The icon badges currently gracing iOS certainly aren't to everybody's taste, and serve perhaps as a stark reminder of just how in need of updating the notifications system within Apple's mobile software is. Nevertheless, for what they're meant to do, they do a decent job, and whilst we're stuck with them, iOS developer merdok has come through with a tweak offering a bunch of different customization options. It's called Badge Customizer, and is available for free over at the BigBoss repository for jailbroken iPhones. More details after the break.
After what has seemed like an eternity in waiting, T-Mobile will finally begin carrying the iPhone 5 from April 12th. The carrier, which currently sits behind AT&T, Verizon and Sprint in the pecking order in the United States, will be the fourth major network to offer the Cupertino handset after the aforementioned, and as well as being compatible with T-Mobile's just-launched LTE network, there'll also be HD voice thrown into the mixer. The pricing structure is also rather impressive, with a 16GB iPhone 5 costing $99 up-front, followed by 24 monthly installments of $20.
It’s pretty fair to say that the average iOS device user has a significant number of third-party apps installed on their device. Regardless of whether it's an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad; the chances are that the user has browsed through the App Store, found the apps that interest them and gone through the installation process multiple times. Not only does installing different apps mean enhanced functionality on the device, but it also means that sooner or later there will be a large amount of updates for those apps that filter through from the App Store. We should all know from experience that those little App Store badges can become quite annoying if the update isn't installed right away.
Samsung may be dominating the news cycles right now, but Apple is keen to remind everyone that it is still very much alive and kicking, with the company now offering all iPhones with free next-day shipping in the United States. More details after the jump.
Apple has done a pretty comprehensive job of including most of the things that the majority of iOS users would actually need from their daily mobile device usage. Access to the App Store, messaging and email, as well as a feature-rich calendar experience are all staple parts of the iOS ecosystem. Live weather feeds, access to social networks and financial information are all just a screen away, but what if you wanted implement a new and attractive way of telling the time on a jailbroken iPhone or iPod touch? Well, you would use the new animated Flip Clock for Notification Center widget of course, which is styled after HTC's iconic flip clock which we've known for years.
iOS 7 is largely expected to make an appearance at this year's WWDC, and under the influence of Jony Ive, some are expecting more radical changes than previously seen under the guidance of Scott Forstall. Ive doesn't strike us as somebody who finds it difficult to dream up new designs, but if he and his team were ever stuck, they could always turn to the multitude of designs offered by Apple fans across the world. We've seen many an iOS 7 concept during the past six months, but this demonstration of a revamped "App Switcher" concept by one Jesse Head has left us relatively awestruck.
Although we love Apple and their fantastic phones, personal music players and tablets, we have always said time and time again that one of the great things about being able to jailbreak an iOS device is the feeling of liberation that is achieved when we step outside of the Cupertino walled garden. A lot of jailbreakers simply like to install that one simple tweak that might introduce a new feature they really need, whereas others like to go the full hog and totally reinvent the interface and customize almost every aspect of the system. For those that like to customize and draw inspiration from Google's Android, then the JellyBean iWidget is definitely a good option for weather forecast lovers.
It's a fact of humanity that some of us are better at managing money than others, and for those looking looking to keep track of every outgoing bill, help is at hand in the form of BillTracker for iOS. Created by developer SnapTap and costing $1.99 over at the App Store ($2.99 on iPad), it syncs effortlessly into your schedule, and makes the process of monitoring your money less taxing than Uncle Sam.
Facebook is already the biggest social network on the planet, but that doesn't mean it has everything its own way. For every user that actively updates their feeds with new content for their friends to read, there must be many, many more that simply visit Facebook in order to keep up with what their old school pals are doing.
It may have taken the Cupertino based company a while to get there, but Apple has officially rolled out two-step verification for those users who have an active Apple ID (iTunes, App Store, iCloud etc). The initiative is essentially a process that makes it a lot more difficult for those with scrupulous morals to get access to someone else's Apple ID by implementing an additional security element. Those who are keen to implement an additional security layer will find that making purchases or logging into the ID on a new device will trigger an authentication process that takes the shape of a four-digit code entry.
