The written musings of a long-time Apple //e and Macintosh tech nerd. Opinions are my own.
MacDailyNews.com is reporting, and I have confirmed with my own tests, that The Beatles are finally coming to Apple’s iTunes Store. (To test: Open the iTunes Store and search for the term “the beatles”.)
While that is probably great news for many people, I’m not a big fan of The Beatles. I’m still holding out for the iTunes.com steaming service.
[Via MacDailyNews.com…]
Well, well, well…what do we have here? Anyone visiting the Apple website today was greeted by the above splash page.
Apple’s legendary secrecy is clearly alive and well as we heard all sorts of rumors around the release of Mac OS X 10.6.5, iTunes 10.1 for Mac OS X and Windows PC, and we even had gotten word of not one, but two possible release dates for the iOS 4.2 update.
But this, my dear readers, was completely off the radar. If I had to guess what might be going on tomorrow morning at 10:00am, I will only speculate that whatever it is, will likely have to do with Apple’s new massive data center in North Carolina.
Back on October 25, AppleInsider.com reported that “According to a Data Center Knowledge report published Sunday, the data center is “fully operational,” with Apple beginning to “ramp up production” at the server farm. The Cupertino, Calif., company could be planning to build a second facility on the site, the report notes.”
Below is an aerial photo of Apple’s new data center.
Did a last minute Wi-Fi bug end up aborting yesterday’s rumored launch for Apple’s iOS 4.2 update for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad?
There certainly seems to be enough evidence of that. Apple had released the golden master, or “GM” developer release of iOS 4.2 a few days ago. The GM release of software is usually identical to the shipping version. Many speculated that this past Friday, 11/12/10, was suppose to be the launch date for iOS 4.2. November 24, 2010 is the new rumored launch date for iOS 4.2.
Rather than getting a final software release of iOS 4.2 yesterday, we saw Apple release a second GM release of the software. The release of a second GM version of the software leads me to believe that the reports of a late discovered bug was to blame for the iOS no-show.
Software usually goes through several iterations before getting int consumer’s hands. Alpha, beta, release candidate, golden master, and then release/retail. It’s normal to see several release candidates, or RCs, but you usually only get one GM.
The way I see it, during the September iPod event, Apple CEO Steve Jobs promised that iOS 4.2 would be available in November, and there is still plenty of time to make good on that promise. I’d rather have working software than almost working software.
That said, I still want access to the cool features that iPhone 4 and late generation iPod touch users have had for the last few months already.
In the mean time, if you haven’t already done so, you can upgrade to Mac OS X 10.6.5 and iTunes 10.1 (iTunes 10.1 is available now for both Mac OS X and Windows PC). Both software updates lay the ground work to support iOS 4.2 devices. Use the Apple Software Update control panel to upgrade your Mac OS X or Windows PC.
Earlier today, Apple released the iTunes 10.1 update that paves the way for a release of iOS 4.2.
With the iTunes 10.1 release, Apple has included support for iOS 4.2 running on current generation iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad devices and the new AirPlay feature.
The update is currently available for Mac OS X and Windows PC users. To get the update, use the Apple Software Update control panel.
I saw this over on Engadget and couldn’t resist commenting on it.
It seems that iPhone hacks have way too much time on their hands, because with an application called Bootlace 2.1 for jailbroken iPhone 2G (the original iPhone) and iPhone 3G, the job of getting Android 2.2 installed is even easier.
So who cares if Apple is stopped releasing iOS updates for the original iPhone? Now we can run Google Android 2.2 and we don’t even need to sync to a computer to load it up.
You can find the installation directions over on FSM.com.
[Via Engadget.com…]
Despite all the shenanigans caused by a recent post at TMoNews.com about T-Mobile selling Apple’s iPhone 4G, does anyone else think that a black Apple sync/charge cable is cool? A white cable looks good with a white iPod or with the mythical white iPhone 4G. But a white cable with a black iPod Classic, iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad just doesn’t seem right.
