iOS 7 Beta 4 Is Here

After what seems like quite some time, iOS 7 beta 4 has arrived. This has been a highly anticipated release as the bugs and issues with iOS 7 beta 3 were prevalent. It is clear however that Apple has taken everyone's feedback on board when it comes to bugs and usability issues because iOS 7 beta 4 seems to be a very stable build.

With the nature of beta software this far into its development cycle, it's clear that no large features are being added. This release mainly consists of tiny user interface tweaks. These tweaks add to the improved usability but don't add any particular substance to the operating system itself. The most notable changes in this release include:

OS usability and fluidity improvements. Animations have gained speed The lock screen UI has been improved. With the Messages app, you only see the last letter of the person's surname. The spotlight search has had UI tweaks and a cancel button has been added. The HDR button within the camera app has been moved to a more suitable position. The Maps app icon has been altered slightly. You can now swipe between the three separations within the Notification Center. Siri now has a Q&A section for new users. UI cahnges to the Phone app. The buttons on the incoming call screen have been tweaked Filters within the camera app can now be found on the iPhone 4S Reminders app now has a search function AirPlay icons have now been changed and will change depending on your device You can now view Siri history even after closing the Siri screen. Shuffle all songs within the Music app is now back too.

There may be more changes that we haven't listed here but these are all relatively small. IOS 7 is now starting to look and feel like it is consumer ready and we here can't wait till it goes live this fall.

Read More

Leaked Images Of Budget iPhone Packaging

There have been so many rumors claiming that Apple will be releasing a new budget iPhone later this year. This will be alongside the more expensive iPhone 5S. We now believe that Apple will be bringing out two new model iPhones in September or October of this year. The latest rumor and leaked images may just have given us a name for this new budget iPhone which we believe may be called the iPhone 5C.

A new photo from Chinese website WeiPhone appears to show the packaging that the new low cost iPhone 5C will ship in. The white rear shell of what appears to be an iPhone box is clearly shown with the moniker iPhone 5C emblazoned on it. Popular speculation suggests that this �C� could stand for color which will coincide with rumor that the new budget iPhone will come in a range of colors.

The box itself looks very like the boxes that the iPod touch ships in which also makes lots of sense if Apple is going to try and market the devices using the color as a major point. This will make it easy for potential customers to see the color options that are available and this will make a great marketing strategy.

The iPhone 5C, if that is what is it going to be called, has been showing up in leaked photos for some time now. With a plastic shell, the handset is going to be geared towards the more budget conscious customer, whilst also appealing to people who want to have a little more color in their phones. With rumors continuing to show up, it appears that it won't be too long now before this low cost iPhone become a reality and we see people walking down the street with different colored iPhones attached to their ears.

Read More

Update On Developer Portal Situation Issued By Apple

Apple's Developer Portal has been offline for some time now and the reports of a claimed security breach are still doing the rounds on the internet. Today Apple updated their users and developers on the situation, whilst also offering more information on how they intend to restore service to their developer hub.

In order to avoid a repeat of the recent security breach, Apple has decided to keep the Developer Portal offline while they work on securing it. This is what has led to the extended downtime and Apple says that they will be restoring the whole service in a staggered and controlled manner. This will start with the Certificated, Identifiers and Profiles, Apple Developer Forums, Bug Reporter, pre-release developer libraries and videos.

Once everything is back online, Apple intends to restore software downloads. This means that beta versions of iOS 7 and OS X Mavericks will be available once again via the Apple Developer Portal. The new version of Xcode will also be available. Apple posted the information on their website as well as emailing their registered developers with the update. As part of this update, Apple has also posted a tracking site which makes it easy for developers to see which areas of the development program are still affected and which have already returned to service.

Most developers are now waiting for the next beta release of iOS 7 to be made available for testing and hopefully this won't be long now. We will keep you updated on what is going on as we receive information.

Read More

Apple Store App v2.7 For iPhone Released

Apple has been looking to improve the experiece of their stores in recent times with the introduction of the Apple Store app and today they have done that with an update to their Apple Store. Version 2.7 has just been released at the iOS App Store and it offers the usual array of bug fixes and performance enhancements and better search functionality.

Whenever you buy something at an Apple Retail Store, you are always encouraged to fire up the App Store app to make your payments. This app is perfect for making new purchases of an iPhone, iMac or iPad on the go and with the latest tweaks that have been introduced, this has never been easier.

