MacRumors iPhone and iPad Blog: Apps, News, and Rumors

Samsung today announced the first iOS apps for its popular Gear family of smartwatches, which were previously only compatible with Android phones. The Samsung Gear S app brings iPhone connectivity to the company's Gear 2 and Gear 3 wearables, while the Gear Fit app offers similar compatibility for Gear Fit2 watches. The apps allow device owners to monitor features and manage applications...

Russian authorities have required Apple and Google to remove the LinkedIn app from the App Store and Google Play in Russia, reports The New York Times. The move comes a couple weeks after Russia blocked LinkedIn's website. The demand by Russian authorities to remove LinkedIn in Apple and Google app stores comes weeks after a court blocked the professional networking service for flouting...

In celebration of the 2017 Chinese New Year, designated Year of the Rooster, Apple has launched a new section on its website in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore highlighting five young Chinese artists that have created contemporary versions of traditional "Nianhua" folk art. The first day of the Chinese New Year is January 28, 2017. The artists include Victo Ngai, Eszter Chen, Zhou...

The lightweight nature and small size of Apple's AirPods have caused concerns for current and future owners of the Bluetooth headphones, centering around how easy it could be to lose them. iOS developer Deucks has made an effort to alleviate some of that worry for owners with a new app called "Finder for AirPods," [$3.99 Direct Link] which measures Bluetooth signal strength from a lost AirPod to...

At Apple's September 2016 special event, Instagram announced several new features for its app to take advantage of various iPhone capabilities. Today, co-founder Mike Krieger announced that two of the features, wide color support and Live Photos support, are rolling out to users. Instagram had to revise its photo filters to support the iPhone 7's new camera capabilities. The new photo...

Starting today, Verizon will no longer be allowing customers who are upgrading their smartphones to purchase a two-year contract, effectively eliminating two-year contracts for all new and existing users. While Verizon did away with two-year contracts for new customers back in August of 2015, existing customers were able to re-purchase two-year contracts when upgrading their smartphones. That...

Leviton today unveiled new HomeKit-enabled light switches and dimmers at CES 2017, including a 1000W Universal Dimmer, 600W Universal Dimmer, and 15A Universal Rocker Switch. Like other smart light switches and dimmers, the trio of new Decora products can be used in tandem with the free Decora Smart Home app for iPhone and iPad to control lights and loads. The app has customizable settings...

Honeywell today unveiled two indoor security cameras and confirmed plans to add HomeKit to its Lyric Security system at CES 2017 in Las Vegas. The semi-cylindrical Lyric C1 camera captures 720p video at 30 FPS with a 135-degree viewing angle, while the circular Lyric C2 camera records in 1080p at 30 FPS and has a 138-degree viewing angle. Both models have a built-in speaker and microphone for...

OtterBox today announced that it will soon be expanding its modular uniVERSE case system to the iPad Air 2 and 9.7-inch iPad Pro, along with the introduction of new partners for the system like Brydge, olloclip, and Tile. uniVERSE combines the rugged protection of the company's brand with modular add-ons that enhance the features of the case, which is even more expansive on iPad thanks to two...

Self-serve technology company USA Technologies today announced that it will soon integrate its MORE. loyalty and payroll deduct program with Apple Pay at more than 300,000 vending machines across the United States. With the partnership, and inclusion of the MORE. program, users at any participating machine will be able to purchase an item with Apple Pay and receive exclusive offers, promotions,...

Clarion, JVC, and Kenwood have introduced new CarPlay systems at CES 2017 this week in Las Vegas, providing iPhone users with additional aftermarket options for adding Apple's in-car software to their dashboards. Clarion's new flagship NX807 unit is a 7-inch HD touchscreen with tilt control. In addition to CarPlay, it is SiriusXM ready and features an HDMI input, dual USB ports, support for...

Incipio today introduced a new Kiddy Lock Case for the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus, which is designed to prevent children from accessing the Home button on the two devices with a sliding cover and a secure latch. The Kiddy Lock Case fully covers the Home button and renders it inaccessible, preventing kids from opening apps, accessing Touch ID functionality, making phone calls, and more....

Misfit today introduced the Misfit Vapor, its first smart watch that includes a touchscreen. Vapor is Misfit's most advanced wearable device yet, with fitness, sleep, and heart rate tracking along with GPS and standalone music functionality. Vapor has a 1.39-inch circular AMOLED display that's attached to a traditional watch band, for a setup that's not too bulky and can fit a wide range of...

D-Link has unveiled its first HomeKit-enabled home security camera at CES 2017 this week. The new Omna 180 Cam HD is the first product in D-Link's forthcoming Omna family of HomeKit-enabled devices. The cylindrical Omna 180 Cam HD features a 1080p camera with a 180-degree field of view, a built-in microphone and speaker with two-way audio, infrared night vision up to 16 feet, and motion...

At CES today, smart lock maker August announced the newest addition to its home security line, called the August Smart Lock Mortise Kit. The company called the new product the first solution in North America that converts mortise style door locks into smart locks. Mortise locks are typical in multi-unit apartment buildings and integrate the locking bolt functionality directly into a door's...

We've seen it in third-party speakers and cars already at this week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, but Amazon's Alexa is also about to become a smartphone personal assistant. Chinese mobile company Huawei used CES 2017 to announce it will be the first handset maker in the U.S. to pre-load the voice-activated AI into a phone. The HUAWEI MATE 9 will be the first smartphone to ...

Ford has announced it is teaming up with Amazon to integrate Alexa virtual assistant into its cars, allowing vehicle owners to access shop, search, and control smart home features on the road. The partnership means owners of Ford cars equipped with the SYNC 3 AppLink system will be able to access Amazon's Alexa voice-activated virtual assistant from the driver's seat, enabling them to check...

Speck, best known for the cases and accessories it makes for Apple's line of products, is showing off two new protective cases at this year's Consumer Electronics Show. The Presidio Clear is Speck's first drop-resistant laptop case, while the Presidio Show is its latest iPhone case. The Presidio Clear is made with a dynamic transparent material that Speck is calling "Impactium Clear," and...