The iPhone Blog


iOS 6 preview: Guided Access and single-app mode

Posted: 30 Aug 2012 04:52 PM PDT

iOS 6 preview: Guided Access and single-app mode

Something that Apple absolutely does not get enough credit for is their longstanding -- and outstanding -- support for accessibility features, and iOS 6 is no exception. To the already impressive list of accessibility features, Apple is adding Guided Access, a way to lock the iPad into a single app, to help people with autism or similar challenges work independently, without having to worry about accidentally closing an app. It also provides single-app mode functionality for everyone, which makes the iPad far more useful for everything from school tests to mall kiosks.

Here's how Apple describes accessibility and Guided Access in iOS 6:

iOS 6 comes with even more features to make it easier for people with vision, hearing, learning, and mobility disabilities to get the most from their iOS devices. Guided Access helps students with disabilities such as autism remain on task and focused on content. It allows a parent, teacher, or administrator to limit an iOS device to one app by disabling the Home button, as well as restrict touch input on certain areas of the screen. VoiceOver, the revolutionary screen reader for blind and low-vision users, is now integrated with Maps, AssistiveTouch, and Zoom. And Apple is working with top manufacturers to introduce Made for iPhone hearing aids that will deliver a power-efficient, high-quality digital audio experience.

And here's what they've shown off of it so far:

  • Even dedicated, focused apps can have buttons or controls that, if unintentionally triggered, can alter app behavior or even exit the app completely.

  • By activating Guided Access, you can toggle off hardware buttons like the Home button, touch controls completely, or shake controls.

  • You can also selectively disable only certain controls by circling them with your finger.

  • iOS will then disable those controls so they can no longer be triggered in-app.

  • With the Home button disabled, Guided Access also becomes single-app mode. So, for example, a school could provide exams on an iPad without having to worry about students leaving the app, looking up the answers on Safari, and then cheating on the test.

  • Beyond schools, it could serve as a kiosk-mode for museums, stores, restaurants, and numerous other types of businesses and institutions.

Taken by itself, Guided Access is another in a long line of excellent accessibilities features for iOS, in this case the iPad in particular. Combined with single-app, or kiosk-mode, it becomes a powerful tool for any school, business, or institution. It lets them provide highly specific applications, in highly controlled environments, keeping things simple yet still powerful for users and customers.

It's not protected access mode or guest mode, but it's important and it's there.

iOS 6 is scheduled for release this fall, perhaps as soon as September 19. For more on iOS 6 and Siri, check out:



Tim Cook and Larry Page reportedly talking patent resolution

Posted: 30 Aug 2012 12:58 PM PDT

Tim Cook and Larry Page reportedly talking patent resolution

Apple CEO, Tim Cook, and Google CEO, Larry Page, have reportedly talked on the phone concerning the ongoing patent disputes involving the iPhone and iPad maker, and various Android manufacturers. Reuters' Alexei Oreskovic and Poornima Gupta claim the breaksclusive:

Google Inc CEO Larry Page and Apple CEO Tim Cook have been conducting behind-the-scenes conversations about a range of intellectual property matters, including the ongoing mobile patent disputes between the companies, according to people familiar with the matter. The two chief executives had a phone conversation last week, the sources said. Discussions involving lower-level officials of the two companies are also ongoing.

Both mens' predecessors, Steve Jobs of Apple and Eric Schmidt of Google, began the now long-standing feud when Google switched from making a BlackBerry competitor to making an iPhone competitor, and Schmidt left his spot as a member of Apple's board of directors. Jobs later called Android "stolen property" that was being "promiscuously" given away, and threatened to go "thermonuclear" on it. Tim Cook, for his part, has said Apple can't be the developer for the world, and that other companies will have to invent their own stuff.

Google has traditionally been eschewed intellectual property rights enforcement, no prosecuting their own IP but also not always respecting the IP of others. Recently, however, they've begun more aggressive litigation using their newly acquired Motorola division as a spearhead.

Neither overly broad patents nor overly close copying help drive innovation, so anything that moves a settlement forward, Cook and Page on the phone included, is best for the industry and consumers.

