatsApp’s upcoming redesigned iOS 7 app update shown in video

While WhatsApp is a very popular messaging app, its look has started to look quite dated, especially after iOS 7 was released. The company had its iOS 7 update ready in early October, but its beta testing seems to be taking very long, as the update hasn’t showed up on the App Store yet. Today, WhatsApp’s iOS 7 redesign got shown in a German YouTube video. Unlike other apps, WhatsApp has chosen to stick with the standard iOS look, without many custom UI elements, and its iOS 7 update is no different. The 4-minute video embedded below is in German, but you should be able to understand what’s new in the update just by looking. As you might have noticed, the redesign isn’t radical, and the app preserves the same structure, just with the icons, navigation bar and tab bar changed. The black keyboard you saw in the video isn’t enabled by WhatsApp, but is instead a new accessibility setting in iOS 7.1 beta. For screenshots of WhatsApp’s iOS 7 update, you can head over to this post from early-October. [via Cult of Mac] Continue reading →

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Get Karma, the Social HotSpot, Plus Free Data [Deals Hub]

It feels good to give, and who doesn’t love to stay connected, especially during the holiday season? Now you can earn a little good karma with the help of the Karma WiFi Hotspot and make sure that you and those around you can show just how much you care by giving thanks–and by giving WiFi access. You can get the Karma WiFi Hotspot and 1GB of free data from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub. The Karma WiFi Hotspot fits right in your pocket so you can take it anywhere and maintain a high speed connection on every one of your devices. There’s no contract, subscriptions, or monthly fees. Just pay for the data you need. You’ll get 1GB free in this deal and if you don’t use it this month, it stays with you until you need it. To earn yourself some free data, just share your connection with anyone and you’ll land 100MB of free data. Enjoy the power of 4G with others and stay connected with those online and near by. You can get the Karma WiFi Hotspot from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub for just $69. That’s a 30% savings off the retail price. That’s a great deal for this awesome device, so grab this offer today. Continue reading →

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German politicians banned from using iPhones

When it was discovered that America’s government has been spying on Germany for the past decade, people rightly freaked out and got upset. This isn’t a political website, so we’re not going to argue about what’s right or wrong, but we will say this: German politicians now want to make sure their communications are safe. That means getting everyone in power to use an encrypted phone. That also means iPhones are now banned since they don’t support the encryption software that’s Germany’s intelligence agency has developed. Should Apple be upset by this decision? They’re probably not very happy about it, obviously, but there are only so many politicians versus the ever increasing number of people interested in buying a smartphone. Can Apple make their smartphones more secure? Again, the answer is yes, but it’s not going to be as secure as the special software that Germany’s most elite hackers get paid to write. What should iOS users trying to be secure do to maintain privacy? We’re sorry to break it to you, but the very act of owning a mobile phone is leaking data about where you are and when. If you’re having conversations that are so secret and so important that the contents can cause serious harm to a nation’s future, then you should probably have said conversation face to face in a soundproof bunker that only few people know exists. Continue reading →

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Apple updates iMovie for Mac, adds support for legacy video cards

Apple overhauled its iLife suite of apps for the Mac when it launched OS X Mavericks last month. After updating GarageBand for the Mac a few weeks ago with a handful of bug fixes, Apple now is rolling out a new version of iMovie. The remaining iLife app, iPhoto, is likely next on the list as it is the only iLife app that hasn’t been updated this month. Apple overhauled iMovie for the Mac when it rolled out OS X Mavericks last month. The app received a completely new look along with a handful of new features in version 10.0. The latest version, 10.0.1, brings some welcome improvements in reliability when updating projects and events from earlier versions of the iMovie app. Apple also added in support for computers with older video cards, which previously could not install this latest version of the app. iMovie for Mac weighs in at a hefty 1.94GB and can be downloaded for $14.99 from the Mac App Store. It is free for new Mac owners and for those who previously purchased the app. If you notice any other changes in iMovie or performance improvements on older machines, please let us know in the comments. Continue reading →

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Samsung files emergency stay in damages trial as USPTO invalidates Apple patent

