Seth Weintraub

Here you go. The 103MB download isn’t immediately visible from the iTunes home screen but clicking download reveals the 10.5 download button.  It is also hitting Software Update.  This is the first step in Apple’s upgrade to iOS 5 and iCloud.  Other updates, including iOS 5 tomorrow should be hitting shortly.

Full release notes below (via MacStories):

What’s new in iTunes 10.5

• iTunes in the Cloud. iTunes now stores your music and TV purchases in iCloud and makes them available on your devices anywhere, any time, at no additional cost.

• Automatic Downloads. Purchase music from any device or computer and automatically download a copy to your Mac and iOS devices.

• Download Previous Purchases. Download your past music, TV, app, and book purchases again, at no additional cost. Previous purchases may be unavailable if they are no longer on the iTunes Store.

• Sync with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 5.

• Wi-Fi Syncing. Automatically sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iTunes any time they’re both on the same Wi-Fi network.

For information on the security content of this update, please visit: support.apple.com/kb/HT1222
Expand
Expanding
Close

Ah, to be European with an overzealous package fulfillment service (DHL). Deliveries have already started including one of many Macerkopf readers:

Update: In an email, iPhone Italia said they ‘disassembled’ the iPhone 4S but from the site, it appears only to be spare parts.

iPhoneitalia has taken it upon themselves to compare iPhone 4S parts with the iPhone 4.

In the old camera was attached to the solenoid lenses and the whole group moved to focus the image, in this new camera is outside the solenoid, and moves only slowly, so we think this is also an effect on the improved shooting speed. The CCD is unchanged in size.

.

Here’s the initial observations (machine translated):

The ‘Touch LCD and have remained virtually unchanged, the only differences are:

1) screw placement, which is changed according to the new shell with antenna diversity;
2) the patina around the proximity sensor is now placed in a slightly different way, to solve definitely the problem with the sensor that some users complain. Also now more visible is the area of ​​the light sensor, presumably to make it more sensitive.

As for the back of iPhone 4S:

Slightly bigger battery (5.25 -> 5.3 Whr or 1420 mAh or 1430 mAh) detailled below:

Expand
Expanding
Close

Update: He’s wrong.  We’ve heard from an impeccable source that Google plans to have invites out “in the next day or so” and there is no patent delay.

We reported earlier that Google and Samsung were delaying the release of the new Nexus Prime phone and Android 4.0 “Ice cream Sandwich” out of respect for the passing of Steve Jobs.

“We believe this is not the right time to announce a new product as the world expresses tribute to Steve Jobs’s passing,” the companies said.

But according to often (but not always) correct blogger Eldar Murtazin, there are patent issues at hand which need to be addressed before the devices and OS  ship.  Specifically, Google is slicing out features which may be subject to Apple’s Patents…

See Steve Jobs introducing multi-touch in 2007 below, saying “Boy have we patented it!”.  More coverage at 9to5google.com
Expand
Expanding
Close

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxjiQoTp864]

Damn impressive.  I’m with the audience at 1:18 and again later when Kevin Lynch’s picture is unblurred.  I just hope I kept all of those amazing but flawed pictures that I can now unblur. via TNW

Update: A better version is over at Adobe.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Last week, we detailed the internal docs Apple uses to tell its employees how to sell the iPhone 4S, the new iPods and the new Cards app. Today a tipster added to the trove two more internal docs. iCloud and iOS 5 First looks. These are the cheat sheets that Apple employees use to sell customers these products. Both below:

Expand
Expanding
Close

[vodpod id=Video.15528622&w=650&h=420&fv=%26amp%3BembedCode%3D1tNm12Mjo5hcdNcdtSfRYwCR9b8Yhb4w]

This is probably the best discussion of Jobs and his legacy that I’ve seen yet. Thought it was interesting that Jobs didn’t like to travel and according to Andreessen, he never flew to China.

Via Bloomberg (Non Flash)

Perhaps looking to differentiate its service from the other two US carriers, AT&T is working with Apple to get a “4G” icon on the iPhone 4S when it hits its HSPA+ network according to The Verge.

