Dropbox introduces new ‘mobile prompts’ for two-factor authentication
Dropbox today is rolling out an update to its mobile applications that makes the two-factor authentication process a bit easier. As an alternative to SMS verification and code generators, the Dropbox mobile applications can now act as a way of identity verification…
Consumer Reports pulls Microsoft Surface recommendation over poor reliability
Following up on a new survey done with their subscribers, Consumer Reports is pulling the “recommended” rating for four Microsoft laptops they had previously reviewed. A change in recommendation is not uncommon with Consumer Reports as seen in their initial review of the 2016 MacBook Pro and it’s subsequent reversal.
Unlikely report claims iPhone 8 launch still delayed until November
New reporting from The Korea Herald appears to be surfacing what is likely old information about the iPhone 8 launch. Citing industry sources, the report claims the OLED iPhone won’t be unveiled until November due in part to design decisions with Touch ID not yet being finalized.
Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, which often presents reliable information, released a more optimistic forecast earlier this week predicting the OLED iPhone will debut with very limited supply alongside the new LCD iPhones.
Fitbit’s Apple Watch competitor seen in renders; new sensors could offer better vitals tracking
Following its acquisition of Pebble last December, Fitbit has been rumored to be working on its own smartwatch for a release at some point this year. We saw a couple renders of Fitbit’s latest wearable back in May, but a new batch of images from Wareable shines new light on what to expect from the upcoming Apple Watch competitor.
Popular iOS and Mac writing app Ulysses goes subscription-only, offers limited-time lifetime discount to existing users
The recurring subscription model is a business strategy that a growing list of app developers have decided to adopt, and the latest such move comes from the folks behind the stellar iOS and Mac writing app Ulysses. Users can now enjoy a 14-day Ulysses trial, and thereafter subscribe for $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year.
Subscriptions are beneficial to developers because it provides them with a recurring source of revenue as they work to continually update the app, provide fixes and support, and develop new features. Software products are never “done” and software engineers, designers, and support staff never stop working, so it makes sense from a sustainable business perspective.
That said, it’s also understandable that, despite the considerably lower cost of entry, there may be pushback among consumers who aren’t interested in yet another subscription fee to add to their ever-growing list of recurring payments.
So the folks at Ulysses are sweetening the deal for already-existing customers, providing a lifetime 50% discount for a limited time period. more…
Apple falls behind Xiaomi and Fitbit in wearable shipments ahead of LTE Apple Watch launch
Canalys is out with new data on the worldwide wearable band market for Q2 2017 that puts Apple in third place behind Xiaomi and Fitbit. Separate analysis saw Apple beat both brands during the previous quarter.
The figures combine both pricier smart watches and cheaper fitness bands which explains Apple’s third place finish, but Canalys expects LTE connectivity to boost the smartwatch market during the second half of this year.
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iOS 11: How to remove Portrait Mode effect after photo was taken
When Apple launched the iPhone 7 Plus, one of the biggest features was the dual-camera system’s Portrait Mode. The mode gives images a DSLR-like background blur, albeit with some hiccups occassionally. Sometimes the effect looks unnatural or just blurs key areas of the photo.
On iOS 10, if you didn’t have the option to keep the normal photo enabled under Settings, you might’ve lost a perfectly good moment. It may not have been perfect on day one, but Apple has been making improvements to the effect over various iOS updates.
On iOS 11, photographers will now be able to disable the depth effect even after the photo has already been taken without managing the setting. Let’s take a look how.
Respawn brings Titanfall to iOS with a new PvP RTS game
After Vince Zampella and Jason West parted ways with Infinity Ward and the multi-billion dollar Call of Duty franchise they co-created, the two went on to form their own indie studio by the name of Respawn. With high-expectations looming, the company unveiled its first major new IP with Titanfall back in 2014. Fast forward to 2016, Respawn dropped the sequel to favorable reviews effectively cementing Titanfall to full franchise status. And now today, the company is taking it one step further with the release of a brand new mobile game known as Titanfall: Assault… more…