iOS devices refer to any of Apple’s hardware that runs the iOS mobile operating system which include iPhones, iPads, and iPods. Historically, Apple releases a new iOS version once a year, the current version is iOS 10. Here is the complete list of iOS 10 compatible devices.
As a way to get new car owners a bit more up to date with their new 2013 CTS, Cadillac plans to give every new owner an iPad full of directions that go over the car’s features. Cadillac’s head of customer experience Mark Harland said Cadillac plans to “be the leader in customer experience,” reportedWired, and it looks like the iPad will help them reach that status. The news was revealed at this year’s CTIA conference, which is taking place in New Orleans.
However, it is worth noting that Cadillac does not plan to actually integrate the iPad into the dashboard of the CTS, but it will rather come preloaded with manuals that teach the new owners all about the car. The manuals will especially come in handy with Cadillac’s new CUE infotainment system that is powered by an 8-inch touchscreen that has many smartphone-like apps pre-loaded on it. The inside of this ride looks very slick (image via Wired), but it may confuse some new owners after leaving the dealership:
The iPad given to customers at the Cadillac dealership will come pre-loaded with OnStar RemoteLink, MyCadillac, and a custom app made by the company that gives complete overviews of the 2013 CTS’ infotainment system.
It would have been cool if Cadillac took the Mercedes approach and actually adopted Apple’s technologies into the dashboard. Mercedes’ new A-class automobile is launching with Siri built-in, which allows drivers to make appointments, send text messages and emails, get weather information, and control their music through Siri’s voice commands. Buy a roughly $40,000 car… get an iPad!
Recently launched as a Kickstarter project, Jon Fawcett and his new company [Fuse] Chicken invented a flexible gooseneck accessory with a built-in USB cable that doubles as a shapeable stand and dock for your iPhone.
The benefits of the Une Bobine (which is French for “A coil”) are obvious from the images above— the ability to adjust your iPhone to an appropriate position in various scenarios, such as charging, while still being able to place the device at eye-level. It also holds your device in landscape mode, as you can see in the images.
Although the Kickstarter project already surpassed its funding goal of $9,800, you can preorder yours now by pledging $25. The company planned to start shipping Une Bobine roughly 45 days after reaching its funding goal, and it appears to still be on schedule.
As part of its new “Alter Ego” ad campaign, T-Mobile posted the above TV commercial comparing the speed of the iPhone 4S on AT&T to devices on its 4G network. The carrier recently did a similar comparison when launching its Test Drive tool for comparing its 4G devices with the iPhone on other networks. In related news, yesterday we reported T-Mobile was preparing to rollout an iPhone-compatible 4G HSPA+ 19000 MHz network to various markets by the end of the year.
Although many thought the comparison of the 3G iPhone on AT&T to 4G Android devices on T-Mobile was unfair, Apple is rumored to launch a new LTE iPhone following the introduction of the new 4G iPad last March. Recent reports indicated Qualcomm was having trouble meeting demand for LTE chips likely to land in the next-gen iPhone, indicating T-Mobile will likely have to take a new approach to its ads come October. Expand Expanding Close
As noted by MacRumors, Apple is getting ready to launch the third-generation iPad in 30 additional countries this month beginning with 23 countries on May 11. Among the countries included in this Friday’s launch is Brazil, where Apple currently assembles some of its iPad 2 and iPhone 4 units at a Foxconn plant in Jundiai. China is still not included in this month’s international roll out.
All countries receiving the iPad on May 11 include: Argentina, Aruba, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Kenya, Madagascar, Malta, Martinique, Mauritius, Morocco, Peru, Taiwan, Tunisia, and Vietnam.
The remaining seven countries to receive the device this month will do so on May 12: Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates.
If you are looking to pick up the iPhone 4S in the next couple of days, make sure to check your local Target store before purchasing. Thanks to a couple of tips sent to us by email, we now know that various Target locations are running a deal on the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 for all carriers. The 16GB iPhone 4S is available for $149.99 on a two-year contract, while the iPhone 4 is $49.99 on two-year contract — both at a $50 discount. Let us know in the comments if your local Target is running this deal. Sadly, it is not available online.