The move would seem to try to further differentiate AT&T’s network which is already significantly faster than Sprint or Verizon’s (and theoretically double the iPhone 4 speed).

If you are in the US, which network will you be getting an iPhone 4S on?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py9TfZGie48]

Here’s the official statement from Google and Samsung:

“We believe this is not the right time to announce a new product as the world expresses tribute to Steve Jobs’s passing,” the companies said.

They are likely to make an announcement on the launch late next week.  The new Google phone is built by Samsung and is rumored to have a 4.65-inch, 720P display with dual core 1.5GHz Samsung processor, NFC, 1GB of RAM and other speeds and feeds.  It will likely be one of the stronger competitors the iPhone 4S faces this holiday season.

More at 9to5google.com
Expand
Expanding
Close

We are hearing numerous reports that AT&T unlimited data users aren’t able to upgrade their unlimited plans when they order the iPhone 4S. They are automatically changed to a different data tier (in the above case, the $30 data).

Update: It appears the upgrade is just a bit more complicated. You have to remove the “unlimited data for iphone” plan and then they’ll let you add an “unlimited data for iphone 4S” plan. Yes, unnecessarily complicated and is causing some users to lose their unlimited status.

Update 2: AT&T has chimed in: All current AT&T smartphone customers with an unlimited plan can upgrade and keep their unlimited plan. We’re working on making the online page more clear, but if a customer keeps clicking continue, they will see their unlimited plan.

Expand
Expanding
Close

It’s interesting that you can’t take your unlocked iPhone 4S over to Sprint or Verizon to enable service, at least explicitly. Also, it appears that you can take your unlocked iPhone 4S over to T-Mobile (Apple says “GSM Networks” but doesn’t mention T-Mobile specifically), but only expect to use the EDGE 2G speeds.  Being unlocked also means swapping out micro SIMs when travelling internationally is possible.

The unlocked iPhone includes all the features of iPhone but without a contract commitment. You can activate and use it on the supported GSM wireless network of your choice, such as AT&T in the United States.* The unlocked iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S will not work with CDMA-based carriers such as Verizon Wireless or Sprint.

If you don’t want a multiyear service contract or if you prefer to use a local carrier when traveling abroad, the unlocked iPhone is the best choice. It arrives without a micro-SIM card, so you’ll need an active micro-SIM card from any supported GSM carrier worldwide. To start using it, simply insert the micro-SIM card into the slot on your iPhone and turn it on by pressing and holding the On/Off button for a few seconds. Then follow the onscreen instructions to set up your iPhone.

Expand
Expanding
Close

We’re not huge fans of the 3:01 a.m. ET pre-order that Apple has put up but it is a good way to make sure the hardcore get the first swipe at the iPhone 4S.

For the first time, US iPhone users will have a choice of three carriers with which to choose from. Obviously, the number one concern is if the carrier has good service in the area. There are some differentiators however:

1. Sprint offers an unlimited Data Plan (Through October).
2. AT&T’s GSM network will allow faster 14.4 Mbps (theoretical) data speeds and talk and simultaneous data and more international roaming options.
3. Verizon and AT&T have free hotspots on their 4GB and up plans while Sprint’s is $30/month.

Here’s our continuing survey for US iPhone purchasers:

The handy chart below can help you guide your decision (Looks like Sprint is going to be the best price for most high data people):

Expand
Expanding
Close

Time is doing a special run of its magazine this week.

Today, TIME releases a special commemorative issue on Steve Jobs to hit newsstands and tablet devices tomorrow, Friday, October 7.

To produce this special issue, TIME stopped the presses on its previously planned issue in order to devote its cover and 21 pages of the full issue to Jobs’ life and career. The issue includes a six-page essay by Jobs’ biographer Walter Isaacson, a historical report on Jobs career by TIME technology reporters Harry McCracken and Lev Grossman and a photo essay by Diana Walker, who has been shooting Jobs for TIME since 1982.

