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Daily Update for October 11, 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
iWork bug bothering some iPhone 5s owners
Some users with the new iPhone 5s are getting a very Windows-like "blue screen of death." There have been several reports on the Apple support boards talking about it, and even a sample video. It seems the problem arises when using the iWork apps: Pages, Numbers and Keynote. Reports say the problem happens when the Home button gets a double tap to exit an iWork app. The result, in some cases, is a blue screen and then a reboot of the phone. I could not duplicate the problem with any of the iWork apps on my 5s, but it's clear some users are experiencing this frustrating bug. Like any new release, iOS 7 hasn't been trouble-free. Apple is already working on a nasty iMessage bug that prevents texts using the Apple servers from being delivered. It's likely iOS 7 will see an update with some bug fixes shortly. Until then, Apple has inadvertently given you a bit of Windows nostalgia on your iPhone 5s. [via MacWorld]
iOS 7 wins mobile OS user experience shootout
Pfeiffer Consulting recently put iOS 7 through its paces, comparing it to a number of other mobile OSes to gauge which OS has a step up on the competition when it comes to the user experience. The operating systems involved in the study included iOS 7, iOS 6, Android, Windows Phone 8 and BlackBerry 10. Now seeing as how there are innumerable versions of Android out there, the study focused on Samsung's implementation of Android since it's currently the most popular Android handset maker. The study focused on four variables: cognitive load, efficiency, customization and user experience friction. Each variable was afforded equal weight. Also note that the tests were measured from the viewpoint of an average, non-technical user. When the dust settled, iOS 7 reigned supreme with a 73.25 score followed closely by iOS 6 with a score of 70. Next came Android, Blackberry 10, with Windows Phone 8 pulling up the rear. The report reads in part: What separates the Android user experience from iOS 7 is not functionality, but feature-bloat and sloppy user interface design. In terms of user experience, less IS more. But there is another issue for Android, and that is market fragmentation: The loyalty of Apple's users is such that the company can be certain that millions of users will upgrade to a new release -- and Apple's marketing is working hard to increase the desire to do so. Android, by contrast is terrifyingly fragmented, with most users only upgrading when they change device. This is a problem that will be almost impossible to overcome -- and can only get worse over time. Overall, the entire study provides an interesting read and is worth checking out in its entirety. There is also an interesting discussion regarding the study's methodology over here.
iOS 7 video tip: Associating Touch ID fingerprints with fingers
Today's iOS 7 video tip is for iPhone 5s owners who want to know more about Touch ID fingerprints. While the device simply stores fingerprints as "Fingerprint 1," "Fingerprint 2" and so on, you might want to know which finger corresponds to that title. We'll show you how, courtesy of the original written tip by Jeff Gamet of The Mac Observer. You can then edit those titles so you know exactly what fingerprint data is stored in each file, or even delete a fingerprint from Touch ID. As with all of our other video tips, this one can be set to full-screen for easier viewing.
Roll your own iBeacon with a Raspberry Pi and a Bluetooth LE dongle (Updated)
Developers who want to start experimenting with iBeacons don't need to wait for hardware to show up on the market or design their own. Radius Networks has published a quick "how-to" for developers that shows how an inexpensive Raspberry Pi and Bluetooth LE dongle can be set up in a few minutes for experimentation purposes. The post, courtesy of James Nebeker and David Young, provides detailed step-by-step command-line instructions on setting up the RPi, downloading the necessary libraries, configuring the Bluetooth dongle and creating the necessary start and stop scripts. And with that, you can start designing the future with Apple's iBeacon technology. Update: Reader Jason Goldsmith tweeted that "You can also use any BT LE iOS device as an iBeacon, so iOS to iOS beacons are possible." That provides another way for developers to test out the Apple technology, although it's not as much fun...
