New Apple Ad

 

There was  new Apple Ad released last week focusing on the ability to send audio messages over iMessage in iOS 8. Have you guys tried it yet? It’s pretty rad. You should probably try it. Perhaps this humorous Apple Ad will convince you.

 

 

 

    

New Steve Jobs film updates!

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Sony Pictures has dropped the upcoming Aaron Sorkin penned Steve Jobs biopic while the movie is still in pre-production, BUT it has just been picked up by another big player – Universal.

 

The movie is still in the middle of casting, with names such as Christian Bale previously being thrown around before it was confirmed that the man himself, Steve Jobs, will be played by Michael Fassbender, Seth Rogen will play Steve Wozniak, with Jessica Chastain also attached. Currently, Natalie Portman is also rumored to be taking a part.

 

Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, Trainspotting, 28 Days Later) will be at the helm directing and the film will focus on three distinct events in Apple’s history, based on Walter Isaacson’s biography and with the consulting help of Steve Wozniak himself.

 

There was no insight as to why Sony dropped the film, however those in the know advise that this swap of studios will not hinder the production from following the path it was already set on by the creative heads of the film.

 

There is no public production or release date as of yet.

 

 

Black Friday deals!

 

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Well folks, it’s almost here. Whilst we were putting our Turkey in the oven (we’re into really, really slow cooked Thanksgiving turkey)  we looked over the big chain stores and found you what we think are the best tech Black Friday deals around.

 

*Target is open 6pm Thursday and has a bunch of deals on game consoles and games such as: PS4 Bundled With The Last of Us (Digital) + Grand Theft Auto V (Physical) for $399,  Xbox One Assassin’s Creed Bundle (AC: Unity + AC: Black Flag) + 1-month Xbox Live Gold Membership for $329.99 WITH $50 Free Target Gift Card, as well as 50% off a bunch of games, $25 off another bunch, and a free $15 gift card when you buy WWE 2K15 (PS4), Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Mario Kart 8, Far Cry 4, Super Smash Bros or Destiny.

 

Target gift cards will be 10% off, and you can get a 16GB Apple iPad Air 2 PLUS a $140 Target Gift Card for just $499.00, as well as a 40″ Element 1080p LED HDTV for $119.00

 

 

*Staples is open from 6pm through 10pm on Thanksgiving day, and from 6am on Friday. Get: A 23.6″ Samsung 1080p LED Monitor for just $99.99 (saving $120), or get a FREE Kindle eReader after easy rebate with the purchase of any laptop regularly priced $399 and above in store. Check out the sneak peek Black Friday ad here. 

 

In-store, you’ll also have the option to fill a bag, which when filled with products, will get you 20% off everything in it.

 

 

*Dell is offering their in-store Black Friday deals from 8am – 10pm EST. However they’re starting their online deals earlier. Get deals such as: A 24″ Dell  1080p LED Monitor for $99.99  which Starts 12am EST Friday 11/28, and PlayStation 4 Console with Grand Theft Auto V and The Last of Us: Remastered for $399.99  which starts at 6pm EST Thursday 11/27 

 

 

*Ebay is offering some great gaming deals, offering  the Wii U 32GB Black Deluxe Set w/ Super Mario 3D World & Nintendo for $259.99, the Sony PlayStation 4 Console for $329.99 and the Nintendo Wii U Skylander Console + Super Smash Bros Wii U for $249.99. Deals start Thursday, 11/27 at 9PM PST with new deals every hour.

 

 

*Sears is open Thursday 6pm through Friday 1pm, and has a 40″ Class 1080p Smart HDTV for just $329.99, and a 65″ Samsung Class 4K UHD Smart Curved HDTV for $1,999.99. Check out their other Black Friday door-busters here. 