The cover image (right, click to enlarge) is a photograph of Jobs taken by Norman Seeff in 1984. This is the seventh time Jobs has appeared on the cover of TIME.

The magazine is increasing its print run for this special issue, which will be available worldwide.

Download the special commemorative cover image here: http://bit.ly/nNOCKK
View all Jobs’ TIME covers here: http://ti.me/d0cFZn
See the latest issue here later today: http://www.time.com/time/magazine

Excerpt of Isaacson’s Essay below:

Expand
Expanding
Close

Update: Simon and Schuster have announced that the book will now be released on October 24th.

The WSJ reports that Steve Jobs and biographer Walter Isaacson knew that he was dying weeks before the end.

According to a person familiar with the matter, Isaacson last interviewed Jobs four weeks ago, right before, and right after he stepped down from his post as the CEO of Apple.

Jobs indicated at that time that he knew he was going to die soon. The scene will appear at the end of the book.

From Isaacson’s upcoming Essay in Time Magazine:

A few weeks ago, I visited Jobs for the last time in his Palo Alto, Calif., home. He had moved to a downstairs bedroom because he was too weak to go up and down stairs. He was curled up in some pain, but his mind was still sharp and his humor vibrant. We talked about his childhood, and he gave me some pictures of his father and family to use in my biography. As a writer, I was used to being detached, but I was hit by a wave of sadness as I tried to say goodbye. In order to mask my emotion, I asked the one question that was still puzzling me: Why had he been so eager, during close to 50 interviews and conversations over the course of two years, to open up so much for a book when he was usually so private? “I wanted my kids to know me,” he said. “I wasn’t always there for them, and I wanted them to know why and to understand what I did.”

In the wake of Jobs’ death, his biography has catapulted to the top of the Best Sellers list at Amazon. Also the “Movers and Shakers” top two is the bio and I, Steve: Steve Jobs in his own words.

Perhaps ironically (because I read almost everything on an iPad now), this might be the last hard cover book I ever buy.

Expand
Expanding
Close

I had never heard this version until just now. It never aired.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rwsuXHA7RA]

Here’s to you, Steve. You were the Crazy One.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Sprint has updated its website to indicate that it is now taking pre-orders for the iPhone 4 and will obviously be offering the iPhone 4S on October 7th with Verizon and AT&T (and about 100 others) for delivery on October 14th.

Full Press Release including data plans follows:
Expand
Expanding
Close

Today’s iPhone 4S launch, while bringing a consolidated single phone to three US carriers, also presents some complexities. Some observations:

1. Probably obvious to some: The 14.4 speed increase is only on AT&T where that speed is actually available. Verizon and Sprint will continue to be at their same 3G speeds. They will also continue to have other CDMA limitations like being cut off of data when talking.
2. If you buy a Verizon iPhone 4S, you may not be able to head across the street to Sprint with your phone. And vice versa. Phone companies lock their devices so that you can’t move carriers as easy and it appears at first glance that the iPhone 4S won’t be an exception.
3. IF you have a Verizon or Sprint iPhone 4S, you likely will still be able to stick an international SIM card in your phone while travelling. However, will AT&T work in a VZ or Sprint iPhone? Unlikely.
4. Sprint is also getting the iPhone 4 but AT&T still has an exclusive on the iPhone 3GS in the US. If you factor in the costs of owning a phone for two years, the $100-200 saved up front is a drop in the bucket.
5. Sprint is the only US carrier offering truly unlimited data plans. From personal experience, Sprint offers great data connectivity, especially in big cities. It will be interesting to see how that network holds up as 30 million iPhones get onto Sprint’s network over the next four years.

Another poll for US iPhone users…

Expand
Expanding
Close

Expand
Expanding
Close

You’ll want to embed these in your own site, shirly.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFfm2uQbaLM]

Two more down South V

Expand
Expanding
Close

Kill Apple’s streaming servers here.

Update: Now posted to iTunes.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Here are the rest of today’s announced products as presented internally at Apple.

Apple’s Site is still a bit flaky right now but give it a try.

Expand
Expanding
Close