http://www.iLounge.com Articles on iPod, iPhone, iPad, iTunes, Music, and more en Copyright 2013 iLounge, Inc. All rights reserved jeremy@ilounge.com (Jeremy Horwitz) jesse@ilounge.com (Jesse Hollington) http://www.expressionengine.com/ Articles-31430 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/instant-expert-secrets-features-of-apple-tv-5.3/
]]> On the heels of the excitement from last week’s Worldwide Developer Conference, Apple today rolled out Apple TV Software Update 5.3 for the second- and third-generation Apple TV. The new update adds five major new content providers for users in the United States, including HBO GO, ESPN, Sky News, Qello, and Crunchyroll. As usual, Apple continues to number its Apple TV Software Updates differently from corresponding iOS versions, despite the… Features Jesse Hollington 2013-06-19T21:36:24+00:00 Reviews-31417 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/logitech-harmony-smart-control/
]]> Just like the $350 Harmony Ultimate, the $130 Harmony Smart Control bundles a sleek black remote control with a wall-powered Infrared blaster called a Harmony Hub. The Hub has an 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi chip inside, as well as Bluetooth 3.0, so it’s capable of receiving commands from both the dedicated remote control and your iOS device, as well as controlling certain game consoles with Bluetooth functionality. Every sub-$100 “universal”… Apple TV + AccessoriesMiscellaneous AccessoriesRemote Control Accessories Jeremy Horwitz 2013-06-19T21:30:15+00:00 Reviews-31402 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/eton-rukus-xl-bluetooth-wireless-speaker/
]]> Unlike audio systems that surprise you by delivering more than you’d expect from their small bodies, Rukus XL is designed to wow you with its bulk. Measuring roughly 14” inches wide by 8” tall and 5” deep, it looks from the sides like an extruded triangle, complete with sturdy hard rubber edges and metal speaker grilles that imply a certain level of anti-shock ruggedization. Rukus XL’s grilles are notably gray rather than Soulra XL’s… Speakers - BluetoothPortable Nick Guy 2013-06-19T18:27:48+00:00 News-31429 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/apple-patent-chief-leaves-company/ ]]> Boris Teksler, who headed Patent Licensing and Strategy at Apple for four years, recently left the company to join Technicolor, a French media and entertainment company. Teksler notably played a large role in the company’s patent battles with Samsung, and departed while Apple and Samsung remain tangled in litigation. [via Apple Insider] ... Apple Phil Dzikiy 2013-06-19T17:16:54+00:00 News-31428 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/apple-1b-tv-episodes-380m-movies-downloaded/ ]]> Noted within Apple’s official announcement regarding HBO GO and WatchESPN launching on Apple TV, the company has disclosed that iTunes users have downloaded more than one billion TV episodes and 380 million movies from iTunes. While the numbers pale by comparison with app and song download numbers, they represent interesting milestones for video content. Apple notes that iTunes users are now purchasing more than 800,000 TV episodes and more… AppleiTunesApple TV Phil Dzikiy 2013-06-19T16:14:34+00:00 News-31427 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/apple-tv-software-update-53-adds-hbo-go-espn-more/
]]> Apple today released Apple TV Software Update 5.3, the latest update for its second- and third-generation set-top boxes. The latest update adds support for HBO GO, WatchESPN, Sky News, Qello, and Crunchyroll for users in specific regions such as the United States. HBO GO and WatchESPN require cable subscriptions through participating providers. Qello offers both paid and free subscriptions for users to watch on-demand HD concerts and music documentaries.… AppleApple TV Jesse Hollington 2013-06-19T14:18:41+00:00 News-31426 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/report-apple-testing-ios-7-linkedin-integration/ ]]> Apple is reportedly testing “deep LinkedIn integration” for the release of iOS 7. Similar to prior integration of Facebook and Twitter, a single sign-on system for LinkedIn accounts was found within code in the first beta of iOS 7. Apple could introduce this feature in the final release of iOS 7, but it’s also possible that it could vanish entirely after internal testing. An earlier report regarding Apple’s plans to integrate… AppleiPadiPhoneiPod Phil Dzikiy 2013-06-19T15:16:26+00:00 Mac-31425 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/flexibits-chatology/
]]> Apple’s Messages app held a lot of promise when it was announced, and for the most part, it works. In addition to being able to instant message, you can text your friends through iMessage. A lot of the bugginess has been worked out since the app first launched, but there’s still a major problem: searching through your chat logs. Try typing in a search term, and your Mac will likely freeze up altogether. That’s where Flexibits Chatology… Apps Nick Guy 2013-06-19T14:59:15+00:00 News-31424 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/alleged-schematic-leaks-show-2013-iphone-designs/
]]> Accessory makers are already making cases for Apple’s new iPhones based on leaked “design plans believed to have originated at Apple,” according to a new report. The schematics show an iPhone 5S that closely resembles the iPhone 5. The other phone, referred to in the report as “iPhone Light,” shows the device as slightly wider, taller, and thicker, with rounded edges. Both schematics are consistent with our initial January… iPhone Phil Dzikiy 2013-06-19T14:26:57+00:00 Mac-31253 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/brother-mfc-9130cw-mfc-9340cdw-digital-color-all-in-one-wireless-printers/
]]> If there’s one peripheral category that the term “necessary evil” fits more than any other, it’s printers. Despite the digitization of pretty much everything, sometimes you just have to put ink on a sheet or ream of paper. To that end, Brother has introduced a new line of all-in-one printers, notably including its MFC-9130CW ($400) and MFC-9340CDW ($450) Digital Color All-in-One Printers with Wireless Networking, each worth… Peripherals Nick Guy 2013-06-18T21:31:45+00:00 Reviews-29872 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/puregear-px260-px360-extreme-protection-system-for-iphone-5/
