ios

Software at CES: Second screens take off, developers target TVs

CES is coming in early January, but contrary to popular belief, it isn't just about gadgets. A lot of software vendors make the trek to Las Vegas to show new and updated versions of software for just about every platform.

With the app stores for Apple, Google, and Windows exploding with new offerings over the course of 2012, we think this year's CES will have more new and updated software on hand than ever before.

As the in-house software editors at CNET, we have put together a list of predictions for this year's CES, from the probable … Read more

Manage your Any.DO task app from Chrome

When surfing the Web, it's easy to forget an idea that springs to mind about an item you need to include on your to-do list. This is likely because it's located on your mobile device and it's easy to get distracted from remembering to add it.

In a sea of task apps, Any.DO has managed to make a name for itself. With a clean and simple user interface, it's easy to just get started with managing what you need to do, who you need to call, or what you need to buy. And with the … Read more

Jet Set Radio goes mobile, fittingly enough

Jet Set Radio, the cult classic Dreamcast title from 2000, is now available for iOS and Android, following its HD rerelease on PSN, XBLA, and Windows.

Easily one of the most creative, as well as subversive, video games ever conceived, gameplay consists mainly of "grinding" (aggressive inline skating) across a colorful neo-Tokyo, tagging walls, and recruiting new members, who then become playable characters, to your gang, the GGs -- all while while evading police, rival gangs, and listening to the pirate radio station from whence the game gets its name, hosted by DJ Proooooofesssoooooor KKKKKKKKKKKK.

Jet Set Radio … Read more

Instagram-Twitter feud fudges photos

Wednesday's CNET Update won't cut you off:

Instagram and Twitter aren't playing nice, and it's annoying users. As the two services compete in the photo-sharing space, Instagram stopped supporting a key Twitter feature that helps display media inside a tweet. The casual user won't notice anything different on the Twitter website. But on Twitter's mobile app, you will notice that Instagram photos are no longer properly formatted to fit.

Why would Instagram spoil the appearance of photos shared on Twitter? Because Facebook-owned Instagram is growing its website and wants you to stay on its … Read more

Sonos adds AirPlay-like streaming from iOS devices

Sonos has released updates to its iPhone and iPad apps that allow iOS 6 users to access their device's onboard music library and stream it through their Sonos system.

While the Sonos doesn't add AirPlay as such, the update lets the user access iTunes from within the Sonos app menu, something that most streaming and DLNA apps don't allow for non-AirPlay devices.

The device's music will appear on the menu under "This iPhone," and will list songs, playlists, and podcasts.

Sonos describes this as a major update; it follows two other recent updates that … Read more

Google I/O 2013 set for May, a month earlier than last year

Anyone curious about how Google plans to top its stunt-filled developer conference from this year will find out 162 days from today.

Google announced today that Google I/O 2013 will return to Moscone Center West from May 15 to May 17. This year it took place in 2012, and wowed the tech world with a presentation that included daredevils skydiving onto the roof of Moscone Center while live-streaming the whole thing on their Google Glasses.

It's not time to register yet; registration details will be announced in February, Google said. Prospective attendees can get a feel for what … Read more

Apple doles out third beta of iOS 6.1

Apple's first big iOS 6 update is one step closer to a public release.

Today the company quietly released the third beta version of iOS 6.1 to developers, another step on the way to sending it out as an update to the general public.

Today's update, which includes "bug fixes and other improvements," comes 21 days after the last beta.

All three beta versions, made available to developers for testing ahead of a public release, have been light on major new additions to the software. Apple typically saves such additions for major releases, but has … Read more

iPhone 5 pushes Apple to No. 2 spot among U.S. phone makers

The new iPhone has given Apple a slight lead over LG in U.S. mobile market share, according to new data from ComScore.

For the three months ending in October, Apple stole second place from LG by grabbing a 17.8 percent share of the entire U.S. cell phone market, up from 16.3 percent in the prior three months. LG trailed with 17.6 percent, a drop from 18.5 percent.

Released at the end of September, the iPhone 5 undoubtedly gave Apple the boost it needed to rise up the mobile phone charts. Over the past year, … Read more

Get ready to rumble in Punch Hero

Every night is fight night in Gamevil's boxing title, Punch Hero (iOS | Android). Punch Hero is a cel-shaded arcade boxing game that packs plenty of action and customizable features. And best of all, it's free.

The fighting controls are pretty simple: tap the left or right side to throw a jab or swipe across the screen to throw a hook. You can also swipe diagonally to throw a slower but stronger uppercut to deal more damage. There are also dedicated roll buttons that players can use to dodge and counter attacks.

Punch Hero throws over a dozen fighters … Read more

How to remove Facebook friends from your iPhone's contact list

Perhaps I'm slow, but just I noticed that all of my Facebook friends are now littered throughout my iPhone's contacts list. This change is a result of iOS 6's tighter integration with Facebook, so I've been living with it for a few months now. (In my defense, allow me to state that for most calls, I use the Favorites list, where Facebook contacts don't show up instead of the All Contacts list, where they do.)

If you have been living with a contacts list inundated with hundreds of Facebook friends, there is an easy fix. … Read more