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iOS 13 had more software patches in its first two months than any other version of iOS released under Craig Federighi

Apple to change in-house testing process for iOS 14 development

Prompted by the botched and buggy release of iOS 13, Apple has changed its internal development and testing processes for future operating system releases. The new changes will disable new or in-development features by default in OS versions under testing, allowing testers to better pinpoint problematic software.

Sam Medley, 22 Nov 2019 16:33

New battery cases for iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro feature a dedicated camera button

Apple launched battery cases for the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max today. The new cases feature a dedicated camera button that can snap a photo or start recording video without the need for launching the Camera app or unlocking the device. The cases are priced at $129.

Sam Medley, 20 Nov 2019 23:25

Settlers of Catan to get AR treatment, courtesy of Niantic

Settlers of Catan is coming to mobile with an AR adjustment. Dubbed Catan: World Explorers, the new augmented reality game will be built using Niantic's extensive suite of AR tools. The game is still in the early stages of development, but more details should come early next year.

Sam Medley, 20 Nov 2019 04:49

Google search on mobile will now help you pronounce words

Google search will now help you pronounce difficult words in English. The feature even lets you practice your pronunciation by speaking into the mic and tells you how you did almost instantaneously.

Anil Satyanarayana, 15 Nov 2019 21:54

Google begins rollout of RCS (rich communication services) text messaging for all Android users

Google will begin rolling out RCS support to all Android devices today. The rollout will happen in stages. Additionally, RCS will only be available through Google's Messages app. However, the rollout will eventually come to all Android devices, replacing the outdated SMS system currently employed.

Sam Medley, 14 Nov 2019 22:44

Minecraft Earth now available in the US on iOS and Android

Minecraft Earth, the latest augmented reality title from Mojang, is now available in the United States and a few other countries. The title is currently in Early Access. In true Minecraft style, Minecraft Earth focuses on collecting materials and building structures. However, the title uses AR to simulate the structures in real life.

Sam Medley, 14 Nov 2019 21:44

Brave Browser finally exits beta; version 1.0 now available

Brave, a Chromium-based browser designed around user privacy and anonymity, has finally released version 1.0 after four years in development. The browser has a unique method for upending the traditional ad-revenue basis of websites built around blockchain technologies and anonymity.

Sam Medley, 14 Nov 2019 21:19

Google Pay will reportedly gain a new checking arm soon. (Source: Economic Times)

Google is reportedly coming for the Apple Card with new financial-institution partnerships

Google has reportedly set up partnerships, or at least talks for partnerships, with various US banks and credit unions to offer a new kind of checking account linked to the Pay service. This may help it battle Apple, not to mention other bodies such as AliPay and Samsung Pay.

Deirdre O Donnell, 13 Nov 2019 22:15

Google Stadia app comes to iOS, but it is not for playing games

Google's Stadia app is now available for iOS. However, this version of the app will not be able to play games when the service launches next week; rather, it is designed to manage a user's Stadia library. Surprisingly, the app already has a 4.6-star rating despite not being able to do anything yet.

Sam Medley, 13 Nov 2019 14:51

The Amazfit Stratos3 is a new sports smartwatch coming to Europe soon

The Amazfit Sports Watch 3 was released in China recently. However, its series is also marketed internationally as the Stratos line of sports-focused wearables. Its 3rd generation is now set for launch across multiple European countries later in November 2019.

Deirdre O Donnell, 11 Nov 2019 19:39

Apple releases iOS 13.2.2 to fix various bugs

Apple release iOS 13.2.2 this week, bringing a fix to the RAM management bug introduced in iOS 13.2. There are a few other bug fixes and patches. Considering Apple's terrible track record with iOS 13, it may be prudent to wait a few days to update your iPhone or iPad.

Sam Medley, 08 Nov 2019 23:39

Six more titles come to Apple Arcade

Six more games are now available for mobile devices through the Apple Arcade service. The monthly subscription service is fast approaching its goal of offering over 100 high-quality games for $5/month.

