Twitter for iOS updated with Instagramish photo filters

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Social Networking, App Updates, iPad Apps, Free Apps,

Instagram started it; Facebook has it now and, of course, social micro-blogging service Twitter won't be left behind. Twitter has followed suit with it's own editing and filtering functionality update in version 5.2. Here is a list of changes and new features:

Create beautiful photos right within Twitter, with filters powered by Aviary.

• Apply one of eight different filters to instantly add a new look and feel to your photos
• Choose a filter by comparing all your options in a convenient grid view or by swiping through each version
• Make your photos pop with balanced light and colors by tapping the auto-enhance wand
• Crop and scale to frame the action the way you want
• We’ve also added many other improvements and fixes to this update.

Read More | Twitter

Find My iPhone updated with driving directions

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Utilities, App Updates, Apple, Free Apps,

Apple has updated Find My iPhone to version 2.0.1 and has added driving directions to your lost or stolen Apple device. The update brings a new feature called Lost Mode, which we're assuming tracks movement and stops with pin points. We at Gear Live highly recommend installing and enabling Find My iPhone on every iOS device you own.

• Driving directions to device location (iOS 6 or later)

• Play Sound, Lost Mode, and Erase buttons appear separately from map view

Read More | iTunes

Instagram 3.2 adds improved camera, new filter, Foursquare integration

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Photography, Social Networking, App Updates, Free Apps,

Photo enthusiasts will be happy to know that their favorite mobile photo editing social app, Instagram, has been updated. Version 3.2 has a plethora of new features and design improvements, along with deeper FourSquare integration. Here is a list of changes that come with this update.

• A new filter! Willow
• Take photos faster with Instagram’s all-new camera
• Improved quality of tilt-shift
• Scroll infinitely on user profiles and other grid views

Other improvements:

• We added a Foursquare button on location pages that opens the Foursquare app (or Foursquare mobile website) with details about the venue
• Filtered photos are now saved to a separate album called "Instagram" in the camera roll
• New welcome screen design

Read More | Instagram

2012 Holiday Gift Guide: SOL REPUBLIC Tracks headphones

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Portable Audio / Video, Women, Men, Techies, Teens, Under $100, Under $250, Under $500,

SOL REPUBLIC Tracks are the first interchangeable on-ear headphones featuring V8 Sound Engine speakers, switchable cables, and "Sound Track" headbands. SOL REPUBLIC engineers developed a proprietary new polymer called FlexTech, which makes them virtually indestructible, and we're recommending them in our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide. the company actually stands behind that claim, as you get a 1,000 day warranty on each SOL REPUBLIC headband. they just won't break. For total comfort, the team designed the Tracks ear cushions to be large and lightweight. Tracks offer the optimal balance of size, style, sound and comfort and are available in black, white and red. You can pick up a pair on Amazon for $99.

Read More | SOL REPUBLIC Tracks headphones

Unboxing Live 103: LG Optimus G

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cell Phones, Features, Videocasts,

In this episode we open up the Sprint LG Optimus G smartphone, which runs on Sprint's new 4G LTE network. LG's Optimus G device has a great display, is super-thin, and runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich at launch. You also might recognize the back of the device, as this is the phone that the Google Nexus 4 was based off of. The Sprint model sports an impressive 13 megapixel camera, allowing you to take super-high quality shots, which pairs up nicely with its stunning display.

Big thank you to GoToMeeting for sponsoring the show - be sure to check them out! GoToMeeting with HDFaces provides rich, super-simple collaborative virtual meetings.

Square Wallet and Square Register apps now support Passbook gift cards

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Corporate News, Software,

Square has officially updated both of its apps, Square Register and Square Wallet, to version 2.5. They now feature iOS Passbook integration and add convenient gift card functionality for merchants and consumers. Hit the break for a rundown of the new features.

Click to continue reading Square Wallet and Square Register apps now support Passbook gift cards

Read More | Square

iTunes 12 Days of Christmas app offers free gifts

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Entertainment, App Updates, Apple, Free Apps,

The cool folks at 1 Infinite Loop have bestowed a gift upon iOS users: The Twelve Days of Christmas app. The app is universal and works with iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, and starts giving away free gifts (songs, music, apps, books, and TV shows) for twelve consecutive days starting on Dec 26th, and ending on January 6th. The app is currently available in the iTunes Canadian Store.

Read More | iTunes 12 Days of Christmas

Watch Rock City’s interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook (video!)

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Videos,

Apple CEO Tim Cook gave his first televised interview to "Rock Center with Brian WIlliams" and it aired yesterday evening. Cook covered controversial topics like the Apple Maps gaffe, Samsung litigation, Foxconn, and the lack of US manufacturing of Apple products. Additionally, Tim makes interesting comments about the future of television, an area where Apple now has "an intense interest," a definite upgrade from being called just a "hobby" by the company. Part 1 of the interview is above, and you'll find Part 2, along with the full transcript, after the break.

Click to continue reading Watch Rock City’s interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook (video!)

T-Mobile inks deal to sell Apple iPhone in 2013

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News,

It appears that T-Mobile US parent company, Deutsche Telekom, brokered a deal with Apple that will see T-Mobile carry and sell Apple products in 2013. The writing was on the wall, as this was the last of the four major US carriers to carry the iconic iPhone and iPad. The news is still developing and Apple has yet made any public announcements.

"In addition, T-Mobile USA has entered into an agreement with Apple to bring products to market together in 2013." - T-Mobile

Of course, the only Apple "products" that T-Mobile would sell would be the iPhone and iPad.

Read More | T-Mobile

2012 Holiday Gift Guide: Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5K

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cameras, Features, Wireless / WiFi, Family, Women, Men, Techies, Under $250, Under $500,

The nice thing about smartphone cameras is that you can instantly share photos using your data plan--but the quality of a point-and-shoot like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5K trumps your phone shots, and we're recommending it in our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide. Even better? The SZ5K packs onboard Wi-Fi that allows you to take great pictures, and then share them immediately to your smartphone for sharing (it works with both iOS and Android devices.) You can a 14.1 megapixel sensor with 720p video recording and 10x optical zoom. They sell for $199.99, but you can pick one up on Amazon for $189.99, saving yourself 5%.

Read More | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5K