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Latest Gear Live Videos
Thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy S5
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Editorial, Handhelds,
I wanted to publish some of my thoughts on the new Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone in response to a few comments I've seen others making. Some random clarifitations:
1) While the Galaxy S5 does have a fingerprint sensor, it is bad enough that it will just be a frustration for those who try it out, and they'll likely disable it. Unlike Apple's Touch ID, Samsung's requires a vertical swipe at a very specific angle (or, non-angle.) With Touch ID on the iPhone 5s, you simply press your finger to the Home button, and it instantaneously unlocks your phone. The S5 scanner only works when you scan your finger straight down, towards the bottom of the phone, making it difficult to unlock the phone with one hand. The implementation on the Galaxy S5 is nowhere near as simple.
Click to continue reading Thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy S5
Gallery: Thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy S5
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Apple OS X Mavericks 10.9.2 now available, here’s what’s new
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Software,
Apple has released OS X Mavericks 10.9.2 to the public following a lengthy developer beta, and with it comes quite a few new features and enhancements to the Mac desktop operating system:
- FaceTime Audio in the FaceTime and Messages apps
- Contact blocking for FaceTime and iMessage
- Mail app improvements
- Autofill fixes for Safari
- Audio fixes
- VPN fixes
- VoiceOver fixes
Also included is the SSL security vulnerability fix that Apple fixed in iOS last week, and earlier today on Apple TV. Many Mac apps were still at risk, including Safari and Mail. The company stated a few days ago that it planned to have a fix released "very soon," and four days later, this patch is included in OS X 10.9.2.
You can grab the OS X 10.9.2 update from the Mac App Store now.
Gallery: Apple OS X Mavericks 10.9.2 now available, here’s what’s new
Skip WWE Network signup issues with Apple TV
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Home Entertainment,
This morning, the long-awaited WWE Network launched, bringing with it 24/7 live programming alongside an extensive content library from WWE. As is to be expected with any new, big content offering, there are some hiccups due to the rush of demand that the servers are having to deal with. Users are having a hard time getting signed up since the MLBAM (the company hosting the WWE Network content) service has been slammed.
However, there's a simple workaround that'll let you bypass the whole mess for users who own an Apple TV. As with Netflix and Hulu Plus, Apple offers direct subscription access to the WWE Network through iTunes. This means that you are dealing with Apple servers rather than the ones the WWE is using, and therefore, you can sign right up with no problem and start watching immediately.
Click to continue reading Skip WWE Network signup issues with Apple TV
Gallery: Skip WWE Network signup issues with Apple TV
Head up, iTunes and App Store addicts! eBay is selling $100 iTunes gift cards for just $75 today, while supplies last. That's basically like getting $25 in free iTunes credit, which you can use towards buying music, movies, TV shows, iOS apps, Mac apps, and books. Hurry if you want to get in on the action, and know that there's a limit of two per customer.
Read More 
| eBay
Gallery: Get this: $100 iTunes Gift Cards for $75
Ask Andru: How to improve Touch ID and secure your iPhone
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Features, Software,
We're back for another installment of Ask Andru, where I take your burning tech questions and give you practical answers! This time, we have a two-parter as it pertains to securing your iPhone 5s (see our iPhone 5s review) and iPad, as well as making Touch ID work as well as expected. Here we go, these questions were sent in by Mike:
I have two questions,
- I have a two part question, what is the best security app for the iPad mini with Retina display & the iPhone 5s?
- Since I picked up my new iPhone 5s from the AT&T Store-Lynwood this past October and two exchanges for two new replacement phones from the Apple Store @ Alderwood Mall, the Touch ID still has not worked for me. Have other users had problems with the Touch ID? In regards to exchanging my 5s for a 5c or a Droid phone, I have been informed that it is past their respective fourteen day warranty period to facilitate an exchange because their operating systems will not allow this transaction to take place. So thus, AT&T and Apple have left me with a defective product.
Regards,
Mike
Let's start with that first one. When most people talk about security apps, I think they're asking about something that will protect them from viruses and malware getting installed on their mobile devices. For Android, for example, you might want to have something installed due to the rampant malware that can be found in the Google Play store. However, Apple sandboxes each app, and as such, none get full access to take over your device, no matter how hard they try. Apple also has a vetting process for each app as well, so there are no antivirus or anti-malware apps that you'll need. Yet, one app that I do love for security and protection is called 1Password. Let me explain.
Click to continue reading Ask Andru: How to improve Touch ID and secure your iPhone
Gallery: Ask Andru: How to improve Touch ID and secure your iPhone
Valentine’s Day Giveaway: Jawbone Mini Jambox & Pair of iPhone cases!
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Announcements, Apple, Smartphones, Features, Videos,
Yes - we're giving away a Jawbone Mini Jambox, Otterbox Defender for iPhone 5 and 5s, and a Sonix Heart to Heart Inlay for iPhone 5c for Valentine's Day! Seriously, February is the month of red, and we've got the perfect smartphone accessories for you to match, thanks to our friends at AT&T.
