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Impossible Instant Lab mobile photo booth ships August 29th for $299
There's a certain irony to the Impossible Instant Lab taking a long time to develop, but we won't mind (much) now that it has a solid release date. The instant photo kit ships to stores on August 29th, when it will cost the same $299 that The Impossible Project promised during its crowdfunding campaign. Compatibility hasn't changed much since then -- you'll need to use at least an iPhone 4 or fourth-generation iPod touch, and there's no immediate support for devices using Android or other platforms. If that's no barrier, however, you can bring your digital photos to the analog world in a matter of weeks.
Microsoft Office Mobile for iOS quietly launches in the US, requires Office 365 subscription
After rumor upon leak suggested Microsoft was cooking up a release of Office for iOS, you'd think its arrival would be celebrated with streamers and cake. Making a rather low-key entrance, the app is now available to those with a small-screen iOS device and an Office 365 subscription. You can create new Excel and Word files from scratch, or view and edit spreadsheets, docs and Powerpoint files stored on Microsoft's cloud services, or pinned to emails. Offline editing is also possible, as long as you've recently viewed or edited the file. You'll also be able to see any files you recently accessed at home if your computer is running Office 2013. You'll need an iPhone or iPod touch running iOS 6.1 (there's no iPad version just yet), and the app is limited to the US at the moment, but head to the iTunes Store source link for the full feature list. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Update: Check out our hands-on.
Apple brings file-sharing capabilities to iOS 7 with AirDrop
Amongst the significant changes and feature enhancements we've already seen on iOS 7, it appears that AirDrop will be featured in the new version of Apple's mobile operating system. The file-sharing feature will be available on the iPhone 5, iPad 4th gen, iPad mini and 5th-gen iPod touch, but apparently nothing earlier than that. The peer-to-peer feature was briefly shown off at WWDC in the Control Center, and it means there is "no need to wander around the room bumping your phones." We wonder if this means we shouldn't expect any NFC capabilities in the next version of the iPhone or iPad, but it's still a little too early to make that correlation. Here's Apple's official statement on AirDrop for iOS7: "AirDrop is an entirely new way to quickly and easily share content with people nearby. When you've got something you want to share, AirDrop shows you your contacts close by. Just select who you want to share with and AirDrop does the rest. AirDrop transfers are peer-to-peer so you can use it anywhere, without any network or set up required, and transfers are fully encrypted so your content is protected and private." Follow all of our WWDC 2013 coverage at our event hub.
iOS 7 to include Control Center for quick-access settings
For many iOS users, one of the most sought after features has been a quick access panel for common settings, much like what they've seen in other platforms. They'll have it -- iOS 7 is introducing Control Center for just that purpose. A swipe up from the screen bottom now lets users change wireless modes, Do Not Disturb, screen brightness and music playback from wherever they happen to be in the OS. There's also quick shortcuts to the camera, calculator, timer and (at last!) a flashlight. To say Control Center is overdue might be an understatement, but we're glad that it's finally here. Follow all of our WWDC 2013 coverage at our event hub. %Gallery-190886%
Inteliscope app version one shows off its iPhone-enabled sniping skills (video)
In the old days, when you wanted to double-tap a bad guy with an AR-15, you had to rely on plain-jane scopes or sights... booooring. Good thing we live in a more tactically technological time, the age of the Inteliscope -- a mount and app combo that lets you slap an iPhone or iPod touch atop an assault rifle to give the killing fields a little Cupertino flair. Until now, we'd only seen a screenshot of the app, but the company has just released a video of it in action. So, head on down to see for yourself what it's like swapping reticles, getting range info and recording video of target practice from a sniper's POV.
iFixit opens up the new 16 GB iPod touch
Apple last week unceremoniously introduced a new, lower-cost iPod touch model. Priced at US$229, the new iPod touch comes without a rear-facing camera or the recently introduced wrist loop. Aside from that, the model is essentially the same as current fifth-generation iPod touch models. That, however, didn't stop the industrious folks over at iFixIt from getting their hands on the newest iPod touch and tearing it upon. Aside from the lack of a 5-megapixel, rear-facing camera, there isn't much that distinguishes the iPod touch fifth generation 16 GB from its (slightly older) forebear. So, for this teardown, we played a game of spot the differences. Here's what we found: there's a gap on the logic board where the camera cable used to connect, the microphone moved from the back of the iPod to the top, and the baffling post for "the loop" has been nixed. While Apple will likely not divulge this information, it'll be interesting to gauge how the low-cost iPod touch sells relative to its higher-priced brethren.
