The Nexus 5 remains unofficial but already we’re getting a fantastic glimpse thanks to intrepid designers who are keen on bringing the Nexus 5 rumors to life. The latest might just be the best look yet as a designer has developed a three-dimensional image of the Nexus 5 that prospective buyers can fiddle with ahead of the Nexus 5 launch date.
For weeks, we’ve seen Nexus 5 renders leak to the surface, showing off what an LG Nexus 5 could look like. Those renders, which have been based on the leak that we saw in Google’s Android 4.4 KitKat video as well as the possible Nexus 5 FCC filing, depict a device that looks similar to the Nexus 4 in the front but possesses a back that is reminiscent of the Nexus 7 tablet that is currently out on shelves.
Those renders have all offered detailed looks at the Nexus 5 though we haven’t seen anything close to the 3D render that emerged just a short time ago. The render. made by a user on reddit, and posted on a site called Sketchfab, shows off the LG Nexus 5 in 3D form, offering a way to go “hands-on” with the device ahead of its launch.
The render is once again based on the various leaks that we’ve seen and it very accurately shows off the device that may very well be one of, if not the only Nexus 5 that arrives later on this year.
Once again, we see the giant camera lens, we see the Nexus 7 inspired black matte design, we see the large Nexus logo, and we see a device that doesn’t appear to be massively changed up front in terms of design and style. All in all, it’s a beautiful look at what Google could announce in just a few short weeks as a competitor to the iPhone 5C, iPhone 5S and the other big name smartphones on the market.
Rumors suggest that Google could be looking to announce the Nexus 5 in mid-October alongside Android 4.4 KitKat, its new operating system that emerged earlier this month. Android 4.4 KitKat, while official, doesn’t have any official information as Google neglected to offer a release date or any Android 4.4 features. The software is expected to land with the Nexus 5 and potentially roll out to other Nexus devices shortly after the announcement.
The rumored Nexus 5 seen here next to the Nexus 4 and Galaxy Nexus.
At least one Nexus 5 is thought to be coming from LG, the same company that made the Nexus 4. Rumors suggest that it will have a 1080p display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, 13MP camera, and all of the bells and perks of a Google-powered Nexus smartphone.
Rumors also suggest that Motorola could be making a Nexus 5, different from the Moto X, but thus far, that device has not shown up on the radar.
Apple’s iPhone 5s release is still ahead of us, but the rumors are already talking about a possible Apple event in the middle of October where we could see the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 as well as new MacBook Pro units and new iMacs.
This isn’t the first rumor of an Apple event in October, but it is one of the first to put a specific date on Apple’s next event which could come with a collection of new products.
Nearly three-fourths of Apple’s current lineup is due for a refresh, we’ve cautioned users to avoid buying a MacBook Pro until the new MacBook Pro models arrive, and now it is time to start re-thinking any immediate plans to buy an iPad or an iMac.
Apple already confirmed that the Mac Pro release date is set for Fall 2013, and we know the OS X Mavericks release date is expected at almost the same time.
An Apple event is rumored for October 15th, where we could see a lot of new Apple products.
The latest rumor from MacGeneration claims Apple will hold a special event on October 15th to usher in the new iPads as well as to share news about new Intel Haswell powered notebooks and desktops.
MacGeneration is the source of several Apple leaks in the past, but this is the first time we recall the publication pointing to a specific date for an Apple event.
The site claims that the iMac stock is low in physical store, despite a 24 hour shipping time on Apple’s website, which could tip supply constraints ahead of Apple announcing a new iMac.
iPad 5 & iPad mini 2
We expect an Apple event for the iPad later this year, and October makes sense to see an iPad 5 announced and to find out if Apple is really going to deliver an iPad mini 2 with Retina Display this year.
