The iPhone, iPod touch and iPad are fantastic and powerful devices. We get that, we really do. However, we should all know by now that smartphones like the iPhone have transcended from just being a typical mobile phone, and act more as portable mini computers when we can't be near our laptop or desktop computer. Having that power with us all the time to be able to browse the web, play games or instantly check email is fantastic, but unfortunately, it also brings computer-related issues like locking up, becoming unresponsiveness or getting stuck with a troublesome app on the screen.
Apple's iOS 6 may have been adopted in record numbers initially, but the release of the latest and greatest mobile software has been far from a smooth ride. Maps, which was meant to replace Google Maps at stock level, turned out to be as much use as a chocolate fire shield for many, and after a fair amount of controversy including a complaint from Australian Police suggesting its frailties potentially endanger lives, Maps has somewhat re-replaced Apple Maps following its App Store release last week. Meanwhile, iOS SVP Scott Forstall has gone the way of MobileMe, and with Apple is looking to turn a corner with its iOS software by bringing the updates at frequent intervals, iOS 6.1 Beta 4 is now available to developers.
Considering we are right in the middle of the festive season, it shouldn't really come as any great surprise when developers take the plunge and reduce the price of some of their wares for a limited period of time. Australian based Halfbrick Studios has been hit with a fairly large dose of festive spirit, much to the benefit of iPhone and iPad owners. For the next 24-hours, the development outfit from down under have made all of their fantastic iOS games entirely free of charge as their gift to the Apple hardware owning community.
Smartphones provide for us a plethora of functions, and increasingly, we're utilizing them for the purpose of taking photos and shooting video clips. Now there's certainly not a shortage of image-editing utilities available over at the App Store for those on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, but when it comes to video, the selection is decidedly less rich. If you've been looking for a way to spice up your boring video clips, Strum for iOS might just be of interest for you, since it quickly turns 15-second video clips into fun music videos.
In this Digital Age, we're somewhat spoilt for choice when it comes to finding new music. Not only are there countless download and streaming services available at our fingertips, but most of them also point us in the direction of other artists and songs we'd perhaps like, based on our listening habits. Last.fm is considered by many as the go-to service for the discovery of new music, and although several scrobbling apps have been released by third parties as well as Last.fm itself, todays App Store debut of Scrobbler for iOS presents an app truly worthy of the popular service.
Syncing data is big business these days, and the major player in the space is Dropbox. With mobile apps across all major platforms and syncing that the likes of Apple could only dream about, Dropbox today gave iOS users an early Christmas present by updating the company's iOS app.
Rovio Entertainment has seen one simple-yet-addictive title for iPhone turn into a billion-dollar industry, and with three years since the release of that original title also tying in with the holiday period and the announcement of the inevitable movie, the company has gotten the celebrations going by offering all of its iPad titles for just $0.99.
A lot of companies dedicate their time and resources to protecting our treasured gadgets, and while there are countless different types available, Twelve South offer something quite unique. The company's BookBook cases not only protect your gadget from the everyday wear and tear, but also look distinctly like old books. Not only does this offer a vintage finesse rarely witnessed in this field, but it actually prevents would-be thieves from spotting your expensive device. Having released the BookBook for iPhone 5 a short while ago, Twelve South has come through with another for the iPad mini, and it looks just as good as the device itself!
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.
Following a mammoth wait and numerous delays, iTunes 11 finally released to the public some two weeks ago. Today, the revamped iTunes software has been updated to version 11.0.1, and as well as bug fixes for iCloud and AirPlay, it also helps you find duplicate content within your library.
