Mark Gurman

News Corp. and Apple’s ‘The Daily’ iPad newspaper has been delayed, according to Media Memo, from next week’s rumored launch date. The delay is said to relate to Apple’s upcoming subscription service needing some final tweaks. The delay was repordely confirmed by a News Corp. PR representative but not by Apple.

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Yesterday BGR reported that Apple would be bringing their popular Photo Booth Mac app to iOS devices, and today we have discovered confirmation of this claim. The discovery comes in two new iOS 4.3 frameworks: “PhotoBooth” and “PhotoBoothEffects.” There aren’t actually any images of the Photo Booth user interface but some hints at the functionality are present.

Photo Booth for iOS looks like it will be a simple application. You will get to pick from a list of effects and switch between the front and back cameras. Unfortunately, the supported devices aren’t listed but we imagine it will work on the iPhone 4, 4th generation iPod touch, and the next iPad with two cameras. The proof from the SDK is after the break.

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News Corp.’s The Daily iPad newspaper is rumored to be dropping on January 19th and today Poynter has discovered what the newspaper application will actually look like on an iPad. The image above was found in some of the website’s source files along with some code hinting at multi-media and social networking options.

In the “Footer” section, along with Twitter and Facebook, are links to icons for both Vimeo and YouTube.

A Javascript file included in the homepage indicates the presence of an embedded video player. But it is not clear how, or if, the publication is planning to distribute its content on video sharing sites. The app has been rumored to include significant photo and multimedia content, so it is possible some of that material could be shared more widely on the open Web.

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Update: Here’s a few better ones.

We found four interesting files in the latest SDK and they all amount to the next-generation iPad having a camera. You will notice the same shutter screen as found on the iPhone and iPod touch in addition to camera roll icons for videos and pictures. We opened up the camera shutter images and the size is 1024 x 768, which is the same resolution as the current iPad. No higher-resolution screen on iPad 2? Apple needs to pop in new graphics? Discuss!

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http://www.viddler.com/simple/47719c34/

We covered many of the new features in iOS 4.3 today and above is a video walkthrough. Here’s everything we’ve covered on iOS 4.3 so far:

–Here’s iPad 2’s camera app from the iOS 4.3 SDK.

–iOS 4.3 bringing Photo Booth to iOS devices

–iOS 4.3 supports more powerful graphics processors.

–iOS 4.3 to bring ‘Find my Friends’ feature?

–iOS 4.3 gestures to help iPads and iPhones lose their physical home buttons?

–iOS 4.3 beta 1 for iOS mobile devices and Apple TV seeded to developers.

–iOS 4.3 brings new Multi-Touch gestures to the iPad.

–iOS 4.3 will not support the iPhone 3G or iPod touch 2G.

–GSM iPhones will get the Personal Hotspot feature with iOS 4.3 (AT&T is a go).

–FaceTime gets a new icon and iAds can now display in full-screen.

–iOS 4.3 brings the physical screen lock switch back to iPad (is an option).

–iOS 4.3 may bring fun video effects to the iPhone/iPod touch camera app.

–iOS 4.3 brings new Messages alert settings and a new font in notes.

Let us know if you find anything else!

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG1iM43w2o8&w=480&h=385]

iSpazio found a new file in the updated SDK that hints at some iPod nano 5th gen-esque camera effects. The effects that are possibly en route to an iPhone near you:

• Thermal Camera
• X-ray
• Kaleidoscope
• Normal
• Tunnel of Light
• Collapse
• Turbine
• Enlarge

You asked, Apple listened. A new setting lets you choose for the switch to be an orientation lock or the new mute switch. (via App Advice) (Photo: MacStories)

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iOS 4.3 brings a groovy, new FaceTime icon (above) as well as a new full-screen iAd banners:

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It’s official:

It works over AT&T but you need to sign up for the tethering plan. $$$ for AT&T!

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What’s missing from the iOS 4.3 beta page? Downloads for the iPhone 3G and iPod touch 2G. It looks like iOS 4.2.1 is the final release for Apple’s second generation iOS devices. Oy.

