How to transfer any media file to your iOS device

How to transfer any media file to your iOS device

Using the Mac app Waltr you can transfer any type of video or music file to your iOS device without the need for a companion iOS app.

Sarah Tew/CNET

When the team behind the Mac app Waltr first contacted me with details of what the app was capable of, I was skeptical. The promise of Waltr is that the app makes it possible to transfer any type of video or audio file, regardless of its format, to your iOS device with playback of the file in Apple's Music and Video apps. As opposed to similar apps that require you to install a companion iOS app on your device, limiting access to the files within that app (and limiting access to features such as AirPlay in some cases).

Then I tried the app and my skepticism quickly disappeared.

Waltr comes from Softorino, the same team behind the OS X app iBetterCharge, which alerts you when your iOS device is in need of charging.

WaltrScreenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET

After downloading the app, you'll be asked to disable iTune's automatic sync feature. Once that's done, you only need to connect your iOS device to your Mac via USB. From there, Waltr takes a drag-and-drop approach for transferring content to your iPhone or iPad.

After dropping a file, regardless of the format, into Waltr the app does some behind the scenes magic to make the file compatible with iOS and uploads it to your device. Josh Brown, marketing manager, at Softorino assures me the technique the company uses results in no quality loss.

Waltr transferring a file.Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET

I tested the app with a 608 MB MKV file. From start to finish, it took Waltr under 30-seconds to do its magic and transfer the file to the Videos app on my iOS device. Normally the conversion process alone for a file that size is roughly 4-minutes using an app like VidConvert.

You can transfer MKV, AVI and MP4 video files. When it comes to audio files, FLAC, AAC and WAV are just a few examples of what can be transferred. For a full list, visit Waltr's website.

Waltr is available as an online download for OS X 10.9 or newer with a free 14-day trial, after which the app prompts you to purchase a license for $29.99.

Windows users can sign up for a chance to take part in the beta of Waltr for Windows.

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iOS 8.2 may launch Monday with new health features

iOS 8.2 may launch Monday with new health features

Update to Apple's mobile OS will add and enhance certain health features as the company gets ready to share more about its Apple Watch on Monday, according to a report.

Apple could launch iOS 8.2 on Monday, when it's also hosting its Apple Watch event.Tim Stevens/CNET

Version 8.2 of Apple's iOS mobile operating system could launch as soon as Monday with new and improved health features in tow. That's the same day the company is expected to unveil more details on its Apple Watch.

The maker of the iPhone and iPad mobile gadgets was close to releasing iOS 8.2 to the public earlier, blog Boy Genius Report said on Thursday, but instead decided to push out one final build to employees and testers. The change log for that build reveals several new features and enhancements in the health department as well as a host of bug fixes, according to BGR.

The Apple Watch faces an increasingly competitive market already crowded with devices from other players. To entice a wide range of buyers, Apple designed its first wearable as both a smartwatch and a health and fitness monitor. So the health features baked into iOS 8 need to be solid if Apple hopes to capture the fitness crowd.

Based on the change log, the new and improved health features in iOS 8.2:

• add the ability to select the unit of measurement for body temperature, weight, height, distance and blood glucose,
• improve stability when dealing with large amounts of data,
• include the ability to add and visualize workout sessions from third-party apps,
• address an issue that may have prevented users from adding a photo in Medical ID,
• fix units for vitamins and minerals,
• fix an issue where health data wouldn't refresh after changes in data source order,
• fix an issue where some graphics showed no data values, and
• add a privacy setting that enables turning off tracking of steps, distance and flights climbed.

But iOS 8.2 is also designed as a bug squasher.

Life hasn't exactly been easy for Apple's iOS 8 since it launched last September. The initial version carried a few bugs that were supposed to be resolved a week later in iOS 8.0.1. But that edition came with even more bugs, prompting Apple to quickly pull it and launch 8.0.2. Since then Apple has rolled out versions 8.1, 8.1.2 and 8.1.3, all with some enhancements and bug fixes.

The bugs and multiple releases may account for the sluggish adoption of iOS 8, which has trailed that of its predecessor but is finally up to 75 percent of all devices that visited the App Store as of last Monday.

