Instagram User Privacy Update

An overview of Instagram's forthcoming Terms of Use, which allows it's parent Facebook to use your own photos in advertisements.

iTunes 11: Screenshots and Overview

Apple recently updated the desktop version of iTunes with an interface similarly found in it's iOS devices.  The Cover Flow feature, allowing users to flip through music and movie covers has also been removed. Peep some of the interface changes.

Jet Set Radio Mobile

One of Sega's most innovative yet under-appreciated games from the DreamCast console era, finally makes its way to mobile devices! Here's a few screenshots of Jet Set Radio Mobile.

Apple Invite for September 12, 2012

Apple's event invitations are often vague yet give hints are what products they will showcase. Earlier in the week, the company sent out invitations for next week's event with a simple image. Any guesses as to what they might unveil?


 Via The Loop

Review: NIKE + Running App for iPhone

An updated user interface layered with graphic friendly buttons and menus, secures the NIKE+ Running app as one of the best apps around. Bundled with more features and social networking sharing capabilities, your exercise routine will never be the same.

When we first reviewed the app awhile back, it was already a winner in our book, as one of the few have apps on your iPhone. The app with it's settings can capture your running schedule and respond with what your results after your routine. A recent update has revamped the old look and feel, giving it a more colorful and "infographic" look for the app. Which isn't necessarily a negative as bigger onscreen buttons are a welcome addition and a great departure from the old look. New social media sharing connectivity for sites like Facebook and Twitter, gives your friends and family an insight into your running regimen. Of course, you can still turn off these functions but why deny the world, the hard work and effort you put into getting in shape?

Furthermore, other new features include statistical charts and graphics detailing all of your runs and the ability to add what particular shoe you're using. NIKE+ Running still ranks as one of the best and most useful apps for the longhaul on your iPhone.

Download via the App Store:

Instagram Updates

I've been using Instagram far more than I have recently and that's thanks in part to the app's recent updates. Certain aspects and features such as the user interface and sharing capabilities have greatly improved. Having been acquired by Facebook, I wonder how much of the design change has been implemented by the parent company. Furthermore, the connection to another app, Foursquare has also been more prominent as well. This update allows users to geotag their photos but if you value your privacy, you may want to limit this feature.

The main interface still maintains the minimal look as before. Updated icons, buttons and menus are certainly more appealing and are a treat visually. Twitter users will no longer be able to find and their associates through the Options menu, as it has been completely cut off. This is not Instagram's fault but rather Twitter's own doing, forcing users to do a manual search instead.

Download Instagram:

Apple TV: 20th Century Fox Movies and iCloud

20th Century Fox and Apple appear to have reached a deal regarding streaming the movie studio's content via Apple TV and the iCloud service. As of this past week, my previously purchased movies (Avatar, X-Men: First Class, etc.) are now available for streaming. Furthermore, the deal allows for the purchase of the studio's films through the Apple TV service.

Next Generation iPhone : Our Wish List

With the next generation iPhone possibly debuting later this year, here's a few of our requests and changes when it comes to the look and feel of the revered device. Maybe the fine folks at Cupertino will listen? These are strictly hardware changes though:

Design:

Of course when it comes to design it's very subjective.  The flat side areas of the current generation is handy for those who've desired placing the phone down on a flat surface to snap pictures or take movies. We wouldn't necessarily mind a design change but retaining this flat surface would still be welcome. Third-party vendors like Hipstamatic sell their own integrated case/stand for this latest model.

NBA2K12 for iPhone: AirPlay Update

Developer 2K Sports has released a new update for NBA2K12 for iPhone. The 1.4.3 update features social media sharing capabilities, the ability to capture your best replays, and limited AirPlay support.

iCloud Backup

One striking component of Apple’s iCloud feature, is the free 5 GB of online storage it provides it’s iOS device users. With the 5 GB allotted space, users can simply choose to sync and backup their device data and settings to the iCloud service, or the usual method, to their primary iTunes accounts on their computers. Now you would think 5 GB is pretty ample space but in reality, it’s actually not the case. Depending on the number of your photos in your Camera Roll, 5 GB can quickly be eaten up by those pictures. 

iTunes 10.6: Download Previously Purchased Movies

With the 10.6 iTunes update, you can now download previously purchased movies to any computer or any iOS device. Not all of the Hollywood studios have agreements with Apple for this feature yet but expect them to have their movies available as well.  This feature is located on the main screen of iTunes.


The option to redownload HD movies in 1080p resolution is also available.

Related Stories:

• Transfer your Apple TV purchases to your iOS device
• iTunes 1080p HD movies
• OSX Lion Mission Control

iTunes 1080p Movie Resolution

The recent 10.6 update for iTunes now features movies and television shows available for purchase, in 1080p resolution. You can switch to this format in the Preferences section of iTunes or continue with the same 720p resolution as before.  Depending on the movie, there will be a size increase for the media file when you choose the new resolution.

