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Apple releases iPhone Lightning Dock

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Apple, Smartphones,

Apple iPhone Lightning Dock

Apple has just released the new iPhone Lightning Dock, an accessory that will allow you to easily charge an Lightning port-equipped iPhone from a vertical base. The device supports the newest iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, as well as the iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, and iPhone 5s. The iPod touch 5th generation is also compatible. As you can see in the image above, this is simply a Lightning connected that is rising up out of the base, which leads us to believe that this should easily support future models as well.

The iPhone Lightning Dock is powered by your own Lightnint to USB cable, and also has a 3.5mm headphone port, allowing you to listen to your iPhone audio through headphones while it is docked.

You can pick up the iPhone Lightning Dock now for $39.


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Apple releases iOS 8.2 with Apple Watch support

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Software,

iOS 8.2 apple watch

Following its Spring Forward Apple Watch event, Apple has released iOS 8.2 publicly. The update brings about minor fixes, along with one big feature: Apple Watch support. In order to use the Apple Watch, you’ll need to be running iOS 8.2 on your iPhone 5, 5s, 5c, 6, or 6 Plus. After installing the update, you’ll find the new Apple Watch app on your home screen, which is what you will use to download apps and manage settings for your Apple Watch, should you pick one up.

iOS 8.3 will follow soon, with new diverse emoji and wireless CarPlay support. In the meantime, you can download iOS 8.2 now.


Apple releases iOS 8.0.2 with HealthKit & iPhone 6 Touch ID, cellular fixes

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,

iOS 8.0.2

After releasing iOS 8.0.1 yesterday, and then subsequently pulling it due to critical bugs it introduced on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Apple has released iOS 8.0.2 today. This release does everything that yesterday's iOS 8.0.1 update was supposed to do, while also eliminating a bug that caused both Touch ID and cellular connections to stop working on the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Here is the full rundown:

  • Fixes an issue in iOS 8.0.1 that impacted cellular network connectivity and Touch ID on iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
  • Fixes a bug so HealthKit apps can now be made available on the App Store
  • Addresses an issue where 3rd party keyboards could become deselected when a user enters their passcode
  • Fixes an issue that prevented some apps from accessing photos from the Photo Library
  • Improves the reliability of the Reachability feature on iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
  • Fixes an issue that could cause unexpected cellular data usage when receiving SMS/MMS messages
  • Better support of Ask To Buy for Family Sharing for In-App Purchases
  • Fixes an issue where ringtones were sometimes not restored from iCloud backups
  • Fixes a bug that prevented uploading photos and videos from Safari

In addition to the quick update, the company also issued an apology to the 40,000 iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users who were affected by the bug for the past day or so, saying "iOS 8.0.2 is now available for users, it fixes an issue that affected iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users who downloaded iOS 8.0.1, and includes improvements and bug fixes originally in iOS 8.0.1. We apologize for inconveniencing the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users who were impacted by the bug in iOS 8.0.1."

We've downloaded the new update here on iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus units, and everything is looking fine. The iOS 8.0.2 update is available now over the air, or through direct iTunes connection. Be sure to check out our full iOS 8 review.

You can order the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus from Apple.


Apple releases iOS 8.0.1, fixes HealthKit, third-party keyboards, more

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,

iOS 8.0.1

EDIT: There is a bug in iOS 8.0.1 that breaks cell service and Touch ID on iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus--hold off on updating until this is fixed!

Apple has released iOS 8.0.1 (build 12A366,) bringing with it a bunch of bug fixes and improvements to the new operating system that was released a week ago. The big change is that 8.0.1 brings a fix that enables HealthKit integration, so we can expect to see apps start integrating data into the Health app shortly. Third-party keyboards have been made more reliable, as has the Reachability feature found on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Here’s the full rundown:

  • Fixes a bug so HealthKit apps can now be made available on the App Store
  • Addresses an issue where 3rd party keyboards could become deselected when a user enters their passcode
  • Fixes an issue that prevented some apps from accessing photos from the Photo Library
  • Improves the reliability of the Reachability feature on iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
  • Fixes an issue that could cause unexpected cellular data usage when receiving SMS/MMS messages
  • Better support of Ask To Buy for Family Sharing for In-App Purchases
  • Fixes an issue where ringtones were sometimes not restored from iCloud backups
  • Fixes a bug that prevented uploading photos and videos from Safari

You can download iOS 8.0.1 right now--it's a small update that took us less than 10 seconds to download. Be sure to check out our comprehensive iOS 8 review.


iOS 8 now available for download!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Software,

iOS 8

Apple has release iOS 8 to the world, bringing with it a host of new features for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Users will find improvements to just about every stock iOS app, as well as new additions like Health, Continuity, and Handoff. We published our full iOS 8 review this morning, which you can read for a full rundown of what to expect. Here’s a list of the compatible devices:

You can update to iOS 8 now, either through an over-the-air update, or by plugging in to iTunes and having it perform the update for you. Of course, iOS 8 will ship on the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus this Friday.