]]> The cases are both made of matte-finished plastic, the back half of which is lined with a thin, soft foam. Once your iPhone has been sandwiched between the two pieces, screws at each of the corners and right in the middle of the long sides are tightened, locking your device in place. PureGear’s designs are somewhat like Lunatik’s Taktik, although the Extreme Protection Systems are far less bulky. When a case is fully assembled, the back… Cases - iPhoneiPhone 5 Nick Guy 2013-06-18T19:10:43+00:00 Articles-31422 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/ios-7-settings-including-accessibility-wallpaper/
]]> Soon after Apple debuted the completely redesigned iOS 7 on June 10, 2013, it became obvious that the iOS user experience has changed enough to merit a public re-introduction – a forward-looking discussion of the updated user interface and integrated apps. Our series on iOS 7 has looked at every key section of Apple’s new operating system, starting with setting up iOS devices, the new Lock Screen and Home Screen, then continuing through other… Features Jesse Hollington 2013-06-18T20:07:35+00:00 Tips-31423 http://ilounge.com/index.php/tips/comments/quickly-search-in-the-itunes-store/
]]> The search field in the top-right corner of the iTunes window is a handy way to find content in your own library, but did you know that you can also quickly search the iTunes Store directly from this field? Simply enter your text in the search field and hold down the OPT key (Mac) or SHIFT key (Windows) when pressing RETURN and you’ll be automatically taken to a results page in the iTunes Store. This can be particularly useful when you’re… iTunes Jesse Hollington 2013-06-18T19:31:19+00:00 Reviews-31412 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/odoyo-powershell-ex-rechargeable-battery-case-for-iphone-5/
]]> Each version of Power+Shell EX splits into two separate pieces. There’s the main body, which is a plastic sled, and then the plastic frame. Odoyo also includes a headphone port extender and a Micro-USB charging cable. Once the iPhone has been placed on the Lightning plug, the frame snaps in place, but we found it took a few times around to make sure all of the latches clicked in correctly. Like many similar cases, this one leaves the volume… BatteriesCasesCases - iPhoneiPhone 5 Nick Guy 2013-06-18T18:34:31+00:00 News-31421 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/apps-gangstar-vegas-man-of-steel-photo-cube-wifi-3.59-play-doh-create-abcs/
]]> Gangstar Vegas ($7) is the latest installment in Gameloft’s Gangstar series. Like earlier Gangstar titles, it’s a sandbox-style action and driving game in the Grand Theft Auto mold, letting you walk, fight, steal cars, and fire weapons across multiple missions. This edition notably includes an impressive rendition of Las Vegas, featuring renamed versions of many of the famous Strip hotels, including the pyramid-like Luxor, Treasure Island,… iPadiPhoneApps + GamesiPod Phil Dzikiy 2013-06-18T16:25:06+00:00 Mac-31420 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/mac/comments/alex-arena-preferences-quick-launch/
]]> Alex Arena created Preferences Quick Launch (Free) in a weekend because he wanted a quicker way to get to the Sound pane buried in OS X’s Preferences. His project is our gain, as the set of applications in this package make getting to any of the different settings in Preferences even easier. The .zip file contains a folder of 27 tiny apps, each corresponding to a different pane, from General to Startup Disk, Bluetooth to Users & Groups.… Apps Nick Guy 2013-06-18T16:01:41+00:00 News-31419 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/alleged-iphone-5s-leaks-show-display-logic-board/
]]> More alleged iPhone 5S parts have leaked, as photos from Japanese part vendor Moumantai and U.S. repair shop iHeart Repair show what appear to be a display assembly and logic board for Apple’s new device. As expected, the parts look very similar to iPhone 5 parts, with generally the same proportions. However, a report notes the display assembly has both a horizontal and vertical flex cable connector, which appear to align with the logic board.… AppleiPhone Phil Dzikiy 2013-06-18T14:50:01+00:00 News-31418 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/apple-tv-beta-reveals-itunes-radio-support/ ]]> A new report confirms that the Apple TV will include support for Apple’s recently unveiled iTunes Radio service. With the initial Apple TV Software beta, released to developers alongside the iOS 7 beta, iTunes Radio appears as a standalone app with its own icon. A series of stations compiled by Apple is apparently provided, along with the ability for users to create custom stations based on an artist, genre, or song and purchase the currently… AppleApple TV Jesse Hollington 2013-06-18T13:39:20+00:00 News-31416 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/apples-cue-reveals-more-ibooks-launch-details/ ]]> Apple Senior Vice President Eddy Cue revealed a number of additional details about Steve Jobs and the iBooks launch today while testifying in the DOJ’s e-book pricing conspiracy case. Cue said the “page curls” idea in the iBooks app when turning a page came from Steve Jobs, who also chose Winnie the Pooh as the free book to be included with the app. According to Cue, that’s partially because Jobs liked the book, and also because… AppleiPadApps + GamesBooks Phil Dzikiy 2013-06-17T22:02:09+00:00 Reviews-31364 http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/soundfreaq-sound-step-lightning-sfq-02l/
]]> Featuring the same design language we’ve seen in nearly all of the company’s other speakers, Sound Step Lightning is a compact, boxy audio system with a trapezoidal platform base. Measuring 3.5” tall, 13” wide, and 5” deep, it’s unusual in that it’s noticeably shorter than almost all of the iPods and iPhones that it connects to. Like the prior Sound Steps, Sound Step Lightning can support a full-sized Retina iPad… Speakers - BluetoothStationarySpeakers - Lightning ConnectoriPad CompatibleStationary Jeremy Horwitz 2013-06-17T21:59:54+00:00