Mark is an award-winning journalist who worked at 9to5Mac for over six years. He covers Apple and other topics related to the consumer technology industry.
Apple has released a software update for Mac OS X Lion Preview 2 today. The update is available in software update for those with the second preview installed. This update does not appear to be a third preview but instead simply a software update. Let us know if you discover anything new.
From systems that have developer preview 2 of Lion or Lion Server installed, run Software Update and download Mac OS X Lion Developer Preview 2 Update. You must also download Xcode 4.1 Developer Preview 3 available from the Mac Dev Center to build apps with this version of Lion.
Apple supplier Cirrus Logic Inc. has said that they are facing “manufacturing problems” with a new “audio device” that began “high-volume production” last month. The company is not clear as to which device is facing issues (or even if it’s for Apple) but the possibilities range from this fall’s new iPod lineup, the iPhone 5, iPad 2s, or even the white iPhone 4 that is said to have started production last month.
But Cirrus late Thursday said it had determined an earlier test for a particular function of a new audio product–which analysts assume is for Apple–was insufficient to guarantee that all products met a certain standard. After a more rigorous test was developed, Cirrus found fewer working chips than previously expected, with that yield loss rising as volumes increased.
The company also says that they have fixed the issue but it will hurt their bottom line by 6 cents a share. Cirru Logic Inc’s CEO says the issue is “unfortunate” and:
The semiconductor industry is inherently an extraordinarily complicated business, and while we strive at all times to have zero issues, from time to time, and despite everyone’s best efforts, ‘stuff happens.’
Digitimes reports that although rumors have claimed that Apple is preparing an iPad 3 for launch during fall 2011, Chinese part suppliers are calling the rumors false. Apple’s part suppliers have reportedly yet to receive orders for third-generation iPad components, and Apple coupled with the fact that Apple just released the iPad 2, these suppliers feel the rumors lack merit.
Sources from touch panel makers pointed out that Apple recently released its latest tablet PC plan and is asking the panel makers to provide products that are capable to support higher image quality than the current iPad 2 and Apple may even choose AMOLED panel or panel that support Full HD standard to accomplish the plan. However, since the project is still at the initial planning stage, the actual products are unlikely to appear in 2011.
The Chinese sources state that if a new iPad does happen to arrive during fall 2011 that it will be a minimal upgrade; perhaps a new version that “supports different communication format.” We are not entirely sure what to make of this new “communication format,” but we have heard that Verizon and Apple are toying around with LTE. Perhaps a 4G/LTE iPad for the holidays?
Another common rumor has been a future iPad with an AMOLED display and the report is pouring some cold water on that as well, saying this would be a great risk due to competitors holding the major it of AMOLED part supplies.
Some sources pointed out that since AMOLED technologies are still mostly controlled by Korea-based Samsung Electronics, while Apple has competition with Samsung over tablet PC sales, if Apple is adopting AMOLED panel into its device, Apple would be facing a great risk having the key technologies being held by its competitors.
We already told you that Apple has a photo-based social component called Photo Stream up its sleeve and now glimpses of this feature are appearing in customer’s iPhones. 9to5mac reader Mario Piombo spotted references to Photo Stream albums in his iOS 4.3 iPhone 4. The references are hidden from the user’s plain view of Photos.app and were discovered via a third-party application, which allows the user to select photos from their library for editing.
It looks like users will be able to setup Photo Stream albums in Photos.app just like they can make playlists of songs in iPod.app. These Photo Stream albums will then be able to be streamed to specified groups of people like we detailed back in January:
From the looks of different alerts and plists, it appears that Apple will let iPhone users set up “Photo Streams” that friends could “subscribe” to. Also, it looks like there will be some privacy preferences related to this, so you can choose who is allowed to view your “Streams.” With Photo Streams, you will also be allowed to “invite” other users to view your pictures as you take them and upload them to a service. This service looks like it is connected to MobileMe, and we speculate that “Media Stream” can be directly connected to “Find my Friends.”
