• apple,  ipad,  iphone,  ipod touch

    Surprise! Apple Releases iOS 5.1.1!

    May 8, 2012 /

    I was completely unprepared for what I will call today’s surprise arrival of iOS 5.1.1.

    Available for the iPhone 4S, 4, 3GS, iPod touch 4th and 3rd generation, and all three generations of the insanely popular iPad, iOS 5.1.1 addresses the following five areas:

    • Improves the reliability of HDR photos taken from the Lock Screen shortcut
    • Addresses a bug with the new iPad (3rd generation) switching between 2G and 3G networks
    • Corrects bugs in AirPlay
    • Improves the reliability for syncing Safari bookmarks and Reading List items
    • Resolves an issue where an “Unable to purchase” alert is displayed after a successful purchase

    You can install the update in one of two ways: directly from your iOS 5.x device or by syncing your iDevice with a Mac or PC running the latest version of iTunes.

    To perform the quicker “delta” update over the air right from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, do the following:

    1. Tap the Settings icon.
    2. Tap General.
    3. Tap Software Update.
    4. Tap Download and Install.
    5. Follow the on screen directions.

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  • apple,  apple store,  genius bar,  iphone,  retail

    Genius Bars Upgrading Select White iPhone 4 Models

    April 14, 2012 /

    I just read over at 9To5Mac.com that Apple has instructed employees working the Genius Bar to upgrade select 16GB white iPhone 4 models to the newer iPhone 4S due to limited parts availability.

    “According to multiple sources, Apple has notified Apple Store Genius Bars that inventory of white iPhone 4 16GB replacements units is heavily constrained, and until further notice, stores lacking white iPhone 4 16GB replacements units should upgrade customers seeking a replacement phone to an iPhone 4S.”

    Sounds like a good deal for Apple customers who need to get their 16GB white iPhone 4 repaired.  Apple’s always been pretty good to their customers in this regard.  I had what I believed to be a battery problem with a 17-inch MacBook Pro and the good folks at a local Apple Store swapped out the battery and my T-style power brick at no cost.
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  • app store,  games,  ios,  iphone,  ipod touch

    Infinity Blade II Gets Bumped to 1.1

    April 12, 2012 /

    This morning, I woke to find that Chair has bumped Infinity Blade II to version 1.1.   Whoo-hoo!!

    NEW CONTENT PACK! Infinity Blade II: ClashMob™!

    • Jump into the all-new, globally social battle mode: ClashMob, featuring dynamic challenges that will test your strategic mettle.

    • Recruit friends and team up together in MyMob and earn special perks as well as unlock new achievements & rewards!

    • Upgrade your weapons by crafting the most powerful gems available in the all-new Gem Forge.

    • More than two dozen new weapons, magic rings, gems and equipment to collect, wield and master.
    • Fully supporting iOS 5.1, with gameplay enhancements and updates for overall optimized gameplay.

    • All for free! Infinity Blade II is now better than ever!
    For a limited time, you an buy Infinity Blade II for $4.99 from the App Store.  If you have perviously purchased Infinity Blade II, the update, as always, is free.

    Infinity Blade II is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation) and iPad.Requires iOS 4.0 or later.
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  • app store,  games,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  ipod touch

    Max Payne Mobile “Hits” iOS

    April 12, 2012 /

    Just a short while ago, Max Payne Mobile just “hit” in the US iTunes App Store for iOS devices.

    [Parental Warning: Parents, you’ll want to check out this game before you outright buy it for your kids.  It’s a violent game.]

    For those who may not remember Max Payne on the PC platform, here’s a brief summary from the App Store.

    “A fugitive undercover cop framed for murder, hunted by cops and the mob, Max is a man with his back against the wall, fighting a battle he cannot hope to win. Max Payne is a relentless story-driven game about a man on the edge, fighting to clear his name while struggling to uncover the truth about his slain family amongst a myriad of plot-twists.”

    I remember Max Payne for it’s famous “Bullet Time” gimmick.  Bullet Time became a popular game mechanic because it was similar to the slow motion bullets whizzing by Neo in “The Matrix” films.