According to BGR, the bug fixes:

• address an issue in Maps that prevented navigating to some favorite locations,
• address an issue where the last word in a quick reply message wasn't autocorrected,
• fix an issue where duplicate iTunes purchased content could prevent iCloud restore from completing,
• resolve an issue where some music or playlists didn't sync from iTunes to the Music app,
• fix an issue where deleted audiobooks sometimes remained on the device,
• resolve an issue that could prevent call audio from routing to car speakers while using Siri Eyes Free,
• fix a Bluetooth calling issue where no audio is heard until the call is answered,
• fix a timezone issue where Calendar events appear in GMT,
• address an issue that caused certain events in a custom reoccurring meeting to drop from Exchange calendar,
• fix a certificate error that prevented configuring an Exchange account behind a third-party gateway,
• fix an issue that could cause an organizer's Exchange meeting notes to be overwritten, and
• resolve an issue that prevented some Calendar events from automatically showing as "busy" after accepting an invite.

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Apple Watch to nab over half the smartwatch market, researcher predicts

Apple Watch to nab over half the smartwatch market, researcher predicts

Apple's upcoming wearable is expected to ship more than 15 million units worldwide this year, according to Strategy Analytics

Apple Watch will lead the smartwatch market this year, according to Strategy Analytics.Apple

The highly anticipated Apple Watch will soon dominate the smartwatch market, says research firm Strategy Analytics.

Apple will ship 15.4 million Apple Watch units in 2015, giving the company 54.8 percent of the global smartwatch market. All other smartwatch makers combined will ship just 12.7 million units in 2015, according to the forecast. Strategy Analytics believes the Apple Watch will ignite the wearables space, saying total worldwide smartwatch shipments will jump 511 percent, from 4.6 million in 2014 to 28.1 million this year.

"The Apple Watch is the catalyst to ignite the global smartwatch market," Strategy Analytics Executive Director Neil Mawston said in a statement Thursday. "Apple's famous brand, loyal fan base, deep retail presence and extensive apps ecosystem will ensure healthy uptake for its Watch."

The Apple Watch is expected to be the main attraction at a special event that Apple is hosting on Monday. At the event, which will kick off at 10 a.m. PT, Apple is expected to announce final details about the device, including pricing across all models and the date it will go on sale. Apple CEO Tim Cook recently let slip that the Apple Watch will ship in April, and recent reports suggest the company is on track to hit his target date.

Tune in to CNET's Apple event live show and blog at 9 a.m. PT on March 9.

The Strategy Analytics study comes as theMobile World Congress in Barcelona, a major trade show for the smartphone industry, winds down. The event played host to a wide range of smartwatch announcements. Notable phone makers including Huawei and LG unveiled their own smartwatches that are set to hit store shelves this year. And some analysts, including Strategy Analytics, believe that despite a blockbuster arrival, Apple might have some stiff competition down the road.

"Apple's first-generation Watch is not yet perfect," Mawston said. "For example, Apple's Watch hardware design is arguably less attractive than some rival models such as the Huawei Watch, battery life may not be as long as many traditional wristwatch owners are used to, and Apple's premium pricing may be challenging for mass-market consumers. Apple will need to upgrade tangibly its second-generation Watch to stay ahead of competitors later this year."

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Ubisoft's tablet video game combats lazy eye condition

Ubisoft's tablet video game combats lazy eye condition

Ubisoft has announced it is working on a video game to combat an eye disorder that can cause reduced vision.

Players can make better progress if they use both their eyes together rather than one at a time

Dig Rush is designed to be played on tablets by people diagnosed as having Amblyopia - also known as "lazy eye".

The condition affects an estimated one in 50 children, according to the NHS, and often causes them to see less clearly out of one eye than the other.

Ubisoft said it hoped the game would be "more engaging and enjoyable" than existing treatments.

The technique involved was developed by researchers at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, who initially carried out tests using a version of the blocks-turning game Tetris before publicising their discovery in 2013.

French developer Ubisoft is best known for making entertainment-focused video games including the Assassin's Creed and Far Cry series, as well as the choreography-focused franchise Just Dance.

Patients will need to wear stereoscopic glasses to benefit from the treatment

Its announcement was timed to coincide with the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco.

Blocked objects

Dig Rush requires the patient to wear blue-red stereoscopic glasses - similar to the ones used for old 3D movies - while playing.

It works by showing some of its graphics in blue and some in red at differing levels of contrast, so that each of the objects they represent becomes harder to see by one of the eyes.

This forces the player to use both their dominant and weaker eyes together in order to make progress, rather than just relying on their stronger one or only seldom using the weaker one.

