Apps

Apple has released software updates to their iMovie and Garageband applications, which are a part of the iLife ’11 suite. The iMovie update brings scrolling performance improvements, and bug fixes for stabilization and Facebook uploading. The Garageband update brings bug fixes as well as the return of the ability to Quantize Note Timing for tracks with Groove Matching. Apple updated iPhoto with emailing enhanments recently and the updates are available in Software Update.

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Apple isn’t at CES once again this year and as per usual Cupertino’s shadow looms above the giant US trade show, where it seems competitors, including Microsoft, intend introducing their own iPad competitors, even as we learn that existing Android tablets may never get a software upgrade. Some highlights:
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Iomega is using CES to introduce Iomega SuperHero, a new combined iPhone docking station that’s also equipped with the capacity to record an iPhone data back-up when the device is inserted into the slot.

Some may argue that this duplicates what Apple’s iTunes does on its own — the media management software takes frequent back-ups of phone data. However, this doesn’t always mean the data you most need is backed-up in time.
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CES news is beginning to trickle through now, and we anticipate at least some AirPlay-enabled systems from the big audio dynamos will be waiting in the wings; meanwhile, WallWizard will be at the show to demonstrate its range of motorised iPhone/iPad-controlled HDTV mounts.
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You know it will happen when Apple ships iPad 2.0 next year, but clever coders are already seeking slick tricks to bring a little something like FaceTime support to existing iPad models.

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Skype just updated their Skype application for iOS to include video chat functionality. It works both over WiFi and 3G networks and two-way video calling is supported by the iPhone 4, iPod touch 4, and iPhone 3GS. The iPad and third generation iPod touch support one-way video calling. Just like on Apple’s FaceTime application Skype for iPhone will video conference in both portrait and landscape orientations.

Seth and I just tested out the application and it looks very smooth on both ends. It even works in the background but your face gets frozen for the person on the other end (audio still works). Just like with FaceTime there is an option for the iPhone user to display either the front camera’s view, back camera’s or no camera. We have more screenshots of Skype video chat after the break.

We also ran some tests over 3G and it looked very smooth. I was on 3G and Seth was on WiFi and he saw me as crisp as I looked over my WiFi network. My view of him was also smooth and when he pointing his camera at a moving fan that looked smooth as well. Also, we tested it on an iPad (which still is blown up, not a universal binary) and it looked as expected without the camera. When used with an iPhone 3GS you should get the option to see the user’s back camera. Release notes, official promo video, and more screenshots are after the break.

Update: Skype video calls over 3G will use around 3.4 MB of data per minute. We calculated this by looking at our usage info on our iPhone 4 before and after a one minute (timed of course) call. Below are our screenshots:

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMltvlqEM54&w=670&h=400]

Apple’s iOS has won a big thumbs-up from the Angry Birds themselves, who say that when it comes to mobile devices, Apple’s going to excel against the rest.

“Apple will be the number one platform for a long time from a developer perspective, they have gotten so many things right,” said Peter Vesterbacka, Angry Birds development lead.
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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_c8VM7lVo4&w=480&h=385]

Following yesterday’s proof of concept for hacking into the new iPod nano’s file system, developer Steven Troughton-Smith has figured out a way to put the device into DFU mode to install custom firmware files. The first part of the process is something anybody can do now with their sixth generation iPod nano. That is to hold down the iPod’s restart buttons until you see a black screen and a double reboot.

From here, Troughton-Smith modified the popular jailbreak utility iRecovery to work with the non-iOS iPod nano. After this, he used the newly modified iRecovery application to install an extracted operating system file onto the iPod nano (video above). This file was built to boot the iPod nano into a white screen mode and that is exactly what it did.

This obviously does not sound groundbreaking but in reality it is. An encrypted firmware file was just installed on an iPod nano and functioned as intended by the installer. This discovery is a step in the right direction for custom made firmware files to be installed on the iPod nano and is the best evidence yet for a possible iPod nano ‘jailbreak.’

