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Category Archives: iOS

Daily iPhone App: Interlocked puts lots of physical puzzles on a digital touchscreen

Posted on by Posted in armor games, ArmorGames, flash, interlocked, iOS, iPad, iPhone, kingdom rush, KingdomRush, pieces, puzzles, release, the room, TheRoom, touchscreen

I am a big fan of The Room, an iOS app which has gained plenty of accolades here and elsewhere already. One of the most charming things about The Room, I think, is how well it replicates real-world objects on a touchscreen platform. The Room expertly turns the touchscreen interface into a series of mysterious puzzle-boxes, all very fascinating and ingenious to play with.

Interlocked is another app that does that, although without a lot of the extra mystery and setting that The Room adds to things. The app is published by Armor Games, the same company that published the great Kingdom Rush, and like Kingdom Rush, it's based on a popular Flash game you can play for free online. Also like Kingdom Rush, the iOS version has been polished and cleaned up a bit.

The game is simple: You're given a puzzle with a set of interlocking pieces, and then you can drag or swipe around the screen to try and pull all of the pieces apart. The game starts off easy, and quickly gets difficult -- just a few levels in, I had some frustration trying to figure out just how these pieces on screen fit together. If you're a fan of these kinds of manipulation puzzles, you'll love this setup for sure.

As I said, Interlocking is a pure puzzle game, so it doesn't have any of the mysteriousness that made The Room so popular (and if you haven't played that one, you should). Still, if you like these very physical puzzles, Interlocked, with plenty of content and a nice clean interface, should offer up lots of fun. It's available right now as a universal app for 99 cents.

Daily iPhone App: Interlocked puts lots of physical puzzles on a digital touchscreen originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daily Update for January 28, 2013

Posted on by Posted in Apple TV, iOS, iOS 6.1, Ios6.1, oscar meyer, OscarMeyer, software update, SoftwareUpdate, weinermobile

It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world.

You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here.


No Flash? Click here to listen.

Subscribe via RSS

Daily Update for January 28, 2013 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iOS, Android grab 92% of smartphone shipments

Posted on by Posted in android, apple, iOS, iPhone, market, marketplace, shipments, shipping, smartphones

The smartphone market is quickly boiling down into a two-party system, so to speak, with both iOS and Android picking up a whopping 92% of smartphone shipments over the last quarter of 2012. In 2011, 32% of smartphone shipments consisted of other operating systems, like Windows Phone, RIM's Blackberry, or Symbian. But in the last year that number has shrunk, to the point where only 7% of smartphones shipping are not iOS or Android, and it seems unlikely to rise again.

In the same time period, about 20% of smartphones shipped were iOS devices, as compared to 70% of devices shipped being Android. That may make it seem like Apple is losing a lot of market share, to Google's operating system. And that may be true, but let's not forget why: not only do Android phones tend to be cheaper (which means device makers can make and sell more), but there are also dozens of Android devices available from nearly as many companies, as opposed to Apple's relatively small (and, of course, exclusive) product line. As a platform, Android is shipping more smartphones than Apple is. But comparing the two isn't necessarily the best comparison, especially as a factor of Apple's success in the smartphone market.

Regardless, this report shows that the smartphone market in general is more mature than ever: there are currently two big players in terms of smartphone operating systems, and it's going to be harder and harder for anyone else to gain a foothold in the future.

[via TMO]

iOS, Android grab 92% of smartphone shipments originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xcode 4.6 released alongside iOS 6.1

Posted on by Posted in iOS, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Mac, XCode, xcode 4.6, Xcode4.6

Mac and iOS developers get some update love from Apple today, too. That's because Xcode has been bumped up a notch to version 4.6 to bring support for iOS 6.1 along with some other under-the-hood improvements. Weighing in at 1.54 GB, the update is now available via Software Update and the Mac App Store.

Straight from Apple's own release notes, here's what v4.6 of the SDK has to offer:

  • Code completion heuristics are more accurate, and use an optimized default data set.
  • New compiler warnings help identify potential bugs when using ARC and weak references.
  • C++11 support for 'user defined literals' and 'unrestricted unions' features.
  • Debugger can inspect elements within NSArray or NSDictionary objects.
  • Analyze now performs deeper cross-function static analysis of Objective-C and C++ code.
  • The number of indexing passes is reduced due to improved dependency checking.
  • Additional bug fixes and stability improvements.