Through repeated training, the player's brain should learn to improve co-ordination of both eyes, helping the weak eye relearn how to see and potentially improving their sense of depth as a result.

Ubisoft said doctors would have the ability to adjust the game's settings to suit specific patients' conditions.

Eye patch alternative

Left untreated, Amblyopia can result in the central vision of a person's "lazy eye" never reaching normal levels.

Studies carried out by the McGill team suggest two-thirds of people who play such games regularly should experience improved vision in their weaker eye.

Amblyotech - a company that bought the researchers' invention and licensed it to Ubisoft - said it believed the game was more effective than alternative techniques.

"Current treatments options, such as eye patching, provide limited relief and have poor patient compliance due to discomfort and social stigmas," said Joseph Koziak, Amblyotech's chief executive.

He suggested that both children and adults could benefit from the treatment.

Amblyotech suggests people will be more willing to play the game than wear an eye patch to treat the condition

Amblyotech is currently seeking permission from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market the therapy in the US. It acknowledges it will have to go through similar approval processes elsewhere before the game can be made available.

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists - which represents eye doctors in the UK - said it would need to see further evidence before being able to support the idea of medics prescribing the title.

"The use of digital media is and has been researched and studied and shown to have some benefit," said a spokeswoman.

"As with all treatments, their use must be based on scientific research and evidence to ensure a safe and effective benefit for patients."

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Sony and Microsoft focus on mid-range smartphones at MWC

Sony and Microsoft focus on mid-range smartphones at MWC

Sony and Microsoft have opted to unveil mid-range smartphones at the Mobile World Congress trade fair in Barcelona.

The Lumia 640XL packs more features than an earlier "phablet", the Lumia 1320, but will be cheaper

Microsoft indicated it would wait until the release of Windows 10 to announce a new flagship, despite its high-end Lumia 930 dating back to April 2014.

Sony's Xperia Z3 is less old, having launched in September. But the firm had previously refreshed its top model roughly once every six months.

Sony said its focus was on "broadening its customer base" at this time.

The companies' decisions to leave more high-profile launches until later has one immediate benefit: the flagships do not risk being overshadowed by Samsung's Galaxy S6, which was unveiled on Sunday evening.

The M4 Aqua is waterproof despite a capless microUSB port

Even so, one expert said the importance of the fast-growing mid-range market should not be underestimated.

"It's much harder to win over people at the high-end than the mid-tier, and it costs more money to do so, especially if you're not one of the top few handset brands," said Carolina Milanese, chief of research at KWP ComTech.

"In the mid-tier there's also less loyalty - consumers switch around more - so there's a bigger proportion of the market to go after.

"And it's easier to demonstrate value, by offering a different balance of price and features.

"But the challenge is that you are competing with more firms and some of them are pretty ruthless when it comes to price."

LG, Motorola and ZTE also unveiled new mid-range smartphones in the days leading up to MWC.

Bundled Office

Microsoft is adding two models to its line-up, both of which run Windows Phone 8.1 and will be upgradeable to Windows 10 when it is released later this year.

The Lumia 640 offers owners both 4G data connectivity and ability to fit two Sim cards at once - a popular feature in India, where users often switch network provider when crossing states to get a better rate.

The phone's 5in (12.7cm) screen is bigger and higher resolution than the Lumia 635 it supersedes. It also gains a higher quality eight megapixel camera and an NFC (near field communication) chip for wireless payments and cordless connections to other kit.

The other new model, the Lumia 640 XL, has a bigger 5.7in (14.5cm) screen and a 13-megapixel camera. Both are being bundled with a one-year subscription to Microsoft's Office 365 productivity software suite, including access for an additional PC and tablet.

They will range in cost between €139 ($155; £100) and €219 ($245; £160), depending on the specification.

The Lumia 640 is a dual-Sim model, which may help it appeal to shoppers in India

Shrinking appeal?

The Windows Phone platform saw its market share shrink from 3.3% to 2.7% last year, according to recently published figures.

The forthcoming launch of Windows 10 will allow a single app to run across Windows PCs, tablets and phones, rather than having different ecosystems.

Microsoft marketing director Neil Broadley said it would present a "tremendous opportunity" to attract new users.

But one expert said that delaying the release of a new flagship until that point might be misguided.