A hacker/developer close to 9to5mac has let us know that Troughton-Smith’s discovery is a big step in the right direction, but before any custom firmware can actually be installed and used through this method an actual exploit in the iPod nano OS will be need to be found. To summarize, the method to install custom firmware on the iPod nano is present, but the jailbreak community is in need of an exploit to actually make this method useful.

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Today, Apple is letting developers know that they are back to approving (and blocking) apps from the App Store after a week holiday hiatus.

Developers are now seeing graphs on how successful they were over the Christmas holidays with some reporting significant spikes to us privately.  Camera+ wasn’t shy about revealing their spike however (below).

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iPad 2.0 activity continues to heat up with the latest report claiming Apple will offer multiple configurations of the new product, with an accent on provision of pervasive Internet access.

Apple is expected to ship over half a million iPad 2.0 units in January with mass production set to begin then, the report claims. It seems Apple will offer Wi-Fi-equipped units alongside UMTS and CDMA-savvy iPads, maximizing the always connected Internet device proposition.
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Bloomberg reports that Apple was sued on December 23rd over claims that App Store apps are proving user data to advertisers without consent. The lawsuit claims that Apple’s iOS devices “are encoded with identifying devices that allow advertising networks to track what applications users download, how frequently they’re used and for how long.” The lawsuit also states that user information like age, gender, and political views are being sold to advertisers as well.

The lawsuit not only puts Apple up as a defendant but cites the creators of popular apps like Paper Toss, Pandora, The Weather Channel, and Dictionary.com as defendants too. Apple of course defends themselves stating that they review each App Store app to defend its user’s privacy and will remove and reject any that take users data for malicious or advertising purposes.

The filers of the lawsuit are hoping for their claims to turn into a class-action-lawsuit and say that anyone who has downloaded an App Store app to an iOS device since December 1st 2008 should be eligible for compensation. The App Store opened up on July 11th 2008 so we’re unsure where this December 1st date exactly stems from.

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Step a board this $600,000 per week superyacht Solemates and be prepared to control your entire trip with an iPad. An iPad lets you control the entertainment systems, climate systems, blinds and lights among other things. Our favorite feature would have to be the button to summon a crew member for another drink. The best part is that if you don’t have an iPad (yet you’re boarding a $600,000 per week boat) the captain will hand you one when you board.

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWM8zafux_o&w=480&h=385]

As reported by MacStories, developer James Whelton apparently was able to break through the sixth generation iPod nano’s “cache comparison” system to make unofficially supported modifications. The developer proved the concept in the video above by demonstrating the ability to remove apps off the device. Although this does not seem ground breaking, the possibility of apps, video, calendars, and games on the latest iPod nano could soon become a reality.

The developer claims that he found files pertaining to games, apps, video, and calendars within the iPod nano’s file system leading to the conclusion that the nano’s operating system is definitely a hybrid between the old iPod nano operating system and iOS. The core is the old system while the layer on top resembles iOS. The developer says he will be posting more information about the nano “jailbreak” in the next few days so stay tuned.

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A Wichita Falls, Texas Find my iPhone user shares his Christmas miracle:

Pretty amazing Christmas Story! Early this morning my 2005 Land Rover was stolen from the Marriott in Wichita Falls TX. The local police put me on hold, transferred me around and did nothing. My iPhone was in the car in between the seats and turned on. I tracked it using MobileMe Find My Phone to HWY 287 on the way to Decatur. When they exited the highway and headed on a Farm road for Justin TX a few miles away, I contacted the Justin Police and with the help of a very savvy operator we pinpointed the car at a Sonic. While I was on the phone with her, she said the officer sees your car and is going to make the arrest. A few minutes later she frantically calls me to start tracking the car again. The officer had handcuffed the suspects, sat one down on the curb while putting the other in the back seat. When he got back, the guy had Houdini’d the cuffs from behind his back to the front, fought with the officer and jumped in my car, dragged him and ran over him. I followed the car on the iPhone and directed the Highway Patrol to where he was – high speed chase ending with him flipping the Land Rover several times. The policeman is going to be fine – he is at the hospital with multiple bruises etc. The screenshot is where the car thieves ran over the policeman and escaped. I am just so thankful the policeman was not seriously hurt – I could care less about the car or the crook.