This new render shows what Touch ID and a gold iPad would look like. Martin Hajek
Conflicting rumors suggest Apple could be preparing an iPad mini with the higher resolution Retina Display for this fall, or for early 2014. Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst with KGI Securities who nailed many of the iPhone 5s details predicts an iPad mini 2 with Retina Display this year, though earlier reports suggest it may not arrive until November, even if it is announced in October.
New MacBook Pro Models
The report also indicates we could see the new MacBook Pro at the event. Apple often combines MacBook updates with other announcements including the new MacBook Air at WWDC 2013 in June. The new MacBook Pro would reportedly use a Haswell processor that could dramatically increase battery life.
The new MacBook Pro release could come soon after an October event.
We could also see the new MacBook Pro Retina with Thunderbolt 2, better integrated graphics and possibly even a slight design refresh.
New iMac
Also expected is a new iMac release. Apple announced the new slimmer iMac design last year in October, though the actual devices were in very short supply all the way into 2013.
Moves suggest Apple is planning a new iMac release in the near future.
The new iMac with Haswell could deliver better processing power and Thunderbolt 2 connectivity. It might also come with support for a rumored 4k Apple display.
New Mac Pro
In what seems to be an endless parade of products, Apple is also planning a new Mac Pro release for Fall 2013. Apple is already advertising the Mac Pro in theaters and showed off the device at WWDC 2013 in June.
The new Mac Pro is a smaller device with faster memory and new flash storage as well as dual GPUs standard. The new Mac Pro price is going to be high, but it is not a machine for the average user and it’s been a long time since a proper update.
OS X Mavericks
If Apple announces the new iMac and new MacBook Pro models with Haswell processors at an October 15th event, we also expect tot see OS X Mavericks arrive at the same time.
OS X Mavericks brings a new Finder with tabs and tags, iBooks and Apple Maps for Macs, better support for multiple monitors and smart technologies that can enhance battery life. The OS X Mavericks release date is rumored for late October.
Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto 5 is just hours away from its formal release, but if the reviews going live today are correct, series fans needn’t worry about whether the game is a worthwhile investment.
Following a lift of the game’s embargo, gaming-centric websites are now slowly beginning to publish their own reviews of the latest in the fabled crime and open-world game. Many of these early reviews indicate that, despite worries about whether the game’s attempt to focus on three different main characters would make the its story confusing, the game is more breathtaking and intuitive.
Michael, one of Grand Theft Auto 5′s three protagonists.
In a breakdown for Polygon, reviewer Chris Plante says, “… Grand Theft Auto 5 is mercifully more lighthearted than its predecessors, and even occasionally vulnerable, thanks in large part to its broader stable of characters.” That isn’t to say that Plante believes the series is showing all the hallmark signs of creative and personal growth. The review does highlight the series’ tendency to not include women protagonists and its lack of playable female characters. The publication awarded the game a 9.5 out of 10.
Although its review is considerably less enthusiastic about the game’s main characters, Joystiqultimately comes to the same conclusion that other publications do in their reviews. According to the outlet, Grand Theft Auto 5′s real show-stopper is its open world.
“Story complaints aside, it’s the world of San Andreas that is the main attraction, and it does not disappoint. For every narrative quibble, there are dozens of discoveries to be made, and many of the best moments will be the ones you create yourself.” The outlet ultimately rated the game 4 and a half out of 5 stars.
Many of the game’s other reviews follow along the same lines as these two, praising its sense of humor and irony, while questioning the motives behind the game’s disturbing story lines. The latter is a problem GottaBeMobile alluded too when addressing whether it’s a good idea for parents purchase the game for their young children at launch.
Choosing the right iPhone 5s may be challenging for some, but my choice is crystal clear thanks to my experiences with the iPhone 5. Apple’s offering more iPhone options than ever with the iPhone 5s release, making it more important than ever to carefully evaluate your options. Unfortunately, not all iPhone 5s models are born equally .