"The risk is that if Microsoft doesn't release a new flagship soon, its top-end hardware is going to look very old," said Ian Fogg, head of the mobile at the IHS Technology consultancy.

"Having a good flagship can have a halo effect, attracting people to the rest of the range.

"The new phones are upgradeable to Windows 10 anyway, so the fact the operating system is not out yet shouldn't deter Microsoft from releasing a new flagship now."

Hundreds of new products will be launched at MWC this year

Budget cuts

Sony announced a policy change last month, saying that it was going to limit investment in its smartphone line-up as part of efforts to return to profit.

The Japanese firm's chief executive, Kazuo Hirai, added that he might later consider "an exit strategy" from mobile phones altogether, though he said no such plan was currently in the works.

Releasing the Xperia M4 Aqua may therefore fit Sony's mobile unit better than releasing another tent-pole device packed with expensive new technologies so soon after the last.

The Xperia M4 Aqua's marketing materials make a virtue of its ability to be used in water

The 5in (12.7cm) phone's distinguishing features, all shared with one or more other pieces of Sony kit, include:

• A 13MP main camera and a 5MP front one
• Up to two days of normal use between charges, thanks in part to a relatively large 2,400mAh battery
• Waterproofing to depths of 1.5m (4.9ft) for up to 30 minutes, with a capless microUSB port

It will cost about €300 when it goes on sale.

Sony's Xperia Z4 tablet can work under water and stream PlayStation 4 video games

Sony has also announced a new tablet, the Xperia Z4

At 6.1mm (0.24in) thick, it said it was the thinnest 10in (25.4cm) such device on the market.

Dell has a slightly thinner, but smaller model.

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Tinder to charge older users more for premium facilities

Tinder to charge older users more for premium facilities

The Rewind function will allow members to retrieve rejected profiles

Tinder has announced it is adding much anticipated premium features to its dating app, including the ability to reconsider rejected profiles.

In a surprise move, it announced the pay-to-use add-ons would cost more for older people to use.

In the UK, people over the age of 28 years old face paying nearly four times the price of their younger counterparts. In the US, the over-30s have to pay double the basic rate.

One expert said the move was "sleazy".

But Tinder has defended its business plan, saying its rates were based on "extensive" tests.

"We've priced Tinder Plus based on a combination of factors, including what we've learned through our testing, and we've found that these price points were adopted very well by certain age demographics," said a spokeswoman.

Users have to like each other on Tinder to send messages

"Lots of products offer differentiated price tiers by age, like Spotify does for students, for example.

"Tinder is no different; during our testing we've learned, not surprisingly, that younger users are just as excited about Tinder Plus, but are more budget constrained and need a lower price to pull the trigger."

UK users face a £3.99 monthly fee for the service if they are aged between 18 and 27, and £14.99 a month if they are aged 28 and above.

In the US, the corresponding figures are $9.99 (£6.50) and $19.99 (£13).

Tinder added that members in emerging economies would be charged an average of $2.99 a month for the premium features.

Swipe to reject

Tinder has become one of the most popular dating services since its launch in 2012.

The smartphone app uses its members' Facebook profiles to source photos and show basic information about them.

Members then swipe to the right to pick someone they would like to date or swipe to the left to reject a profile.

Users can only send messages to each other if they have each picked the other party.

Until now, there were no charges to use the app.

But a common complaint was that an accidental swipe in the wrong direction could thwart a potential match and there was no way to undo this. The Rewind feature now provides a solution.

In addition, the premium service has also added a facility called Passport.

The Passport function allows users to overcome a restriction that limited searches to their close vicinity

This allows users to search for singles in a different city from where they are based, letting them set up dates for holidays, business trips or other travel in advance.

'Creating a barrier'

The matchmaking industry generated $2.2bn in sales in the US alone in 2014, representing 4.8% growth since 2009, according to a study by the Ibisworld research group.

Tinder is majority-owned by the US media company InterActiveCorp, which also owns the paid subscription dating services OKCupid, Meetic and Match.com.

Company watchers had always assumed that Tinder would start charging fees at some point, not least because its computer server bills are mounting.

But one tech venture capitalist was surprised by the model the firm had chosen to adopt.

"It's true that Microsoft, for example, sells its Office software to university students for considerably less than it sells it to corporations - and it justifies that on an ability to pay," said entrepreneur Paul Kedrosky, who writes the Infectious Greed blog.

"But that seems highly unlikely to be the same case here.