Today in a Northern California District Court, Samsung filed an emergency motion to halt proceedings in the damages phase of its patent infringement case with Apple. This request follows a USPTO advisory action that calls into question the validity of Apple’s pinch-to-zoom patent. The USPTO decision affects the ’915 patent which covers Apple’s pinch-to-zoom technology. It describes a process by which a device can determine whether a user is scrolling with one finger versus using several touch points at the same time as would be recorded in a pinch-to-zoom action. Samsung argues that this USPTO decision has an immediate impact on these post trial proceedings. Samsung writes in its motion, “This decision by the PTO jeopardizes the jury’s findings in the damages trial and may render all of the post-trial proceedings a waste of time and resources.” Judge Lucy Koh has said she will consider this stay tomorrow after Apple has had a chance to respond. [Via FOSS Patents] Continue reading →

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Apple finally releases Apple Store app for iPad, and it’s Gorgeous

Apple has finally released the Apple Store app for iPad. Apple had released the Apple Store app for the iPhone almost 3 and half years back, and has surprisingly not been available on the iPad. The app is quite gorgeous, and a great example for someone building an app for an online store. The iPad app sports an image centric design with smart use of gestures that allow users to effortlessly navigate through Apple’s Online store. Mathew Panzarino of TechCrunch has an really nice review of the app, he writes: Where things start to get interesting is the way that the app handles context on the individual item purchase page. When you’re presented with an item selection screen on the iPad, for instance, you’ve got color, storage and connectivity sections, as well as specs, box contents and warranty info. If you tap on a color, you see the color options in the right-hand pane (or top pane in vertical mode). Tapping on storage gives you a contextually aware pane on the right that explains the size choice and why you might pick one over another. The same goes for WiFi or cellular options. The Apple Store app has been the most reliable ways to buys new Apple products. If you’ve an iPad, I doubt you will be using the website again to buy products and accessories from Apple’s website. You can download Apple Store for iPad app from the App Store using this direct iTunes link. Unfortunately, the Apple Store app appears to be available only in the U.S. App Store. Please let us know if it is available in your country. Continue reading →

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An iPhone 3GS just randomly exploded in China

A man in Beijing named Ma recently had quite a scare in his home. An iPhone 3GS, which he purchased in 2009, spontaneously exploded while resting on his bedside table. According to him, he’s also an iPhone 4 owner, but recently took his old iPhone 3GS from out of a drawer because he wanted to use it for a second phone line. He charged the phone, as one would normally do, and BOOM, it just melted. While there are no photos of the damage, Ma says everyone is OK. He doesn’t want any money from Apple, just an explanation as to why his device exploded. The iPhone 3GS in question has reportedly been taken to a local Apple seller, and they say that the explosion was due to a defective battery. If you own an iPhone 3GS, should you be worried? We’re going to have to say no. What likely happened here, and it’s the same story over and over again, is that Ma used a third party Apple charger. Those cheap Chinese knock-offs are notorious for either supplying too much electricity or not knowing when to stop providing current, thus making the batteries swell, to the point where their contents leak out and cause a fiery blaze. Not for nothing, but the same kind of things have happened to quite a few Samsung phones, so there’s no cause for concern about Apple’s quality control. Apple goes out of their way to make sure you get the best products on the planet, but they (obviously) can’t guarantee that a four year old battery is going to misbehave in such a spectacular manner. [Via: Cult of Mac] Continue reading →

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Logitech’s PowerShell: Is this iOS 7 gaming controller any better than the Moga Ace Power?

Of the many new features in iOS 7, one of the most hyped has been support for game controllers. Yesterday, we shared a review of the first of such controllers to hit the market, the Moga Ace Power. According to TouchArcade, the $100 price tag is far too high, the build quality wasn’t up to snuff, and sadly, not a lot of games take advantage of the controller. Does Logitech’s controller, the PowerShell, fair any better? The guys at Engadget recently went to Logitech’s offices to have a go with the PowerShell, and they came back with mixed feelings. The PowerShell seems to be of higher quality than the Ace Power, but the form factor makes plugging in your headphones kind of difficult. Where Moga’s controller also comes out ahead is support for trigger buttons, whereas the PowerShell simply emulates only the most basic controls. Which should you buy? We feel that you shouldn’t buy either of these products because they scream first generation. There’s a reason Apple put a controller API inside iOS 7, and we think it has something to do with a new as yet to be announced Apple product. Maybe Apple is going to introduce their own controller, or several controllers, when they introduce the rumored A7 powered Apple TV next year? Maybe they’ll announce a new controller when they announce the iPad Pro? We’ll have to wait and see, and for now that means keeping your wallet shut. Continue reading →

