Hasta La Gadget!

Those of you waiting for the return of the official Google-powered mapping in app form to iOS for your iPhone and iPad may not have long now with a report saying they’re putting the “finishing touches” on the software. This report comes from the Wall Street Journal where they’ve got an anonymous source inside Google noting the near-complete build status. This person with “direct knowledge” of the innards of Google’s Maps segment notes that they’re note entirely certain that Apple will approve of the app once it’s ready for action – but we can’t imagine such a situation, in all fairness.

What we’ll quite likely see in a release of Google Maps in app form for the iPhone and iPad is a standard approach not unlike what Android users currently use. Included will more than likely be turn-by-turn navigation and spoken-aloud commands between the user and the device. Don’t expect Siri to be immediately joyful about working with the app, of course, as Apple’s own Maps app is now the product of choice for the iOS platform.

Meanwhile Google continues to update their browser-based mobile version of Google Maps, that being available right this minute for all iOS device. That version of Google Maps has been available for some time with a specifically tuned set of controls and user interface made for touchscreen devices of all sizes. Google has given no real official confirmation on when they’ll release a Google Maps app for iOS.

Have a peek at the timeline below to see more information surrounding Apple Maps and the Google Maps comeback to iOS. This release is long-awaited mainly because iOS devices had been working with Google Maps technology since they were originally released, and here with the newest versions of the devices and the mobile operating system, Apple has come forth with their own Maps solution. This new maps solution was widely panned upon release, this prompting Apple to apologize and suggest that people work with 3rd party apps until Apple Maps was up to snuff.

Google Maps for iPhone and iPad near “finishing touches” is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

It’s time for a camera that will blow you kawaii Japanese culture-loving brain apart, ready for iOS on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch right this minute: Otaku Camera! This app uses your device’s camera to create fabulously wild photographs that look like their right out of a manga, complete with paperization filters that make sure your subjects look more like they were drawn than they were swiped from real life. This app is able to not just take photos from your gallery and edit them, but take photos with your main camera, showing you a preview of what you’re capturing in real time!

We had a brief chat with the folks that developed this app, Tokyo Otaku Mode Inc., and have been given a full list of the sayings that appear on the photo covers as well. Just so you’re not worried that they’re blowing up your best friends with swear words, we’ve made sure you’re safe. Of course if you understand Japanese, you already know what’s going on – but just in case you don’t, know this: they’re all essentially representations of sounds, rather than words. No worries!

This app works perfectly well on the legacy generations as well as the current generation of Apple mobile devices. It works particularly well with the iPhone 5, that being where the sample images you see above and below are coming from. Also note – and fun fact – the Kanye West image you see rocking out with a power wave comes from the Kanye West concert that Samsung put on near the end of this October – fun stuff!

You can download the official Otaku Camera app from the iTunes App Store right this minute for your Apple iDevice for free! The way these developers make their cash is with a few advertisements – and they don’t get in the way of the action, so no worries there either! Let us know how you like the app and be sure to send in your examples!

Also be sure to check out our ever-expanding archive of iOS App Reviews to see what’s awesome for your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch – all night long.

Otaku Camera for iOS Review is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Though iOS 6’s Passbook burst onto the scene with a bit of a whimper, it’s been getting more useful as time goes on. This weekend, Apple started rolling out Passbook-enabled Apple Store gift cards so you can buy a gift that’s not only last-minute, but not even a physical object. More »

The iPhone 5 is Apple‘s best iPhone yet, and it’s one of the hardest to build thanks to its intricate design and precise measurements. However, a UK mobile game developer has discovered a bug on the new smartphone where diagonal scrolling would cause the touchscreen to drop out, and sometimes even cause freezing.

UK game developing company CMA Megacorp tweeted earlier this morning that they discovered this bug while diagonally scrolling on the iPhone 5. Of course, they weren’t sure if it was just them or actually something that all iPhone 5 units were affected with. Recombu decided to test it out for themselves, and they found that both of their iPhone 5 units on hand were guilty of the glitch.

Skip to 0:54 to see the testing.

As you can see, both iPhone 4S units have no problem with quick diagonal scrolling, but both of the iPhone 5 units stutter a little bit, and they even completely drop out at one point. Obviously, this isn’t a huge deal for casual usage, but it can be a problem in some mobile games where quick swiping is crucial to the gameplay.

No one’s sure if this is a hardware or software issue. If it’s a software issue, then we would most likely see the problem easily fixed in iOS 6.1, but if it’s a hardware issue, then that’s a completely different story. Apple hasn’t yet made an official statement on the issue, but if or when they do, we’ll update this post accordingly.

[via Recombu]

iPhone 5 touchscreen bug discovered by game developer is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

It was just a few days ago that Evernote proudly teased us by saying it’s fifth major release on Cupertino’s mobile platform would be “coming soon,” but the good news is the revamped note-taking application didn’t take too long to officially arrive on iOS. Starting today, Evernote 5 will be available for folks using an iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, bringing with it a completely redesigned experience, a more accessible home screen (with quick access to notes, notebooks and more), as well as new features tailored specifically for Apple’s slate and Premium users. Evernote 5 is up for download now, so those of you looking to try the new app should give the App Store link below a quick tap or download it straight from your device.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software

Evernote 5 now available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Nov 2012 17:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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