Latest Gear Live Videos
Is this the new Google Maps app for iOS 6?
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Google, Rumors, Software,
iOS developer Ben Guild has received alleged information on a Google Maps app for iOS 6 that is currently in alpha testing; including the classic blurry cam pics. The much desired Google Maps app is fast, vector-based, supports two-finger rotation to any angle, and is iPhone 5 ready. Unfortunately, there's no ETA of when it will arrive at the App Store. Of course, arrival time is not as important as making sure the app is tested and fully baked for consumers before launching. When all is said and done, Google Maps should be a free download for users.
Click to continue reading Is this the new Google Maps app for iOS 6?
Read More 
| Ben Guild
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AllThingsD: Apple will announce iPad mini on October 23
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Rumors,
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AllThingsD is reporting that it's been informed by "people familiar with Apple plans", by which they might mean Apple PR, that an invite-only event is being held for October 23rd for the much-rumored and highly-anticipated iPad mini. The report also speculates that the event will be held at a smaller venue like Apple's Town Hall. The timing makes sense since the new revamped user interface iTunes was promised by Apple to be released at an unspecified date in October. Likewise, it is a perfect competitive maneuver against the Microsoft Surface Tablet which is slated to launch on the 26th.
The iPad Mini is rumored to house a 7.85-inch IPS display with the same resolution of the iPad 2 and a new Lightning connector. The starting price is expected be around $199-249. Details of the wireless connectivity are vague, yet some are speculating it will be Wi-Fi-only, forgoing a cellular option. If I were a betting man, the iPad mini will be very thin, light, easy for one-handed use and perfectly sized as a stocking stuffer for the upcoming holiday shopping season. In addition, AllThingsD has a good track record forecasting past Apple events. So, fingers crossed.
Read More | All Things D
Apple granted patent that can disable your iPhone 1984-style
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News,
Apple is not shy about submitting patents on its creations, but this one is a little different. This particular filing attempts to patent the essence of 1984, and would give the Cupertino-based company the sole right to disable a user's iPhone camera app in restricted areas, such as at a concert venue or movie theater. However, it appears that the now-granted patent may disable far more than just your ability to take snapshots.
Click to continue reading Apple granted patent that can disable your iPhone 1984-style
Read More | Business Insider
iPod touch (5th generation) teardown
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Portable Audio / Video,
When a major Apple product hits stores, you can count on iFixIt to take it apart, and that's just what it did with the new fifth-generation iPod touch. The new iPod touch features the same 4-inch display found in the iPhone 5, and began shipping to customers earlier this week. Here's what's inside:
Click to continue reading iPod touch (5th generation) teardown
iPad mini may not offer cellular option, relegated to Wi-Fi only?
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Rumors, Wireless / WiFi,
Apple's current worst-kept secret is the impending announcement and arrival of the iPad mini, a 7.85-inch version of the world's most popular tablet. What we don't know are all the details like price or specific features. The current rumor being circulated is that the iPad mini will be available in a Wi-Fi-only configuration, with no cellular option. We're on the fence on this one. On one hand, leaving out the LTE chip allows Apple to price these competitively without making the top-end model cost more than the entry-level new iPad. This keeps things more in line with the $199 price points of the Kindle Fire HD and Google Nexus 7 tablets. However, having cellular in the iPad mini seems to be the killer setup. Just slide one into your suit jacket pocket and you have portable tablet connectivity on the go. We know plenty of people who would happily pay the additional $130 above the iPad price tag for the LTE option. I guess those folks can always tether, right?
What’s your prediction? Will the iPad mini be offered with a cellular option? Apple has reportedly ordered 10 million iPad mini units from its suppliers, so it looks like the company expects this one to be huge.
Read More | The Guardian
Microsoft Office coming to iOS and Android in March 2013?
Seems the rumor reported about a native port of Microsoft Office to iPad is alive and kicking. On the eve of 2012, The Daily reported that it was present for a demo of a working version of Office for iPad but the rumor was somewhat shot down by Microsoft PR with a non-denial, saying that the leaked photos were not a real Microsoft software product. However, Microsoft didn't go as far as to deny that the iOS Office suite ever existed. Almost a full year later, IHNED has reported that Peter Bobek, a Microsoft Product Manager, has spilled the beans during a press event in Czech Republic.
Allegedly, Mr. Bobek has affirmed that Office for iOS and Android will be released around March 2013. There's also some noise about Office Web Apps, but nobody seems to care about those. So, if you're an Office user, but your preferred mobile platform is iOS or Android, don't get your hopes up just yet. If the past is any indicator, this latest rumor might not become a reality. Until then, iWork and Google Docs are not a bad alternative. Now, if you're the daring type, you may want to jump platforms altogether and go with the Microsoft Surface tablets and Windows Phone 8 to get your Office fix.
Read More | IHNED via The Verge
iPod touch (5th generation) and iPod nano (7th generation) now shipping
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Portable Audio / Video,
Apple's fifth-generation iPod touch and seventh-generation iPod nano are arriving on doorsteps and Apple Store locations today. Originally announced alongside the iPhone 5 last month, the new touch and nano didn't see the near-immediate availability that the iPhone 5 enjoyed. The new iPod touch features the same, larger 4-inch display that you'd find on the iPhone 5, and is available in a multitude of colors. Same goes for the iPod nano on the color front, and it also picks up a more traditional tall-screen layout as well. The new iPod touch starts at $299, while the new iPod nano can be had for $149.
Was your iPhone 5 damaged out of the box?
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Design, Handhelds,
When we picked up our pair of iPhone 5 units on launch day, one black iPhone 5 and one white iPhone 5, the black unit was damaged right out of the box. It was subtle enough that I didn't notice it at first, and I definitely didn't make mention of it during our iPhone 5 unboxing episode. Luckily, Taylor caught it, showed it to Apple Store staff, and they replaced it with a new model immediately. Later that day, we got reports from other buyers who had a similar experience. So, our question today goes out to those who didn't purchase on launch day. Are people out there still getting black iPhone 5 models that have chipped or faded anodized aluminum?
Be sure to check out our iPhone 5 review!
Google Street View comes to iOS web app
Posted by Ponzi Black Categories: Apple, Google, Internet,
iOS 6 and iPhone 5 users now have a popular Google Maps feature available to them again--Street View. Google Street View is available in the Google Maps web app in Mobile Safari, as well as in the Chrome app. Users can save the web app to their Home screen for quick access to Google Maps. Not as elegant as a native app, but definitely usable.
Starbucks iOS app updated with Passbook support
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Food & Drink, Passbook, Free Apps,
Last week we mentioned that Starbucks was looking to add Passbook support to its iOS app by the end of September. Well, they missed the target by a few days, but this evening Starbucks released an update to its iPhone app that includes, among other things, the long-awaited Passbook support. Here's the full changelog:
- Passbook support
- iOS6 support
- Now easier to sign up and start earning Rewards with our new account creation flow
- Accessibility, data optimization, and performance improvements
- Multiple bug fixes
When setting up Passbook for Starbucks, you can select different Starbucks locations that you want to set as your favorites. This will allow Passbook to pull up your Starbucks card upon arrival, without you having to go looking for it.
