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Does each color in Apple’s WWDC logo represent a redesigned app?

Rounak Jain — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:45:05 +0000

Apple’s known to hide subtle clues in its event invites each year, so this year shouldn’t be any different. The WWDC logo this year was a series of brightly colored roundrects stacked over each other. Some folks said that the shape hinted at an iWatch, while others noted that this is a sign of the “flattening” of iOS. However the logo might mean something entirely different. Entrepreneur Joshua Merrill came up with the theory that each colored roundrect in the logo represents a redesigned app. He bases this theory on information about iOS 7′s redesign that leaked out earlier today, which said “each app has a white base with a respective color theme.” What further supports this theory is that iOS app icons are the same shape as the series of stacked objects in the logo. The colors in the invite are pink/purple, green, orange, red, violet, blue, light blue and yellow. Green is known to be associated with Messages or Phone, blue with the App Store or Mail, violet with the Podcasts app, the pinkish purple with the iTunes app and orange with the music app. Your guesses as to what color scheme would each stock app use? (Keep in mind that there might be an entirely new “killer” stock app introduced at WWDC, according to some rumors.) Also see: Did Apple make fun of iWatch rumors in the latest iPhone ad? Continue reading →

Did Apple make fun of iWatch rumors in the latest iPhone ad?

Rounak Jain — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:10:24 +0000

Last night, Apple posted a new iPhone ad titled “Music Every Day” on their YouTube channel, which shows users using their iPhone to listen to music at school, in the shower, at the gym, at a club etc. Folks at 9to5Mac point out that at around the 30th second in the ad, a man tapping on the table while listening to music on his iPhone, is wearing a watch with a large display. If you look closely at the device, it looks like a fake watch. We may be reading too much into it, but it looks like someone at Apple decided to make fun of the iWatch rumors that have picked up steam this year. Continue reading →

Smarter Stand Clips: The world’s most portable iPad stand [Deals Hub]

StackSocial — Fri, 24 May 2013 19:45:02 +0000

The Smart Cover is one of the best iPad accessories on the market but it’s way too limiting as an iPad stand. Today’s iPhone Hacks Deals offer is for an accessory that will take your iPad to new heights…literally. These *Smarter Stand Clips *turn your cover into a fully functional powerhouse that will put your iPad into perfect positions for surfing the web, watching a movie, or chatting with a friend. And for a limited time we’ve got them for just $14.99. (Please note: Promotion available to US customers only and does not include iPad cover or case. This promotion includes 3 Smarter Stand Clips and 3 non-slip pads only.) Here’s what people have had to say about it: “Just the kind of gadget we like: cheap, simple and ingenious.” – Cult of Mac “Turns iPad Smart Cover into smarter cover.” – CNET “Meet Smarter Stand, a new way to hold up your iPad.” – Mashable The key features of Smarter Stand Clips include: 3 new ergonomic viewing angles for the iPad Sleek, minimalist, and easy to use No added bulk but a ton of added functionality The clips live on your Smart Cover so you always have your stand with you when you need it Compatible with iPad Smart Cover, iPad Smart Case, and iPad mini Smart Cover The Smarter Stand Clips are available in both black (click here) and dark grey (click here). You’ll get 1 set of 3 clear Smart Cover clips and 1 set of 3 non-slip pads with your purchase. This offer won’t be around for very long – so get it while the getting is good. Pick up the Smarter Stand Clips from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub for just $14.99 before your time runs out! Subscribe to our mailing list Continue reading →

Apple drops prices of refurbished iPads

Rounak Jain — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:46:06 +0000

Apple has quietly dropped prices of all refurbished iPad 4 and iPad mini variants on its online store. Refurb iPad mini models now start at $279 while refurb iPad 4 models start at $419. iPad mini 16GB Wi-Fi: $299 -> $279 32GB Wi-Fi: $389 -> $359 64GB Wi-Fi: $489 -> $439 16GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $429 -> $389 32GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $519 -> $469 64GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $619 -> $549 iPad 4 16GB Wi-Fi: $449 -> $419 32GB Wi-Fi: $549 -> $499 64GB Wi-Fi: $649 -> $579 16GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $579 -> $529 32GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $679 -> $609 64GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $779 -> $689 Refurb models now amount to a discount of at least 15 percent on the original price of iPads, and come with a 1 year warranty. Apple notes that all refurb units are tested and certified, and each unit ships with a new battery and outer shell. You can order refurb iPad minis from here, and refurb iPad 4s from here. Also see: Best Buy offering $50 discount on all iPhones Via: MacRumors Continue reading →

