MFi
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Apple opens Find My to third-party testing
The software allows MFi (Made for iPhone) licensees to test their hardware for use on Apple's Find My network.
Unofficial Apple Watch battery band put on hold
There's a good reason why you don't want to base a business around unsupported solutions to other companies' problems: those companies can break compatibility at any given moment. And unfortunately, Reserve Strap is discovering this first-hand. The company has stopped shipping its namesake Apple Watch battery band to most customers after learning that WatchOS 2.0.1 and later breaks the strap's charging functionality... you know, its reason for being. Reportedly, Apple doesn't want anyone using the Watch's hidden port (tucked just inside one of the band slots) until there's an MFi accessory program in place.
Apple rumored to let other companies make Watch chargers
Apple is believed to be ready to let third parties build magnetic charging cables for the Apple Watch in the same way as it does for the iPhone and iPad. A report by 9to5Mac claims that the company is gearing up to launch a Made for Apple Watch licensing program that'll enable other firms to build their own. Currently, watch stands have to have a groove cut out of them into which you can cram your bundled charging cable. Unfortunately, that's not a very elegant solution for your nightstand, especially if you've dropped $100 on a custom dock. If the report is to believed, then we should start seeing integrated chargers all over the place by early 2016.
The $1 Lightning cable that's still half as good as the real thing
How do you make an iPhone Lightning cable at a tenth of the price of what Apple charges? In short, you can't. Cupertino holds claim to the design patents, not to mention that there's an authenticator chip built into the cable, which means Apple can charge to license out the design (in turn bumping up the cable's base price). However, to avoid such licensing issues, Daiso (arguably the de facto 100-yen/dollar store in Japan) has substantially tweaked the Lightning cable you once knew. This means it's roughly a tenth of the price of the cheapest Apple-certified cable on Amazon, but well, it's also only really half the cable.
SteelSeries Stratus XL is the only iOS gaming accessory you need
Of all the first-turn MFi game controllers, I preferred the original SteelSeries Stratus. Not only was it the only standalone control option at the time, but its analog sticks and and overall design seemed to work pretty much perfectly for me. That being said, it was extremely small, which is great if you're looking for portability but not so much if you want a console-quality gaming experience. The SteelSeries Stratus XL changes that in a big, big way. The most obvious difference here is that the XL is much larger than its predecessor. It's roughly as large as an Xbox One controller -- or the Wii U Pro Controller, if you have one of those lying around -- and as such it's immediately a good fit for anyone used to gaming on a console. It has a full compliment of both face and shoulder buttons, along with a pair of analog sticks and a directional pad. The on/off switch is located on the rear panel and there's sync and battery level buttons on the top of the controller. As far as design goes, it's a massive improvement over the original, and feels like the controller we should have had all along. My biggest complaint when reviewing the original Stratus was the fact that it felt cheap. The plastic housing, loose buttons and sticks, and lack of weight really made it feel like a toy. The XL is the exact opposite. It's heavy, solid, and everything stays firmly in place when you shake it. The analog sticks snap back upright with authority when you release them and I haven't noticed any of the issues that plagued the smaller version. In short, it's a ridiculous improvement. Like the first Stratus, the XL connects via Bluetooth which means connecting it to your iPhone or iPad is as simple as venturing into the settings menu and pairing them up. I'm not a big fan of Bluetooth in general, and in an application as sensitive as a game controller, it's a bit of a crapshoot when it comes to latency, but if there is indeed any lag between the controller and the action on screen, it wasn't noticeably worse than I've experienced with game controllers on consoles. If I'm going to really nitpick, I'd say that the shoulder buttons are a bit high to be super comfortable while reaching for them. The triggers, on the contrary, are perfect, but the shoulder buttons can be a bit of a stretch if you're in the heat of the moment. However, that's also an issue I've noticed with the Xbox One controller (I had no issues with the Xbox 360 controller, for what it's worth) so it may just be a personal preference. At US$69.95 -- $30 cheaper than price of the original Stratus at launch -- it's the first MFi controller that feels like it was designed for gamers, rather than iOS users who happen to play games from time to time. Once you've played with it, there's really no going back. Conclusion SteelSeries says that all the feedback from customers, developers, and reviews was taken into account when designing the Stratus XL, and I have to say that it definitely seems that way. It's head and shoulders above the original -- and any other MFi controller on the market -- and there's honestly no better accessory for iOS gaming, bar none. Rating: 4 out of 4 possible stars
