Find Our Latest Video Reviews on YouTube!
If you want to stay on top of all of our video reviews of the latest tech, be sure to check out and subscribe to the Gear Live YouTube channel, hosted by Andru Edwards! It’s free!
Latest Gear Live Videos
Apple search page reveals iPhone 5, LTE, iTunes 11, updated iPod touch and nano
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News, Handhelds, Software,
Alright, we know Apple pretty much confirmed the iPhone 5 name with its event invite, but further proof comes this morning by way of Apple's site search engine. Using the search, you are able to find links that mention the iPhone 5 by name that will undoubtedly go live later today, after the announcement. Additionally, the search also reveals iPhone 5 LTE compatibility, new iPod touch and iPod nano models, and iTunes 11 all being announced today as well. Be sure to follow our live iPhone 5 coverage today to get all the news as it happens!
Read More 
| 9to5Mac
Gallery: Apple search page reveals iPhone 5, LTE, iTunes 11, updated iPod touch and nano
Advertisement
iOS 6 to be released on September 19
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors, Software,
We just received a fairly obvious tip that makes perfect sense to us--Apple is set to release iOS 6 to the general public on September 19th. That would put its release two days before the rumored launch date of the iPhone 5, which is in line with all iOS software release ever since iPhone OS 2.0 launched a couple of days prior to the release of the iPhone 3G back in July of 2008. We expect that Apple will release a Golden Master version of iOS 6 tomorrow after the iPhone 5 event.
iOS 6 brings new features like Passbook, shared Photo Streams, expanded Siri functionality, Apple Maps, and more, and will be compatible with the iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, ipod touch (fourth generation,) and all iPads.
Gallery: iOS 6 to be released on September 19
Big Picture Mode brings Steam into the living room
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: PC / Laptop, Software, Video Games,
Steam Big Picture Mode has arrived, bringing a long-awaited Steam interface to the television. You'll need to have a PC connected to your television to take advantage of the software while we wait with hope for a dedicated Steam game console. Steam Picture Mode offers users all the same features that they're used to--playing games, buying games, and the like. There's also a built-in web browser, and all-new controller input support. This is all about bringing the Steam experience into the living room, where people prefer playing games. This is PC-only for now, but the Mac version should be arriving soon.
Gallery: Big Picture Mode brings Steam into the living room
How iMessage phone number merging will work in OS X 10.8.2
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Software,
Aside from built-in Facebook integration, another major feature coming to OS X 10.8.2 is iMessage phone number merging. This functionality will allow you to receive any iMessages sent to your iPhone phone number on any approved iOS devices or Mac of your choice. In other words, if someone has your phone number and sends you an iMessage to that number (rather than your Apple ID email address,) Mountain Lion 10.8.2 will be able to receive and display them in the Messages app, and you'll be able to respond to them from there as well. It's the final missing piece in making iMessage device agnostic (well, as long as it's an Apple device.)
To merge your phone number with your Apple ID after you update to OS X 10.8.2, simply launch Messages and log in to iMessage. You'll then get a prompt that asks if you'd like to associate your phone number with your Apple ID. If so, just select Yes, and you're done! OS X 10.8.2 is set to be released this fall.
Gallery: How iMessage phone number merging will work in OS X 10.8.2
Tweetbot for Mac is progressing quite nicely, and today has moved from alpha to beta with the release of version 0.8.0. Unfortunately, thanks to Twitter's new asinine rules for developers, only those who has already authorized Twitter for Mac to be used with their Twitter accounts can use the app, so if you weren't an alpha user, then this won't do anything for you. Here are the changes and improvements that are found in Tweetbot 0.8.0:
- lots of bug fixes
- can paste images into new tweet window again
- can copy tweets on timeline
- can do ‘open in new column’ (they also have keyboard shortcuts)
- multi-column swiping and keyboard support much improved. Use tab shift/tab to move between columns.
- better keyboard support: status detail + many other views
- profile view: can scroll user information so can see more tweets
- drag and drop tweets has been improved
- gap loading works properly now
- context click on tweet action buttons in timeline
- did I mention we fixed a bunch of bugs too?
Read More | Tapbots
Gallery: Tweetbot for Mac 0.8.0 beta now available
Be careful with iOS 6 Wi-Fi Plus Cellular feature, it could mean unexpected overage fees
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Editorial, Features, Software,
With iOS 6, Apple will be introducing new iPhone functionality that's aimed at alleviating the frustration many feel when connected to a weak WI-Fi hotspot. The feature is called Wi-Fi Plus Cellular, it helps keep the data flowing, and it can end up costing you some unexpected cash if you aren't careful.
Gallery: Be careful with iOS 6 Wi-Fi Plus Cellular feature, it could mean unexpected overage fees
OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.2 to bring Facebook integration, iMessage phone number merging
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Software,
Hot on the heels of the release of OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.1, Apple has seeded 10.8.2 to developers, and it includes a couple of interesting features. With 10.8.2 should come the built-in Facebook integration that Apple promises will come to Mountain Lion this fall. In addition, iMessage phone number merging appears in 10.8.2 as well, a feature that will allow users to receive iMessages sent to their phone numbers on their Macs, iPads, and iPod touch devices. Apple asks developers to also focus on Game Center and Reminders in the first 10.8.2 build 12C31a.
Gallery: OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.2 to bring Facebook integration, iMessage phone number merging
Apple releases OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.1
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Software,
This morning Apple publicly released OS X Update 10.8.1, the first update for Mountain Lion. The release comes just two days shy of a month since the initial Mountain Lion release on July 25th. Here are the major changes and improvements included in the release:
Click to continue reading Apple releases OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.1
Gallery: Apple releases OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.1
Mountain Lion OS X 10.8.1 now available to developers
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Software,
Apple has seeded the first build of OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.1 to developers through its Mac Developer Portal. Interestingly, there are no known issues despite it being the first build, so we'd imagine that the 10.8.1 update will be released to the public in short order. Apple has focused on improving Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange in Mail, PAC Proxies in Safari, SMB, USB, and WiFi and Audio when connected to the Apple Thunderbolt Display for the first Mountain Lion update, which weighs in at just 38.54 MB in size. If you haven't upgraded yet, you can download Mountain Lion from the Mac App Store.
Gallery: Mountain Lion OS X 10.8.1 now available to developers
Ask Andru: How do I stop iPhoto from opening when I plug in my iPhone?
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Features, PC / Laptop, Software,
Apple tries to make it easy to use all of its products together harmoniously, but there are times where it might get in the way. Today we received a question that asks how to stop iPhoto from opening automatically whenever an iPhone is plugged in, and that's exactly the kind of synergy that can get annoying when all you want to do is charge up your device while you work. Luckily, I've got your answer. There are a couple of different ways to do this, and they look similar at the surface level, but actually serve two different purposes. Let's explore them.
Question: How do I stop iPhoto from automatically opening whenever I plug in my iPhone? It's annoying!
Click to continue reading Ask Andru: How do I stop iPhoto from opening when I plug in my iPhone?
