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

Following yesterday's anti-iPad Surface RT ad, Microsoft today released another new advertisement, this time targeting Apple's iPad mini. In the spot, Microsoft compares the mini to the 8-inch Acer Iconia W3 tablet, which runs the full version of Windows 8. The ad returns to using a Siri voiceover to poke fun at the mini while demonstrating the similarities between the two tablets. Microsoft...

Disney has launched “Disney Animated” for iOS, an interactive app that encompasses the history of animation and technology for all 53 films by the company. The app includes features such as interactive animations that feature Disney characters and the ability to zoom in on concept art and backgrounds to see intricate details. Also, the app allows users to animate a character from Wreck-It-Ralph ...

KeyMe, a house key data and key replication app, has launched today for iOS, helping users keep secure virtual copies of their keys even in the event that their original keys are lost. The app includes features such as the ability for users to scan in virtualized photos of keys on their phone using the camera, as well data storage of specific house key characteristics to make locksmith...

AVOS Systems, a company led by YouTube co-founders Chad Hurley and Steven Chen, has launched MixBit, a new social video service for iOS. The app includes features such as the ability to record 16-second clips known as "bits" and allows users mix as many as 256 bits into one video, as well as the capability to remix video clips shared by other users. The app also allows users to record video by...

Bloomberg reports that Apple this week will ask a U.S. appeals court to forbid sales of specific Samsung mobile devices that were found in violation of various Apple patents by a California jury last year. These models include phones such as the Galaxy S2 and the Droid Charge, as well as tablets like the Galaxy Tab, although most of the devices have already been removed from the market by...

T-Mobile revealed today in its Q2 2013 results that it had sold a total of 4.3 million smartphones in the quarter, with iPhone sales accounting for 29% of the carrier's new and upgrade sales since its launch early in the quarter. The company announced an addition of 1.1 million new customers to the network, an improvement of 1.3 million additions from the year ago quarter, and also announced that ...

BeaverTap Games, the studio behind the popular platformer Mikey Shorts, has today released a second game, Mikey Hooks. Mikey Hooks incorporates the platform-style gameplay of Mikey Shorts, but adds an intuitive grappling hook mechanic. As with the previous game, the goal is to get through each level as quickly as possible to earn three stars, which often means multiple plays of every stage to...

Instagram today announced a significant update that allows users to import video from the camera roll. Previously, Instagram Video restricted uploads to videos captured within the app, but now users will be able to use the standard iPhone Camera app along with other third party apps to record video that can then be uploaded to the site. The feature will also allow users to upload video taken at...

Apple has posted a notice on its System Status page that some iTunes Store users "may be unable to make purchases". The company has not provided any further details, nor an estimate for when it will be repaired.No other Apple services are currently affected, however.Update: Apple is now reporting that the outages have extended to the App Store, Mac App Store, and iBookstore, as well as...

Oculus VR, the company behind the highly anticipated virtual reality gaming headset Oculus Rift, has announced that legendary game programmer John Carmack is joining the team as Chief Technology Officer. Carmack co-founded id Software, where he has led development of a number of popular gaming franchises, including Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, and Quake. He will remain with id Software, although Oculus...

Vodafone, the world’s second largest mobile carrier, has announced that it will begin a 4G network rollout in the United Kingdom on August 29. The company has said that service will begin in London and will expand to twelve more cities within the UK by the end of the year, and is claiming that it will have 98% indoor coverage across the UK within the next few years. Price plans will begin at...

Boston-based company Boundless Learning has launched an app for iOS devices that enables users to look for alternative electronic versions of curriculum assigned textbooks. The app includes features such as offline browsing and cross-platform integration with desktop computers, as well as other features such as in line search and in app purchases that offer interactive study material to accompany ...

Popular messaging app WhatsApp Messenger is being updated with one-tap voice messaging, allowing users who have difficult-to-type languages to communicate with each other across various platforms. WhatsApp has been working on the feature for about six months, wanting to make voice messaging simpler and easier to use than other apps with the functionality, CEO Jan Koum told AllThingsD in an...

Apple Retail Stores are offering discounts (via 9to5Mac) on select iOS compatible third-party accessories through August. Current discounts through August 31st include $50 off of the Jawbone Big Jambox Bluetooth speaker and 10% off of select Beats by Dre headphones and speakers, but do not include the recently updated Beats by Dre Studio headphones. Starting August 11th, the store will also...

Twitter today updated its iOS app to version 5.9, adding an improved login verification feature that works with Twitter’s two-factor authentication procedure (which debuted earlier this year), replacing the phone number portion with in-app alerts. With login verification enabled in the Settings menu, Twitter users will get a push notification on their phones alerting them of any login...

Twelve South today unveiled a new adjustable pedestal stand designed to work with both Apple’s iPhone 5 and the iPad mini. Made from brushed metal to match other Apple/Mac accessories, the HiRise is designed to work with a Lightning cable and nearly any iPhone or iPad mini case. Place HiRise in your workspace to charge while your hands are free during calls and FaceTime chats. Unlike most...

Startup organization Misfit, a company co-founded by former Apple CEO John Sculley, has released Shine, a physical activity monitor for use with iOS devices. Shine includes features such as the ability to wear the monitor anywhere on the body with additional accessories, as well as mobile syncing that is done by placing Shine on top of an iOS device and using an official app that can be...

The Verge reports that Philips is adding new products to Hue, its line of iOS-controlled LED light bulbs. The new products include "LightStrips", which are two-meter pieces of LED-inclusive tape that can be used to go around and highlight certain fixtures in the home, and "Bloom", a portable lamp powered by an LED bulb. As with the original Hue, both products can be controlled with a free iOS...