Federico Viticci

10873 posts on MacStories since April 2009

Federico is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of MacStories, where he writes about Apple with a focus on apps, developers, iPad, and iOS productivity. He founded MacStories in April 2009 and has been writing about Apple since. Federico is also the co-host of AppStories, a weekly podcast exploring the world of apps, Unwind, a fun exploration of media and more, and NPC: Next Portable Console, a show about portable gaming and the handheld revolution.
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@viticci.macstories.net
viticci@macstories.net

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iPhone 4S First Impressions Focus on Speed Improvements

Earlier today, Apple announced the new iPhone 4S, an upgrade to the existing iPhone 4 with improved A5 processor, new 8 MP camera with better optics, faster download speed on 3G, Bluetooth 4.0, and more. You can read more about the iPhone 4S in our general overview; however, members of the press who were invited to Apple’s media event in Cupertino have begun posting their first impressions and hands-ons about the iPhone 4S. It appears this time around Apple won’t let journalists take photos or videos in the hands-on area – possibly to avoid noise hiccups with Siri, the new voice assistant, shown on video.

Engadget notes the iPhone 4S is faster than the previous model, with faster loading times when navigating between pages and opening the camera application (which seemed faster in the BBC demo of Siri, too). Furthermore, Engadget was also able to test the new voice assistant, Siri:

The most impressive part was the demo of Siri, the new assistant that lets you do just about anything you can do on your phone – but with your voice. We tried to psych it out with a bunch of random requests, including the history of Chester, Vermont (a lovely town) and the best Ramen places in San Francisco. Siri never faltered, never missed a beat. It worked as well as Scott’s demo up on the stage. There’s nothing better to say than that. We even sent ourselves a few text messages, which Siri transcribed to a T. Of course, the lady on the other end still sounds eerily robotic, but we’re hoping for smoother responses from the alien within in a future update.

Jim Dalrymple at The Loop covers the differences in antenna design:

What is a bit different are the number of black bands that are on the iPhones. The current model has three bands — one on each side on the bottom, and one on the top. The iPhone 4S has four bands — two on the top and two on the bottom.

The bands are where Apple houses the antennas for the device. The Wi-Fi, wireless and Bluetooth technologies use these areas. It’s not clear at this point if Apple moved any antennas or what they added the extra band.

Slashgear was also impressed with the speed of the new device. The website writes “there’s no lag to be found” when switching between apps, and “webpages rendered instantly”. Similarly to Engadget, first impressions with Siri are very good:

Siri is arguably the main draw. Apple’s new voice-control assistant, Siri makes promises that we’ve learnt to be wary about over the years, but after a brief test we’re surprisingly impressed. Easily activated, with a new microphone icon on the regular on-screen keyboard, Siri managed just what it did on-stage during the keynote. We could ask it local information, such as the weather or to find nearby stores, while online searching and complex questions for Wolfram Alpha were handled with little delay. Speed can be the killer for services like this – people just won’t wait if their phone takes 30 seconds to look up an answer – but Siri delivered in just seconds.

The iPhone 4S will be available on October 14th in 7 countries (US, Canada, Australia, the UK, France, Germany, and Japan) with pre-orders starting this Friday, October 7th. Apple has decided to keep the 8 GB iPhone 4 and 8 GB iPhone 3GS around at lower price points, and will release the iPhone 4S in 22 more countries on October 28th. Read more

New iPod Nano Features Available to 2010 Model via Software Update

Earlier today, Apple announced a new iPod nano model, which will ship with an updated version of its software pre-installed. This new iPod nano software will include new clock faces, new fitness features, and a refreshed user interface with bigger icon navigation. From Apple’s press release:

iPod nano now features larger icons for even easier navigation of its intuitive Multi-Touch™ user interface, and you can choose from 16 new digital clock faces, ranging from classic analog looks to your favorite Disney characters including Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. iPod nano now tracks your runs and walks right out of the box with no accessory required, making it even easier to get your fitness program up and running. iPod nano can track the time, pace and distance of your run, the calories you burn, and the number of steps you walk. iPod nano encourages you with motivational real-time voice feedback during your run, available in seven languages, while listening to your favorite music or FM radio station. You can also easily upload workouts to the Nike+ website to set goals, track your progress and challenge friends. The ultra portable iPod nano is available in seven colors including silver, graphite, blue, green, orange, pink and (PRODUCT) RED.

Whereas many had initially claimed the new iPod nano software would be exclusive to the latest nano model, Apple has made available a software update in iTunes that enables the latest functionalities on the 2010 iPod nano. The update can be installed now by iPod nano 2010 owners by checking for updates in iTunes, as shown below. Interestingly enough, the new navigation UI is optional and users can revert back to the old grid interface in the iPod’s settings.

“Let’s talk iPhone” Keynote Video Now Available for Streaming [Update: Download Too]

As usual after every keynote, Apple has posted a first video of the event, available for streaming on Apple’s website. You can reach the video here, or by pasting this link in your browser’s address bar: apple.com/apple-events/october-2011. Apple notes “streaming video requires Safari 4 or 5 on Mac OS X Snow Leopard or Lion, Safari on iOS 3 or later, or QuickTime 7 on Windows.”.