Best Buy to offer $50 discount on iPhones from Sunday, May 26

iPhoneHacks — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:52:39 +0000

If you’re planning to buy the iPhone sometime soon, then you may want to hold off until Sunday as Best Buy is planning to offer a $50 discount. AllThingsD reports that Best Buy will be offering a $50 discount on the iPhone 5, iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 for four weeks starting this Sunday. From AllThingsD: The company is also doing some shorter-term promotions over Memorial Day, cutting the price on several popular but older Android models. From May 26 to June 1, Best Buy is selling Samsung’s Galaxy S III for $49 on AT&T or Sprint, a $50 price cut. Meanwhile, it is offering the HTC Droid DNA for Verizon for $49 ($150 savings) and the HTC One X on AT&T for free (a $100 price cut.) The $50 discount is applicable when you buy an iPhone with a two-year contract. We’re also assuming it will be available across all carriers. Best Buy had offered a similar discount earlier in the year and late last year, but the offers were valid just for a few days. Continue reading →

More details on iOS 7′s flat redesign

iPhoneHacks — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:51:56 +0000

It has been widely speculated that Apple will give us a sneak peak at iOS 7, the next generation mobile operating system for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch at the WWDC 2013 Keynote on June 10. Last month, 9to5Mac revealed that iOS 7 codenamed Innsbruck will feature a “fresh look” with a “very, very flat” interface. The overhaul is being led by Jony Ive, Apple’s SVP of Industrial Design, who took over the design of iOS 7 from Scott Forstall. 9to5Mac provides some more details about the changes we can expect in iOS 7, based on information it has received from its sources. iOS 7 will feature a “black, white, and flat all over” design instead of the heavy textures that iOS users are accustomed to. Ive has apparently stated in meeting that he believes that designs filled with physical metaphors, which is popularly called as skeuomorphism “does not stand the test of time”. Lock Screen Apple plans to replace the “shiny, transparent time bar” on the top of the Lock screen with “a shine-free, black interface.” The square-grid for entering the passcode will be replaced with “round, black buttons with white text and white borders.” It looks like users will finally be able to dismiss notifications on the lock screen with gestures. 9to5Mac says “overall, the Lock screen is different than what users have become accustomed to, but it functions in a similar manner.” Notifications Notification center will sport a “dark/black color background with white text” instead of the dark linen background. Notification center will come with new widgets for localized news feed and quick access to Settings toggles for Wi-Fi, Airplane Mode, and Bluetooth etc. Home screen App icons will come with rounded edges like we have currently, but will “lose shine, shadows and gloss.” App icons of most of the stock iOS apps have been redesigned with “flatter, less-skeuomorphic textures.” The Game Center app icon will “lose the green felt and chess pieces”. You will be able to add panoramic wallpapers, which sounds like the scrolling live wallpaper available on Android. Other changes Navigation and tab bars have been redesigned to remove gradient textures and may instead come with a “slight blurring effect”. Status bar is likely to be less transparent than the one in iOS 6. The system-wide virtual keyboard may get a minor design change. The design is “a lighter shade of grey and does not include shadowing.” Apps Not surprisingly, the stock apps have been redesigned to fit iOS 7′s white, black, and flat theme. The shredding animation when you delete a Passbook has been removed. The Notes app will sport a “flat white look” instead of yellow notepad like design. Mail, Calendar and Maps app will also sport a “more uniformed look with flat white textures.” 9to5Mac goes on to add that “while the core elements of those apps are mostly white, each app has been given a unique button color. Essentially, each app has a white base with a respective color theme.” The Calendar app may come with red button, whereas the Messages app may come with green controls. App Store, Newsstand, Game Center, Safari, Camera, and Weather apps will also come with “significant transformations.” The Weather app will come with animations to highlight rain, sun or snow. According to their source the Calendar app may look something like below design, which was posted on Dribbble. The iPhone will come with a standalone app for FaceTime like the iPad and iPod touch to avoid confusion. New features: 9to5Mac hasn’t revealed any new features in the latest report. It reiterates the features it had reported previously such as: Flickr and Vimeo integration Optimized in-car support for Maps and Siri integration 9to5Mac says that iOS 7 will be released along with the launch of new hardware later this fall. Though Apple has added tons of new features in iOS with every major update, it hasn’t made any major improvements in the UI, it is looking outdated and it is high time Apple re-imagines the user interface in iOS 7. It looks like Apple is not going to disappoint us this time. What do you think of the changes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Via 9to5Mac Continue reading →

AT&T’s new administrative fee will make the company half a billion dollars richer every year

Stefan Constantinescu — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:30:50 +0000