With the new iPad’s “resolutionary” 2048-by-1536-pixel Retina display, which is arguably the flagship feature of the device, it might be somewhat surprising to hear that Apple originally planned on using lighter, thinner display tech. This is according to display expert and President of DisplayMate Technologies Raymond Soneira who told CNET, “There’s no question that the iPad 3 is Plan B.”
He claimed Apple would have used Sharp’s IGZO tech for a thinner display assembly, but instead was forced to go with older, amorphous silicon that required a larger battery. The move could have accounted for some of the increased weight to 1.46 pounds and depth of .037 inch. Soneira explained:
AT&T has announced plans for a consumer home automation and security suite of services that will begin trials this summer. The services, which exist under the “AT&T Digital Life” naming umbrella, can be controlled via mobile devices (including iPads, iPhones, and iPod touches) and on the web. The system allows users to control home features such as thermostats (even individually by room), power outlets, garage doors, lighting, and more. The service also allows users to keep an eye on their home’s security, and the software allows users away from home to turn on security features.
A headline feature of the Digital Life services suite is the ability to detect water leaks. AT&T says that their service is unique in that a user can “take action” to turn off their home’s water supply in order to halt a leak. While AT&T manages and custom-installers the service for customers, non-AT&T customers are fully supported. All of the software tied to the home-automation and security suite can run on any carrier. AT&T provides their own 24/7 security center to augment a user’s ability to check their home’s security from the web-based or smartphone/tablet applications. Trials for the service will kickoff this summer in both Dallas and Atlanta.
Screenshots of the iPhone application are after the break.
AT&T’s CEO Randall Stephenson seemed to have many things to say about the iPhone at a wireless industry conference earlier this week (full video below). In a talk that resembled this Fake Steve Jobs satire, the New York Times reports that Stephenson was upset that high-volume smartphone users were costing the carrier so much that the lower-volume users had to subsidize their usage. Stephenson said that unlimited data for the iPhone was a mistake: “My only regret was how we introduced pricing in the beginning, because how did we introduce pricing? Thirty dollars and you get all you can eat.” AT&T discontinued its unlimited data plan in 2010 and moved to a pricey tiered data plan, which it has since reprised and restructured. The plans paid off, because the company earned a whopping $6.1 billion in revenue during Q1 alone. Over 70 percent of the smartphones that AT&T activated last quarter were iPhones.
The CEO also had a bit to say about Apple’s iMessage that introduced in iOS 5. iMessage offers iPhone users free text messages while on Wi-Fi, which—of course—takes away from AT&T. The CEO said he is losing sleep:
“You lie awake at night worrying about what is that which will disrupt your business model. Apple iMessage is a classic example. If you’re using iMessage, you’re not using one of our messaging services, right? That’s disruptive to our messaging revenue stream.”
Stephenson apparently did not lose any sleep over the failed T-Mobile merger that cost his company $4 billion and some very important spectrum. For what it is worth, Sprint said it is sticking with its unlimited data plans, even if the new iPhone has LTE. Interestingly, Sprint still does not carry an iPad of any sort.
Stephenson also relayed the story of the initial meeting with Apple’s late CEO Steve Jobs:
UPDATE: Walmart just responded to 9to5Mac’s inquiry and said the retail chain “experienced a pricing error in limited stores” yesterday. The company spokesperson said the issue has been addressed and normal prices are now in effect: 16GB iPhone 4S for $188, iPhone 4 for $88, and iPhone 3GS for $0.97.
Cult of Mac reported that an Edmond, Okla., Walmart is offering the 16GB iPhone 4S for $114. The Vergefollowed-up the claim and reported an Austin, Texas Walmart store is providing the same deal; although, four other stores in the United States said the discounts are not in place.
The select stores are apparently selling the latest iOS smartphone at a $74 discount. Wal-Mart’s Web site lists the price of the iPhone 4S at $188, but the price comes with a “store pricing may vary” at select stores note. The 8GB iPhone 4 price tag is also cut by $34 at the two participating Walmart stores, according to the reports.
