Apple has just rolled out iOS 7.1.1, and although the majority of the changes packed within the minor update are not particularly significant, one just-discovered addition will be more than welcomed by frequent downloaders of apps and games. For in the Featured and Top Charts sections of the App Store, any app or game featuring in-app purchases is now labeled as such, meaning a user will not get stung by constant micro-payments in order to progress through a title or unlock the key features within an app.
Hitherto, those looking to test out beta releases of Apple's OS X would need to sign up to the Developer Program, which, for $99 per year, looked quite a steep fee for the casual, inquisitive user. Now, however, the Cupertino company has introduced a new OS X Beta Seed Program, whereby users can test out pre-release builds of the Mac software simply by signing up with an Apple ID - no annual fee required.
Earlier on in the year, it was reported that Apple would be coming through with two variants of the so-called "iPhone 6." Both, it was claimed, would be larger, with a 4.7-inch model accompanying a version packing an almighty 5.5-inch panel. But in recent times, we've heard that the greater of the two iPhone 6 configurations was subject to delay thanks to possible issues with production and yield. Now, a conflicting theory has manifested, suggesting that the redesigned, thinner battery for the 5.5-inch variant is causing issue.
Apple and Samsung are currently contesting a patent battle in a California court, with the Cupertino company convinced that its Korean counterpart has lifted certain copyrighted iOS features. Given that Samsung already lost in court versus Apple and was forced to pay over a billion dollars in compensation in a previous judgment - a decision that was later reduced on appeal - it's fair to say that the Galaxy maker has developed a bit of a reputation, and in its latest ad campaign, Apple seems to be reveling in it.
The Apple iWatch has been rumored year-in, year-out, but with rumors suggesting that the Cupertino's inaugural smartwatch effort has its own dedicated development team echoing the sentiments of analysts that the device will finally manifest in 2014, we're very much hoping that the announcement of the elusive gadget is imminent. Hitherto, there's been a distinct lack of hard evidence with regards to the device, with only tidbits of speculation allied to numerous concepts, but today's render of a curved iWatch design is one of the better ones we've stumbled across so far.
There's been a marked increase in the number of channels and streams added to Apple TV during the past few months, and today, those already tethered to subscriptions of The History Channel, A&E and Lifetime can enjoy these channels on their Apple-branded set-top.
The infamous Apple Maps that the fruit company unveiled with iOS 6 has been under heavy fire during the time it has existed in the tech world, mainly for the wonderfully misleading directions that several users have reported over the course of their usage. However, are the elusive Maps going to redeem their misfortunate reputation by proving the existence of the Loch Ness Monster? Maybe so, if the images that two people discovered whilst using Apple Maps are to be believed, which show a mysterious shape in the water at the famous Loch that could be Nessie!
A fresh report that is bound to turn many heads, Nike has fired most of its engineers working on the FuelBand and will stop production of the famous wearable.
The blogosphere may have been somewhat dominated by the speculation surrounding the iPhone 6 of late, but now, the very first insight into the supposed successor to the iPad Air has been revealed to the world. The leak, revealingly, showcases a new, integrated display, which would allow the already-svelte device to take on an even thinner form factor.
Apple's next major smartphone release, which for obvious reasons, is reckoned to carry the iPhone 6 moniker, has been leaked ad nauseam these past few weeks, with schematics, cases and other such information having recently come to light. Resident designer Martin Hajek has, based upon the very latest info at our disposal, come up with some renderings of the forthcoming handset, and if they happen to be in any way representative of the end product, we could be in for a bit of a treat.