Basically, Photo Stream will be the easiest way to share photos taken or stored on your iPhone with your friends. No need to post them online – via Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, etc. – just stream the albums you choose to your family and friend’s photos.app. An older version of iPhoto for Mac included a similar feature called Photocast. Photocast allowed a user to send a photo album to another user. That photo album would then appear as an album in the friend or family member’s iPhoto library. We’re thinking Apple is going to be doing the same thing with Photo Stream.
Since Photo Stream references have been found in iOS 4.3 we speculate that Apple pulled the feature at the last minute to include as a component of a greater social offering in iOS 5. Also, as we noted before, this Photo Stream feature may be MobileMe specific. Mario’s iPhone is connected to MobileMe, Photocast required MobileMe (then .Mac), and our SDK findings referenced MobileMe. Hopefully this comes with the free, revamped MobileMe service.
Apple has already ported over popular Mac apps like Photo Booth, iWork, and Garageband to the iPad’s touch interface and now it looks like Apple is working on a new app: iWeb for iPad. Patently Apple discovered the patent, which details iWeb for iPad as an application “designed to work with gestures.” We picture gestures like those found in iWork: pinch to resize, swiping, etc.
Details are scarce at this point but to us iWeb for iPad makes perfect sense. From the website management perspective there have been countless times where I have needed to update an iWeb site on the go. Perhaps this application will sync with the Mac varient and have a very similar feature set. If iWork and Garageband are any indication it surely will. Speaking of iWeb, the iLife application was last updated in early 2009 with iLife ’11 only including new versions of iMovie, iPhoto, and Garageband. Hopefully iWeb for iPad means a new Mac version is coming, too.
At this point we won’t speculate on a release time frame for the application but in terms of patterns, Apple debuted iWork for iPad at the original iPad event and Photo Booth, Garageband, and iMovie at the iPad 2 event. Patently Apple also details an Apple patent for a ‘Smart Pen’ stylus, but we already know that will never hit the market. “If you see a stylus they blew it” – Steve Jobs.
Apple has just released a TV advertisement for the new iPad 2. The new advertisement is certainly dramatic and pushes Apple’s concept of the iPad truly being a personal device. Expand Expanding Close
The fifth-generation iPod nano packed video recording, a widescreen display, and video playback. Apple decided to drop these key features in favor of a smaller-form factor, a Multi-Touch display, an iOS-like user interface, and a belt clip for the current, sixth generation model. Now, according to a purported seventh generation iPod nano part from Apple.pro, Apple may be putting the camera back into their popular music player while still keeping the current model’s size and display.
The image was apparently sent to the site two days ago. The site has been relatively accurate in the past, leaking legitimate images of Verizon iPhone 4 schematics from Foxconn, the mini touch-screen found in the current iPod nano, accurate iPad 2 details, and more. Something to note about Apple’s purported plans for the next iPod nano is the location of the belt clip. With this purported camera hole Apple will most likely need to re-position it or maybe even make it shorter. Also, how would using this super-small device for taking pics and flicks feel?
Update: We’ve recieved reports from a number of Israeli readers who told us it is the local Apple reseller outfit iDigital that is opening a huge store.
According to the Jerusalem Post Apple is looking to open a 5000 square-meter store (that’s 54K square feet! – which seems unlikely) in Jerusalem, Israel. The report claims this store will house the “Apple Digital Library,” and if anyone knows what that is feel free to let us know. Apple is yet to house an official store in the state of Israel and the reason for the location being Jerusalem is for “symbolic reasons.”
The directors of Apple in Israel recently toured the site and reportedly said they wanted to bring the country’s largest Apple store to Jerusalem for symbolic reasons. According to city planners, the area at the western entrance to the city will become the hi-tech economic center of Jerusalem due to the high-speed Jerusalem-Tel Aviv train and the light rail, both of which have stops there.
We’re not sure how Apple could manage to fit such a large store in such a small area 5000sq. meters= 53,000 square feet which would make it among the world’s biggest), maybe the report has some facts mixed up. Either way, the more Apple Stores, the merrier.