Sam Medley, 08 Nov 2019 21:28

Google sold over 15 million Cardboard viewers, but has called time on official support. (Source: Google)

Google Cardboard open-sourced as a lifeline for mobile VR

VR on smartphones is all but dead following the end of Samsung’s Galaxy VR ambitions and Google’s recent announcement that it has ceased development for its Daydream VR platform. However, in an inkling of hope for those who were sold on the idea, Google has open-sourced its Google Cardboard VR headset design so that it might have a second life.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 07 Nov 2019 11:42

The Apple iPhone 12 could be released in September 2020. (Image source: PhoneArena)

Fetching iPhone 12 concept renders highlight Apple's design strengths and weaknesses

Artistic concept renders for the Apple iPhone 12 have offered fans an idea of what the Cupertino company could be planning for the next generation of its popular smartphone range. The notch is still present but slightly more modest, and the rear of the device sports a quad-camera setup. The conceptual iPhone 12 also features straighter edges than its most recent predecessors.

Daniel R Deakin, 07 Nov 2019 05:19

Pokemon GO to get live AR multiplayer feature, called Buddy Adventure

Pokémon GO will be getting a live AR multiplayer feature sometime soon. Currently called "Buddy Adventure," the feature will allow two players to interact with each other's Buddy Pokémon in real-time through their smartphone cameras. The feature is based on developer Niantic's real-time AR networking technology.

Sam Medley, 06 Nov 2019 18:47

The daily average use of DuckDuckGo since 2010 has grown exponentially. Image via DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo, the privacy-focused search engine, hits 50 million daily searches

DuckDuckGo, the privacy-focused Google alternative, hit 50 million unique searches on November 4. This is a huge milestone that marks the continued growth for the private search engine. DuckDuckGo does not track user browsing history, relying solely on keyword frequency to improve its search results without intruding in its users' lives.

Sam Medley, 06 Nov 2019 17:49

Apple seeds first developer beta of iOS 13.3

Apple released the first developer beta for iOS 13.3 yesterday. While the update seems to fix the RAM management issues discovered in iOS 13.2, it offers little else. In fact, a new bug in the iOS 13.3 beta disallows the use of Beats Solo Pro headphones; an iPhone running iOS 13.3 Beta 1 will not recognize the headphones at all.

Sam Medley, 06 Nov 2019 17:12

Adobe Photoshop Camera uses AI to take the best possible photos. (Source: Adobe)

Adobe announces Sensei-powered Photoshop Camera app for iOS and Android

Adobe has unveiled a new camera app for iOS and Android devices at the Adobe Max 2019 conference. Called Photoshop Camera, the app allows for live application of filters, effects, and scene adjustments by leveraging the company's Sensei AI platform. Photoshop Camera is now available as a limited preview with official launch expected in early 2020.

Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 06 Nov 2019 08:10

The new House of Marley Exodus headphones. (Source: House of Marley)

House of Marley updates its Exodus headphones with ANC

House of Marley's Exodus is a pair of premium over-ear headphones with 50-millimeter (mm) drivers and a sustainable provenance. Their latest refresh has active noise cancellation (ANC). They are also rated for a 28-hour battery life with this feature on, and up to 80 hours without.

Deirdre O Donnell, 05 Nov 2019 23:09

League of Legends: Wild Rift is the title's non-PC version. (Source: YouTube)

League of Legends is coming to mobile and console

Riot Games has announced that League of Legends is finally getting a version for phones and tablets. This new form of the title is to be called Wild Rift, and is billed as completely optimized and refreshed for its new platform. It will start rolling out in 2020, with Android phones getting first whack at its installation.

Deirdre O Donnell, 02 Nov 2019 18:42

WhatsApp has a new privacy feature. (Source: WhatsApp)

WhatsApp implements its fingerprint unlocking feature on Android

WhatsApp has been working on fingerprint-based authentication for its Android app. Now, an update has added this ability to its stable version. However, a user will still be able to answer calls through the service even if the new locking mechanism is active.