Steve Jobs and Eric Schmidt once famously had coffee and settled nothing. That was then. Let's hope this is now. Especially when companies like Samsung are getting hit with billion dollar willful infringement verdicts.

Source: Reuters



Apple offering up to $345 in store credit for your used iPhone 4S

Posted: 30 Aug 2012 09:52 AM PDT

Apple offers up to $345 in store credit for your used iPhone 4S

If you're itching to get your hands on the new iPhone rumored to be coming next month but don't fancy shelling out a ton of money, Apple is willing to help you offset the cost through their Reuse and Recycling program. As of right now you can fetch up to $345 for a mint condition 64GB iPhone 4S.

Apple's program allows you to enter the model and condition of your iPhone in only a few short questions before giving you a final value. As of now, a 64GB iPhone 4S will get you the most cash but the other models are reasonably priced as well. A 32GB mint condition 4S will get you $330. The program doesn't seem to care what carrier or whether or not the phone is factory unlocked which is probably good news for most. While the values are higher for the iPhone 4S, Apple will also accept trade-ins on any Mac, iPhone, or iPad model. If you've got an iPhone 4, you'll take a bit of a hit as the highest value for a mint condition model is currently $185.

If you're okay with the value Apple gives you, you'll just have to wipe the phone and send in your iPhone complete with the power cord. After you've sent in your iPhone Apple will issue you an Apple Store gift card that you can put towards anything you'd like. For most of you, that'll probably be the new iPhone which iMore has heard should be announced and released this September.

If you're looking for an easy and reliable way to off your iPhone, this is probably the best route but it's worth noting that you can probably fetch much higher values on services such like Craigslist, eBay, or Gazelle.com. We've written guides in the past on how to sell your old iPhone for a good price that can help if you need to get top dollar for it before considering a new iPhone.

If you're okay with Apple's pricing, check out the link below to get your gear appraised. Come this Fall, what color and capacity iPhone will you be opting for?

Source: Apple Reuse and Recycling Program



Purported iPhone 5 part leaks show off Apple A6 chipset

Posted: 30 Aug 2012 08:32 AM PDT

Next gen iPhone part leaks show off unshielded logic board, A6 possibly on board

The most recent in a slew of iPhone 5 part leaks shows two views of what's reportedly the next-generation iPhone logic board, including one with the shields removed. What makes this so interesting is that it appears from the photos, if they're accurate, that Apple will be using the Apple A6 designation for the iPhone 5's system-on-a-chip (SoC).

Apple previously introduced the Apple A4 SoC, their first in-house chipset design, with the original iPad, and carried a version of it over to the iPhone 4. Apple then introduced the Apple A5 with the iPad 2, and again carried a version of it over to the iPhone 4S. With the new iPad, however, instead of going to an Apple A6 SoC, Apple added a quad-core GPU to the Apple A5 and called it the A5X. That led to speculation that Apple might create a new Apple A5 series SoC for the iPhone 5 as well. Not so, according to the images below, which we've enhanced the image a bit to make out the text better:

iPhone 5 logic board enhanced image

Not going with an Apple A5X SoC, at least the way it's currently engineered for the new iPad, makes a lot of sense. The primary purpose of the Apple A5X chipset was to support the massive 2048x1536 Retina display that was brand new to the 3rd generation iPad platform. The iPhone went Retina back in 2010 with the iPhone 4, so that load is already taken care of. The iPhone 5, according to rumors, will have a slightly bigger 1136x640, 4-inch, 16:9 display, but nothing that would require an A5X-style chipset. It seems more likely Apple would go with the same type of general CPU and GPU performance improvements in the iPhone 5 that they delivered with the iPhone 4S.

At the end of the day, what Apple calls the iPhone 5 chipset is a branding decision, but since Apple controls both the software and hardware, there's no need to simply throw silicone or cores at someone else's code. By going with something other than a repackaged Apple A5X, whether or not it's called the Apple A6, it could deliver just exactly the performance vs. power balance Apple wants for their next generation phone.

Other than the processor you can see a Qualcomm chipset on the main board. That comes as no surprise. There are also different connector positions for the digitizer, LCD, and other components, which is consistent with previously leaked front panels.

