iPhone

The release of a new iPhone means two things. The first is obviously the new phone; but that hardware is also accompanied by a new version of iOS. Apple's mobile operating system has evolved from a relatively simple interface for using a few stock Apple apps (on 2007's debut iPhone) to an advanced system that is creeping ever closer to OS X. The annual iOS refresh is now an event in itself. Let's take a look at the decisions – and execution – that Apple ultimately took with this year's update.  Read More

When Apple launched Siri with the iPhone 4S, "she" instantly became a household name. The internet buzzed, casual consumers took notice, and Apple used it to market the incrementally-upgraded handset for nearly a year. But those who have spent time with it know that Siri is still a beta product. One of the biggest omissions is an API to connect to third-party apps. There are, however, roundabout ways for third-party apps to play nicely with Siri. Starting in iOS 6, App Store apps can access Reminders (with user permission). This opens a variety of doors, including this nifty trick for creating shared shopping lists.  Read More

There's nothing like a good rivalry. Whether it's Ali vs. Frazier, FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid, or Magic vs. Bird, gritty duels have a way of getting people pumped. In this Digital Age, consumer tech has its own sets of sworn opponents: in the 80s it was Apple vs. IBM, later we saw Windows vs. OS X, and gamers have Playstation vs. Xbox. In 2012, however, the biggest tech rivalry is the match between the two biggest players in mobile: Apple and Samsung. This one has gotten nasty, extending into international courts. Things only get more interesting with the release of Apple's iPhone 5.  Read More

When it comes to replacing the soon-to-be-obsolete incandescent light bulbs in our homes, LEDs are certainly a good way to go – they’re highly energy-efficient, they last for years, and they emit a nicer quality of light than compact fluorescents. Now, San Francisco-based LIFX Labs has set about making them even more attractive. The company’s new LIFX (pronounced “life-ex”) LED bulbs can be remotely controlled from the user’s smartphone, and they change color.  Read More

Apple announced today that more than two million customers pre-ordered iPhone 5s in the first 24 hours after vendors opened up their order books on September 14. This is more than double the one million pre-orders received for the iPhone 4S in its first 24 hours last year.  Read More

If you own an iPhone or iPod touch and have a collection of music on cassette tape, this just might be the gadget of your dreams. ION's Tape Dock allows you to take your favorite cassette tapes and bring them to the digital age. It works with chrome or normal cassettes, so your tapes should not have a problem going digital.  Read More

What if there was an iPhone case that could add three major functions to the device? That is exactly what Charlie Corry set out to do when he came up with the iExpander. He made an iPhone case that adds support for microSD cards, charges your phone and improves the function of the camera's flash in low light situations.  Read More

Apple today unveiled the iPhone 5. Whether by accident or design, many of the features of the iPhone 5 were already known – or at least heavily suspected – well before the official unveiling of the device by Apple today. The 4-inch screen in 16:9 aspect ratio? Yep. A smaller dock connector? No surprises there. LTE compatibility? Absolutely. A faster chip packed inside a slimmer casing? Yes and yes. Thankfully, for those of us needing to find something to write, there were a few features that Apple managed to keep under its hat until the official unveiling.  Read More

If you’re old enough, you may fondly remember the gloriously analogue, low-tech world of Polaroid photographs. While the image quality wasn’t great, you instantly got a real, physical photograph that you could stick in your locker, tack to your bulletin board, or use to blackmail someone. If you now use an iPhone for snapping photos, however, it’s become impossible for you to get instant Polaroid prints ... right? Not if the Impossible Instant Lab goes into production.  Read More