The T-Mobile cable is intended for European T-Mobile customers who are traveling State side and is expected to sell for $14.99. (In Germany, T-Mobile is a non-exclusive carrier of the iPhone.) I can’t say that if I happened pass a T-Mobile store that has this cable that I won’t pick one up.
The bottom line: So far, AT&T is still the only game in town for an iPhone. Verizon has all but been confirmed to start selling the iPhone 4G in early 2011. No word at this time if T-Mobile or Sprint will ever end up ironing out a deal with Apple to sell the iPhone.
Apple has announced, sort of, via a company spokesperson, that the elusive white iPhone 4 won’t appear until the spring of 2011.
John Paczkowski, of the Digital Daily blog, contacted the iPhone maker and received the following word:
“We’re sorry to disappoint customers waiting for the white iPhone yet again, but we’ve decided to delay its release until this spring.”
[Via Digital Daily…]
During today’s Back To Mac event, Apple released a beta version of their FaceTime client for Mac OS X.
FaceTime was initially released earlier this year with the iPhone 4 running iOS 4. My junior blogger, Meghan and I called my father, who has an iPhone 4, and I have to say that FaceTime is a super cool, easy to use video chat application.
To use FaceTime, you need to download the Mac OS X beta application from the Apple website. Once you install the app, you sign-in to Apple’s system using your Apple ID. Apple IDs are free, and if you are purchasing content from the iTunes Store, you already have an Apple ID. You also have the option of adding a different email account as your “phone number” to make calls from your Mac.
To make a call with FaceTime on your Mac, you start the app, and then click a name in the right window pane which contact the contacts you have in your Mac OS X Address Book application.
For more information on FaceTime for Mac OS X, check out the Apple FaceTime website.
It has been a busy day for Apple fanatics customers today.
New iPods, Apple TV
At today’s annual September media event, Apple took the wraps off a new iPod nano and iPod touch. The iPod shuffle got it’s click-wheel back. Apple TV received an extreme makeover, and we were told that iOS 4.1 will arrive next week (9/8/10) to fix the proximity sensor and Bluetooth issues on iPhone 4 and performance issues on the iPhone 3GS. Owners of current iPod touch models will also be getting the iOS 4.1 treatment next week. iPad owners, like me, will have to wait until November for the iOS 4.2 update to be released. Ugh!
The good news for those of us not eager to shell out a few hundred more dollars for the latest shinny Apple gizmo is that we can get our hands on iTunes 10 today.
Once you get past the hoopla over the redesigned logo, Apple dumped the CD to focus on the music note, you’ll see the new features that have been added to the popular jukebox software. Click the read link for the new iTunes 10 features and more photos of Apple’s latest gear.
What’s new in iTunes 10
•Introducing Ping. Use Ping to follow your favorite artists and friends or connect with the world’s most passionate music fans. Discover the music everyone is talking about, listening to, and downloading.
• Rent HD TV episodes for just 99¢ each. Watch them on your Mac or PC, on-the-go with iPhone or iPod touch, or in your living room with the all new Apple TV.
• Play your favorites on the all new iPod touch, iPod nano, iPod shuffle, and Apple TV.
• Play music wirelessly with AirPlay on AirPlay-enabled speakers, home theater receivers, and iPod accessories.
• Explore many look-and-feel improvements throughout iTunes.
• Enjoy performance improvements which make iTunes faster and more responsive.
• Additional voice support with VoiceOver Kit for iPod.
For information on the security content of this update, please visit: support.apple.com/kb/HT1222.
[Editor’s Note: At the time we posted this article, iTunes 10 was only available as a download from the Apple website. It was not appearing in the Software Update control panel on our Mac OS X and Windows 7 boxes.]
While reading USAToday on my iPad (iTunes link) I ran across an interesting little article talking about how people use their smartphones while traveling.
The research, conducted by Ypartnership/Harrison Group, reported that 20% of travelers in the United States have downloaded and installed travel related applications to their phones. (Sounds logical, doesn’t it?)
The study also found:
I don’t often have to travel long distances for work that requires me to get on an airplane. But I do have to say, that when I do need to drive out to a public event or to a training center by car, my Palm Pre is riding shotgun with me.
You can read the full article on the USAToday website.