SimCity Mac out on 11 June, as 'Cheetah Speed' returns

Owners of Apple's aluminium computers won't be denied their urban-planning kicks, as EA has confirmed its recent SimCity game is headed to Mac on 11 June.

SimCity for Mac will only be available to download, via EA's Origin service. Although you don't get the disc for your collection, you'll still be paying £45 for the digital download -- the same price as the PC version, although if you've already bought it for PC you're entitled to download it again for Mac for nothing. 

June is a long time to wait, but with any luck EA will have ironed out the technical kinks thatruined SimCity when it launched in March. EA told me that, "The team has been working round the clock to smooth out the launch issues," so fingers crossed.

SimCity's insistence on a constant Internet connection was to blame, as gamers piled in to the new title, putting strain on EA's unprepared servers. Days later, an anonymous developerreportedly claimed that the always-on system wasn't even necessary to keep a single-player mode up and running.

The disastrous debut prompted us to ask whether gamers could claim a refund, while EA's response was to offer disgruntled customers a free game.

One feature EA powered down in order to keep SimCity afloat was 'Cheetah Mode', which lets you speed up time to ignore the boring bits of building a metropolis.

EA has confirmed via Facebook that Cheetah Mode is now back in play -- surely a relief to would-be mayors bored of watching virtual skyscrapers creep slowly toward the sky.

[Source: CNET]

Foursquare 6.0 for iPhone improves Explore recommendations

This seems to be the week for social networking app news, withTwitter's Vine app taking most of the spotlight so far. Today's news is about Foursquare 6.0, which has just become available through the iOS App Store's software updates and was announced on the Foursquare blog.

Foursquare first came to life in 2009 as a way to check in at venues, see what your friends were up to, grab mayorships and hopefully get the occasional badge. Lately, the app has been more about exploring venues near you, thanks to its recommendations engine Explore. But starting out on that exploration wasn't easy to do. That's what the new update is fixing.

When launched, version 6.0 of Foursquare replaces the Foursquare logo at the top of the screen with a new Explore search box. That's tied to a new, faster auto-complete engine for faster results when you're looking for that cinnamon roll joint.

The big difference, though, is that Foursquare is no longer fixated on telling you where your friends are. Instead, it places an emphasis on recommendations, giving hints about places where people go after being at the same venue you're at, or providing insight into places friends like in a city you're visiting. The app exclusively recommends good lunch spots around lunchtime, a convenient way to stop going to the same old burger joint and go to a new burger joint.

One interesting move in the UI is that the check-in button has moved to the bottom of the app; apparently that means that Foursquare's recently introduced tap-and-hold-to-check-in function is working well. The button also floats above the listings, which is kind of an interesting and useful UI change.

[Source: TUAW]

Chrome for iOS now includes Google Cloud Print, AirPrint, and fullscreen browsing

Google's Chrome browser for iOS (free) was updated to version 26.0.1410.50 today, providing some new and much-appreciated features.

To begin with, the app now provides support for Google Cloud Print, a way of printing documents to printers from just about anywhere through PCs or Macs that are aware of attached or wireless printers. The app also provides support for Apple's own AirPrint and AirPrint-aware printers.

Any page viewed in Chrome can also be saved as a PDF file to the user's Google Drive through Cloud Print. This is a way to quickly store web pages on Google Drive for download to an iOS device for offline reading.

In addition to the usual stability and security improvements and bug fixes, Chrome also adds fullscreen browsing support for the iPhone and iPod touch. This was implemented in a very intuitive manner; users simply scroll the browser window to the top of the screen to "push" the toolbar off the screen, or scroll back down to view the Google "omnibox."

While the changes are rather limited, they add a tremendous amount of utility to a fast and stable iOS web browser.

[Source: TUAW]

iOS 7 Concept Features Widgets, New Lock Screen, Mission Control and More

Earlier this week, a number of Apple-focused bloggers claimed iOS 7 was running behind schedule and that it would bring a significant user interface refresh.

Designer F. Bianco has posted a set of images to Flickr with some interesting thoughts on what useful changes Apple could make to iOS 7 to improve the user experience. Apple's user interfaces will likely face new scrutiny now that Facebook has laid out a new vision for how phone users interact with their devices with Facebook Home.

One of the more interesting concepts that Bianco shows is a 'widget' mode for apps that allows users to see quick information or change app settings straight from the home screen, as well as a quickly accessible settings screen that can slide out from the side to quickly adjust settings.

Turning Bluetooth on and off, for example, takes four distinct steps and the process could be much improved with a quickly accessible preferences screen.

