Posts in news

References of New iPhones and iPads Spotted in iOS 4.3

A new OS comes along, and with a bit of digging into its code it reveals the secret of the next devices to come out from Cupertino. Engadget took a look inside the latest iOS 4.3 SDK and discovered mentions of new iPhones and iPads:

  • iPhone3,3
  • iPhone4,1
  • iPhone4,2
  • iPad2,1
  • iPad2,2
  • iPad2,3

To recap, iPhone3,1 and iPhone3,2 are the current models on AT&T and Verizon, respectively. While iPhone4,1 and iPhone4,2 point to the next-generation device known as “iPhone 5”, the 3,3 code reference suggests a new iteration of the iPhone 4. Perhaps the white one?

Oh, and about the iPads? We’re pretty sure those 3 models are for the iPad 2 in its GSM, CDMA and Wi-Fi only versions.

Denon Gets AirPlay Via $60 Firmware Update

Want AirPlay on your Denon AVR4311, AVR3311, AVRA100, or DN7 Multimedia System? Prepare to shell out a sixty dollar upgrade for the privilege – Denon isn’t new to up-charging customers for software updates such as this one, but we think it’s a little absurd that they don’t just give you the proprietary update for free. Audiophiliacs looking to stream lossless audio to their receivers will pay for the privilege – everyone else can just buy a used Airport Express on eBay for the same price.

[via Macworld Australia]

iOS 4.3 To Introduce New Camera Effects?

According to Italian blog iSpazio, the iOS 4.3 firmware file includes some references to new effects that could be implemented in the native Camera app. By taking a look at an info.plist file, iSpazio found out that there are mentions of new effects such as X-Ray, kaleidoscope, light tunnel, compress and thermic camera.

It is unclear whether these new effects will be part of the actual Camera app or a video chat application Apple might introduce in the future, as they sound really similar to distortion and color manipulation effects already present in Apple’s iChat and Photo Booth for Mac.

Could this be a hint at iChat for iOS coming in the next months, or more features in Camera.app?

With iOS 4.3, Apple Drops iPhone 3G Support (and iPod Touch 2nd gen)

Apple just seeded a new build of iOS, version 4.3, to developers, and it looks like they finally dropped support for the 2008 iPhone 3G. The device is indeed not listed on the iOS developer website, and nothing makes us think that future beta versions will be released for that model. The latest OS for the iPhone 3G may be iOS 4.2.

AT&T discontinued the iPhone 3G last June. Several users who installed iOS 4 on the iPhone 3G last year lamented that the OS was slow and unusable, mainly because of the slow processor and less RAM on the 2008 device. Apple tried to make things better with iOS 4.1 and 4.2, but the iPhone 3G was clearly showing signs of its age.

Update: there’s iOS 4.3 for iPod touch 2nd generation either.

Apple Releases iOS 4.3 Beta, Here’s What’s New

A few minutes ago Apple released iOS 4.3 beta to developers. It’s available now in the iOS Dev Center. The beta is available for iOS devices and the second generation Apple TV. Supported iOS mobile devices are iPad, iPhone 4 and 3GS, iPod touch 3rd and 4th gen. Build number is 8F5148b. A pre-release version of the Apple TV software has been provided to test AirPlay functionalities with 4.3 apps.

It looks like iOS 4.3 has some cool new gestures built specifically for the iPad. 4 & 5 finger gestures; pinch to the home screen, swipe up to reveal multitasking tray, swipe left/right to switch apps. Update: even though Apple says the gestures are there, I can’t seem to be able to use them at all. They don’t work for me in Apple’s own apps, and there’s no option to activate them in the Settings. We’re hearing several reports of other users unable to use these gestures. Read more

Doodle Jump Creators Going After “Doodle Games” In The App Store

Look, we get it. There are too many “Doodle” games in the App Store. If you look closer, I believe you’re going to find some Doodle Browser or Doodle Twitter in there, too. Since the incredible success of Doodle Jump, many indie developers have tried to follow its path with not-so-clever marketing moves that, indeed, involved using the word “Doodle” next to something else. Like Doodle God. Or Doodle Army. Just take a look in the App Store. Still, I’m a firm believer of the “users decide” philosophy and I think what Doodle Jump developers, Lima Sky, are doing is just wrong. Read more

Prediction! 200 Million FaceTime Devices in 2012

Oh, you’ve got to love analysts’ predictions on forthcoming Apple products and sales figures. Why? Because most of the times they’re just plain wrong. Still, they’re pretty fun to read so, here we go: according to Barclay’s analyst Ben Reitzes, Apple will have 200 million FaceTime-enabled devices out in 2012. Thanks to what he calls the “FaceTime networking effect”, Apple will be able to gain a terrific user base with a simple video calling system that most competitors won’t be able to replicate with their alternative video conferencing solutions. Read more

Behind The Scenes Of The Verizon iPhone

Bloomberg reports of some interesting details behind the Apple / Verizon deal that made possible for the two companies to announce the iPhone 4 on Verizon starting February 10. The Verizon iPhone, as you may know, was one of the most anticipated devices in the United States because of the 4-year long AT&T exclusivity and the reported poor performances of the carrier in some areas.

First off, about the lack of Verizon branding on the CDMA iPhone 4, it looks like Verizon simply had to get along with it as Apple never puts logos on their devices and they really wanted to have the device in their portfolio anyway.

To reach a deal, Apple and Verizon had to reconcile different approaches to branding. Verizon puts its stamp on other manufacturers’ devices, including phones from Research In Motion Ltd. and Motorola. By contrast, only Apple’s name appears on the iPhone.

“They don’t put a lot of logos on their phones,” McAdam said in the interview. “So that wasn’t a major issue for us.”

Watching the success of the AT&T-Apple partnership may have led Verizon to accept a similar deal, said Jean-Louis Gassee, a former Apple executive who is now a venture capitalist at Allegis Capital in Palo Alto, California.

Read more

Seas0nPass Jailbreak for Apple TV 4.1.1 Released

The FireCore developers (the same guys behind aTV Flash) have released a jailbreak tool for the Apple TV 2nd generation called “Seas0nPass”. This jailbreak tool, like the popular Pwnage Tool app, can create a custom firmware file for the device to load and install non-Apple approved apps. Seas0nPass has been created exclusively for the Apple TV and also comes with an option to perform an easy “tethered boot” – a procedure that requires you to boot the Apple TV plugged in your computer. Seas0nPass lets you do that with a few clicks, in a simple and minimal user interface.

To use Seas0nPass, Mac OS X 10.6 is required. A Windows version will come out soon and, again, this only works on the 2nd gen Apple TV – don’t try to use with any other iOS device. Seas0nPass is free and open source, you can download the source code here. For instructions on how to use the app to jailbreak your Apple TV, see here.