iPhone Atlas: Apple iPhone tips, how-tos, troubleshooting, and news - CNET Reviews

New 'Star Wars' app: These are the Droids you're looking for

Rick Broida — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:17:51 PST

Star Wars Pit Droids.

(Credit: Screenshot by Rick Broida)

At first blush, Star Wars Pit Droids might seem like a hasty attempt to cash in on the theatrical re-release of "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace."

Instead, it's merely the appropriately timed app version of a Windows game that debuted almost 13 years ago. And you know what? It's as terrific now as it was then.

The droids in Pit Droids are the saucer-headed ones you saw clanking around Tatooine before the Pod Race. Owing to some shoddy programming, all they can do is march single-file in one direction. Watto (remember him?) assigns you to deploy directional arrows to get the droids to their proper destination.

Simple premise, challenging execution. Each level consists of a tiled grid, and to earn the maximum number of stars, you have to create the shortest route from A to B, using the fewest number of tiles.

It's easygoing for the first couple levels, but before long you're having to direct different-color droids to different destinations using specialized arrows, all while avoiding obstacles and preventing collisions.

The... [Read more]

Advanced task managers on iOS

Jason Parker — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:00:00 PST

(Credit: CNET)

There must be hundreds, if not thousands, of to-do-list management apps in the iTunes App Store, but which one should you choose?

I found a couple of new task management apps recently that add something extra to the category. But using them made me realize that an old favorite of mine still stood up to the test of time and remains a great choice for lists and tasks.

It's no secret that many people like to use lists to get through daily projects, but when you have a task manager on your iPhone, you get handy additions like alerts, notifications, and editable tasks when your goals change. Whether you're just making a grocery list or planning a big business project, a good task management app can focus your efforts and keep you on point for success.

This week's iOS apps are all to-do-list managers that go the extra mile to simplify your projects. The first is an old favorite of mine that separates tasks into color-coded tabs and lets you store notes and ideas. The second turns your task list into a role-playing game with experience, leveling, and loot to reward your hard work. The third relies on simplicity and excellent design to make task management easy.

Color-coded categories make it easy to get the lists you want immediately.

(Credit: Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET)

... [Read more]

Unsubscribe from junk mail with PaperKarma

Jason Cipriani — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:27:04 PST

According to PaperKarma, the average U.S. household receives 850 pieces of junk mail each year. That's a ton of wasted paper.

PaperKarma, a multiplatform mobile app, allows you to snap a picture of the junk mail sitting on your counter, upload it, and never worry about receiving anything from that company again. It couldn't be easier.

You will need to create an account with PaperKarma, handing over some personal information such as a phone number and the address you're receiving junk mail at. After the initial setup, the process to submit a request is all of two steps.

(Credit: Screenshot by Jason Cipriani)

Take a picture of the offending mail. You don't need to include any of your personal information in the picture, but make sure the company information is clearly visible.

(Credit: Screenshot by Jason Cipriani)

Submit the picture to PaperKarma. From here, you will see the request as pending until you have successfully been unsubscribed.

After submitting a picture to PaperKarma, it will send an unsubscribe request to the company in the picture. Once the request has been processed, you will receive an alert on your device letting you know you have been unsubscribed.

The app is available for iOS, ... [Read more]

Hands-on with the snappy Gizmon iCA iPhone case

Shawn Low — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:27:12 PST

Snap! The Gizmon iCA makes your iPhone look like a vintage camera.

(Credit: Shawn Low/CNET Asia)

YOKOHAMA, Japan--We've previously reported on the Gizmon iCA, an iPhone case that makes your smartphone look like a vintage rangefinder. The company was at the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show, and we learned it has plans to launch a whole system of special-effect lenses and accessories for its flagship case soon.

New filters and accessories are coming for the Gizmon iCA.

(Credit: Shawn Low/CNET Asia)

In addition to the fisheye and macro lenses already available, future attachments will include tele, wide, tunnel effector, mirage, and circular polarizing special-effects filters. Sure, some of these effects could be easily reproduced using apps, but doing it the old-fashioned way and getting it right the first time without post-processing has a certain appeal. Other accessories include a car stand, mounted flash unit, mini tripod, remote shutter release, and silencer.

