Apple has released iOS 8.1.1, a minor update to last month’s iOS 8.1 release for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The public release for iOS 8.1.1 follows a beta release to members of Apple’s developer program. Last month Apple released iOS 8.1 which introduced Apple Pay support for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users as well as the iCloud Photo Library public beta.
A1427 (left) vs. A1469 (right) image via AnandTech
While initial speculation was that Apple’s quietly refreshed Apple TV would include an A5X processor, recent tear downs of the device have revealed Apple is actually including new silicon with a single core 32NM ARM Cortex A9 CPU and overall die size reduction of 50 percent. However, new information today revealed even more tweaked components in the new Apple TV that could account for significant power savings, reduced cost, and possibly new low-cost iOS devices from Apple.
Chipworks previously performed its usual analysis finding the new A5 chip measures 6.1-by-6.2 mm, compared to the larger 69mm2 previous generation A5, and features several redesigned components. While Apple reassured us the slightly upgraded Apple TV is identical in appearance and user experience for consumers, its tweaked components could have some major implications for future Apple TV products and possibly even other iOS devices.
Apple included a dual-core chip with 1-core disabled in the Apple TV, and Chipworks speculated the move to the redesigned, single-core silicon could signal Apple has plans for an additional single-core device in the future. This has not surprisingly lead to speculation that the device could be Apple’s much-rumored, low-cost iPhone.
With new evidence today of even further power and cost reduction changes in the Apple TV, it’s also possible Apple could lower the price on the device and/or enable further discounts through retailers (you can now find it as low as $85)…
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As iOS 6 officially unveiled yesterday, we noted a few of the features—such as Siri and FaceTime—would only be available on certain iOS devices. Ars Technica noticed the 3D flyover feature of Apple’s new Maps app would only be available to A5-powered iOS devices. In case you were wondering exactly which iOS 6 features will be compatible with your iOS device, Apple published a list (below) on its iOS 6 preview page that details all of the limitations for specific features:
-Flyover and turn-by-turn navigation will be available only on iPhone 4S and iPad 2 or later. Cellular data charges may apply.
-Siri will be available only on iPhone 4S and iPad (3rd generation) and requires Internet access. Siri may not be available in all languages or all areas, and features may vary by area. Cellular data charges may apply.
-Shared Photo Streams requires iOS 6 on iPhone 4 or later or iPad 2 or later, or a Mac computer with OS X Mountain Lion. An up-to-date browser is required for accessing shared photo streams on the web.
-FaceTime over a cellular network requires iPhone 4S or iPad (3rd generation) with cellular data capability. Carrier data charges may apply. FaceTime is not available in all countries.
-VIP list and VIP and Flagged smart mailboxes will be available on iPhone 4 or later and iPad 2 or later.
-Offline Reading List will be available on iPhone 4 or later and iPad 2 or later.
-Made for iPhone hearing aids require iPhone 4S.
-Find My Friends and Find My iPhone enable you to locate iOS devices only when they are on and connected to a registered Wi-Fi network or have an active data plan. Not available in all areas.
Following the first teardown of the new Apple TV over the weekend at XBMC.org, we get some more details from yet another teardown. They already gave the new iPad the teardown treatment, and now our friends over at iFixit ripped apart the third-generation Apple TV giving it an 8 out of 10 reparability score. The report revealed the device now has two antennas instead of one, which iFixit noted: “Apple added the new antenna to address complaints about range and signal strength.” It also discovered a Broadcom 4330 chip (same as the new iPad) with support for dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5GHz 802.11 a/b/g/n, as well as a new single-core A5 processor. iFixit noticed the new design does not rely on a thermal cooling pad, which could mean the new single-core CPU does not run as hot as earlier generations.
The chips inside:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDBHXbwgdc4]
Hacker Pod2g posted an interesting video this morning on his blog that shows a working untethered jailbreak performed on the iPhone 4S with iOS 5.0.1. It runs without a hiccup and the device easily reboots after the jailbreak without needing to tether it to a computer. The video is credited to Dustin Howett, a Chronic Dev Team member.
According to Pod2g, with “only a few to wait now,” an untethered jailbreak for iPhone 4S and iPad 2 is around the corner. The video demonstration follows a flurry of Twitter activity last week that indicated that jailbreak community is now close to releasing a jailbreak solution for A5-driven iOS devices running iOS 5.0.1. Note that an untethered jailbreak for non-A5 devices running iOS 5.0.1 has been available since the end of 2011.