 

 

*Walmart has 3 ‘events’, the first starting at 6pm Thursday, the second 8pm Thursday and the third 6am Friday. They’ll be selling the new 16GB Wi-Fi only iPad Air 2 for $489 with a $100 Walmart gift card included, the 16GB iPhone 6 for $179 on a two-year contract, plus you get a $75 Walmart gift card. A similar $75 gift card deal is available for the iPhone 5s, priced at $79 with a two-year contract. iPhone 6 and iPhone 5s purchases made with AT&T Next or Verizon Edge will require $0 down from qualified customers and will include the gift card.

 

You’ll be able to get the Playstation 4 plus Grand Theft Auto and The Last of Us for $399.00, a 65″ Vizio 120Hz LED Smart HDTV for $648.00, Xbox One Halo: The Master Chief Collection Bundle + $30 Walmart Gift Card for $329.00 and a 16GB Apple iPad Mini + $30 Walmart Gift Card for $199.00from 6pm Thursday, and get a $75 Walmart Gift Card When You Buy an iPhone 6 or iPhone 5S – $75 Gift Card from 6am Friday. Check out their other Black Friday deals here. 

 

 

*Best Buy opens 5pm Thursday, doors close 1am Friday. Tickets will be handed out 2 hours before opening. Deals include a Nikon – D7000 DSLR Camera with 18-140mm VR Lens – Black for just $799.99, get a 55″ Samsung UN55HU6830FXZA 2160p 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV for $899.99, get the iPad Air 2  for $100 off, the Google Chromecast HDMI Streaming Media Player with 2-Months Hulu Plus for $23.99, he LEGO Movie (Blu-ray/DVD + UltraViolet) for only $3.99 and get s super cheap 50″ Panasonic 1080p LED HDTV for just $199.99

 

Check out their other deals here. 

 

 

That’s the best chainstore Black Friday deals we could find! We wish you luck in any deal-finding, door-busting missions you begin, but most of all, we want to wish you a happy Thanksgiving. From our soon to be turkey-stuffed heart to yours, thank you to all of our iPhone Antidote customers, blog readers and friends. We’re very grateful to you, and for you.

 

Aw.

 

Apple changing app labelling

 

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Up until right now, when you purchased an app in the Apple App Stpre that didn’t cost you any money up-front, but did have the option to make in-app purchases, in the App Store, it was labelled as ‘Free’.

 

Not so anymore!

 

The folks over the Apple figure that this could come off as a tad misleading, so they’ve changed the labelling in the App store to reflect that. Apps that were previously ‘Free’  but which had in-app purchases available now read ‘Get’ instead.

 

Earlier this year, the European Commission asked Apple and Google to implement changes to the way they sell apps, to avoid misleading customers about “free” games that are not actually free.

 

Back in July, Google announced that it would cease calling games with in-app purchases “free,” and although Apple already does a bunch of stuff to try and prevent in-app purchase confusion (such as “offers in-app purchases” disclosures on purchase pages etc) they are now left in a position to follow suit.

  

So, now everyone should be clear- if there’s an App that doesn’t cost any money, go ahead and  ‘get’ it. It won’t cost you any money unless you explicitly agree to make in-app purchases. If you agree to make in-app purchases, you pay them money. Which is when it stops being free. 

 

Financials can be hard, yo.

 

 

 

 

New Typeface for Dyslexia sufferers

Today we’re super happy to bring to you another new innovation in tech that will improve people’s lives exponentially, and the world as a result of that! Awesome stuff.

 

A Dutch designer by the name of Christian Boer has created a new font! Well, as much as we like fonts, there are like a googleplex of them right? So what’s so special about this one?

 

Well, this font is specifically designed to help those who suffer from Dyslexia, which is a developmental reading disorder that affects 10% of the population, 4% severley, and is the most common learning difficulty.

 

It’s called Dyslexie, and it’s specially formulated so that those who suffer from Dyslexia can more easily identify and differentiate single letters.

 

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Photo via Dyslexie.com

 

There is also more space designed in-between letters and fatter grooves which create more distinct shapes that stop dyslexic readers making incorrect patterns out of the letters.