Cases licensed under Apple's MFi program must survive 1m drops under new standards
When you're selling an iPhone accessory it helps to have the official stamp on your product that reads "Made for iPhone." It lets people know your product isn't just a cheap knock off. To get that stamp you have to meet certain standards, which have just gotten a little more strict. According to 9 to 5 Mac, Apple has introduced new environmental and protection standards for cases licensed through the MFi program. The standards were put into effect following September's announcement of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. MFi cases are now required to protect devices from drops on a hard service from up to one meter. Cases must also now lay flat when laying on a flat surface and provide at least one mm of space between the device's glass and the surface. The new standards also include new restrictions on what chemicals can be used to manufacture cases, including Formaldehyde, PFOS, PFOA, PBDE, PBB, and endangered species of plants.
10 iOS games that would be 10 times better with MFi controller support
Made-for-iPhone (MFi) game controllers are pricey niche products, but some games greatly benefit from them. Many others haven't yet jumped on the physical button bandwagon, but some of them definitely should. Here are ten great games that would be even greater with a physical controller. Minecraft - It's hard to believe that this amazing sandbox title hasn't yet adopted MFi support. Playing Minecraft with a touchscreen is doable, but it's definitely not ideal. Real buttons for movement, block placement and jumping would be a dream come true. Trials Frontier - The lack of controller support here is almost inexcusable. Trials is a game that demands precise controls in the harder levels, and touchscreen buttons are anything but precise. I can't imagine a reason why the developers wouldn't have included an MFi option from the start, but it needs to be added as soon as humanly possible. Farming Simulator 14 - Maneuvering your bulky farm equipment around on an iPhone screen is a lot of fun, but vehicles would feel more real with the option of a real controller. Adding MFi support would also free up screen real estate used for the throttle and other controls, which would make the game even nicer to look at. Crazy Taxi - Come on, Sega! Virtually every other Sega title on iOS features support for game controllers, but this arcade driving game -- which desperately needs slick controls -- has been left out. Goat Rampage - This quirky sandbox game is as goofy as it gets, but the controls leave something to be desired. Adding a game controller would fix this and make the game even more absurdly fun. Slayin - Ok, I get it: The on-screen control pad is part of the experience. Still, I'd be willing to sacrifice the nostalgic virtual control pad in favor of some responsible physical buttons. Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 - A fighting game on a touchscreen? It works OK, but any fighting game fan knows that physical buttons are superior in every way. Tapping up a fast combo is made a lot easier and more enjoyable when you don't have to guess where the buttons are. Carmageddon - This ultra-violent racing game didn't launch with MFi support, which kind of bummed me out, and it hasn't been added in yet either. I just can't swerve to avoid (or hit...) pedestrians with precision unless I have a fancy analog stick or d-pad. Call of Duty: Zombies - First person shooter fans demand physical control due to the twitchy nature of the games. MFi support was added to Call of Duty: Strike Team, but it's strangely be left out of updates for older iOS Call of Duty games. Earn to Die - The controls in this game are dead simple, and the on-screen buttons work as well as you'd expect, but I can't shake the feeling that it could be so much better. Landing your car perfectly and mowing through zombies is the name of the game, and I'd love to sit back with my SteelSeries Stratus and play the game on my iPad's big beautiful screen without having to touch it.
The TUAW Daily Update Podcast for February 26, 2014
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get some the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the player at the top of the page. The Daily Update has been moved to a new podcast host in the past few days. Current listeners should delete the old podcast subscription and subscribe to the new feed in the iTunes Store here.
