iOS devices refer to any of Apple’s hardware that runs the iOS mobile operating system which include iPhones, iPads, and iPods. Historically, Apple releases a new iOS version once a year, the current version is iOS 10. Here is the complete list of iOS 10 compatible devices.
An interesting screenshot has come our way from a confirmed Apple employee and it confirms the iOS 5 Nuance speech-t0-text functionality we first revealed to the world by way of the iOS 5 SDK. As you can see in the screenshot above, Nuance speech-to-text in iOS 5 is very real and it is being tested right now in the wild. This is how we previously described the feature based on our own code findings:
From the above finding, it appears that on iOS 5′s system wide keyboard (or when Apple decides to release this feature), there will be a button to initiate the dictation. This button is referred to the “start” button in the above code snippet. After the start button is clicked, a microphone screen will popover and when the user is done, they can double tap that new microphone view and the speech will be translated into text and the touch keyboard will return. There also may or may not be an option for the iOS device’s microphone to automatically translate the speech into text when it senses the user has stopped talking.
A new patent application published by the US Patent & Trademark Office (via Patently Apple) today reveals Apple’s possible plans to radically change the implementation of antennas in future iPhones and other small form factor devices.
The majority of the patent describes a new composite material made up of a “foam substrate formed of a plurality of foam cells”. However, possible uses for the composite, as detailed in the patent, include a possible new antenna window on mobile devices. This would mark a huge departure from the antenna design in the currently shipping iPhone 4, which still relies on the antenna baked into the stainless steel frame. The same antenna that caused so much controversy regarding reception issues.
Patently Apple explains the potential benefits of the composite: Expand Expanding Close
Like politics, smartphone wars come down to two major parties – Google and Apple – embroiled in a never-ending fight for consumers, especially those who have not made up their mind as to which operating system they’d like in their next smartphone. According to July 2011 data from Nielsen survey, “these ‘undecideds’ will be the ones device makers will be hoping to win over”. Interestingly, the Late Adopters among likely smartphone upgraders are the ones most likely to be undecided about their next phone platform.
The research firm discovered that forty percent Americans aged 18+ now have smartphones. Android leads the pack with a forty percent OS platform share and iOS came in second with 28 percent. Compared to Nielsen’s June 2011 study, Android grew its share by one percentage point while iOS growth fell flat. The BlackBerry platform lost one percentage share and now stands at nineteen percent.
Of those buying a new smartphone next year, one third would opt for an iPhone and another third would go Android. This leaves other manufacturers outside the Android-iOS duopoly to fight for the remaining 33 percent of buyers.
Contract manufacturer Foxconn, which makes Apple gadgets, is expected to manufacture twenty million iPad 2s in the third quarter, more than doubling the 9.25 million iPad units Apple sold during the previous quarter of this year. The tidbit came in a DigiTimesreport today:
For the third quarter, Foxconn is expected to ship 20 million units of iPad 2 to Apple, a growth of 60% sequentially, and the orders should be the major growth driver for the company in the second half.
Foxconn just reported its financial results for the first half of this year. Net profits reached NT$27.38 billion, or about $945.93 million, but earnings per share decline 20 percent from the year-ago quarter, down to NT$2.58. For the Christmas quarter, however… Expand Expanding Close
In April, Hulu blocked support for HDMI mirroring of their Hulu Plus application for the Apple iPad. Now, Hulu has released an updated version of the popular video playing application that brings back support for the handy feature.
Now, Hulu Plus users with an iPad 2 and the Apple HDMI adapter can watch Hulu Plus’s content on the big screen. This mirroring will presumably also work through Apple’s new AirPlay Mirroring service in iOS 5 for the iPad 2.
Other changes:
• Added ability to save an entire season to Queue
• A subset of content includes closed captioning support
• iPad 2 supports HDMI video out (standard definition only)
• “Subscriptions” are now “Favorites”
• Fixed miscellaneous bugs
Apple has released a new television advertisement for the iPad 2. This new advertisement follows the tone of Apple’s most recent iPad 2 advertisements and shares the same narrator. The new advertisement focuses on Apple’s push of the iPad in education. As you can see in the advertisement above, Apple showcases reading in their iBooks app, an astronomy application, a chess application, a language learning application, and more.