Admittedly, we're fans of vintage film cameras and therefore found the iCA case to be pretty interesting during our brief hands-on with it. The prospect of "pimping" our smartphones is irresistible, especially with a range of optional attac... [Read more]

Apple, Samsung own 95 percent of all mobile phone profits

Lance Whitney — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:01:39 PST

(Credit: Samsung,Apple)

Apple and Samsung together hoovered up more than 95 percent of mobile phone profits last quarter, leaving little left for other players, says Canaccord Genuity analyst Michael Walkley.

Actually, there wasn't a whole lot left for Samsung, either, once Apple was done with things.

With strong demand for the iPhone 4S, Apple alone took home around 80 percent of all mobile phone profits in the fourth quarter, up from just 56 percent in the third quarter, according to the analyst. Yet the company holds just 8.1 percent of the global mobile phone market.

At the same time, Samsung's share of industry profits shrank to 15 percent from 26 percent, but its share of Android customers jumped to 39 percent from 35 percent.

For the quarter, Apple sold 37 million iPhones, helping it ring up overall earnings of $13 billion. Samsung didn't reveal how many smartphones it sold, but one analyst pegged the number as high as 35 million.

Apple and Samsung spent the better part of 2011 battling each other for the top crown. C... [Read more]

Apps Builder helps repackage Web sites as mobile apps

Stephen Shankland — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:07:23 PST

Apps Builder lets people create basic apps that will run on multiple mobile devices as well as on the Web.

(Credit: Apps Builder)

In the battle between native apps and Web sites, an Italian startup called Apps Builder wants to help those on the Web side defect to the enemy.

The company offers a subscription-based Web service that converts Web sites into mobile applications. Last month it added Windows Phone app support to its earlier options--iOS, Android, HTML-based Web apps, and Chrome Web apps. And it's seeing some significant usage of its service.

Specifically, the company just passed the milestone of 20,000 apps developed through Apps Builder, and those apps have been downloaded a million times from their various app stores, said Chief Financial Officer Alessandro Perrone.

The tool costs $19 per application per month for the basic service, $49 per application per month for the advanced service, or $799 per application per year for the professional service in which the company does the app migration itself.

There's also a free version that creates only a Web-app version of the app; it also includes a banner touting the company that's removed for the paid versions.

Apple snatches a victory in Motorola patent wars

Lance Whitney — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:39:45 PST

Apple has finally scored a win in its never-ending patent battles with Motorola Mobility.

A German judge today found that the iPhone maker did not infringe on a Motorola patent related to wireless technology, according to Florian Mueller's Foss Patents legal blog.

The patent in question covers 3G/UMTS wireless communications and in tech jargon refers to a "method and system for generating a complex pseudonoise sequence for processing a code division multiple access [CDMA] signal."

Motorola had argued that any use of 3G/UMTS by Apple would violate the patent. But Judge Andreas Voss was unconvinced, finding that Motorola failed to provide evidence that any Apple products had adopted the specific invention either through hardware or software code.

"Since the asserted patent claim is centered around the 'means' used to generate a number that optimizes wireless transmissions, the court would have wanted to see proof that Apple's products contain such 'means,'" explained Mueller. "[Motorola Mobility] didn't show any kind of actual implementation (neither hardware nor software), and arguing merely on the basis of the specifications of the standard was insufficient to win."

... [Read more]

iTunes customers reportedly under threat from digital thieves

Joe Aimonetti — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:15:59 PST

A number of iTunes users are reportedly receiving refunds after having their iTunes Store accounts cleaned out by thieves, with the underlying issue of how it happened remaining unresolved.

The firsthand stories are a little disturbing to say the least. Users posting on Apple's Support Community have been reporting that their iTunes accounts and information have been hacked, resulting in gift card and other purchases and changes to their personal information.

(Credit: Apple)

According to a report from The Global Mail, Apple's iTunes accounts have been susceptible to hacker attacks for some time. Users have been complaining for more than a year about a relatively similar issue--namely, an account is accessed without permission, any gift card credit available is spent on apps, and information, including PayPal account information, is used and/or changed.

Those are some serious issues. But Apple is only responding with a generic statement:

"Apple takes precautions to safeguard your personal information against loss, theft, and misuse, as well as against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction," the company said in a statement issued to The Globe and Mail. "Apple online services such as the Apple Online Store and iTune... [Read more]

iHome ships new, budget-friendly mini Bluetooth speakers

David Carnoy — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:36:00 PST

iHome's iDM11 retails for $69.99 and has speakerphone capabilities.

(Credit: iHome)

We saw iHome's new portable Bluetooth speakers last month at CES, and both models, the iDM8 and iDM11, looked pretty nice.