Mad Catz C.T.R.L.i is an iOS 7 controller with Xbox heritage (hands-on)
Best known for its range of console and PC gaming accessories, Mad Catz has made huge strides over the past year to cater for mobile gamers. After it launched its M.O.J.O. Android gaming console in June, the peripheral maker has emerged at Mobile World Congress with C.T.R.L.i, its first controller to feature native support for iOS 7. While it's still in the prototype stage (so new, we're amongst the first to see it), the C.T.R.L.i was fully playable when we discussed specifics with Mad Catz's representative, allowing us to experience an almost final version of the gamepad before it launches publicly in April.
The SteelSeries Stratus is the most important iOS gaming peripheral yet
iOS game developers have been swinging for the fences with massive, high-profile mobile games for years already, but they've been doing it without a physical control option. Touchscreen and tilt controls work fine for many genres, and these digital controller stand-ins have definitely gotten better over the years, but any seasoned gamer will tell you that it'll never be quite the same. The future? With the launch of the iOS 7, Apple finally took the step of including a built-in controller framework, allowing third party manufacturers the ability to create iOS game controllers. The iPhone was the immediate focus for these companies, with Logitech and Moga going head to head with the PowerShell and Ace Power, respectively. Having tested both of the these (keep an eye out for our head-to-head smackdown coming soon), I can say that they both work well, but they are hampered by the fact that they require a physical connection to the device itself. This isn't a deal breaker, but it means that if you have a case on your device you'll need to remove it before utilizing the controller. And, although this should be obvious, they work only with the iPhone, so if you happen to have an iPad as well you're out of luck. The SteelSeries Stratus is the first to dodge both of those issue by going completely wireless, using Bluetooth to connect to your iPhone or iPad. It features four face buttons, four shoulder buttons, twin analog sticks, a digital pad, and a pause button. It's also almost impossibly small. As someone with large hands, I laughed when I saw it, but it manages to be completely useable despite its petite form factor. You can put it in your pocket and bring it along without feeling like you have a huge bulge sticking out of your thigh, which is a first. The iPhone as a game console But believe it or not, these selling points aren't why I think the Stratus is truly the most important iOS gaming accessory yet; it's because of its ability to turn your iPhone or iPad into what is effectively an Apple game console. By using the Lightning AV adapter with HDMI output, you can hook your iDevice up to your TV and then sit back and use the Stratus controller to play the games on the big screen. That's pretty damn awesome. The only drawback right now is that in the switch to Lightning connectors, Apple's AV adapters are now a tad laggy compared to their 30-pin counterparts. You probably won't want to play a fast-paced shooter with this setup, but anything else works swimmingly, and it's one of the coolest things I've ever done with my iPhone. If (when?) Apple works out the mild lag issues and thereby making every game on the App Store a fine fit for an HDTV, this will be the single greatest reason to invest in a controller. I say that the Stratus is the most important gaming accessory for Apple's mobile devices because it is, but that doesn't necessarily mean that this particular controller will actually be a success. It's a harbinger of fantastic things to come, but there are a few things holding the Stratus back from bringing game-changing control to the masses. Price of entry For starters, it's the first attempt at an iOS controller for SteelSeries, which means the build quality isn't where it really should be. It's built entirely out of plastic, and it still feels like a toy. The button letters are painted on rather than indented, the clear plastic cover doesn't fit well (if you bother to use it), and the buttons and sticks rattle as though they're a bit loose. This first-run attempt wouldn't be such a turnoff if it weren't for the fact that the thing is so expensive. At a whopping US$99.99 -- currently available for pre-order -- it's not exactly priced for mass appeal. I hear gamers balk constantly at paying $60 for full-fledge console game controllers, and those have been fine tuned to perfection. The $100 price is mirrored by both of the alternatives from Logitech and Moga as well, so it's not like you have a "budget" option to choose from. For controller-based iOS gaming to take the next step and truly challenge other platforms -- like the 3DS and PS Vita -- it's going to have to be a lot more affordable. I think it will be, especially as we move into the next holiday season, but right now it's definitely an expensive niche. We're at an interesting cross roads in mobile gaming at the moment. We finally have some physical control options available to us, and we have fantastic titles like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas that support them, but it's all still too expensive to really matter. If a mobile gaming revolution does eventually begin to burn within the iOS ranks, I think we'll be able to look back at the Stratus as the spark, but right now it's just as much in danger of being snuffed out completely. Rating: 3 stars (out of 4 stars)