In addition, the battery connector looks a bit wider than the current iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S battery connector. It's hard to be sure given the quality of the image, but it could be an indication of a larger battery, which would also be consistent with previously leaked parts.

Given the larger display, rumors of 4G LTE networking, along with space-saving changes like the rumored smaller Dock connector, nano-SIM, and in-cell display, a higher capacity battery certainly seems likely.

Considering the horrible quality of the image, it's always possible that the A6 designation or other features could have been Photoshopped into place. (Seriously, spies, invest in good quality cameras and lights!)

Regardless, iMore's information puts us less than a few weeks away from an official announcement and release. Until then, the parts leaks will no doubt continue, as will our analysis of them.



Fido lights up LTE in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and St. John’s

Posted: 30 Aug 2012 07:50 AM PDT

Canada's Fido network has just announced that LTE is now live and delivering ultra-fast data in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and St. John's. Their first device will be a mobile hotspot, but given the new iPad is carrier unlocked and LTE ready, and that the rumored iPhone 5 is rumored to have an LTE radio, it's just one more LTE option for Apple mobile device users in Canada to consider.

As of today, Rogers LTE devices are capable of maximum theoretical download speeds of up to 100 Mbps and Rogers customers are experiencing typical download speeds from 12 Mbps to 25 Mbps for most devices, or even up to 40 Mbps for select devices on the Rogers LTE network, which supports 2600 MHz spectrum for LTE connectivity.

Fido, of course, Fido is a subsidiary of Rogers, which has had LTE for a while now, so why it's taken so long and why they're still treated so separately are questions that nag in the back of many users minds. But it has and they are, and these are carriers we're talking about, so it's not likely to change any time soon.

Fido does promise LTE will hit more areas in the coming months. Let's hope there's at least a few more populous ones by September 12...

Anyone planning on upgrading or switching to LTE on Fido?

Source: Fido



Granny Smith brings octogenarian X-Games-style skating, smashing action to iPhone and iPad

Posted: 30 Aug 2012 07:21 AM PDT

If you've ever had a hankering for some octogenarian X-Games-style action, look no further than Granny Smith for iPhone and iPad. The premise is simple enough: Granny has has her apples stolen for the last time and she isn't going to stand for it anymore. In fact, cane in hand, armed with baseballs and bananas (just go with it), she's strapped on roller skates and aims to run the thief down.

Granny is a fast old lady, but players need just two simple buttons to send her careening over obstacles and sliding along wires with her trusty cane. Walls collapse and windows shatter as she blasts through them, showing off a robust physics engine that gamers should expect from the makers of the water-splashing puzzler Sprinkle. But even if things get messy after Granny zooms by, the game looks great thanks to artist Henrik Johansson's vibrant, playful style. If Granny needs a boost, she can toss baseballs and bananas to slow down the apple-bandit and break through obstacles. Just be sure to collect enough coins along the way – and don't faceplant after a big jump, or you'll be left with an empty purse!

Granny Smith boasts 36 carefully crafted levels spread out through dozens of 3D, storybook-style worlds. Gameplay is simple and straight forward -- GRANNY SMASH! wouldn't be a bad way to describe it -- and thanks to an advanced physics engine, you can enjoy spectacular crashes with complete particle and debris explosions just to put a point on them. (And the very best moments of chaos and destruction get played right back for you in vintage video format for your viewing pleasure.) Power up Granny with more powerful weapons of mass-destruction, like banana peels, protect her with a helmet, or swap her out entirely for one of two additional characters -- Scruffy or Stanley.

Pity the puny Apple thief.

I've only had time to try it out for a few minutes, but so far, so fun. Or as Jerry Hildrenbrand from Android Central put it: Buying the Granny Smith game is the best buck you'll spend this week. If you've given Granny a go, let me know how you like it.

$0.99 - Download now



Deal of the Day: 62% off the Aduro Rotata Case for iPad 2

Posted: 30 Aug 2012 07:14 AM PDT

Deal of the DayToday Only: Buy the Aduro Rotata Case for iPad 2 and save $27.95!

