Federico Viticci

10779 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.

Kevin Rose: iPad 2 Announcement on February 1, Retina Display

Here’s an interesting tidbit from Digg’s founder Kevin Rose, whose previous track record when predicting Apple products and new OS features has been either fairly accurate or terribly wrong. So take this with the proverbial grain of salt, as Kevin Rose tweeted and wrote a new entry on his personal blog about the next iPad, the iPad 2. According to Rose, the device will be announced in the next “3-4 weeks”, possibly on February 1.

He also claims the next-gen iPad is going to feature a Retina Display and dual cameras, although in an update to the post he clarifies saying a source told him it won’t be a Retina Display, but a “higher dpi” screen.

I have it on good authority that Apple will be announcing the iPad 2 in the next “3-4 weeks”, possibly Tuesday February 1st. The iPad 2 will feature a retina display and front/back cameras.

If you’re thinking of buying an iPad, hold off for now.

Spoke w/another source, the display has a “higher dpi”, but not technically a retina display. This seems odd to me, we’ll have to wait and see..

Yes, we’ll see. Previous iPad 2 rumors suggested the device would get a Retina Display and rear / front facing cameras as well.


Verizon iPhone Announcement on Tuesday, Jobs To Join On Stage

Earlier today, Verizon sent out invitations for a special event the carrier will hold on Tuesday, January 11 in New York City. As the invitations went out and media outlets started reporting about it, speculation immediately arose about the event being focused on a very special announcement: the long-awaited Verizon iPhone. By making a few guesses basing on the invitation list ( Jim Dalrymple of The Loop, MG Siegler of TechCrunch and Andy Ihnatko were invited – they’re all Apple reporters / bloggers) and through some rumors heard earlier today about Apple imposing a vacation freeze on its employees in the first week of February, many are reporting the speculation is real, and the Verizon iPhone will be announced on Tuesday.

The Wall Street Journal weighed in to confirm the carrier managed to close a deal with Apple and will be able to sell a CDMA version of Apple’s phone. Daring Fireball’s John Gruber says it’s going to be about the Verizon iPhone as well. On a side note, tech blog Gizmodo wasn’t invited to the event – they say it’s because Apple isn’t inviting them to events anymore after the iPhone 4 leak last Spring.

All Things Digital is now reporting Apple CEO Steve Jobs will join Verizon’s President and COO Lowell McAdam on stage for the announcement.

While the appearance isn’t 100 percent assured, sources in position to know tell me that, barring any unforseen circumstances, Jobs will likely join McAdam onstage in New York when he announces the addition of the iPhone to its handset line-up.

For Verizon customers waiting for the iPhone and current users willing to switch on Big Red’s networks, it looks like the wait will be finally over on Tuesday with the iPhone on Verizon announcement.


Mac App Store’s First 24 Hours: Developers Post Sales Numbers

The Mac App Store was released as part of the Mac OS X 10.6.6 update earlier than expected. The new Store to discover and download Mac software opened its doors a few hours earlier than many initially thought, which means it’s been out for more than 24 hours now. Still, several developers were waiting anxiously this morning to check the sales numbers of their apps in the first day of the Mac App Store, as provided by Apple’s iTunes Connect service. And while many are still experiencing issues when trying to generate reports from IC’s “Sales & Trends” section, the first numbers are in. And they’re pretty interesting. Read more


iPhone 3G Runs Android Gingerbread

A group of hackers managed to successfully install and run the latest version of the Android operating system, version 2.3 labelled “Gingerbread”, on an old iPhone 3G. This is not the first time the 2008 iPhone gets Android and Linux ports, as the OpeniBoot software tool allows hackers and developers to inject any other OS into the device’s memory and execute it.

As you can see in the video below, it all looks pretty slow and definitely not ready for a public release – we’re not even sure actual functionalities such as Bluetooth or WiFi are working on that. Still, if you have the required patience to install it, wait for it to boot and use it with laggy multitouch gestures, you can show your non-geek friends that you have an iPhone that runs Google’s Android.

Because you’ve always wanted to do that, right? [via Covering Web] Read more


Mac App Store Review: DropBook, Desktop Facebook Uploader

I’m not that kind of user who heavily relies on Facebook on a daily basis, but I can spot a good Facebook app when I see one. I may not be the guy who uploads hundreds of pictures every week and posts just about any thought on world’s most crowded social network, yet I don’t mind trying iOS apps that integrates with the platform from time to time. With the release of the Mac App Store, I expected to see some Facebook apps for the Mac to show up; new apps, software we haven’t seen before. After all, a platform like the Mac App Store seems to be meant for the average user who depends on another platform, Facebook.

DropBook is a new app developed by i-NOVATION and released in the Mac App Store at $2.99. It looks like a simple Facebook uploader that’s actually packed with functionalities, but still manages to let users access these features with ease and a few clicks. Read more


Rovio Releases Angry Birds Free with 12 Exclusive Levels

While we were all waiting for the OS X 10.6.6 and the Mac App Store to show up in Software Update, Rovio released a new version of Angry Birds in the App Store, for free. The app is called “Angry Birds Free” and must not be confused with “Angry Birds Lite”, which wasn’t updated since last April. This new version of the popular iOS (and now Mac, too) game contains 12 exclusive levels specifically built for users who want to try a free version before a paid upgrade.

But Angry Birds Free doesn’t stop at new levels not accessible in the paid counterparts. It’s also got Game Center integration with leaderboards and achievements, plus 4 new mini episodes that should keep you entertained before considering going paid. Two weeks ago, Rovio added 15 new levels, Game Center support and the Mighty Eagle to Angry Birds HD for iPad.

Angry Birds Free is available here, well, for free.


A Paintbrush Stylus for iPad Is What Every iArtist Needs

Realized by NomadBrush and made “with a long handle and soft bristles”, this paintbrush stylus looks like a first on the iPad. It’s coming in February, “patent is pending” according to the official teaser website and with this, you should be able to come up with original digital creations like the ones we’ve seen before.

Well, here’s your chance to become an iArtist. Check out the promo video below. [Gizmodo via NomadBrush] Read more


Mac App Store Review: Unretina, Simple Utility for iOS Designers

Released for free in the Mac App Store and developed by Bonobo Labs, Unretina is an OS X utility specifically geared towards iOS designers and developers. What this app does is very simple: it provides a way to easily resize “2x” images built for the Retina Display in order to make them compatible for artworks on older Apple devices.

Unretina takes graphic files designed for the iPhone 4 and iPod touch 4th gen and resizes them to a resolution compatible with, say, the iPhone 3GS and older iPod touches. It should work for all devices that don’t come with a Retina Display. Through a simple drag & drop interface, Unretina looks like a straightforward utility for designers that does one thing well.

Looking at the reviews in the Mac App Store description page, it appears that the app uses Bicubic resampling to resize graphic files. This may lead to a tiny sharpness loss, and a few pixels off. Something that, apparently, most designers won’t care about.

Unretina is available for free in the Mac App Store.


Weather HD by Vimov Victim of Name Squatting in Mac App Store

iOS and Mac development studio Vimov saw an unpleasant surprise yesterday in the Mac App Store: another developer, Presselite, is selling an application called “Weather HD” in the Mac App Store. The problem is, Weather HD is the popular application the Vimov guys released for the iPhone and iPad, featured multiple times by Apple in the App Store homepage and covered by all the major tech blogs.

The “Weather HD” that’s being sold in the Mac App Store is not affiliated with Vimov in any way – actually, Presselite “stole” the name from Vimov when registering the app’s name in iTunes Connect. This practice is known as name squatting. Read more