Hardware game controllers for iOS devices may be right around the corner
One of the great new iOS 7 features that hasn't gotten a terrible amount of press is its support for MFi game controllers. As a quick primer, "MFi" indicates that a product has been officially licensed for use on the iPhone / iPad / iPod and thus meets Apple's specifications. While current gaming on iOS is great, there's no getting around the fact that a physical d-pad and buttons opens up a whole new world of gaming possibilities. On Thursday, two online teasers depicting hardware game controllers for iOS emerged. First, we have a teaser video from ClamCase highlighting a MFi iOS controller it calls "GameCase." Also making the rounds on Thursday was this Facebook photo from Logitech. The photo seems to imply that an iOS game controller is forthcoming. If this type of thing piques your interest, you might be happy to learn that Apple has a whole lot of information up on its developer page dedicated to its new Game Controller framework. An excerpt reads: The new Game Controller framework, added in iOS 7 and OS X v10.9, makes it easy to find controllers connected to a Mac or iOS device. Once discovered, your game reads control inputs as part of its normal gameplay. There are three kinds of controllers available: A standard form-fitting controller: An iOS device sits inside the controller and the player can access both the iOS device's screen and the controller elements. An extended form-fitting controller: An iOS device sits inside the controller and the player can access both the iOS device's screen and the controller elements. An extended wireless controller: A controller that wirelessly connects to an iOS device or Mac. The standard and extended controllers have specific, predictable control configurations. One final point of interest; Apple stresses that games developed to work with hardware controllers must also be playable without them.
Crytek showed off a new iOS title called The Collectibles at WWDC
Crytek is the company behind the Crysis series of games, as well as the CryEngine game engine that powers them, and it's released a game on iOS before. Now, it looks like the AAA developer is planning to make a return to Apple's touchscreen platform, with a new game called The Collectibles (or The Collectables, depending on who you hear about it from). Last week at WWDC, Crytek showed off the new game during a panel, and as you can see above, the game looks like a top-down action title, probably a shooter of some description. The other interesting thing you'll notice about the game is that the developer demoing it was using a controller. iOS 7, you'll remember, adds official Apple support for "Made for iPhone" controllers, and we've already seen this hardware leaking out into the world. There have already been a number of third-party controllers available for iPhone and iOS devices, but it looks like Apple is finally supporting buttons officially, and Crytek's game might be one of the first titles to work with this new standard. The game also uses the touchscreen, however, so you probably won't absolutely need to have a controller just to play. Of course, that probably also means we won't see The Collectibles in action until iOS 7 is out, which means sometime later on this year. Hopefully we'll get a chance to see the game in action sooner rather than later.
Prototype Logitech MFi game controller pics surface on web
During last week's WWDC 2013 keynote address, support for MFi -- Made For iPhone / iPad / iPod -- game controllers at the iOS SDK level was quickly noted on one slide. Since that time, TUAW has discussed why this is so important to not only game developers, but Apple as a whole since a combination of an iOS device, a MFi controller and an Apple TV could easily make dedicated gaming consoles a thing of the past. Now 9to5Mac and several other websites are showing an image of a prototype MFi game controller from accessory manufacturer Logitech. The rather blurry image showed a Logitech controller on top of a glass surface. Fortunately, 9to5Mac commenter "clstr0ud" had a much clearer image taken from a slide from the WWDC "Platforms State of the Union" session. As noted on that image (seen above), developers had an opportunity to test out these prototypes during lab sessions. The fuzzier anonymous photo shows that the controller is designed to work with a newer, Lightning adapter-equipped iPhone or iPod touch. No date has been set for release of the device, nor is there any assurance that this is Logitech's final design for the controller.