The new version of the app is the perfect hub for information about everything relating to Apple's product range. Following up on previous reports, it has also been reported that employees of Apple retail stores may be encouraged to install the Apple Store app on just purchased iPhones as part of a new initiative and we could see this app becoming a native on all new iPhones. The idea of installing the app would be sold to consumers with promises of new, possibly free content from the various iTunes and iBook stores.

If you are interested in giving it a go, the new Apple Store app is ready to download and it is completely free.

Read More

Apple's Low Cost iPhone To Come In 2 Different Versions

If you have been holding off on buying yourself and iPhone because they are just too expensive then we have great news for you. Later this year we could see Apple release their budget iPhone and according to the latest reports, it will come in two different version which are codenamed Zenvo and Zagato.

These latest rumors come from Chinese social media website Weibo, where some leaked documents have appeared. These detail exactly what the two low cost iPhones will be. Whilst we don't know for sure if these documents are fake or not, they do state that Apple will release two budget iPhone models later this year. One of these will be cheaper than the other although if the specifications are correct, this is probably a China-only model.

The first of these two models is going to feature a 4-inch display and Samsung HP5 dual-core processor backed up by 1GB of RAM, Bluetooth 4.0 and FDD 4G. This model is believed to be codenamed Zenvo. The other model which is codenamed Zagato/Bertone will be exactly the same except for a H6P processor and TDD 4G LTE connectivity. It is this 4G technology that is currently being employed in China, which suggests that this model will be available here only.

Getting genuine details of the upcoming low cost iPhone are hard to come by and even though more and more photos are popping up, we are still guessing about what Apple really does have up its sleeve. At this point, the rumors are just too strong to say that the handset isn't real, and its a safe bet that this new iPhone is going to be made available in multiple colors too.

This low cost iPhone is expected to be released alongside Apple's regular iPhone later this year. Perhaps being called the iPhone 5S or iPhone 6, this is the handset that most people will be looking to buy. The low cost iPhone will be something that all those who just can't afford the regular model will be looking forward to.

Read More

Google Maps 2.0 For iOS Released With iPad Support And More

A couple of days ago, Google Maps 7.0 APK for Android was released with the expectation of an iOS version soon to follow. Google also promised that the iPad version of their famed Maps app was coming and version 2.0 of Google Maps is now here.

Google Maps was released as an App Store app for the iPhone when Apple took the decison to give the Google powered native offering the boot, replacing it with their own Maps App when they released iOS 6. Google's releasing of Maps for iOS failed to meet all user needs due to its lack of support for the iPad. This however has changed and the Google Maps for iOS app is now universal and works on all iOS devices without any hassles.

This new universal app features an all new design for the iPad and is not just a scaled up version of the iPhone variant. The new Maps app also features enhanced navigation over its original release along with live traffic updates and incident reports. If you are one of the maany who rely on Google to get to your destination then you can be sure that you will be presented with even more enhanced data to guide you on your trip.

The all new Explore tab has also made its debut on iOS and this works in the same way as it does on Android devices: it allows users to quickly discover or explore popular local places. All the data is presented in a card style view and looks fantastic on both the iPhone and the iPad. This new app for iOS also features indoor maps. This is a great addition for those who don't want to get lost inside a giant mall.

Last but not least is the offline maps feature. Just like the Android version, all you have to do is fit your map area on the screen that you want to cache, tap the search button and type in �ok maps� in the search bar on the top and Google Maps will cache that area on your device so that it is available for offline use.

The Google Maps 2.0 app is now available at the app store and all mandatory bug fixes and performance enhancements are included so be sure to check it out.

Read More

Retina Display iPad Mini Won't Be Available Until 2014

The iPad mini is the best selling product on the small tablet market. It is small, light, powerful and of course backed by the App Store. There is one problem though and that is the lack of retina display. We have all be anxiously awaiting this addition but according to a new report, it seems that the retina display iPad mini won't be ready until 2014.

When the iPad mini first launched it got away without having the retina disply that is a feature of all other Apple devices but with a new model expected, everyone does expect that the iPad mini 2 will have this feature.

The iPad mini 2 is expected in the next couple of months and one report is now claiming that is may not actually feature retina display at least not for this year. It seems that a shortage of retina displays of the required size is set to push Apple's retina iPad mini back to 2014. This is disappointing but it is not the first time that we have heard rumors that the iPad mini might not get retina display in its 2nd generation. We are still hoping that this report is wrong but as always we have to wait for official confirmation before we take anything as truth.

