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Tag: ios

  • Information hidden in app reveals how much Apple will charge for Arcade

    Information hidden in app reveals how much Apple will charge for Arcade

    Back in March, Apple introduced Apple Arcade. This service will allow subscribers to pay a monthly fee for unlimited gameplay. There will be over 100 new titles that will be available, all exclusive to the app. Apple could release a launch date and pricing for Arcade on September 10th; that is when the company’s fall event is expected to be held according to a screenshot found on the most recent iOS 13 beta. But it appears that we might already know the pricing. The latter discovered information inside one of the APIs used by the App Store app that apparently reveals how much Arcade will cost (an API, or Application programming interface, is used to help two applications communicate with each other).

    According to the information discovered by 9to5Mac, Apple will charge $4.99 a month for the service after a one-month free trial. All members in a Family Sharing account will have access to the games inside the Arcade app, and since subscribers are paying for the service, there will be no in-app purchases offered. Arcade subscribers can start a game on an iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple TV and switch devices without missing a beat.

    Apple Arcade will join Apple Music, Apple News+ and Apple TV+ as features that bring in recurring revenue to Apple. It’s all part of the company’s plan to take advantage of the 900 million+ iPhones active around the world while lessening its reliance on new iPhone sales, which peaked in 2015. The services unit, which includes the aforementioned subscription-based features, the App Store, Apple Pay, AppleCare, iCloud and more, is Apple’s second-largest in terms of revenue and is it’s most profitable. Apple is targeting $50 billion in services revenue for next year, which would double the $25 billion the unit grossed in 2016. During its most recent earnings announcement covering the fiscal third quarter (April through June), the firm took in a record $11.5 billion in revenue for the division, up 12.7% from the $10.2 billion it took in during the same quarter in 2018.

    Apple has been using its employees to test Arcade and get some feedback before it is released for public use. This past weekend, we told you that after a one-month free trial, the company is asking employees for 49 cents a month to test early builds of some of the games. This early access program will end once iOS 13 is officially launched.

    Banking firm HSBC expects Arcade to garner as many as 29 million subscribers by 2024, raking in $4.5 billion. However, that estimate is based on a monthly subscription rate of $12.99 a month; that would seem to be too steep a price hike over a short period of time if Apple does indeed debut the service at $4.99 a month. So HSBC’s analysts are going to have to go back and rework the estimate.

    Some of the titles that you should expect to find when Apple Aracade launches include:

    • Hot Lava
    • Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm
    • Beyond a Steel Sky
    • Sonic Racing (yes, starring “that” Sonic)
    • LEGO Brawls (yes, starring those LEGO)
    • No Way Home
    • Yaga

    These are games that you won’t find elsewhere. And by offering you a free trial period, Apple is looking to get you hooked on the service. It is the same approach that the company takes with Apple Music. And if Apple does price Arcade at $4.99 a month, it might seem like a bargain to those who were expecting it to be priced at $9.99 a month or more. The failure or success of Arcade will go a long way toward determining whether Apple hits its goal of $50 billion in services revenue next year.

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  • Apple sues company that sells a virtual iPhone complete with iOS

    Apple sues company that sells a virtual iPhone complete with iOS

    We know that Apple is giving away special iPhones to certain security researchers who are looking for a big payday that could add up to as much as $1.5 million. The big jackpot will go to the researcher who finds a flaw in the iPhone and iOS that will allow a hacker to take full control over an iPhone without the phone’s owner having to touch any part of the device. That discovery is good enough for $1 million dollars. Any vulnerability found on beta software will reward the researcher with a 50% bonus. That’s because the discovery is taking place before the software has been disseminated to the public.

    To help researchers find flaws in iOS, a company called Corellium has been offering them a virtual version of the iPhone and iOS over the last few years. Apple is not taking this sitting down and has filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida for what it calls “a straightforward case of infringement of highly valuable copyrighted works.” Apple points out that without obtaining a license or permission from Apple, Corellium offers a “virtual” version of Apple’s devices with “fastidious attention to detail.” The tech giant says that not only does the facsimile look and respond the same on a web browser as the mobile device that its customers pay for, Corellium also includes the appropriate computer code.