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iOS 4.3 brings new multi-touch gestures to iPad users. These new four and five finger gestures make movement around the operating system a lot easier and quicker. The new gestures include pinching out to the home screen (no home button on iPad?!), swiping up for multi-tasking, and swiping left/right on your screen to switch apps (sort of like 10.7’s Mission Control).

Test Multi-Touch Gestures for iPad
This beta release contains a preview of new Multi-Touch gestures for iPad. You can use four or five fingers to pinch to the Home Screen; swipe up to reveal the multitasking bar; and swipe left or right between apps. We are providing this preview before releasing them to the public to understand how these gestures work with your apps. Test them and give us your feedback on the Apple Developer Forums.

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Apple has just seeded iOS 4.3 to developers for both mobile devices and the Apple TV. No word on what iOS 4.3 brings to Apple’s mobile devices (iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV) but the Apple TV update will allow AirPlay video from 3rd party apps. Stay tuned for more coverage.

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Both iPhoneClub and iPhoneHellas claim that GSM iPhones will soon gain the Verizon iPhone’s ‘Personal Hotspot’ feature. The feature is said to be coming at the GSM carrier’s discretion in an upcoming iOS 4.3 update. The feature allows the iPhone to turn into a mobile hotspot that can provide a wireless internet connection to up to five devices simultaneously. Both sites have very accurate track records when it comes to predicting iOS updates and no launch information has been given at this time. Business Insider adds that AT&T is “evaluating” the feature so we’ll have to see if AT&T chooses to support it. UPDATE: A report this morning confirms this feature should reach GSM iPhones along with iOS 4.3 in March.

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People who went hands-on with the Verizon iPhone 4 noticed a slight change in the volume control placement, meaning existing iPhone 4 cases and Bumpers won’t fit correctly. Users interested in getting a Bumper for their Verizon iPhone 4 shouldn’t be worried though, as an Apple spokesperson told us that Apple will be slightly updating their iPhone 4 case to support the Verizon version’s new control placement too. No details on when this change will happen or if the update already happened today.

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdftOloAH9Q&w=640&h=385]

Google has updated their popular Google Goggles application with two incredible new features. The first allows you to point your iPhone’s camera at a print advertisement and it will then search the ad and show you more information about it online. The second feature, as shown in the video above, lets Google Goggles read sudoko puzzles.

Our favorite weekend distraction is a quiet 15 minutes spent solving a Sudoku puzzle. But even that can be an frustrating experience if (like us) you make a mistake and are unable to solve the puzzle. Now, Goggles on Android and iPhone can recognize puzzles and provide answers to help make you faster than a Sudoku champ. So if you ever get stuck, take a clear picture of the entire puzzle with Goggles and we’ll tell you the correct solution. Check out this video to see how it works.

The update is available for the stand alone Android Google Goggles app and will soon be available in the official Google app on the App Store. We’ll update when it’s live for iOS devices.

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0k-ZAicEek&w=640&h=385]

We recently reported on the removal of VLC Player for iOS from the App Store and today the makers of the app responded to the removal. Romain Goyet from Applidium provided us with the following statement:

Much to our surprise, we received this friday an email from Apple that said “We regret that the dispute regarding your application named ‘VLC Media Player’ could not be resolved amicably between the parties. We have removed your application from the App Store. For any questions relating to this matter, please contact Rémi Denis-Courmont directly.”

This was a follow-up from an email we received from Apple last October : “On 10/20/2010, we received a notice from Rémi Denis-Courmont that Rémi Denis-Courmont believes your application named ‘VLC Media Player’ infringes Rémi Denis-Courmont’s intellectual property rights. In particular, Rémi Denis-Courmont believes you are infringing their copyright.”

Rémi Denis-Courmont’s complaint came pretty much unsuspected, since we did receive approval from the VideoLAN association before starting the iOS port of VLC. As a matter of fact, some members of VideoLAN even helped us porting VLC to the iOS.

It goes without saying, we still believe the AppStore licence is compatible with the GPLv2 under the which VLC is released. Therefore, together with the VideoLAN association, we’ll do our best to not let this be the end of VLC/iOS.

As a final word, we think it’s pretty sad to deny millions of users the right to enjoy a nice piece of open source software … in the name of freedom.