So, how do you enter to win the Mini Jambox giveaway package? Simply use the widget below to keep track of your entries! We've got a lot of ways for you to enter, but don't check off any that you don't actually perform. If you do, you'll be eliminated:
By the way, if you wanna pick up any of these items on your own, you can find them all at AT&T:
Gallery: Valentine’s Day Giveaway: Jawbone Mini Jambox & Pair of iPhone cases!
Is this our first look at the iPhone 6?
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors,
Is this the iPhone 6? It's February, and that means that like clockwork, it's time for the next iPhone leaks to start dropping. The only thing we know is that Apple is working on its next flagship device, and that the iPhone 6 should launch this fall. We've ben hearing reports that Apple will release two larger-sized variants this time around: a 4.7-inch model, alongside a 5.5-inch version.
As you can see in the pictures (which, to be clear, have not been verified to be real), the displays here are larger than those found on the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s, and also takes on the design language of the iPad Air and iPad mini. Neither are too far-fetched, and for our tastes, we think it looks great. Also, check out that bezel-less display, another rumored feature of the iPhone 6. Of course, even if these are real, Apple tests multiple designs, and this could be one of a few different ideas that the company is playing with.
We've got two more pictures of the device after the jump. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
EDIT: Forum posters at MacRumors have taken a closer look at the images and have determined that they're rendered fakes. Reasons include textures that repeat and the usage of an out-of-date font.
Click to continue reading Is this our first look at the iPhone 6?
Gallery: Is this our first look at the iPhone 6?
Mac Pro shipping estimates slip to April, but you can get one sooner
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop,
If you're looking to order the new Mac Pro, you should be aware that shipping estimates from Apple have just slipped to April worldwide. This comes approximately three weeks after shipping estimates slipped from February to March. While this doesn't necessarily mean that supply is getting worse, it does seem to show that Apple is having a hard time catching up with the demand on the most powerful Mac it has ever made.
Of course, as we mentioned recently, you can order the Mac Pro from B&H Photo and get it shipped much, much sooner (and tax free as well in most areas!) Go to the Mac Pro page and choose to be notified when they are in stock - B&H seems to get models in a couple times per week.
If you're wondering if the cost is worth it, be sure to check out our full Mac Pro review.
Read More | Mac Pro at B&H
Gallery: Mac Pro shipping estimates slip to April, but you can get one sooner
Apple Mac Pro (2013) review: in a class of its own
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Features, PC / Laptop, Product Reviews,
Power. The Apple Mac Pro (late 2013) is the newest Mac on the block, and it's also the most powerful computer ever made by Apple. It deserves to be, too, as the Mac Pro lost that title as Apple let that product line slip into virtual irrelevancy. After all, the previous Mac Pro spent the last four-or-so years at a technical standstill. It didn't have any Thunderbolt ports, no USB 3.0, no PCIe flash storage...heck, it didn't even have an 802.11n Wi-Fi option. For all intents and purposes, Apple had allowed the Mac Pro, the one machine that was aimed at meeting the needs of the most demanding customers, to become a dinosaur.
That is, until the release of the newly-redesigned Mac Pro (late 2013) model. With its smooth metallic cylindrical shape that looks like it was plucked off of an alien spaceship, smaller and lighter profile, and top-of-the-line specs that include PCIe SSD storage, dual workstation-class GPUs as standard, the newest Intel Xeon processors (up to 12 cores!), 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and a bunch of I/O ports which include Thunderbolt 2 and USB 3.0, this thing is a beast. It's modern--no, futuristic.
For all of you professional video editors, photographers, graphic artists, 3D animators, audio engineers and the like, we're betting that Apple has piqued your interest. After all, this is a Mac which can drive up to three 4K displays simultaneously. That's a lot of power. Wondering if it should be your next purchase? It's expensive, starting at $2,999 (and climbing up to $9,559 depending on how you configure it,) so we're here to help you in your decision making. Follow along as we bring you our full Mac Pro (late 2013) review, after the jump.
Click to continue reading Apple Mac Pro (2013) review: in a class of its own
Gallery: Apple Mac Pro (2013) review: in a class of its own
Apple releases iOS 7.1 beta 5 build 11D5145e to developers
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,
If you've got an Apple developer account, you should know that Apple has released iOS 7.1 beta 5 build 11D5145e, and you can go and grab it right now. Of course, you can log in to the Developer Center to manually grab the file, or head into the Settings > General > Software Update section on your iOS device for the over-the-air install. As far as new changes, the release notes point to international Siri improvements:
"This seed adds new natural-sounding Siri voices for English (Australia), English (United Kingdom), Japanese, and Chinese (Mandarin – China)"
Along with the new iOS software, Apple has also released new betas of Xcode 5.1, and the Apple TV software as well.
Click to continue reading Apple releases iOS 7.1 beta 5 build 11D5145e to developers