Deirdre O Donnell, 01 Nov 2019 22:53

Orbita believes AI assistants can do a lot for healthcare. (Source: Orbita)

New research asserts many adults want smart assistants to help look after their health

Orbita, a company that makes a personal assistant-like AI platform focused on healthcare, has published the results of a study that shows this is what the US adults recruited to it want from their voice-controlled searches. It apparently concludes that 7.5% of this group has used services such as Alexa for this purpose, whereas over 50% would like to.

Deirdre O Donnell, 31 Oct 2019 18:53

SiriusXM content will become playable on Google Nest products soon. (Source: SiriusXM)

The Google Assistant will start integrating SiriusXM soon

Google and SiriusXM have partnered in order to enable streaming of the latter on smart speakers from the former. In addition, the content provider's subscribers will be able to activate and control their channels by asking the Assistant on their phones to do so. This update will start rolling out shortly in the US and Canada.

Deirdre O Donnell, 31 Oct 2019 15:33

Mario Kart Tour finishes first month with 123.9 million downloads

Super Mario Kart is off to a phenomenal start. The mobile racing game hit 123.9 million downloads in its first month on the market, making it the most downloaded Nintendo smartphone game in its first month. However, total revenue pales in comparison to Fire Emblem Heroes, possibly because of Mario Kart Tour's controversial subscription system.

Sam Medley, 30 Oct 2019 16:08

Apple pulls iOS 13.2 after multiple reports of bricked HomePod smart speakers

Do not install iOS 13.2. If you have a HomePod and have installed iOS 13.2, DO NOT RESET YOUR HOMEPOD. Multiple users are reporting that iOS 13.2, released yesterday, bricked their HomePod smart speakers. Apple has since pulled the update.

Sam Medley, 29 Oct 2019 18:35

The Apple iPhone SE utilized the A9 SoC. (Image source: NDTV Gadgets)

iPhone SE 2 could be launched by Apple in March 2020 and will sell in the millions

A report from noted market analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has detailed when Apple could set the long-awaited iPhone SE 2 into production. Apparently, the diminutive smartphone will start being mass manufactured in January 2020, with March set as the potential launch period. Rumored hardware specifications for the iPhone SE 2 include the presence of a fast A13 Bionic chip.

Daniel R Deakin, 29 Oct 2019 06:40

UPDATE: DO NOT INSTALL | iOS 13.2 released, bringing Deep Fusion, new emoji, and more

Apple launched iOS 13.2 and iPadOS 13.2 today. The update brings 60 new emoji, the ability to opt-out of sharing Siri interactions with Apple, and Apple's Deep Fusion image processing technology for the iPhone 11 family of smartphones. However, given prior iOS 13 updates, it may be wise to wait on this one.

Sam Medley, 29 Oct 2019 05:20

An AirPods Pro render based on their leaks. (Source: EverythingApplePro)

AirPods Pro: The latest rumors point to new colors and water resistance

Apple's AirPods are currently projected to gain a Pro version soon, thanks to a recent slew of leaks and rumors. The latest of these may indicate that they will finally launch in colors besides white for a change. Furthermore, it is even vaguely possible that they will match those of the iPhone 11 Pros.

Deirdre O Donnell, 28 Oct 2019 00:09

If any of these app icons are on your iPhone or iPad, uninstall them immediately. (Image via Wandera)

Trojan malware found in 17 apps on Apple App Store

Wandera, a security research firm, has found malware in 17 apps on the Apple App Store. The apps use a clicker trojan module to generate fraudulent web traffic in the background, likely to pump up ad revenue for specific websites. The apps passed through Apple's stringent review process because they connected to a remote server to execute the fraudulent activity rather than having malware embedded directly in their code.

