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Latest Gear Live Videos
Apple acquires Locationary, a crowdsourced location startup, to improve Maps [Video]
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Corporate News,
Apple has snatched up Locationary, a Toronto-based startup which crowdsources location data, to help better bolster Apple Maps with up to date local business information. Details of the acquisition have not been disclosed as of yet, but it is smart acquisition and should pay off in the long run. What separates Locationary from the likes of Google, Yelp, and FourSquare is that it gives crowdsourced users monetary incentives to help provide up-to-date and accurate information. Locationary then sells the data to other location providers. Think of Locationary as a mapping Wikipedia for local businesses. From the start, Apple was criticized for its mapping efforts, leading to the dismissal of iOS head Scott Forstall, but, over time, has dispelled much of the contention by remedying its initial short comings. Today shows that Apple is not letting up on their goal of providing the best mapping solution. Here's a short video of founder and CEO of Locationary, Grant Richie.
Read More 
| AllThingsD
Gallery: Apple acquires Locationary, a crowdsourced location startup, to improve Maps [Video]
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FireFly Online iOS and Android Coming in 2014
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Google, Video Games,
FireFly, the popular television series with a cult following, is now set to debut as an online RPG social role-playing game for iOS and Android in 2014. It may come with a desktop version, and possibly even appear on game consoles as well. Here's a sneak peek trailer of the game, after the break, along with details:
In Firefly Online, players assume the role of a ship captain as they hire a crew and seek out adventures, all the while trading with and competing against the millions of other players to try to survive in the Verse: find a crew, find a job, keep flying.
FFO provides a variety of gameplay activities and systems so that players can fully experience life in the Verse.
- Assume the role of a ship captain - create a crew and customize a ship
- Aim to misbehave in space and planet-side adventures
- Cross-platform player experience across devices (pick-up and play from anywhere)
- Unique social features connecting Firefly fans
- Create a shiny ship and explore the Verse
If you want more info on the game, sign up at the source URL below!
Click to continue reading FireFly Online iOS and Android Coming in 2014
Read More | KeepFlying
Gallery: FireFly Online iOS and Android Coming in 2014
iPad mini with Retina display could ship this fall with LG panel
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Rumors,
Recently there have been reports that Apple may not release the next iPad mini with a Retina display due to yield issues with the panels, and that customers would need to wait until 2014 before the smaller Apple tablet brought the high resolution goodness. However, today DigiTimes is changing its tune, reporting that LG has solved the issue, and will be shipping Retina display panels for the iPad mini later this year:
The sources also added that LG is reportedly making new headway in producing Retina panel technology for use in the next-generation iPad mini, and expects to ship about 2-3 million units a month in preparation for Apple's expected October release date.
It should be noted that it was just earlier this week that DigiTimes reported that the Retina iPad mini wouldn't be seen until 2014. To backtrack on that report this quickly would imply that they got news to the contrary. In addition to the iPad mini news, DigiTimes is also still reporting that the fifth-generation iPad will be streamlined with thinner side bezels, lighter, and ship with a faster processor this fall.
Read More | DigiTimes
Gallery: iPad mini with Retina display could ship this fall with LG panel
Apple, Microsoft, Google & others petition US government for transparency in data requests
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Google, Microsoft,
Several big named tech giants like Apple, Google, Facebook and Microsoft are publicly requesting that the National Security Agency (NSA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) allow them to transparently publish more information regarding the controversial data mining operations and surveillance programs held by US government agencies.
Dubbed SpyGate, the legitimate controversy has made headlines over legislation of section 215 of the Patriot Act and section 702 of the FISA amendment ACT. Not to mention the whistleblower saga that has ensued after former NSA employee and current on the run globetrotter, Eric Snowden, leaked details about the covert operation infamously known as Prism. Many of the allegations summarized in the massive leak state that the US government has backdoor access to the servers of many leading private industry companies and direct access to major US telecommunication carriers. With such access, the government collects and monitors millions of American's information not limited to just metadata. Many private companies have signed a petition of transparency that includes Apple, Google, Microsoft, Twitter, Skype and many others. Below is the petition letter in its entirety.
Read More | The Next Web
Gallery: Apple, Microsoft, Google & others petition US government for transparency in data requests
Alleged leaked photos of the iPhone 5S back plate surface
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors,
Alleged leaked photos have surfaced from Chinese website EXpreview of the iPhone 5S. Although it will supposedly have the same processor, it will include an upgraded PowerVR SGX 554MP4 graphic chip. Also, included in the upgraded specs is a 12 megapixel camera, dual LED flash, 2 GB of RAM, and support for NFC and 4G LTE Advanced networks. Rumors are pointing toward a fingerprint scanner from AuthenTech, and a display featuring IGZO technology from Sharp. Previous reports have also pointed to a slightly larger battery as well. Take it all with a grain of salt until Apple officially makes the announcement, but as we've seen over the past few years, new iPhone start leaking in the summer, and they are more often than not exactly what we see Apple reveal.