Daily Update for June 12, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
V-moda unveils Vamp Verza: a dockable, device-agnostic headphone amp and DAC for mobile audiophiles (update: video)
Last we heard from V-moda, the company was appealing to audiophile sensibilities with its $300 Crossfade M-100 portable headphones. Continuing in that respect, today it's officially unveiling the Vamp Verza as a followup to last summer's $650 iPhone 4/4S-purposed Vamp spy tool headphone amp, DAC & case combo. The aluminum-clad Verza is a device-agnostic solution that uses a sliding dock system with special $100 Metallo cases to give any supported devices a similar all-in-one feel to the original. At launch, a GS III case is available, with an iPhone 5 model a few weeks out -- the company is aiming to get GS IV and Note II cases out next. The unit's 150mW x 2 amplifier will bypass your iDevice's audio output via a USB port on its bottom, while an adjacent microUSB port can take advantage of the external sound card profile found in Android Jelly Bean. V-moda notes the microUSB port acts like a traditional USB audio device, so it'll work with mostly any device. As you might guess, both ports have their own specific DACs routing audio at different power levels to its op-amp.
Bluetooth dock dongle Pear falls short of Apple certification, gets shelved
Last summer, Pear promised to make pairing iDevices via Bluetooth to an Apple-compatible speaker dock easy, but caught a trademark snag that put it on hold shortly after. The adapter seemed destined for a release under a different moniker, but it's met an impasse. According to the folks behind the hardware, the device wasn't approved under Apple's MFi (Made for iPad / iPhone / iPod) program since Cook and Co. don't bestow the seal of approval upon products that leverage the 30-pin female connector in conjunction with Bluetooth. Pear's creators note they could move ahead without Apple's blessing, but say that the development "officially kills this product" since Cupertino could put the kibosh on the operation. Despite dashed hopes for the dongle's reincarnation, its creators are pushing forward with another product -- though it's unclear if it's an iteration of the ill-fated connector -- and expect to have more details within three to four weeks.
Made For iPhone manufacturers may have to comply with Apple's supplier responsibility code
There's no gaggle of satellite trucks or eager liveblogs documenting every moment, but one of the most important Apple-related events is going on right now in Shenzhen, China: the annual MFi (Made For iPhone/iPad/iPod) manufacturers' conference. This multi-day meeting is the interface, so to speak, between Apple's mobile products and the vast ecosystem of accessories, gadgets and peripherals that swarms around them. Only MFi-licensed vendors can use the "Made for iPhone" logo on their packaging, and they are the only ones who get access to Apple's internal documentation for interfaces and connectivity. With the advent of the Lightning connector across the iOS product line, this year's conference is a key opportunity for vendors to get the intelligence they need for 2013 and beyond. In fact, reports last month revealed that Apple intends to control the supply of Lightning connector pins directly, rather than allowing third parties to make the parts themselves. The cone of silence surrounding the MFi meeting is intense, unlike the rather leaky WWDC experience. That's understandable: there's way fewer MFi companies than iOS/OS X developers, and the technical information under discussion at the MFi conference could provide Apple competitors with valuable intel. Nevertheless, during the meeting this week a few interesting tidbits have made their way to us through the Great Firewall. Most are trivial (did not know: the Lightning connector is waterproof!) but one big one is not. According to our source at the event, Apple intends to make compliance with its supplier code of conduct a condition of MFi licensing. The supplier code, which has been implemented and expanded over the past few years as Apple and manufacturing partner Foxconn have come under increasing scrutiny for working conditions, currently applies only to Apple's manufacturing supply chain partners and component vendors. Pushing it out to the larger accessory ecosystem would be a concrete example of Apple using its 800-pound-gorilla status in the consumer electronics space to influence more companies to behave ethically on worker rights, environmental issues and more. Of course, there may well be MFi participants who see this move as heavy-handed and unnecessary. It's not yet clear what the schedule, audit requirements or penalties for non-compliance might be -- but there may be some vendors at the margins who feel that the additional effort and expense to comply decreases the overall value of participating in the iOS accessory market. Even if you don't believe the DigiTimes rumor that Foxconn is considering building out LCD TV manufacturing plants in the US (and we don't), accessory makers which have US-based operations may have a leg up on compliance over those in China and elsewhere. We'll keep an eye out for official word of these policy changes in MFi over the next few weeks.
