On Gear Live: Samsung S95C: The OLED TV You Can’t Afford (to Ignore!)

Latest Gear Live Videos

Apple releases iOS 8.0.1, fixes HealthKit, third-party keyboards, more

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,

iOS 8.0.1

EDIT: There is a bug in iOS 8.0.1 that breaks cell service and Touch ID on iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus--hold off on updating until this is fixed!

Apple has released iOS 8.0.1 (build 12A366,) bringing with it a bunch of bug fixes and improvements to the new operating system that was released a week ago. The big change is that 8.0.1 brings a fix that enables HealthKit integration, so we can expect to see apps start integrating data into the Health app shortly. Third-party keyboards have been made more reliable, as has the Reachability feature found on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Here’s the full rundown:

  • Fixes a bug so HealthKit apps can now be made available on the App Store
  • Addresses an issue where 3rd party keyboards could become deselected when a user enters their passcode
  • Fixes an issue that prevented some apps from accessing photos from the Photo Library
  • Improves the reliability of the Reachability feature on iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
  • Fixes an issue that could cause unexpected cellular data usage when receiving SMS/MMS messages
  • Better support of Ask To Buy for Family Sharing for In-App Purchases
  • Fixes an issue where ringtones were sometimes not restored from iCloud backups
  • Fixes a bug that prevented uploading photos and videos from Safari

You can download iOS 8.0.1 right now--it's a small update that took us less than 10 seconds to download. Be sure to check out our comprehensive iOS 8 review.


Advertisement

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus sell 10 million units during launch weekend

iPhone 6 Plus 10 million

If you were curious just how well Apple would do with selling larger iPhones, it turns out that the answer is, better than ever. The company has announced that it sold over 10 million iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus smartphones in the first weekend of sales. This would include the previously announced 4 million pre-orders of the device that were sold in the first 24 hours of availability. This makes it the best-selling smartphone launch of all time, beating the record of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c last year, which sold 9 million units in the first weekend. Also impressive?? Last year the iPhone 5s launched on day one in China, while this year China isn't included in the sales figures due to a delayed launch.

Due to the massive demand, it may be tough finding an iPhone 6 Plus, as supply of this model is constrained, with the Apple Store showing a 3-4 week backorder on the 5.5-inch device.

Tim Cook, Apple CEO, shared this statement:

“Sales for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus exceeded our expectations for the launch weekend, and we couldn’t be happier,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We would like to thank all of our customers for making this our best launch ever, shattering all previous sell-through records by a large margin. While our team managed the manufacturing ramp better than ever before, we could have sold many more iPhones with greater supply and we are working hard to fill orders as quickly as possible.”

In three days the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus go on sales in 20 additional countries. You can pick up the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus from Apple.

Read More | http://aos.prf.hn/click/camref:11lS/destination:http://store.apple.com/us/buy-iphone/iphone6/

Unboxing Live 146: Apple iPhone 6 Plus

Apple has released the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, and we were on hand at the Apple Store in Lynnwood, WA at the Alderwood Mall to get our hands on one of the first units (and one of the very few gold iPhone 6 Plus models that were in stock.) We open up the new iPhone 6 Plus in this episode of Unboxing Live, and give you a look at the 5.5-inch smartphone in all its glory, along with all included accessories.

If I seemed tired in this one, it's because I arrived at 9:00pm the night before the iPhone went on sale, and this video was recorded 16(!!!) hours later when I finally had the device in-hand and ready to unbox.

Pick up your own iPhone 6 Plus from Apple!

Don't forget to subscribe to Gear Live's YouTube channel, and don't forget--we are giving away awesome perks for our Patreon backers - thanks for your support!

 

Click to continue reading Unboxing Live 146: Apple iPhone 6 Plus


9 custom iOS 8 keyboards you can download now!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,

iOS 8 keyboards

iOS 8 was released today, and it's a great update to Apple's mobile devices (see our iOS 8 review.) In addition, many developers have started to release custom keyboards, a new capability found in the updated OS. Users can now leave the stock keyboard behind for something more customized. Here are some of the best third-party iOS 8 keyboards that you can add to your devices right now!

Click to continue reading 9 custom iOS 8 keyboards you can download now!


iOS 8 now available for download!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Software,

iOS 8

Apple has release iOS 8 to the world, bringing with it a host of new features for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Users will find improvements to just about every stock iOS app, as well as new additions like Health, Continuity, and Handoff. We published our full iOS 8 review this morning, which you can read for a full rundown of what to expect. Here’s a list of the compatible devices:

You can update to iOS 8 now, either through an over-the-air update, or by plugging in to iTunes and having it perform the update for you. Of course, iOS 8 will ship on the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus this Friday.


iOS 8 review: A more powerful iPhone experience arrives

iOS 8 review

iOS 8 is the follow-up to last years radical redesign of Apple’s mobile operating system. After the visual overhaul, the company went to work on adding a bunch of features that would make its devices more open with features like extensions and third-party keyboards, yet more secure with improved permissions and more widespread Touch ID integration. With iOS 8, Apple looks to refine the experience that was introduced last year, while allowing features for the power users of the world to shine.