Apple has just released iOS 5 beta 7 to developers as an over-the-air update. iOS 5 includes new features like Notification Center, Twitter integration, Newsstand, and iCloud support. The software update will become publicly available this fall, likely alongside the new iPhone lineup in early October. Apple has released iTunes 10.5 beta 7 and Xcode 4.2 beta 7 as well. Apple has also just released Safari 5.1.1 update 3. Let us know at tips@9to5mac.com anything you find!
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We’ve found that in the Wi-Fi sync settings there is now support for multiple Macs. Under each Mac you’ll find what categories your iOS devide will sync to. Thanks Christoph!
Additionally, the Nuance Text to speech is now available as a menu item (below)
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The following issues relate to using the 5.0 SDK to develop code.We’ve pasted the full change log for the new beta after the break:
Apple’s latest Photo Stream beta has an interesting icon that seems to look like the rumored iPhone 5s with extended screen and elongated home button (we count 4 pixels by 2 pixels – close up below the fold and actual icon, right). What do you think? Coincidence? (Thanks Steve and Olivier!)
It looks like Apple has just started offering refurbished iPad 2s via the Apple online store, as noted by Dealnews and MacRumors. We aren’t going to jump to any upcoming iPad 3 conclusions just yet, but the discount is definitely a welcomed entry price point for new iPad owners in the midst of tablet makers looking to go after the low-end tablet market.
The only iPad 2s currently available include the 32GB and 64GB Wi-Fi+3G models going for $679 and $779, and the 64GB Wi-Fi only model going for $649. It looks like both black and white models are currently available as well as all four carrier options for the 3G models. If you can get your hands on one before they’re gone, it’s listed as shipping in 1-3 business days. Expand Expanding Close
There is no shortage of GPS-enabled apps on Apple’s mobile devices. Unfortunately, quality programs usually cost north of fifty bucks. For example, Garmin’s StreetPilot, an excellent navigation app for iOS gadgets, is a $60 download – you can get refurbished low-end handheld GPS devices for that sum. Figuring out the realities, Garmin released a brand new, low-cost, subscription based personal navigation iOS app, the Garmin StreetPilot onDemand.
The program works with iPhones as well as WiFi and 3G models of iPad and costs just 99 cents a month to use. It includes public transit information for 31 metropolitan areas, pretty 3D graphics, standard walking, driving and public transportation directions, spoken turb-by-turn directions and more.
You can download Garmin StreetPilot onDemand from the App Store and let iTunes charge your credit card 99 cents each month or opt for a premium subscription that comes with advanced features. More on that, plus three more screenshots after the break.
Microsoft rarely moves fast to keep their Mac software up-to-date, so it’s a welcome sign that its Connector app has just been updated, ahead of the flurry of new Windows Phones expected any time now. Of course, Microsoft’s mobile platform is not faring well: It declined to a single-digit percent market share and is now tucked away under the Other category in market surveys.
But if you do care, the updated Connector app will let you access Microsoft’s app store called Marketplace, transfer ringtones to Mango-powered devices, drag files, import images from Apple’s Aperture app and fully sync Mango phones with your Mac. Bonus: It syncs Zunes, too. You can download Windows Phone 7 Connector from the Mac App Store free of charge. Full specs and couple more screenies after the break.
Remember when the iPad was but a rumor? And how the rumor-mill was citing unnamed Hollywood executives who used to boast how an Apple tablet would be awesome for watching movies? Apple, the sources would have us believe, was supposed to let customers subscribe to bulk TV channel in iTunes and enjoy quality TV programming on their tablet. Unfortunately, that wasn’t meant to be. Blame it on the forces that be, which couldn’t come to terms at the negotiating table.
Enter Eye TV Mobile, an iPad 2 dongle from Elgato, the established maker of cool accessories for Apple products. Just pop in this thing into your iPad 2’s 30-pin dock connector and you’re ready to enjoy live television broadcast via an integrated DTT/Freeviewer receiver. Even better, you can record programs using a free companion app, browse an electronic program guide and more.
On the downside, this dongle won’t capture analogue television broadcasts nor will it work in the U.S., it’s basically a digital TV tuner for the European market. The dongle will set you back a hundred Euros/quid. Elgato has yet to announce availability so head over at the Elgato site to check out more details. Engadget’s hands-on video is right below the fold.
