OWC Offers Early Look at PCIe SSDs for 2013 MacBooks and Mac Pro

At CES 2014, OWC offered an early look at its upcoming PCIe SSDs for the MacBook Pro with Retina display 2013, MacBook Air 2013, and Mac Pro 2013 models.

AnandTech notes that "OWC will be producing these drives with the right proprietary connector for all of Apple's 2013 Macs with PCIe SSDs. We'll see x2 and x4 versions, just like what Apple offers today. As with other SF3700 vendors, we'll likely see Toshiba 19nm NAND used although OWC reminded me that they still buy some Micron NAND."

Unfortunately, we probably won't see these until Q3; however, they will likely retail for less than Apple's upgrade cost.

Read More [via AnandTech]

Evasi0n7 1.0.3 Released With Support for Jailbreaking iOS 7.1b3, Other Improvements

Evasi0n7 1.0.3 has been released bringing support for jailbreaking iOS 7.1 beta 3 and other improvements.

evasi0n7 1.0.3 is now available on http://evasi0n.com - support for iOS7.1b3, new Cydia bundle, and iPad mini Retina reboot loop fix

You can find our tutorials for jailbreaking iOS 7 below or via the iClarified Jailbreak Wizard.

TUTORIALS:
● How to Jailbreak Your iPhone 5s, 5c, 5, 4s, 4, on iOS 7 Using Evasi0n (Mac)
● How to Jailbreak Your iPhone 5s, 5c, 5, 4s, 4, on iOS 7 Using Evasi0n (Windows)
● How to Jailbreak Your iPad Air, 4, 3, 2, Mini on iOS 7 Using Evasi0n (Mac)
● How to Jailbreak Your iPad Air, 4, 3, 2, Mini on iOS 7 Using Evasi0n (Windows)
● How to Jailbreak Your iPod Touch 5G on iOS 7 Using Evasi0n (Mac)
● How to Jailbreak Your iPod Touch 5G on iOS 7 Using Evasi0n (Windows)

The latest version of evasi0n can be downloaded from here.

Read More

Parrot Unveils MiniDrone Quadricopter With Attachable Ultra-Light Wheels [Video]

At CES 2014, Parrot unveiled the upcoming Parrot MiniDrone, an easy to fly quadricopter.

The device connects to a smartphone or a tablet via Bluetooth Smart (Low Energy), and offers flight stability worthy of professional drones thanks to numerous sensors and autopilot capabilities.

Its ultra-compact and light-weight design, combined with the power of its engines, allows the Parrot Minidrone to fly at high speeds and perform high-precision acrobatics. Attach two ultra-light wheels to the Minidrone structure and it can climb along a wall or move across the ceiling before taking off again into mid-air.

Highlights:
• Amazing high speed flying
• Indoor wheels to roll on the floor or the ceiling
• Super sophisticated stabilization system
• Robust design
• Piloting mode designed for beginners
• Bluetooth Smart technology 

The Parrot MiniDrone will be available this year. Pricing has yet to be announced.

[via Desire This]

http://vimeo.com/83874204

Hipjot App for iPhone Features a Two-Hand Slide Keyboard Capable of 120WPM [Video]

The Hipjot note taking app features a unique two-hand slide keyboard that makes it possible to type 120WPM on the iPhone.

It's just like typing normally (especially when using two fingers), except you don't have to tap the screen everytime you want to type letters that are next to each other. Words like "awesome", "sweden", "suppose" and "seriously" become so much faster to type. 

Swype, a currently popular gesture-based keyboard, only offers one handed swiping and does not allow users to switch between swipes and standard key entry. Swype is owned by Nuance and has only been released for Android devices. Despite talks with Apple, the keyboard has yet to make its way to iOS.

Yose Widjaja, the creator of the keyboard in Hipjot, says "With two finger inputs, you can be a lot more explicit in your touches, so it allows you to type without choosing what you want to type, most of the time, while retaining a comfortable swipe where you want to. One finger swipes are inferior in that words like 'paraphernalia' forces your finger to go left/right so much."

Features:
- Amazing Keyboard - Two Handed Slides
- Gesture Controls - drag and drop your items
- Subfolders, unlimited depth too
- Voice/Sound Recording, even timestamps for notes while recording!
- Photos
- Tagging and Smart-ish Lists
- Reminders for items
- Timeline Mode for everything
- Shortcuts System
- History system
- Quick Alarms
- Backups
- Disk Lock - Disk Encryption Lock (uses Serpent Cipher). 
- A passcode system which easily provides 128bit entropy easily
- Multiple locks for more casual protection - the main, red and blue locks
- Sharing notes and exporting your lists!
- Archive system
- So many color schemes, even the keyboard follows the theme!

With the (optional) serpent cipher for disk lock and the 128-bit entropy generating passcode lock, nobody will snoop in on your data on the cloud. It'll be safe to use cloud backup then.

