iOS

Apple reportedly applies for 'iWatch' trademark in Japan

Apple apparently likes how the "iWatch" moniker fits a wearable computer and has reportedly applied for a trademark for the name in Japan.

The iPhone maker seeks to protect the name for a product that is categorized as a handheld computer or watch device, according to a filing earlier this month with the Japan Patent Office. The filing was only made public in the past week, according to Bloomberg, which first reported on the application.

The rumor mill adopted the name -- perhaps derisively mocking Apple's "iProduct" naming convention -- when reports emerged that the … Read more

The glorious glitches of Apple Maps

Apple Maps has improved by leaps and bounds since its shaky launch late last year, but that doesn't mean the app is completely bogey-free.

In a series called "iOS Map Glitches," Peder Norrby, founder of computer graphics company Trapcode, has collected some of the most interesting Apple Maps blunders he can find.

Glitches in maps such as these aren't uncommon. They occur when there's a misalignment between the 3D topography and the 2D satellite images, warping the landscape and making it appear as though it's either bubbling with eldritch chthonic energy or melting with apocalyptic heat. … Read more

Skype refreshes its iPhone app

Skype has updated its iPhone app with a couple of new features and a few fixes in tow.

Skype for iPhone version 4.9 now offers the free and unlimited video messaging that Skype rolled out last week.

Skype users can record a video message for fellow users who are offline. Those videos then appear when your receipient logs into the service.

The updated app also has patched up a few items here and there, according to Skype.

Photo sharing is now a more reliable process. Audio and video calls should be more stable. And there are the usual unspecified … Read more

Yahoo News gets a face-lift to become 'more personal'

Yahoo News on Thursday became the company's latest site to get a facelift.

The Internet company added new features that it believes will deliver a "more personal, intuitive and modern design." That includes a news stream that's customizable to a user's interests and a redesigned iOS app. A new Android design will be hitting devices soon, Yahoo said.

"This new design is one step towards creating a more consistent feel across Yahoo," Mike Kerns, Yahoo vice president of product, said in a blog post.

Kerns noted that Yahoo News will get smarter over … Read more

Mailbox iOS app now supports landscape mode, Gmail aliases

Those of you who use the Mailbox iOS app will discover two new useful features the next time you fire it up.

Designed as an alternative to the built-in iOS e-mail client, Mailbox version 1.3.2 now lets you manage and read your messages in landscape mode, a much-needed enhancement.

You can also now send an e-mail using a Gmail alias. This lets you use an alternate address in the From field if for whatever reason you don't want to use your Gmail address.

Mailbox offers a clean and simple interface and several tricks to manage, prioritize, and … Read more

Apple said to be enticing indie labels for iTunes Radio

While Apple has sealed the deal with the three major music recording labels for its upcoming iTunes Radio service, the company is now looking to lure independent labels.

The tech giant has reportedly been talking to various indie music labels, letting them know how the royalty pay scale will work on the new service, according to the Wall Street Journal. Labels will be paid on how many listens each song gets, along with ads that Apple sells.

According to the Wall Street Journal, labels will get 0.13 cent every time a song is played and 15 percent of ad … Read more

iOS 7 allows iPhone and iPad control with head movements?

The idea of controlling an iPhone or iPad with a gesture may not be too farfetched. According to 9to5Mac, Apple is said to have included a head movement feature in its latest iOS 7 beta version.

With a simple quick jerk of the head to the left or right, users could be able to get to the home page, select apps, or control the device's volume.

The feature is apparently an accessibility option, which means it would have to be turned on by the user. Typically accessibility options are for people with disabilities who are hearing, vision, or physically … Read more

Rumor Has It: How much better will the iPhone 5S' better camera be?

Last week, Facebook announced video capabilities for Instagram, which nobody was surprised about. But I was a little surprised that the presentation ended with that. I was sure that the company would also announce its answer to Google Reader. Lo and behold, recent rumors suggest that Facebook still has a Reader of its own up its sleeve.

Google could be working its own version of Pinterest, called Google Mine. It would be integrated with Google+, and it could have its own Android app. Of course!

And finally, there's that little gleaming unicorn that everyone is speculating about, the iPhone 5S. Recent rumors suggest that it'll have a boosted camera, jumping 12 megapixels from the iPhone 5's 8. What do you think of those specs? Does it sound likely? Leave a comment below, and don't forget to vote in the poll!

… Read more

Apple pitches iOS 7 features to schools, businesses

With iOS 7 still taking shape, Apple's already begun making the pitch to schools and businesses to use it.

In two new pages that went up on Apple's Web site Wednesday, the company highlights, for both groups, some of the changes and new features in the upcoming software, even though iOS 7 is still in development.

One of the main focuses of the new documents is how schools and businesses can roll out apps to users through the App Store, which comes pre-installed on all of Apple's devices.

The company also highlights single sign-ons for apps, new … Read more