Tag: Apple

iOS 9.3 Beta Preview

iOS 9.3 Preview

iOS 9.3

Today we have the opportunity to see an insight to what Apple is working on for their next major iOS update release, iOS 9.3. From the looks of it, we’ll be getting a large number of bug fixes but also a few new features. Let’s take a look at them.

A better experience every day. And night.
This latest iOS release adds numerous innovations to the world’s most advanced mobile operating system. There are improvements to a wide range of apps, along with great new additions to CarPlay. iOS 9.3 may even help you get a good night’s sleep. And you’ll find a preview of new features that will make using iPad in schools easier and better for students and admins.

[From Apple.com]

Night Shift

The first main new “feature” that Apple is touting on their website is iOS 9.3’s new feature to make colors “warmer” after sunset. According to Apple (and many studies), the blue light emitted by mobile devices and computers can affect the body’s ability to get a good night’s sleep. This is very similar to an app already available for Mac called f.lux.

Notes + Passcode

While many people have wanted this for a long time, it’s better late than never. Apple will allow users to passcode lock notes on iOS 9.3. Users will be able to unlock their notes via either their fingerprint or a “Notes Password”. Still hoping for a way to password protect photo albums, but I guess we’ll have to wait a little longer for that…

More Personalized News

Apple News will be more “personalized”. Not too much information on this is available for now, but this should be good for anyone who is an avid user of Apple News.

Health

It will be easier to find apps compatible with the Health app. On top of this, you will be able to see more on your Health Dashboard.

CarPlay

In iOS 9.3, there are new CarPlay features being added. You’ll find hand picked music by experts and other music tailored towards your music likings.

Education Preview

There will be new ways to use the iPad in the classroom using iOS 9.3. Not too much more information has been divulged about this yet.

 

iOS 9.3 Predictions/Thoughts

While we might not see iOS 9.3 for a little while, the features that Apple has shown give me hope that iOS 9.3 will be a success. If the bugs can be smoothed out and the features implemented correctly, iOS 9.3 could be the best update to iOS 9 that we’ve seen thus far. Stay tuned for more information! Apple has a page about iOS 9.3 as well.

Astro Speaker Unboxing

Astro “Pure Audio” Speaker Unboxing

If you are looking for a portable bluetooth speaker, this Astro speaker from Tree-Labs might just be what you’re looking for. This one delivers “pure audio”, audio that is not ruined by software. We will be giving it a thorough review here in the coming week, so stay tuned! Until then, enjoy this unboxing video below.

 

 

Snaphack Removal Update

Snap-Hack Removal Update

If you had Snap-Hack, I’d recommend keeping it. It got pulled from the App Store recently, and who knows when or if it will ever come back. But what you can do, is get Snap-Hack LITE. It’s free and still up on the App Store. We recommend downloading it from iTunes on your computer so you can keep it and re-download it in the future if need be. Check out our video below!

 

iPhone 6S

iPhone 6S and 6S Plus Announced by Apple with A9 Chip, 3D Touch, and 12 MP Camera

Today, Apple announced the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus at the “Hey Siri” media event in San Francisco. These new iPhones come jam packed with new technology like Apple’s A9 processor, M9 motion coprocessor, 3D Touch, a 12-megapixel rear camera, a 5-megapixel front camera, faster Touch ID, Live Photos, stronger glass, a new 7000 series aluminum, and a new Rose Gold color option.

If you want to get your hands on one of these new devices, you will be able to pre-order one beginning Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 12:01 AM.

You can find all of the information on Apple’s site, it’s jam packed with more information than is here, so check it out!

iPhone 7

iPhone 7 To Be As Thin As iPod Touch

The iPhone 6S still hasn’t even been officially announced, yet we’re already hearing rumors that the iPhone 7 will be as thin as the iPod touch lineup. This speculation is thanks to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In one of his recent reports, he states that in 2016 ( a year from now), Apple could release the iPhone 7 with the thinness of an iPod touch. The current iPod touch is 6.1mm thin. Kuo suggests that Apple may be pushing to make the iPhone 7 between 6.0mm and 6.5mm thin. Right now, the iPhone 6 comes in at 6.9mm thin, and the iPhone 6 Plus is at 7.1 mm thin. The iPhone 6S is reportedly going to be about 7.1mm thin and the iPhone 6S Plus will be around 7.3mm thin.