It appears that Apple is one sided with Rémi Denis-Courmont (the man behind the open source project) and is really putting both parties against each other. Hopefully something gets resolved between all parties and we can back to enjoying VLC Media Player on our iOS devices.

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Apple has had a personal setup service for iPhone purchases made at Apple retail stores for some time now. Since Thanksgiving, Apple has offered the same personal setup service for iPad and iPod touch purchases. Apple has not had a true personal setup service for Mac purchases, but come Tuesday, in some markets, personal setup for Mac will be available. Traditionally, Apple Stores have allowed you to ask a few questions and take a few pointers but this new personal setup for Mac service takes points from the iOS device version of the service.

When you purchase a Mac at an Apple Retail store an employee will help you setup your e-mail accounts, walk you through the Mac App Store, setup an iTunes account for you, and show you the basic pointers of owning a Mac. Some stores will even have dedicated Mac setup stations. This is minor news for Mac aficionados but will be very helpful for people new to the Mac and for the wider range of consumers. The service will go live in some stores as soon as Tuesday but we’ve heard that other stores will be launching the service in the next few weeks. The new service is very similar to the “setup room” that is currently featured at Apple’s Covent Garden store in London.

This new service at Apple retail stores is truly a major shift in the retail experience and it really will set Apple farther apart from competing computer retail stores. This is really the ‘full service’ concept and Apple truly wants to get this right. Apple is picturing personal setup for Macs as being as notable as the Genius Bar. Most people know Apple prides themselves on having something as convinient as the Genius Bar, and Apple wants the same thing to happen with the new personal setup for Macs service.

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Verizon said they would be phasing out their unlimited data plans, but today the Wall Street Journal reports these unlimited data plans will be sticking around for the iPhone. Verizon offering unlimited data plans for the iPhone is a real incentive for people debating whether to get the AT&T or Verizon model in the U.S. This is because AT&T phased out unlimited data plans when the iPhone 4 launched in June.

Another thing to think about is Verizon’s no browsing while talking restriction. AT&T allows their phone users to browse the web over 3G, for example, while talking on the phone. Reports recently emerged claiming Verizon would soon remove the restriction, leading to increased speculation about an iPhone for Verizon. Verizon is expected to finally unveil their CDMA iPhone on Tuesday, January 11 with the device going on sale in late January or early February.

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Typically, when you return an opened product to an Apple Store you will be charged a 10% restocking fee. Well, come Tuesday, this will all be in the past as Apple is cutting restocking fees from their retail chain. We’ll have to see how Apple deals with people trying to return their scratched up iPods and what the policy with iPhones will be. The 14 day return period still applies but for example if you purchase a 16 GB iPad and use it for 3 days, then want to upgrade to the 32 GB model, you won’t need to pay an additional 10% restocking fee. Oh, and January 11th?

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It’s not Walt Mossberg, but Ludacris told CNN that he thinks Apple’s iPad is the best invention of 2010. Ludacris also says that he is “definitely an Apple guy” as he rocks (raps?) an iPhone and iPad. His favorite iOS app is Words with Friends and the most embarrassing app he has on his phone is Bubble Wrap. He jokingly said “Ludacris likes to pop the bubble wrap on his damn iPhone or iPad!” (which should be the title of this post)

Who likes the picture? :D

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The Wall Street Journal reports that their “person familiar with the matter” says the Verizon iPhone will go on sale “around the end of January.” This could mean late January or could also mean early February. An early February launch would corroborate with reports claiming Apple has a vacation block around February 3rd. The Verizon iPhone is expected to debut this Tuesday, January 11th at a Verizon event in New York.

There is no confirmation as to new new features in the Verizon version of the iPhone and if this will device will simply be a CMDA iPhone 4 with the same design and features as the current GSM model. Purported drawings of the next-generation or Verizon iPhone4 recently emerged out of Foxconn in addition to clear photos and a video of purported future iPhone internal parts and antenna bands. Apple had YouTube remove said video of the future iPhone internals and antenna leading to increased speculation about their validity.

Update: Reuters confirms with their source that the Verizon iPhone will be announced on Tuesday. They also say it will go on sale in a “few weeks.”

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