They're shipping now and available for $59.99 and $69.99, respectively.

The iDM8 comes in red and black for $59.99 (click to enlarge).

(Credit: iHome)

The spherical iDM8, which comes in black as well (for some reason iHome's only showing the red version on its Web site), seems to be the more travel- and bag-friendly. But, as you can see from the specs, the iDM11 has a built-in microphone and speakerphone capabilities, a plus.

(Credit: iHome)

We'll let you know how both models sound when we get our hands on review samples. ... [Read more]

Navigation app Waze gets limited voice controls

Rafe Needleman — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:00:00 PST

Waze's newest update lets you control the app, a little, with a wave and a word.

(Credit: Screenshot by Rafe Needleman/CNET)

The great, free car navigation app Waze (see Rafe Recommends) is getting an update today that gives it a limited hands-free, voice-controlled interface.

Waze is now perhaps the only app to use the phone's promixity sensor to turn on the input interface, since Google removed that feature from its iPhone Search app. A wave of the hand over the iPhone brings up the voice control prompt.

Waze only accepts a limited set of voice commands. You can navigate to two pre-sets ("Drive to home," and "drive to work"), and you can create traffic alerts, to tell other Waze users about traffic jams, hazards, or police sightings.

It is a fun little update, but more tantalizing than truly useful. Other than your home or work, you can't use voice to enter an address or location while on the move, even if it's a pre-set. So much for "navigate to school," for parents going to get their kids. And while use of the proximity sensor is nice, apps can have useful and safe eyes-off controls without it: The podcast app Downcast uses a double-tap to pause and resume playback, and broad gestures for functions like rewind.

One upside of the extremely limited vocabulary is tha... [Read more]

Apple's iOS 5.1 update rumored to launch March 9

Lance Whitney — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:19:37 PST

(Credit: Screenshot by CNET)

Apple's been mum lately about iOS 5.1, but new rumors suggest the update could launch on March 9.

Digging into profiles sent by Apple to various iPhone carriers, blog site YourDailyMac found a pointer to 09Mar2012 in one of the text strings. Aimed for operators in Japan, France, Greece, Finland, and Sweden, the profile files are designed to ensure that network connections will continue to work after iOS devices are updated to the latest version. The files are also said to be compatible with iOS 5.1, according to YourDailyMac.

Of course, like most rumors, this one should be taken with a grain of salt. Apple is usually too secretive to reveal a launch date in a simple text string. And even assuming the date has specific significance, it doesn't necessarily mean that's when iOS 5.1 will see the light of day.

Yet the timing would be right if Apple wants to coincide the release of IOS 5.1 with the launch of the iPad 3. The next version of the tablet is reportedly due to hit the market sometime next month. Fellow blog site The Verge has even latched onto March 9 as a potential launch date for the new tablet and February 29 as the unveiling date, with 2012 being a leap year.[Read more]

Fix home button delays on iOS devices

Topher Kessler — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:42:56 PST

The home button on Apple's iOS devices not only brings you to the home screen to see your apps, but is also used to bring up the multitasking menu and wake the device from sleep, which makes it one of the most frequently used buttons on the device.

Usually the button is quite responsive and will quit to the main menu after a short period of time, but at times when you press the button there can be a delay or it can even take a couple of tries before it responds.

If the home button on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch is not working as it used to, there are a couple of things you can try to get it working again:

To calibrate the home button, open a built-in program (1), hold the power button (2) until the red slider appears, and then press the home button (3) until the slider disappears.

(Credit: Screenshot by Topher Kessler)

Reboot the device Generally people rarely fully reboot their iOS devices and instead set them in sleep or standby mode when not in use, which is convenient but might allow any problems that occur to not be properly cleared over time, resulting in odd slowdowns or other unwanted behavior. Therefore, the first thing to try is to reboot the system by holding down the sleep/wake button on the side of the device until you see the red slide contro... [Read more]

Rumor: Siri to add Japanese, Mandarin, Russian next month

Joe Aimonetti — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:30:58 PST

According to a new rumor, Siri may gain support for Japanese, Mandarin, and Russian as early as next month.

(Credit: Image composite by Joe Aimonetti)

The news comes from a Chinese technology news site, DoNews (via Penn Olson), claiming to have spoken to an Apple engineer working on the Chinese-language version of Apple's voice-controlled personal assistant, Siri. The source told DoNews that internal testing has already begun and should result in a public product by next month.

