Jun
10
2013
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Apple Posts Design Transition Guide to Help Developers Update Apps for iOS 7

Posted by at 3:54 pm

iOS 7 four

iOS 7′s new look is a major departure from every other version of iOS. Every single application currently on the App Store has been designed for those past versions of iOS, so it’s likely that developers and designers alike are going to want to update their applications to take full advantage of the latest design cues.

Apple has already posted a guide online that is aimed at making the transition painless, if not easy. The guide highlights best practices, discusses the thought that went in to the iOS 7 design, and brings up the issue of supporting iOS 6 and its pre-iOS 7 design language. (more…)

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Jun
10
2013
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WWDC 2013: iTunes Radio, iWork in the Cloud, and a New Mac Pro

Posted by at 3:39 pm

WWDC 13 Banner

iOS 7. MacBook Air refresh. OS X 10.9 Mavericks. Today’s opening Keynote of WWDC 2013 brought a downright deluge of news. However, there’s still more. Included in today’s updates were announcements regarding iTunes and iWork, as well as the reveal of a completely redesigned Mac Pro.

Let’s start with iTunes Radio. (more…)

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Jun
10
2013
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Apple Seeds iOS 7 Beta 1 to Developers

Posted by at 3:15 pm

icono-ipswApple’s Developer Center has returned online following downtime, and iOS 7 beta 1 is officially available for registered developers. The software update was seeded for the iPhone 5, iPhone 4S and fifth-generation iPod touch, and the iPad version will follow in the coming weeks. Additionally, a new beta for Apple TV and a new version of Find My iPhone have been made available.

It is recommended that iOS users back up their iPhone or iPod touch using iCloud prior to installation, as this is pre-release software that is not guaranteed to be free of bugs or performance issues. iOS 7 beta testing will continue throughout this summer, ahead of a public release in the fall for iPhone 4, iPad 2, iPad mini and fifth-generation iPod touch or later.

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Jun
10
2013
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Apple Developer Center Down Following iOS 7 Announcement

Posted by at 2:23 pm

apple-developer

Those looking to get their hands on the iOS 7 beta must exercise their patience, as Apple’s Developer Center has been experiencing downtime since the WWDC keynote concluded just over two hours ago. Apple announced earlier today that the iOS 7 beta for iPhone will be available to registered developers today, while the iPad version will be seeded in the coming weeks.

The public release of iOS 7 is slated for this Fall, so registering your device’s UDID with a registered developer account is the only method of trying out the new software in the meantime. iOS betas are exactly that — betas — and could suffer from a myriad of bugs and performance issues. Apple should periodically release further beta versions throughout the summer.

Update: Apple’s Developer Center website has returned online, although clicking on individual pages within leads to a “we’ll be back soon” landing page.

Update 2: iOS 7 beta 1 is now available.

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Jun
10
2013
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iOS 7 Screenshots Gallery

Posted by at 12:39 pm

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Apple unveiled iOS 7 on Monday during its WWDC keynote, and the software update has a strikingly different user interface than any other iPhone software version to precede it. Take a look at the screenshot gallery above to see just how much different the platform looks and feels. iOS 7 is available immediately as a beta for registered Apple developers, while a public release is slated for the Fall. Compatible devices are the iPhone 4, iPad 2, iPad mini and iPod touch fifth-generation or later.

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Jun
10
2013
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iOS 7 Announced: The Biggest Change to iPhone Ever

Posted by at 11:33 am

iOS 7 Head

Following months of anticipation, Apple SVP of Software Engineering Craig Federighi on Monday announced iOS 7 at the Worldwide Developers Conference keynote in San Francisco. The software update is singlehandedly the biggest change to iPhone since the smartphone was released close to six years ago, and features the flat and minimalistic appearance — sans skeuomorphism — that has been rumored for several months.

In additional to a complete user interface redesign, iOS 7 packs a seemingly endless set of new features: AirDrop, a new sharing feature with other users; Control Center, a new swipe-up menu that provides access to quick toggles; a new card-based multitasking pane that is awfully reminiscent of the jailbreak tweak Auxo; limitless scrolling within folders; and so much more.