The iPhone 5 puzzle has received a few new pieces and they both point to the product launch not taking place at this year’s WWDC. Jim Dalrymple – usually accurate – from The Loop claims that no hardware will be unveiled at the World Wide Developers Conference: no iPhones, no iPads, no Macs. But how could Apple kill their annual summer iPhone launch pattern?
Apple’s apparent focus on software in its WWDC announcement backs up what my own sources are saying about the annual conference. That is, expect a software show in 2011, not a hardware event.
At this year’s conference we are going to unveil the future of iOS and Mac OS,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “If you are an iOS or Mac OS X software developer, this is the event that you do not want to miss.
Apple even introduced a new Verizon iPhone 4 in January of this year and it only launched last month (February). Apple is also expected to release a white version of the iPhone 4 next month. These two iPhone 4 upgrades seem to allow Apple to push back the launch of their next-generation handset. Afterall, how could they release updated iPhone 4s in February and April then a whole new device in June? Apple on releasing a new iPhone in June after releasing the Verizon iPhone: “we’re not stupid.”
If it’s not coming at WWDC when will it? The usually well-sourced Macotakara.jp claims that the iPhone 5 is yet to hit the full production stage and says that the iPhone 5 will go into mass production late in Apple Q4 for an early Apple Q1 2012 launch.
According to Chinese sources, had been rumored to be announced for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 iPhone 5, it does not begin to manufacture the parts, the launch seems to be lost in fiscal 2012.
This would be around a year after the Verizon iPhone 4 launch, creating a new pattern for iPhone launches. The site reiterates earlier claims of a new, aluminum enclosure which is possibly taking longer to produce. A chinese site recently claimed the new iPhone would go into production in Q3 of this year – backing up an iPhone-less WWDC.
Apple has just announced that this year’s World Wide Developers Conference will take place at the Moscone West Center in San Francisco, CA. This year’s event will be special as it will be the unveiling of Apple’s next major iOS version and that place in which Mac OS X 10.7’s final touches and technical details will be revealed. Apple’s announcment today confirms that iOS is in fact not being previewed at an event in April, for example. and will only be previewed in June. This lends credence to a fall launch for the new mobile operating system from Apple.
Apple’s Phil Schiller:
At this year’s conference we are going to unveil the future of iOS and Mac OS,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “If you are an iOS or Mac OS X software developer, this is the event that you do not want to miss.
The conference itself will be home to over 100 technical sessions and 1000 Apple engineers will be on staff to assist developers with their coding needs. Here are the specifics from Apple:
more than 100 technical sessions presented by Apple engineers on a wide range of technology-specific topics for developing, deploying and integrating the latest iOS and Mac OS technologies;
over 1,000 Apple engineers providing developers with code-level assistance, insight into optimal development techniques, and guidance on how they can make the most of iOS and Mac OS technologies in their apps;
the opportunity to connect with thousands of fellow iPad®, iPhone® and Mac developers from around the world; and
Apple Design Awards which recognize iPad, iPhone and Mac apps that demonstrate technical excellence, innovation and outstanding design.
Tickets cost $1599 and the full press release is after the break.
TechCrunch reports that Apple has decided to wait until fall 2011 to launch their rumored iOS 5 for iOS devices: iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Major iOS upgrades are typically revealed by Apple during February or March then previewed again in early June alongside a new iPhone, then released on or around the new iPhone’s availability date. The report claims that 2011 will be different and that customers will likely only get their hands on the next-generation mobile operating system during the fall. It would make sense that Apple would unveil the final touches at their annual fall/September music event.
The report says we’ll most likely get our first glimpse at iOS 5 at Apple’s annual World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) in early June, and we assume developers will get a preview download at that date. The report is scarce on iOS 5 details but it does claim that it’s a major revamp and it will be heavily cloud-based. This should go hand-in-hand with the rumored music locker service from Apple – in addition to Media Stream and Find my Friends. TechCrunch is again expected a new iPad for a fall announcement- that just doesn’t seem likely to us, though.
