Tablets

How to clear all your Android app caches with App Cache Cleaner

The apps on your Android device typically use a cache to improve performance. Over time, the cache for certain apps can grow quite large. Clearing the app cache can free up precious space and sometimes resolve problems you might be having with the app.

To clear the cache, you normally go to the Android app manager, click on the app from the list, then tap on "Clear cache." If you want to clear the cache for all your apps, you have to repeat this procedure for every single app, unless you use a cache cleaner like App Cache … Read more

Steve Jobs initially didn't want an iBookstore, Eddy Cue says

NEW YORK -- Apple is in hot water over its digital bookstore, but late-CEO Steve Jobs initially didn't even want to enter that market, a high-level Apple executive said Thursday.

Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet software and services, on Thursday testified in district court in lower Manhattan that he had to convince Jobs to let him pursue an e-bookstore. Even before the iPad launched, Cue was certain Apple should have a bookstore for its iPhone and Macs, but Jobs believed those products weren't ideal for reading.

"What happened was when I got my … Read more

Free iPad presentation app keeps it simple

A recent Microsoft television ad for the Surface implies that the iPad can't open PowerPoint presentations. One of the many options for creating, viewing, and editing PowerPoint and other presentations on an iPad is the free CloudOn app, which I described in a post from last June.

The advanced features of PowerPoint and other Office apps are overkill for tablet screens. The iPad needs a presentation app such as the free Haiku Deck that's designed for the tablet's strength: showing pictures.

Haiku Deck emphasizes telling your story in pictures: your own images or royalty-free photos in the … Read more

Rumor Has It: What're you going to do now, Microsoft?

This week has been just crazy.

Among all the fun and games: At WWDC, Apple announced a completely revamped iOS 7, iTunes Radio, new MacBook Airs, a new Mac Pro, and a new OS X. At E3, Microsoft announced a price and release date for the Xbox One. And Sony announced the price, release date, and used-games policy for the PlayStation 4. Everyone cheered, and then passed out from exhaustion.

But because of all the hoopla, I think that Microsoft is going to ease up on its restrictions. What do you think?

Also, Samsung could beef up its Galaxy Note lineup, and an analyst predicts you'll be wearing an iWatch by the end of the year. … Read more

Receive push Gmail alerts on iOS after losing ActiveSync support

Last December Google announced its plans to discontinue support for Google Sync as of January 30, 2013. Sync allowed users to access Gmail, Google Contacts and Calendar using Microsoft's Exchange ActiveSync system. What this allowed iOS users to do was set up Gmail as an Exchange account, which in turn provides push alerts for new e-mails in a real-time sync of Calendars and Contacts.

The cutoff date has long passed, but if you had an account already set up and running on your iOS device as Exchange, you had nothing to worry about; Google promised to keep the service … Read more

AT&T grabs Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 tablet with LTE

AT&T announced on Wednesday that the LTE-capable Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 will join the carrier's roster in "the coming weeks" as an AT&T exclusive.

First unveiled at Mobile World Congress, the Note 8.0 runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and features a 1.6GHz quad-core processor. Additional details include a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera, 16GB of internal memory, and a microSD slot for cards up to 32GB. It's got a 4,600mAh battery inside.

The Galaxy Note 8.0 features an integrated S Pen digital stylus … Read more

JLo's Viva Movil opens first store to sell wireless products

JLo's new mobile venture has launched its first retail outlet.

Set up as a Verizon Wireless premium retailer, Viva Movil by Jennifer Lopez launched its initial store on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, the company announced Wednesday. Designed to attract customers from the Hispanic community, the store will sell smartphones and tablets from Apple, Samsung, BlackBerry, Motorola, LG, Nokia, and other vendors, all running on Verizon's network. Also on tap will be fashion cases from Jennifer Lopez and accessories from Samsung, BlackBerry, Otterbox, and Harman Kardon.

The store's staffers are bilingual, allowing them to speak with customers in … Read more

Take better selfies with CamMe

The smartphone self portrait -- the selfie -- is a part of today's modern world, whether you are using it for a social-media profile picture, want to show your friends yourself in an interesting location or having a particularly good time, or are simply experiencing a vain moment without a friend nearby to snap a shot of you.

Most selfies require you to hold out your phone as far as you can reach to snap the shot. If you'd like to lose the outstretched arm and snap your selfies with an iPhone, I encourage you to try out … Read more

Apple's WWDC keynote: What didn't we get?

Apple touted several new and improved products at its keynote event at the Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday, from a revamped iOS design to a music streaming service to a new MacBook Air. But some items were noticeably missing in action.

Apple revealed several changes to its MacBook Air, including the adoption of Intel's fourth-generation Core "Haswell" processor, built-in support for Wi-Fi 802.11ac, and beefier battery life. But the new version of Apple's ultrabook will be stuck with the same resolution as always since the Retina Display wasn't on the list of enhancements.

Although … Read more

Apple has paid developers $10B

Apple has now paid developers $10 billion, CEO Tim Cook said Monday.

That's three times more than Android and other mobile stores have distributed to app makers, Cook said during his keynote speech at Apple's annual developers conference. And $5 billion of the total was just from this year, he said.

"The momentum is incredible," Cook said.

Apple currently is hosting its Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco. Among the expected announcements is an update to its mobile operating system and a new radio service.