[Source: MacRumors]

Chrome 27 beta wrings out more speed, streamlines HTML5 input

It's like clockwork, really. Chrome 26 has barely hit the stable track, and Google is already posting a Chrome 27 beta for desktops and Android devices to show what's next. Apparently, that future centers mostly on raw efficiency: Google has eked out an average 5 percent speed boost through a more aggressive resource scheduler. It also has a simpler interface for date and time forms on HTML5 pages. Most of the other upgrades coddle developers, such as the introduction of live audio input for the Web Audio API and an offline storage API for Chrome Web Store apps. There's no mention of Blink, so those who were expecting rapid adoption of the web engine beyond Chromium will be disappointed -- even so, it's good enough that we could see internet Guinea pigs giving the release a try.

[Source: Engadget]

iOS 7 Running Behind, Rumored to Have Significant Visual Makeover

In a Branch chat, which at the time of this writing is still going on, Daring Fireball's John Gruber says, according to what he's heard, iOS 7 is running behind schedule and that it will bring a significant user interface (UI) refresh. 

What I've heard: iOS 7 is running behind, and engineers have been pulled from OS X 10.9 to work on it. (Let me know if you've heard this song before.)

Gruber went on to say that he's heard that iOS 7 is a "significant system-wide UI overhaul" and the iOS engineers who are allowed to carry around devices with iOS 7 on them even have special privacy filters on their devices which reduces viewing angles. This is to prevent others from accidentally getting a glimpse of the new iOS design. 

Back in 2007, Apple delayed the release of OS X Leopard to concentrate work on iPhone. Gruber hints that this could be the case with Mac OS X 10.9 and iOS 7.

iMore's Rene Ritchie follows up Gruber's comments, saying that he's heard that Ive's work with iOS 7 is "making many people really happy, but will also apparently make rich-texture-loving designers sad." 

His comments come during a Branch talk that includes Gruber, Ritchie, TechCrunch's MG Siegler, Engadget's Tim Stevens, The Next Web's Matthew Panzarino and more. 

Ritchie follows up his earlier predictions, noting that he's heard that an event for a new, 9.7-inch iPad is or was planned for April, but it was contingent upon the new iPad being ready for release. He also notes that he's hearing the iPhone 5S will arrive in August, although Ritchie also says it could be a July/August window rather than a specific month. 

As for what could be on the iPhone 5S, both Siegler and Panzarino say they've heard a lot about biometrics on the new device. The feature would apparently be used for payments and identification. Panzarino notes it wouldn't be surprising to see AuthenTec's biometric technology in Apple devices so soon after Apple purchased the company last July because of the urgency of the deal. 

Finally, Siegler says he's heard "a whisper" that Apple's Passbook team is due for a shakeup and is in "shambles," though Ritchie points out that Forstall's departure could be the reason for the Passbook team's troubles.

[Source: MacRumors]

Firefox 20 for Mac Adds Download Manager and New Private Browsing Features

Mozilla has today launched Firefox 20, adding a number of significant improvements to the browser. Users are now able to initiate private browsing without the need to open a new window or close a current browsing session. 

There is a new function in place that allows users to close a hanging plugin without the need to shut down the entire browser, and the update also includes a new download manager in the Firefox toolbar. 

The download manager can be accessed by clicking on the down arrow button on the right side of the search bar. When clicked, the arrow will show the drop down file manager, displaying all downloads and providing a progress bar for files that are in the process of downloading. Tools allow users to pause/resume downloads, cancel, go to the download page, and open the downloads folder. 

Firefox version 20 also includes several bug fixes, performance improvements, and new tools for developers. This version of Firefox comes approximately six weeks after the release of Firefox 19. 

[Source: MacRumors]

Who Really Wants a Facebook Phone?

On April 4, Facebook will unveil its “New Home on Android.” The software is designed to put Facebook front and center on people’s Android phones, and it seems HTC will be among the first to partner with the company on this.

I haven’t said much about the prospect of a Facebook phone because… well, I can’t seem to get my brain around it. There’s an internal dialogue going on — a debate, if you will — that leaves me struggling to make sense of it all.

Let’s start with HTC. Now this is a company that needs to strengthen its position in mobile. While it got off to a great start with the HTC One, it still can’t compete with the likes of Apple or Samsung. And so it needs to get creative about its approach.

And it sees partnering with Facebook as one of the ways forward? Didn’t its previous forays with Facebooking smartphones crash and burn?