In terms of Apple launching a fifth-generation iPhone at WWDC with iOS 4 – it does not seem likely given Apple’s past release cycles but could be possible. In fact, we found references to an iPhone 5 with an A5 processor – same one as in the iPad 2 – in the iOS 4.3 development kit. Apple also appears to still be working on iOS 4.x as they released an update yesterday. In addition, Media Stream and Find my Friends were both found in the iOS 4.3 SDK. Apple is also rumored to launch a revamped MobileMe around April that is also heavily cloud-based. Perhaps the new (possibly free) service will tie together with Apple’s next-gen iOS.
TechCrunch has not been the most accurate when it comes to pinpointing Apple information. Less than a week after the iPad’s unveil in January 2010 they reported that Apple is already at work on a Mac OS X tablet – for a 2010 launch – with an intel processor. They were one of the many sites who pinpointed a January reveal of the Verizon iPhone 4, though. TechCrunch also said back in 2008 that Apple is working on their own search engine.
Jordan C. wrote in to let us know how magical the iPad really is. Long story short, Jordan purchased an iPad 2 and engraved “will you marry me on it?” for his then-girlfriend, Jessica. Here’s the full story:
I just wanted to share my excitement for Apple’s latest magical device bringing a little magic into my life! I stayed up all night to order my iPad with the inscription “Will You Marry Me?” Received mine this Monday, Took my then-girlfriend, Jessica, up to the National Redwood Forrest in Northern CA. After having to cross a river on a downed Redwood and dealing with the intermettant rain I found the largest tree in the world I kneeled down and gave it my best! Whether it was something I said or “Apple’s Magic” in action she gushed and said YES, now give me my iPad!!
Another picture from the scene is after the break and best wishes to Jordan and Jessica!
It’s no secret that iOS 4.3 hurt battery life for some iOS device users and with Apple issuing a bug fix-filled iOS update today, many have speculated that the release will include battery life improvements. Now that users have had some time to play around with iOS 4.3.1, readers have written in to report that their battery life issues appear to be resolved. One reader let us know that iOS 4.3.1 “significantly” improved his iPad 2’s battery life performance.
I have noticed significant improvement to my iPad 2’s battery life with the installation of iOS 4.3.1! I’m so relieved that the performance I was getting before isn’t its true capacity.
Others have expressed marginal to significant improvement in battery life through Twitter:
“iOS 4.3.1 was released today, seems like my battery isn’t dying as fast anymore.”
“4.3.1 update certainly did fix my battery drain issues.”
“Pleased that iOS 4.3.1 appears to have cleared the battery draining issue. Only gone down 15% in the last 6 hours.”
“Anyone else noticing significant battery life improvement on iOS 4.3.1 for iPhone 4?”
“My iphone is definitely draining battery slower under 4.3.1.”
“iOS 4.3.1 is out today, it seems to have fixed the battery issue on my iPhone 4.”
It appears that the battery life issue in iOS 4.3 is strictly software related. Perhaps the battery percentage meter is calibrated incorrectly in iOS 4.3 or maybe some background processess are unnecessarily activated. In any case, it appears that iOS 4.3.1 is improving battery life for some users. Did it help you? Use the poll after the break.
Apple has released yet another TV advertisment as a part of their latest “If you don’t have an iPhone” campaign. The new ad showcases the high-resolution Retina Display found on Apple’s iPhone 4 and latest iPod touch model. Apple has showcased their iPhone display before, with another TV advertisement in October 2010.
Apple’s “If you don’t have an iPhone campaign”started last week with ads for the App Store, iBooks, and iPod + iTunes. Apple released a fourth ad earlier this week demonstrating the iOS Game Center social network.
TechCrunch reports that development of Mac OS X 10.7 Lion is moving along smoothly and is actually ahead of schedule. The current developer preview of 10.7 Lion is pretty stable but is not without its bugs, lockups, and crashes. Apple has been at work improving the operating system and is reportedly actually almost ready to release a golden master build of the next-generation Mac operating system.