Starting September 20th, Apple will sell a total of 84 distinct iPhone models in the United States. Yes you read that right. At the top of the heap is the iPhone 5s, available in three colors and storage capacities. The iPhone 5c is Apple’s new slightly more affordable model and will come in two storage sizes and five colors. The 8GB iPhone 4s in black or white will be offered for free with a two-year contract.
So why am I leaning towards a white iPhone 5s on AT&T, rather than all the other options? Read on for my detailed explanation:
Upgrading from the iPhone 5
It’s important to note that I am not a typical smartphone user. As part of my duties here at GottaBeMobile I own and use several devices. I have an iPhone 5 on three of the four major U.S. carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon). I also use an HTC One, Samsung Galaxy S4 and Nexus 4. Rather than trying to split all of my time evenly between all of these devices, I simply use whatever works for me at any given time. I use my HTC One more when I want to produce highlight videos. I use my Verizon iPhone 5 for data-intensive tasks like streaming movies, since it’s the only device I have that’s on an unlimited plan.
So why do I want to upgrade one of my iPhone 5 units? At first glance the iPhone 5s is very similar to the older model, but there are some key features that I really like. The iPhone 5s has a new motion processor that makes it a better fitness companion. The Touch ID fingerprint scanner is something I’d really like to use. I’m a camera freak, and the iPhone 5s has a better camera than the iPhone 5 that I want to use. The newer iPhone is faster, allowing it to run more features in the new iOS 7 camera app, including slow motion video and 10 frames-per-second photo bursts. Apple claims the iPhone 5s will also have slightly better battery life. Yes, these are all relatively minor updates to the iPhone 5, but most of them matter to me.
iPhone 5s Color Matters
iPhone color choice didn’t matter much beyond personal preference prior to the iPhone 5. But with the iPhone 5 I learned a lesson. Scratches and scuffs show up really easily on the black iPhone 5, while the white iPhone 5 keeps its good looks in the same conditions. My black iPhone 5 looked used and abused, even though I kept it in a case.
Apple uses the same anodized aluminum construction for the iPhone 5s as it did on the iPhone 5. The white iPhone 5 color scheme is being rebadged as ‘space grey’ for the iPhone 5s. No matter what you call it, scratches to the anodized surfaces don’t show much since the aluminum beneath the it is the same color. As you can imagine, the aluminum beneath the black and new champagne gold anodized surfaces are indeed also grey, which means it’s only a matter of time before you start seeing visible scuffs and scratches on the back of your black or gold iPhone 5s.
Like most people, I don’t like my expensive gadgets to look like crap due to normal use. Even though I prefer the sleek black look, I’ll be looking for a white iPhone 5s when it launches this Friday.
AT&T is the Best Carrier (for me)
I switched my primary phone number from Sprint to AT&T the day the original iPhone launched. I loved the original iPhone, but I really hated AT&T. The wireless carrier was the exclusive iPhone carrier in the U.S. and it quickly earned a bad rep for poor reception and dropping calls. Things remained miserable for years until AT&T geared up for stiff competition and got its act together. Now AT&T is the best carrier for me and my family because of its solid and speedy 4G LTE coverage in San Francisco.
In general, AT&T’s 4G LTE network is faster and more reliable than Sprint’s, T-Mobile’s and Verizon’s 4G LTE networks in San Francisco. When AT&T’s 4G LTE isn’t available, its 4G HSPA+ network fills in the gaps. AT&T also allows iPhone users to talk on their iPhone while using it to access the Internet. Sprint and Verizon simply kill the iPhone’s Internet connection when calls come in. T-Mobile can handle simultaneous voice and data, but its LTE network is still spotty in some parts of San Francisco.
As I always tell readers, wireless carrier networks’ reception, speed and reliability can vary from house to house and city to city. While AT&T might be the best carrier for me, I have friends and relatives that live in AT&T dead zones just a few miles away and are better served by Verizon.