Another interesting thing that we have learned is that Apple plans to ship two version of the iPad mini when retina display does become available and consumers will have the option of puchasing a model with or without retina display. We don't know how this will work but it does suggest that Apple might just be struggling to meet its current price point when including the retina panel which is a concern for people who don't want to spend too much.

The iPad mini has been a massive success for Apple and with the next generation model guaranteed to sell well, adding retina display should really seal the deal.

Read More

How To Download iOS 7 Beta 3 For iPhone 5, 4S, iPad Mini, iPad, iPod Touch 5

Apple has released the third beta for iOS 7 and today we want to show you how to get started with this new release whether you already have the previous beta or whether you are just starting out from iOS 6.

The interest that iOS 7 has received has been unprecedented and this is largely due to the big changes that Apple have made. This new firmware has gone in a completely different direction and everyone seems to be impressed by the alterations that we have seen so far. If you want to know how to download iOS 7 beta 3, keep reading as everything you need to know is below.

If you are already running a beta version of iOS 7 then moving to iOS 7 beta 3 is easy. These steps are for those already running iOS 7 beta 1 or iOS 7 beta 2. The first thing you need to do is navigate through Settings > General > Software Update. You will then be informed of the new beta released and you will be able to download it from here. Next just let your device do the rest and you will be up and running with iOS 7 beta 3.

If you are still running a version of iOS 6 or any other offical firmware release, it is a little bit different when adding iOS 7 beta 3. First of all, you need to have a developers account and this will cost you $99. This is the official way to get access to all beta versions of software when they are released and once you have this you will be able to add iOS 7 beta 3 to your iPhone 5, 4S, 4, iPod touch and iPad. By using this legitimate option, you ensure that you don't encounter any problems with your device.

If you do decide to test out iOS 7 beta 3 on your idevice, be sure to let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.

Read More

What Does iOS 7 Beta 3 Bring

As you are probably aware, the latest iteration of Apple's mobile software was released yesterday, iOS 7 beta 3. This version unlike the last two, comes without many huge new additions and not too many changes either. Most of the good things within iOS 7 beta 3 stem from the back end such as improved stability and fluidity. In this post we want to take a look at what is new and what you can expect.

There is a huge list of changes to the new iOS 7 beta 3 and most of these changes happen to be tiny user interface alterations or tweaks which are aimed at giving the end user a more pleasurable experience. That being said, there are a few changes that we really do want to mention.

The biggest change from beta 2 is the new typeface changing from Helvetica Neue light to helvetica Neue of regular weight. This may not seem like a huge change but when you consider that things like app labels and settings panels need to be viewable in all types of light, with all types of backgrounds, it really does make for a more pleasurable experience. Other notable changes include a new app animation when an app is downloading, a new animation when accessing Spotlight Search and the dictionary within iOS is now fully functional again.

One of the most interesting changes is the re-addition of timings being visible when playing music both on the lock screen and in the Music app. As we get even closer to the end of the beta releases, the betas will become less and less significant. The biggest and most notable change in iOS 7 beta 3 is the stability of the operating system itself and as the betas continue to roll out, Apple will be fixing various different bugs and issues that people have reported. This means that user experience will continue to improve as we go forward to the official release of iOS 7.

Read More

Apple's Low Cost iPhone Could Be A Reality

The rumors of a low cost iPhone just don't seem to end and today we can reveal that images and a video of a fully assembled budget iPhone have been leaked online. Techdy has gotten their hands on the front and rear parts of this device and when placed together, they offer a very solid idea of the form this low cost iPhone will take. On first impressions, it looks incredibly similar to the Nokia Lumia 620.

The Techdy website has plenty of images and a vide that describes how the device feels when held. Although this is not a complete working device in that it cannot be switched on, the two parts do give the appearance of a complete device when placed together. Techdy also goes on to say that although predominantly polycarbonate, the device doesn't feel cheap in any way.

The device which is like the Lumia 920 still offers a premium feel and although we assume it doesn't quite measure up to the iPhone 5 when it comes to the standard of finish, it does go to show that even if Apple do break the mold in appealing to the mid market, they aren't going to make too many compromises on their ethos to deliver high quality devices.

