Apple

Skype updates iOS app to let you log in with a Microsoft account

Skype has updated its iOS app to give it some of the same features as its full client software.

Released today, the latest version lets you log into Skype with your Microsoft account and chat with contacts on Messenger, Hotmail, or Outlook.com.

Users new to Skype can create an account directly from the app. You can now tap and hold down an instant message to edit it. You can also edit your saved phone numbers directly from the dial pad.

Those of you who like to spruce up your instant messages with emoticons can choose one when typing a … Read more

Apple wins Dutch ban on certain Samsung Galaxy devices

A Dutch court ruled in Apple's favor today, ordering the ban of certain Samsung Galaxy tablets and smartphones due to patent infringement.

The ban applies to older Samsung Android-based products that use an Apple-patented method for scrolling through images in a photo gallery using a touch screen. According to the court, those are Samsung's Galaxy device versions 2.2.1 and higher that don't use Samsung's updated "blue flash" photo gallery technology.

The two companies have been in a constant battle over patents related to the mobile market. So far, neither has emerged as … Read more

iPad holds 71 percent of China's tablet market, report says

The iPad may be shedding market share globally but it's reportedly staying strong in China.

For the third quarter of this year, Apple grabbed 71.4 percent of the Chinese tablet market. That was down a percentage point from the second quarter, but still far ahead of Lenovo with a 10.5 percent share, Reuters said, citing a report from research firm Analysys International.

In third place among tablet makers was Chinese company Ereneben with a 3.6 percent cut of the market, trailed closely by Samsung with a 3.5 percent share.

Overall, China's tablet market climbed … Read more

iPad Mini, iMac to face supply shortages, report claims

Apple may ship a smaller number of iPad Minis and iMacs this year than initially targeted, say the folks at DigiTimes.

Manufacturers of display panels for Apple's new 7-inch tablet are running into low yield rates, while companies making the backlight modules are facing a limited stock of supplies. Those two issues will affect the number of iPad Minis that can be shipped this year, sources reportedly told DigiTimes.

Both AU Optronics and LG Display provide the panels for the iPad Mini. But AU Optronics has bumped into production issues, causing its percentage of shipments to fall to around … Read more

Access your Photo Stream without iPhoto on OS X

Regardless of your feelings for iPhoto on OS X, having to launch and wait for it to load your photo library only to access a screenshot or a single photo in your Photo Stream can be annoying. The good news is, after following the steps laid out below, you'll be able to access your Photo Stream at any time, without even having iPhoto running. The process comes courtesy of a post by Ben Ward (which originated from a Mac OSX Hints thread) earlier this year. It looks more complicated than it really is, but as always, proceed at your … Read more

iPhone 5 propels iOS ahead of Android on U.S. smartphones

The iPhone 5 has proved to be a major factor in Android's battle with Apple's iOS.

According to new data published today by research firm Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, iOS was able to nab 48.1 percent of the U.S. smartphone market during the 12-week period ended October 28, just beating out Android's 46.7 percent share.

But elsewhere around the world, iOS isn't nearly as popular. According to the research firm, Android was running on 73.9 percent of all smartphones purchased in Germany during the same period. Android took 81.7 percent of Spain'… Read more

T-Mobile revs up network for better iPhone service

T-Mobile USA has expanded the number of markets where unlocked iPhones can tap into its higher network speeds.

The carrier said yesterday in a blog post that 10 new metro areas would get its faster HSPA+ network on the 1900 megahertz band. That's important because the iPhone is compatible only with 1900MHz, meaning that in most other markets, it is stuck on the much slower 2G Edge network.

Part of the allure of the 1900MHz HSPA+ is it that allows unlocked AT&T devices to enjoy 4G speeds on T-Mobile's network.

In addition, other T-Mobile customers should … Read more

iOS 6 fixes bug that let stolen iPhones receive iMessage texts

An iMessage security hole discovered earlier this year has reportedly been patched in iOS 6.

Revealed in February, the bug allowed texts through iMessage to continue to appear even after the phone's account information had been wiped, the SIM card deactivated, or the password changed. This meant that a stolen iPhone could still receive text messages intended for the device's owner.

The Next Web reported that a source with knowledge of the matter said that the issue was resolved in iOS 6 after Apple pushed through several new checks for iMessage. One critical tweak requires users who change … Read more

Best Buy trims $50 off 3rd-gen iPad, kicks in $75 gift card

iPad buyers can score a decent deal on a 3rd-generation model through Best Buy, but the offer is good only for today.

The retailer is selling the 64GB Wi-Fi-only black version for $649 and the 32GB Wi-Fi black and white variants for $549. Both prices are $50 off the original retail price for the 3rd-gen model, which Apple discontinued after introducing the 4th-generation iPad.

Apple does offer refurbished editions of the third iPad, selling the 64GB Wi-Fi model for $549 and the 32GB Wi-Fi model for $469.

But Best Buy has sweetened its deal by throwing in a $75 gift … Read more