iOS 7

Apple posts iOS 7.1.1 with additional Touch ID fixes

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 22, 2014

Apple has just released iOS 7.1.1 for public consumption. A maintenance update, iOS 7.1.1 contains "improvements, bug fixes and security updates." Specifically, it makes Touch ID even more reliable than the previous iOS 7.1 update, while fixing a pair of bugs related to keyboard responsiveness and Bluetooth keyboards with VoiceOver enabled.

It's arrived just five days after iOS 7.1.1 devices located in and around Apple's Cupertino campus started exposing themselves in web logs.

Needless to say, those of you who rock a jailbroken iPhone, iPod touch or iPad are advised to hold off on upgrading to the new software until we're able to confirm it won't break your jailbreak...

iOS 7: the ultimate App Store guide

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 21, 2019

The App Store app is the hub used to download additional apps on an iOS device. Out of the box, the iPhone only comes bundled with a handful of stock apps. The App Store app allows you to choose from hundreds of thousands of apps to download on to your device.

Apps can be anything from productivity tools, to games, to periodicals. There is a wealth of apps available to download in the App Store, and while some may come at a price, many of them are free.

It's good to become familiar with the App Store's features, because this is the only place where you can download additional software on a stock iOS device. Check inside as we journey through a detailed explanation of the App Store.

Analysts make case for why Apple will launch mobile payment system

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

The Morgan Stanley Research group in Europe believes Apple has all the ingredients to cook up a proprietary mobile payment system, and makes a case for why the Cupertino-based company may launch it soon.

Primarily, Apple in a way is already the "de facto, in the mobile payment space," given it has 400 million credit cards on file through its iTunes Store.

One Morgan Stanley executive makes a strong case, based on public information and not insider Apple information, on why it sounds likely:

FaceTime connectivity issues reaching many iOS users

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Users on iOS 6, iOS 7, and Macs are having issues connecting FaceTime video calls on Thursday.

Many complaints have rung across Twitter and Apple Support communities. Even some of our devices here at iDownloadBlog are unable to connect for unknown reasons.

GoogolPlex will ‘unleash the power of Siri’ with Nest, Philips Hue, Spotify commands

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Siri within iOS 7 can be limited sometimes, thanks to Apple's "walled garden", but a new tool called GoogolPlex wants to change that by opening the voice assistant to new commands.

Self described as the "App Store for Siri", GoogolPlex opens Siri to work with Spotify, Philips Hue, the Nest Thermostat and more, just by an iOS user changing a few proxy settings...

Bug-fix iOS 7.1.1 update now appearing in web logs

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 17, 2014

It’s been nearly a month since Apple released iOS 7.1 and now the firm is seemingly prepping the first bug fix update, iOS 7.1.1. As you know, iOS 7.1, the first major update to Apple’s revamped mobile operating system, debuted last September.

It's brought out built-in CarPlay support, Siri and Touch ID improvements, UI tweaks, major bug fixes, improved performance (especially on older devices like the iPhone 4) and a bunch of nice-to-haves.

According to online reports, iOS 7.1.1 is now appearing in web analytics tools, indicating Apple has now started testing the software with a wider group of employees ahead of the official release...

Hyundai confirms CarPlay functionality on all-new 2015 Sonatas

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 28, 2017

Japanese car maker Hyundai today officially confirmed that CarPlay functionality will be available in its upcoming 2015 Sonata vehicles. CarPlay launch partners include Volvo, Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz, but many other manufacturers have pledged to support Apple's in-car system later this year, Hyundai being one of them.

The new version of the mid-size Sonata sedan was unveiled at the New York International Auto Show earlier today with premium design, a stiffer body structure, improved ride quality, a quieter cabin and "class-above safety features."

It's slated to hit dealerships early this summer...

Pioneer confirms five aftermarket options bringing CarPlay to older vehicles in early-summer

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 15, 2014

A Pioneer customer service representative yesterday said the company's been looking into the possibility of implementing CarPlay compatibility with both its existing and future products.

Sure enough, the maker of in-car electronic systems today announced five CarPlay aftermarket options.

Chances are you're not rich enough to buy a brand new Ferrari, Mercedes or Volvo just to enjoy CarPlay so these kits will be Godsent to those looking to put CarPlay into older vehicles that officially don't support Apple's in-car system...

Alpine’s upcoming $500-$700 CarPlay aftermarket kits arriving this Fall

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 14, 2014

CarPlay, Apple's in-car system formerly known as iOS in the Car, launched last month requiring an iPhone running iOS 7.1 and one of the compatible 2014 cars from Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari and Volvo. A bunch of other car vendors have promised to bring support for CarPlay to their vehicles throughout 2014, but not everyone is rich enough to buy a brand new car just to enjoy CarPlay.

Pioneer Electronics is reportedly considering rolling out CarPlay aftermarket kits for older vehicles and Mercedes-Benz has similar plans of its own. And now, car electronics manufacturer Alpine is said to offer CarPlay aftermarket kits in the United States and Europe this Fall, with a cost of around $500 to $700...

iOS 7: the ultimate Clock app guide

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 21, 2019

The stock Clock app featured in iOS 7 is the central hub for managing anything that has to do with time on your iOS device. The app is basically four different applications combined into a single app interface.

You'll find tabs for the World Clock, Alarm, Stopwatch, and Timer at the bottom of the stock Clock app interface. Each tab is capable of working independently of the other tabs; for example, I can run a timer and a stopwatch simultaneously.

That at all being said, the stock Clock app is still a very basic stock application. Please check out the table of contents below for each section pertaining to the features found in iOS 7's Clock app.

Theme Thursday: Gleam, Axle and Simplump

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Theme Thursday is back for the eleventh consecutive week, continuing to promote some of the best Winterboard theme releases for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. This week, we are proud to present you with Gleam, Axle and Simplump.

Each theme is quite different from the next, which should provide everyone with something to choose from. If there is nothing you see here that you like, consider checking out previous editions of this roundup. We've covered almost 50 themes to date. Here are three more…

Upcoming ‘PushNotify’ tweak will let you forward push notifications from iOS to the Mac

Jeff Benjamin ∙ April 8, 2014

I've been testing PushNotify for a few weeks, and now I can finally talk about what it does. A lot of you have been asking me about this tweak, because you've seen its settings featured in my other videos and screenshots.

PushNotify, to put it simply, is a jailbreak tweak that lets your forward push notifications to the Mac. It does so by means of a small menu-bar utility that runs on the Mac, and a jailbreak tweak that's installed via Cydia on your iOS device.

We've taken PushNotify for a test drive on video, and we'd like to show you how it works. Check inside for the details.