The device is to have a 4 inch display and a shape similar to Apple's original iPod. It certainly won't outshine the flagship iPhone, but with that said, we are impressed by what we've seen so far especially if this is a legitimate leak. This low cost iPhone could be really successful if priced right and if rumors are to be believed we could see this device coming on streat as early as next year. What do you think, would you be glad to see a low cost iPhone coming onto the market?

Read More

Free Music App For iPhone Designed Around iOS 7

The iOS 7 firmware has rarely been out of the spotlight over the past three weeks and with iOS 7 beta 2 having been released to a much warmer reception, it would seem as though the techworld is getting used to some of the big changes Apple has made. The home screen icons have, along with several native apps, been completely redesigned as part of a flatter approach and the Music App has seen the biggest changes of them all.

If you are not in a position to try out iOS 7 for yourself, you might like to check out a third party offering called Musi. This app offers the flavor of the official iOS 7 Music App in terms of design cues and is totally free. Musi is full of flat shapes and almost completely bound by the new iOS 7 design ethos. Unlike Apple's stock app though, Musi's purpose is not to play your locally stored tracks, it actually allows you to stream straight from YouTube.

Musi also provides some fairly decent controls for the avid audio fan. Whilst the YouTube app stops steaming as soon as you lock your device or put it into sleep mode, Musi allows you to keep enjoying your tracks in the background for uninterrupted regardless of the app you are using. It comes with a slick UI, great playlist features and AirPlay support. Musi is packed full of all the necessary features a music enthusiast could want and to top things off, it is free of charge. If you are looking for a YouTube streamer with the feel of iOS 7 then this is for you.

Read More

Low Cost iPhone Could Be On The Way

Some leaked images of a new low cost iPhone have made their way to our desk. These are images of the rear shell and they show that there could be yellow, red and green color configurations. We have all heard a great deal about the possibility of a low cost iPhone and although Apple have not made any official suggestions, the rumors still continue to come in.

A French website has added images of what look like legitimate rear shells of an unspecified iPhone and the plastic finish that they show adds to the intrigue. Apple has always stuck religiously to the black or white color configurations but with the iPod touch getting some color last year, it could be that Apple is open to change. It has been suspected all along, that the low cost iPhone would have color configurations.

There really is no doubt that a market exists for colorful iPhones and the likes of the Samsung Galaxy range has always offered a bunch of colors. A low cost iPhone whish is strongly suspected to be built with a polycarbonate outer in order to save on costs, could have a huge appeal, and as well as a budget price, a selection of colors would really be great. The likes of China and India are mass markets that Apple has struggled to fully capitalize so a cheaper device could work wonders.

Whether or not the images show on the French website are legitimate or not is anybody's guess and Nowhereelse.fr seems to be a little hit and miss with their information. However, wtih all the rumors that Apple will go with colorful plastic designs for the low cost iPhone, these images could in fact be the real thing. Let us know what you think.

Read More

Get The iOS 7 Keyboard On Your iOS 6 Device

It seems that iOS 7 beta is the topic of the moment right now and everyone seems to have their own opinion. One thing that they all seem to agree on though is that hte new keyboard looks amazing. You might have your own opinions on the colorful icons but the keyboard is certainly everyone's favorite feature. The reason for this is the subtle transparency that adds a layering effect to the keyboard experience making iOS 7 a little more modern compared to iOS 6.

Now we all know that it is possible to get iOS 7 installed on your device but whether or not you should is debatable. Battery life, crashing apps and general beta isssues are always there with early releases. So why not get the iOS 7 keyboard without all the issues? If you have a jailbroken device, then there really is no reason to pass up this opportunity.

Reddit user MiniHos has shared the link to the files that are required to get the iOS 7 translucent keyword on your iOS 6 device. It is a mod that has the effect of making the iOS 7 keyboard backround translucent and to install it all you have to do is download the file and add it to Library/Keyboard/ColorKeyboard/Themes and then simply enable it in Color Keyboard. If you would like matching fonts, all you have to do is install BytaFont and Roboto Light from Cydia.

This tweak has become an overnight favorite for many and if you have wanted to be able to see what is underneath your iPhone's keyboard when you are typing a message or email then this tweak could be just what you have been looking for. It allows you to have this iOS 7 feature without having to have iOS 7.

The translucent keyboad is just one of the features that iOS 7 has to offer and when this firmware is officially released we can be sure it is going to be amazing.

Read More