    And sure, you might say that Corellium is doing Apple a big favor by selling the virtual iPhone because it will help researchers pass along their findings to Apple. However, as Apple points out in the suit, those who paid to use the virtual iPhone ended up selling discovered flaws to third-party exploit traders. This makes sense because a private installation of the virtual iPhone costs as much as $1 million according to the court papers filed by Apple.

    “This is a straightforward case of infringement of highly valuable copyrighted works. Corellium’s business is based entirely on commercializing the illegal replication of the copyrighted operating system and applications that run on Apple’s iPhone, iPad, and other Apple devices. The product Corellium offers is a “virtual” version of Apple mobile hardware products, accessible to anyone with a web browser. Specifically, Corellium serves up what it touts as a perfect digital facsimile of a broad range of Apple’s market-leading devices—recreating with fastidious attention to detail, not just the way the operating system and applications appear visually to bona fide purchasers, but also the underlying computer code. Corellium does so with no license or permission from Apple.”-Excerpt from Apple’s lawsuit.

    Apple claims that at the Black Hat security conference that took place earlier this month, Corellium “specifically emphasized” that its Apple Product is an exact copy of Apple’s copyrighted works and was created to help researchers and hackers test iOS for vulnerabilities. Apple even points out that 15 days after unveiling the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR on September 12, 2018, Corellium announced that its Apple Product supported the new phones and the latest version of iOS.

    An image included in the suit shows how Corellium subscribers can even choose which virtual iPhone they want to use and then select the version of iOS that they want to run on it. Once a subscriber has created a virtual iPhone, copies of the virtual device and the iOS version selected can be made. Apple alleges that Corellium’s servers contain “numerous copies of iOS.”

    Apple is seeking a permanent injunction against Corellium and an order preventing the company from marketing, selling, and distributing its Apple Product. Apple also wants to stop all subscribers from using the virtual iPhone and wants the defendant to issue a notice to past and present subscribers telling them that use of the product infringes on Apple’s copyrights. Apple also wants all infringing material destroyed and is seeking damages, lost profits, court costs and attorney’s fees.

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  • Original DOOM game now available on Android and iOS

    Original DOOM game now available on Android and iOS

    Back in 1993, a little game called DOOM developed by a small studio called id Software set the gaming world on fire. About 25 years later, Bethesda decided to release classic DOOM titles to new platforms, including Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS.

    While DOOM, DOOM II and DOOM 3 are now available for download for Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PlayStation 4, only the first two are hitting Android and iOS devices. If you want to try them out, you can download them from the Google Play Store and App Store, respectively, for $5.

    The original game, DOOM comes with all the content released back in 1993, and the fourth expansion Thy Flesh Consumed. The re-release of DOOM II includes the Master Levels, 20 additional levels made by the community and curated by the developers.

    Although the classic DOOM game has been available on iOS since 2009, this is the first time both games are ported to Android and, of course, the first time DOOM II hits iOS devices. There’s one small issue though, you’ll need to log into a Bethesda account to play the games. If you don’t have an account yet, you’ll have to create one. The BehesdaNet login requirement was included for the Slayers Club with the purpose of rewarding members for playing the classic DOOM games.

    However, Bethesda said that the login should be optional and that it’s working on changing the requirement to optional right now.

  • Outlook for iOS update finally brings iCloud support

    Outlook for iOS update finally brings iCloud support

    Besides the usual monthly Office mobile updates that Microsoft reveals at the beginning of each month, the company releases additional updates that usually include bug fixes or minor improvements to already existing features.

    However, the latest Outlook for iOS update brings a completely new feature that will work with other apps like SharePoint, Google Drive, and Dropbox. Support for iCloud is now being added to Outlook on iOS devices, a long-overdue feature that will allow users to find specific files.

    Working alongside OneDrive, SharePoint, Google Drive, Dropbox and Box, Outlook for iOS lets those who own account on any of those services to easily find, attach or preview files, a more than welcome improvement that many people have been asked for months.

    The latest update adds some bug fixes and improvements as well, in addition to iCloud support, so expect your Outlook app to perform slightly better after the update.