A downloadable version of the keynote should be made available on iTunes in a few hours.

Update: The October 4th keynote is now available for download on iTunes through Apple Keynotes’ feed.

Apple Launches iPhone Micro USB Adapter

As part of today’s Apple announcements, the company has now updated its online Store with a new Micro USB adapter, which will allow you to use third-party micro USB cables to charge an iPhone 3G, 3GS, iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S.

The Apple iPhone Micro USB Adapter allows you to use third-party micro USB cables and chargers to sync or charge your iPhone. Simply connect your iPhone to the Micro USB Adapter, then connect a micro USB cable or charger to the Micro USB Adapter.

The iPhone Micro USB Adapter is available here and ships in 8 business days. The iPhone 4S will be released on October 14th, with pre-orders starting this Friday. The Micro USB Adapter has been made available on several European stores, presumably following a decision of the European Commission last year. This new little dongle is £8 in the UK, and €9 in other countries. Currently, the US Apple online Store hasn’t been updated with the iPhone Micro USB Adapter.

Apple to Developers: Submit Your iOS 5 and iCloud Apps Today

Following the release of the Golden Master seed of iOS 5, Apple has updated its developer portal with a new “iOS 5 Readiness Checklist”, asking developers to start submitting apps written specifically with the iOS 5 SDK. The checklist includes links to the iOS 5 SDK release notes, Xcode 4.2 for developers, and obviously detailed explanations of the various functionalities that will be introduced in iOS 5, such as Twitter integration, Newsstand, iCloud data storage, and more. Developers can head over this page to check out Apple’s resources for developing and submitting iOS 5 apps.

The next generation of the world’s most advanced mobile operating system will soon be in the hands of hundreds of millions of iPhone, iPad and iPod touch customers. Test your existing apps for compatibility and submit your new apps that take advantage of the exciting technologies in iOS 5 today.

The next generation of the world’s most advanced mobile operating system will soon be in the hands of hundreds of millions of iPhone, iPad and iPod touch customers. This major new release features more than 200 new features and an updated SDK with over 1,500 new APIs and developer tools.

Get your apps ready for the next generation of iOS. Install the GM seed of iOS 5 and build your apps with Xcode 4.2 GM seed. Test your existing apps for compatibility, review the iOS Data Storage Guidelines, and submit your new apps that take advantage of the exciting technologies in iOS 5 today.

iOS 5 and iCloud will be officially released on October 12th.

Update: Apple has sent two different email to iOS and Mac developers – the latter asking makers of software for OS X to submit iCloud-compatible apps today. Developers will be able to create apps that keep documents up to date across multiple machines thanks to iCloud, which automatically stores and pushes content to all your devices.

As a Mac Developer Program member you can now download the GM seeds of OS X Lion 10.7.2 and Xcode 4.2 and submit your iCloud enabled apps to the Mac App Store. With iCloud Storage APIs, your apps can store documents and key value data in iCloud. The documents are automatically kept up to date on all devices.

 

iCloud will be available on the next Lion software update, version 10.7.2, which has been seeded as GM today to developers for final testing.

Apple Releases iOS 5, OS X 10.7.2 GM Seeds

Apple has just released the Golden Master (GM) version of iOS 5 to developers. Build 9A334 is now available in the iOS Dev Center. A Golden Master seed of iOS is usually the same version that will ship to the public within a few weeks.

iOS 5 is the next major release of Apple’s mobile operating system for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, bringing new features like PC-Free setup, iCloud, Notification Center and direct Twitter integration to iOS devices. iOS 5 will be released on October 12th. Additionally, Apple has also released the GM seed of OS X 10.7.2, the next software update for OS X Lion that will bring minor features and optimizations and, more importantly, full iCloud support on the desktop.

Apple Officially Unveils Siri Voice Assistant - Supports English, French and German

Following the iPhone 4S official announcement at its media event in Cupertino, Apple has formally taken the wraps off Siri, the new voice-based assistant Apple has been rumored to be building for quite some time. Phil Schiller kicked off the Siri demo saying he wished modern devices would understand the things we’re asking them. Natural language, normal questions like “Should I take an umbrella today?” or “Will it rain tomorrow in Cupertino’”. Siri will be able to respond to a user’s questions, and provide information and data in real-time in brand interface. The design looks largely similar to a mockup posted last week.

Siri will be able to check the weather, stocks information, find nearby restaurants and places, set alarms and even give you directions. Siri will also be able to send text messages and read them, which can be particularly useful if you have an iPhone in your pocket and using a Bluetooth headset.

Siri knows, and always remembers. For example, Apple gave a demo in which, upon receiving a text message, the user had to know whether he was busy on a specific day. From a single Assistant interface, which was brought up following the new text message, Scott Forstall had a “conversation” with Siri, asking it if he could schedule a meeting on Friday. Siri checked on the upcoming Calendar events, found a free spot, and “replied” a meeting at the previously specified time would indeed be possible. Siri then transcribed a text message, and sent it back in the original SMS conversation.