Apple is gearing up to deploy an OS X Lion update to developers that they may be classifying as the “GM1″ release, we’re hearing. “GM” or “Golden Master” is a title reserved for software that is complete. But from what we’ve heard, this is only the initial Golden Master candidate.
A golden master (GM) software release is the stage in which the software’s development is complete and ready to print. Probably in Lion’s case, though, a GM means ready to upload to the Mac App Store. Although GMs usually mean the software will be shipping out to consumer’s soon, TechCrunch says there will be multiple GMs – like iOS 4.2 – with the one coming soon being labeled as GM1.
Back at Lion’s announcement in October 2010, Apple said the OS would ship sometime during summer 2011. At this point, development is in its far stages s0 it’s a safe bet that we’ll be hearing more about it at Apple’s early-June World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC). Mac OS X Lion brings many new features to the Mac including Mission Control (Spaces, Expose combined), Launchpad (iOS-like home screens), new Multi-Touch gestures, full-screen applications, an iPad-like mail application, AirDrop WiFi file sharing, and built-in server functionality.
Nokia sued Apple in May 2010, claiming the company infringed five of Nokia’s patents. The patents cover wireless data, speech coding, security and encryption and are infringed by all Apple iPhone models shipped since the iPhone was introduced in 2007, Nokia alleged. Nokia’s statment in May 2010 about the lawsuit:
Nokia has been the leading developer of many key technologies in mobile devices” said Paul Melin, General Manager, Patent Licensing at Nokia. “We have taken this step to protect the results of our pioneering development and to put an end to continued unlawful use of Nokia’s innovation.
Now, Reuters reports that the International Trade Commision has ruled that Apple in fact did not violate any of Nokia’s patents. Take that, Nokia!
A judge at the International Trade Commission, which hears many patent cases, said that Apple did not violate the Nokia patents.
With the iPad 2’s launch in 25 more countries yesterday, Reuters calculated the price of the device across Europe in comparison to the United States. The device starts at $499 in the United States for the 16 GB model and with taxes in the U.S., the device has an average total price of $547.
This compares to Europe in which most iPad 2-selling nations use the Euro as their form of currency. The iPad 2 starts at 479 euros in Europe and that converts to $678. Britain, in particular, is a little cheaper with their iPad 2 sales starting at 399 pounds, which converts to $642.
Notably, the iPad 2 starts at a converted $702 in Denmark. The iPad 2, before taxes, is over $200 cheaper in the United States than in Denmark. That’s still better than the thousands of dollars that people in some of the Asian countries are paying.
One of the notable omissions from the iPad 2 launch was an updated physical keyboard dock to work with the thinner and lighter design. After all, Apple did release a brand-new iPad 2 charging dock. Because of this a 9to5mac reader e-mailed Apple Senior Vice President of Marketing, Phil Schiller for an answer.
The 9to5mac reader ‘s email:
From what I’ve heard, the Apple keyboard dock is not made for the iPad 2. Is there an iPad 2 version that I can’t find on your online store – or is it coming soon?
Schiller’s reply does not directly answer the question but does make the point that Apple will not be releasing a new keyboard dock, specifically tailored to the iPad 2’s new design.
People prefer to use the iPad’s built in soft keyboard most all of the time, it works very well. Those that do choose to use an external keyboard most often choose to use Apple’s bluetooth wireless keyboard for the convenience it provides.
Instead, Schiller says users prefer the touch-screen keyboard (where’s the data, yo?) and if they really want they can purchase the bluetooth wireless keyboard. If you really want you can just buy a keyboard dock for the old iPad – it works!
Apple, in late 2009, acquired a mapping company called PlaceBase and since then many rumors have said that Apple is working to revamp their built-in maps application. Rumors have covered a redesigned iOS application all the way to Apple creating their own maps database – with PlaceBase’s data – to replace Google’s backend currently used in iOS maps.
