Google I/O: Google Cardboard coming to iOS

Google's low-cost virtual reality solution which uses existing smartphones to create augmented reality and VR experiences with the help of cardboard glasses is making its way to the iPhone. A Cardboard for iOS app is now available from the US Apple App Store. No love yet for Canadian iOS users though.

Amazon introduces custom font for Kindle to iOS

Amazon wants to make its e-reader app more reader-friendly with this latest update for the iOS version of Kindle. The company has brought its exclusive Kindle font they call Bookerly to Apple devices. It was introduced to Kindle Fire devices last year.

Amazon also adds a new typesetting engine that they claim will let drop caps, images, and text adapt automatically with a “print-like layout dynamically [adjusting] for any combination of screen size and font setting.” Unfortunately, there isn’t any word yet when Amazon plans to bring this custom font to other mobile platforms.

Source: The Next Web | Download: Apple App Store (Free) 

Microsoft's Cortana voice assistant headed to Android and iOS late June

Microosft has announced that it will make its Bing-powered Cortana voice assistant available as standalone apps for rival Android and iOS devices. Cortana is one of the hallmark features of Windows 8.1 for Phones and will be a key component of Windows 10 on the desktop.

Microsoft expects to make all the queries and features of Cortana on Windows available to Android and iOS devices when the apps launch late June. This means that rival phones will have the ability to enjoy a key feature of Windows 10 for Phones before the new OS comes to market. For iOS users, this means they now have a choice of three voice assistants on the platform with Siri, Google Now and Cortana available on their devices.

Source:  Microsoft Blog via The Verge

Jony Ive takes on new post as Apple’s Chief Design Officer

Updated on Monday, May 25, 2015 at 11:54PM by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Photo by Gadjo C. Sevilla - Canadianreviewer.com

Apple’s Senior Vice President of Design Jony Ive is taking on a new role and a new title for the company as its first Chief Design Officer. Aside from dealing with hardware, software, and packaging of products, he’ll now add the design of their retail stores to his responsibilities. He’ll even have a hand in picking the furniture and fittings of the new Apple Campus 2.

With an ever expanding line of Macs, iOS devices and various Watch models and iOS and OS X visual design and UI requirements under his jurisdiction, Ive has a lot on his plate, so the move makes sense so he can apply his razor focus on products.

Two of his lieutenants are also getting promoted, which will help Ive divest himself of the more administrative tasks. Richard Howarth will be heading Industrial Design and Alan Dye will be head of User Interface. Howarth has been a key member of the iPhone program since the beginning and Dye has done work with the Apple Watch’s UI. Both will report directly to Ive.

Source: SlashGear

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