9to5Mac directlycalled 17 Wally World stores around the U.S., but we could not find similar deals offered at any of the stores. We also called the only two Walmarts in Edmond to confirm the reports. However, we were told the stories were wrong for the West Danforth Road store, because the iPhone 4S is still selling at its normal price.
Editing text on an iOS device can often be cumbersome. Currently, it requires you to tap twice to select text, and then drag small blue cursors to highlight a portion, or try to tap in between letters to set the cursor. To demonstrate a more efficient method of navigating text on an iPad, YouTube user danielchasehooper posted the video above showing a concept of moving the cursor and editing text with gestures.
When performing lots of edits in larger documents the direct interaction metaphor falls apart for cursor control. Even short portions of text can be painful to edit when you need to move the cursor to a precise location. Would you ever want to write a document on your computer without using the arrow keys? This is the reality iPad users face because they do not have the equivalent of arrow keys. There is a better way.
In the video, we see a dragging gesture on top of the keyboard being used to control the cursor. We also see a two-finger drag to move it faster and the ability to select a portion of text by holding a button while dragging. The video certainly makes a good case that Apple’s current implementation could be improved. The video’s creator urges iOS users to contact Apple and request the feature with the following provided instructions:
Similar to Logitech’s solar keyboards for Mac® and PC, the Logitech Solar Keyboard Folio includes onboard solar cells that charge the built-in Bluetooth® keyboard in any light, whether indoors or outdoors. When fully charged, the battery lasts for up to two years, even in complete darkness (based on a average use of two hours per day).
Not quite ready for the awesome Epson Megaplex iOS projector? Available for preorder right now, the PoP Video project from Micron Technology is a $99 pico projector with built-in 30-pin dock connector for your iPhone or iPod. The device works with iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, and third-generation and fourth-generation iPod touch, while providing two hours of playback at 960 x 540 pixel resolution. It comes with the following specs:
Size and Weight
(refer to the scale drawings of the PoP Video to the right)
While Facebook has focused on smartphones for its standalone Facebook Messenger app, the company is currently developing a version for the Apple iPad. A reliable source has provided an in-depth look at an early beta version of Facebook Messenger for iPad, and those comfortable with the iPhone version should feel right at home with the new app. Facebook Messenger for iPad is basically a larger version of the iPhone application with one-to-one messaging, group chatting, push notifications, the ability to see friend locations on a map, and more. We have a full gallery of the iPad app after the break.
While the application is essentially just a larger version of the iPhone app, the fact that Facebook is working on such an app shows the company’s dedication to all of Apple’s platforms. The Facebook Messenger for iPad application will also provide iPad users with the convenience of a simple application for messaging their friends. There will no longer be the need to access the sometimes flaky and “heavy” full Facebook for iPad application. Sources are unsure of a release timeframe for the iPad app or if Facebook actually plans to move passed internal-only operation, but the program is definitely being actively developed with new builds being readied often.
Clicking the blue arrow starts a video call
Facebook is also working on an updated version of the iPhone app with Skype video chat support and improved performance. The new iPhone app will likely come before an updated Facebook Messenger for Android with similarly new functionality. These apps are on-track for a launch sometime this summer, with testing happening right now on Facebook’s internal servers. We had a chance to try out the new Facebook Messenger for iPhone video chat feature, and performance was smooth most of the time. Facebook will eventually make the iPad and iPhone apps into a single universal binary, though we’ve yet to see true indication of video chat on the iPad side. Expand Expanding Close
Apple has released minor software updates for iLife for iOS. The suite received major updates on March 7, the day of the new iPad announcement, and today’s updates focus on slight enhancements and bug fixes.
