With the introduction of iOS 8, we saw Apple finally treading into the world of third-party keyboards, that had developers approach this opportunity by offering improved functionality, while some went the aesthetics route. Now with the release of iPhone 6/6 Plus, third-party keyboards have taken another interesting turn.
Smart home products have risen in prominence over the past couple of years in particular, and thanks to crowd-sourcing sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, these seamless home automation gadgets continue to gather steam. The August Smart Lock, which was first introduced last year, has just begun shipping to those who pre-ordered, and if you wish to get your hands on a unit, you can do so right now for the price of $250.
A few days back, Skype introduced some revamped features for its desktop client, with a distinct focus on improving the user's instant messaging experience. So while Skype is busy improving the users' experience on both, the mobile and desktop version of its app, let us introduce you to Skype Qik. Taking a distinctly different route than Skype, Skype Qik is built for asynchronous video messaging, where you create and share video messages with online and offline users. The app gives you a slight peek into what Skype may have looked like had it started out as an app for the mobile.
Not too long ago, we covered how Facebook will be bringing Stickers to its comments system. Well, finally, someone in Facebook managed to push out an update to Facebook, which allows you to express your emotional glory in the comments section for all those pillow fight, status', pictures, videos etc., using Stickers.
Apple's iPhone 6 has already sold tens of millions of units across the globe, and with some 20 million Chinese consumers having also secured themselves a unit in the run-up to the launch in China later on this week, we're still not able to put a ballpark figure next to the device's success. But given the popularity, Apple is regularly faced with imitations, and now Lenovo, which is currently in the process of purchasing Motorola from Google, has come through with a mid-range handset that appears an almost carbon copy of the mobile industry's current must-have.
Within iOS 8, the typing experience has improved dramatically. Not only has Apple now made it possible for users to download their favorite third-party offerings like Fleksy, Swype and SwiftKey, but the native keyboard is also far superior to the lackluster native arrangement that users have endured for the past seven years. The autocomplete feature, in particular, will estimate the next word in your sentence, writing out your body of text through a combination of guesswork and learned algorithms. But while this is useful for your everyday typist, one YouTuber has taken things a step further by allowing the stock feature to essentially write its own song. The result is pretty hilarious, and below, you can check it out.
iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus pre-orders in China have hit the 20 million mark. Of course, as you read this, that number must be increasing, given the population size of the country and its undeniable interest in Apple products.
Next Thursday's Apple event is widely believed to be the place that will announce two new iPads and, if we're really lucky, a new Retina iMac. Hardware aside though, it looks increasingly likely that the following weekend will be when Apple Pay goes live.
A new hidden menu lets users record 1080p video using Instagram's Hyperlapse app, with more options also opened up for good measure.
Modern smartphones are great and all, but even with the trend of ever increasing screen sizes making it possible for manufactures to squeeze larger batteries into them, today's flagship handsets just don't last long enough between charges. There are exceptions to the rule, granted, but as a whole it's likely you're going to be charging that new phone of yours by the end of the day, especially if you know you won't be able to charge it the next.















