• apple,  ios,  microsoft,  windows phone

    Microsoft To Hold VIP Future of Windows Phone Event

    BGR.com is reporting that Microsoft will be holding a VIP media event on May 24 to talk about what’s coming for the next release of their Windows Phone smartphone operating system.

    BGR blogger Todd Haselton writes:

    “We know Mango will offer Internet Explorer 9 with an integrated Twitter experience, better multitasking, and new apps such as Angry Birds, Skype, and Spotify. We’ve also heard that Microsoft will add Bing Audio for identifying music, Bing Vision for scanning bar codes, and voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation with Bing Maps, although none of these features have been confirmed by Microsoft just yet.”

    Sounds interesting.  The timing is also interesting to me because Microsoft will be holding their event just days before Apple’s World Wide Developer’s Conference, at which, they will be talking about the future of the iOS platform, Mac OS X, and hopefully, new cloud based services.

    By the way, over the weekend, I saw that the B&N Nook now supports apps, including the insanely popular Angry Birds game.  Is there any platform out there that Rovio hasn’t invaded yet?

    [Via BGR.com…]

  • apple,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  itunes

    Apple Releases iOS 4.3.3 to Address “Locationgate” Bug

    Today, Apple released the iOS 4.3.3 update for iPhone 4 (GSM), iPad, and iPod touch alongside of iOS 4.2.8 for the iPhone 4 (CDMA).

    Today’s updates are intended to address the location tracking issues around the consolidated.db file that contacts a large amount of cellular and Wi-Fi hot spot location tracking data that is used by an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to help the device locate itself.

    Specifically, iOS 4.3.3 and iOS 4.2.8 address:

    • Reduces the size of the cache
    • No longer backs the cache up to iTunes
    • Deletes the cache entirely when Location Services is turned off
    Today’s updates can be applied to the iPhone 4 (GSM model), iPad and iPad 2, iPhone 3GS, iPod touch (4th and 3rd edition), and iPhone 4 (CDMA model).

    Use iTunes 10 on your Mac or Windows PC to download the software and update your device.

  • apple,  ios,  itunes,  mac os x,  mobileme,  rumors

    The Daily: Apple Shines On

    In yesterday’s issue of The Daily, writer Dan Gallagher, profiled Apple, Inc in terms of their up-coming earnings report for last quarter.  To open the article, titled “Apple shines on,” Mr. Gallagher writes:

    “While investors widely expect Apple to report its usual barn-burner results this week, some creeping questions have weighed down the computer company’s high-flying stock recently.”

    The article continues on about the natural disasters in Japan and how they are preventing Apple from otherwise cranking out enough iPad 2 tablets to meet the demand for the popular item both here in the United States and abroad.

    That’s all fine and good, but I take issue Mr. Gallagher’s third sentence which reads:

    “In addition, a growing number of indicators have pointed to a potential delay of the company’s next iPhone to later in the year, instead of it’s customary launch period of midsummer.”

    Again, I don’t have a problem with Mr. Gallagher reporting what was widely discussed over the last two weeks when Apple announced that their annual developer get together, the World Wide Developer’s Conference, would be held on June 6.  On the March 28 notice that was sent out by Apple, which simply said, “Join us for a preview of iOS and Mac OS X.”  In short, that was Apple’s way of letting the legion of fans, geeks, investors, and yes, even journalists, that iPhone 5 would not be making a debut at this year’s event.

    If Apple, a company known for it’s legendary product secrecy, hasn’t yet announced the iPhone 5, which we all know is coming because “5” comes after “4,” how can it be considered delayed or even late?  The white iPhone 4?  That was delayed and is late.  The iPhone 5?  I have to disagree.

    Hit the read more link to keep reading…

    If the rumors are true, will Apple be breaking from previous product launch cycles this year?  Sure they are.  There are some things that need to be considered, in addition to the problems in Japan.

    First of all, the black iPhone 4 just became available on Verizon not even three months ago.  Do you really think that Apple and Verizon would ship iPhone 5 in less that six months of the iPhone 4 going live?  I don’t think so.

    Secondly, we still have the white iPhone 4 to deal with.  Yes, some people really have put off buying an iPhone 4 just so they can have a white iPhone 4.  With the white iPhone 4 coming something during the next few weeks, do you really think that Apple would ramp up a massive stock pile of a phone that they were about to replace?  I don’t think so.

    Thirdly, there has been a lot of talk on the Internet over the past few weeks about Apple’s plans for the next iPhone.  Some of them talk about more memory, larger screens, and faster processors.  These are all very likely true and will be in the next release of the iPhone.  There is also talk about incorporating the new Long Term Evolution, or LTE, cellular radio in the next iPhone – making it a “4G” phone.  (Marketing hype aside, “4G” networks are faster then today’s 3G networks, but probably not fast as carriers want to you think.)  Apple is also rumored to be working on a new way to use your iPhone as a short range wireless payment device using a technology called Near Field Communication, or NFC.  If true, once you have activated the feature, you could wave your iPhone over a receiver an make a payment similar to they way you can with some credit and debit cards today.