AT&T Smartphone Data Plans

AT&T has revised their wireless data plans for their smartphones.  The 2GB monthly plan is no longer available to new customers but existing users are able to continue using it.  With the changes, the lowest priced option is 300MB for $20 and $30 for 3GB of service replaces the previous 2GB selection offered. We suspect that if you're still on the 2GB plan and purchase a new smartphone, you might get placed into the new 3GB option.  If you use the AT&T app like we do, you can track your data usage and update your plans and services with ease.

Download the AT&T App:

Review: Soul Calibur for iPhone

The last time I played Soul Calibur was on the Dream Cast gaming console, so you might say its been awhile. You can imagine my surprise, when the game suddenly appears on the app store. Joining the already crowded field of fighting games like Street fighter, Infinity Blade and even Fight Night Champion on the iPhone and other iOS devices, Soul Calibur is a welcome treat for nostalgic reasons.

OSX Lion: Mission Control

While we miss Spaces, the desktop/workspace management feature from Apple's OSX Snow Leopard operating system, the new Mission Control feature is greatly appreciated. Spaces was one of the features of Snow Leopard that was probably greatly underused unless you needed to multitask.  Have a number of apps open in your main work window was cumbersome if you need to switch to other apps more efficiently.  Spaces provided an easier to switch and devote an entire desktop screen or "space" for your own specific app.  With the OSX Lion operating system update, Spaces was replaced by Mission Control. 

What's great about Mission Control is that you can actually use a different desktop background for each "space".  Sure it may not be a giant leap from Spaces but it does users a different look and feel to their individual desktop views, without having the change the entire setting for all "spaces".  Simply change the settings in System Preferences for your own individual choosing. 

Algorridim DJ app for iPhone

If you've ever wanted to learn to DJ but lacked the ability to pick up some turntables for practice, then relax because there's an app for that. DJ equipment whether it's turntables, mixers and other accessories can cost a pretty penny to assemble. Fortunately for aspiring professional DJs everywhere, Algoriddim's DJ ap for both iPad and yes the iPhone, allows you to practice your mixing skills, add scratching effects and even tweak your tracks in their own unique way. All this can be accomplished at an affordable cost while leading the way towards professional gigs at events.

Batman Arkham City Lockdown for iPhone Review

UPDATE: The Harley Quinn level is now available!

Epic Games finally brings the Dark Knight's adventures to the iPhone and iPad. Is the game up to par with other iOS games like Infinity Blade, before it? Furthermore, can it match the hype and intensity of its console brethren?

If Epic Games' Infinity Blade set the bar for 3-D gaming on the iPhone then Batman Arkham city lockdown raises that bar once again. On the heels of the Arkham City release for gaming consoles, Epic Games and Warner Bros. interactive have unleashed Batman Arkham City Lockdown for iOS mobile gamers. If you've enjoyed Infinity Blade, then the gameplay shouldn't be any different. Powered by the same Unreal Engine, instead of lush environments as featured in Infinity Blade, we get the same dark and dreary tones established way back in Arkham Asylum and in Arkham City.  Your task once again, is that the Dark Knight has round up the escaped criminals from Arkham once again.  You'd think they'd built a better lock!

iPhone 4S: Is Siri Causing Our Battery Drainage

While we've enjoyed our new iPhone 4S, we're not pleased with the state of the battery life.  We haven't done a scientific study but we've certainly noticed the faster battery drain with the new iPhone as compared to other iPhone models and maybe, it's because of the Siri feature?  Siri is the voice assisted feature available only for iPhone 4S users.

Turning off Bluetooth doesn't work. So we're left to ponder if this new feature is the culprit. We don't believe it's a hardware issue. We updated to the latest iOS on our old iPhone 4 and haven't experienced this sort of issue show up. Perhaps there's an imminent update soon to resolve this. Until then, we suggest you use an extra charger or bring along a USB cable with you.

Apple Store Black Friday

Apple has unveiled their announcement for their "shopping event" on Black Friday. Over the years, we haven't seen a huge discount from the folks at Cupertino but who knows how much deals consumers will score.

H/T AppleInsider

iPhone Camera

The recent iOS 5 update for iPhones and iPads has brought significant new features to the iPhone 4 and 4S Camera. Of course it's no secret that apps like Instagram and PhotoShop Express most likely contributed to the addition of these features. Users will find new tools for editing, sharing and organizing photographs. We've gone beyond simple HDR features from previous updates as the new features allow for Red-Eye removal and easier social-network sharing. The interface remains relatively the same and it's simplicity won't confuse new and old users alike.

PHOTO EDITING

Powerful and simple new editing tools are now available for those who've ever wanted to fix red-eye issues with photos or manipulate photos altogether, right there on their iPhones. A new menu will appear once the Edit button has been pressed allowing for: rotation of images, auto-enhancement, red-eye removal and cropping. If you used the PhotoShop Express app before then this style isn't a radically far departure from that app.

We're wondering if Apple plans to release an iPhoto app that allows synching of photos and albums directly to one's library.