64GB Minimum
Apple charges way too much for the privilege of extra storage capacity, but paying $200 now is much better than having to actively manage apps and files to make sure I don’t fill my iPhone 5s up. As it is, I occasionally need to cleanse my 64GB iPhone 5 of unwanted pictures, videos and apps to make sure I have enough room for new content. If Apple offered larger capacities for more money I’d likely jump at the chance to buy a larger drive. I didn’t always need such a large capacity, but now that I’m a father I shoot a lot more video and download the occasional Disney movie. Feature films take up 1.5GB to 2.5GB of space. Shooting video on the iPhone 5 or iPhone 5s takes up about 150MB per minute.
The base 16GB iPhone 5s will only have about 13GB of available storage. The screen grab to the right was taken on my 16GB iPhone 5 and shows how little room is available on it. Sure, I don’t have to worry about taking still photos or installing lightweight apps, but adding a couple of movies and a few videos games could max it out to a point where I wouldn’t be able to do much of anything with the phone.
Weighing Your iPhone 5s Options
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to which iPhone 5s model is best. The $399 price tag for the model I want is tough for some to swallow. Some people view the white iPhone 5s as being too feminine. Most importantly, I don’t recommend anyone buy an AT&T iPhone 5s if they live in an area that doesn’t have reliable coverage. Being able to consistently place and receive calls is much more important than speeds.
Regardless of what you decide, I recommend ONLY buying the model that best meets your needs. If you decide the durable white version is for you, don’t let a salesperson talk you into buying another color if they’re out of stock. The same goes for capacity and carrier. Simply do not let a salesperson rush you into an alternative that doesn’t work for you.
Google hasn’t announced the Android 4.4 KitKat update release date or features just yet but that hasn’t stopped one manufacturer from confirming Android KitKat for arrival at some point in the future, something that makes it the first confirmed Android 4.4 update.
Earlier this month, just ahead of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 launch date, Google confirmed a new version of Android, Android 4.4 KitKat, that will be out sometime in the future. The company launched a splash page for the update, announcing a content with Nestle, but it did not detail an Android 4.4 release date or Android 4.4 KitKat features.
Android 4.4 KitKat is expected to touchdown with a new Nexus 5.
Rumors suggest that those details will arrive in October, possibly on October 14th, wherein Google may announce the new Nexus 5, a device that almost certainly will be coming with Android 4.4 KitKat.
Ahead of the Android 4.4 KitKat launch date though, we’ve seen one company apparently confirm the Android 4.4 KitKat update for arrival. Android manufacturer Pantech took to Twitter to confirm an Android 4.4 KitKat update for its Vega Iron smartphone, a device that was released earlier this year.
The tweet, first discovered by Blog of Mobile, did not specify when the update would be touching down for Vega Iron owners only that they could expect the Android 4.4 KitKat update to touch down in the future. The tweet comes from Pantech’s official Twitter account so it appears that this is the real deal.
This makes the Pantech Vega Iron the first device confirmed to be getting the Android 4.4 KitKat update and it will likely be one of the only ones that sees this confirmation ahead of the Android 4.4 launch.
Other companies typically remain mum on the subject ahead until long after the initial announcement as they work to determine which devices will be getting the update and when.
Many devices, including the Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy S3, will be getting upgraded to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean first before they are upgraded to Android 4.4 KitKat. Those devices are thought to be getting Android 4.3 in October.
Other devices, like the HTC One X and HTC One X+, are rumored to not be getting Android 4.4 KitKat at all though HTC itself has yet to confirm the bad news.
Android 4.4 KitKat is rumored to include updates for older devices, fragmentation changes including screen resizing, Miracast updates, color changes and new notification widgets.
Typically, Nexus devices are the first to Android updates so the Pantech Vega Iron will likely be far behind the Nexus 4, Nexus 10 and Nexus 7 when it comes to an Android 4.4 KitKat release date.