Sam Medley, 25 Oct 2019 20:24

If Apple wants to make the jump to 5 nm with the upcoming A14 SoC, iPhone production costs would potentially increase, leading to higher prices. (Source: TechIncidents)

TSMC already sampling Apple's 5 nm A14 Bionic SoCs for 2020 iPhones

TSMC started sampling the A14 Bionic SoCs earlier than usual, as a recent Chinese report claims Apple already received the first engineering samples in late September. Apparently, there is also a downside to making the jump from 7 nm to 5 nm: the net die per wafer ratio gets reduced and 2020 iPhone prices could end up being even higher than the current gen.

Bogdan Solca, 22 Oct 2019 17:31

iOS 13.1.3 update damaging some iPhone 11 handsets

Multiple users are reporting a failure of the Ultra WideBand U1 chip in their iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, or iPhone 11 Pro Max after updating to iOS 13.1.3. While restoring an affected iPhone's firmware has solved the problem for some, others have received replacement devices.

Sam Medley, 21 Oct 2019 17:05

Apple of my eye: Apple to release AR headset in 2020

According to a Bloomberg report, Apple is planning on releasing its rumored AR glasses sometime in 2020. The glasses, while still in development, may eventually become a replacement product of the iPhone. However, a lot of work remains to be done, including the development of a "killer application."

Sam Medley, 21 Oct 2019 16:21

The 16-inch MacBook Pro 2019 could be unveiled in October. (Image source: MacGeneration)

Placeholders or products: Newly discovered icons for the upcoming 16-inch MacBook Pro fall flat at first sight

Icons of what could be the 16-inch MacBook Pro 2019 have been found in the beta code for macOS Catalina. Those hoping for a complete exterior redesign of the MBP might be disappointed by the images though, as the laptop featuring on the icons looks very similar to the 15-inch MacBook Pro. But some differences between the supposed iterations have been spotted.

Daniel R Deakin, 19 Oct 2019 04:51

Half of all iPhones upgraded to iOS 13 in first 26 days

Just 26 days after its release, Apple has reported that 50% of all iPhones are running iOS 13. Compared to the abysmal history of Android OEMs' software updates, the high adoption rates for the newer versions iOS continue to be a strong feature of the iPhone brand.

Sam Medley, 18 Oct 2019 05:39

The Netgear Orbi Dual Band Mesh Wi-Fi System supports Wi-Fi 6. (Source: Netgear)

Netgear releases new Orbi Dual Band Wi-Fi 6 Mesh System

Netgear has rolled out its latest mesh Wi-Fi system consisting of a base and one or more satellite units. The new Orbi Dual Band Mesh Wi-Fi System also features the latest Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 ax) standard for speeds up to 1.2 Gbps.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 16 Oct 2019 11:56

Pharrell has helped with the some of the colors on the new Beats Solo Pro. (Source: Beats)

Apple drops new Beats Solo Pro with active noise cancelling

Apple’s wholly-owned subsidiary Beats has launched an all-new Beats Solo Pro range. Effectively the Beats Solo 4, the all-new design also brings improved audio performance as well as active noise cancelling to the Solo line for the first time.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 16 Oct 2019 08:59

Google launches its first pair of true wireless earbuds

Google unveiled its second-generation Pixel Buds at its 2019 'Made By' event. They are truly wireless products that, as the OEM claims, have been designed to be as compact and streamlined as possible. Nevertheless, they are rated for 5 hours of battery life, or 24 hours from their charging case.

Deirdre O Donnell, 15 Oct 2019 19:21

Time to learn some starboard, aft, port, and bow moves. (Image source: Twitter/KrispyLeaks)

Boat battle royale: Fortnite Chapter 2 gets accidentally leaked on the App Store

Fans of the hugely successful battle royale title Fortnite will be excited to learn that a sequel could be on the way. While many gamers are awaiting the next season of the smash hit, an image that briefly appeared on the iOS App Store for the Italian market seems to indicate that Fortnite Chapter 2 is in the works, and there could be water-based battles in store.

