iOS

Android bumps up smartphone lead over Apple's iOS

Android continues to woo more customers, increasing its lead over Apple's iOS in the U.S. smartphone arena, according to new stats from ComScore today.

For the three months ended October, Android's share of U.S. smartphone users grew 4.4 points over the prior three months, helping it scoop up 46.3 percent of the market. Apple stayed firmly in second place, gaining an extra percentage point to win a 28.1 percent share.

In third place was BlackBerry maker RIM with 17.2 percent of the market, a loss of 4.5 points from the prior … Read more

Apple iOS is safer than Android, McAfee says

In the fight against malware, Apple's iOS outshines Android as a safer environment, but no mobile device is free from risk, says a new report from McAfee (PDF).

Apple has so far done a good job of securing its devices, according to the report, noting that there have been no known cases of malware affecting iPhones, at least those that haven't been jailbroken. One reason iOS is more secure is because Apple restricts the way users can download apps.

iOS device owners can only download apps through Apple's App Store or through Mobile Device Management, which gives … Read more

Fanhattan adds popular new services

TV and movie fans: one of the best streaming media and entertainment discovery apps for iOS just got better with three new content providers.

Fanhattan for iOS (download for iPhone or iPad) already let you discover and watch TV and movies on your iOS device from many popular services including Netflix, Hulu Plus, iTunes, Vudu, and ABC. Starting today, Fanhattan has added a wealth of new content from PBS, Crackle, and Lifetime.

The Fanhattan App offers a great layout for entertainment discovery. To get started, you choose between TV or Movies on the home screen. From there, Fanhattan offers several ways to dig in to your favorite shows, letting you swipe to browse related content like reviews from Metacritic, trailers, actor and crew bios, and much more.… Read more

Infinity Blade II: The best thing to happen to iPad/iPhone games?

Does adding a "2" to one of the most popular titles in the App Store make it better? Much like the iPad 2 itself, Infinity Blade II is a refinement and an improvement on its predecessor. As a result, it's better. Does that make Infinity Blade II a must-have game? Most definitely, especially for its $6.99 price. Is it revolutionary? Well, not exactly.

Epic and Chair Entertainment's follow-up to last year's Infinity Blade has garnered as much front-row attention as the original, largely due to its prominent mention during Apple's recent keynotes. Those hoping for a true console-style RPG were let down by the simple, linear-path-based story and Punch-Out-esque gameplay, but most people quickly got over that when they found out how addictive the hack-and-slash/leveling experience was. A sword-and-sorcery version of Fruit Ninja, in a way, but that's hardly a bad thing.… Read more

Buzz Out Loud 1568: That's just the Google Maps guy, ignore him (Podcast)

The Carrier IQ spy software scandal continues to grow: Al Franken wants an explanation and researchers say it might even be showing up in iOS. AT&T's T-Mobile bid is on death watch, and we perform a live demo of Siri's abortion "glitch" -- biggest problem? It's not search and it should be search. Meanwhile, Google announces that it's planning to map indoor spaces, and we envision a world of Google mapping guys on Segways in the mall and maybe even snooping around our cubicles and kitchens.

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How to disable Carrier IQ on your iOS device

Carrier IQ, a company practically none of us knew about a few weeks ago, sure is making a name for itself this week.

With Carrier IQ having now been found in iOS, you may feel more comfortable knowing you can disable any logging or reporting done by the service on your iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone in just a few steps. … Read more

How to use the built-in dictionary in iOS 5

One overlooked feature in iOS 5 is the built-in dictionary.

Huh? Yea, we thought the same thing. Apple included a dictionary in iOS 5, allowing users to quickly look up the definition of a word from nearly anywhere in the OS.

To get the definition for a word, simply highlight the word and tap on Define. If Define isn't an option, there should be an arrow on the right side of the pop-up, tap on it, and then press Define. Doing so will launch a dictionary, providing you with a definition, all the while not forcing you to leave … Read more

Carrier IQ tracking iPhone customers too, hacker says

Carrier IQ, a company that provides tracking tools to carriers and phone vendors, has come under fire as of late for monitoring Android-based devices. And now, the company's software has been found on the iPhone.

Carrier IQ's software is running on every iOS version dating back to iOS 3, well-known iPhone hacker "Chpwn" said yesterday in a blog post. Chpwn dug through the iPhone's operating system for any sign of Carrier IQ and found it deeply embedded in the operating system's "/usr/bin/" directory.

Yesterday, CNET reported on Carrier IQ's deep integration in Android. … Read more

How to use your iPhone's headphones for steady photo captures

Here's one of those tips that's so obvious, you'll be surprised you missed it.

With iOS 5 utilizing the volume-up button for the camera shutter, iPhotography seriously improved, as previously tapping the screen to activate the shutter would often render blurry photos.

Then yesterday, one of my favorite food photographers tweeted her brilliant discovery: you can also use your headset volume-up button to capture a photo.

Just launch your iPhone's camera, ready your shot, and click the volume up button to snap the photo. If you have a Bluetooth headset with volume control, it'll likely … Read more

Printstagram delivers retro photos to your doorstep

Social Print Studios, a Web gallery for social photos based in San Francisco, is encouraging Instagram users to make their snapshots physical using Printstagram.

The number of photos you can submit depends on the format. For example, you can fit up to 400 photos on a large 20x40-inch poster for $25, or you can spend half the price on two minibooks that can hold up to 50 photos each.

The Printstagram site is vague on details and neglects to mention the print quality of the photos themselves, but I doubt anyone would even notice if the prints turned out grainy or overexposed.

Regardless, any of the projects would make a creative gift for the Instagram-obsessed. Check out other ways to have fun with Instagram photos at Printstagram.

Correction, December 5: This blog post originally had the incorrect spelling of Printstagram.… Read more