Bump, the popular wireless file-sharing app for smartphones, has been acquired by Google. The startup company announced the buyout on their blog, saying that it “couldn’t be more thrilled to join Google.” Both Bump and Flock will continue to work as usual, according to the company, but it seems they may undergo some changes at some point, with the mention of “future updates” in the works.
If you’re not familiar with Bump, it’s an app for both iOS and Android that allows two smartphone users to “bump” their phones together in order to send files from one phone to another. NFC devices can already do this, but Bump doesn’t use NFC, making it a more-viable option for more device owners, since NFC isn’t widely adopted yet. Instead, Bump can use any other form of wireless communication.
Furthermore, the app actually uses the various motion sensors in the phones to feel the bump. That info is sent to Bump’s servers and it matches up bumps based on the time of the bumps and the intensity of the bumps. From that info, Bump can determine the two people trying to send files to one another, all of which happens in a matter of a few seconds.
While is Bump is a fairly popular app (seeing downloads into the tens of millions), the company has never made much of a profit, raising just nearly $20 million in total. The company released its newer Flock app last year, which is aimed that sharing photos with friends and family in a similar style that Bump does, but the app never really took off, still leaving Bump as the company’s flagship product.
Not a lot of information was disclosed about the acquisition, like the cost of buyout, future plans, etc., but it’s more than likely that Google will implement Bump’s features into Android, including the app’s wireless data transfer technology and group photo-sharing abilities, thus rendering Bump a useless app on Android once that rolls around, but we’re not sure when that will be.
However, if Google decides to implement these features into Android and then shut the app down, that could wreak havoc on iOS users, who will no longer have access to Bump. Then again, we’re guessing worthy alternatives will come around if that happens, as the “bumping” file transfer platform has been becoming a growing trend recently.
The iOS 7 release date was confirmed last week for Wednesday, September 18th. Ahead of the iOS 7 release for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, it’s time to make some bold predictions in regard to what will take place the day that iOS changes forever.
In June, Apple took the stage in San Francisco at its annual WWDC conference for developers. As expected, the company detailed not one, but two new software updates for its users. The first, OS X Mavericks, a new operating system for users of its Mac line of products, and an update that will be bringing a number of big time features to users sometime in the future, possibly in October.
The other piece of software was the iOS 7 update for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, an update that looked and still looks drastically different than its iOS predecessors.
iOS 7 is an update that Apple is calling the biggest update to iOS since the introduction of the first iPhone. With Scott Forstall out and iPhone designer Jony Ive and his team in, iOS 7 ushers in a new, flatter operating system that not only features some new additions to the iOS feature set but also brings a new look to many of the staples of iOS including the camera application, multitasking, Control Center and more. Those who haven’t caught a glimpse of the changes can see them detailed in the video below..
Apple announced that the big changes would be arriving sometime in the fall and just a few short days ago, Apple confirmed the iOS 7 release date for September 18th.
At the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C launch event, Apple went back over the features of iOS 7 but also delivered an iOS release date for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, one that will be taking place in just two days.
Ahead of the iOS 7 release date, we want to make some bold predictions in regard to how September 18th will place out. Here now are nine iOS 7 release date predictions.
iOS 7 Release Time
One of the biggest mysteries leading up to the iOS 7 release date will be the iOS 7 release time. Apple doesn’t announce when it will be releasing iOS software only that it will be releasing it sometime that day. Fortunately for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners, there is a long history of iOS updates to draw from.
iOS updates typically roll out in the morning.
History suggests that Apple will release its iOS 7 update in the morning for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners on the United States’ west coast, with an early afternoon release on the east coast. This has been the timing for many of Apple’s past iOS updates and we would be absolutely shocked if it didn’t do the same thing with iOS 7.
We expect the software to roll out sometime in between 9:30 and 10:30 PST. When the update does become available, users will be prompted within the Settings at which point it can be downloaded and installed Over-the-Air or through iTunes.