With Apple widely expected to release a new iPad model next month (one that should include Siri functionality), having Chinese (Mandarin), Japanese, and Russian in Siri's arsenal should help broaden the already popular appeal of the iPad (and future iPhones).

The rumor also suggests that Siri will be capable of providing local information and navigation, a function that is currently only available in the U.S.

iPhone bug enables FaceTime, shows names on locked phones

Josh Lowensohn — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:05:32 PST

A new trick lets you begin FaceTime calls on locked iPhones that have voice dialing disabled.

(Credit: Apple)

iPhones that have been password-protected and have voice dialing deactivated can still make FaceTime video calls, as well as disclose basic information about a person's list of contacts.

The security loophole, which is present in the latest version of Apple's iOS 5.0.1 software, was discovered earlier this week by Canadian tech writer Ade Barkah, who posted details about it on his blog. CNET confirmed it working on three different iPhones, including the iPhone 4 and 4S.

In short, it works like this: If you've got your iPhone set to what are basically the highest security settings--passcode required immediately, as well as voice dial and simple passcode off--you can still make FaceTime calls through the iPhone's emergency call feature using Voice Control.

Barkah discovered that even when voice dialing is disabled, you can get it to work from emergency call screen, the feature designed to let you call 911 or any other phone number without providing access to other parts of the phone.

There is one big snag though--voice calls won't actually go through. You can, however keep guessing first names of people who might be in the phone book, and if you find a match, you can initiate a FaceTime call ... [Read more]

Disguise your iPhone as old Apple products

Bonnie Cha — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:57:39 PST

Miss your iMac? Dress your iPhone up as one.

(Credit: Schreer Delights)

If you're an Apple fan feeling nostalgic for the days of your old iMac or classic iPod, you might want to snatch up one of these retro cases for your iPhone.

(Credit: Schreer Delights)

Schreer Delights offers a set of iPhones designed to look like old Apple products, including the iMac G3, Power Mac G4, and first-gen iPod. We particularly like the old-school Macintosh model, which includes such details as vent grooves and an SCSI port.

Compatible with the iPhone 4 and 4S, the cases give you access to the smartphone's ports and camera. Schreer Delights says the graphics are printed deep into the case's surface, so they won't fade, peel, or chip.

That said, we suspect the folks in Cupertino may have something to say about the unauthorized use of their intellectual property, so if you fancy one of these cases, you might want to grab one soon. Each case costs $44.95.

(Via Core 77)

[Read more]

iPhone turned hockey puck survives 82 mph slapshot

Eric Mack — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:39:02 PST

Because sometimes Siri is just a little too snarky...

(Credit: Screenshot by Eric Mack/CNET)

If you've ever wanted to take out the day's frustrations on your iPhone, go grab the nearest hockey stick and get ready to vent.

Today, G-Form--the Rhode Island company behind heavy-duty iPad covers that it likes to test by dropping tablets from great heights--is debuting its first rugged protective cases for the iPhone 4 and 4S. True to form, the product demonstration for the new "X-Protect" case is pretty punishing.

Check out the video below to see the $39.95 case turned into a puck and surviving what G-Form claims is an 82 mph slapshot. The iPhone case is also available in different colors and in an "Extreme Grid" design. It can be preordered now and is set to arrive by the end of the month.

[Read more]

Apple to iPhone developers: No more low-res screenshots

Josh Lowensohn — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:05:43 PST

(Credit: Apple)

The screen resolution shared by the first three iPhones and iPod Touches is expected to be phased out eventually, but in a new note to developers, the company appears to want to move that process along--at least on its digital storefront.

In an e-mail to developers today, republished by The Next Web, Apple notes that it now requires developers to include high-resolution screenshots of their applications when submitting them for approval, something that was previously optional:

When you create or update your apps in iTunes Connect, you must upload screenshots that are high-resolution. We require your screenshots as high-resolution images so that your app is optimized for the Retina display.

The requirements for high-resolution images are 960 x 640, 960 x 600, 640 x 960, or 640 x 920 pixels. Images must be at least 72 dpi, in the RGB color space, and the file must be .jpeg, .jpg, .tif, .tiff, or .png. You can update your screenshot files at any time in iTunes Connect.