  • New feature in iOS 13 could save money

    New feature in iOS 13 could save money

    Ever delete an app from your iOS device, not realizing that you’re still paying a monthly fee to use it? It appears that Apple feels your pain. In iOS 13, if you delete an app, you will see a pop-up reminder if you have an active subscription to that app. A screenshot taken from an iPad running the second beta preview of iOS 13; the pop-up reminder can be seen on the screen asking, “Do you want to keep your subscription for this app?”

    The reason why this feature comes in handy is because you might delete an app and forget that you re paying a monthly subscription fee to use it. If you don’t cancel the subscription, you’ll continue paying monthly for a service that you no longer want. And to make sure that you don’t get charged for another month, the pop-up message tells you the next date when your credit card will be automatically used to renew the subscription. Of course, you can cancel your subscription no later than the day before your renewal date. The reminder also notes that if you delete the app but keep the subscription, the service can still be used on other devices.

    So let’s say that you subscribe to Hulu, paying $5.99 a month. You’re going through your iOS device and decide to delete the app, forgetting that you’re making that monthly payment automatically. If Apple keeps this new feature, before you tap that button to uninstall the app, you will see the pop-up reminding you that if you’re really cutting ties with the service, you might want to cancel your subscription. And the reminder also includes a link that takes you to your iOS subscriptions.

    Even though the iPad will have its own OS later this year, we would imagine that this feature will most likely be available for both iOS and iPadOS.

  • Apple iOS 12.3.1 update released to fix iMessage and VoLTE issues

    Apple iOS 12.3.1 update released to fix iMessage and VoLTE issues

    Apple has just released another iOS update, which addresses a couple of issues that many iPhone users have complained of lately. If you’re rocking an iPhone as your daily driver, you should be able to see a notification on your device letting you know that you can download iOS 12.3.1, the latest firmware software released by Apple.

    As far as the contents of the update go, Apple says that iOS 12.3.1, which was released just two weeks after iOS 12.3, addresses an issue that could prevent iPhone users from making or receiving VoLTE (voice over LTE) calls.

    Also, the update fixes many of the problems in the Messages app, including those that could cause messages from unknown senders to pop up in one’s conversation list even though the Filter Unknown Senders option is enabled.

    Another Messages fix should solve another bug with Messages, which could prevent the Report Junk link from appearing in the app’s threads from unknown senders.

    In other news, Apple is gearing up for the next major iOS 13 updates. Keep in mind though that Apple hasn’t yet confirmed anything about iOS 13, so take it with a tint of salt until the update is announced.

  • Apple agrees to notify users when iOS updates impacts performance

    Apple agrees to notify users when iOS updates impacts performance

    Following the last year debate about whether or not Apple should have informed consumers that some of its updates will slow down their iPhones, the UK Competition and Markets Authority kicked off an investigation to learn more about the matter.

    The investigation only started after Apple admitted that the iOS update it pushed in late 2017 throttled down the performance of older iPhones. Fast forward more than one year and it looks like the UK government and Apple have found common ground. Apple has officially agreed to notify consumers when an iOS update will affect the performance of their iPhones.

    To ensure compliance with consumer law Apple has formally agreed to improve the information it provides to people about the battery health of their phones and the impact performance management software may have on their phones.

    The official statement on UK government’s website also mentions that Apple has agreed to provide easily accessible information about battery health and unexpected shutdowns, which the company has already done, along with guidance on how iPhone users can optimize the health of their phone’s battery.

    Everything that Apple agreed to applies both for current and future iPhones. In case any of the commitments made by Apple will be breached at any time in the future, the company could be sanctioned by the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority).

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  • Gameloft reveals new LEGO-themed team-battle RPG for Phones

    Gameloft reveals new LEGO-themed team-battle RPG for Phones

    LEGO fans rejoice, as Gameloft has just announced a brand new RPG for Android and iOS set in the LEGO universe. Originally teased back in December, LEGO Legacy: Heroes Unboxed will be released this fall, but it will be regularly shown to fans until then at various events.

    According to the French studio, this is the first ever LEGO game of this genre and it’s meant to bring to life 40 years of LEGO Minifigure history and universes in a fun and epic way. Apparently, LEGO Legacy: Heroes Unboxed is set in a completely new LEGO world, as players will have to collect classic and modern LEGO minifigures and sets with which to create new parties and engage in team battles and adventures.