Tons of Complaining
Expect Apple’s support forums, Twitter, Facebook, just about any social network or forum where iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners can go to be rife with complaints. There will be people that will say that this is the end of Apple, those that can’t understand why Apple made these drastic changes, want to go back to iOS 6 immediately after installing, those that have issues, and those that simply cannot figure out the new operating system on day one.
This is the biggest change to iOS since iOS was introduced all those years ago so this is expected. Those who haven’t been following along with Apple’s announcements and those who haven’t delved in a little deep with iOS 7 are likely going to be blindsided by these changes. iOS 7 looks and feels a lot different than iOS 6.
After a few days, maybe even a few weeks, we should see complaints simmer down and bit as users adjust to the massive changes coming with the new version of iOS. However, on day one, expect tons and tons of complaining from iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners that install Apple’s iOS 7.
Fairly Seamless iOS 7 Installation
When iOS 5 arrived, it brought tons of installation issues to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners, so many issues that many owners had to wait a day or so before installing the new software. Apple never gave an official reason for the errors but it was clear that its servers were under duress thanks to the millions of people trying to download and install at the same time.
We shouldn’t see the same release date chaos that we’ve seen in years past.
Last year’s iOS 6 release went a lot smoother. Yes, there were people that ran into issues on day one, but for the most part, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners that wanted to install on day one were able to install on day one.
iOS 7 is a bit of a wildcard given that it brings a new look and tons of new features but we still think that Apple’s server issues are behind it. We expect there to be issues, but we don’t expect there to be widespread installation issues on Wednesday when the iOS 7 update arrives. Apple should be ready, just like it was for the many iOS 6 updates.
Hefty, “Time Consuming” Installation
While we think that the iOS 7 installation process should be seamless for most iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners, we also think that the update process could be a little more time consuming than usual and that owners may want to stash away a few extra minutes of free time to get their devices updated.
The last iOS 6 update, iOS 6.1.4, was a 990MB download. The iOS 7 GM is about 1.2GB in size and we expect the public release to be around the same size. That said, we think that the iOS 7 update will likely some extra time to download and install due to its size. How much longer, we can’t say, but we could see it taking some extra time to complete, particularly on older devices like the iPhone 4 and iPad 2.
Of course, in the land of iOS updates, nothing is really time consuming. In the past, updates have taken anywhere between 15 to 30 minutes to complete which isn’t that long in the scheme of things. We just wouldn’t be shocked if iOS 7 was just a little longer than previous updates.
There Will Be Issues
iOS updates typically cause issues for iPhone and iPad owners.
There will be bugs that plague iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners on release day. While we can’t say exactly what issues will crop up, we do know that there are many owners that are still dealing with random reboots, even in the iOS 7 GM.
We’ve heard several complaints from iOS 7 GM users, particularly those that are on the iPad, complaining about their device randomly rebooting to the boot screen. This is an issue that we countered within iOS 6 as well where the iPhone 5, for no clear reason, would cycle to the boot screen and then load up the lock screen within a few seconds.
This is an issue that we could see emerge with iOS 7 alongside several others. No iOS update is ever safe from bugs, even with a beta testing period, and we will likely see a host of them emerge on Wednesday.
As far as performance issues go, we expect iPhone 4 owners to get the brunt of it given that their device is the elder statesman and we saw iPhone 3GS owners dealing with a myriad of issues when iOS 6 arrived back in September of last year.
iOS 7 Battery life Issues
The biggest complaint that we expect from iOS 7 users, bug-wise, will be battery life complaints. Year-after-year, update-after-update, we see the same thing. iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners take to forums, Twitter and more to complain about their battery life after a recent iOS update.
iOS 7 users will complain about battery life.
iOS 7 will likely be no different and we should see this be one of, if not the top issue on Wednesday. Problem is, it’s kind of a boy who cried wolf situation at this point. Because we see it so often, it’s hard to discern whether it’s a major issue, affecting tons of different owners. There have been iOS updates in the past, iOS 6.1 is a recent example, that actually did cause widespread battery issues thanks to an Exchange bug.