Apple schedules November "MFi" conference in Shenzhen, China
Licensed third-party accessory manufacturers will meet in Shenzhen, China, November 7-9 at an Apple-sponsored "Made for iPhone/iPod/iPad" (MFi) conference. It's expected that hundreds of manufacturers will attend to learn about Apple's licensing program and hear details of new product directions. As Apple followers might expect, the new Lightning connector is on the agenda for the conference, with a "Designing Lightning Accessories" session the first day. Apple's new connector is expected to make it to all iOS and iPod devices within the next six months or so, and other sessions on "Transitioning from Analog to Digital" and "MFi Program Changes" might also provide licensees with details on the somewhat expensive internals of the new connector. Also on tap are sessions focusing on the new Bluetooth 4.0 standard, which provides for both a new low-power mode for battery savings on devices like Bluetooth pedometers as well as a dual radios for accessories that need to support older Bluetooth devices. Not to be forgotten in the rush to new standards, Apple's AirPlay and AirPrint are also receiving attention. 9to5Mac has a copy of the conference agenda available for your perusal. [via iPodnn]
Apple to hold conference for iDevice accessory makers, school them in using Lightning connectors
Apple may have shaken things up with its Lightning connector's unique internals, but a leaked schedule reveals it's holding a conference to help accessory makers get a handle for crafting products with the tech. Taking place between November 7th and 9th in Shenzhen, China, the MFi (Made for iPad / iPhone / iPod) Technology Summit will acquaint manufacturers with the new standard and guidelines for developing gear with the cable. Rather than divulging how to create Lightning connectors, it appears that Apple will be keeping the specifications close to its vest and assume the mantle of gatekeeper. According to one of TechCrunch's sources, Apple will control the supply of pins for its connector and will only sell them to partners when accessories meet Cupertino's standards. This tactic would match up nicely with the current requirements for the MFi certification program, which already makes parts from Apple-approved suppliers a necessity. It sounds like a potentially pricey proposition, but the source also claims that Cook and Co. have a fair asking price for components doled out in bulk, considering the technology behind them. Curious to see what else is on the docket for the three day shindig? Hit the first source link below for the full schedule.
Sennheiser unveils $1k HD 700 reference headphones, HD 25-based Amperior for mobile audiophiles
Here at CES, Sennheiser's just unveiled its latest duo of headphones set to please audiophiles at home and on the go. First up is the company's HD 700, which at a glance, appears to be a suave hybrid of its esteemed HD 800 and 650 reference cans. If you've lusted after the HD 800, but couldn't stomach the $1,500 price, you'll be happy to know that the HD 700 can be yours for a cool (albeit still wallet-thinning) 1,000 smackers. Notably, these 150-Ohm, open-backed headphones are loaded with 40mm Duofol dynamic drivers, and are capable of an impressive 10Hz to 42kHz frequency response. Next up, its Amperior supra-aural headphones take the already portable HD 25 DJ 'phones, and spices 'em up with an iDevice-compatible inline remote / mic, updated specs and aluminum, closed-back earcups. While there's no word on pricing just yet for the We're told that the Amperior will sell for $350, and it'll hit shelves along with the HD700 this March. HiFi audio lovers will find a detailed rundown of each unit's ear-tingling specs in the press releases after the break.