Now, Apple has filed a new job opportunity for an iOS Maps application developer. Apple wants the candidates to work on a team that will “radically improve” maps and location services within their iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch operating system.
The Maps team is looking for an exceptional developer to join us in our mission to radically improve how people interact with maps and location-based services.
Apple also wants the candidates to have “excellent skills in object-oriented software design and programming” and they will be “collaborating closely with Apple’s peerless human interface team to add new and innovative features.” Additionally, the candidates should have “experience at the application and user interface level” and “experience with the iOS SDK and Cocoa programming.”
From that description, it seems that this person will be “radically improving” the entire maps application, not specifically the backend. We speculate that Apple would not revamp their whole maps app if they are not going to give it a whole new backend.
In iOS 5, Apple is expected to introduce a new “Find my Friends” map-based social network, so perhaps this team will be involved in implementing this as well. Apple has not really updated their built-in maps application since an iOS 1.x update.
The Music Void claims that Apple’s new MobileMe – reportedly due in April – will have a major music component, dubbed a ‘locker.’ The report does not delve into the details about this ‘locker’ but past reports have pegged the new service as your digital life stored in the cloud.
Informed sources say that Apple has sealed its deal with Warner and has been using that agreement to leverage the other labels to get the deals done in time for the April launch. The locker service will reportedly have somewhere around a $20 annual price tag.
But where does iTunes come into this? According to the report, Apple has secured a licensing deal with Warner Music Group and is using this deal to help secure agreements with the music industry’s other major labels. Bloomberg reported, earlier this month, that Apple is working on a cloud-based iTunes music streaming service that would provide backups of downloaded songs.
A deal would provide iTunes customers with a permanent backup of music purchases if the originals are damaged or lost, said the people. The service also would allow downloads to iPad, iPod and iPhone devices linked to the same iTunes account, they said. The move would be a step closer to universal access to content centrally stored on the Internet.
Perhaps this is what The Music Void is referring to when they bring up the rumored MobileMe ‘locker’ feature. Apple has long been rumored to introduce a music streaming service with an uptake in rumors since their acquisition of Lala and their construction of a massive North Carolina data center.
Apple is rumored to be introducing a new, even more cloud-focused MobileMe during the month of April. Various reports have pegged the revamped service to be free, yet this new report is claiming that at least the music portion will cost users something in the range of $20.
Apple is continuing their new “if you don’t have an iPhone…” campaign, this time showcasing Apple’s iOS social gaming platform Game Center. The new TV advertisement opens up by noting the vast library of gaming titles available on the iOS App Store then transitions to the main point about Game Center.
Twitter has released an update to their iOS application with support for the iPad 2’s dual camera system. The update now allows users to capture photos and videos within the application and directly upload them in a tweet via any photo/video uploading service they choose.
– Photo/Video capture support for iPad 2
– Disabled significant location change monitoring that was causing compass to appear constantly when in app
– Bug Fixes from user reported crashes
The rest of the update covers bug fixes relating to location, the built-in compass in certain iOS devices, and app crashes. We think this update will make a big impact as it will now seemingly be the quickest way to share media taken with the iPad 2 with the world. Get it for free on the App Store.
It is a fact that all mobile phones emit a certain level of radiation. Yes, even the iPhone. That’s why a company named tawkon developed an application to measure the amount of radiation coming through your iPhone. According to the company the application was praised by Apple executives for its graphically appealing design, use of non-private APIs, and overall functionality.
We tried the front door via Apple’s App Store, including great discussions with senior Apple executives at their Cupertino headquarters who praised our app functionality and graphic appeal, and explored various technical solutions with us to overcome API restrictions and get tawkon onto the App Store.
The problem is that it was still rejected. This is not the first time an application was given a blessing from an Apple executive then still rejected (think Google Voice). After their app was rejected, tawkon e-mailed Apple CEO Steve Jobs inquiring about the reason. In return they got a simple “no interest.” For those interested in the application it is now available on Cydia via an iOS jailbreak.
