In 2010, former Apple CEO Steve Jobs said that the iPad mini was just a rumor and that the whole 7-inch tablet industry would be “dead on arrival.” Little did he know that 7-inch tablets, and the iPad mini specifically, would blow the doors off the market. Today, Google’s executive chairman, Eric Schmidt tried to put the tablet market back three years by saying that the iPad mini is “too small.”
When Apple first launched the Podcasts app, I was really exited. I love podcasts. I listen to them in the car, while I’m exercising, when I’m at work. I listen to podcasts more than I listen to the radio. After about a half hour of using Apples signature podcasting app I was disillusioned by the awkward user interface and serious lack of customization options. Today, Apple has updated Podcasts to include a number of new features that has rekindled my excitement for the podcast player. The best one is iCloud sync. I’ll never have to deal with doubles of the same episode on different devices again.
Yesterday Apple implemented an optional two-step verification system for Apple ID accounts, allowing users to set a dedicated device and use a recovery code to strengthen the security of Apple accounts. With two-step verification, it is impossible for people to access and manage your Apple ID without access to your password and a verification code sent to your “trusted” device.
If you haven’t yet activated two-step verification, your Apple ID could potentially be in jeopardy. The Verge is reporting that a new exploit has been discovered that allows anyone to reset the password of an iTunes account that does not use two-step verification.
About a year ago, the House of Representatives Committee on Infrastructure and Communications flagged Apple, Microsoft, and Adobe for what was believed to be unjustifiable high prices in Australia. Last Month, the Committee subpoenaed all three companies to offer some kind of explanation. Yesterday, the three largest tech companies gave their excuses for why Australians pay more for digital downloads than their U.S. counterparts and they blame the media industry.
Today, Reuters is reporting that Apple, Microsoft, and Adobe executives told the Committee that higher prices in Australia are due to a 10 percent goods and services tax, higher labor costs, geographical product differentiation, and copyright issues.
If you’ve ever forgotten your password, had your account hacked, or even had your iPad stolen, you’ll be happy to know that Apple has just added an additional security measure to make it nearly impossible for someone else to access your Apple ID account.
“She’s a maniac, maniac, on the floor…” Oh, sorry. I was flashing back again. It’s Friday, and that means we go back in time to stale air, soda pop, and the familiar sound of bleeps, boops, and buzzes of the arcades of our youth. Last week, we reminded you of the decade spent hiding out in your bedroom reading comic books. Archie Comics are making a comeback. Mark my words, one of these days, your middle-schooler will bring home a copy they found in the school library.
This week, we are breaking the rules just a little, but don’t worry, the game fits perfectly into the retro game genre. Jones on Fire is an endless survival game that looks like it came right out of 1984.
Apple has posted an update to its Environmental Policies website, revealing that as of today, all of its data centers run on 100 percent renewable energy, which is an impressive feat for a major company.
On the page, Apple says that its goal is to power every one of its facilities from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal. In addition to achieving 100 percent renewable energy at its data centers, Apple has also reached that goal at its facilities in Austin, Elk Grove, Cork, Munich, and at its main campus in Cupertino, California.
Last October, Vice President of iOS Software Scott Forstall left Apple, leaving a vacancy that resulted in the restructuring of the company. Jony Ive, Bob Mansfield, Eddy Cue, and Craig Federighi were all given additional responsibilities. Jony Ive, the Senior Vice President of Industrial Design, was also put in charge of the Human Interface team, which was a smart move, says The Wall Street Journal.
Apparently the new arrangement, which was made to increase collaboration, has done just that, giving software designers a better overview of what the industrial design team is working on.
For today’s Daily Deal we’ve found 17 great apps to add to your iPad collection. We have 7 productivity / entertainment apps and 10 game apps in today’s bundle.
We used our PadGadget Apps Tracker to find these great deals and we’ll continue to look for the best app deals as they pop-up. Some of these apps are up to 86% off, a couple are even free, so be sure to check them out because they are on sale for a limited time.
As of May 1st, Apple will be cracking down on App Store submissions. In a note published to app developers today, Apple revealed that it is going to begin officially rejecting new and updated apps that access the unique device identifier or UDID of an iOS device.
In addition, after May 1, newly submitted apps and app updates must be designed to support the Retina display of both the fourth generation iPad and the iPhone. Apps are also being forced to include full screen iPhone 5 support, rather than offering mere compatibility.