One of the built-in features of OS X Lion, and previous versions is the chat application known as iChat which has always been billed as a fully featured instant messaging application which combines text, video and voice chat into one app. iChat has always been a very versatile application offering powerful features supported by the fact that it works with a number of services such as Yahoo and the largest instant messaging community in the United States, AIM.
With many of us running multiple e-mail and social networking accounts - as well as the bread and butter address book - keeping track of it all can often leave our heads spinning in confusion.
That's right, folks, today we present to you yet another Cydia tweak regarding Apple's voice-recognition software. Spire, the best Siri port available for older iOS devices, has been quite a hit amongst those wielding jailbroken devices. However, there is a moderate amount of configuration required in order to get things up and running - namely getting hold of the required authentication data from a real iPhone 4S.
Just a couple of days after the public release of the root for Motorola’s DROID 4 Android smartphone, a developer over on XDA-Developers has managed to put together and nice, handy tool for the device that provides a variety of system-level functions under one window. Check it out after the jump!
The Apple iOS development scene has gotten to a point where it will always be under the watchful gaze of outsiders looking in. And considering the emergence of mobile technology and software, it is hardly surprising. Mobile tech players play an important role in our everyday lives such that they are bound to come under intense scrutiny. Recent happenings surrounding the beautiful Path application have also made sure that all eyes remain firmly fixed on application security and how developers react to recent media reports.
CyanogenMod is, as most Android enthusiasts will know, the most popular custom ROM for rooted devices. It is popular because of its roots in open-source Android, lack of bloatware, customizability and, of course, unique features that can’t be found elsewhere.
Ever since Apple bought Siri and released it as part of the iPhone 4S, folks from the Android and Windows Phone camp have been looking to replicate its never-before-seen ease of use and tight integration with system apps. We’ve seen some nice alternatives like Dragon Go! and Speaktoit, but they just aren’t at the same level as Siri. Dragon Go! integrates with dozens of online services, but forgets system apps. Speaktoit is very flexible and does work with some system apps but has a unpolished look to it and require touch input (so it isn’t good for hands-free use).
Microsoft's Kinect was originally launched as a novel way of playing games which took the motion control gaming of the Nintendo Wii and made it truly controller-free. Using a camera and microphone, the Kinect changed the way we interact with our Xbox 360s, though whether much more than a novelty or a gimmick remains to be seen.
Regardless of whether you love or hate Apple, admire or resent them, or in just plain terms; plain don't care about the company, no-one can deny that they consistently churn out beautiful products. The design ethos isn't all about the product itself though, if you ever take the time to review the packaging that your new iPhone, Apple TV or iPod Shuffle comes in, you'll notice that it is just 'right'. I've lost count of the amount of times I have purchased a product from a different manufacturer only for it to be delivered in a mammoth box which is stuffed with protective bubble wrap, then to find that the product inside is swamped by free and unused space.
We are big fans of to-do apps here at Redmond Pie, simply because it helps us organize the work we do and, well, also reminds us of what ‘to do’ next. Putting the love for the to-do apps which we use aside, there’s one particular app which we were looking forward to be released for a couple of weeks now.