Flickr app gains auto-upload feature in iOS 7 update
With several recent major updates including a grid UI and filters, Flickr's days of languishing in Yahoo's hands seem over. Another refresh has just arrived for iOS 7, bringing automatic uploading from your camera roll to its servers at full resolution -- with sharing set to private by default. You'll also get automatic photo straightening using the Flickr editor, and Yahoo says that it's resolved Google sign-in issues, making sure "it doesn't happen again." If you're worried about clogging up your Flickr storage with multi-megapixel iPhone photos, fret not -- you'll still get a free terabyte.
iOS 7 video tip: Fun and fast keyboard tricks
Today we've rounded up a herd of keyboard tricks for iOS devices. Some of them are new to iOS 7, and others have been around for a while, but are still extremely useful. The tips come from a variety of sources, including Kirk McElhearn at TechHive and our helpful bloggers here at TUAW. Be sure to check out our other video tips, and remember that you can expand this to full-screen for easier viewing.
Any.DO's Cal app scores Uber, Waze and Google Maps integration (updated)
The stock iOS calendar works just fine for basic scheduling, but if you religiously use Uber, Waze or Google Maps, Any.DO's Cal could be worth checking out. An update to the popular productivity outfit's brainchild brings integration with the three aforementioned services, which means you can now call a cab via Uber without leaving Cal, so long as you're in an area where the town cars roam. You'll also be able to navigate your way using Waze and Google Maps without having to launch them. As a nice bonus, Any.DO is introducing a new gifting feature that lets you buy straight from Amazon or Gifts.com from within the app itself. Cal is still nowhere to be seen on Google Play, but iOS users can score the refreshed application at the source. Update (10/08/13): The folks at Any.DO have informed us that you can't access Uber without leaving Cal after all. There's actually an Uber link within the calendar that launches the request-a-ride app. The amended press release is attached after the break if you'd like to know more.
iOS 7 video tip: Where is Apple hiding AirPlay Mirroring?
While not everyone uses AirPlay Mirroring to display their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch screen on a TV through an Apple TV, that capability is surprisingly popular with those who need to teach or demonstrate iOS apps. In the iOS 6 days, you could get to AirPlay Mirroring by double-tapping the Home button, then swiping right as far as you could go, into the Music player controls where you'd see the AirPlay icon. With a tap on that icon, you could turn on mirroring. We've had pings from more than just a few readers who wonder where that capability has gone in iOS 7, so here's the simple solution: it's part of Control Center, which you reach by swiping up from the bottom edge of your screen. Just look for the AirPlay icon. As with all of the earlier video tips, this one can be enlarged to full-screen for easier viewing.
Business is cozying up to iOS 7
iOS 7 has been officially available since September 18, and given the attitude of corporations to move slowly on operating system updates and embracing new technologies, you might expect that it will take time for iOS 7 to make it into the executive suite. Joel Mathis at Macworld says that nothing could be further from reality in a post today titled "Why businesses are embracing iOS 7." Mathis quotes Erik Frieberg of VMWare as saying that "You might even say that iOS is the most corporate-friendly OS on the market right now." Through a series of discussions with mobile enterprise experts, Macworld found that they are quite happy with iOS 7's advances in five main areas: Device security: Activation Lock makes it easy to keep thieves or those who find lost devices from being able to restore or reactivate devices running iOS 7, and Touch ID on the iPhone 5s provides an added layer of security. App security and management: In a world where iPhones and iPads are entering corporations as part of "bring your own device" initiatives, being able to create a dividing line between corporate apps and data and personal usage is important. iOS 7's Per App VPN feature means that corporate apps can easily connect to a company's virtual private network for work, while personal apps cannot. Distribution and management of apps is simpler now, and Enterprise Single Sign-on gives users access to multiple apps with one passcode entry. Tools for teamwork: Here, Mathis notes that iOS 7's AirDrop capabilities are being used in Kibit's Collaborate app for file exchange purposes. Those same capabilities can power other collaborative apps that are still on the drawing boards. Widespread adoption: Corporations don't have to deal with multiple versions of the operating system due to easy updates. Mixpanel's trend data shows that almost 70 percent of iOS devices are now running iOS 7 after just two and a half weeks. That's easier on corporate IT departments, as they don't need to design app deployments for multiple versions of an OS. Free office apps: Now that iWork is available for free on new iPhones running iOS 7, Apple can compete with Microsoft Office with three apps that appeal to corporate users. Mathis' post concludes with a wish-list of items that corporate IT leaders are hoping Apple embraces for future versions of iOS, but he points out that "despite these shortcomings, the experts consulted by Macworld seemed uniformly impressed by iOS 7."