[Source: TechnoBuffalo - Click here to read the full story]

Find My Friends update allows fine tuning

Find My Friends has received a small, but important update. Version 2.1 of Apple's friend-location software introduces a new UI to search and set location-based notifications. Paranoid that your child is skipping school? Use the UI to look for your child's school and get alerted if he leaves before he should.

The Next Web has played around with the release and notes that the new UI allows you to set an exact distance from a location, so it's more useful for doing things such as locating someone a short distance away from you. Tap and drag on the location to set the parameters desired.

[Source: TUAW]

Windows Blue confirmed as Microsoft hints at yearly updates

Windows Blue, the heavily rumoured update to Windows 8, has been confirmed by Microsoft -- but the software behemoth says the "chances of products being named thusly are slim to none."

In a post on the corporate blog, Frank Shaw, corporate vice president of corporate communications (none more corporate!), wrote, "product leaders across Microsoft are working together on plans to advance our devices and services, a set of plans referred to internally as 'Blue'."

What Microsoft hasn't yet announced -- and what Shaw heavily hints at here -- is that Windows will become a regularly updated service, instead of a major purchase once every three or four years. This would make it more like Mac OS X, which typically costs around £15 to upgrade to the newest version (going from Lion to Mountain Lion currently costs £14).

"Our customers have already experienced the ongoing rhythm of updates and innovations over the past six months, including new devices, new apps and services, better performance and new capabilities," Shaw explains. "This continuous development cycle is the new normal across Microsoft -- we'll tune everyday experiences as well as introduce bold, connected and exciting new scenarios."

Windows upgrades have typically been a big deal. Bouncing up a notch from Windows 7 will set you back £100, or £190 for the Pro version, after an introductory offer of £25 ended in February.

With take-up of Windows 8 so far below expectations, Microsoft may feel the time of the big-box upgrade has gone the way of the box itself. Smart phones have accustomed us to free, instant OS upgrades -- and we're mad as hell when we don't get them -- so paying £100 for new PC software is just archaic.

Windows Blue is expected to bring more subtle and detailed touchscreen control, as hinted at in a recent leaked demo video. It's due out in August, according to sources speaking to our sister site ZDNet.

[Source: CNET]

Apple launching marketing campaign for Final Cut Pro X

The LA Times is reporting that Apple, stinging from criticism from professional users that the 2011 redesign of Final Cut Pro X (US$299.99) had made it a "cheap product aimed at consumers," is launching an online marketing campaign today to try to win back professional video editors who may have switched to competitive software.

The start of the campaign is timed to begin getting the word out prior to the start of the National Association of Broadcasters convention on April 6. Apple's campaign features Final Cut Pro X users like Julian Liurette of the Toronto Globe and Mail newspaper, who was skeptical of the app and waited a year before trying the new version. Liurette liked the new version so much that he's moved the newspaper's video operations from the old version to Final Cut Pro X. According to Liurette, "It's better on all fronts. Its interface is 100 times more interesting. And it's much, much faster."

Apple hopes to change the mindset of people like Harry Miller, head of the American Cinema Editors' technology committee, who said "Personally, I'm still suspicious of Apple...I don't want to invest money in any of their hardware or software when the might drop features in new versions."

To do so, three stories will be posted on the website today including that of Julian Liurette. Also expected to tout the features and speed of Final Cut Pro X are Tsui Hark, a big name in Hong Kong cinema circles, and Azteca Telenovela editor Jonathan Contreras. The latter pro says that "For a TV editor, speed is everything. And Final Cut Pro X is faster than any other editing application I've used."

The campaign has begun, and the videos are viewable on the Final Cut "In Action" web page.

[Source: TUAW]

Temple Run Finally Available On Windows Phone

Temple Run, one of the most popular endless runners around, is finally arriving for Windows Phone—months after Microsoft promised the game would launch. Better late than never, even though Temple Run 2 is already available for iOS and Android.

It may not seem like a huge deal, but getting a big title like this will do well to push theWindows Phone platform forward. However, it certainly doesn’t do fans of devices running WP8 any favors when big name titles—Temple Run 2, for instance—don’t launch simultaneously, or shortly after, for Microsoft’s mobile OS. Temple Run will have to tide WP owners over for now.

Windows Phone is getting a handful of other titles as well, including Gravity Guy 2, Chaos Rings, 6th Planet, Propel Man, Orcs Must Survive, Ruzzle, Fling Theory and Drift Mania Championship 2. Microsoft said the games will roll out during the week, so if any of them tickle your fancy, keep checking the marketplace to see if they’re live.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]