iOS

mobile
March 29, 2013
by
Rumor
iPhone 5S Release Date

iPhone 5S announcement rumored for June 20th, launch in July

By on March 29, 2013 at 10:58 AM.

iPhone 5S announcement rumored for June 20th, launch in July

It has been widely reported that Apple’s (AAPL) next-generation iPhone will be announced sometime in June. According to Macotakara, the latest print edition of the Japanese MacFan magazine reports Apple will unveil the device at a press event on June 20th and release the iPhone 5S a few weeks later in July. The report goes on to suggest that a low-cost version of the iPhone for developing countries such as China and India may debut in August. Apple will also reportedly preview or even announce an update for its iOS platform at the rumored event. The iPhone 5S is expected to feature a faster A7 processor, an upgraded camera and possibly a fingerprint chip under the Home button for improved security. The form factor will likely remain unchanged, however.

No Comments
mobile
March 27, 2013
by
iOS 6.1.3 Battery Life Wi-Fi

iOS 6.1.3 update reportedly causing even more battery life problems

By on March 27, 2013 at 3:51 PM.

iOS 6.1.3 update reportedly causing even more battery life problems

The latest version of iOS is reportedly creating problems for a number of iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users. Apple (AAPL) released iOS version 6.1.3 earlier this month to fix a recent vulnerability that allowed unauthorized users to bypass a device’s lock screen — an issue that is ongoing. To make matters worse, some users are now reporting that the latest update is causing the battery to drain faster than before while also hurting Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. According to CNET, normal fixes such as restoring the device to its factory settings seem to be unsuccessful in resolving the problem. Battery life issues are not uncommon after iOS updates, as users previously reported similar problems with iOS version 6.1 in February.

No Comments
mobile
March 22, 2013
by
iMessage Clone Verizon Messages App

Verizon announces iMessaging clone for Android, iOS and Web [video]

By on March 22, 2013 at 10:10 PM.

Verizon announces iMessaging clone for Android, iOS and Web [video]

Verizon (VZ) on Thursday announced a new cross-platform update for its text messaging app for Android and iOS devices. The application, known as Messages, allows users to send and receive a text message from a PC, smartphone or tablet. Messages are stored on Verizon’s cloud for up to 90 days or until deleted and can also be saved permanently on an SD card. Unlike services from WhatsApp, Google Talk and iMessage, the application utilizes your smartphone’s phone number rather than a username or special PIN. The service sets itself further apart from the competition with a handful of unique features such as the ability to send automated replies to a text when busy. Verizon’s Messages application is available now in Google Play and the iOS App Store. A video demo follows below. More →

No Comments
mobile
March 21, 2013
by
Apple iOS Design

Apple’s Ive pushing for simpler ‘flat design’ for iOS

By on March 21, 2013 at 5:26 PM.

Apple’s Ive pushing for simpler ‘flat design’ for iOS

We’ve known for a while that Apple (AAPL) design guru Jonathan Ive would look to put his own distinct stamp on iOS and now unnamed sources have told The Wall Street Journal that Ive may go with a “flat design” for the next version of the operating system that will be “starker and simpler” than the current version. The Journal’s report follows a New York Times report from last year that claimed Ive would waste no time overhauling the design of iOS to make it fit in more with his own minimalist hardware designs. The Times’ report similarly indicated that Ive’s iOS makeover will incorporate “clean edges, flat surfaces” to “replace the textures that are all over the place right now.”

No Comments
Software
March 21, 2013
by
Google Now iOS

Google chairman says it’s Apple’s call on whether Google Now comes to iOS [updated]

By on March 21, 2013 at 1:25 PM.

Google chairman says it’s Apple’s call on whether Google Now comes to iOS [updated]

Itching to replace Siri with Google Now on your iPhone? Well, you might have to wait a while longer. TechCrunch reports that Google (GOOG) chairman Eric Schmidt on Thursday said that it was up to Apple (AAPL) on whether Google’s voice-enabled personal assistant application would make its way to the App Store anytime soon. When asked about Google Now coming to iOS at the Google Big Tent Summit in India this week, Schmidt responded that “you’ll need to discuss that with Apple” because “Apple has a policy of approving or disapproving apps that are submitted into its store, and some of them they approve and some of them they don’t.” In other words, it sounds as though the company has submitted Google Now to Apple for approval and that it’s currently waiting to see whether it gets approved. More →

No Comments
mobile
March 20, 2013
by
Apple iOS Vulnerability

Apple’s latest iOS update contains another big security vulnerability

By on March 20, 2013 at 4:15 PM.

Apple’s latest iOS update contains another big security vulnerability

Apple (AAPL) released iOS version 6.1.3 on Tuesday to update its Maps application and fix a security vulnerability. In early February, an iOS bug was discovered that allowed unauthorized users to bypass the lock screen on a passcode-protected iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. While this particular security concern was fixed in Apple’s latest iOS update, a second vulnerability has now been discovered: the passcode security on an iPhone can be bypassed by using the voice control feature to dial a number. If the SIM card is ejected while the phone is dialing, the device will end the call and give unauthorized access to the address book and photos stored on the device. The latest vulnerability was tested on an iPhone 4 running iOS 6.1.3 and a video demonstration follows below. More →

No Comments
mobile
March 19, 2013
by
Apple iOS 6.1.3 Download Link

Apple releases iOS 6.1.3 with maps updates, lock screen vulnerability fix

By on March 19, 2013 at 12:30 PM.

