It may be one of Apple's newest product lines that has only been publicly available for a matter of weeks, but that hasn't stopped the rumors about the potential specifications of the second-generation iPad mini from circulating extremely early. Reports from hit-and-miss rumor site DigiTimes are suggesting that Apple already has one eye on the future of the new mini iPad and could potentially have plans to introduce a higher-resolution display to the mid-range tablet as well as making changes to the standard sized iPad to make it lighter.
Not so long ago, it was deemed cool to slate the Facebook for iOS app. Zuck's team had mastered the art of ramping up its user base, but despite boasting the largest social network on the planet, could not master the comparatively simple task of delivering a functional app. However, when version 5.0 came along, things changed dramatically for the better thanks to a complete re-write using native code, and ever since, the hundreds of millions using Facebook on Apple's iDevice range have been able to enjoy the service with relatively few seams. Today, version 5.3 has been released, and as well as improved News Feed and image uploading, iPhone users will also notice that the Timeline has been worked on.
2012 is drawing to a close, and among the bunch of round-up posts we're going to be seeing throughout the blogosphere, Apple has piped up prematurely with its annual Best Of list. Every year, the Cupertino company hand-picks its favorite apps of the year alongside the bestsellers, and with hundreds of thousands of new entries every year, it can be easy to miss some of the very best. Here, we run through each and every one.
The Instant Video app from Amazon released earlier this year for those on iPad, but today, the service reaches out to those running an iPhone or iPod touch thanks to an update. With the larger Cupertino iOS devices unarguably superior when it comes to watching streaming content, it's only natural Amazon felt it best to launch the iPad version first, but now, the app has been made universal; details after the break.
The wait is over. Months after Google Maps found itself unceremoniously kicked off of iOS 6 devices, Google's mapping software is back with a vengeance.
It wasn't that long ago when iOS users only really needed to worry about backing up their device contacts if their device of choice was an iPhone, but with the introduction of iMessage and the subsequent ability to send messages across iPhones, iPads and iPod touches, it is now more important than ever to ensure that all contact information is backed up securely. Having the information backed up ensures that changing devices will never cause a contact information based issue, with all of that data being immediately available at your finger tips regardless of the type of iOS device you own.
In a move almost contemporaneous with Instagram's significant update for iOS, Twitter has announced its intention to integrate photo filtering into its iOS and Android apps. Instagram's effortless application of a varied range of filters have made it a huge hit with point-and-shoot photographers, and it's a hit Twitter simply cannot miss.
Prior to iOS 5, it's fair to say that the system of notifications within Apple's mobile and desktop software left quite some to be a desired. Users of the Cupertino's mobile operating system had perhaps suffered slightly worse, but the infrastructure in which users were notified of new e-mails, messages, and other such tidbits, has been crying out for some sort of discipline and stability. The Notification Center, which has since trickled out to Mac thanks to the divisive - but ongoing - iOS-ification of OS X, has certainly done that, but to many, it's still a long way from the level it should be at.
Our lives have become so constantly connected that any given time, we could be using one of multiple devices or computers, all of which are capable of allowing us to complete different tasks. Our smartphones and tablets are probably the most likely candidates for being the hardware that we carry around with us on a day-to-day basis, and although they are extremely powerful pieces of kit, using an iPhone or iPad does come with its limitations. For those that have ever found themselves browsing passionately through the web on their iPhones and coming across a great URL that links to a must-have download, then you will know the pain of not being able to get it right at that point in time. Thankfully, there is a solution in the form of Transloader for iOS and OS X.
The luxury house of the X Factor's Savan Kotecha illustrated just how much of the world we now have at our fingertips. A music producer for the hit TV talent show, he's really kitted his pad out, and a large portion of his gadgets - including electric blinds, cameras and door locks - are all controlled from the comfort of his iPad. Although he spent a fair wad, these kinds of technologies are becoming more and more available to the average consumer, and as Samsung is now demonstrating with its Smart Air Conditioning systems, if it's electronic, it can be controlled by a mobile device.