While seemingly a minor detail, it's of special note given that Apple continues to sell only one iPhone-sized device with the non-Retina (480 by 320 pixel) display: the iPhone 3GS. It's expected that Apple will continue to sell that device up until it releases a new iPhone model, whi... [Read more]

Siri brings nearly 25 percent of Wolfram Alpha traffic

Joe Aimonetti — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:50:01 PST

According to a report by the New York Times, nearly 25 percent of the traffic handled by search engine Wolfram Alpha comes from Siri, Apple's voice-controlled personal assistant software.

(Credit: Apple)

Apple announced a partnership with Wolfram Alpha in October when it released the iPhone 4S and introduced Siri. Wolfram Alpha differs from other search engines in that its results are based on data curated by Wolfram Alpha, not on algorithms attempting to sort the Web like Google or Bing.

Despite early criticism of Wolfram Alpha's self-described "computational knowledge engine," including its initial focus on mathematical and scientific data, the once-small company has grown to a team of over 200 and is on the cusp of releasing Wolfram Alpha Pro, which company creator Stephen Wolfram calls "Step 2, the next step of what can be done with this approach."

Wolfram can thank Apple for some of his search engine's recent popularity as Siri uses the databases to offer comparisons asked for by iPhone 4S users. But Apple is not the only company that likes what Wolfram is offering. Microsoft licenses the Wolfram Alpha technology, as do several other companies that contract specialized versions of the search engine for their research teams.<... [Read more]

Camalen Hexa: A unique flip case for iPhone 4/4S

David Carnoy — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:15:05 PST

The $59 Camalen Hexa turns into a swiveling stand for your iPhone (click to enlarge).

(Credit: Camalen)

Camalen is a new accessories company that makes stylish leather cases for Apple mobile products.

I highlighted one of its iPad 2 cases in our Ultimate iPad 2 case roundup, and while it makes several iPhone cases, the one I found most impressive (they're all pretty impressive) is the Hexa.

First, the leather is really nice--the case comes in multiple colors--but more interestingly, it also converts into both a vertical and horizontal stand for your iPhone.

The Hexa can prop your iPhone up in a horizontal or vertical position (click to enlarge).

(Credit: Camalen)

I'd seen the swiveling-case design in iPad cases but not in an iPhone case. What's also nice ... [Read more]

Relive computing's green-screen glory days in The Hacker for iOS

Rick Broida — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:33:07 PST

In The Hacker, you must solve various mini-game-style puzzles to break into servers--all while uncovering a mysterious plot.

(Credit: Screenshot by Rick Broida)

If you're old enough to remember green-screen monitors, bulletin-board systems, and the 1983 movie classic "War Games," you need to check out The Hacker for iOS.

It's a game, yes, but also a kind of love letter to fans of DOS, text adventures, ASCII games, and old-school hacking.

The app "installs" the Glider Operating System, in all its green CRT glory, on your device. Once you get past the amusingly realistic DOS-style setup screens, you'll find yourself able to connect to the Glider network, along with its mail system, Web browser, and game emulator.

(Credit: Screenshot by Rick Broida)

But this isn't just some '80s-throwback OS; there's a plot that unfurls as you poke around, one that involves the Glider Corporation itself and some disgruntled ex-programmers.

Your chief goal is to hack your way into eight global servers. Don't worry, there's no actual coding required; instead, you must solve variou... [Read more]

iPhone Atlas: Apple iPhone tips, how-tos, troubleshooting, and news - CNET Reviews

New 'Star Wars' app: These are the Droids you're looking for

Advanced task managers on iOS

Unsubscribe from junk mail with PaperKarma

Hands-on with the snappy Gizmon iCA iPhone case

Apple, Samsung own 95 percent of all mobile phone profits

Apps Builder helps repackage Web sites as mobile apps

Related stories

Apple snatches a victory in Motorola patent wars

iTunes customers reportedly under threat from digital thieves

iHome ships new, budget-friendly mini Bluetooth speakers

Navigation app Waze gets limited voice controls

Apple's iOS 5.1 update rumored to launch March 9

Fix home button delays on iOS devices

Rumor: Siri to add Japanese, Mandarin, Russian next month

Related stories

iPhone bug enables FaceTime, shows names on locked phones

Disguise your iPhone as old Apple products

iPhone turned hockey puck survives 82 mph slapshot

Apple to iPhone developers: No more low-res screenshots

Siri brings nearly 25 percent of Wolfram Alpha traffic

Camalen Hexa: A unique flip case for iPhone 4/4S

Relive computing's green-screen glory days in The Hacker for iOS