Tag: iPhone

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Plants vs. Zombies 2

Plants vs Zombies 2

The highly anticipated sequel to Plant vs. Zombies finally released worldwide. Plants vs. Zombies 2 retains the same gameplay mechanics from the original and adds a few more. Unlike its predecessor, Plants vs. Zombies 2 is free to download and offers In-App-Purchases from the get go; this has drawn a lot of criticism from gamers. At a glance, it seems that the game requires players to buy certain plants with real money. In reality, the game offers impatient players a chance to buy the plants instead of earning them.

The initial release of Plants vs. Zombies 2 includes four different themes in “Crazy Dave’s Time-Space Taco Map”.

  • Ancient Egypt
  • Pirate Seas
  • Wild West
  • ??? (Mystery theme that might as well be set in the future or space)

Plants vs Zombies 2 Taco Map 1

Plants vs Zombies 2 Taco Map 2

Plants vs. Zombies 2 is a worthy sequel to a really fun game.

Plants vs. Zombies 2 is available for iOS.

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iOS 7 beta 6 and Some Made Up Stuff

Apple inadvertently exposed the made up news by BGR about the release of iOS 7 beta 6.

On Thursday Morning August 15, 2013 BGR “reported”:

In line with our earlier exclusive report on Apple’s plans for its iOS 7 beta software, we can now confirm that the final beta software release for developers will take place next week. Our sources have not confirmed which day, though Monday makes the most sense as it has been the typical release day in the past. After iOS 7 beta 6, Apple will be seeding a GM (gold master) version for its employees and partners to test starting around September 5th.

Then Apple released iOS 7 beta 6 to developers on Thursday afternoon. It seems that BGR took the two-week release cycle of iOS 7 beta and the semi-confirmed September 10th, 2013 Apple announcement then extrapolated the possible release date for iOS7 beta 6 and iOS 7 Golden Master.

Ouch!

Apple seeds iOS 7 beta 6

Details on iOS 7 beta 6 are available on Apple Developer Website to paid developer membership.

Based on chatters among developers, there are some outstanding bugs in iOS 7 beta 5. Apple iOS team is working hard to meet the internal deadline squashing the showstopper bugs.

Apple is expected to publicly released iOS 7 within a week after the September 10, 2013 event.

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WordPress 3.7 for iOS

WordPress 3.7 for iOS on iPad

The folks at Automattic has released an update to WordPress for iOS.

What’s New in Version 3.7
• New native WordPress.com Reader: A faster and more beautiful reading experience.
• New account system to ensure that your WordPress.com account remains as safe and as secure as ever, including when you change your password or use two-step authentication.
• Updated translations: The app is now available in Thai.
• Multiple crash and bug fixes.

WordPress-3.7-for-iOS

 

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Sixteen-by-Nine

There seems to be consensus that Apple would drop iPhone 4 and 4S comes September 10, 2013.

Back in May 2013 a person who might or might not be a high ranking Apple employee hinted that Apple would go all 16-by-nine screen ratio for all iPhone and iPod touch this Fall 2013. It is a response to some rumors that Apple would release a larger screen iPhone with 4-by-3 screen ratio in Fall 2013.

Twitter 37prime 16-by-9 iPhone

Apple will be phasing out 30-pin Dock Connector this Fall 2013. John Gruber believes that Apple would stop selling iPad 2 after new iPad is introduced and I concur.

If I’m right, this would leave the iPad 2 as the last device with a 30-pin port. I expect them to abandon that device in October, when new iPads are announced.

Another point is that Apple would have another event this October and maybe one more before the end of the year.

Apple will be having four busy month starting September 2013. There’s the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, MacBook Pro and Mac Pro. By the way, there’s one more new product that Apple might introduce this year.

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Apple Reports Third Quarter Results

Apple reports financial results for its fiscal 2013 third quarter ended June 29, 2013.

CUPERTINO, California—July 23, 2013—Apple® today announced financial results for its fiscal 2013 third quarter ended June 29, 2013. The Company posted quarterly revenue of $35.3 billion and quarterly net profit of $6.9 billion, or $7.47 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $35 billion and net profit of $8.8 billion, or $9.32 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 36.9 percent compared to 42.8 percent in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 57 percent of the quarter’s revenue.

The Company sold 31.2 million iPhones, a record for the June quarter, compared to 26 million in the year-ago quarter. Apple also sold 14.6 million iPads during the quarter, compared to 17 million in the year-ago quarter. The Company sold 3.8 million Macs, compared to 4 million in the year-ago quarter.

That means Apple has sold 68.6 million iPhones in the first half of 2013, including the 37.4 million iPhones sold in the first three months of the year.

iPad sales is down compared to the year-ago quarter. That is expected since Apple broke its previously set iPad release cycle. For the first three years, Apple release new iPad in the month of March and April. Both iPad mini and Fourth Generation iPad were released in Fall 2012, six month after the release of Third Generation iPad.

In addition to that, Apple did not even bother to mention iPod sales figure in the press release.

Apple is providing the following guidance for its fiscal 2013 fourth quarter:

  • revenue between $34 billion and $37 billion
  • gross margin between 36 percent and 37 percent
  • operating expenses between $3.9 billion and $3.95 billion
  • other income/(expense) of $200 million
  • tax rate of 26.5%

Apple might be expecting around $6 billion to $7 billion of net profit for the next quarter.

Apple-Logo-splash

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Google Maps 2.0 for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

Google Maps 2.0 is now available for download, it now natively supports iPad in addition to iPhone and iPod touch.

What’s New in Version 2.0

  • New design for iPad
  • Enhanced navigation including live traffic updates and incident reports
  • Explore: A new way to browse and discover popular local places to eat, drink, shop, play and sleep
  • Simple 5-star ratings and reviews from friends, plus expert Zagat content
  • Great deals from your favorite brands with Google Offers
  • Indoor maps with walking directions for malls, transit stations, airports and more

One thing that’s still missing from this version of Google Maps is Street View, which is alco available in Google Earth App for iOS.

UPDATE:
To access Street View, a location must be defined by entering an address or dropping a pin, only then the option becomes available. On iPhone and iPod touch, swipe the address panel on the bottom up to bring the Street View option up.

Gogole-Maps-2.0-for-iOS

Google-Maps-on-iPad

P.S. Don’t ask me anything about iOS 7. It happens to be the only iPad available in the office to grab screenshot from.