What's New In This Version:
● Photo Support
● Sound Recording Support + Sound Time Tagging
● Much Better Security Requirement Compliance
● Improved Ergonomics on the security lock.

Check out a video demo of the new keyboard below. Unfortunately, Apple has yet to allow alternative keyboards in iOS; however, it's possible that Widjaja could work with companies directly to integrate the keyboard into their applications. 

You can purchase Hipjot from the App Store for $1.99.

Read More [via MacRumors]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTecUnSgHXw

Sunrise Calendar App Gets iPad Support, Week View, Background Updates

The Sunrise calendar app has been updated with iPad support, a new Week View, and background updates.

Sunrise is a free calendar app made for Google Calendar users. Designed with love, Sunrise is a new experience that will make your life easier.

Features:
• 100% free calendar app with a gorgeous design.
• Compatible with Google Calendar and iCloud.
• A completely redesigned calendar experience for your iPhone.
• Synchronization that just works, in real-time and with background updates.
• Quick Add Event just by typing "Lunch tomorrow at 9pm" (long-press on the +).
• Reminders.
• Timezone Support. No more headache when traveling!
• Facebook Events and Birthdays included.
• See faces and profiles of people you are meeting with using LinkedIn.
• Weather forecast based on your location.
• Smart icons.
• Tag location to events. 
• Use Google Maps for Directions.
• Connect multiple Google Calendars.

What's New In This Version:
Today, we're happy to announce our biggest update since we've introduced Sunrise for iPhone. Sunrise is now designed for your iPad, includes a new Week view and adds background updates.

● iPad
We've worked hard to bring the best Sunrise experience to your iPad. It's the most beautiful calendar everywhere now.
We are introducing two new visualisations: Week and Month. They make it easier to make plans from your iPad and navigate in time quickly.

● Week View (for iPhone too!)
This new visualisation makes it easier to see free-time between events, see your day at-a-glance, or find a time to get dinner with a friend next week.
Tap on the week icon next to the new event button to reveal it. The best part: it works perfectly in portrait mode.

A lot of people have tried to design a week view before, but we think that you'll enjoy the design of Sunrise better!

● Background Updates
Sunrise will now update in the background (every hour by default), so you won't need to open Sunrise to get the latest changes. Notifications will always be up to date.

You can download Sunrise Calendar from the App Store for free.

Read More

New Belkin QODE Keyboard Cases for iPad Air [CES 2014]

Belkin showed us its new line of QODE Bluetooth keyboard cases for the iPad Air at CES 2014.

The company is offering three cases in the QODE lineup: the Ultimate, Slim Style, and Thin Type.

Qode Ultimate Keyboard Case for iPad Air (F5L151) - $129.99
● Extremely thin and light aircraft-grade aluminum for premium feel and durable screen protection
● Well-spaced TruType keys offer responsive, accurate typing
● Three viewing angles with dual neodymium magnets for extra stability
● Keyboard auto on/off; smart sensing technology automatically turns keyboard off when not in use
● Keyboard folds into case for comfortable handheld tablet use
● Rechargeable battery with 264 hours active battery life
● Aluminum body in two color options: Black and Silver

Qode Thin Type Keyboard Case for iPad Air (F5L155) - $99.99
● Protective screen cover and Bluetooth® keyboard in one
● Well-spaced TruType keys offer responsive, accurate typing
● Function and iOS specific keys
● Secure-hold magnets snap seamlessly to iPad
● Two angles for both landscape and portrait viewing
● Rechargeable battery with 79 hours active battery life
● Anodized aluminum body in Silver
● Less than 4mm thin
● Smart sensing technology automatically turns keyboard off when not in use

Qode Slim Style Keyboard Case for iPad Air (F5L152) - $79.99
● Folio-style cover and Bluetooth keyboard in one
● Well-spaced TruType keys offer responsive, accurate typing
● Innovative stand for iPad Air multiple viewing angles
● Handheld media mode – keyboard tucks away flat for touch screen use
● Slim, lightweight, stylish design in 5 colors: Black, Red, Topaz, Sorbet and Purple

Check out the video below for a look at the cases or hit the link for more details...

Read More

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXWVDpDpQZM

Half of iPhone 6 Orders Will Reportedly Go to Pegatron

Pegatron, the current manufacturer of the iPhone 5c and iPad Mini reportedly landed a contract to manufacturer half of Apple's iPhone 6 orders, according to a report from the Liberty Times.

Foxconn currently handles all iPhone 5s orders so it is interesting to hear Apple will include another supplier for its flagship phone. Back in 2013, Apple did shift iPhone 5c production to Pegatron to improve supply chain risk management, which ultimately allowed Apple to prevent any supply chain disasters. 

