Apple has given little attention to updating the app switcher in its iOS since its introduction in iOS 4, so interface designer @Sentry_NC has tried his hand at developing a new concept for fast app switching in iOS.
In October, he introduced a mockup of iOS app switcher on The Verge forum, which takes advantage of the elongated screen on the iPhone 5 and provides easy access to app management tools and settings.
According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Google is developing its own phone via its recently acquired Motorola Mobility unit. The smartphone, which the company plans to release next year, will compete more strongly with Samsung’s Galaxy line and iPhone, than Motorola’s current line of smartphones.
In late November, research company Kantar Worldpanel reported that strong debut of the iPhone 5 allowed Apple to retake the lead in the U.S. sales from Android. Over the August-October timeframe, Apple's share of the market was assessed at 48.1% compared to Android's share of 46.7%.
At the time, the company predicted that IOS share would continue to increase and Apple would hit a record high for market share on the strength of iPhone 5 sales over the following two 12-week periods.
Apple began construction of a new operational center covering an area of 1 million square feet in Austin, Texas, which will contain nearly 3600 new jobs.
Passbook was one of the main features added to iOS 6, enabling companies to deliver loyalty cards, gift cards, coupons, tickets and other items to a centralized digital wallet for the iPad touch and iPhone.
Although the feature is handy addition that utilizes time and location-based awareness to help you use Passbook passes when needed, it is not a true digital wallet based on hardware technologies such as field communications (NFC).
WhatsApp Messenger is a cross-platform smartphone messenger currently available for iPhone and all other smartphones. The application utilizes push notifications to instantly get messages from friends, colleagues and family. Switch from SMS to exchange messages, pictures, audio notes and video messages with WhatsApp users at no cost. All features are included without the need for extra in-application purchases.
Manufacturers of components for the second-generation iPad mini are preparing to introduce on the market sooner than expected. It is evidenced by one analyst, although the exact dates are uncertain, since Apple is planning to complete the global deployment of the first-generation model.According to research of Doug Freedman analyst from RBC Capital Markets, chip manufacturers are already preparing for the development of the second generation iPad mini, reports Brooke Crothers from CNET.
According to the report from Taiwan’s Central News Agency, citing a source from Foxconn, the supplier is currently testing several designs for Apple’s HDTV sets, but it is "unlikely" that the product will be shipped in 2013.
Google added to its Google Play music service a new song matching service that is similar to iTunes Match. This means that users will no longer have to spend plenty of time uploading gigabytes of music as it was previously.
It is worth noting that users do not have to pay subscription fee for Google's matching service like with Apple and Amazon’s services. Last month this service was released for European Google Play, so this launch is new for U.S. users.
Brazilian electronics manufacturer IGB Electronica SA announced a new line of Android-based smartphones under the IPHONE trademark, which was applied for in Brazil back in 2000. Reuters notes:
Using this tutorial you will be able to create a custom firmware, tether jailbreak iOS 6.0.1 running on iPod Touch 4G. This tutorial uses Sn0wBreeze 2.9.7 for Windows.
Tethered jailbreak means that each time you restart your device you will need to connect it to a computer and run iBooty.
According to the report from The Wall Street Journal, Apple is in preliminary discussions with Foursquare, company behind popular location-based app, for a data-sharing deal. The report notes that Apple SVP Eddy Cue is participating in negotiations with a view to improve the app that has failed to meet Apple’s expectations. WSJ said:
Jeff Huber reported in a Google+ blog post that Google Maps for iOS was downloaded over 10 million times within two days after the app appeared in the App Store.
Google Maps was keenly anticipated by users who were not satisfied with Apple’s built-in Maps app over its rampant errors. Criticism over Apple’s mapping solution led to public apology from Tim Cook and the restructing of iOS software team.