If you’re on AT&T, then starting this month you’re going to see an extra $0.61 fee added to your phone bill under the line item “administrative fee”. According to 9to5Mac, this fee helps “cover certain expenses, such as interconnection and cell site rents and maintenance.” Now let’s do some math, shall we? AT&T has over 70 million customers who are on post-paid contracts. So that’s $0.61 per month multiplied by 12 months in a year multiplied by 70 million. The answer is $512,400,000. No, that’s not a typo, that’s half a billion dollars. The Tech Block notes that since AT&T has changed the terms of your contract by adding this new fee, you’re technically allowed to terminate your contract without facing any penalties. And you know what? You should. Earlier today there was a story on MacRumors that said AT&T was going to bring 4G LTE to their prepaid plan. For $65 per month you get unlimited talking, texting, and 1 GB of data. If you’re not a heavy data user, then switch. Same network, lower price. You’ll have to buy your next iPhone full unlocked and unsubsidized, which will cost you over $600, but you more than make up for it by having a lower monthly bill. Continue reading →

Video: Jon Stewart rips Apple a new one over their tax situation

Stefan Constantinescu — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:30:49 +0000

The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart poked quite a bit of fun at Apple last night. The show featured a skit showing the American government trying to figure out how to make Apple happy, which is confusing, since Apple should just do what everyone else does and pay their taxes. The Daily Show with Jon StewartGet More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Indecision Political Humor,The Daily Show on Facebook Here’s Apple’s current situation in a nutshell: Like every other American company, they setup holding companies in countries where the taxes are more favorable. So say for example Apple needs to buy some boxes. A lot of boxes. They open Apple Incorporated in a country where sales tax is next to nothing, buys a whole bunch of boxes, and then ships them to where they’re needed. It’s obviously a little bit more nuanced than that, and I’m not even going to pretend to understand how a multinational corporation the size of Apple gets taxed, but they, like every other company, uses loopholes to minimize what they have to pay. You’ve probably heard about Apple’s recent debt offering. Apple, a company with over $100 billion in the bank, borrowed money so they could pay shareholders a nice fat dividend. Why didn’t Apple just pay them with money from their own bank accounts? Because those bank accounts are in other countries, and bringing that money into America would cause it to be taxed at some absurd rate. In other words, it’s cheaper for Apple to pay people with cash they’ve borrowed than their own money due to how the laws are setup. Pretty crazy, eh? Continue reading →

Apple posts new iPhone ad “Music Every Day”

iPhoneHacks — Fri, 24 May 2013 02:46:50 +0000

Apple has posted a new ad called “Music Every Day” on their YouTube channel. Just like the “Photos Every Day” iPhone ad, which showed people taking photos in a farm, at a beach, at a concert, while roller skating, while jogging etc., the new ad shows people listening to music on their iPhone. The ad ends with a quote “Every day, more people enjoy their music on the iPhone than any other phone.” I was quite disappointed with the “Brilliant” and “Discover” tv ads, but I’m loving this ad campaign. Check out the ad below and let me know what you think. Continue reading →

iPhone 5S, low-cost iPhone said to be coming in multiple colors [Report]

iPhoneHacks — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:52:23 +0000

Japanese blog Macotakara claims that it has received information about the next generation iPhone, unofficially dubbed iPhone 5S, the low-cost or the budget iPhone and iPad 5 from its sources. Here are the details: iPhone 5S Macotakara claims that iPhone 5S will come in multiple colors just like the 5th generation iPod touch. The site claims that iPhone 5S will also be available in gold and green. iPhone 5S will also come with dual-LED flash. The pill shaped microphone hole will become circular, which will be placed between the camera and dual-LED flash. Budget iPhone The cheaper iPhone will also come in multiple colors. However, Macotakara has received conflicting information from its sources about the colors. One source says it will come in navy, gold orange, white, and gray, whereas another insists that it will come in white, pink, green, blue, and yellow orange. So it looks like it won’t be available in black. Apple will start trial production of the cheaper iPhone from June and start ramping up production in July to gear up for the launch in September. iPad 5 We had seen an extra hole in the leaked iPad mini prototypes, however it did not make it to the 1st generation iPad mini. Macotakara says that the hole was for an additional microphone, which will be included in the iPad 5. The new iPad will ship after the launch of iPhone 5S. iPhone 5S is widely expected to look similar to the iPhone 5, but will come with improved internals such as a faster processor, improved camera system (12-megapixel camera with improve night-shooting and HDR) and may also include new features such as the fingerprint sensor and NFC chip. Apple is expected to launch the budget iPhone for emerging markets, which could be priced at $250-$350. However, some reports have claimed that it will be launched in 2014. According to rumores, the next iPad will be thinner and lighter than the iPad 4 and will most likely be launched in October. Continue reading →