We have heard rumors that Apple is planning to manufacturer two different-sized iPhones that would include a 4.7-inch and a 5.7-inch screen. Pegatron could manufacturer half of those orders, but at this point, nothing can be verified.

Read More

Alamo Drafthouse Theatre Hires Voice of Siri for 'No Talking, No Texting' PSA [Video]

The Alamo Drafthouse Theatre has hired Susan Bennett, the voice of Siri, for its latest 'No Talking, No Texting' in-theatre PSA.

The PSA will air before showings of 'HER', writer/director Spike Jonze's poignant love story between man and artificial intelligence which was chosen as one of the top 10 movies of 2013 by Alamo programmers. 

Naturally, the film's premise of a man falling for the voice of a computer operating system in the not-too-distant future also brings to mind the disembodied voice of another, current OS familiar to millions: iPhone's Siri. Alamo reached out to the real live human voice of Siri, Susan Bennett, and asked her to record one of Alamo's famed, exclusive "No Talking, No Texting" in-theater PSAs. The result will play before all screenings of HER throughout the film's run at Alamo locations everywhere.

Notably, it seems that Siri is not a fan of Samantha, the AI played by Scarlett Johansson in HER. Asking Siri about Samantha will result in some interesting responses.

Read More [via CultofMac]

Apple is Working on Improving the iPhone's Camera With Optical Image Stabilization, Better Autofocus

A recent patent application reveals that Apple is working on bettering the iPhone's camera with optical image stabilization and improved autofocus.

Spotted by UnwiredView, the patent entitled, "VCM OIS ACTUATOR MODULE", details a lens actuator module that includes an autofocus (AF) mechanism capable of moving a lens according to at least three degrees of freedom and an optical image stabilization (OIS) mechanism capable of moving the lens according to at least two degrees of freedom. 

An embodiment of the invention is an actuator module suitable for use in a camera, more specifically, a miniature camera. The actuator module may include a mechanism to provide an AF function and a mechanism to provide an OIS function. In one embodiment, the AF mechanism may be configured with four separate magnets and four separate coils positioned around a lens carrier. Each coil can deliver a force on one corner of the lens carrier along the optical axis. In this way, if the four coils are driven appropriately with a common mode current they can provide the forces needed to focus the lens. However, if driven differentially, they can actively tilt the lens to compensate for parasitic lens tilt.

The actuator module would also incorporate an OIS mechanism to shift the lens carrier in directions orthogonal to the optical axis.

"Such motions can substantially correct for handshake motions in the center of the image. Using this method of OIS, the associated image sensor substrate can remain stationary, substantially simplifying the camera manufacture, size and packaging in the mobile handheld device."

The combination of the autofocus mechanism and optical image stabilization mechanism within a single actuator module allows it to modify the position of the lens relative to the image sensor along five difference axes. 

More details on how the actuator works can be found at the link below. Of course, it's not a guarantee that Apple will debut this technology in the next iPhone; however, the company has made improvements to the phone's camera with each generation. Let's hope the iPhone 6 launches with OIS!

Read More [via UnwiredView]

CloudApp for Mac Gets Brand New Design, Numerous New Features

CloudApp, a simple file sharing utility for Mac, has been updated with a new design and numerous new features.

Drag a file from your Mac to the CloudApp icon in the menubar and we take care of the rest. A link to the file will automatically be copied to your clipboard that you can give to a friend over Twitter, IM, email, or smoke signals. While other applications make sharing a chore, CloudApp stays out of your way adapting to your specific needs.

FEATURES
• Simple to use, easy to understand.
• Share files and links (Drops).
• Upload by drag-n-drop or using global keyboard shortcuts.
• Share Drops using private or public links.
• View a history of your Drops right from the menubar.
• Re-copy the link to a Drop from the menubar.
• Toggle the privacy level for a Drop from the menubar.
• Delete Drops from the menubar.
• Rename Drops from the menubar.
• Personalized upload notifications.

What's New In This Version:
• NEW: Instant Drops. Share a link before the upload is complete.
• NEW: Lightning fast screenshot shortcut.
• NEW: A brand new design.
• NEW: Thumbnail previews for your Drops.
• NEW: Scroll back through time and see all your drops.
• NEW: Copy direct links and download links and set a default preference.
• NEW: Quicklook: Select an image drop and hit space to see a large preview.
• NEW: Rename drops.
• NEW: Act on multiple drops at once: copy links, open, delete, etc.
• NEW: Hotkey to open pop-over: No need to ever let your hands leave the keyboard!
• NEW: AppleScript support.
• NEW: OS X Notification Center support.
• NEW: CloudApp Pro In-App Purchases.
• Fixed: OS X Mavericks support.
• Fixed: Menubar drop-zone responsiveness.
• Fixed: Menubar icon overlay in full-screen apps.
• Fixed: Login and session issues for some accounts.

You can download Cloud from the App Store for free.