This update improves overall stability and addresses a number of minor issues, including the following:
• Adds the ability to access Help when editing a project on iPad
• Resolves an issue where the incorrect frame was shown after splitting a clip
• When publishing a journal to iCloud, the URL of the journal can now be copied using a Copy Link button
• Addresses an issue that could cause duplicate photos to appear in Photos view
• Includes stability improvements
What’s New in Version 1.2.1
• Fixes an issue that could lead to crashing or missing songs when sharing to iCloud
• Resolves an error when logging into SoundCloud using a Facebook account
• Addresses minor issues related to performance and stability
There has always been a strong connection between Apple and the Walt Disney Company. Apple’s former CEO Steve Jobs served on the board of directors for Disney and was the head of Pixar, which Disney purchased to create some of the most memorable animated films ever. Jobs also used his knowledge from when he created the most profitable retail chain in the world to help Disney rejuvenate its stale retail experience. Disney’s CEO Bob Iger also now sits on Apple’s board.
Disney and Apple are set to grow even closer as Disney park employees are given iPads to handle guest relations.
The iPad will be the centerpiece for Disney’s revolutionary next-generation “FastPass” system. The current system allows Disney park goers to receive passes, return to popular attractions at a future time, and then bypass the lengthy lines. Today, Disney World employees began training on a new system that will utilize RFID technology and the iPad to take the park goer experience to the next level.
Over the next couple of weeks, guests selected —in advance to their trip— will help Disney test this new process. The guest will book popular rides and attractions for specific times in the future—even before they leave for Florida. According to @DisneyProjects, when guests arrive at the ride for their reserved time, they will then wand their RFID band by a sensor, which will subsequently send their reservation information to a nearby Cast Member’s (Disney Employee) iPad.
This pilot program will run for the next couple of weeks, which is enough time for Disney to gauge its effectiveness. There is no current timetable for a full rollout. However, you can be sure it is coming, because Disney went through the effort of installing RFID zones at several key attractions. Disney has used the iPad in revolutionary ways before, like when it introduced “AppMATes.” This is just another connection between the two great American companies.
Following IDC’s report this morning that highlighted Apple’s continued growth among mobile phone marketshare worldwide, while coming second to Samsung in global smartphone marketshare, research firm comScore just released its numbers for United States mobile subscribers for the three-month period ending March 2012.
According to comScore, Apple posted impressive growth during the quarter with 30.7-percent marketshare among smartphone platforms in the U.S (up from 29.6-percent). Increasing from 47.3-percent in December 2011 to 51 percent in March 2012, Android was able to grab the top position for platforms during the quarter. Growth for Android and iOS continues to come at the expense of RIM. The company grabbed just 12.3-percent of the platform market in March, which is down from 16 percent in December 2011. Microsoft also lost marketshare with 3.9-percent, which is down from 4.7-percent… Expand Expanding Close
An admittedly biased source, Techbargains conducted a survey of mothers on their upcoming special day presents prospects. According to the survey, 91 percent picked an iPad over flowers.
While the iPad is a bit pricier than your garden-variety bouquet, you can save $100 and get her an iPad 2 (let’s face it, mom’s eyes are no longer going to need the Retina pixels – j/k!).
Speaking of bargains, moms were not quite as interested in the $199 Kindle Fire (18 percent), as they preferred the iPad (58 percent) when the devices were put head-to-head.
Apple has slowly rolled out its iTunes Match service worldwide over the past few months, but today it looks like more countries were added, because the music matching service began rolling out in Italy, Portugal, Greece, Slovenia, and Austria. Users in these countries can now signup for the service that allows them to store all of their music to iCloud, and then sync the music to all of their iOS devices. MacStories first reported the news when it found a change in the Terms of Service, which now notes iTunes Match.
If you live in the countries listed above, make sure to let us know how the roll out is going in the comments below. The new countries are not yet mentioned on Apple’s iTunes Match page. Expand Expanding Close
Samsung just officially denied any involvement with the “Wake Up” protest held outside of an Australian Apple Store earlier this week.
According to SlashGear, the company stepped forth today and rebuffed any ties to the affair: ”Samsung Electronics Australia has nothing to do with the ‘Wake-Up Campaign’.”
For currently unknown reasons, a puzzling demonstration with anti-Apple cues occurred outside an Apple Store in Sydney April 22. A black bus boasted the phrase “WAKE UP” and a slew of paid picketers with coordinating signs paraded along George Street while chanting, “Wake up!”