    LEGO Legacy: Heroes Unboxed is built to bring the enjoyment and fun that you once had, or still have, with LEGO toys. We are excited to see these authentic and original LEGO characters from all eras come to life. We have been putting all our efforts, art and craft into this game as we want to delight all LEGO fans, whether their mini-figures are tucked away in the attic or proudly shown in the living room.

    Naturally, the game will include iconic, fan favorite universes, recreated with stunning detail to cater to players of all ages. The developers also promise to keep everything included in the game faithful to the LEGO franchise. In order to do that, the folks at Gameloft studied vintage instruction manuals to try to recreate every detail that makes the LEGO experience so memorable.

    LEGO Legacy: Heroes Unboxed will probably be available for free, but we expect it to be heavy on the in-app purchases. Gameloft’s new LEGO mobile game shapes up to be quite interesting, so let’s hope their monetization system won’t be too intrusive.

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  • Valve launches Steam Chat app for Smartphones

    Valve launches Steam Chat app for Smartphones

    After bringing Steam Link app to gamers and the option play all games from their Steam library on mobile phones, Valve releases another app that’s meant to modernized Steam chat experience. The new Steam Chat mobile app is now available for free on both Android and iOS platforms via Google Play Store and App Store.

    Among the many features it offers, it’s worth mentioning the customizable notifications, which will prevent users from missing a message or game invite. These notifications can be customized per friend, group chat, and chat channel.

    Obviously, you’ll be able to see who’s in game or online before you start chatting with your Steam friends. Furthermore, Valve promises a rich experience thanks to higher fidelity links, videos, tweets, GIFs, Giphy, Steam emoticons, and more.

    The Steam Chat mobile app will also allow users to add new friends on Steam with a link. You’ll just need to generate an invite link to send via text or email. Last but not least, the app features support for group chats.

  • Steam Link launches on iOS and Apple TV

    Steam Link launches on iOS and Apple TV

    Due to violating many of App Store’s guidelines, Valve’s Steam Link app was rejected by Apple last year, so Android users were the only ones to be able to bring desktop gaming to their smartphones and tablets.

    Well, it looks like Apple and Valve managed to address all the issues so that gamers could enjoy their library of games on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. Steam Link for iOS is now available for download via App Store and enables Steam users to play their games on their mobile devices while connected to their computers.

    You just need to pair an MFI or Steam controller to your device, connect to a computer running Steam on the same local network, and you should be ready to play any game from your Steam library.

    Now, it’s worth mentioning that Steam Link requires an iPhone or iPad running iOS 10 or higher, a computer running Steam (Windows, Mac, or Linux). According to Valve, for best performance, you need to connect your computer using Ethernet to your 5GHz Wi-Fi router, then connect your iOS device to the same 5GHz band of your Wi-Fi network. Also, make sure that you’re not too far away from your router when playing games.

  • WhatsApp vulnerability allowed government-grade spyware to be installed

    WhatsApp vulnerability allowed government-grade spyware to be installed

    WhatsApp, one of the most popular messaging apps out there, has once again been the subject of hacking, but this time the method used involves government-grade spyware. Although we have no information that would confirm who’s behind the attack, the spyware used is usually sold to governments.

    The vulnerability discovered by WhatsApp just a few weeks ago would allow a caller to install spyware on the device being called, regardless of whether or not the could be answered.

    The spyware installed was made by Israel-based NSO Group Pegasus, and is usually licensed to governments that want to hack targets of investigations and gain access to multiple aspects of their devices.

    It’s unclear how many Android and iOS devices were affected by the vulnerability, but as you can imagine, anyone with access to the spyware could hack any WhatsApp user. On the bright side, WhatsApp said that it took less than 10 days after it discovered the security issue to patch it. The company also believes that only a relatively small number of users were targeted by the attack.

    This attack has all the hallmarks of a private company known to work with governments to deliver spyware that reportedly takes over the functions of mobile phone operating systems. We have briefed a number of human rights organizations to share the information we can, and to work with them to notify civil society.

    If you have WhatsApp installed on your phone, installing the latest version of the app will render the attack inoperable, even if it was infected with the government-grade spyware.