Here’s something interesting that appeared in our inbox this evening. According to our tipster SulfoDK, the middle iPhone antenna below will be the new ‘iPhone 4S’ antenna band. It appears to simply be the current CDMA antenna with a SIM card tray cut out in a similar spot as the GSM iPhone 4 (and as such could be faked or prototyped fairly easily). With the amount of advertising on these images and the easy in which it could be faked, we are wary.
But the idea works out on some levels and here’s why: If Apple were to build only one ‘iPhone 4S’ for 2011-2012 season, they could sell what is basically the Verizon iPhone 4 with its worldphone Gobi chip and an added SIM tray to every carrier. It would make sense to keep that overall same antenna design since it already works well on Verizon. Earlier cases seem to indicate the same thing.
For clarification below, the frame on top labelled ‘4G’ is the current GSM iPhone 4. They are using ‘4G’ in the AT&T/T-Mobile sense.
A report from Reuters suggests Palo Alto-based Flipboard is considering taking on Netflix, Hulu, Apple, and others by attempting to land deals that would allow them to offer TV shows.
Flipboard is currently only available as an iPad app and as it stands provides limited content (albeit in a stylish manner) in magazine format from a number of publications including Economist and Oprah.com. It also takes a unique approach of integrating social updates from Twitter and Facebook into the layout. The report claims Flipboard is currently in talks with studios in order to land the deals necessary for rights to add TV shows as well.
It’s unclear exactly who the company has approached and how far along talks are, but the report says Chief Executive Mike McCue wants to start on the project “at the end of the year”. He also has plans to sign up book publishers and release an iPhone version in the near future. This comes on the heels of competitor Zite being snatched up by CNN, and a number of other high profile alternatives getting deals with studios in place. Expand Expanding Close
As you know, Apple yesterday released iTunes 10.5 Beta 6.1 to developers. The software has brought out iTunes Match, a highly anticipated feature that lets you access your entire music library via iCloud, on any PC/Mac desktop or iOS device. Now, ever since Steve Jobs took the wraps off of the new service at Apple’s developer conference in June, people have been concerned with usability because Apple avoided any mention of the term “streaming”. A music service in the cloud that only lets you download individual songs to your devices did sound like a disappointment to many, especially compared to Amazon’s Cloud Drive and Google’s Music Beta, both streaming-enabled.
Worry not, though: If early demo videos are anything to go by, iTunes Match sports best features from both worlds. To download a file to your device, just hit the little down arrow next to a song in desktop iTunes or the Music app on iOS 5. You can also remove a local file from your device, which will make the arrow icon re-appear. Tapping a song appears to initiate a streaming session with almost no delay, as seen in a pair of clips by Insanely Great Mac.
However, All Things D’s Peter Kafka argues this isn’t necessarily streaming per se. Instead, he observes, “Apple says that what looks like a ‘stream’ is really a simultaneous listen and download — users can hear the song while their machine ingests it”. Interestingly, the publication quotes an unnamed music industry executive who says Apple did acquire streaming rights. The source hinted that “this is a philosophical/design issue on Apple’s part”. Also, an Apple spokesperson told All Things D this:
While a video making the rounds today makes it seem as if Apple’s upcoming iTunes Match service will stream music from Apple’s servers to a user’s device, that’s not the case. An Apple spokesperson confirms that any music you want to access from your cloud-based “locker” will still need to be stored on your iPad, or iPhone, or whatever device you’re using to listen to the song.
Semantics aside, the fact remains that you can listen to an iCloud song without having to download the entire file first. It’s not true streaming where the file gets deleted immediately upon playing, but is close enough. A couple more noteworthy observations on iTunes Match…
UPDATE 1 [Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 4:07 PM]: Macerkopf.deis reporting that Vodafone will also sell iPad 2 in their own retails stores across Germany. And iPadClub.nlhas it on good authority that Vodafone is going to do the same in the Netherlands, along with a dedicated iPad corner. Plus, something’s obviously up with big carriers making announcements the same day as SetteB.ITinformed us that Vodafone just announced iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G availability in Italy.
Deutsche Telekom, Europe’s largest telecommunications company headquartered in Bonn, Germany, will reportedly begin selling 3G version of Apple’s iPad 2 directly in their retail stores across Germany, Austria, Greece, Poland and the Netherlands. iFun.deexplained this morning that even though the wireless operator has had 3G data tariffs for iPad 2 owners for some time in their offering, they have never gotten to actually selling the hardware themselves.
