Video chat provider ooVoo has just released an iPhone app, allowing users to leverage multiplatform video chat on their Apple devices. By doing so, iPhone and iPod touch users can launch video chat sessions with up to five of their friends, wherever they are. Read more »
The debate over whether the future of mobile data lies in native applications vs. Web-based offerings is often depicted as a Darwinian contest where only one will survive. But the truth is much more complex than some pundits would have you believe. Read more »
MacHeist and tap tap tap Tuesday released The Heist, an iPhone puzzle app that provides a real-world reward. The app is a huge success so far, topping the U.S. paid charts. So how did the app come about, and why is it doing so well? Read more »
Taking ideas in your head and making them in to working iPhone apps is a daunting process even for those with coding knowledge. A new Mac app called Prototypes is making it easier for non-developers to share their ideas quickly and easily in concrete form. Read more »
It’s possible to encrypt an iOS backup using iTunes. However, a piece of software has just been released which allows the encryption to be cracked, therefore giving someone full access to the data stored in your backup, so reconsider what you store on your device. Read more »
Brightcove is stepping beyond managing and distributing online video with a new product for easily creating iOS, Android and mobile web apps. The Brightcove App Cloud is designed to take the pain out of making content available through native apps on the most popular mobile platforms. Read more »
The mobile space is all about a tug-of-war of control between network operators, device manufacturers and software developers. But rarely do the players involved make the power play so obvious as did France Telecom CEO Stephane Richard during a recent interview. Read more »
After reading Darrell’s excellent appraisal of Apple’s new retail model, I had to run out and see fit for myself. After all, 10 years ago Apple’s minimalist approach was unusual and out of step. Is Apple Retail 2.0 a step forward, or a step back? Read more »
So far, tablet computers have been more useful as “data consuming” tools, rather than genuine work devices. One stumbling block is the inability to easily edit documents stored in the cloud. Soonr is the first service to offer integrated editing of Office documents for the iPad. Read more »
Mobile video is still a small part of overall online viewing, but it’s a part that Apple dominates. According to new data from video ad startup FreeWheel, the vast majority of video views that occur on mobile devices happen on Apple’s iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Read more »
The next iPhone will have a curved glass display, according to DigiTimes, which learned the information from sources in the supply chain. Apple is said to have acquired between 200 and 300 glass cutting machines for glass making partners in order to produce the displays. Read more »
According to Gartner, mobile phone sales for the first quarter totaled some 428 million devices, with just 23 percent being smartphones. With so much room to grow, there would appear to be room for many competitors, but an expansive market is still a finite one. Read more »
In a remarkable case of repeat offenses, Verizon Wireless Chief Financial Officer Fran Shammo told the Reuters Global Technology summit Thursday that the next iPhone will be dual-mode, and will launch at the same time the AT&T model. That’s the second time he’s spilled the beans. Read more »
On May 19th, the Apple Retail Store celebrates its tenth anniversary. Here’s a look back at the unlikely success Apple has enjoyed with its brick-and-mortar stores, and at where we might expect that success to lead future retail endeavors made by the company. Read more »
Comcast updated its Xfinity app to include support for iPhone streaming. The update is a welcome one, but I wonder why the iPhone always gets treated like a second-class citizen when it comes to streaming video. It’s a case of providers missing the big (smaller) picture. Read more »
Rumors are beginning to approach consensus with regards to Apple’s next iPhone, with much of that info coming from sources reportedly within Apple’s supply chain. Here’s a look at what Apple appears to be planning, and when you can expect to see it. Read more »
The on-again, off-again rumor of an LTE iPhone is likely to remain off for the rest of 2011, according to the latest from DigiTimes, which reports yield rates of Qualcomm LTE chips as the problem. Of course, the real problem remains a lack of coverage. Read more »
Apple has submitted a proposal to make SIM cards even smaller than the micro-SIM currently used in the iPhone 4 and iPad. The new smaller SIM standard is also backed by French carrier Orange, and was submitted to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute last week. Read more »
Rumor has it Apple is in talks with Nuance to strike a deal allowing Apple to use Nuance’s speech recognition software. One of the uses mentioned was the possibility of using the software in the new NC data center, but I don’t think it’s likely that the […] Read more »
Users of Apple magazine apps are likely to be repeat readers, are willing to share their personal info with publishers, and are often repeat users, according to a new report. All of which might explain why publishers are more and more eager to offer in-app subscriptions. Read more »
