Apple is said to be working on long-range wireless charging technology, which could make its way into the iPhone and iPad as early as 2017, according to Bloomberg. While products like the Apple Watch support inductive charging through the magnetic dock, the manufacturer is said to be developing technologies that can charge a phone even when it’s not in contact with the charging plate: Apple is exploring cutting-edge technologies that would allow iPhones and iPads to be powered from further away than the charging mats used with current smartphones, the people said, asking not to be identified as the details are private. The iPhone maker is looking to overcome technical barriers including loss of power over distance with a decision on implementing the technology still being assessed, they said. Efficiency of power transfer decreases as the distance between transmitter and receiver grows, which means batteries take longer to recharge. Rumors of Apple introducing wireless char…

Facebook is shutting down Parse, a mobile development platform that it acquired in 2013 for $85 million. The shut down was announced via a blog post by Parse co-founder Kevin Lacker, who says that developers leveraging the platform will have a year to migrate their apps before Parse shuts down completely on January 28, 2017. Says Lacker: We understand that this won’t be an easy transition, and we’re working hard to make this process as easy as possible. We are committed to maintaining the backend service during the sunset period, and are providing several tools to help migrate applications to other services. For those unfamiliar, Parse is a platform for handling server backend, push notifications and other tools that allow developers to speed up development of mobile apps. Amazon, Microsoft and Google offer similar tools, and Parse says that it will offer tools for migrating databases and more. For more from Parse, be sure to check out the full blog post at the source link bel…

Apple Pay may soon make its way to ATMs from Bank of America and Wells Fargo. Both companies are said to be working on a project to make the contactless payment system compatible with ATM transactions, allowing customers to view bank balances, withdraw money, and more. Engineers from both banks have been hard at work on such a program, according to a new report from TechCrunch When I pressed harder and asked if that meant Apple Pay would likely be one of those mobile wallets, he admitted with a laugh ”I think that’s a good assessment.” When asked about whether its ATMs would work with Apple Pay, Bank Of America’s Consumer Banking Products press representative Betty Riess told me ”We already have number of mobile wallet programs…” implying Apple Pay could join them. When it’s supported in stores, restaurants, and other outlets, Apple Pay can replace a customer’s use of their credit or debit card. It would be useful if banks would make it possible for Apple Pay to come into pl…

Each week, the App Store highlights some of the best new and updated apps. This week, check out Guides by Lonely Planet, twofold inc., and apps for election season. We start our look at apps this week with Guides by Lonely Planet, which offers guides to sights, sounds, and other interesting spots in various cities. CHOMP is a new app from author Christopher Niemann that lets you and your child make fun pictures, videos, and animations. Package tracker Deliveries has received a major update, with support for 3D Touch and the iPad Pro. Finally, check out Wild Weather, which uses beautiful illustrations to show the day’s weather. Guides by Lonely Planet – Free – Download Now CHOMP by Christopher Niemann – $2.99 – Download Now Deliveries – $1.99 – Download Now Wild Weather – $1.99 – Download Now In games this week, we start with twofold inc., a colorful new puzzle game. We’ve got some more new platforming action with Super Phantom Cat. Build out your own custom ship and fight to surv…

Piloteer, a physics-based game that challenges you to learn how to fly with a jetpack, is this week’s free app of the week on the App Store. In Piloteer, players are challenged with convincing the public that jetpacks are the way of the future. Throughout the game, you’ll maneuver through the skies while taking on difficult missions to change the mind of the public towards jetpacks. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect from Piloteer: Increasingly challenging gameplay with sixty different missions Three beautiful environments to fly around in Career and Free Fly modes Custom-composed, serene piano score Silly and ridiculous physics-based ragdoll effects Universal support GameCenter achievements Share replays and screenshots via Facebook, Email, or Twitter Piloteer will be free on the App Store through February 4, so be sure to hit up the link below to take to the skies on your jetpack. Free – Download Now …