Daniel R Deakin, 12 Oct 2019 03:11

Apple Arcade adds 5 more games to iOS, now boasts 80 titles

Apple's Arcade game subscription service welcomed 5 new titles to iOS and tvOS and 2 new titles to macOS this week. The new games bring the total number of games available in Apple Arcade to 80 for iOS and tvOS and 61 for macOS, steadily fulfilling Apple's promise of 100 games available in the service.

Sam Medley, 12 Oct 2019 00:45

Apple may be rushing to develop its own 5G modem by 2022

A source familiar with the matter claims that Apple is developing an in-house 5G modem for release in 2022, according to a report from Fast Company earlier today. The source says that a 2022 release date is "really pushing it," but it is likely that Apple plans to design and manufacture its own custom 5G modem.

Sam Medley, 12 Oct 2019 00:22

Call of Duty Mobile hits 100 million downloads in its first week, shattering record

Call of Duty Mobile recently claimed the award for most downloads in the first week after launch for any mobile game in history, surpassing 100 million unique installs after its first week. Sensor Tower estimates peg total downloads at 102.2 million as of October 8th. Total revenue or the free to play title is estimated at just over US $17.7 million.

Sam Medley, 10 Oct 2019 17:59

Apple is now selling Microsoft's Xbox Wireless Controller

Apple now sells the Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller through its online store. The move is likely due to Apple's recent push into the gaming market. Considering the latest OS updates for all Apple devices (e.g., iOS 13, iPadOS, and macOS Catalina) include native support for the Xbox Wireless Controller and Sony's DualShock 4 controller, it makes sense for Apple to offer the controller directly to its user base.

Sam Medley, 10 Oct 2019 17:31

Some wireless chargers may be restricted under iOS 13.1. (Source: ChargerLab)

Researchers claim Apple restricts wireless charger speeds in iOS 13.1

The blog ChargerLab claims to have found that some wireless chargers are being restricted to 5 watts (W) of power while iPhones are placed on them with the new iOS update, whereas the same devices could deliver 7.5W under the older software version. However, this apparently does not affect those brands that are sold in the Cupertino giant's stores.

Deirdre O Donnell, 05 Oct 2019 22:07

A new vulnerability may open a way for a jailbreak for almost every iPhone ever made. (Image via Hindustan Times)

New exploit, dubbed checkm8, might lead to permanent jailbreak for multiple iPhone models

A new vulnerability found in the bootrom of iPhones ranging from the iPhone 4S to the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X may pave a new path for a permanent jailbreak method. While no jailbreak method that exploits the vulnerability yet exists, the iPhone hacking community has hailed the discovery as a rebirth of the jailbreak.

Sam Medley, 28 Sep 2019 23:47

Could the 2020 iPhone finally eliminate the dreaded notch? (Source: @BenGeskin)

First plausible 2020 iPhone render based on rumored protoype hits the mark

The first plausible iPhone rumor for 2020 has emerged and it looks like it could solve one of the biggest design issues with the current iPhone design. Based on a rumored prototype design doing the rounds at Cupertino, the 2020 iPhone could go truly all-screen with the True Depth camera system embedded into the top bezel.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 27 Sep 2019 13:30

The Xbox One can work with the Assistant now. (Source: Polygon)

The Xbox One gains a beta for Google Assistant integration

Xbox consoles are steadily upgrading in order to use the more popular virtual assistant platforms. The latest of these is Google Assistant. Those who wish to connect the two can join a forum group for a new public beta update and follow the instructions found thereon.

Deirdre O Donnell, 26 Sep 2019 20:52

Mario Kart Tour launches, hits top spot in iOS App Store

Nintendo's latest title to hit the smartphone market exploded out of the gates yesterday. Mario Kart Tour launched on iOS yesterday and quickly hit the top spot in the App Store for 58 countries. However, the game's freemium pricing model has drawn the ire of critics and users alike, throwing the long term success of the kart racer into question.