So while it’s impossible to say whether the iOS 7 battery life issues will be widespread and caused by Apple, there will be complaints asserting as much come Wednesday.
No Big iOS 7 Jailbreak News
Over the weekend, we finally saw some movement in regards to an iOS 7 jailbreak. Noted iOS security researcher pod2g and iOS hacker and security expert Nikias Bassen shared a conversation on Twitter in which he shared his confidence about an iOS 7 jailbreak. He used a disclaimer, saying that his confidence did not mean a jailbreak would be coming soon.
We don’t expect game-changing iOS 7 jailbreak news.
We don’t think one will be coming soon either and furthermore, we don’t expect there to be any credible iOS 7 jailbreak release news on iOS 7 release day. What we mean is that we don’t think will we see an iOS 7 jailbreak release date announced, likely won’t see hackers exclaim any more success than they already have, and we surely won’t see an iOS 7 jailbreak released on day one.
There should be some chatter, no doubt, but don’t expect any of the big dominoes to fall on day one.
iOS 7 Jailbreak Scams
What we should see are a number of iOS 7 jailbreak scams take precedent on release day. Already, we’ve seen some scams pop up asking for donations, donations that gullible iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners have likely made.
We expect to see even more pop up on Wednesday to take advantage of the the high-profile debut of iOS 7. So be warned. Unless the donations or iOS 7 jailbreak are coming from the Evasi0n team or a site with a credible history, they should be avoided.
Followed Closely by iOS 7.0.1
We fully expect the iOS 7 release date to be followed closely by an iOS 7.0.1 release. At the most, we expect Apple to deliver a new iOS 7 update within the first few weeks of its arrival.
Analytics tools show Apple testing an iOS 7.1 update.
Already, rumors have suggested that the company is working on iOS 7.0.1 and iOS 7.1, a sign that it could push a new update live to tackle any known issues that surface once the software makes its arrival on Wednesday.
If there are catastrophic bugs on board, and at the moment there don’t seem to be any, look for Apple to hasten the iOS 7.0.1 update to accommodate iOS 7 users.
Rockstar Games seems to have spared no expense when developing GTA 5, the latest edition in the Grand Theft Auto franchise. A new application released for iPhone and iPad will allow users to interact with the game while away from their Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3.
The application, which is now available in theiTunes App Store for free, allows users to stay keyed into the game’s happenings even when they are away from their console. According to the app’s description, users will be able to use specific sections of the application to change things in the game and receive info on the latest in-game news.
Using the Lost Santos Customs, virtual application allows iPhone and iPad users to create their own vehicles complete with custom window tints, spoke colors, wheels, hoods and spoilers. Users can also reserve their license plates in the Grand Theft Auto Online multiplayer world that debuts in two weeks.
Screenshots of the iFruit add-on application for Grand Theft Auto 5 players.
Virtual application, Chop the Dog enhances game play as well. Through the Chop the Dog application, users can take care of one of the game’s main character’s pets from their iPhone and IPad wherever they are. By, feeding, petting, walking, and training the dog, Rockstar says users will find that the dog is more helpful, performs tricks and helps them player find hidden items in Grand Theft Auto 5. By adding this capability to the iFruit application, Rockstar is hoping that users stay immersed in the game. It’s an idea that isn’t all that far from the digital pet toys that dominated holiday wish lists in the late 1990s.
The company says that it also has a digital manual for the game releasing today as well. It will include “over 100 pages” of content about the game including maps and location information, all for free.
Although the iFruit application is only available on iOS devices today, it won’t remain that way forever. Rockstar says users can expect the app along with the game’s digital manual to roll out to Google Play, and Windows Phone over time. PlayStation Mobile and PlayStation Vita will have access to a version of iFruit, however it looks like they won’t be getting the manual.