Skype apps for iPad and iPhone get an iOS 7 interface makeover
Skype brought a basic level of iOS 7 support to its iPad and iPhone communication apps last month, but the developer isn't satisfied with that mere tune-up. It just released new versions of both apps that sport a flatter, iOS 7-friendly interface. The updates also improve accessibility, particularly for those who need VoiceOver assistance. If you've been waiting for Skype to match Apple's minimalist aesthetic, you can grab the upgraded software through the source links.
Skype gets updated for iOS 7
Microsoft has updated Skype for iPhone and Skype for iPad with a refreshed look for iOS 7 as well as compatibility improvements and accessibility features. While the new updated apps look great in their iOS 7 skins, the best changes are the little compatibility improvements you don't see right away. For instance, the updated Skype for iPhone completed all of my test calls without a problem, which is not something I could say about the previous version. Skype for iPhone and Skype for iPad are free downloads.
500px photo-sharing app gets iOS 7 update, new looks and features
It might not excite as many as 150 million people, but the 500px update for iOS 7 could make a lot of its avid users' weekends. To keep up with the crowd, the photo-sharing network has refreshed its app's looks, getting rid of its unsightly black bezel for an edge-to-edge design accented with translucent panels. A handful of new features are also sprinkled in, including the ability to quickly Like or reply to any comment by swiping it. For the iPad, a photo's detail page now shows everyone who Liked and added it to their favorites. The homepage (or Flow, as the network calls it) now also displays the user's avatar next to the image they Liked, Favorited or commented on. While these changes have yet to make their way to Android, iOS users can quickly hit Update on the App Store or click the Source link below to download 500px.
Apple posts tips and tricks guide for the iPhone 5s and 5c
Apple today posted new pages to its website highlighting a number iOS 7 tips and tricks for iPhone 5s, 5c, and 4s users. Truthfully, I'm surprised Apple hasn't done something like this before given that there's so much power in iOS that the general public is often unaware of. While the tips listed by Apple may, on the whole, be familiar to anyone who keeps up with Apple-centric blogs, Apple's new webpages provide a nice resource for users new to iOS and even for seasoned users who haven't yet experienced the full power of iOS. The new pages put up by Apple are even more timely given the recent release of iOS 7 which, as has been said time and time again, marks the biggest change to iOS since the 2007 release of the original iPhone. The tips are broken up by categories which include Photography, Swipe Gestures, Maps, Siri, Safari and more. It's well worth checking out. Speaking of tips, don't forget to check out our series of TUAW video tips for iOS 7. via MacRumors
Steve Wozniak headlining Apps World Europe in London on October 23rd
iOS developers in and around London might want to take note: Steve Wozniak will be the keynote speaker for Apps World Europe on October 23rd. Apps World Europe is now in its 4th year and is quickly becoming the conference of choice for mobile developers in Europe. The two day event sees over 8,000 developers, mobile marketers, mobile operators, device manufacturers, platform owners and industry professionals meet for workshops and discussions. Of notable interest this year will be a heavy focus on iOS 7, its hundreds of new features, thousands of new APIs, and brand new look. In announcing his keynote role, the Woz said. "I'm delighted to be speaking at Apps World, sharing my experience of 30 years in the mobile and computing industry, as well as learning from and feeding off the passion and enthusiasm of the app developer community in attendance." In addition to Wozniak, leaders from Google, Microsoft, Twitter, Shazam, the BBC, and dozens more will be in attendance to share their latest thoughts about mobile. Apps World Europe takes place from October 22nd-23rd at Earls Court 2, Warwick Road, London SW5 9TA. Tickets can be purchased here. And if you're an iOS developer who's going, I'll be wandering around both days, so give me a tweet during the event if you'd like to share what you're up to.
iOS 7 video tip: Using Do Not Disturb on the iPhone
While the purpose of smartphones is to let us receive verbal and written communications from others, there are certain times when you don't necessarily want your phone to beep, ring or otherwise make a noise or show a notification. Do Not Disturb is a handy setting that lets you choose when you want receive calls or notifications. In this short video, which can be set to full-screen for looking at details, you'll see how to enable Do Not Disturb and how to use the app's settings.