It’s been shown that Apple follows a two-step release process with its iOS device hardware and software. For example, one year the company will release a new design for the iPhone, and the following year it’ll keep that design and refine the device, releasing it as an “S” class upgrade. iOS seems to follow a similar pattern, especially this year, which follows last year’s big redesign. With iOS 8, Apple has introduced a layer of polish on top of its mobile operating system, bringing with it a bevy of new features. The question remains, do all the changes come together in a meaningful way? Join us for our full iOS 8 review as we explore the answer.

Click to continue reading iOS 8 review: A more powerful iPhone experience arrives


Apple releases iOS 8 Golden Master to developers prior to September 17 public release

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Software,

iOS 8 golden master 12a365

After all of the We Wish We Could Say More announcements from Apple today that saw the unveiling of the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, Apple Watch, and Apple Pay, the company released the Golden Master seed of iOS 8 to developers. Build 12A365 should be the same version that is pushed to the world when iOS 8 is released on September 17th via an over-the-air update. Registered iOS developers can grab the download in the iOS Developer Center now.


iOS 8 will be released on September 17

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,

iOS 8 compatibility

During today's We Wish We Could Say More event, Apple announced that iOS 8 would be released to consumers as a free update on September 17th. If you're curious if your device supports the next Apple mobile operating system, check out the image above which details all of the iOS device it will run on. iOS 8 brings with it a host of new features, including:

  • Photos: The new Photos app will allow you to access your entire photo collection with the iCloud Photo Library. New editing tools also make it easy to make your shots look even better, with all edits syncing back to the cloud and available on all your other devices.
  • Messages: In iOS 8, Messages will allow you to easily send voice messages, quick selfies, and videos to your contacts. Easily share your location and see the location of friends you've chosen to share that info with as well.
  • Keyboard: There are a few notable improvements to the keyboard in iOS 8. First, Apple now has a predictive typing system that learns the way you talk, offering up a quicker typing experience. Even more exciting, though, is that you will be able to download third-party keyboards from the App Store that will take the place of Apple's keyboard entirely. If you've been waiting for Swype on iPhone, it's almost here.
  • Interactive Notifications: Notifications are interactive in iOS 8. For example, you can reply to a message right from the notification without having to switch over to the Messages app, or accept/decline a calendar invite right from the dropdown. Notifications are also interactive on the Lock screen as well.
  • Family Sharing: Family Sharing makes it easy for up to six people in your family to share each other’s iTunes, iBooks, and App Store purchases. Whenever one person buys a new song, movie, or app, everybody gets access to that content. Accounts must all share the same credit card number to be added to a family account. Members of a Family Sharing account also get access to a family Photo Stream, calendar, Reminders list, and can share location.
  • iCloud Drive: Apple is finally allowing access to data stored on iCloud with the iCloud Drive feature. You can use iCloud as a storage folder for anything you'd like to put there, and can add storage space by upgrading to a higher tier.
  • Health: Fitness tracking is one of the pillar features in iOS 8
  • Continuity: Continuity will allow your Apple devices to talk to each other over Bluetooth. Start an email on your Mac, and continue it on your iPhone. Start messaging someone on your Apple Watch, and continue on your iPhone 6 Plus.

Apple also released the iOS 8 GM seed today.


Andru Edwards on GeekWire Radio: iPhone 6, Surface Watch, Fire Phone, and more

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Microsoft,

GeekWire Radio andru edwards

I made another appearance on this weeks episode of GeekWire Radio here in Seattle, Washington, keeping my streak alive as the person with the most guest appearances in GeekWire Radio history! In this episode, which also features Eyewitness News reporter Essex Porter (pictured with me above, and a huge Windows Phone advocate), we talk about a couple of recent Gear Live stories, including:

I brought in the two iPhone 6 mockups in both 4.7- and 5.5-inch varieties, which made for some good conversation. We also chat about the news of the week, which included the release of the Amazon Fire Phone, and we also had a discussion about what Microsoft needs to do to make Windows Phone more accepted by the general consumer. You can listen to the show now by grabbing the MP3 below, or hitting play in the widget.

Click to continue reading Andru Edwards on GeekWire Radio: iPhone 6, Surface Watch, Fire Phone, and more

Read More | GeekWire Radio (MP3)

Apple set to introduce the iPhone 6 on September 9th

iphone 6 September 9

As we have previously speculated, Re/Code is reporting that Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 6 on September 9th at a special event. The next iPhone design has already leaked, and we've already given you a look at both the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 design and the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 design as well. Of course, they lack the fit-and-finish that Apple will undoubtedly put on them (we hope those thick antenna breaks will be eliminated and streamlined!) September 9th is also a few days after Samsung is rumored to introduce the Galaxy Note 4 during IFA. A perfect time for Apple to jump into the phablet game with a 5.5-inch smartphone.

We also guessed that Apple will release iOS 8 on September 16th, and release the iPhone 6 itself on September 19th based on previous timetables. We'll see how our guesses hold up come September 9th.


Advertisement