iphone
Latest
12 iPhone reviews in 3 minutes for its 10th anniversary
The iPhone turned 10 on Monday, forever changing the course of smartphone history. But even game-changing devices, like humans, have good years and bad years. Remember antenna-gate? What about all of those dongles? And that time Apple tried to make the 5c happen. We've rounded up all our reviews (listed below) and also summed them up in one short video. Enjoy, and prepare to feel old: Remember when copy-and-paste on iOS was a big deal? Or when we thought the iPhone's killer app would be making phone calls? Yeah.
Hacker's unofficial 'Watch Dogs 2' app is incredibly appropriate
After successfully linking GTA V to an iPhone, the same Hungarian hacker has now developed software that allows users to manipulate Watch Dogs 2 from their smartphone. Using the programming language, Python, YouTuber Planetleak DIY Projects has managed to recreate the game's Dedsec app on his iPhone -- and the irony of creating an iPhone hack for a game about hacking probably wasn't lost on him. Thanks to clever keypress emulation and screenshots mimicking the look of the game's smartphone, the custom app instantly navigates a convincing replica of Watch Dogs 2's in-game menu via the iPhone's touchscreen.
The iPhone could have been very different
Apple's decision to give the iPhone a touchscreen was a bold and controversial one at the time. In an era where Blackberry was thriving with its keyboard phones, the idea of removing them entirely seemed baffling. History shows that Apple made the right decision with a full-screen touchscreen, but that wasn't the only option. We've heard of the iPod-esque touch wheel prototype iPhone before now, but a new video from tech leaker Sonny Dickson now shows this interface going toe-to-toe with an icon and (touch-controlled) iteration.
Uber can start trips based on your calendar
If you're a frequent Uber passenger, you probably don't pick all your destinations on the spot -- you sometimes have a scheduled meet-up in mind. Why do you have to dig up the address for that appointment when you already have it in your calendar? You might not have to after today. Uber is rolling out a Calendar Shortcuts feature that (surprise) lets you start a trip based on an upcoming calendar entry instead of your home, work or ride history. So long as that important business meeting has an address, you won't have to memorize it when you're hailing a car.
The iPhone's legacy, 10 years later
January 9th, 2017 is a milestone day in the technology world: It's the 10th anniversary of Apple's iPhone. Yes, it's been a full decade since Steve Jobs took to the stage and introduced the device that many credit with defining the modern smartphone. But was it an overnight revolution? Well, no. Despite all the initial hype, the iPhone actually represents a gradual reinvention strung across many years. It wasn't the first out of the gate with many basic concepts, but its fresh approaches to those concepts helped smartphones escape their niche business-tool status and become the must-have companion devices they are now.
Canada finds Apple's carrier deals don't hurt competition
France may think Apple is up to no good with its carrier deals for the iPhone, but you won't hear similar gripes from Canada. The country's Competition Bureau has determined that there isn't "sufficient evidence" to show that Apple had illegally strong-armed carriers into deals that gave it preferred treatment. While there's no question that the iPhone is a "must-have" for carriers, the regulator says, the terms only have a minor effect at most -- there's plenty of competition, and ditching Apple's agreements wouldn't significantly change the playing field.
Samsung's smartwatch lineup now works with your iPhone
Did you sigh wistfully at Samsung's Gear S3, knowing you couldn't use it because you have an iPhone? Relax. Samsung has launched new Gear S and Gear Fit apps that bring iOS compatibility to all of its current wrist-worn devices, including the Gear S3 (both Classic and Frontier), the Gear S2 and the Gear Fit 2. You won't see all the integration you would on an Android phone (let alone a Samsung phone), but you can receive notifications, manage apps and track your S Health data. Hardware features should work, too, so you can expect GPS and environmental sensors to play a part.
Netflix has another app now, but it's for DVD and Blu-ray movies
Last year, Netflix used its CES keynote speech to announce the launch of (nearly) worldwide access to streaming. This year it won't take the stage directly, but ahead of the show it's highlighting something a little more limited in appeal: an app built for its 4.2 million or so remaining DVD rental customers. These days the disc side of the business is billed separately and segmented over on DVD.com, but it's reportedly still profitable. Managing your queue of discs (which often includes movies and TV shows that have left streaming, or never show up there at all), has been missing from official apps since it disappeared after an update back in 2011.
The iPhone 7 may not be selling as well as Apple hoped
Traditionally, new iPhones sell pretty well in their first few months -- often outperforming the previous model's sales during the same quarter. That might not be the case with Apple's latest handset: according to Nikkei, sluggish sales are forcing the company to cut back production of iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus devices. Based on data received from suppliers, Nikkei expects Apple to slow stock production by about 10 percent.
The best stylus for your iPad or other touchscreen device
By Serenity Caldwell This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. When readers choose to buy The Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. After testing 18 styluses in five categories for over 20 hours to find the best touchscreen stylus for sketching, writing, and navigation, we think the Adonit Mark is the one most people should buy, thanks to its unmatched combination of accuracy, comfort, and price.