 

Check out the video here:

 

 

 

 

 

 

For a bunch more information about the creation of the font and how it was designed AND how to download the font for free click here. There is also a bunch more information about the creation of the font and how it was designed.

 

Inspiring tech! What a beautiful thing!

 

 

 

 

Awesome tech of the day !

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Our tech of the day today confirms just how amazing and inspiring tech can be in improving people’s lives and changing the world. It’s the best kind of tech, and something we will support all the way.

 

A company called MotionSavvy has created a tablet case that works as a two-way communication tool for the deaf and hearing impaired. It’s pretty damn amazing.

 

The case is known as UNI and it uses gesture recognition technology through a camera on the case that translates American Sign Language into audible speech. Further, it then uses voice recognition technology to convert any spoken reply into text. The case even learns how individual users sign, and can intake new signs into a feature called Sign Builder.

 

Check out the video here:

 

 

The MotionSavvy Uni is an Indiegogo product, and is therefore something you can support even if you aren’t in the market for one. It has raised $22,194 of it’s $40,000 goal.

 

If this sounds like something you or someone you know could utilize, it is available for preorder for around $192 and is expected to ship at the end of 2015.

 

High Fives all round!

 

 

 

 

Deals Of The Week Wednesday!

Welcome to this week’s edition of Deals Of The Week Wednesday! Step right up and look at all the pretty shiny things we have for you, for less monies than your neighbor paid! Muhahahaa!

 

 

*Get a Jawbone JAMBOX Wireless Bluetooth Speaker with Mic for just $89.99 from Groupon. groupon

 

 

*Grab yourself a Sony PlayStation TV Bundle for only $99.99 PLUS free expedited shipping from B & H Photo Video.  Bundle includes Sony Playstation TV System, DualShock 3 Wireless Controller, LEGO Movie Videogame Voucher and a 8GB Memory Card. If you just want the Sony Playstation TV by itself, they have it for $77.99 or you can get it from Amazon for a couple of clams more.

 

 

*If you’re after a sweet TV, you’re in luck! Fry’s, and Amazon both have the 65″ Samsung 1080p 240Hz 3D Smart LED HDTV for only $1498 PLUS Free Shipping. (Also only $1499 at Best Buy)

 

 

*Take advantage of this special offer and get 3-Months of Google Play All Access Music Free.

 

 

* Looking to have some adventures this holiday season? Get the awesome Garmin Virb 1080p HD Action Camera to capture them with for just $99 (down from $300) from Groupon.

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*Get a good deal on the Canon LBP7110CW Wireless Color Printer from Amazon for just $180 PLUS Free shipping.

 

 

*Lots of device usage coming up over the holidays, are we right? Prevent horrible device dying issues with the Photive Five-Port 25W USB Rapid Charger for just $15.99 from Groupon. Apple brand Chargers are always best for your Apple devices, but this is a great buy for situations needing multiple device charging and is covered by a 1 year warranty.   

 

 

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*SO MANY TV DEALS! Get the Samsung 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD 60Hz Smart LED TV for only $1397.99 from Amazon

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BUT DON”T SPEND ALL YOUR DEAL MONEY AT ONCE! Black Friday is upon us y’all! Although generally seen through an eye of controversy OR as the spectacular fake holiday of fake deals, there should be some real (real awesome) deals floating around. We’ll let you know!

 

 

App of the Day!

We’ve all heard about Spotify and Pandora and ReverbNation and Vevos and iTunes Radio and alllll the rest of them and they’re all pretty wonderful and everyone usually has their staunch favorite, (as do we) but we want to introduce a little newbie to the gang. He deserves some love too!

 

Please, a welcoming round of applause for Rormix.

 

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A music video streaming app that aims to delight your visual and aural senses, yes, but also to introduce you bands that you won’t hear or see on the other guys (yet). See, Rormix is for unsigned bands.

