On Gear Live: Circuit Breaker: The Tech Newsletter that Elevates Your Gadget Game

Latest Gear Live Videos

Google Search iOS app updated with Siri-like Google Voice Search functionality (video!)

Google Now for iOS   Google now for iOS (2)

Just like that, Google has updated its Google Search app for iOS with the Google Voice Search functionality that mimics Apple's Siri, first seen on Android devices. For those using iOS, now you have the best of both worlds. The update went live yesterday, and is a universal iOS app update for all iDevices, which also includes the new iPhone 5, iPod touch, and iPad mini. Users must be running at least iOS 4.2 to use the new app. My initial impressions of the Google Now voice feature is that it is quick, fairly accurate, and I like how it composes voice to text in real time. What are you waiting for? Go update and ask Google where to hide the body. 

Click to continue reading Google Search iOS app updated with Siri-like Google Voice Search functionality (video!)

Read More | Google Search app

Advertisement

iOS SVP Scott Forstall leaving Apple along with John Browitt

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Corporate News,

Scott Forstall leaving AppleApple has just announce that Scott Forstall, Senior VP of iOS software, will be leaving the company at the end of this year. That's a big deal, but we called this one when iOS 6 launched with Apple Maps that garnered a huge collective groan from customers across the world. Forstall was seen as one of the front-runners to replace Steve Jobs as Apple CEO, and when Tim Cook got the nod, many figured Scott might be next in line. In addition to the departure of Scott Forstall, Apple retail head John Browitt will also be departing the company at the same time. Jony Ive, Eddy Cue, Bob Mansfield, and Craig Federighi will fill in the gaps, with Cue taking over Maps and Siri, and Federighi leading iOS and OS X. Apple has not yet announced a replacement for retail.


Apple iPad (4th generation): FaceTime HD, Lightning connector, A6X chip, $499

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds,

Apple iPad 4th generation

We all expected the iPad mini to be announced today, but not many people figured we would also get a new, 4th generation iPad. However, that's exactly what happened, as Apple strayed from its usual yearly update cycle, announcing a new full-sized iPad just six months after the last update. So, what's changed with the new iPad? For starters, it now packs in a new A6X processor, which Apple claims makes the new tablet twice as fast as its predecessor. It also brings a new FaceTime HD front camera, the new image processor technology that debuted on the iPhone 5, dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, and more LTE connectivity (including Sprint's network.) Last, but not least, the iPad also picks up the new Lightning connector, eliminating the 30-pin dock connector from all of Apple's current products.

Pricing remains the same across the board, so you can get the 4th generation iPad for $499 for the 16GB, $599 for 32GB, and $699 for 64GB. If you want an LTE model, just add $130 on top of those prices. The 4th generation iPad will go on sale on November 2nd, and you can pre-order one this Friday.

Be sure to check out all of the news from today's iPad mini event!


iPad mini: 7.9-inch display, A5 chip, LTE optional, $329

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds,

iPad mini

Apple has announced the long awaited iPad mini. It sports a 7.9-inch display at 1024 x 768 resolution, matching up with the iPad 2. The new iPad mini is just 7.2mm thin, and weighs in at .68 pounds. It features the same anodized edges that you'll find on the iPhone 5. On the inside you'll find the A5 processor, 5-megapixel rear camera that records in 1080p, and a FaceTime HD camera up front. With the 7.9-inch display, you get 35% more screen real estate than you'd find on the 7-inch Kindle Fire or Nexus 7 tablets, which is likely what Apple is hoping you realize since they are charging quite a bit more for the iPad mini than competing 7-inch tablets.  You'll be able to get a Black & Slate or White & Silver iPad mini starting at $329 for the 16GB Wi-Fi model, and the price jumps up to $429 for 32GB, and $529 for 64GB. Want an LTE model? Those come at an extra $130, so you are looking at $459 for 16GB LTE, $559 for 32GB LTE, and $659 for 64GB LTE. You'll be able to pre-order the iPad mini beginning on October 26, and they'll be delivered (and available in stores) on November 2.

Read More | iPad mini

Apple announces iBooks 3.0, available today

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Software,

iBooks 3.0

Apple has announced a new version of iBooks this morning at its iPad mini event. iBooks 3.0 features vertical scrolling on a page, negating the need to turn pages. It also has Facebook and Twitter sharing, where you can just select a passage, and share it to one of these social networks. iBooks also supports 40 languages now as well. It's a free update, available today. Download it now.


iPad mini caught on video ahead of unveiling, no front-facing camera?

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Rumors, Videos,

 

iPad mini leak

Apple is set to reveal the iPad mini to the world at this morning's iPad mini event, but it looks like the device may have been caught on camera shortly before Apple got started! Check out the video above from ETrade Supply. These are the same guys who leaked a video of the iPhone 5 design weeks before it was announced by Apple, and they were spot on. What do you think? Would Apple really remove the front camera on the iPad mini? Hit the video after the break to see for yourself.

Click to continue reading iPad mini caught on video ahead of unveiling, no front-facing camera?


Apple will live stream today’s iPad mini event!

iPad mini event live stream

For the first time in a long time, Apple will be live-streaming an Apple event! That's right, you can follow along with all the coverage from today's iPad mini event using your Apple TV, iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, or Mac. For the Apple TV, there's even a new channel that's been added that let's you watch all previous events as well. Things get started in just under 40 minutes from now!

Read More | iPad mini event stream

Apple working on iOS 6.0.1 bug fix update

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors, Software,

iOS 6.0.1 release

BGR reported this morning that their sources have indicated that Apple is internally testing iOS 6.0.1 with numerous carriers, and this one looks to be focused on fixing a few nagging issues. There have been complaints of the camera flash not firing when expected, bad Wi-Fi connections, and horizontal lines appearing on the display, and iOS 6.0.1 should address these concerns, and more. In addition, there is an Exchange Invite bug that deletes the entire calendar event if any invited party declines. Furthermore, a Passbook update will prevent all the details from your cards from being accessed from the lock screen without your PIN code.

It's also reported that Apple is working on iOS 6.1, which should bring with it a new feature or two, within the confines of its Cupertino labs, but that isn't expected until after the 2012 holiday season. BGR has been somewhat hit or miss with Apple predictions as of late, so this can all be taken with a grain of salt. That said, it would be hard to imagine that Apple didn't have both iOS 6.0.1 and iOS 6.1 in the pipeline.

Read More | BGR

How to disable Interest Based iAds and limit ad tracking on your iPhone and iPad

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Software,

Interest Based iAds

Recently, it has been reported that, with iOS 6, Apple has a new tracking mechanism built-in that allows targeted advertising. Basically, this just means that when there are ads in apps, that they can display ads that Apple feels will be more relevant to you, rather than having them be completely random. Some users don't appreciate any sort of behavior tracking, and would rather turn this feature off. One easy way to get to this setting is to visit the following address from your iOS device: http://oo.apple.com. That will redirect you to the opt out panel for Interest Based iAds. Turn the setting to OFF to disable the feature, and you'll no longer see ads that are targeted to your interests.

Click to continue reading How to disable Interest Based iAds and limit ad tracking on your iPhone and iPad


Advertisement