Apple releases iOS 8 Golden Master to developers prior to September 17 public release

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Software,

iOS 8 golden master 12a365

After all of the We Wish We Could Say More announcements from Apple today that saw the unveiling of the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, Apple Watch, and Apple Pay, the company released the Golden Master seed of iOS 8 to developers. Build 12A365 should be the same version that is pushed to the world when iOS 8 is released on September 17th via an over-the-air update. Registered iOS developers can grab the download in the iOS Developer Center now.


iOS 8 will be released on September 17

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,

iOS 8 compatibility

During today's We Wish We Could Say More event, Apple announced that iOS 8 would be released to consumers as a free update on September 17th. If you're curious if your device supports the next Apple mobile operating system, check out the image above which details all of the iOS device it will run on. iOS 8 brings with it a host of new features, including:

  • Photos: The new Photos app will allow you to access your entire photo collection with the iCloud Photo Library. New editing tools also make it easy to make your shots look even better, with all edits syncing back to the cloud and available on all your other devices.
  • Messages: In iOS 8, Messages will allow you to easily send voice messages, quick selfies, and videos to your contacts. Easily share your location and see the location of friends you've chosen to share that info with as well.
  • Keyboard: There are a few notable improvements to the keyboard in iOS 8. First, Apple now has a predictive typing system that learns the way you talk, offering up a quicker typing experience. Even more exciting, though, is that you will be able to download third-party keyboards from the App Store that will take the place of Apple's keyboard entirely. If you've been waiting for Swype on iPhone, it's almost here.
  • Interactive Notifications: Notifications are interactive in iOS 8. For example, you can reply to a message right from the notification without having to switch over to the Messages app, or accept/decline a calendar invite right from the dropdown. Notifications are also interactive on the Lock screen as well.
  • Family Sharing: Family Sharing makes it easy for up to six people in your family to share each other’s iTunes, iBooks, and App Store purchases. Whenever one person buys a new song, movie, or app, everybody gets access to that content. Accounts must all share the same credit card number to be added to a family account. Members of a Family Sharing account also get access to a family Photo Stream, calendar, Reminders list, and can share location.
  • iCloud Drive: Apple is finally allowing access to data stored on iCloud with the iCloud Drive feature. You can use iCloud as a storage folder for anything you'd like to put there, and can add storage space by upgrading to a higher tier.
  • Health: Fitness tracking is one of the pillar features in iOS 8
  • Continuity: Continuity will allow your Apple devices to talk to each other over Bluetooth. Start an email on your Mac, and continue it on your iPhone. Start messaging someone on your Apple Watch, and continue on your iPhone 6 Plus.

Apple also released the iOS 8 GM seed today.


Deal of the Day: 13% off ChargeKey for iOS & Android

chargekey iphone

What do you do when you’re out, need to charge your smartphone, and don’t have a charge cable on you? You get desperate. This can be easily avoided with the ChargeKey, and it’s our Deal of the Day in the Gear Live Deals Shop. You can get the ChargeKey for $24.99, and you’ll have a charger for your iPhone, Android device, Windows Phone, and even tablet, right on your keychain at all times. The ChargeKey is a shortened, ruggedized version of your smartphone charge cable that fits on your keyring—now you always have a cable on you.

Don’t forget, if you’re looking for other deals, be sure to check out our Newegg Promo Code thread. Oh, and if you're on Twitter, be sure to follow @TechPromos for the latest deals.


Giveaway: Jawbone mini Jambox, UP24, Bodyguardz!

Jawbone mini Jambox, UP24 giveaway

It's summertime, and we've got a few items we're giving away to bring the fun to a whole new level. Courtesy of AT&T here in Seattle, we've got a Jawbone mini Jambox, Jawbone UP24, and a Bodyguardz tempered glass protective cover for the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s. Here's a little more on each item and why we think they're perfect for this Summer Bundle Giveaway:

  • Jawbone mini Jambox: Okay, for real, who doesn't wanna have music with them when by the pool or at the beach? A lot of us have a seemingly unlimited amount of music accessible by our smartphones and tablets, and the mini Jambox allows you to stream it over Bluetooth. At the next family BBQ, you'll be the star of the show.
  • Jawbone UP24: Fitness wearables are all the rage these days, and if you like tracking your stats or are looking for a motivational tool, then it's easy to see why. With the UP24, you can monitor your fitness throughout the day, and even track your calories and water intake. At night, it'll even keep track of how well you are sleeping, which is probably not well if you're out camping in a tent. The device connects to your smartphone or tablet using Bluetooth LE, so the battery lasts a full week, and there's no plugging anything in to sync.
  • Bodyguardz Screenguardz Pure: I always thought it was kind of silly for people to protect their smartphone screens with a thin plastic film. The Screenguardz Pure is a super-thin piece of tempered glass that can actually take a real beating, and exceeds the hardness of steel. That's protection.

So, are you ready to enter to win some of that goodness? Simply use the widget below to keep track of your entries! Remember, if you're a Gear Live Patreon backer at any level, you get an extra 25 entries in this giveaway! We've got a lot of ways for you to enter even if you aren't, but don't check off any that you don't actually perform. If you do, you'll be eliminated:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Click to continue reading Giveaway: Jawbone mini Jambox, UP24, Bodyguardz!


Ask Andru: Which devices are compatible with iOS 8?

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,

iOS 8 devices

Apple announced iOS 8 and gave us a look at a bunch of the major features during its WWDC 2014 keynote (you can watch the WWDC 2014 keynote here.) We got a question in from Nick F. asking:

"I'm curious if my iPhone 4S will be able to run iOS 8. How do I know if it is compatible?"

You may be wondering if your iOS device is compatible with Apple's latest and greatest, so here's a look at the full list of Apple products that will be able to be upgraded to iOS 8:

  • iPhone 4S
  • iPhone 5
  • iPhone 5c
  • iPhone 5s
  • iPad 2
  • iPad with Retina display (iPad 3 and iPad 4)
  • iPad Air
  • iPad mini
  • iPad mini with Retina display
  • iPod touch (5th generation)

As you can see, as it pertains to the iPhone line, the iPhone 4 (released in 2010) and older will not be compatible with iOS 8. With iPad, it'll be the original model that won't be able to use the new operating system. Meanwhile, the only iPod touch that can run iOS 8 is the 5th generation model. That's quite a generous line-up when compared to competing smartphone and tablet platforms!


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