His story not only shows how helpful Find my iPhone is for finding your lost iOS device but also shows how helpful it can be for retrieving items like cars. If you read the account you will notice that a helping police officer was badly injured in the ordeal but he is now in stable condition. A double miracle. Here’s a video of the accompanying news report. (Clarification: The news report incorrectly cites OnStar as the tracking service although it was really MobileMe according the user.  Also, in case it isn’t painfully obvious, that screenshot isn’t of this incident)

Update: another report of the incident.

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlOOz5xLvqg&w=640&h=385]

Sleipnir is a great new browser for the iPhone and it brings some unique features to the table. It’s not native like iOS Safari and it doesn’t bring flash video to the iPhone like SkyFire but it does bring a very unique and intuitive tabbed browsing experience. The tabs feature (video above) lets you flick through your different tabs (similar to Opera Mobile) without having to leave the page you are currently browsing.

Sleipnir also has a very smooth full screen mode that users may find helpful on pages with a lot of text. The browser is also very smooth and “snappy” overall with quick pinching and zooming. Additioanlly, the browser has an enhanced search bar that lets you quickly search Google, Amazon, eBay, Wikipedia, Google Images, Google Realtime, Yahoo, and Bing. It’s available for free on the App Store. (via TUAW)

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We just got our hands on some information about the upcoming Mac App Store. First here’s a screenshot of the login page you will need to pass through in order to download apps. What’s interesting based on the description is that you will be able to use your Apple Account, iTunes account, or MobileMe account to download apps.

Next, the Mac App Store will have parental control preferences as well as age ratings that are similar to those found on the iTunes App Store for iOS devices:

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The Mac App Store won’t only be a new application in Mac OS X 10.6.6 but will be integrated deeply into the operating system. A MacGeneration forum poster found that when he attempted to open an unsupported file on Mac OS X 10.6.6 build 10J537 his Mac asked him if he would like to search the App Store for an application to open the unsupported file type. This new feature can be compared to a feature on Windows that allows you to search the web for applications to open unsupported files. The Mac way is more native and secure though due to Apple’s Mac App Store review process. Above is our screenshot in English.

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Angry Birds Plushies at Amazon

Everyone’s favorite iOS game, Angry Birds just got updated with 15 new levels, a new theme and more…

Angry Birds is back with a brand new update!

New Features in version 1.5.0:
– A NEW THEME IN THE FRONTIER BADLANDS
– 15 NEW LEVELS – NO BELLYACHIN’
– A NEW GOLDEN EGG FOR Y’ALL CITY SLICKERS
– COWBOY UP WITH THE MIGHTY EAGLE

We’d like to take this opportunity to extend our infinite gratitude to friends of our fierce birds everywhere. We thank you sincerely from the bottoms of our fluffy hearts for making Angry Birds the highest rated and best selling game ever on iTunes!

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-0i2GoXd3w&w=670&h=527]

Good news from billionaire Richard Branson’s iPad publishing venture — Project: you can download Project 1 for free for the holidays. And, as this video shows, the winner of the title’s competition to design the front cover of issue two has been announced.
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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMx0k2KPy8A&w=640&h=385]

SkyFire for iPad has just hit the App Store and it brings flash video content to the iPad as well as a slew as other bonuses not found on the native Safari web browser. SkyFire for iPad costs $4.99 and an iPhone version is available as well for $2.99. SkyFire for iPad’s feature list is after the break.

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We just love surprises here at 9to5Mac, from the news that the MacBook Pro is the biggest-selling laptop on Amazon at time of writing (second-best in the UK) to the peachy-keen deals on Apple Protection there, but that’s not what this story is about — this surprise comes from the developers at Occipital who have uncovered secret augmented reality capabilities within Mobile Safari for iOS 4.2, woot!!
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