The Aduro Rotata is a form fitted protective case designed specifically for your iPad 2 that rotates 360 degrees to any side for landscape or portrait viewing positions. The Rotata case features a soft microsuede lining on the interior to protect your iPad 2 from scratches at all times. Comes in black, blue, pink, purple and green.

List Price: $44.95     Today Only: $17.00

Learn More and Buy Now

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AT&T announces 10,000 square foot flagship store on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile

Posted: 30 Aug 2012 01:56 AM PDT

AT&T announces 10,000 square foot flagship store on Chicago's Magnificent MileAT&T has announced that it is opening a huge flagship store in Chicago on September 1. The store is located on Chicago's famous Magnificent Mile district and covers around 10,000 square feet of retail space. The store features technology at every turn along with an 18 foot high Connect Wall that shows interactive content as well as product specifications and information. AT&T is trying to live up to its advertising campaign line: "It's what you do with what we do."

"Our Michigan Avenue store is where customers can immerse themselves in everything AT&T is about and truly explore the technology we have to offer," said Paul Roth, president of AT&T retail sales and service. "AT&T is about delivering innovation that makes a difference in our customers' daily lives. All of that will be ready for customers to experience at our flagship store."

"Customers will not only be able to interact with and purchase our products, but they will also experience the forefront of evolving wireless technology and see how AT&T is leading it," said Roth. "Customers can touch, feel and see how our latest devices and apps will fit their lifestyles, whether they're interested in fitness or music, entertainment or family. You won't find another store like this anywhere else in the country."

The new flagship Chicago store will also have an exclusive look at the future for AT&T along with the first retail demonstration of AT&T's home security and automation system which is called Digital Life. Digital Life will let you interact with a home security system, change thermostat settings and allow access to your home all from your smartphone or tablet. The store will also have a Nissan Leaf electric car which is there to demonstrate AT&T's Connected Car system which looks to show how technology can aid driving.

The new store opens in Chicago on September 1; if you're in the area, it may be worth a visit. If you're not in the area and still would like a look around, we have a video right below.

AT&T Opens Flagship Retail Store on Chicago's Famed Magnificent Mile

10,000 Square-Foot Space Showcases What Consumers Can Do With AT&T Products, Innovations and Wireless Technology Chicago, Illinois, August 30, 2012

AT&T* is the most recent brand to move in at Chicago's renowned Magnificent Mile, opening a 10,000 square-foot flagship store on Sept. 1. The store brings to life AT&T's advertising campaign line: "It's what you do with what we do."

"Our Michigan Avenue store is where customers can immerse themselves in everything AT&T is about and truly explore the technology we have to offer," said Paul Roth, president of AT&T retail sales and service. "AT&T is about delivering innovation that makes a difference in our customers' daily lives. All of that will be ready for customers to experience at our flagship store."

In addition to products and services also found at AT&T's more than 2,300 retail stores nationwide, the Michigan Avenue store offers customers a glimpse of the future, including AT&T's first retail demos of the new AT&T Digital Life home security and automation services and of a connected car that shows how wireless technology can aid driving. Shoppers will also find exclusive accessories by Chicago-area artists and other products unique to the Windy City. With more than 100 digital screens throughout the space, every aspect of the store is designed to educate customers about future wireless technologies and services.

"Customers will not only be able to interact with and purchase our products, but they will also experience the forefront of evolving wireless technology and see how AT&T is leading it," said Roth. "Customers can touch, feel and see how our latest devices and apps will fit their lifestyles, whether they're interested in fitness or music, entertainment or family. You won't find another store like this anywhere else in the country."

Play and learn about apps that interest them in the Explorer Lounge. At the Apps Bar, "app-tenders" serve up one-on-one and group demos, which are also displayed on multiple video monitors on the Apps Wall. An 18-foot high Connect Wall shows interactive content and product information, visible to the entire store and passers-by.

See products, apps and accessories organized and showcased based on their needs in the Lifestyle Boutiques, including Get Fit, Be Productive, Share Your Life and Chicagoland. Chicagoland includes local apps and Chicago-themed accessories exclusive to the AT&T Michigan Avenue store.