Xcode 4.6 released alongside iOS 6.1 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple TV update includes Up Next, Bluetooth keyboard support and more

Posted on by Posted in Apple TV, iOS

As is becoming common practice, Apple today launched an update to the Apple TV software alongside its latest version of iOS for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. This latest iteration of the media streamer's OS -- version 5.2 -- introduces a couple of really nice features in the form of Up Next, support for Bluetooth keyboards and enhanced iTunes in the Cloud functionality.

Up Next, introduced in iTunes 11, lets you queue up songs and see a list of what's going to be playing. Hopefully its introduction on Apple TV is a sign that it's not too far off on other iOS devices. With iTunes in the Cloud on Apple TV, you can now stream purchased music in addition to movies and TV shows. As for Bluetooth keyboard support, that's just a no-brainer, really, and something we've been looking forward to for quite a while.

Apple TV update includes Up Next, Bluetooth keyboard support and more originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Untethered iOS 6.1 jailbreak to land on most Apple mobile devices

Posted on by Posted in Apple TV, iOS, iPad, iPhone, iPod, jailbreak

MuscleNerd is the bearer of potentially good news for iOS device owners. According to a report in iDownloadBlog, MuscleNerd has said that the upcoming untethered jailbreak for iOS 6.1 will support most iOS devices. This would include the following:

  • iPhone 3GS
  • iPhone 4
  • iPad 2
  • iPod touch fourth generation
  • iPhone 4S
  • iPad 3
  • iPod touch fifth generation
  • iPhone 5
  • iPad mini
  • iPad 4

MuscleNerd is now working on this jailbreak as part of the evad3rs, along with @pod2g, @Planetbeing and @pimskeks. Hopefully, this jailbreak pans out as expected and will be ready soon since iOS 6.1 finally landed in the hands of the public.

Untethered iOS 6.1 jailbreak to land on most Apple mobile devices originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breaking: Oscar Meyer Weinermobile “Hotdoggers” to get iPhones in June

Posted on by Posted in iOS, iPhone, oscar meyer, OscarMeyer, weinermobile

Breaking Oscar Meyer Weinermobile 'Hotdoggers' to get iPhones in June

In perhaps one of the biggest Apple stories of the year, CITEworld is reporting that Oscar Meyer's Weinermobile drivers -- AKA "Hotdoggers" -- will be switching from Android phones to iPhones in June of 2013.

To be frank, most of the article is about how the team of Hotdoggers had a beef (100 percent all beef?) with not being able to access their daily calendars on the road since they were only able to perform that task through secure work laptops. The calendars are critical to the roving weinies, since they need to pitch local media, make travel arrangements and inform contacts of when the giant sausages will be pulling into town.

To ketchup with changes in technology, the Weinermobile teams get to test-drive a new mobile app in May, and the red-hot app goes into full production in June. While the phones are going iOS at the same time, the Hotdoggers are getting the wurst possible news about their forthcoming tablets -- they'll be from Samsung, not Apple. There's no crying over chopped onions, though. They'll need to grill the brats in IT about that oversight ... apparently they didn't feel that iPads cut the mustard. We're sure, however, that the Hotdoggers will relish their new iPhones.

Breaking: Oscar Meyer Weinermobile "Hotdoggers" to get iPhones in June originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iOS 6.1 ready for download, improves iTunes Match, adds movie ticket purchsing via Siri and Fandango

Posted on by Posted in apple, iOS, iOS 6, iOS 6.1, Ios6, Ios6.1, itunes, Sci/Tech

iOS 6.1 has been a curious update. It offers a minor handful of API upgrades for developers but otherwise has been a way for Apple to tweak internals. First appearing November 1st, the beta has had occasional updates, most recently moving to the fifth beta last night before its final release to the public.

Interestingly, the few API upgrades centered around Apple's troubled Maps API.

In any case, it's been a heck of a long time coming, and it's good to see the release finally make it out to the public. Especially since a lot of devs were worried that the beta would expire before going gold.

Other new features that are new to iOS 6.1:

  • LTE support for more carriers, with a complete list of supported carriers at www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/.
  • Purchase movie tickets through Fandango with Siri (US only).
  • iTunes Match subscribers can now download individual songs from iCloud.
  • New button to reset the Advertising Identifier.

Full information is available at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

Check your iOS Settings app for over-the-air updates or request the upgrade from iTunes.