So what does all this mean? Well, for starters, Apple is upping the thickness of the iPhone 6S this year, probably because they’re tired of replacing people’s bent iPhones. But there could also be yet another reason. Apple is sneaky, and this year if the iPhone 6S is 7.1mm, and next year they release the iPhone 7 at 6.1mm, they have a great selling point, that the iPhone 7 is “1 whole mm thinner than the previous generation!”. Clever right?

With all this in mind, it’s helpful to understand why so thin? Personally, we’d rather see improved battery life on our device rather than a razor thin iPhone. Thin does look good, though. Kuo believes the iPhone 7 will stick to the in-cell touch panel rather than opt for the glass-on-glass. With glass-on-glass, we would possibly see a bezel-free iPhone which would be sweet! But alas, Apple wants to have fewer production issues, and using glass-on-glass could slow production down considerably.

Here’s what we think Apple wants. Apple wants us to use our Apple Watch more and rely less on the iPhone. If people did this, they’d notice their iPhone battery not deplete as quickly. However Apple needs to understand that not everyone has an Apple Watch, nor does everyone want one.

So what do you think? Wouldn’t you rather a slightly thicker iPhone if it meant we didn’t have to carry around backup batteries all the time?

Top 3 New iPhone Apps Released Today

Top 3 NEW iPhone Apps Released Today

Today is Thursday, and that means that a bunch of new apps were released onto the App Store early this morning. Here are the top 3 new iPhone apps released today.
 

  1. Abby Lee Dance Secrets
Abby Lee Dance Secrets

If you’re a fan of Dance Moms, you may want to check this app out. It has somehow rocketed to the top of the Paid Apps page on the App Store, and is currently going for $4.99. It allows you to get information behind the scenes, see videos and photos, and supposedly could allow you to interact with the stars of the show.

  • iTunes App Store Description:

You’ve seen them on TV, now see famed dance instructor Abby Lee Miller, and star students Maddie Ziegler, Mackenzie Ziegler, Kendall Vertes and Kalani Hilliker like you’ve never seen them before. You’ll get dance instruction from Abby herself – just the way she teaches at her studio, and the girls will be demonstrating how to do the dance moves.  

You’ll get exclusive, behind-the-scenes videos of Abby and the girls in their real lives – backstage, at competitions, shopping, traveling, and more.  

You’ll get special access to advice, trade secrets and tips from Abby and the girls about how to win at competitions; Maddie’s best hair and makeup advice; backstage rituals; what to pack in your travel bags; and how to be your best.  

When you download this app, you will receive regular updates and news from Abby, Maddie and the team at the Abby Lee Dance Company. You’ll get a special feature called ALDCNN – (Abby Lee Dance Company: News Now!) with fresh up-to-date insider news delivered to your app every week! You’ll also get new videos and new features ongoing so you’ll want to come back often to see what’s new.  

When you download this app, you could be featured in our exclusive editorial segment called Fan of the Week. If you are, you may hear directly from Maddie, Mackenzie, Kendall or Kalani by phone or text, or they will post personally on any of your social media accounts – only in this app.

Abby Lee Dance Secrets includes a photo gallery with photos from Abby and the girls’ events and travel, and downloads like wallpaper for your phone.

The app includes a library of videos that offer you dance instruction, dance routines, tips and tricks and behind-the-scenes views. Here are some of the videos you’ll find in Abby Lee Dance Secrets – and more will be added frequently!

Dance Instruction Videos such as:
Winning Warmups
Bourree Into Ballet
Jump Into Jazz
Maddie and Kendall’s Dance Routine

Advice and Behind-the-scenes videos, such as:
Maddie’s Winning Makeup
Girls Dish on their Moms: Selfies & Obsessions
Abby Surprises Superfans

Here’s a preview of more fun upcoming videos that will be released in the app soon:
Superstitions and Rituals
Abby’s Life Lessons
Girls Talk: What’s In My Purse?
Abby Gets Pranked
Tumble Into Gym
Arch Into Acrobatics
Move Into Musical Theatre
Bloopers
Much more!