The site stopped short of providing availability or pricing information and noted Deutsche Telekom is expected to make an announcement in due time. This is no doubt great news for Apple which saw its global footprint for iOS gadgets increase substantially under Tim Cook’s watch. Apple operates five stores in Germany and is planning to open at least four new stores in the country this year alone. The company does not yet have stores in Austria, Greece, Poland and the Netherlands and instead relies on authorized resellers to push their products in those and other markets.
Greek-language site Greek-iPhone.compublished (Google translate) a set of photos claiming to represent a high-resolution camera module with LED flash, presumably for iPhone 5. The site, whose track record in the Apple reporting biz has not been fully established, claims the module on show is “quite different” compared to that on the iPhone 4. It is round, a little thinner and appears to have more megapixels, the site informs. The part is labeled 00094 C6/11291 BB.
Gadgets DNA notes these are the same parts leaked yesterday – and they do appear to be similar – but there is no way to tell that for a fact. Meanwhile, Giz-China.compoints toLead-mall.com, a Chinese supplier of iPhone parts which lists the eight-megapixel camera module for nine bucks, which is the same asking price for the iPhone 5’s supposed front camera with cables.
Now, Greek-iPhone.com did discover in February that Mac OS X Lion would support Yahoo! accounts for chat, audio and video conferencing. However, you’re advised to take their report with skepticism and treat the images included here not as a definite evidence. It has become difficult to predict anything about Apple’s next handset with any degree of certainty due to a number of conflicting reports that polluted the blogosphere.
The site also leaked an audio cable which appears to confirm a little design change with the iPhone 5 buttons, included below the fold.
DigiTimes in a story today, which was sourced from “upstream panel suppliers”, claims that Apple’s next phone will have a slightly larger display, but not drastically. That, plus this little tidbit, confirming earlier rumors that the iPhone 4’s glass design fell out of favor with the management:
In addition, iPhone 5’s back design will be changed to a metal chassis instead of reinforced-glasses.
Specifically, the publication has shot down rumors of a much larger display on the next iPhone, instead saying that iPhone 5 “will adopt a 3.5- to 3.7-inch panel with a design to allow the bezel of the panel to become thinner and make the screen look larger”.
And if the metallic back claim is true, than the pictures of iPhone 5 LCD, digitizer screen panel and the home button leaked by MacPost.netcould in fact be for the iPhone 4S, a minor refresh rumored to be unveiled alongside a major iPhone 5 update which we reported could be up for pre-order September 29. The site acknowledges this, having updated the story with this caveat:
After today’s report of iPhone 5 getting metallic back instead of reinforced glass, we think that these parts are for cost-effective iPhone 4S and not for upgraded model.
The LCD part is labeled as N94 “EVT1” and dated March 3, 2011. As you may recall, 9to5Macfound references to the “N94” in the iOS 5.0 SDK earlier this year, which we suspect could be an A5-powered next-generation iPhone. Engadget also spotted on the above images what looks like a FaceTime camera LED indicator.
There is also the elusive N97 which Engadget says already reached DVT back in June. The N97 is a smaller device with an edge-to-edge screen, according to this Wall Street Journalstory. It would make sense that this could be the “new” iPhone 4 with 8GB storage. On the other hand, it is also possible that N97 is the iPhone 5.
Also, Apple’s software development kit for iOS devices says N94 has A5 and it would be actually cheaper for Apple to make a bunch of A5 processors rather than some A5 and A4. Plus, there is also N93, which could be a carrier variation.
EVT stands for Engineering Verification Testing, a phase before DVT (Device Verification Testing) which is one step below the actual production. The N94 marking indicates a new hardware model and the March date of Engineering Verification Testing indicates that the next iPhone is right where you’d expect it to be right now, in early manufacturing.
Other takeaways: The parts indicate the same bezel space (no edge-to-edge display design), “similar space between the screen and the home button and top ear piece”, and the regular home button. The last one pretty much dispels earlier rumors of an elongated home button that responds to touch and even stories that the next iPhone may lose the home button entirely.
Adobe today released a new iOS app dubbed CreatePDF that does right what the name suggest. Using CreatePDF, one can create PDF documents from scratch, right on their iOS device, down to images, links, formatting, footnotes, drawings and more. Adobe touts “the same high-quality PDF creation as Adobe Acrobat” and you can pretty much create any PDF document you could think of as the app works in tandem with the cloud to ensure quality PDF conversion.