 

Once downloaded, the app will scan your song library so that it can provide appropriate recommendations. Within a few seconds you get your first selection of videos.

 

And then you enjoy some new talent. Dance, if you like.

 

Because the video’s are unsigned, of course, you can’t buy the tracks yet, which is a bummer. What you can do is favorite them, click through to the artists’s social media and post the video onto your own social media. You’re being entertained, and you’re doing PR in return by telling people how great the artist is. Like a rainbow circle of karma!

 

Starting this month, this idea goes further into the matrix – as users make comments and share the content, they can earn points. With a certain number of these points, you can download tracks for a period of time. Score more points and you can keep the music on your device, for longer.

 

The App then places high-scorers’ recommendations above those of others, and points can qualify the user for some awesome perky premiums such as free concert tickets from the company.

 

So, interested in being the ultimate cool kid? Listening to and watching some awesome unsigned talent first? Being the pointsmaster? Being in control of helping new talent emerge?

 

You know what to do.  It’s available for free from the App Store. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jony Ive given prestigious award

Our beloved Jony Ive (Senior Vice President of Design at Apple Inc., duh)  was crowned King of San Francisco recently!

 

Not really. That crown might actually belong to Madison Bumgarner.

 

But Mr Ive did get honored by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art recently when they awarded him with the 2014 Bay Are Treasure Award, recognizing his as a creative individual who has influenced visual culture.

 

That’s a pretty rad award to get.

 

“Ive is our generation’s most innovative and influential figure in the field of industrial design—no other design mind has done more to transform the way we visualize and share information,” said SFMOMA Director Neal Benezra.  “SFMOMA was the first museum on the West Coast to establish a department of architecture and design, and we’re thrilled to celebrate Ive’s revolutionary achievements.”

 

Yay Jony! This is not the first prestigious award for him, amongst others he has also been made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in a ceremony held in 2012. A Bay Area Treasure and a Knight Commander of the British Empire?

 

Too Cool, dude. Too cool.

 

Here’s Mr. Ive discussing design process with Vanity Fair earlier in October in a rare public(ish) appearance.

 

 

 

 

Amazon Echo

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Amazon has a new product called Echo. We wrote about it in our most recent Deals Of The Week Blog article, the folks over at Amazon are very excited about it, BUT the product does have it’s naysayers (particularly concerning the price and similarity to other services).

 

So let’s have a look!

 

It’s a futuristic little guy, a black cylindrical speaker with a voice, called and responding to ‘Alexa’. It functions very similarly to how Siri does within an Apple device.

 

Little Alexa sits in a room in your house, waking up when the word ‘Alexa’ is spoken. A nice hands-free touch that will be great for solving general knowledge arguments. It answers any questions you have, as well as having the ability to complete functions and tasks for you such as playing music, setting an alarm and creating and editing lists.

 

Echo (slightly confusing with the 2 names, Amazon) has 7 microphones and far-field voice recognition capability that can detect a request from anywhere in a room and speakers that can fill any room.

 

If you buy Echo, you are also purchasing access to Amazon Music, Prime Music, iHeartRadio and TuneIn, and as Echo has Bluetooth, you will also be able to play music from a phone or tablet though the Echo. Which is definitely cool.

 

Similar to Siri, it’s designed to learn over time, and you can use part of the functionality (such as shopping lists and alarms) through the accompanying Amazon Echo App (unfortunately but not unexpectedly only on Android or Fire O/S), or through a web interface.

 

We can definitely see the opportunities and futuristic functionality of Echo, but perhaps the current price is a little high for something that is so similar to the free (within purchased devices of course) services of Siri and Google Now. We do look forward to having a play with the little dude.

 

Right now if you’re an Amazon Prime member you can purchase the Echo/Alexa for only $99 which is $100 off the real price tag of $199 for everyone else, however you still have to request an invitation to be able to buy it.