"It seems more likely it's a way to get the [younger] demographic that Tinder wants on the service, and using price as a way to create a barrier to others.

"I just think it's - for want of a better word - sleazy."

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Samsung S6 Edge with curved screen unveiled at MWC

Samsung S6 Edge with curved screen unveiled at MWC

Samsung will sell two versions of its next flagship phone, one of which has a screen that curves round its sides.

The Galaxy S6 Edge uses the feature to provide a quick way to stay in touch with select contacts, and to alert owners to important information.

It will be sold for a higher price than the standard S6, which otherwise has the same specifications.

Samsung lost market share to Apple and others after the S5 sold fewer copies than its predecessor in many countries.

Its replacements were unveiled in Barcelona, ahead of the start of Mobile World Congress. They go on sale on 10 April in 20 countries, including the UK.

Samsung says the two phones feature a 64-bit processor it designed to be both more powerful and energy efficient than before

Metal frame

The South Korean firm said it had set out to address past "missteps", and had codenamed the devices "project zero" to reflect the need for a rethink.

Changes include making the TouchWiz user interface simpler to use by cutting the number of pop-up messages and introducing a metal frame and glass back instead of the plastic styling of earlier models.

The redesign has, however, meant some features have had to be jettisoned: the phones are not water-resistant, they do not have a microSD slot for extra storage and their backs cannot be removed to change their batteries.

The Galaxy S6 Edge's curved screen lets it shine a colour on the table when face down, providing a signal as to who is calling

Even so, one expert praised the company's choices.

"Samsung has clearly listened to feedback - not just for the Galaxy S5, which just missed the mark last year costing the company greatly - but also the S4, which was a product that tried to cram in every piece of technology it could find," said Ben Wood, head of research at the CCS Insight tech consultancy.

"The software has been made into a much more crisp and clear experience, the design of the product has clean lines and looks very nice, and the marketing campaign is expected to only pinpoint three things - and that's certainly something that had been missing from Samsung's products for quite some time."

Others were more critical. Rob Kerr, from the price comparison site uswitch.com, declared: "The dual-curved display just seems too gimmicky, too niche, to really be a crowd pleaser."

Samsung said the metal used in the Galaxy S6 Edge "would not bend" - a dig at Apple

Coloured contacts

The three topics Samsung is focusing on are:

• Revamped designs, including the premium model's curved screen
• Camera upgrades
• In-built support for wireless charging, with support for two rival standards

The S6 Edge uses its curves to provide a couple of services.

The first is called People Edge, which provides a quick way to bring up calls, texts and other messages from five acquaintances of the owner's choosing. Each person is assigned a different colour, which the phone's edge flashes when it rings, providing a hint of the caller's identity even if the device is face down.

The second is Information Stream, which displays the time, weather and selected notifications on the curved part.

It appears Samsung has deliberately kept the functionality more basic than on its Galaxy Note Edge - a larger handset whose screen curves only around one of its sides. The older phone uses the extra space to both run apps of its its own and to add controls to other apps.

Samsung's two Galaxy S6 models feature wireless charging support

The S6 phone's front camera has been upgraded to five megapixels, while the rear one stays at 16MP.

Both gain from a wider aperture, which should improve their ability to take photos and videos in low light conditions.

Samsung has also taken steps to make the camera quicker to use, saying it now takes less than a second to double tap the home key and snap a shot.

The firm is claiming a "world first" by embedding support for both the PMA and WPC's Qi wireless charging standards.

The Android-powered handsets are also faster to recharge, and should return to 50% battery strength within half an hour of being plugged in.

Samsung said that this was half the time it would take to charge an iPhone 6.

Samsung said it had worked with Mastercard and Visa to add smart wallet features

Other improvements over the S5 include:

• Increased screen resolution - now 577 pixels per inch - and the ability to go 20% brighter
• A new 14 nanometre processor designed by Samsung, rather than bought from Qualcomm, that should be more energy efficient
• The addition of Samsung Pay, a smart wallet service that allows the handsets to act as a credit or debit card when tapped against a shop's NFC chip reader or used to transmit magnetic stripe data. It will initially be limited to the US and South Korea

The firm also revealed it had developed a new version of its Gear VR virtual reality kit that uses the S6 models as a screen.

Samsung has developed a new version of its virtual reality headset that uses the Galaxy S6 as a screen

Market share down

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