Read More

iPhone 6 Rear Camera Could Retain 8-Megapixel Camera, Bring Improved Image Stabilization?

More rumors keep coming in regarding the next-generation iPhone 6, or iPhone Air. This time, a report from The China Post claims that the next-generation iPhone will feature the same 8-Megapixel camera that is also found in the iPhone 4s, iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s. However, the report claims improved optics will come in the form of image stabilization.

According to Nomura Securities, Largan's recently lagging performance in the market is caused by rumors that Apple may adopt an 8 mega-pixel (MP) camera with improved optical image stabilization on its upcoming handset, instead of the 16 MP upgrade anticipated by industry observers. Apple's decision is based on the design requirement to retain the handset's more portable form factor, said Nomura Securities. In addition, the company's prospects are also expected to slump in the first quarter, with revenues expected to decline by 33 percent in the traditional slow season.

While Megapixel count is not everything in a camera, many industry experts were hoping for a bump to 12-Megapixels or 16-Megapixels. The iPhone 5s packed camera improvements by increasing the pixel size, bringing a larger aperture, introducing a dual LED flash, and many other software enhancements.

Read More via MacRumors

New iWatch[S] and iWatch[C] Concepts [Images]

Concept designer Martin Hajek has posted new iWatch[S] and iWatch[C] concepts. Both feature a new clock face and of course the iWatch[C] has a plastic band.

Nobody knows what the iWatch will look like, not even the infamous Sonny Dickson has leaked any parts yet everyone knows about the production problems which Apple purportedly is facing. All I do know for sure is that I had little problems visualizing the iWatch[C] and iWatch[S] on a wrist.

Take a look at the concepts below. Both 3D models are available for purchase. You might also want to check out the original concept.

Read More

LiveWeatherIcon Brings Current Local Weather Conditions to iOS 7 Weather Icon

LiveWeatherIcon is a new tweak developed by Hamza Sood that adds a live, visual representation of the current weather conditions. The tweak adds the local temperate to your weather icon with a short textual description overlaid on top.

LiveWeatherIcon completely re-envisions the possibilities of the weather icon. It replaces the icon with an animated, visual description of the current weather condition with the temperature and a short textual description overlaid on top.

In order to use this tweak you must be running iOS 7 or later and be using the iPhone 4s, iPhone 5 or iPhone 5s. For those of you that prefer the Yahoo weather app but still would like to have a live icon, you can install 'Yahoo! Weather is Better' and every time you click the Weather Icon it will redirect you to the Yahoo weather app.

You can grab LiveWeatherIcon from Cydia for $1. 

iPhone 6 Metal Frame Allegedly Leaked, Suggests Thin Device

Even though the iPhone 5s was released a few months ago, we have already seen many rumors for Apple's next generation iPhone 6. Apple leaker C-Tech, who is either a hit or a miss, posted the photos below of what appears to be the iPhone 6 metal housing.

The photos show the device being very thin, (as rumors have pointed to, perhaps 6mm) making the iPhone Air name rather appropriate. You can also see the larger back frame, lining up to other rumors that the iPhone will feature a larger display around 4.7 to 5 inches.

Obviously the authenticity of these photos cannot be verified, but do you think the images are legit?

Read More via GForGames

iRing Brings a Motion Controller to Your Music Apps

iRing is a new motion controller that brings motion detection to your music apps and more. iRing essentially allows for air gestures by having the device rest in your hand and having the front camera on the front device detect the movements.

Now control your music apps and effects without touching your device with the iRing touchless controller for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The new iRing uses hand gestures to control parameters of effects and other items in your music apps, allowing you to create stunning and dramatic music in an incredibly fun way by simply moving your hands in front of your device.

iRing uses patented advanced image-recognition, motion control and precise geometric positioning technology to give you control of assignable parameters within your apps. It uses the front-facing camera on your device to determine the exact position of the wearable rings, and recognizes and tracks the movement of the linear or triangular patterned iRing “rings” allowing you to control up to six parameters at a time.

Making music and creating killer real time effects for nonstop dance music and grooves is now easy and as simple as moving your hands… something you probably already do. So get the groove going and take control with your hands and iRing.

Ring is a simple double sided ring that fits comfortably between your fingers. On one side is an engraved linear pattern of three dots, on the other is an engraved triangular pattern of dots. iRing uses the front-facing camera on your device and advanced volumetric positioning algorithms to recognize and determine the exact physical location of the ring in relation to the device camera. This precise reading of the physical location of the ring is converted into MIDI control messages that are easily read by your music apps over time, thus allowing you to move your hands to control certain parameters within your apps. So in essence, iRing and the iRing control app track your movements and convert them into useful info your apps use to change things.

iRing hopes to get the item out sometime this quarter. They have also launched an SDK and free licensing program to help developers who want to use this technology in their own applications.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4YTODlyB9g