Apple releases iOS 6.1.3 with maps updates, lock screen vulnerability fix

Apple (AAPL) on Tuesday released iOS 6.1.3 for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The update fixes a recent vulnerability that allowed unauthorized users to bypass a device’s lockscreen. The update also includes several improvements for Apple’s Maps application in Japan. iOS 6.1.3 is available immediately as an over-the-air (OTA) update, and it will be available for download shortly in iTunes.

No Comments
Software
March 11, 2013
by
Firefox iOS Conflict

Mozilla won’t bring Firefox to iOS until Apple changes default browser policies

By on March 11, 2013 at 8:40 PM.

Mozilla won’t bring Firefox to iOS until Apple changes default browser policies

iPhone users who miss having Firefox on their devices shouldn’t get their hopes up that it will arrive anytime soon. CNET reports that Mozilla vice president of product Jay Sullivan told a panel at South by Southwest this weekend that the organization would not design any new versions of Firefox for iOS until Apple (AAPL) allows users to set it as their default browser and allows Mozilla “to carry over its sophisticated rendering and javascript engines to iOS.” The issue for Mozilla, as CNET reports, is that it “doesn’t feel like it can build the browser it wants to for Apple’s platform.” The tricky thing for Mozilla, however, is that there doesn’t seem to be all that much demand at the moment for Firefox on mobile platforms, especially since the latest numbers from NetMarketShare show that its share of the mobile browsing market is less than 1%.

No Comments
mobile
March 7, 2013
by
Angry Birds iPhone iPad

Original Angry Birds now free for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

By on March 7, 2013 at 9:42 PM.

Original Angry Birds now free for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

Rovio has made one its classic mobile games available on the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch available for free by slashing the prices of Angry Birds and Angry Birds HD to nothing for iOS users in both the United States and United Kingdom. It is unclear if this is a permanent move or just a limited-time offer, however Rovio also removed the free demo versions of the apps, which were limited to only a few levels. Since debuting in 2009, the Angry Birds franchise has found great success and the games have been downloaded more than 1 billion times.

No Comments
mobile
March 7, 2013
by
Android Malware

Android accounted for 79% of all mobile malware In 2012

By on March 7, 2013 at 5:00 PM.

Android accounted for 79% of all mobile malware In 2012

A new study has found that Google’s (GOOG) mobile operating system is targeted by hackers far more than any other mobile platform. Security firm F-Secure found that Android accounted for 79% of all mobile malware in 2012, an increase from 66.7% in 2011 and 11.25% in 2010. Apple’s (AAPL) iOS platform on the other hand has remained nearly untouched throughout the years. Malware on the operating system, which is the second most popular among smartphone buyers, was found to account for only 0.7% in 2012. The firm also found that Android saw a significant increase in malware at the end of the year, accounting for 94% of all threats in the fourth quarter. Most malware, however, is found in emerging markets. A majority of mobile users in Europe and the United States will never be affected but should still be cautious of suspicious text messages, links and emails. F-Secure’s graph outlining mobile malware threats is posted below. More →

No Comments
mobile
March 6, 2013
by
iOS, Android Market Share

iOS gains on Android in January as Windows Phone remains stagnant

By on March 6, 2013 at 2:41 PM.

iOS gains on Android in January as Windows Phone remains stagnant

Although you wouldn’t think it after reading some gloomy recent analyst assessments, Apple (AAPL) is still a pretty popular company. And the latest numbers from comScore show that the launch of the iPhone 5 has helped Apple’s iOS gain some ground on Google’s (GOOG) rival Android operating system. According to comScore, iOS took a 37.8% market share in January 2013, an increase of 3.5 percentage points from its 34.3% market share in October 2012. Android, meanwhile, saw its market share dip slightly from 53.6% in October 2012 to 52.3% in January 2013, while BlackBerry’s market share continued its pre-BlackBerry 10 tumble from 7.8% in October 2012 to 5.9% in January 2013. More →

No Comments
Security
March 6, 2013
by
iOS, Android User Data

Study: Free iOS apps leak more user data than free Android apps

By on March 6, 2013 at 1:35 PM.

Study: Free iOS apps leak more user data than free Android apps

If there’s one thing that iPhone fans love to tease Android fans about, it’s the perceived lack of security on Android devices. But AppleInsider points us to a new study from mobile security vendor Appthority showing that free iOS apps may actually be less secure than free Android apps when it comes to leaking user data. Overall, the study found that a greater percentage of the top 50 free iOS apps sent and received data without encryption than the top 50 free Android apps. What’s more, the study also found that the top 50 free iOS apps were more likely to have access to users’ contacts and calendar information, were more likely to employ location tracking and were more likely to rely on ad networks to generate revenue than the top 50 free Android apps. The study does not address the impact of mobile malware, but as AppleInsider notes, “mobile malware affects only one percent of apps” and the potential security risks described in the study are far more common.

No Comments
mobile
February 26, 2013
by
Android Enterprise Market Share

Android’s enterprise market share dropped in the fourth quarter

By on February 26, 2013 at 4:45 PM.

Android’s enterprise market share dropped in the fourth quarter

Despite increasing efforts from vendors to appeal to business customers, a new report found that Android’s enterprise market share actually declined in the fourth quarter. In the latest Device Activation Report released by Good Technology, iOS was found to be at the top of the enterprise market with 77% of all activations, an increase from 71% in 2011, and it captured eight of the 10 spots for most popular devices. Enterprise activations for Android devices fell 6.3% year-over-year for a 22.7% share of the market, while Windows Phone came in at a distant third with 0.5% of activations. More →

No Comments