Upon installing, CreatePDF registers as a default app to open Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents, Adobe Illustrator drawings, Photoshop images and InDesign files, in addition to Open Office and StarOffice documents and JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF and TIFF images. This lets you send the aforementioned mail attachments or documents from other apps to CreatePDF using the “Open In…” feature of iOS. CreatePDF is a universal binary that costs ten bucks over at the App Store. More screenies and full features list after the break.
Samsung on Monday promised to challenge Apple’s copyright infringement claims in Australia. Specifically, news agencies report, the Korean consumer electronics maker said today it “will continue to actively defend its right to launch the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia”. Reutersreports that the company confirmed plans to delay the Galaxy Tab 10.1 launch in Australia until after a court ruling in late September on its ongoing legal spat with Apple. Furthermore, Samsung will file a counterclaim with the Australian court in the coming days, seeking to invalidate Apple’s patents plus another one asserting a patent infringement on Apple’s part:
Today, Samsung informed the Federal Court of Australia it intends to file a cross claim against Apple Australia and Apple Inc regarding the invalidity of the patents previously asserted by Apple and also a cross claim against Apple regarding violation of patents held by Samsung by selling its iPhones and iPads
According toThe Sydney Morning Herald, a hearing before the Australian court is due September 26 and 29 and Samsung agreed “not to sell or advertise” the tablet before September 30. The article also mentions the possibility of a high-profile testimony by both parties:
Apple and Samsung returned to court this afternoon, with Samsung agreeing not to sell or advertise the Galaxy Tab 10.1 before September 30. Apple will detail the specific patents involved in the case by this Friday and will provide a more comprehensive statement of facts by September 5. Samsung will provide points in answer by September 16, with the case going to a formal hearing on September 26 and 29. It was indicated today that top executives and inventors from both Apple and Samsung may appear in person or over video link to explain their patents.
Sometimes we forget how much fun Cydia apps are. This kid does a pretty good 15 minute demo of what’s happening in the Cydia world right now. Expand Expanding Close
While it may seem obvious, Sprint is telling its dealers not to discuss the possibility of an upcoming iPhone 5 according to SprintFeed.
If the nation’s third largest carrier wasn’t getting the iPhone, would they put in such harsh lockdown measures? Why not instruct employees to tell customers to look at a nice Blackberry or Android instead? Color us skeptical.
Samsung, a producer of critical parts for Apple’s gadgets, may be on the verge of suffering another financial blow from Apple. A new report alleges that the Cupertino, California-headquartered personal electronics maker began lining up alternative suppliers for the A6 chip. The in-house designed processor should debut in iPad 3 next year and eventually make its way into iPhone 6 .
Trade publication DigiTimeshas it on good authority that Apple recently visited an assembly line of packaging and testing firm Siliconware Precision Industries (SPIL). Based on what they saw, they concluded that officials from Apple are reportedly willing to discuss the possibility of working together on the upcoming A6 processor:
Apple recently conducted a visit to SPIL’s assembly line, and both parties discussed opportunities for cooperation, the sources revealed. SPIL stands a chance of becoming the first packaging and testing service provider designated by Apple, cutting into the supply chain of the vendor’s processor line, the sources said.
The report explains SPIL is likely to “snatch outsourcing orders” for the A6 chip. Needles to say, SPIL is denying the story, which is what companies caught up in juicy Apple rumors always do.
The Wall Street Journalmakes a brief mention of a mysterious new video delivery technology Apple is allegedly working on:
Apple is working on new technology to deliver video to televisions, and has been discussing whether to try to launch a subscription TV service, according to people familiar with the matter.
Authors Yukari Iwatani Kane and Jessica Vascellaro did not elaborate further, beyond alluding it could be related to a subscription-based television programming that might be bulked through iTunes, akin to cable deals. Another report earlier this month asserted Apple is in fact developing iTunes Replay, “a full-fledged re-downloading and possibly streaming service”. Apple earlier this year enabled iTunes users to redownload purchased apps, e-books, music and other content free of charge, on an unlimited basis. Most recently the company added television shows to the mix, effectively creating a cloud-based locker for Hollywood entertainment.
While the prospect of the so-called Apple television remains sketchy, Apple recently made moves that could be viewed as preparing such a branded, networked television set with the Apple TV functionality built-in.
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