This app includes all of the videos, fan features, downloads and so much more added regularly for one price. It’s like having a private ALDC video channel with content and features that you’ll only get if you have the app!

Download it today You don’t want to miss this exclusive content that you won’t find anywhere else! Abby and the girls hope to see you there!

 
2. Final Fantasy VII

Final Fantasy VII

Square Enix has been releasing Final Fantasy games on the App Store for years, and now they’ve released FF VII. For a somewhat steeper price of $15.99, you can enjoy this title in all its glory, assuming you have the room on your device (1.63 GB). This app currently has the #2 spot on the Top Paid apps in the App Store.

  • iTunes App Store Description:

——————————————————
– As this application is very large, it will take some time to download.
– This application takes up around 2GB of memory. Over 4GB of free space is required to download it, so make sure that ample spare memory is available before attempting to do so.
——————————————————-

Recommended hardware:
iPhone 5s or later, 3rd generation iPad or later, iPad mini 2 or later
(The iPod touch is listed as a compatible device but is not suited to playing this game)

Supported OS:
iOS 8.0 or later
*Please be aware that users may experience problems, such as exceptionally slow running speeds, if running this application on devices other than those outlined in the recommended hardware section. Such devices are not suited to playing this game and there is a chance of unforeseen errors occurring if running it on them.

Outline

The smash hit RPG: Final Fantasy VII, which has sold over 11,000,000 units* worldwide, finally arrives on iOS!
*Total includes both packaged sales and downloads.

The first Final Fantasy to feature 3D backgrounds and CG movie scenes, this dramatic tale continues to be loved by numerous fans around the world. Battle stages also appear in full 3D for the first time, bringing an even greater sense of awe and spectacle to combat!

Customize your characters in any way you like using the fantastic “material” system that allows endless combinations of spells and abilities.

This product is a port based on Final Fantasy VII for PC (No changes or additions have been made to the story).

Story

With its unshakeable monopoly over Mako energy production, the evil Shinra Electric Power Company holds tight to the reigns of world power.
One day, a Mako reactor serving the sprawling metropolis of Midgar is attacked and destroyed in a bombing raid by a revolutionary group calling themselves Avalanche.
Cloud Strife, a former member of Shinra’s elite “Soldier” unit takes part in the raid as a mercenary hired by Avalanche and sets events in motion that will draw him and his friends into an epic struggle for the fate of the planet itself…

Special features for the iOS edition

– Play using a simple and comfortable virtual controller designed not to obscure the action, choosing between virtual analogue or fixed 4-way digital control pad options. The opacity of on-screen controls can also be adjusted from the Config Menu.

– Two new features to make play easier and more convenient!
The iOS edition also includes an option to turn enemy encounters off on the world and area maps (will not skip event battles) and a Max Stats command to become all-powerful in the blink of an eye.

Major game controls

Movement: Virtual joypad (Select between analogue and digital modes)
Menu navigation: Fixed digital buttons
Confirm: A button
Cancel: B button
Open menu: Y button
 

 
3. Pocket God vs. Desert Ashes

Pocket God vs Desert Ashes

For all of you hard-core fans out there that remember Pocket God being the hit game of the early App Store, Bolt Creative has decided it’s time to release a new Pocket God title. In this game you are basically receiving a turn-based strategy game. The price of this app is currently $4.99, but the app is Universal.

  • iTunes App Store Description:

It’s “Clash of the Titans!” Or, rather, “Clash of the Pygmies and Landians!” In cooperation with Bolt Creative, Nine Tales Digital brings you a new spin on their popular Desert Ashes turn-based strategy game, guest starring a powerful Pygmy army defending their territory. The Desert Ashes Landians have passed through a magical portal to the remote islands of Pocket God. The Landians’ victory over the indigenous Pygmies isn’t as assured as they think. Even with their futuristic weapons, the Landians face a resourceful foe armed with spears… who are in turn allies with head-hurling zombies and sharks shooting laser beams! 

Play as single player with over 10 hours of game play, or as multiplayer with unlimited play! Level up your army and become Lord of the Pygmies!

So those are the Top 3 new iPhone apps that have hit the App Store very recently. Check them out if any of them catch your eye!

That’s all we’ve got for today. Enjoy!