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Apple preps software patch for iPad WiFi SNAFU's

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Apple has confirmed its intention to issue a software fix to repair some well-reported WiFi connectivity issues plaguing some iPads.

Apple tech support has published a note detailing potential fixes to the problems, promising that “Apple will also address remaining Wi-Fi connectivity issues with a future iPad software update.”

Reported issues have included weak signal reception, forgotten passwords, and some networking issues. These are not universal problems: Apple says that only a

Apple-AT&T deal was a 5-year exclusive agreement…in 2007

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Engadget uncovered some old court documents which seem to indicate that Apple and AT&T did strike an exclusive five-year deal for the iPhone in 2007.  USA Today originally reported the deal but a lot of unconfirmed changes have been reported since.  From court documents:

“The duration of the exclusive Apple-[AT&T] agreement was not ‘secret’ either. The [plaintiff] quotes a May 21, 2007 USA Today article

Is Apple ready to play with WiGig and Light Peak?

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We live for speed. We want faster, faster, faster. Whether its speeding between destinations or exercising our creative computing muscles, we want faster file transfers, faster synching, faster wireless. One more thing, we’re really, really sick of cables.

Apple’s influence is felt in two emerging standards which together promise this faster world: Intel’s Light Peak and Wireless Gigabit (WiGig).

 

Super-fast WiFi will revolutionize digital homes – what's Apple's plan?

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Wireless Gigabit will be fast, it will be big, and version 1 of the new high-speed WiFi spec was introduced this morning. It promises a world without wires for any device.

Announced this weekend by the WiFi Alliance, the next-gen WiFi standard may make wires obsolete in your Mac and on your TV. The under development new standard transmits data at ten times the speed of today

New MacBook Air or 27-inch Cinema Display coming this week?

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Macworld.com.au today predicts a new product release this week based on a “well-placed source familiar with Apple inventory levels and product refreshes.”  This is the same person who was aware of the last round of MacBook Pros.

The new product number is MC516LL/A K87 BETTER BTR-USA.

Current MacBook Air part numbers are 1.86GHz MacBook Air (MC233LL/A) 2.13GHz MacBook Air (MC234LL/A).  Earlier reports said the MacBook Air would recieve the new, ultra low power Intel Core i3 processor, however, Intel has been behind on new processor deliveries lately.

One other request for a new MacBook Air? 4GB of RAM.  Even the lowest end MacBook Pro has 4GB.

Macworld.au also says that the part could refer to an updated Cinema Display, possibly even a 27-inch variety with the same screen as the iMac.  The current LED Cinema Display part number is MB382LL/A.

Or, it could be something else entirely.  Whatever it is, they expect it to make itself known on Tuesday.  Set your alarm clocks!

Some uncommon uses for the iPhone

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Some of the more interesting uses for an iPhone’s powered headphone port:  Fan, (friggen’) laser, flashlight, thermometer, heart monitor, infrared remote, microphone and stethoscope.  Oh and Square uses it to accept credit card transactions.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6QqE3a8LzA&w=630&h=505]

More videos below

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0VopnVZQ-w&w=630&h=505]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adSZdQTk0nI&w=630&h=505]

via Recombu

'iTunes Live' trademarked for live shows, Cloud?

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TechCrunch notes that Apple has applied for the trademark ‘iTunes Live’ with the above image representing the trademark.  The service would comprise the following areas, according to the application:

– Online retail store services in the field of entertainment featuring prerecorded musical, audio and audiovisual content

– Entertainment services, namely, arranging and conducting of concerts and live musical performances

Apple most likely owns iTunesLive.com as well (Mark Monitor is Apple’s 3rd party registrar of choice), so there could very easily be a Cloud component to this as well.

The moniker can already be seen on a few iTunes releases including the iTunes Live in Soho, below.

 

 

Speck iPad Cases Review

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YPf7yOGCfA&w=640&h=385]

Speck was nice enough to send out a couple of their latest iPad cases for review. In this review we take an in-depth look at the Speck Candyshell and Pixelshield for iPad.

Both cases are iPhone cases transformed into larger iPad counterparts. The Candyshell is a very nice looking case and comes in a few colors. The Candyshell offers a soft rubber interior and a hard exterior on the back. The upside to this is instant and easy usability, and the downside is no frontal protection. The iPad is very easy to get in and out of the case because of the inclusion of a docking hinge. The bottom of the case folds up so the iPad can be easily docked into the Apple standard or keyboard dock. Not many other cases have this. You can get the case on Amazon for about $25.

 

The Speck PixelShield for iPad is a pouch type, carrying case. Obviously, you can’t use the iPad while it is secured into this case. Its main purpose is to carry your iPad around so you can take it out on the fly and it does this very well. You can easily slip your iPad in and out of the case, and there is a pull over to protect the top of the device. The case has a one soft side and one much stronger side. It is recommended you place the iPad’s screen on the harder side to sustain damage. The case is very secure and is an excellent way to protect your iPad. The handle is also a nice addition.  You can get the case on Amazon for about $40.

 

Retweet this story for a chance to win one of these two cases.