Use and interact with AT&T products for home security and automation, entertainment, music and automobiles at the Experience Platform. Customers can see how AT&T Digital Life services can enable them to control their home using AT&T wireless devices with a demo in the Family Life area. The Street Smart area features a 2012 Nissan Leaf and shows the future of automotive connectivity, safety and efficiency.

View artwork from two artists with Chicago ties, Cody Hudson and Dalek, in The Gallery. One-of-a-kind smartphone cases with their designs are available exclusively at the AT&T Michigan Avenue store.

Check out the latest smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices in the product runway.

Discuss new purchases or resolve questions with AT&T store representatives in quiet and comfortable consultation areas.

"Every aspect and every innovation of our Michigan Avenue store has been designed with the customer experience in mind," said Roth. "From the design and layout of the store, to the way we display products and services, to the in-store technology and our brand ambassadors, everything is an extension of our goal to be the nation's premier retailer and our brand mission to make people's lives better."

AT&T's Michigan Avenue store has been designed and built with sustainable materials and practices. The store has reduced energy consumption and water usage significantly by using efficient lighting, ENERGY STAR appliances and temperature controls, and teak wood used in the store is reclaimed. Customers will also be able to learn about the environmental attributes of AT&T-branded postpaid handset devices through a simple, easy-to-read-and-understand label as part of AT&T's recently announced eco ratings.

The store is located at 600 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, 60611. Store hours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Central time and Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Central time.

"The Magnificent Mile is a unique shopping experience and so is this store," said AT&T North Central Region President Kent Mathy. "We have put the very best our brand has to offer our customers on display at this store, and we invite everyone to come and explore all the ways AT&T can improve their lives."

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's largest 4G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT.

© 2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 4G not available everywhere. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.



iMore show 308: Angry bits of mostly plastic

Posted: 30 Aug 2012 01:15 AM PDT

Rene and Seth talk Apple vs. Samsung verdict, iPhone 5 and NFC, iPad mini and October, AirPlay and Wi-Fi Direct, Drafts 2.0, Dropbox two-factor verification, and answer your email and Twitter questions. This is the iMore show!

Show notes

Hosts

Credits

You can reach all of us on Twitter @iMore, or you can email us at podcast@imore.com

For all our podcasts, including the iMore show, ZEN and TECH, Iterate, and more, see MobileNations.com/shows



How to sort and organize alerts in Notification Center on iPhone and iPad

Posted: 30 Aug 2012 12:04 AM PDT

How to sort and organize alerts in Notification Center on iPhone and iPad

The whole point of Notification Center is to make it easier to view alerts and stay up to date on the tasks that matter the most to you. By default, Notification Center will add app alerts in the order in which the app was installed. You can take control of notification handling on your iPhone or iPad, however, and organizing alerts and notifications in a way that makes the most sense to you.

How to manually sort the order of alerts in Notification Center

Notification Center shows alerts in the order in which they're listed in the Settings apps. Change the order in Settings, and your Notification Center shade will update to reflect that new order.

  1. Launch the Settings app from your Home screen.
  2. iPhone settings panel
  3. Tap on Notifications.
  4. iPhone notification center main screen
  5. Tap Manually under Sort Apps to make sure it's selected.
  6. Tap the Edit button in the upper right hand corner.
  7. iPhone notification center edit mode
  8. Grab the **handle* beside the app you want raise or lower in the Notification Center list and drag it to the position you want it.
  9. iPhone Notification Center drag alerts
  10. Keep dragging apps higher or lower until all the apps are in exactly the order you want them to appear in Notification Center
  11. Tap Done in the upper right hand corner when you're finished.

That's it, Notification Center will now show notifications in your preferred order.

How to automatically sort Notification Center alerts by time

If you'd like notifications to appear in Notification Center based on the time they arrive on your iPhone or iPad you can do so easily.

  1. Launch the Settings app from your Home screen.
  2. iPhone settings panel
  3. Tap on Notifications.
  4. iPhone notification center main screen
  5. Tap By Time under Sort Apps to make sure that it is checked.
  6. Sort iPhone notifications by time

That's it, Notification Center will now display your notifications in the order they arrive on your iPhone or iPad with newest notifications showing first.