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Xbox One Smartglass app makes its official debut in the iOS App Store

The next generation console wars have begun. Hot on the heels of the Playstation 4 launch and right before the official retail launch of the Xbox One, Microsoft has seeded the companion Xbox One SmartGlass app in the iOS App Store. The Xbox One SmartGlass app connects to your Xbox One console and brings some of the gaming activity into the palm of your hand. You can use the app to serve as both the keyboard and touch controls on the console. It can’t also use it to control media playback. When you are away from your living room, you can use the app to track your achievements, message friends and view game clips. You can also pin content to your Xbox One console while you are on the go. The Xbox One SmartGlass app is available for free in the iOS App Store. You can download it now, but it won’t do much until the end of this week when the Xbox One starts landing in living rooms around the world. Do you plan on getting an Xbox One? [Via Engadget] Continue reading →

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Free apps for today: ReRave, JetScanner, Lums HD, Anodia and more

We have some great apps for you today that have gone free for a short duration on the App Store, including ReRave, Lums HD and Anodia, all 5 star rated games, and JetScanner, an app that lets you scan documents. JetScanner is an app that lets you scan your documents into PDFs or zip files and share it to Dropbox, Google Drive and other similar services. It features border detection and image filters that make the app much better at what it does than simply clicking a photo of the document. $2.99 -> Free Anodia is a Tetris style brick breaker game for the iPhone and iPad with 100 levels, touch and tilt controls and Game Center integration $2.99 -> Free Lums HD is a game for the iPhone and iPad where you to destroy vampires who are hiding in their hideouts using Angry Birds style physics. $2.99 -> Free ReRave is an iPhone and iPad game where you tap along the rythm of a song to score the most points. $.99 -> Free If you like any of these apps, make sure you download them right away, since we don’t know when their prices could go up. Continue reading →

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Apple finally updates Find My Friends with new design for iOS 7

Just a few days after updating iBooks and iTunes U for iOS 7, Apple has updated the Find My Friends iPhone app with a new look in line with the iOS 7 design language. Find My Friends, the app that lets users share their location with family and friends, was one of the few apps that was characteristic of the Scott Forstall design era, with its fake leather and paper textures. Now the app features a “flat” look with a yellow tint. The app version number has been bumped to 3.0 and here’s what the release notes say: Find My Friends has been updated with an all new design for iOS 7. If the app hasn’t been automatically updated, you can download the update via the Updates tab in the App Store app or use the iTunes link below. Download link: ➤ Find My Friends – free Continue reading →

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FiftyThree, developers of iPad app Paper, launch new Bluetooth stylus “Pencil”

While Steve Jobs wasn’t a big fan of the stylus, there is a sizeable portion of iPad users who want a stylus for using the iPad as a creation device. FiftyThree, the makers of the popular iPad drawing app Paper, figured that many of their customers needed or already used a stylus, and have released their own Bluetooth stylus, which is unsurprisingly named “Pencil.” Pencil connects to the iPad via Bluetooth Low Energy, also known as Bluetooth Smart, thus consuming low power. The stylus has the ability to reject palm touches while you’re drawing with the stylus, and has an “eraser” on the opposite end to let you easily erase portions of your drawing without switching tools. The use of the stylus also enables a new “blending” mode, where you can use your finger to smooth rough edges and blend colors. Pencil’s battery can be charged to full off a USB port in 90 minutes, and a single charge lasts for a month of normal use. Its sensors are plated in gold for accurate detection, and the tip is made such that it has minimum friction while drawing on the screen. FiftyThree says that even without a charge, Pencil should work like any other capacitive stylus in any app. Pencil is available in two models, Walnut for $59.95 and Graphite for $49.95. The Walnut model has magnets that lets it stick to the iPad Smart Cover, making it easy to carry the stylus around. You can order the Pencil stylus from here, and learn more about it on FiftyThree’s website. See also: Our review of pressure sensitive iPad stylus Pogo Connect Continue reading →

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