Read More | EXPreview
Gallery: Alleged leaked photos of the iPhone 5S back plate surface
Tile, world’s largest lost and found accessory coming soon
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Accessories, Apple, Wireless / WiFi,
Tile may be a small Bluetooth accessory, but it is an ingenuous idea, currently being crowdfunded, that helps users find their lost items like keys, wallet, purse or anything you might attach Tile to.
Tile connects to iOS devices that support Bluetooth 4.0 with Bluetooth Low Energy. At this time, Tile is selling for $18.95 each in a KickerStarter-style pre-order system. The price will jump to $25 dollars when it officially goes on sale. One of the cool features includes a crowdsourced search that enlists the help of others to retrieve items that have been lost or stolen. Battery life is about a year, and when it's time to get a new one, they even send you an envelope to send the old TIles back for recycling. So far, Tile has over 25,000 backers and has surpassed its goal of $20,000 by $1.3 million dollars with 5 days left to go. Check out the video after the break for an in-depth look at how it all works.
Click to continue reading Tile, world’s largest lost and found accessory coming soon
Read More | Tile
Gallery: Tile, world’s largest lost and found accessory coming soon
Apple set to start iPhone 5S production this month
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds,
AllThingsD is reporting that Apple is set to ramp up production of the iPhone 5S at the end of July, which coincides with a recent report from Peter Misek. Misek says that Apple likely started a small production run of the iPhone 5S last month in preparation for the full meal deal later this month.
Similar to other iPhone releases, it's been reported that iPhone 5S will be constrained in the supply chain initially, likely due to low yields on the new fingerprint sensor feature that is rumored to launch on the device.
AllThingsD also believes that the lower-cost mid-range iPhone is also already in production:
Interestingly, Misek says that iPhone production ramp up will follow one that’s already under way for Apple’s long-rumored lower-cost iPhone, a device he figures the company will price somewhere between $300 and $400 — without a subsidy. He estimates production plans at 25 million to 30 million units, split pretty much evenly across the 5s and its new lower-cost sibling. And he says the new entry probably won’t be competitive with the truly low-end handsets popular in emerging markets.
It's mid-summer, y'all, and the iPhone rumor mill is chugging along at full power.
Read More | AllThingsD
Gallery: Apple set to start iPhone 5S production this month
OS X 10.9 Mavericks Developer Preview 3 now available
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Software,
Earlier today Apple released iOS 7 beta 3, and a few hours later, we now have OS X Mavericks Developer Preview 3 as well. Developers who are already running Mavericks can get the 1.08GB update through the Mac App Store, while those who are looking to install it for the first time will need to log in to the Apple Developer Portal. As for the rest of the world, OS X Mavericks is set to launch this fall, bringing features like iBooks, Maps, Finder Tags, enhanced multi-monitor support, tabbed Finder, and more to Apple's desktop operating system.
Gallery: OS X 10.9 Mavericks Developer Preview 3 now available
Apple releases iOS 7 beta 3 build 11A4414e, full changelog
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,
Apple has just released iOS 7 beta 3, which can be found in the Developer Portal right now. iOS 7 beta 3 build 11A4414e works with supported iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models, and is available as an over-the-air update to users already running a previous iOS 7 beta on their devices. We've already found a few tweaked settings and UI improvements, including a larger lock screen status bar, Weather app font improvements, and more transparent home screen folders. If you're already running iOS 7, you can update over-the-air by going into Settings > General > Software Update. Or you can go and grab the necessary download at http://developer.apple.com. Apple originally showed off iOS 7, and released its first beta, at WWDC 2013. We've got the full beta 3 changelog for you after the break.
Click to continue reading Apple releases iOS 7 beta 3 build 11A4414e, full changelog
Gallery: Apple releases iOS 7 beta 3 build 11A4414e, full changelog
Rumored plastic budget iPhone put together on video
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Rumors, Videos,
There has been numerous reports that Apple has a budget-friendly version of the iPhone in the works. It would come in an array of different color pallets with a high-grade polycarbonate rear shell, similar to the housing found on the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. Techdy was able to get one of the purported rear shells that are being manufactured, and they put a video together to give us an idea of how this new iPhone might look.
It will have a 4” screen, like the iPhone 5, and interestingly, the budget iPhone actually has a shape that’s similar to Apple’s original iPod. When we hold the budget iPhone in our hands, the plastic chassis does not feel cheap at all. Unlike the plastic build quality of the Samsung Galaxy phones, the plastic material used on the budget iPhone feels more sturdy.
And guess what, we were able to fit the display assembly into the new budget iPhone’s rear shell. The display assembly just seemed to fit perfectly inside of the rear shell.
Check out the video after the jump.
Click to continue reading Rumored plastic budget iPhone put together on video
Read More | Techdy