How to remove apps from Notification Center

If you have apps that you don't want to receive alerts from, you can easily disable them within Notification Center. This is a good option for games that send pesky news, or in-app purchase alerts or apps that you want to check at your own leisure without being bothered about it.

  1. Launch the Settings app from your Home screen.
  2. iPhone settings panel
  3. Tap on Notifications.
  4. iPhone notification center main screen
  5. Tap the Edit button
  6. drag the app you want to remove from Notification Center to the section labeled Not In Notification Center at the bottom.
  7. Drag notifications off in NC on iPhone

Alternatively can also:

  1. Tap the app that you don't want to receive notifications about.
  2. iPhone notification center main screen
  3. Toggle the Notification Center switch to Off.
  4. Turn iPhone notifications off in Notification Center

And that's it. Any app removed from Notification Center will no longer take up space in your list!

How to get more help with Notification Center

Got any questions about using Notification Center on your iPhone or iPad? Any tips of your own you've discovered? Leave them in the comments!



Buzz Contacts 2.0 for iPhone review

Posted: 29 Aug 2012 10:55 PM PDT

Buzz Contacts by savvy apps has received a major update that makes the already awesome contacts app even more awesome. Some of the features include integration with Agenda Calendar, themes, the ability to share contact info, and a new and improved Dialer. Buzz Contacts is essentially a replacement for Apple's built-in Phone app -- and an awesome replacement it is!

One of big changes to Buzz Contacts is to bring the focus back to the Dialer. Now before you roll your eyes and exclaim that dialers are way too "old school" for you, let me assure you that Buzz's Dialer is anything by old school --it's highly functional and efficient. The first difference you notice about Buzz's Dialer versus, say, Apple's keypad is that it emphasizes the letters associated with each button instead of the numbers. That's because you can use the Dialer to type in the name of contacts. Actually, you can type in names, initials, or phone numbers and Buzz will instantly show all types of matches as you type. It's awesome. Seriously.

In addition to the Dialer, Buzz Contacts also lets you create groups of contacts. For each contact, you specifically choose which method of communication you wish to use: voice call, text message, email, or FaceTime. You can view your groups as a list or as 2x2 grids. The groups are awesome for quickly interacting with contacts you frequently communicate with. Between groups and the dialer, Buzz is worth the measly $0.99, but there's more.

There is a somewhat hidden feature of Buzz Contacts called the contact detail view. At any screen that displays contacts in a grid or a list with arrows beside each contact (groups and Dialer), you can double-tap the contact (or tap the arrow) to make a special menu appear. From here you can choose a type of communication to engage with the contact from the bottom toolbar, view contact information, add the contact to a group, or send contact info via email or text or schedule a meeting with Agenda Calendar (also made by savvy apps) or Due. This integration with Agenda and Due is a great convenience if you use either of those apps.

New to Buzz 2.0 are subtle themes that give the app personality. These themes are simply a change to the color of the tool bar. You can change the theme by swiping left or right on the title bar, or you can view all the colors at once in Buzz's settings to choose your favorite. I really like the swiping feature because it allows me to frequently change the theme for variety. My only complaint about the themes is that out of the 14 available colors, none of them are pink!

The good

  • Awesomely efficient Dialer
  • 14 different themes (colors)
  • Schedule in Agenda or Due via the contact detail view
  • Send contact info via message or email via the contact detail view
  • Swipe into and out of Dialer -"Frequent" and "Outgiong" groups
  • Send SMS and MMS messages to groups

The bad

  • No pink theme :P

The conclusion

Buzz Contacts 2.0 is a remarkable phone app for the iPhone. I tossed Calendar aside a long time ago in favor of savvy apps' Agenda Calendar, and now Apple's Phone app has been kicked to curb for Buzz Contacts. My only complaint is that I must still use the built-in Phone app to check voicemail -- a restriction of Apple that is beyond savvy apps' control.