[images via]

Siri can look up words, currency conversions, email people, set reminders and calendar events, find addresses – it also integrated with Wolfram Alpha to check on information available on the popular online service. The interface uses a mix of linen – judging from some early screenshots – conversation bubbles, and textured paper objects. As previously rumored, systemwide dictation is also available through Siri.

Siri is a new feature of the iPhone 4S. The first “beta” period will support English (US, UK, and Australia), French, and German.

Here’s what Apple says about Siri in the official press release:

iPhone 4S also introduces Siri, an intelligent assistant that helps you get things done just by asking. Siri understands context allowing you to speak naturally when you ask it questions, for example, if you ask “Will I need an umbrella this weekend?” it understands you are looking for a weather forecast. Siri is also smart about using the personal information you allow it to access, for example, if you tell Siri “Remind me to call Mom when I get home” it can find “Mom” in your address book, or ask Siri “What’s the traffic like around here?” and it can figure out where “here” is based on your current location. Siri helps you make calls, send text messages or email, schedule meetings and reminders, make notes, search the Internet, find local businesses, get directions and more. You can also get answers, find facts and even perform complex calculations just by asking.

Read more

Apple Announces iPhone 4S: A5, 8 MP Camera, 1080p Video Recording - Available October 14th

 

Apple’s Phil Schiller took the stage today at Apple’s media event in Cupertino to officially unveil the iPhone 4S, Apple’s latest entry in the iPhone family. As widely expected, the iPhone 4S looks exactly like the existing iPhone 4 model – industrial design with metal band in the middle, glass front and rear panels.

The iPhone 4S is powered by Apple’s dual-core A5 chip, which will allow for graphics up to 7 times faster. To demonstrate the 4S’ graphic capabilities, Apple invited Epic Games on stage to demo Infinity Blade 2, which will be available on December 1. In spite of the iPhone 4S’ faster processor and dual-core graphics, Apple is guaranteeing 8 hours of 3G talk time, 6 hours of 3G browsing, and up to 10 hours of video/40 hours of music.

The iPhone 4S comes with a new wireless system as well – downloads are faster over 3G with up to 14.4Mbps down. The iPhone 4S is a world-phone as previously rumored, integrating both GSM and CDMA technologies in a single, updated antenna design.

The camera has been improved: the 4S has an 8 megapixel sensor shooting pics at 3264 x 2448 resolution. That’s 60% more pixels that the old iPhone’s camera. The iPhone 4S’ camera has backside illumination, the new sensor will allow the camera to gather 73% more light, and it’s faster than the iPhone 4’s old camera. The new Image Signal Processor Apple designed will also enable face detection and 26% better white balance. Apple has compared the iPhone 4S’ camera loading times to other phones, and it turned out the iPhone 4S shoots the first photo in a second, with the second picture to follow in 0.5 seconds. Apple has touted the iPhone 4S’ camera as one advanced piece of technology producing beautiful shots, which can also be used for macro photography if the user wants.

The iPhone 4S does 1080p video recording with image stabilization and temporal noise reduction. Because the 4S is more powerful than the old iPhone 4, Apple has now enabled AirPlay Mirroring to mirror the display to an Apple TV (just like the iPad 2 already does), as well as video out. Read more

Apple Announces Location-based “Find My Friends”


Previously rumored to be an upcoming feature of iOS 5 and iCloud, Apple has just formally introduced Find my Friends, a new service to “find” the people that have opted to share their location with you. According to the presentation, you’ll be able to invite friends to share their location with you for a limited time, so, for example, you’ll be able to see them in real-time as they’re driving to your house; there are privacy options and parental restrictions to make sure the user has control over what’s being shared and how location appears on a map.

Find my Friends will be available when iCloud launches – October 12th.

Update: Here’s a lot more information about Find my Friends available directly from Apple. First, the proper PR introduction:

Find My Friends is a new app available as a free download from the App Store that lets you easily share your location with people who are important to you. Friends and family appear on a map so you can quickly see where they are. Find My Friends also lets you temporarily share your location with a group of friends, whether it’s for a couple of hours for a dinner or a couple of days on a camping trip; when the time is up, the sharing ends. With Find My Friends, you get a notification every time you get a new friend request and if you give them permission, they can see your location. With a simple tap you can hide your location. Parental controls help you manage how your child uses Find My Friends.

Apple has also put up a dedicated webpage alongside Find my iPhone, detailing the features of Find my Friends. The new app is integrated with Contacts and Maps, has a preference panel inside Settings -> General, and will allow you to find friends on a map, but also control how your location is shared, and for how long. You can choose to “temporarily share your location with a group of people”, and when a notification for a new friend request appears, you can accept it to let the new friend see your location. Otherwise, flipping the switch to off will hide your location. And about the aforementioned parental restrictions:

Parental restrictions help you manage how your children use Find My Friends. Controls are quick and easy to set up and require a password to override your settings. That way your kids can have fun — and you can make sure they stay safe.