  • WhatsApp to end support for Windows Phone

    WhatsApp to end support for Windows Phone

    WhatsApp has just confirmed that it will end support for Windows Phone, as well as some older versions of Android and iOS. Starting from December 31, 2019, WhatsApp for Windows Phone will stop working, while next year the developer will no longer support devices running older versions of Android and iOS.

    In case you’re wondering why WhatsApp has decided to turn off support for Windows Phone ahead of 2020, it’s worth mentioning that this is consistent with Microsoft’s decision to end support for their mobile operating system.

    Concerning the other two operating systems, WhatsApp will stop working on devices running Android version 2.3.7 and older starting February 1, 2020. Also, devices powered by iOS 7 and older will no longer be compatible with WhatsApp effective February 1, 2020.

    However, since WhatsApp won’t be developing for these operating systems anymore, some features that are now available might stop working even before the deadline, so you might want to switch to a newer device if you want to continue to use WhatsApp.

    Moreover, if you’re using a device that runs these older Android and iOS versions, you won’t be able to create new accounts, nor reverify existing accounts, as of right now.

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  • Outlook for Android and iOS gaining Fresh Feature

    Outlook for Android and iOS gaining Fresh Feature

    Microsoft is bringing support for a new feature to Outlook for mobile – Actionable Messages. The new feature will be available once the latest update goes live in the App Store and Google Play Store, and it’s meant to allow Outlook users to act fast while on the move.

    For example, whenever you receive an email that has an option to take action (i.e. approving a timesheet, granting system access, answering a survey), you will now be able to respond right inside the email without leaving your inbox or switch apps.

    Moreover, Actionable Message with Adaptive Cards will allow developers to deliver messages in Outlook so that users can stay in context and act fast when they need to. The first brands to work with Microsoft on Actionable Messages are SurveyMonkey, Freshworks, ServiceNow and Sage.

    However, Microsoft is expected to partner with additional brands in the coming months. It’s also worth mentioning that Microsoft will be rolling out Actionable Messages to Android devices in the coming week, while iOS users will be able to take advantage of the new feature starting today.

  • Mario Kart Tour beta registrations open for Android users

    Mario Kart Tour beta registrations open for Android users

    Nintendo plans to bring yet another game to Android and iOS device this summer – Mario Kart Tour. Officially revealed two months ago, the next Mario game for mobile won’t be released until at least June.

    However, Nintendo fans will have a chance to take a peek at what’s to come thanks to the closed beta program the Japanese company has just announced. Assuming you’re living in the United States or Japan, you can now register for the Mario Kart Tour closed beta on the game’s dedicated page.

    Unfortunately, it’s only Android users that are allowed to register for the closed beta, and there’s little chance the iPhone owners will be given the chance to test Mario Kart Tour before the official release.

    Obviously, the number of Android users who may participate in the closed beta is limited. According to Nintendo, if the number of applications exceeds the number of possible participants, the company will randomly select the participants.

    Android users can register for the closed beta between April 23 and May 7, while the beta test is scheduled for May 22-June 4, but these dates can be changed prior notice.

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  • Google launches its health-tracking app for Iphone Users

    Google launches its health-tracking app for Iphone Users

    Google Fit, the health-tracking app that made its debut on Android four years ago, has now been released on iOS. The app has gone through multiple overhauls since its launch back in 2014, but the last major update released last year made it extremely simply to use.

    Starting today, iOS users will be able to track their Heart Points and Move Minutes, the best way to build smarter, healthier habits throughout the day. Google Fit awards users so-called Move Minutes and Heart Points the more they move and the more intensely they move. Based on the scores, you’ll be closer to reach the recommended amount of weekly physical activity and reap the health benefits.

    It’s purely motivational, but very helpful if you’re trying to exercise but don’t find the courage to do it regularly. More importantly, Google Fit allows users to track their progress throughout the day using various apps.

    For example, app connected to Apple Health, such as Sleep Cycle, Nike Run Club and Headspace, can be synced with Google Fit to offer a more holistic view of your health. You’ll also be able to see how many Heart Points and Move Minutes you earn through other activities.

    Moreover, if own an Apple Watch as well, Google Fit will keep track of all your workout sessions too. Just don’t forget to check the app’s journal to see what you need to do to sleep better and get more active. You can download Google Fit for iOS right now via the App Store.

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