Daily Update for May 30, 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
Apple has sold more than 100 million iPod touches
Apple doesn't typically break out sales figures for specific iPod models, but I suppose the 100 million mark is something special. Hot on the heels of introducing a revamped iPod touch, Apple told Jim Dalrymple of The Loop that the company has now sold over 100 million iPod touch units. Since first launching in September 2007, the iPod touch quickly became Apple's most popular iPod model, often accounting for more than 50 percent of quarterly iPod sales. In a world where MP3 players are dying a slow death thanks to the smartphone, the iPod touch has proven to be a resilient member of Apple's product lineup. As a final point of interest, it took the iPad just two and a half years to reach the 100 million mark.
Apple: 100 million iPod touches sold since 2007
Following the launch of its newest iPod earlier today, Apple has announced that it's sold over 100 million iPod touches since they first went on sale back in 2007 -- in fact, as noted in last year's earnings call, the touchscreen models make up half of all iPods sold. For nostalgia's sake, we've added the touchscreen media player's debut ad after the break so you can see where it all began.
Apple introduces new iPod touch without rear camera for $229
Apple has introduced a new model of its iPod touch. The new iPod touch comes in a 16 GB capacity and lacks the rear iSight camera of other iPod touches with Retina displays. This new model of iPod touch does still feature the front-facing FaceTime camera. With the introduction of this new low-cost iPod touch it appears Apple has discontinued the old fourth-generation 3.5-inch screen iPod touches. Besides lacking the rear iSight camera, the new low-cost iPod touch with Retina display only comes in black or silver colors. Its siblings that have a rear iSight camera and come and 32 GB or 64 GB capacities are available in multiple colors. The new low-cost iPod touch does contain the same A5 chip and comes with the same Apple Earbuds as its higher-priced siblings, however. The new 16 GB iPod touch without the rear iSight camera is US$229.
Apple unveils new iPod touch: 16GB storage, no back-facing camera, $229
Well, this is a little out of the blue. Apple has just outed a new iPod touch that falls in behind its existing 2012 models. We're hesitant to call this the sixth generation, as it's more of a stripped down variant of what's already available. Not many of the specs have changed: the dimensions are identical, you're still getting a 4-inch Retina display, and the same dual-core A5 processor hums away inside. While the new model still has the front-facing FaceTime HD camera, it's lost the 5-megapixel main shooter, and a little bit of weight, to boot (0.06 ounces). Storage capacity has taken a hit, however. The other iPod touch comes in 32GB and 64GB varieties and a number of colors, but this new model sports just 16GB of storage and only comes in silver. Those lesser specs come at a lesser price, and you can snag one from Apple's online store now for $229, with retail locations getting it tomorrow. We reckon this won't be the only Apple product people'll be talking about today. Prepare for the cheaper iPhone rumor to make the rounds again. Update: Reader Brandon wrote in to point out that Apple dropped the wrist strap and loop from the refreshed iPod touch. Will it be missed?
Apple agrees to $53 million settlement for some iPhones, iPods denied warranty coverage
Documents have been filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California for a $53 million settlement between Apple and customers denied warranty coverage on their iPods and iPhones due to water damage. The case is due to Apple's policy not to extend warranty coverage on devices where the indicator tape inside them showed exposure to liquids, however plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit argued the indicator could change color due to moisture or humidity. Apple does not acknowledge any wrongdoing in the settlement, which is still awaiting approval from the court, however customers with warranty claims denied prior to June 2010 (iPod touch) or December 31st, 2009 could be eligible for as much as $300 depending on the device owned and how many claims are filed. The scenario the plaintiffs cite is just the kind of thing we worried about back in 2006, and will probably remain in the back of our minds if we need to have any of our hardware serviced in the future no matter how much Apple and others work on more advanced detection systems.
Kwikset introduces Kevo, a smartphone-friendly lock powered by UniKey
It's not the first time that Kwikset's dabbled in wireless locks, but today the company's introducing Kēvo, a smartphone- (and tablet-) friendly lock powered by UniKey. The concept is pretty simple: pair a handset (running a special app) with Kēvo via Bluetooth, and simply touch the deadbolt to lock or unlock your door. A keychain fob is also available for those who have not yet joined the smartphone revolution. Kēvo only responds to touch when an authorized device or fob is detected nearby. A triple tap lets anyone lock your door, which is useful if a visitor leaves after you. The deadbolt is battery-powered using four AA cells that last more than a year with normal operation. It features a ring of RGB LEDs for feedback and a standard physical key for backup. Most of the magic is made possible by tech developed by UniKey. The key (natch) to the entire system is the Kēvo app which lets you manage eKeys. Once logged into the app, you can send and delete eKeys, or transfer them to another device (this also deletes the eKeys associated with a lost handset, for example) -- you can even create eKeys that only work once. Currently, the app is only available for iOS, which is a major limitation, but it supports push, email and SMS notifications and keeps a detailed log of which eKeys have accessed Kēvo and when. Pricing and availability remain a mystery, but all in all the system looks pretty clever. Stay tuned for more details, and check out the link below.