Louis CK's app gives you direct access to his comedy shows
Louis CK helped prove that artists can make good income by selling videos directly to fans, but getting his comedy shows to your phone can be a bit of a headache if you're unfamiliar with the intricacies of local file syncing. As of this week, though, you don't have to bend over backwards. The entertainer has released apps for both Android and iOS that let you buy, watch and listen to shows right on your device -- there's no sideloading required, and no third-party studios getting in the way. As Louis explains in a newsletter, this is really a mobile version of his website, just optimized to make your life easier.
Algoriddim squeezes its djay Pro app into the iPhone
For the past 10 years, DJ software maker Algoriddim has been steadily updating its djay app, adding fresh features as software and technology have improved. It started out in Apple's eco-system on the Mac, adding the iPhone and iPad as it went, even letting Android join the party eventually. Last year its fully-outfitted Pro version added video mixing alongside sampling, effects and four decks. This comprehensive party software hit iPads last year, but starting today the backbreaking work of hauling laptops and tablets around is over, with the newly laid out djay Pro for iPhone. Yep, you now get a fully capable DJ package, with access to Spotify's pool of tracks, four decks, effects and video mixing in a pocketable format. If you're intrigued, now's the time to try it, with a limited time launch price of $4.99.
Florida court rules police can demand your phone's passcode
A Florida man arrested for third-degree voyeurism using his iPhone 5 initially gave police verbal consent to search the smartphone, but later rescinded permission before divulging his 4-digit passcode. Even with a warrant, they couldn't access the phone without the combination. A trial judge denied the state's motion to force the man to give up the code, considering it equal to compelling him to testify against himself, which would violate the Fifth Amendment. But the Florida Court of Appeals' Second District reversed that decision today, deciding that the passcode is not related to criminal photos or videos that may or may not exist on his iPhone.
Google Drive creates a shortcut for iOS to Android migrations
If you're switching from iOS to Android, Google Drive might be able to help you out: its latest feature gives it the powers to back up your calendar events, contacts, photos and videos. It probably doesn't sound that useful if you regularly use GCal for your schedule or Google Photos to store your images. But if you don't, then Drive ensures you don't have to manually transfer your data -- all you have to do is start the backup process within the settings page.
Apple releases iOS 10.2 and its companion TV app
Apple is making good on its promise of giving you a unified video streaming experience. The company has released iOS 10.2 and tvOS 10.1, both of which include the company's centerpiece TV app. So long as a given service supports the feature, you no longer have to jump into and out of apps to catch up on your viewing -- you can resume your favorite show or check out recommendations from a single place. Netflix isn't included in TV at the moment, alas, but this and the recently launched single sign-on should save you a lot of hassle.
Mixed reality comes to your iPhone thanks to the Bridge headset
There's something more than a little magical about seeing the world in front of you being devastated by dragons or augmented with arrows pointing you to your next meeting. Alas, while mixing realities like that with our smartphones is already possible, the tech still is a long way off from reaching its potential — just look at early, disappointing efforts like Lenovo's enormous Tango phone. Luckily, startups are chasing the mixed reality dream too, including one — Occipital — that has a solid track record of solving the tricky problems that pop up when blurring boundaries between worlds. That's why the team's new mixed reality, the Bridge, seems so impressive right out of the gate.
'Super Mario Run' won't work offline due to piracy concerns
Super Mario Run doesn't arrive for another few days, but when it does, you'll need a constant internet connection to play the game. In an interview with Mashable, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed that due to piracy concerns, the latest installment of Mario doesn't have an offline mode. The company is worried about piracy because the game will be available in 150 countries on devices that it doesn't have direct control over.
TSMC plans a new factory to pump out tomorrow's 3 nm chips
News leaked in late August that chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) and Apple were working shrinking the A11 processor set to go in next year's iPhone down to 10nm. But to ensure it stays in business with the tech titan and other device manufacturers, TSMC is planning to build a new plant to build future chips at 5nm and 3nm sizes.
An app update turns this smart pen into a 3D scanner
A smartpen that could already digitally measure pretty much anything will soon also be able to scan objects in 3D. Developed by Instrumments, a company made up of former Misfit creators, the impressive 01 pen will be getting a new app, adding the 3D functionality next Spring. This Pro App will enable users to roll the 01 pen over 3D objects, capturing contours and wirelessly logging and sharing the 3D data.
Nearly half of Flickr's photo uploads come from smartphones
It's no secret that Flickr is popular with phone-toting photographers, but it's now reaching a tipping point. The Yahoo-owned image service has posted its year in review, and it notes that 48 percent of photo uploads now come from smartphones. That's a big jump over the 39 percent from 2015 -- it's now clear that you're in the minority if you uploaded shots from a dedicated camera. The numbers for conventional cams aren't exactly pretty.