This week on gdgt: Samsung's Galaxy Note 3 Jawbone's Mini Jambox, and iMessage issues
Each week, our friends at gdgt go through the latest gadgets and score them to help you decide which ones to buy. Here are some of their most recent picks. Want more? Visit gdgt anytime to catch up on the latest, and subscribe to gdgt's newsletter to get a weekly roundup in your inbox.
Security team describes iPhone Airplane Mode issue
The addition of an easily accessible control panel for turning on features like WiFi, brightness and Airplane Mode from the iPhone's lock screen was a welcome addition to iOS 7. But, as a group of German security researchers has discovered, it may provide a backdoor for thieves to break into your phone. You can see a demonstration of the workaround, which uses the Control Center shortcut for Airplane Mode, in the video below from the security SR Labs. The workaround, if executed quickly and correctly, gives the thief time to spoof your fingerprint to bypass the iPhone 5s TouchID reader. While spoofing a fingerprint might not be as easy as it sounds, it's still a risk that 5s users should be aware of. The process still requires a high degree of skill that your common iPhone thief doesn't have. Still, it's only a few weeks into the phone's release. As time goes on, these methods will become more refined and easier to pull off. Thankfully there's a whole world of security professionals out there keeping a watchful eye on every possible workaround. Be aware, be secure and, for the love of God, try not to lose your phone.
Removing filters applied to photos in the iOS 7 camera app
You know the scenario -- you try to take a creative photo by applying a filter and then hate how it turns out. You decide to snap another shot, but the moment is gone, and you are left with an ugly photo of a beautiful scene. If you used iOS 7 to snap your photo, then you are fortunate as you may be able to remove that offending filter. As originally described by MacObserver, just follow these few directions below. If you are on an iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5s or an iPod touch (fifth gen), then you can easily undo the camera filter in a few short steps. Just open the image in the Photos app, and click on the "Edit" button in the bottom-middle of the toolbar. When you are in editing mode as shown above, you'll notice the tri-circle icon for the filters. Tap on the filters icon and then scroll to the left to select "None." Hit "Apply" in the upper-right-hand corner and, voila! The filter will be removed. You can also change the filter to another one as I did in the image below.
Keyboard tips and secrets in iOS
In iOS 7, the keyboard got a visual overhaul but kept most of its handy shortcuts. As pointed out by TechHive, there are several tips and hidden features (many that were also present in iOS 6) that'll make your typing time a little bit easier. (Note that only applications that are updated for iOS 7 will see the new design for the keyboard.) The rundown of keyboard tips is pretty thorough, and there were some we hadn't noticed before. Most Twitter apps, for example, insert both the @ and # symbols so you can easily message someone or write a hashtag. The previously-available emoji and foreign keyboards are still there, if you turn them on in Settings. And the missing ".com" key for URL entries can be found by holding down the period in an appropriate field. There are also a handful of hidden characters that are accessible by holding down a key on the keyboard. The one I use the most is the "..." that is available by long-holding the period key in non-URL fields. You can check out the full list of shortcuts in the TechHive article. More tips on text entry in iOS: Steve's video tip on emoji and other keyboard settings Apple's tips and tricks guides for all three current iPhone models Setting up keyboard shortcuts in iOS, via our iPhone 101 series Automating text entry on iOS Getting Autocorrect to respect your colorful language (the "ducking iPhone" problem) If you have a favorite iOS tip, be sure to let us know!