Facebook Messenger for iOS: now with stickers and message-deleting swipes
Facebook's been giving its Messenger app quite a few facelifts lately, with the arrival of Chat Heads and VoIP calling among the highlights. Today, an app update was released for iOS that lets users add stylized critter stickers to messages, freeing them from the crippling visual limitations of emoticons in textual communications -- largely identical to the recent Android update. The upgrade also enables a swipe to delete feature to remove conversations from inboxes for good, saving users precious fingertips from an extra tap or two in the process. If your iPhone hasn't already told you about version 2.4, you'll find the fresh download at the source below.
Daily iPad App: Gradients is a free iOS photo editor that is worth a look
I'm always on the lookout for free photo apps that do a good job, and Gradients for the iPad or iPhone (free, universal) fits the bill. The app lets you add gradients to existing photos with almost infinite variations and control. I often create gradients in Photoshop, especially to tone down the sky in landscapes. It's nice to have a lightweight utility to handle that simple task. There are 46 filter styles available, and each one is customizable in parameters like opacity and tilt. You can turn photos into black-and-white images. You can even create a custom gradient and save it for future use. Unlike so many photo apps, Gradients doesn't throw in-app purchases at you. Everything is included. When your editing is done, you can save your photo, or share it via Twitter or Facebook. %Gallery-187386% Editing is easy, and as you make changes on the Gradients control panel you can see a thumbnail of your image. The only thing I found lacking is any kind of undo feature. You can tap on a new filter and the old one will go away, but there is no way to return to your starting point without reloading the image. Gradients is a universal app and optimized for the iPhone 5. It requires iOS 6 or later.
Vine update brings support for front-facing camera, mentions
Couple of key updates for the 1.1 version of Twitter's pithy video app, Vine. First up is support for front-facing cameras, for those who can't get enough short web videos of themselves. Tap the icon in the lower-left corner of the app and it will toggle between your phone's cameras. Also new is mention support, so those tagged with an @ will get a notification when you drop their names into a post. The latest version is available now from iTunes -- perhaps a short video of you downloading the update is in order.
Baby Monitor 3G makes watching your baby much easier with new OS X version
Having a baby requires constant vigilance -- morning and night you are watching over your little one to keep them safe and happy. One indispensable tool for parents is a baby monitor that lets you watch over your child from afar. If you have an old iOS device lying around, then you might want to skip the traditional audio- or camera-based monitors and take a look at Baby Monitor 3G and its new OS X version to see if this software package fits your baby-watching needs. Baby Monitor 3G from TappyTaps works like a standard baby monitor system with an iOS device serving as a monitor in the baby's room and a second device as the parent's listening station. You can use two iOS devices as the baby-parent station pair or add in a Mac now that the latest version of the Baby Monitor 3G software includes an OS X app. The system works best over WiFi, but you can configure it to work over 3G as well. In my case, I set up an old iPhone in the baby's room as the baby station and configured both my iPad and my Mac to be parent stations that let me watch my child while I am downstairs. Setting up the software is a bit more complicated than just install, launch and go. You have to pair your devices before the two can connect as a baby and parent station. Pairing is easy and requires you to enter a code from the baby station into the device that is the parent station. A video within the app shows you how to pair the two devices if you are confused by the setup. Once the devices are paired, you don't have to pair them again unless you uninstall the Baby Monitor software. The OS X version of Baby Monitor 3G serves as a parent station and is very similar to the iOS app. The app launches as a normal-sized window that takes up half the screen on my 13-inch MacBook Pro. It also can be configured to display in a small square that you can place in the corner of your screen. To save battery life, Baby Monitor 3G lets you listen to an audio stream of your baby. Just like the iOS version, the OS X app lets you turn on live video so you can watch your child and make sure he or she is safe. Live video works only on WiFi; you will view a still shot over 3G/4G. If you need additional lighting at night, you can tap the flash button on the parent software and turn on the baby station's camera flash. Be prudent in using the flash as the LED is bright and can startle a half-asleep baby. I found this out the hard way one night at 3 AM. When your baby cries, the monitoring software turns red and you can hear the crying over your speakers or headphones. If you are using your iPhone as the parent station, you can also get a vibration alert. There is no support for notifications, so you do have to listen for your child or keep an eye on the software. The app keeps track of when your baby last cried, so you can glance at it and see that your child cried x number of minutes ago. If you want to soothe your child, you can speak to them using the speaker on the remote device. The only detractor that I found was a pairing limitation that allows the baby station to connect to only one parent station at a time. I could listen to my baby while downstairs on the treadmill, but my husband couldn't connect at the same time on his iPad in the living room down the hall. The connection was just for one baby station and one parent station only. This limitation doesn't dissuade me from using Baby Monitor 3G, but you should keep it in mind when comparing this software with other systems like this audio-only one from Vtech that has one baby station and multiple monitors. Baby Monitor 3G is available for the Mac and costs US$4.99 in the Mac App Store. The iOS version is available for $3.99 in the iOS App Store.