    However, there is one other think to consider which could be the cause of the “delay;” and that is: software.

    Despite the pile of cash that Apple is sitting on, the company keeps it’s competitive edge by remaining relatively small.  That means that Apple shifts employees around certain development efforts as they need to, and there are two, if not three, major software rewrites in the works.

    The first is the next release of the software that runs all of the Macintosh desktop, tower, and notebooks, known as Mac OS X 10.7 Lion.  Apple is working with software developers on pre-release versions of the software to help them iron out the bugs and to allow developers time to update their applications to work with the new Apple software.  Next up, Apple is also working on the fifth version of the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch software known as iOS.  iOS 5 will be a major overhaul of the mobile device software, which, by the way, at it’s core, uses the exact same software as Mac OS X, to ensure that Apple’s handheld software remains feature rich and competitive with phones and tablets running the Google Android OS.  If that wasn’t enough, I’m sure Apple is also hard at work on a major revamp of their MobileMe software, which will use the new data center Apple has built in North Carolina and support new features in Mac OS X, iOS, and iTunes.

    So with all of that, it’s more important for Apple to focus on the strategic scheduling of each of these major projects and being successful with their roll outs.  It’s not about holding to an annual schedule that we can all expect to happen each and every year.  Apple is about their software and hardware coming together to create a unique customer experience that no other tech company can match.  It’s about delighting the customer.

    So, no, the iPhone 5 is not delayed.  The announcement and release of the iPhone 5 this year has been scheduled behind other critical Apple engineering efforts.

    Ok?  Everyone take a deep breath and exhale.  It’s going to be fine.

    You can read Mr. Gallagher’s full article on The Daily website.

  • apple,  ios,  iphone,  mac,  mac os x,  macbook pro

    Apple WWDC To Be Held June 6 – 10

     Today Apple announced that their annual developer’s conference, World Wide Developer Conference, will be held June 6 – 10 in San Francisco this year.

    Tickets to the iOS and Mac OS X developer conference sold out in less than 12 hours.

    For fans, however, today’s announcement might disappoint.  Apple is clearly sending us a signal to set our expectations as we head into the summer event: this year’s WWDC will not feature any new hardware announcements.  The tag line for this year’s event is, “Join us for a preview of iOS and Mac OS X.”

    No new Macs.  No new iPhones.  Nada.

    This year’s event will feature Mac OS X and iOS.  Some rumors circulating around the Internet say that Apple may expand on their future plans for iOS 5 and the revamp for MobileMe which could include new streaming options for iTunes and a digital document “locker” for Mac OS X and your iTunes purchases.

    Those of us who were expecting to buy a new iPhone 5 this June or July, should reset their expectations for new iPhone hardware between late September and the end of the year.

  • apple,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  touch

    Apple Releases iOS 4.3.1 Update

    On Friday evening, Apple released a minor update to iOS, 4.3.1.  The update address the following issues:

    • Fixes an occasional graphics glitch on iPod touch (4th generation)
    • Resolves bugs related to activating and connecting to some cellular networks
    • Fixes image flicker when using Apple Digital AV Adapter with some TVs
    • Resolves an issue authenticating with some enterprise web services

    Notably, the CDMA iPhone 4 for Verizon and the iPad 2 did not receive the update.

    I have been using iOS 4.3.1 since Friday evening when it was released and I have not noticed any changes for better or worse.  Some people have claimed that the battery life on their iPhone 4 was decreased after applying the iOS 4.3 update on March 9.

    The update is also rumored to address a security flaw uncovered during the security and hacking event Pwn2Own, which too place earlier this month.

    The software update is available now for most current model iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models.   

    To upgrade your iDevice, make sure that you are running the latest version of iTunes on your Mac or Windows PC, and then connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, and follow the on screen directions.

    Need Help Upgrading to iOS 4.3.1?  Check out our iOS upgrade directions!

  • appletv,  att,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  ipod,  itunes,  mac,  touch,  verizon,  windows

    Apple Releases iOS 4.3 Update Ahead of iPad 2 Launch (Updated)

    Earlier today, Apple has released the iOS 4.3 update for current model iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch mobile devices.  iPad 2, which will go on sale at 5pm on Friday (3/11/11) will come pre-loaded with iOS 4.3 from the factory.

