By Daniel Rasmus
As San Diego Comic-Con approaches, IDW Publishing has launched its next generation of comic apps for iOS. If you are a comic reader in general, you will probably want the IDW Comics app (free), which also integrates with existing Comixology purchases (this appears a bit glitchy at launch).
By Jim Karpen
On Monday, June 8, Apple will offer a live-streamed keynote address to kick off the 2015 Worldwide Developers Conference. Apple is expected to announce some exciting new products and services. And we'll get a preview of iOS 9. The purpose of the week-long conference is to introduce developers to Apple's new platforms, or to new features on existing platforms, and to teach them how to program for these platforms. iPhone life will be covering the keynote, and you can follow us on our live coverage page and on Twitter Here's a roundup of what we can expect from the keynote, which will begin at 10 a.m. PST.
By Todd Bernhard
Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference is less than two weeks away, but Google's is just ending. They made a lot of announcements and some of them will have an impact on the iOS world. Here are some of the most important and relevant items, in addition to fingerprint-based authentication and Android Pay which we covered earlier.
By Jim Karpen
As the June 8-12 Worldwide Developers Conference approaches—and the anticipated announcement of iOS 9—we're seeing a lot of rumors related to iOS 9 and the forthcoming iPhone, which many are expecting to be called the iPhone 6s.
By Todd Bernhard
Apple may not want third parties to take advantage of the hidden diagnostics port behind the Apple Watch's band connector, but that hasn't stopped Apple from using it. In some leaked photos, a Brazilian blog (blogdoiphone.com) shows how Apple's own display stands keep those Apple Watches charged while running demos.
By Todd Bernhard
Ever since Steve Jobs was quoted in Walt Isaacson's Jobs biography as having "nailed" the television dilemma, and really before then, Apple watchers have been looking for an integrated Apple television set. I never thought it was practical, as the TV set market is pretty cutthroat, with newer entries like Vizio driving sizes up and prices down. It's hard for Apple to enter that market, make a difference, and charge a consistently profitable price. But where they could leverage their expertise is in user interface, remote control, home automation, and thanks to their acquisition of PrimeSense (the Israeli firm behind Kinect), gestures and gaming.
By Todd Bernhard
It seems like I have been waiting for an app-enabled smartwatch since my calculator watch days in the early 1980s. I'm still waiting, because while the Apple Watch runs apps as extensions of the iPhone's screen, those apps still run on the iPhone. Apple has said that developers will be able to write apps that run natively on the Apple Watch, but it hasn't committed to a date. Perhaps June's Worldwide Developers Conference will shed some light on this limitation.
By Todd Bernhard
Act fast, because until May 16th at 11:59pm (ET) only, PowerSkin is offering their PoP'n for just $10 shipped. Technically, it's a penny with $9.99 shipping, but however you slice it, it's a good deal, since it normally lists for $49.99 plus shipping. The PowerSkin PoP'n latches on to the Lightning port (or microUSB if that's what you order) of your iPhone and sticks to the back of the phone or case. Not all cases will work with it, as you need some clearance around the lightning port, but you could always remove your case if needed. Their website lists the iPhone 5/5s/5c, but it should work with an iPhone 6.
By Todd Bernhard
The Apple Watch may not be cheap, but it could actually be a practical alternative to a CarPlay or Bluetooth-enabled stereo system. I recently added Bluetooth stereo to my old car and it cost over $200 for an entry-level model. With the right car mount, you can use your Apple Watch as a hands-free speakerphone, complete with Siri integration.
So now that the Apple Watch has been out for a while, you've likely read the reviews. Overall, they tend toward the positive but are definitely mixed. But what about regular users? A company called CrowdFlower analyzed more than 30,000 individual tweets on Twitter to get a sense for what users are saying. And a delightful video, embedded below, gives the charming reaction of 11 kids who are introduced to the Apple Watch.
By Dig Om
I had the pleasure of chatting with the folks at Super Evil Mega Corp again today, on the heels of their latest and perhaps one of their most significant update thus far. Along with congratulating them on their incredible success and the corresponding rave reviews from the core gaming community, we got to talk about their latest update and what the future holds for this ground-breaking title that has taken the gaming world by storm.
By Todd Bernhard
I gave blood today. No need to thank me, I did it for the free snacks and t-shirt. But seriously, it was an opportunity to get my heart rate measured by an expert and compare it to my Apple Watch. The good news? Both the watch and the American Red Cross nurse said my heart rate was fine. The nurse measured me at 68 Beats Per Minute and my Apple Watch measured 67 BPM, which is well within the margin of error. So I've got that going for me!
You can imagine the consternation felt by owners of a new $500 stainless steel Apple Watch when they notice scratches on the casing. According to a report on 9To5Mac, while it does indeed appear that this model is easily scratched, it can also be easily fixed. The article says that such scratching is actually common for stainless steel items and that the scratches can be removed via buffing. A video shows how it's done and gives a good before-and-after comparison of a scratched watch appearing like new again.
By Todd Bernhard
Apple often likes to go their own way. If there is a standardized solution that meets their needs, like USB-C, they may embrace it as they did with the new MacBook. Apple has also been known to work with companies like Intel to develop technologies such as Thunderbolt and Firewire. But other times, Apple is happy to blaze their own path, as they did with Lightning. Initially, it looked like the Apple Watch's magnetic charger might be as proprietary as Apple's MagSafe chargers. It now appears that the circular watch charger is based on the Qi open standard, although Apple has not confirmed this.
By Nate Adcock
We had a few minutes to preview the latest Pelican cases at CES this year, but really only a glance. We wanted to make sure we circled back and provided full reviews now that Pelican was able to send out some samples. We recently received both a Pro Gear Protector (starts at $29.99) and Voyager (starts at $37.49) series case for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, and we can confirm that these new cases provide the serious protection you want if you are dragging your device around with you everywhere. They also come with a lifetime guarantee!