The staged fuss accompanied a series of billboards posted around the city, as well as “WAKE UP” written on the bottom of Bondi Ice Bergs’ pool, and a baffling website at wake-up-australia.com.au that features a focal point countdown. The URL is registered to ad agency New Dialogue, which underwent rebranding and now goes by the name “Tongue.”
Apple is being sued by a man in Colorado over claims that the company’s $39 iPad Smart Covers violate a “Portable Computer Case” patent originally filed in 2003 and issued in 2005. PaidContentobtained a copy of the lawsuit.
The United States patent in question is 6,977,809. A Colorado man owns it, Jerald Bovino, who is seeking royalties for sales of Smart Covers’ using his invention. An excerpt from the patent seems to describe functionality that is quite similar to Apple’s Smart Covers—at least the ribbed design:
Beginning on Friday, April 27, the new iPad will be available in Colombia, Estonia, India, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, South Africa and Thailand.
UPDATE: Samsung just officially denied any involvement with the “Wake Up” protest held outside of an Australian Apple Store earlier this week. According to SlashGear, the company stepped forth Friday and denied any ties to the affair: ”Samsung Electronics Australia has nothing to do with the ‘Wake-Up Campaign’.” Read more at 9to5Mac.
Samsung reportedly hired marketing agency Tongue to lead an advertising campaign for its upcoming Galaxy S III launch, and its first demonstration occurred at an Apple Store in Australia earlier this week, but the event resembled more of a protest or call to arms, rather than a promotional stunt.
A mysterious black bus donning the phrase “WAKE UP,” coupled with hordes of chanters waving coordinating signs in the air, roamed through the streets of Sydney on April 22. The show paraded in front of George Street’s Apple store and left the entire city in confusion.
According to Australian website mUmBRELLA, the staged fuss also boasted a series of billboards posted around the area, as well as “WAKE UP” written on the bottom of Bondi Ice Bergs’ pool, and an equally-mystifying website at wake-up-australia.com.au. The URL is registered to ad agency New Dialogue, which underwent rebranding and now goes by the name “Tongue.”
The website allegedly counts down the Galaxy S III launch, but it is set to end at 3 p.m. May 6. The highly anticipated Android-powered smartphone is the primary rival to Apple’s iPhone, and it is unveiling May 3 in London, so circulating rumors indicate the “WAKE UP” countdown is actually the device’s landing date for Australian markets.
Samsung previously hosted a teaser website at tgeltaayehxnx.com, which is anagram for “the new galaxy,” that also contained a countdown. It redirected users to thenextgalaxy.com when the clock ran out last Monday. Samsung embedded a video on the subsequent page that promised its next Galaxy device will “stand out from everyone else” while depicting a slew of sheep in a field for the closing frame. The imagery and language is a definite jab at iPhone users, who are often mocked as “iSheep,” over speculation that they blindly follow Apple.
As of the latest research from Nielsen, we know the United States smartphone market has quickly become an iOS/Android duopoly with 90 percent of devices on either one of those platforms. While smartphone usage in Japan is still at 1-in-5 mobile phone owners, new numbers from comScore today show Japan’s smartphone market is also quickly becoming dominated by Apple and Google. To be specific, 95.6-percent of smartphones in the country are Android or iPhone, and Apple has outgrown Google in the last three months while Android’s share remains steady.
AT&T is still the “iPhone network,” according to numbers from its quarterly earnings report. AT&T sold 5.5 million smartphones in the quarter, but 4.3 million of the smartphones activated were iPhones. That means the iPhone represented a whopping 78 percent of total smartphone sales (although some “iPhone activations” could have been hand me downs). Additionally, AT&T’s postpaid customers are almost 60 percent smartphone customers, which means AT&T’s iPhone customers represent a huge percentage of its base—nearly 5o percent and growing.
Verizon announced numbers last week including 3.2 million iPhones sold. While the iPhone is down significantly from the holiday quarter, it is up from 3.6 million activations in Q1 2011. Apple’s earnings will be reported at the end of the day today.