    Interestinly absent from the iOS 4.3 part is the new CDMA Verizon iPhone 4.  The Verizon iPhone 4 will not receive an update along side it’s GMS counterpart on rival wireless carrier, AT&T.

    iOS 4.3 provides some new features, including iTunes Home Sharing (streaming between your Mac or PC and your iOS device), iPhone 4 Personal HotSpot (Mi-Fi like cellular Internet connection sharing), and a new preference to allow iPad owners to chose the function of the slider switch (screen rotation lock or mute switch).

    In addtion to the new features, iOS 4.3 also enhances the Safari browser and the AirPlay feature, which requires a second generation AppleTV, first introduced in iOS 4.2.  ComputerWorld.com also reports that iOS 4.3 patches some 59 iOS bugs.

    iOS 4.3 supports all current model iDevices, include: iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 GMS, iPad, and iPad 2, iPod touch (2009), and iPod touch (2010).  There is no world on when iOS 4.3 will be coming to the Verizon iPhone 4 or the second generation AppleTV.

    To install iOS on your device, first upgrade iTunes to the latest release, and then connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to your computer and follow the on screen upgrade prompts.

    Update

    Apple has released a software update for the second generation AppleTV to bring it to version 4.2.  Click the Read More link for details.

    AppleInsider.com reports that Apple has updated the second generation AppleTV software version 4.2.

    New features of the update, as highlighted by Apple, include:

    • MLB.TV: Watch live and on-demand Major League Baseball games, access stats, scores and standings.
    • NBA: See scores and more, plus League Pass Broadband subscribers get live and archived games.
    • AirPlay for apps: Use AirPlay to wirelessly stream video from apps and Safari on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
    • Netflix Dolby Digital 5.1: Enjoy Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound when watching Netflix movies and TV shows
    • New slideshow themes: View photos with the new Scrapbook, Photo Mobile, and Holiday Mobile slideshow themes.
    • Improved on-screen keyboard: Search and enter names and passwords more easily with the redesigned on-screen keyboard.

    To update the software on your second generation AppleTV, use the software update feature in the settings menu.

    [Via AppleInsider.com…]

  • android,  android market,  app store,  apple,  google,  ios

    Google Uses Remote Kill Switch, Secures Compromised Handsets [Updated]

    According to a new report from Boy Genius Report, Google has used the remote kill switch feature in the Android operating system to kill and remove malware installed on Android phones.

    “To try and fix the problem, Google has started using a remote kill switch feature in Android to wirelessly nuke those installed apps on user’s handsets. That’s not the entire story, though, as Google is actually installing new code in the process. The new code undoes the exploit and prevents your data from being shared, and it’s kind of creepy to plainly see how much control Google has over your Android phone from afar. “

    I’m glad to see that Google is using their powers for good.  Earlier uses of the kill switch angered users, if not make them a bit paranoid that Google has a back door into their devices.  But I have to wonder, shouldn’t Google have done a better job of curating their Android Market and have prevented these apps from becoming available for download in the first place.

    Regardless of whether or not you believe the Android platform and the Android Market is any more or less “open” and the Apple iOS platform and the App Store, it is up to us, the consumer, to make sure we know and understand what software we are installing on our devices.

    Update

    ComputerWorld has posted an article covering this issue online, stating:

    “Last Wednesday, Google removed more than 50 infected apps published by three different developers from its marketplace, but didn’t trigger automatic uninstalls until several days later.”

    You can read the full article on the ComputerWorld website.
    [Via BGR.com…]

  • apple,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  itunes,  touch

    iOS 4.3 Coming Soon, iTunes 10.2 Available Now

    Along side of today’s iPad 2 event, Apple released iTunes 10.2 for Mac OS X and Windows PC, and previewed iOS 4.3, which will be released on March 11 also.

    iOS 4.3 Update

    In iOS 4.3, Apple has added incremental improvements to Safari and AirPlay.  Apple also baked in iTunes Home Sharing, iPad Side Switch (formerly known as the orientation lock switch and mute switch) preference setting, and, for the iPhone 4, the Personal Hotspot.

    iOS 4.3 will be available for current model iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models.  While reading the Apple website for details on iOS 4.3, the second generation AppleTV was not mentioned, however, I expect that device to also receive an update before too long.

    iTunes 10.2 Update

    iTunes was updated to 10.2 today to bring support to Macs and Windows PCs for the new iOS 4.3 features, and probably support for the iPad 2, however, the iPad 2 was not specifically mentioned in the update description.

    iTunes 10.2 can be downloaded now via the Software Update control panel on your Mac or PC.

    Check out all the details over at Apple.com.

  • apple,  ios,  ipad

    Apple Unveils iPad 2, Ships March 11

    Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the iPad 2 today.  Bask in it’s coolness, now in two colors: Black and White.

    The new iPad features a new lighter design, a dual-core Apple A5 processor, FaceTime cameras, and all for the same $499 price point as the original.

    iPad 2 will go on sale at 5pm on March 11, 2011.  For more details, check the Apple website.