$0.99 - Download Now



Get your scripts ready for Hollywood with Final Draft Writer for iPad

Posted: 29 Aug 2012 10:45 PM PDT

Get your scripts ready for Hollywood with Final Draft Writer for iPad

Final Draft Writer, the best-selling screenwriting software in the world, and the app used to script everything from television specs and pilots to award winning, blockbuster movies, is now available for the iPad.

Final Draft Writer lets you write, edit and read Final Draft scripts on your iPad. Create new scripts or edit existing ones with easy-to-use features such as Tab and Enter navigation, ScriptNotes™, SmartType™, and more. Easily move your Final Draft v.8 scripts from desktop to iPad and back again. Your scripts will appear perfectly paginated and formatted to industry standards every time.

Included with Final Draft Writer for iPad are industry standard templates for stage, film, and TV, and automatic "more" and "continued" pagination. There's SmartType to make entering character names, scene titles, and more really easy to enter, and character highlighting to help you find dialog or track story arcs. Colored pages are supported for active or collated revisions, as are locked pages and scene numbering, and ScriptNotes. You can even keep track of cast, scene, and location reports.

Final Draft Writer is regularly $49.99 but is on sale for $29.99 (that's $20 off!) off until September 30, 2012. If you're the next Whedon or Sorkin -- or better yet, the first you -- and script-writing is in your blood, check out Final Draft Writer for iPad. And if you've used Final Draft Writer before, either on the computer or on the iPad, let me know -- how does it work for you?

$29.00 on sale - Download now



Bastion hacks and slashes its way onto the iPad

Posted: 29 Aug 2012 09:54 PM PDT

Award-winning action RPG, Bastion, hacks and slashes its way onto the iPad

Bastion, the award-winning action RPG, has been brought, hacking and slashing, to the iPad. No mere port this, Bastion was been re-imagined and re-engineered to take maximum advantage of the Retina display and multitouch.

Bastion for iPad features all the highly acclaimed artwork, music, and narration that Bastion is known for, along with intuitive touch controls. Explore more than 40 lush hand-painted environments as you discover the secrets of the Calamity, a surreal catastrophe that shattered the world to pieces. Wield a huge arsenal of upgradeable weapons and battle savage beasts adapted to their new habitat. Finish the main story to unlock New Game Plus mode and continue your journey!

You've got your gorgeous, hand-painted artwork, your stunning original music score, a virtual narrator who follows your progress through the game, over 10 upgradable weapons, 6 bastions, and a "New Game Plus" mode that's unlocked when you finish the story.

Add to that full Game Center achievements and leaderboards, and we're talking serious iPad action. Whether you've played Bastion previously on the PC and have been waiting for the iPad version, or you're just a fan of RPGs and want to try one of the best the genre has seen, hit the App Store link below and hold onto your socks, because you're in for one heck of an adventure.

(And if you've already given Bastion a try on the iPad, tell me what you think -- how good is the iOS version?)

$4.99 - Download now



Forums: iPad Mini in education, Keeping a backup device, How are emails downloaded?

Posted: 29 Aug 2012 08:06 PM PDT

From the iMore Forums

Found an interesting article you want to share with iMore? Have a burning question about that feature you just can't figure out? There is ALWAYS more happening just a click away in the forums. You can always head over and join in the conversation, search for answers, or lend your expertise to other members of our community. You check out some of the threads below:

If you're not already a member of the iMore Forums, register now!



Apple's more organized than Samsung

Posted: 29 Aug 2012 07:16 PM PDT

The above image shows an SSID some poor, frustrated member of the press used to express his or her frustration at trying to cover Samsung's Android and Windows Phone event live today at IFA 2012.

Clearly, if there's one thing Samsung isn't copying from Apple it's how to give a keynote. At the Galaxy S3 event, a female Samsung executive did the PR equivalent of spit take after hearing Samsung's new, tinkle-like audio tone, presumable for the first time.

At Unpacked today, Twitter seems to be of the collective opinion a male Samsung executive actually uttered an expletive on stage -- "We heard a lot of [beep] about sharing tonight."

It's a pity because some of the devices Samsung showed off look interesting, if not a little familiar...



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