Sam Medley, 26 Sep 2019 17:02

Canon tackles smartphones that encroach on photography with the new EOS M200

Canon has released a new mirrorless camera that can record 4K vertical videos and then share them directly to social media. The EOS M200 has a 24.1MP APS-C sensor and CMOS auto-focus. It can also record in 60fps FHD and has a lightweight, convenient build.

Deirdre O Donnell, 25 Sep 2019 23:12

iOS

Apple to change in-house testing process for iOS 14 development

New battery cases for iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro feature a dedicated camera button

Settlers of Catan to get AR treatment, courtesy of Niantic

Google search on mobile will now help you pronounce words

Google begins rollout of RCS (rich communication services) text messaging for all Android users

Minecraft Earth now available in the US on iOS and Android

Brave Browser finally exits beta; version 1.0 now available

Google is reportedly coming for the Apple Card with new financial-institution partnerships

Google Stadia app comes to iOS, but it is not for playing games

The Amazfit Stratos3 is a new sports smartwatch coming to Europe soon

Apple releases iOS 13.2.2 to fix various bugs

Six more titles come to Apple Arcade

Google Cardboard open-sourced as a lifeline for mobile VR

Fetching iPhone 12 concept renders highlight Apple's design strengths and weaknesses

Pokemon GO to get live AR multiplayer feature, called Buddy Adventure

DuckDuckGo, the privacy-focused search engine, hits 50 million daily searches

Apple seeds first developer beta of iOS 13.3

Adobe announces Sensei-powered Photoshop Camera app for iOS and Android

House of Marley updates its Exodus headphones with ANC

League of Legends is coming to mobile and console

WhatsApp implements its fingerprint unlocking feature on Android

New research asserts many adults want smart assistants to help look after their health

The Google Assistant will start integrating SiriusXM soon

Mario Kart Tour finishes first month with 123.9 million downloads

Apple pulls iOS 13.2 after multiple reports of bricked HomePod smart speakers

iPhone SE 2 could be launched by Apple in March 2020 and will sell in the millions

UPDATE: DO NOT INSTALL | iOS 13.2 released, bringing Deep Fusion, new emoji, and more

AirPods Pro: The latest rumors point to new colors and water resistance

Trojan malware found in 17 apps on Apple App Store

TSMC already sampling Apple's 5 nm A14 Bionic SoCs for 2020 iPhones

iOS 13.1.3 update damaging some iPhone 11 handsets

Apple of my eye: Apple to release AR headset in 2020

Placeholders or products: Newly discovered icons for the upcoming 16-inch MacBook Pro fall flat at first sight

Half of all iPhones upgraded to iOS 13 in first 26 days

Netgear releases new Orbi Dual Band Wi-Fi 6 Mesh System

Apple drops new Beats Solo Pro with active noise cancelling

Google launches its first pair of true wireless earbuds

Boat battle royale: Fortnite Chapter 2 gets accidentally leaked on the App Store

Apple Arcade adds 5 more games to iOS, now boasts 80 titles

Apple may be rushing to develop its own 5G modem by 2022

Call of Duty Mobile hits 100 million downloads in its first week, shattering record

Apple is now selling Microsoft's Xbox Wireless Controller

Researchers claim Apple restricts wireless charger speeds in iOS 13.1

87% Apple iPhone 11 Smartphone Review: More than just an affordable Apple smartphone

88% Apple iPhone 11 Pro Smartphone Review: Triple rear-facing cameras and more power than you could shake a stick at

New exploit, dubbed checkm8, might lead to permanent jailbreak for multiple iPhone models

First plausible 2020 iPhone render based on rumored protoype hits the mark

The Xbox One gains a beta for Google Assistant integration

Mario Kart Tour launches, hits top spot in iOS App Store

Canon tackles smartphones that encroach on photography with the new EOS M200

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