Further changes in iOS 7 include a redesigned Notification Center that is accessible from the lock screen; iTunes Radio integrated into the iOS, Mac and PC apps; the ability to block users in Phone, FaceTime and Messages; a new SDK for developers with over 1500 new APIs; and more.

iOS 7 for iPhone is available today as a beta for registered Apple developers, while the iPad version will be seeded in the coming weeks. A public release of iOS 7 for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch is slated for this Fall, as a free software update for iPhone 4, iPad 2, iPad mini and iPod touch fifth-generation or later.

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Jun
10
2013
8
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MacBook Air Refreshed Alongside OS X 10.9

Posted by at 11:28 am

New MacBook Air

Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller on Monday announced a refresh to the MacBook Air lineup, featuring Intel’s next-generation Haswell processors and Intel HD 5000 graphics that are up to 40 percent faster. Despite the performance enhancements, the new MacBook Air now achieves all-day battery life with up to 12 hours of charge.

The new entry-level 11-inch MacBook Air retains its $999 price tag, yet gains double the flash storage at 128 GB. The 13-inch model starts at $1099 — that’s $100 cheaper — for 128 GB flash storage. Thew new models also have 802.11ac Wi-Fi and up to 45 percent faster flash storage. The new models are available from Apple beginning today.

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Jun
10
2013
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Review: LSTN Troubadour

Posted by at 11:00 am
LSTN Headphones | On-Ear Headphone | $150[IMG]LSTN is a new headphone company that just started out. At launch, they have decided to release three models, two on-ear and one in-ear, priced at 150, 100, and 50, respectively. The headphones seem to have lots in common, sonic signatures and wood being two things that keep them very similar. The Troubadour represent LSTN’s current flagship, on-ear model.  (more…)
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Jun
10
2013
5
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OS X 10.9 Mavericks Announced: Maps, Safari, Power User Features and More

Posted by at 10:33 am

OS X Mavericks

Apple SVP of Software Engineering Craig Federighi on Monday announced the latest version of its Mac operating system, OS X Mavericks, on stage at the WWDC keynote in San Francisco. OS X 10.9 is designed with the power user at heart, with tabbed Finder windows and document tagging being two central additions to the platform.

OS X Mavericks also contains improvements to multiple display setups, allowing you to access your menu and dock across both screens. Moreover, windows will auto adjust in size when dragging them from one display to another. This works great in particular with full-screen apps, which Apple has been emphasizing since OS X Lion.

Two notable additions to Mavericks are Maps and iBooks for Mac, two apps that originated on iPhone. This contributes to Apple further bridging the gap between iOS and OS X. More important, however, is that the entire operating system has a flat appearance sans skeuomorphism. Federighi humorously confirmed this by pointing out the removal of leather stitching in the new Calendars app.

Safari has also received a significant overhaul in OS X Mavericks, gaining both a new appearance and performance enhancements. The new version of Safari features a redesigned Reading List with a sidebar that has continuous scrolling and integrated sharing functionality. Safari performs faster by loading processes per tab alongside faster JavaScript and other improvements.

OS X Mavericks is available as a preview for Apple registered developers today, with a public release slated for this Fall. Mac users will be able to download the software update from the Mac App Store upon its release, while the beta versions will be available for download from the Apple Developer Center.

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Jun
10
2013
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Tim Cook Talks Numbers: 900,000 Apps on App Store, 375,000 for iPad and More

Posted by at 10:11 am

apple_logo_grey1As per the beginning of most Apple keynotes, chief executive Tim Cook has announced some interesting numbers and statistics pertaining to the App Store, iTunes and more. These figures are as follows:

  • Over six million registered Apple developers, with 1.5 million of those taking place in the last year
  • WWDC 2013 tickets sold out in 71 seconds
  • Apple Stores attract 1 million daily visitors, with 407 retail stores in 14 countries
  • Cook reiterated the 50 billion apps downloaded from the App Store
  • 900,000 apps on the App Store, with 93 percent achieving at least one download per month
  • 375,000 apps specifically for iPad
  • 575 million iTunes Store accounts with credit cards linked
  • 72 million Macs, outpacing the PC industry for several years
  • 28 million copies of OS X Mountain Lion shipped, with 35 percent adoption rate
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