    Max Payne Mobile is available now in the US iTunes App Store for $2.99 (App Store Link).  This universal app runs on the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod Touch 4, iPad 1, iPad 2, the new iPad.

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  • android,  google,  motorola

    Verizon Pushes DROID Pro Update Out

    March 24, 2012 /

    The Motorola Droid Pro isn’t exactly the most sexy or coolest member of the DROID product family, but it does get the job done. So I was surprised yesterday when I pulled out my Pro to see that there was a software update available from Verizon.

    The update, who’s official name is 4.7.3XT610.Verizon.enUS, is only a minor maintenance update rather than a full Google Android software upgrade.

    This update addresses:

    • Improved security with DigiNotar security patch.
    • Device is enabled with the Wireless Alerting System. 
    • Device will no longer lockup or reset after an Over the Air update. 
    • Device will no longer automatically power on after it has been powered off. 
    • Pressing the spacebar key will no longer cause the device to lockup. 
    • Improvements to keyboard backlighting. 
    • Smart Forwarding will no longer cause forwarded messages to remain in the Outbox.

    I’m glad that Verizon and Motorola have figured out a fix for OTA updates, because, well, 4.7.3XT610 is kinda an OTA update, so that’s progress, right?  I’m also glad to see Verizon and Motorola pushing out an update that improves the performance of the Pro’s keyboard.  Pressing the spacebar key should not hang up your phone, it’s never happened to me, but the backlighting on my phone was always a bit schizophrenic.

    And, any software update from Verizon wouldn’t be complete without some new bloatware, so Big Red has thrown in new versions of their V CAST and VZ Navigator apps.  I’m not sure why anyone is still using Verizon’s GPS navigation software when Google Maps and Google Navigation work well and don’t require the extra cost of an additional service on your monthly bill.

    Anyway, you can read the official change log and directions on how to upgrade your Droid Pro on the Verizon website.

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  • apple,  ios,  ipad,  retail

    Apple iPad 3rd Generation is in the House!

    March 17, 2012 /

    Ya, there was no chance that I wasn’t going to buy and Apple iPad 3rd Generation this weekend.  I was just getting my new “Business Tool” at the New Haven, CT Apple Store.

    The iPad’s screen looks AMAZING and is well worth the trip to pick one up this weekend.

    There are lots of units still in stock so go and grab yours now!!

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  • android,  google,  sprint

    Sprint announces the ZTE Fury, available March 11th for $19.99

    March 10, 2012 /

    I just saw this over at BGR, it looks like a new, super low cost Android smartphone is coming to Sprint in the very near future.

    “Sprint on Wednesday announced the “family-friendly” Android-powered ZTE Fury. This entry-level handset features a 3.5-inch capacitive display with a 1GHz single-core processor and Android 2.3 Gingerbread. 

    “Providing affordable, Android-powered devices, like ZTE Fury, in our lineup helps give families the tools and information to better manage their wireless usage while still providing the style and functionality they need to keep up with their busy lives,” according to David Owens, Sprint’s vice president-Product Development.”

    The ZTE Fury will sell for $69.99 with a qualifying service plan, and will be $19.99 after a mail-in rebate.

    [Via BGR.com…]

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  • apple,  ibooks author,  ios,  ipad,  iphoto,  mac os x

    iPhoto ’11, iBooks Author Get Updates

    March 10, 2012 /
    As part of this week’s massive Apple product rollout, a pair of Mac OS X applications also received updates: iPhoto ’11 and iBooks Author.

    iPhoto only received one update, but I think it will be a very popular one, the ability to delete a photo from the Photo Stream.  iDevices running iOS 5.1 also have this ability.

    iBooks Author received updates in two areas.  The first is support for iPad 3’s (ok, Apple calls the new iPad, “the new iPad”) new Retina display.  The other area is performance and stability updates.

    All in all, it’s been a nice week for the Apple fan club.

    Both apps are available from the Mac App Store.  iPhoto ’11 9.2.2 is a free update to customers who previously purchased the software.  If you need to buy iPhoto ’11, it can be purchased for $14.99.  iBooks Author is free.

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