Tes Mat, developer behind the Vocab Ninja app, has posted a novel list of all 32 sample voices of the iOS 7 text-to-speak feature. Freshly updated with some of the newly-added languages for iOS 7.1 including Mandarin Chinese and UK English, the run-down of samples takes you on something of a journey throughout the world using only utterances included in Apple's text-to-speak, and whether you have an interest in languages or just wish to check out what others get to listen to when using their iOS dictation feature, it's very much worth checking out.
Apple TV, as has been demonstrated over the past year through various software updates and the introduction of multiple new streaming channels, is much more to its Cupertino-based maker than a "hobby" - a word that Tim Cook used to describe the little black box back when he was COO. But while new content partners, from Red Bull to Crackle, have been aplenty, the set-top's software hasn't really been improved for a couple of years, and one of the key features it lacks at the moment is notifications. This may be all about to change, though, and with Apple TV users having been notified of certain artists performing live shows at this week's iTunes Festival, we may just have our first glimpse of Apple TV notifications.
The release of iOS 7 was regarded as a defining moment in the timeline of Apple's mobile OS, but from what we've been hearing of its eventual successor, the Cupertino company could be planning some even more significant changes later on this year. Only yesterday, details emerged of a few new apps, including Healthbook, Tips, TextEdit and Preview, but even if we take into account the rumors of a standalone iTunes Radio app and some big enhancements to Maps, it looks like Apple has several other alterations on its 'to-implement' list for iOS 8.
There's no denying that the public launch of iOS 7.1 brings with it a number of positives for users. However, to go with those positives, it also seems like there could be a substantial negative attached to iOS 7.1, with many users reporting significant battery drain after updating to the latest firmware.
iOS 7.1 hit the scene a couple of days back, and since then, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users have slowly been digesting and familiarizing themselves with the various new features. As well as CarPlay, which was alluded to at the Geneva Motor Show late last week, there have also been notable improvements to features like Siri, and with some aesthetic tweaks to boot, we take a look at how the new Apple software stands up, from a visual aspect, against the preceding iOS 7.
CarPlay, a term Apple uses to describe its all-new, in-car operating system, was showcased heavily last week at the Geneva Motor Show by the likes of Volvo and Ferrari. Since then, we've seen the Cupertino company drop iOS 7.1, bringing official CarPlay support to the iPhone, and with most of the pieces now seemingly in place, we're just waiting on the manufacturers to come through with the release of compatible automobiles. But while it has seemed, hitherto, like users would probably have to buy a new car in order to take advantage of CarPlay, Pioneer may be poised to develop CarPlay integration for upcoming systems, as well as those already installed.
A report we featured a short while ago, which alluded to cloud-focused, mobile versions of both TextEdit and Preview, indicated that Apple is planning on making some big changes to the way devices interact with iOS 8. Following on from those earlier tidbits, a newly-leaked screenshot on China's Sina Weibo appears to further substantiate the claims that the two apps are in development, showing off their icons along with a further Healthbook app and a Tips icon.
Apple is pushing closer to its aim of building of a unified, cloud-centric system that does away with the traditional OS X file system, according to sources of 9to5Mac. The fruit company's long-term goal with iCloud, which has become an integral part of its apps and services over the past few years, is to create a system whereby devices seamlessly integrate with one another, and with some new iCloud apps for iOS on the horizon, the iPhone maker is making good progress in its quest to achieve this.
A new pop-up has been added in iOS 7.1, notifying users that they can continue to download in-app purchases for a 15-minute grace period without having to re-enter their password. The necessity for better awareness of in-app purchasing policies has been brought to Apple's attention following several high-profile stories of excess in-app purchases being made without the bill-payer's expressed consent, but now, users should be under no illusions as to how the system works.
Apple has, without too much fanfare, decided to cut down its iPhone returns policy from 30 days to just 14, meaning that new purchasers now have only a two-week grace period after which they can no longer change their mind. The move is part of a wider play aimed at offering a more coherent, uniform returns policy across the company's range of products, while also tying in with similar systems offered by mobile carriers.