I’ve dropped enough phones over the years that I’m a big fan of “extreme cases” like the ones that Dave wrote about recently. But if you don’t need quite as much protection, and want extra power, you might want to look into the PowerSkin case. Read more »
Apple’s next iPhone won’t have near field communication (NFC) capabilities, according to Wall Street research firm Bernstein. Rumors have been going back and forth about whether would include the tech in its next-gen smartphone, which recent reports suggest we won’t see until at least fall. Read more »
Apple’s next iPhone will be called the 4S, and won’t offer much beyond minor cosmetic changes, better cameras, an A5 dual-core processor and HSPA+ support, according to Jefferies & Co. analyst Peter Misek. The info comes from industry checks performed by the investment banking firm. Read more »
Netflix has expanded the availability of closed captioning on its streaming service with the latest update of its iOS application. With the update, the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch join a growing list of consumer electronics devices that support streaming subtitles through the service. Read more »
The Peel TV Universal Remote turns your iPhone into a universal remote control. It also offers recommendations for shows to watch as well as alerts so you don’t miss anything. But how well does it work if you watch most of your video content online? Read more »
With my recent purchase of an iPhone 4, I began a search for the perfect protective case. Surprisingly few products offer a high level of protection, and even some previous brand leaders are opting for fashion over function. Which one can I trust my precious to? Read more »
Nuance announced Wednesday that it has already signed on 2,500 devs to its Mobile Developer Program in its first 90 days. Dozens of voice-enabled apps have already been created through the program. Nuance announced this milestone amid rumors of ongoing strategic partnership talks with Apple. Read more »
Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) chaired the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee meeting today called “Protecting Mobile Privacy: Your Smartphones, Tablets, Cell Phones and Your Privacy.” Apple’s Bud Tribble and Google’s Alan Davidson provided testimony, along with a number of other industry and government witnesses. Read more »
Microsoft announced today that it will acquire Skype for $8.5 billion in cash and that Skype will form a new business division within Microsoft. Despite Microsoft’s position as a longtime Apple competitor, this deal could improve the state of video chat on Apple devices. Read more »
The March report from comScore sees the iPhone holding against the Android in the U.S., while RIM market share collapses. And iOS as an OS is still doing much better than Android when all types of devices are taken into consideration. Read more »
Joe Hewitt who built the initial version of Facebook for the iPhone, left the social networking company today. Hewitt, who has had incredible influence over Facebook’s mobile success, left to work on his own focusing on tools for developers and designers. He joined Facebook in 2007. Read more »
Mothers are getting more and more tech savvy. It is more than a little likely that flowers, candy and a trip to the spa will soon be replaced by apps, digital media, and pre-paid online services. Here are some gift ideas along those lines. Read more »
Apple executives told Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty that Apple “generally views product cycles as software driven.” Huberty met with Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer, SVP of Retail Ron Johnson and VP of Internet Services Eddy Cue Wednesday to discuss the company’s future outlook. Read more »
Apple moved into second place in worldwide smartphone shipments during the first quarter of 2011, according to market research firm IDC. Apple is led only by Nokia, and is followed by Research In Motion, Samsung and HTC, to round out the top five. Read more »
In light of recent events regarding the security of online password managers, it’s worth a look at some of the alternatives out there, and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Here’s a look at the three best iPhone, iPad and Mac password managers money can buy. Read more »
Chances are, there’s a lot of personal information and data stored on your iPhone or iPad. The last thing you want is someone finding your data and using it maliciously. You can encrypt your backup, but what about if someone gets hold of your actual device? Read more »
Apple is rumored to be prepping over-the-air iOS updates, according to a report by 9to5Mac. Citing multiple sources, the site says they’ll debut in iOS 5, meaning all updates that follow will be available OTA. It could happen, but not before these criteria are met. Read more »
Despite a series of promising announcements at this week’s BlackBerry World, Research In Motion’s share of the smartphone market continues to erode, and no QNX handsets are yet on the horizon. Apple, meanwhile, could be poised to take RIM’s crown as king of the mobile enterprise. Read more »
Apple released iOS 4.3.3 (and iOS 4.2.8 for Verizon iPhones) Wednesday, changing the way location information is stored and backed up, as well as a number of other fixes and improvements. Apple promised this update after the location storage cache was widely publicized two weeks ago. Read more »
Is Intel about to announce a foundry deal to make Apple chips today? Intel is losing the mobile chip war to ARM. A foundry deal would benefit both Apple and Intel, by keeping Intel in the mobile game and helping Apple diversify its suppliers. Read more »
