iOS 8

Apple doesn’t want calculator widgets on iOS 8

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 29, 2014

Apple today asked PCalc developer to remove its Notification Center widget after it was previously approved in the App Store. The reason? Notification Center's Today widgets are apparently prohibited from performing any calculations, according to the company's email to developer James Thomson.

Thomson took to Twitter where he shared the news with the world. “Apple has told me that Notification Center widgets on iOS cannot perform any calculations, and the current PCalc widget must be removed,” reads the tweet.

It's somewhat surprising Apple would take an issue with PCalc's Today widget after approving the app more than a month ago. Besides, PCalc's iOS 8 update, along with the widget, has been widely covered in media and Apple itself has featured it in two sections on the App Store, “Extend Your Apps” and “Great Apps and Games for iOS 8”.

So what's going on here?

iOS 8 reaches half of all active iOS devices

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple's iOS 8 has been rolled out 52 percent of all active iOS devices, indicating a slower rollout than versions of Apple's mobile software in the past. Apple updated its Developer Center with the data on Tuesday, indicating that some of iOS 8's early flaws may have slowed down its rollout over the last five and a half weeks.

Nike+ Running now integrates with iOS 8 Health, adds elevation tracking and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 28, 2014

Apple CEO Tim Cook has had a seat on the Nike board for quite some time now and the sports equipment giant was first out of the gate with an app that showcased the iPhone 5s's low-powered M7 motion coprocessor. But despite close Apple ties, Nike's been suspiciously mum regarding integrating its many iOS apps with iOS 8's Health database.

That changed Tuesday as a new version of Nike+ Running got released with support for NikeFuel data sync with iOS 8's Health application. The refreshed app brings out a few other nice-to-haves, such as tracking your elevation on latest devices and more.

Nike's other iOS apps will hopefully pick up Health integration in due time. Nike+ Running is a free download in the App Store.

ConvoPics brings the iPhone 6 Plus Messages app avatars to all devices

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

It’s only a matter of time before the deluge of iOS 8-only jailbreak tweaks begin surfacing on Cydia. Until then, I just thought I’d bring it to your attention that another one of the first such tweaks has appeared on Cydia.

The release is called ConvoPics, and it’s an iOS 8-only tweak that enables the iPhone 6 Plus’ conversation list pictures found in its stock Messages app on all devices. Have a look at our video demonstrating the before and after comparison inside.

Shazam updated for iOS 8 with Today widget for tagged music and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Shazam, a song-matching service that recently passed 100 million active users, on Tuesday released a major update to its free iPhone and iPad application.

Available free of charge in the App Store, the refreshed Shazam 8.0 has been optimized for iOS 8 and introduces a handy Today widget that lists tagged music recognized through the background-listening Auto Shazam feature.

A new Charts page in News Feed lists collates popular tracks other Shazam users have tagged and track lists now have a nicer looking layout.

Cydia Substrate updated to fix app installation issues, iTunes syncing bugs, and more

Jeff Benjamin ∙ October 27, 2014

If you're jailbroken on iOS 8 and you have Cydia installed, you should check for a new version of Substrate that just went live.

Cydia Substrate 0.9.5014 comes right on the heels of the Pangu team's 0.2 Untether update for iOS 8. Both Pangu and Saurik are working around the clock to shore up as many bugs and issues as possible related to the jailbreak and subsequent Cydia support.

Pangu releases iOS 8.x jailbreak untether update to fix Cydia Substrate loading, iMessage bugs, and Safari crashes

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

The Pangu team has just released an update to their untethered jailbreak. Users who are already jailbroken can venture into the Pangu app on the Home screen in order to update.

The incremental update fixes the Cydia Substrate loading issue upon reboot, iMessage picture sending, and Safari bugs. It's advised that all jailbroken users update now.

Saurik brings AFC2 support to iOS 8

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

For those of you who prefer to manage iOS's file system via USB, we have some good news for you. Saurik recently pushed an AFC packaged called Apple File Conduit 2 to jailbroken iOS 8 users. The package, which is downloadable from Cydia right now, allows users to browse the entire iOS root file system when your device is connected to your computer via USB.

10 great jailbreak tweaks that work on iOS 8 right now [video]

Jeff Benjamin ∙ October 23, 2014

Now that Cydia Substrate has been updated, many jailbreak developers are rushing to update their apps and tweaks for iOS 8. But did you know that many jailbreak tweaks, although they've not been officially updated, already work with iOS 8?

Inside, we break down 10 jailbreak releases that already play relatively nice with iOS 8, even though they may not have been officially updated. Check out our list, and add your own favorite tweaks in the comments to share with other readers. Full video after the break.

List of jailbreak tweaks compatible with iOS 8

Timothy Reavis ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Although we're overjoyed at the release of a jailbreak so quickly after the arrival of iOS 8, there are still a number of tweaks that are currently incompatible with iOS 8. Even now that Cydia and Cydia Substrate have been updated, many tweaks still are inducing Safe Mode when installed on devices running the latest firmware, and developers will have to release updates for quite a few of their jailbreak tweaks before they become usable.

Argus activity tracker, now with iPhone 6 support and iOS 8 Health sync for workouts and calories

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 23, 2014

I'm a fitness fan and Azumio's Argus is one of my favorite applications to track my steps, runs and bicycle rides. As I stopped using any health and fitness app which doesn't export data to Apple's Health application in iOS 8, I was pleasantly surprised learning that Azumio just issued a nice Argus refresh which rectifies the problem.

For starters, the new version 3.6 now runs natively on the bigger iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus screens. More importantly, Argus can now export your workouts and calories to the Health app.

Download Argus free in the App Store.

iHeartRadio gains iOS 8 Today widget and CarPlay support

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 23, 2014

Thursday, an enhanced version 5.3 of iHeartRadio became available for download in the App Store.

The refreshed application brings out a nice Today widget allowing you to play your recent stations from the Notification Center in iOS 8. You should also appreciate its built-in support for Apple's in-car entertainment system dubbed CarPlay, so you can now listen to iHeart Radio in CarPlay-enabled vehicles.

The updated app can be grabbed for free in the App Store.