(Many thanks to Erica Sadun for providing information about the API upgrades)

Show full PR text
CUPERTINO, California-January 28, 2013-Apple(R) today updated iOS to version 6.1, adding LTE capabilities to 36 additional iPhone(R) carriers and 23 additional iPad(R) carriers around the world, so even more iPhone 5, iPad mini and iPad* with Retina(R) display users can experience ultrafast wireless performance** to browse, download and stream content at blazing fast speeds. To date, iOS users have uploaded over nine billion photos to Photo Stream, sent over 450 billion iMessages and received over four trillion notifications.

"iOS 6 is the world's most advanced mobile operating system, and with nearly 300 million iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices on iOS 6 in just five months, it may be the most popular new version of an OS in history," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "iOS 6.1 brings LTE support to more markets around the world, so even more users can enjoy ultrafast Safari browsing, FaceTime video calls, iCloud services, and iTunes and App Store downloads."

iOS 6 features include Siri(R), which supports more languages, easy access to sports scores, restaurant recommendations and movie listings; Maps with Apple-designed cartography, turn-by-turn navigation and Flyover view; Facebook integration for Contacts and Calendar, with the ability to post directly from Notification Center, Siri and Facebook-enabled apps; Shared Photo Streams via iCloud(R); and Passbook(R), the simplest way to get all your passes in one place. Additional updates in iOS 6.1 include the ability to use Siri to purchase movie tickets in the US through Fandango, and iTunes Match℠ subscribers can download individual songs to their iOS devices from iCloud.

The revolutionary App Store℠ offers more than 800,000 apps to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch(R) users, with more than 300,000 native iPad apps. App Store customers have downloaded over 40 billion apps, and Apple has paid over seven billion dollars to its incredible developer community. Customers can choose from apps in 23 categories, including newspapers and magazines offered in Newsstand, games, business, news, sports, health & fitness and travel.

Availability
iOS 6.1 is available as a free software update today. iOS 6.1 is compatible with iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad (third and fourth generation), iPad mini, iPad 2 and iPod touch (fourth and fifth generation). Some features may not be available on all products. For more information please visit www.apple.com.

*LTE is available on iPhone 5, iPad mini and fourth generation iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular models through select carriers. Network speeds are dependent on carrier networks, check with your carrier for details.
**Information about LTE carriers can be found at www.apple.com/iphone/LTE andwww.apple.com/ipad/LTE.

iOS 6.1 ready for download, improves iTunes Match, adds movie ticket purchsing via Siri and Fandango originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Timehop partners with USA Today to bring old news back to life

Posted on by Posted in app, apps, iOS, iPad, iPhone, iPod, timehop, usa today, UsaToday

The iOS app Timehop offers you a glimpse into your social networking past, but with its newest update, it also lets you take a peek at antiquated news stories as well. TNW reports that Timehop has partnered with USA Today to offer the top news stories from years past that were published on whatever date it happens to be. Think of it like a "this day in history" experience, but with a social twist.

Another new feature that has been added to the app is called "Friendversaries." As the name implies, the new feature notifies you of the exact day you befriended certain people on your various social networks. The update is now live on the App Store, and as always, Timehop remains free. The nostalgia-centric app made our Friday Favorite list recently.

Timehop partners with USA Today to bring old news back to life originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 25 Jan 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple rejects Samsung request to see iOS 6 source code

Posted on by Posted in apple, apple vs samsung, AppleVsSamsung, iOS, iOS 6, Ios6, patent infringement, PatentInfringement, samsung

In the never-ending global legal battle between Apple and Samsung, the Korean electronics firm has been rebuffed by Apple in an attempt to see the source code for iOS 6.

According to The Korea Times, Samsung argues that unless they have access to the source code, they won't know if iOS 6 infringes on its technology patents. Apple's legal representatives apparently called the demand "insane," with a Seoul Central District Court representative recalling an Apple lawyer as saying, "It doesn't make any sense. Samsung is saying that we should give up protecting our most important data."

What Samsung is most interested in looking at is whether Apple infringed on its patents when iOS acquired Notification Center. As iOS users are aware, Notification Center lets users check status of things like messages, schedules and weather information by swiping down from the top of a screen.

Samsung says they originally patented that feature in November of 2006, and put the feature into Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets before Apple did. The court hasn't yet decided whether to accept Samsung's request to see the source code.

Apple rejects Samsung request to see iOS 6 source code originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 25 Jan 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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