iOS 4.3 for iPad 2 Suggests iPhone 5 Will Get Apple A5

Code references found in the iOS 4.3 firmware for iPad 2 released (in three versions) earlier today suggest the upcoming iPhone 5 will use the same Apple A5 dual-core processor of the iPad 2. Several developers have, in fact, spotted references to a N94AP device in the code, and they’re assuming that’s the internal model number for the next-generation iPhone. The Verizon iPhone, for example, was labelled N92 internally.

Digging into the included N94AP kernel, developers have found out that it’s associated with S5L8940 – another codename, this time for the A5 chip. For this reason, speculation has mounted leading many to believe that the iPhone 5 will feature the same CPU we’re going to see in the iPad 2 later this week.

At this point it seems very likely that the new iPhone (to be released this summer) will carry a dual-core CPU for faster processing times and improved performances. Code references in iOS firmwares are usually a good and reliable indication of things to come, so we’re very confident the iPhone 5 will indeed get the A5. [via 9to5mac, iLounge, @chronic]

iPad 2 Video Tutorials Posted on Apple.com

As noted by 9to5mac, Apple has tweaked the “apps for iPad” webpage to include guided tours of the new iMovie for iPad, GarageBand and iBooks. iBooks isn’t exactly new, but everything has been re-recorded with shiny new white iPads. The voice over is also pretty good and clear, the tutorials make movie editing, music making and recording look simple and fun. Some details that weren’t demoed at Apple’s keynote are also featured: GarageBand has a dual keyboard mode, there’s a selection of Apple-designed amps to choose from and iMovie picks up songs from the iPod library or its built-in sounds seamlessly.

Videos are available here. The iPad 2 comes out on Friday, and we’re going to get ours as soon as we can. Look for lots of iPad 2 coverage on March 11 here on MacStories.

Update: Apple has posted more tutorials for every built-in iPad app. Check them out here.

iPhone Configuration Utility 3.3 Released

Today is “Apple updates everything” day. A new version of the iPhone Configuration Utility was released a few minutes ago – 3.3 for OS X and Windows machines. The iPhone Configuration Utility lets you create and manage configuration profiles for iOS for things like WiFi networks, VPN settings, authorized applications, Exchange accounts. Configuration profiles are especially used in enterprise and schools to tweak the settings of iOS devices deployed for employees / students.

There’s no changelog for this new version, so we guess it’s just been updated to work with iOS 4.3. Mac download here, Windows counterpart available here.

Could Smart Covers Help iOS Notifications?

With much talk going around about iOS notifications and Apple’s plans to purchase a third-party developer to improve the system in iOS 5, it doesn’t come as a surprise that someone decided to realize yet another mockup of how notifications should work. What is interesting this time, though, is that the brief concept video put together by Tapmates is actually based on Apple’s Smart Cover promo video, with a twist. Tapmates thought that the possibility to quickly open the Smart Cover and take a peek at the iPad’s screen would make for a perfect implementation of the new iOS unread badges / notifications. If the Smart Cover reveals a portion of the screen when you start opening it but you can’t use the iPad like that, wouldn’t that portion of the screen be perfect for quick notifications?

This is a curious mockup for something that will likely never happen, but it makes me wonder whether or not there’s more than just display awakening in the future of the Smart Cover. What about a “smart lockscreen” that takes advantage of the cover? This is an incomplete mockup, of course, but I like the idea of replacing a part of the screen with useful information. Perhaps unread badges aren’t perfect, though. Anyway, check out the fake promo video below and discuss below if you think Apple could re-imagine the way the Smart Covers work just a bit. Read more

Apple Releases Xcode 4 - Coming To Mac App Store Too

First came iOS 4.3, then Safari 5.0.4 and now Apple just pulled the trigger on Xcode 4. The final release of the new development suite is available for download here.

Xcode 4 is the new version of Apple’s powerful integrated development environment for creating great apps for Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Xcode 4 includes the Xcode IDE, Instruments, iOS Simulator, and the latest Mac OS X and iOS SDKs.

Xcode 4 is a major new version of Apple’s development suite which sports lots of new features and a new single-windowed UI. The first version of Xcode 4 preview was released during the WWDC in June 2010. It appears that Xcode 4 will also be released for $4.99 in the Mac App Store, according to Apple’s Support Center:

Mac and iOS Developer Program members have access to the latest Xcode developer tools, SDKs, and pre-release software. Program members can download Xcode 4 from http://developer.apple.com/xcode.

If you are not a member of either the Mac or iOS Developer Program, you may purchase Xcode 4 from the Mac App Store for $4.99. If you are registered as an Apple Developer, you can download Xcode 3 for free at http://developer.apple.com/xcode.

This should be the link for Xcode once it goes live in the Mac App Store (it isn’t available yet). This is an interesting move for Apple, as it’s clearly aimed at people willing to try Xcode 4 without an Apple Developer account. It also marks (once again) Apple’s transition to the Mac App Store as a unified distribution method for software updates. Here’s a great video overview of the Xcode 4 interface.

Update: As for the $4.99 price of Xcode 4 in the Mac App Store, that might be for the same reason why FaceTime wasn’t released for free: the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Technically, it would be illegal for Apple to distribute this new free software on Snow Leopard. Same happened years ago with the 802.11n unlocking fee, and recently FaceTime sold at $0.99 in the Mac App Store. Read more

Browse Dribbble in Style with Courtside for iPad

Dribbble is a playground for seemingly endless pixel shenanigans, including first looks at new iPhone apps, sneak peeks at soon to launch web services, and beautiful icons that evolve into final products. A website that exemplifies an artist’s best work needs an app that’s as gorgeous and classy as the gems you might come across, in which case you’ll want Courtside for the iPad.

Read more

Apple Releases Safari 5.0.4

Alongside iOS 4.3, Apple also released Safari 5.0.4. The update contains stability and security fixes, as well as improved performances with image reflections and transitions.

This update contains improvements to stability, compatibility, accessibility and security, including the following:

Improved stability for webpages with multiple instances of plug-in content

Improved compatibility with webpages with image reflections and transition effects

A fix for an issue that could cause some webpages to print with incorrect layouts

A fix for an issue that could cause content to display incorrectly on webpages with plug-ins

A fix for an issue that could cause a Screen Saver to appear while video is playing in Safari

Improved compatibility with VoiceOver on webpages with text input areas and lists with selectable items

Improved stability when using VoiceOver

For detailed information on the security content of this update, please visit this site: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

Safari 5.0.4 is available now in Software Update or on Apple’s website.