App for jailbroken iPhone gives a great look and function for iOS app switcher

What started as a concept to create an environment which improves the app switching experience or multitasking view in iOS is now on the crux of becoming reality.

This app is called Auxo, and it completely redesigns the view when using the switcher. This app, which will require a jailbroken iPhone, really shows a great execution of what would be a welcome improvement to a future “official” version of iOS (maybe iOS 7).

Swiping to the reveal the audio controls provides neat functionality of volume and viewing the album art. Swipe further and you are presented with toggle controls for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and more, plus there is a brightness slider. The latter of which is only accessible by digging into settings. The toggles allow direct access to the settings by simply selecting and holding that toggle. Plus, the toggles can be rearranged.

In the app preview, or multi-tasking tray, in lieu of app logos, you have a card view showing the state of each app. It is a feature that is obviously borrowed from webOS, but nicely executed. The gestures are multi-touch enabled too.

If you have a jailbroken iPhone, this app will be available in Cydia soon. It will only work on iOS 6 devices for now. Pricing for the feature is not known either. With this kind of talent working in the “shadows” of the jailbreak environment, one can see what can be accomplished with the iOS platform. Given that, by showing what can be done, great looking features like this do play against the age of the overall user experience of iOS.

sources: iDownloadBlog via The Verge

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FCC gives green light to AT&T acquisition of numerous spectrum licenses

Today, the FCC approved, en masse, a series of spectrum acquisitions which encompass 608 cellular market areas (CMA), in the Advanced Wireless Service (AWS) and Wireless Cellular Service (WCS) bands. In all, the licenses, which will be acquired from several different companies, cover about 82% of the US population in the lower 48 states.

While the license spread is complex, it basically boils down to four separate transactions. AT&T will be acquiring, or assigned spectrum currently belonging to Comcast, Horizon Wi-Com, NextWave Wireless and San Diego Gas & Electric. For those that are wondering what an electric company would do with spectrum, many utilities use it to establish “Smart Grid” systems, enabling remote meter reading and other telemetry.

What is most significant about this finding from the FCC is how it relates to the WCS spectrum. This frequency band, in the 2.3GHz range, also contains the frequencies used by Sirius-XM satellite radio (called SDARS – Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service). Just this past October, the FCC revised the rules to allow more use of spectrum adjacent to the frequencies used by Sirius-XM. AWS is more familiar as it houses the 1700MHz block that is also used by T-Mobile USA.

There were a few issues raised in petitions against the transactions, but the FCC rejected them all. AT&T’s plans for this spectrum are plain and simple: LTE. For those that are cheering the decision and hoping to see 5-bars on your devices right away, you can settle down a bit. The build out of the infrastructure for using this spectrum will occur over the next few years, plus, devices with the appropriate radios to use it need to be introduced to the market as well.

It is very good news for AT&T. What will also be interesting to see going forward, is how the FCC treats pending deals between SoftBank and Sprint, Sprint and Clearwire, as well as T-Mobile USA and MetroPCS. From a spectrum holding standpoint, this announcement may actually grease the skids for the aforementioned pending deals.

source: FCC, AT&T via PhoneScoop and Engadget

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Chicago Start-up Gives Back This Holiday Season

Chicago, Illinois – This holiday season, Chicago tech start-up Clandestine Development is giving back through their ‘Gift App and Give Back’ campaign. Clandestine Development has partnered with RAINN, Take Back the Night, 1 In 6, PAVE and SAFER Campus to promote the company’s new personal safety mobile app, LifeLine Response, and to raise awareness for sexual violence.

During the month of December, Clandestine Development will give $1 for every LifeLine Response app purchased to one of the above organizations. A vote will be taken to determine which organization will be the recipient of this holiday donation. Anyone can vote online at the LifeLine Response website. We encourage people to ‘Gift’ LifeLine Response to a loved one and then ‘Give Back’ by voting for their favorite organization. Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. on December 31st.

Peter Cahill, Founder of LifeLine Response, said, “When it comes down to it, our goal for LifeLine Response is to make the world a safer place. RAINN, Take Back the Night, 1 In 6, PAVE and SAFER Campus share this goal. We think they do phenomenal work, and we want to help them to continue fighting sexual violence.”

“One in four college women is the victim of rape or attempted rape,” said Take Back the Night’s Executive Director, Katherine Koestner. “The Take Back The Night Foundation is delighted to have the support of LifeLine Response in our campaign to end sexual violence in all forms. When we know that we have help when we need it, we are all more confident.”

LifeLine Response is now available at $21.99 for an annual subscription. LifeLine Response is available in the United States from Apple’s App Store and Google Play, or by visiting LifeLine Response online. Also, visit the website for more information about the product, including videos and screenshots.

“I am thrilled that LifeLine Response is giving back to the community and working with us to shatter the silence of sexual violence,” said Angela Rose, Founder of PAVE.

Clandestine Development, LLC was formed in 2011 to develop unique technology investment opportunities with mass market potential. The Clandestine Development executive team collectively has over 100 years of business and technology experience. Clandestine Development has leveraged this experience to redefine the personal safety market. LifeLine Response is the first commercial grade personal safety application with proactive monitoring and distress alert technology. For more information about LifeLine Response, please visit our website.

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