Google Now available on iOS devices starting today
When it comes to major news, we didn't expect to hear much from Google in the run-up to I/O, but clearly, the company just couldn't wait that long. Google Now, a service that Android users have enjoyed for a year, just became available on iOS devices in the form of an update to the Google Search app, confirming those leaked videos we saw a few weeks ago. It won't have integration with notifications or alerts at launch -- it may come in a future update, but the company wasn't willing to divulge its future plans -- so you'll need to enter the app and swipe up to refresh your list of cards. The iOS version won't have every type of card that you'll find on Android, either: boarding passes, activity summary, events, concerts, Fandango and Zillow aren't included this go-round. Improvements and additional features will likely trickle in over time, but it's certainly better than nothing for iOS fans who've looked at Jelly Bean users with a slightly jealous eye. We've included Google's blog post in its entirety below, and you can jump to the source to download the app.
Apple agrees to $53 million settlement in iPhone and iPod Touch warranty class action
Wired is reporting that Apple has agreed to a $53 million settlement in a class-action suit focusing on Apple's warranty practices regarding water damage in older iOS devices. The settlement agreement, which was leaked to Wired, has already been signed off on by Apple chief litigation counsel Noreen Krall and now awaits the official signatures of the remaining parties. The lawsuit alleges that Apple improperly refused to honor warranty agreements for iPhones and iPod Touch devices which were seemingly damaged by water. As a quick primer, iPhone and iPod Touch models come with Liquid Contact Indicators (LCI) which change color from white to pink or red when they comes into contact with water. Apple's warranty coverage, however, doesn't extent to water damage. As such, when an affected customer would bring in a damaged device with a red LCI, Apple refused to honor the warranty agreement by refusing to repair or replace it. The problem with Apple's bright line rule, however, is that the the LCI was prone to change colors when exposed to humidity. Though Apple on its own website explains than an LCI is designed not to be triggered by changes in humidity and temperature, 3M, who makes the tape, said that such factors can sometimes cause the LCI to change color. The devices encompassed in the lawsuit include the original iPhone, the iPhone 3G, the iPhone 3GS and the first three generations of the iPod touch. The ballpark estimate for payouts is about $200 per claim, but that figure could either rise or decline depending on how many affected users actually submit a claim. The type of device affected will also influence the extent of individual payouts. The reason the last iPhone model included in the suit is the iPhone 3GS is because Apple in 2010 began requiring employees to look for other signs of water damage when a user brought in a device with a red LCI. Whereas employees under the previous protocol would void the warranty of an affected device out of hand, court documents posted by Wired indicate that Apple's liquid-damage policies for the iPhone and iPod touch were made less stringent in December 2009 and June 2010 respectively. As part of the settlement agreement, Apple also agreed to set up a website where users can learn about the case and access all documents needed to either submit a claim via the web or by printing out a mailable form. Interestingly, the agreement requires that Apple make a published notice alerting the public to the settlement agreement in both the USA Today and Macworld magazine. Naturally, Apple notes that it enters into the settlement agreement "without in any way acknowledging any fault, liability or wrongdoing of any kind."
Addappt goes public, gives iOS users group contact control and messaging
While Addappt has been teasing painless contact syncing between iOS-using friends and colleagues since its December launch, its invitation-only nature has kept most of us on the sidelines. It may be time to try Addappt now that an update opens the doors to the public. On top of widening the app's audience for its update once, share everywhere approach, the 1.3 release brings group management that easily lets us lump coworkers or social circles together. Messaging is appropriately easier as well -- it's possible to quickly text or email everyone in a given group, including the option to share more photos at once than the five that iOS usually allows. A port to Android isn't yet on the cards, but iPhone and iPod touch owners tired of missing phone number changes can give Addappt a whirl today.
