The written musings of a long-time Apple //e and Macintosh tech nerd. Opinions are my own.
I actually laughed out loud when I read John Gruber’s post.
“First reported to Samsung back in October, [is] still a problem. You’d think if anyone would have a Copy function that worked perfectly, it’d be Samsung.”
Kind of reminds me of “Redmond, start your photocopiers.” (Link)
[Via Daring Fireball.com…]
Yesterday, Ryan St. Andrie, of webOSNation.com, posted an article on installing the webOS Tasks application from a Pre or Pixi smartphone on your TouchPad tablet. Tasks, unbelievably, is an application that never made it into webOS 3.0. You can read the full story over on webOSNation.com.
The steps outlined in the article work well enough. I did run into some *minor* problems while packing up the Tasks app for installation on my TouchPad. The first issue was how to deal with the .jar webOS Doctor file that contains the Tasks application that I wanted to install. The second issue was where do a copy the Task application to once I got it on my TouchPad.
Issue 1: Working with the .jar webOS Doctor file
webOS Doctor files, shipped as Java .jar files, are essentially hard reset files that allow you to reset and reload a clean copy of webOS on your device. The article calls for opening the .jar file with a PC compression utility like WinRAR. I’ve used WinRAR before…on my PC. As I said, I’m using a Mac now.
Without thinking, I loaded up Parallels, launched my Windows 7 virtual machine, and was off to the races as they say. But what if you don’t have Paralles, VMware Fusion, or a copy of Windows hanging around? The solution turns out to be very simple; rename the .jar file to .zip! (I didn’t come up with that myself. I found the solution here. Thanks, cazlar!) I did go back and test the rename-the-file trick and it does work. Sweet!!
Also, once you get the .jar-now-a-.zip file open, here is the path you have to navigate to find the Tasks folder. I am going to assume that you are using the unlocked Pre2 webOS 2.2.4 Doctor file.
webosdoctorp224pre2wr.jar > resources > webOS.tar > .\nova-cust-image-roadrunner.rootfs.tar.gz > .\usr > palm > applications > com.palm.app.tasks
Issue 2: Moving the Tasks app
Once you have installed the repackaged Tasks .IPK file on your TouchPad, you have to move it to the Linux partition for Palm’s built-in webOS applications because Tasks is a system application and not a third-party application.
If you are reading the webOSNations article carefully, you will know that you will need to move the Tasks app folder from the path:
/media/cryptofs/apps/usr/palm/applications/com.palm.tasks
to:
/usr/palm/applications/com.palm.tasks
The thing that tripped me up was the screen shot that was provided was of the first path, not the second. Just be aware of that when you go to move the com.palm.tasks folder.
After rebooting my TouchPad, Tasks was up and running in the webOS smartphone emulator on my tablet!
The entire process took about an hour for me to complete. Times will vary depending on how much software needs to be downloaded, updated, or installed on your Mac, PC, and TouchPad.
[Via webOSNation.com…]
Yesterday, Apple rolled out iOS 6.1.2. This updated is intended to address the Microsoft Exchange bug that has been well documented.
Unlike previous iOS 6.1.x updates, iOS 6.1.2 is available for current model iPhone, iPad, iPad mini, and iPod touch models.
I’ve read conflicting reports on whether or not iOS 6.1.2 addresses the lock screen bypass bug. I’ll have to test to see if the issue was resolved after applying iOS 6.1.2.
iDownloadBlog asks:
“What if iWatch isn’t actually an Apple smart watch, but an aptly named TV?”
Interesting theory. Checkout the story on iDownloadBlog.
[Via iDownloadBlog.com…]
Just saw this over on AppleInsider:
“[A story run by Australia’s News.com.au] outlined a recent policy shift at the Google Play online software and media store run for Android users, which now forwards developers the personal information of buyers, including their neighborhood and email address. The sharing of customers’ data is not outlined in either Google Play’s Terms of Service or in the company’s privacy statement.”
Um, it’s stories like this that make me glad I don’t use a Google Android phone as my day-to-day device.
[Via AppleInsider.com…]
Now that Microsoft has rolled out Office 365 Home Premium the free beta trial period is over. (You still get the first month free.)
Unlike previous retail versions of Office, Office 365 is a subscription service. You pay a monthly or annual fee to use Office and you can install Office 365 on up to any combination of five Windows PCs or Macs.
One of the new features of Office 365 is that you can “stream” the applications you subscribe to using a feature called “Office on Demand.” Office on Demand works with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Publisher and works with any PC that allows you to login to your Microsoft account that has a persistent Internet connection.
The video below gives you all the details to get started.
For more information, head over to the Microsoft website.
Apple has been scrambling to address issues with iOS 6. The next security and maintenance release for iDevices is reportedly scheduled for release next week.
From MacRumors.com:
“German site iPhone-Ticker reports [Google translation] that Apple is planning to release iOS 6.1.2 early next week to address both the Exchange bug and lock screen passcode issue affecting iOS 6.1 users. According to the report, iOS 6.1.2 is likely to arrive before Wednesday, February 20.”
Apple has been trying to squash bugs related to battery performance on with the iPhone 4S, recurring meeting invitations being sent from users of Microsoft Exchange Server, and a particularly worrisome lock screen bypass bug.
[Via MacRumors.com…]
One step forward, two steps back might be how some iOS 6 users feel right now. In addition to the previously reported bugs in iOS 6 effecting battery life and Microsoft’s Exchange Server, add lock screen by pass ‘trick’ to the list of Apple headaches.
“Reached for comment, Apple said it is hard at work on a fix. “Apple takes user security very seriously” spokeswoman Trudy Muller told AllThingsD. “We are aware of this issue, and will deliver a fix in a future software update.””
Apple is working developing a fix for the by pass bug (which has happened before with iOS 4.1) as well as the bug with recurring meeting invitations sent from users of Microsoft’s Exchange Server.
[Via AllThingsD.com…]
Google has launched a wireless, inductive charger for the Nexus 4 smartphone.
“Charge your Nexus 4 wirelessly with this Qi inductive charger. Its angled surface provides easy visibility of your phone while charging. This elegant device was designed specifically for your Nexus 4 — no clunky add-ons or accessories needed.”
The Nexus 4 Wireless Charger can be purchased now, directly from Google at the Play Store. As indicated by the name, the charger will only work with the Nexus 4 smartphone, which can also be purchased directly from the Google Play store. The 8GB Nexus 4 will cost you $299, while the 16GB version goes for $349. Neither phone requires a new service contract.
I’m glad to see Google releasing this charger for the Nexus 4. It was one of my favorite features of my Palm Pre back in 2009 and one of the features I long for as a built in option on my Apple iPhone.
Available in black, the Nexus 4 Wireless Charger looks very similar to Palm’s Touchstone charger for the Palm Pre an other webOS smartphones.
[Via BGR.com…]