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iOS Devices

9,871 'iOS Devices' stories May 2007 - December 2009
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The devices that run the world’s most advanced mobile operating system

Check out our top stories on iOS Devices:

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.

Ford gets an iTunes-tagging habit

Avatar for 9to5 Staff Dec 29 2009 - 4:44 am PT
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Automaker Ford has caught up with the iTunes story and is now introducing high def radios equipped with iTunes tagging, following its announcement earlier this month of plans to extend WiFi access to new car customers.

The move makes Ford the first car maker to offer factory-installed HD radios equipped with iTunes tagging as standard across many of its models.

“iTunes Tagging and HD Radio technology are strong new additions to the growing collection of Ford convenience features and technology we’re offering customers to make driving even more enjoyable,” said Mark Fields, president of The Americas.

The implementation means Ford customers will gain the ability to capture a song they hear on the HD Radio receiver for later purchase. With a simple push of the “TAG” button on the radio display, the song information will be stored in the radio’s memory.

Up to 100 tags on SYNC can be stored until the iPod is connected. When the iPod is then synced to iTunes, a playlist of “tagged” songs will appear. Customers then can preview and, if desired, purchase and download tagged songs from the iTunes Store.

The products are set for introduction at giant US trade show, CES, next month.

iSlate reminds of Apple MessageSlate prototype based on Newton

Avatar for 9to5 Staff Dec 28 2009 - 8:15 am PT
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Macrumors keeps with the Slate Meme by digging deep into Apple’s archives and pulling out the ‘MessageSlate’ prototype from the early 1990’s.  To us, this gives less credence to the iSlate name.  Apple, and specifically Steve Jobs, are not nostalgic for old terms and products and like to look forward not back.   Plus, this prototype is upside down.

Can you think of a time where Apple pulled an old entity from its past (Steve Jobs not withstanding)?

Gunman for iPhone is virtual Lasertag

Avatar for 9to5 Staff Dec 27 2009 - 9:47 pm PT
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Gunman ($.99 app store) is the most exciting use of an iPhone game we’ve seen in quite awhile.  Basically, it turns your iPhone into an augmented Lasertag device.  Remember those?  More info below (via MobileWack)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp29W61pwTA&w=600&h=385]

Update: Gunman will be available for just $0.99 this Holiday week, so take advantage of this special opportunity to get the app that Engadget.com said “finally makes augmented reality awesome.” Happy Holidays from ShadowForce!!!

“Gunman for iPhone finally makes augmented reality awesome” – Engadget

“It’s part paintball, part first person shooter, part urban warfare, and it all happens on you’re iPhone.” – NBC Los Angeles

“Does it really work? If the concept sounds too futuristic, don

AT&T has stopped selling iPhone in NYC because it can't handle the traffic? (Update: Fraudulent activity)

Avatar for 9to5 Staff Dec 27 2009 - 5:16 pm PT
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Update 2: just heard from AT&T.  They said:
Thanks for reaching out.  Here’s our statement this evening:

“We periodically modify our promotions and distribution channels.”

 

WTF!

Update: We’re hearing that they aren’t shipping online orders to NYC because of widespread fraud in the NYC area.  If so, these fraudsters aren’t going to be able to foil this sophisticated fraud prevention tactic by ordering to another ZIP code.

Thanks Dan B.

 

According to a Consumerist report, AT&T has stopped selling the iPhone online to Zip codes in the New York City Metro area.  We’ve confirmed that we cannot get an iPhone online from AT&T’s online store with our NYC and Westchester Zip codes. Is New York not ready for the iPhone?

A Consumerist reader reported:

I was on the AT&T Wireless website trying to get an iPhone. However, when I put in my zip code 11231, the site says the iPhone is unavailable. This seemed a little odd so I started punching in other famous zip codes: 90210, 60609 (spiegel catalog), 02134 (zoom, an old children’s show).For theses cities, LA, Chicago, Boston, iPhone is available. Then I looked up some other zip codes: Dallas, Miami, St. Louis, Philadelphia, San Francisco. All those cities are ok. Then I started putting in more NYC zip codes: midtown, Staten Island, the Bronx…no iPhone available.

This is weird…AT&T has cut off New York City.

They even contacted AT&T support to verify the problem:

Daphne: Welcome to AT&T online Sales support. How may I assist you with placing your order today?

Laura: Hi, I was looking at the iPhone 3Gs and the system tells me that I cannot order one in my ZIP code. My zip code is 11231. (Brooklyn, NY) Is this true? Are iPhones no longer available in New York City?

Daphne: I am happy to be helping you today . Yes, this is correct the phone is not offered to you because New York is not ready for the iPhone. Daphne: You don’t have enough towers to handle the phone.

Laura: Thank you for your help. So the phone is not available to people anywhere in the city?

Daphne: Yes this is correct Laura. 

Is it true? Is New York not ready for the iPhone?  We’re hoping to get some clarification from AT&T ASAP.  

Update: We’re hearing that they aren’t shipping online orders to NYC because of widespread fraud in the NYC area.  If so, these fraudsters aren’t going to be able to foil this sophisticated fraud prevention tactic by ordering to another ZIP code.

Thanks Dan B.

Thanks Mark!

New GV Mobile app coming to iPhone, probably only Jailbroken

Avatar for 9to5 Staff Dec 27 2009 - 2:51 pm PT
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Apple controversially kicked GV Mobile out of the App Store earlier this year citing that Google Voice App would confuse users (Whereas Skype and Vonage wouldn’t?) who were using the phone.app.  Sean Kovacs, the developer of GV Mobile, wasn’t deterred.  Within hours, he moved his app to the Cydia (Jailbreak) store where it has enjoyed some measure of success and has seen regular updates.

Those of us who downloaded the ‘legit’ GVMobile before Apple removed it, aren’t able to use it anymore because Google has updated their service. 

Kovacs is hoping Apple will change its tune, however and is submitting an upgraded version 2.0 of the GV Mobile App to the App Store.  New features include:

For starters, dialed calls connect almost instantly, your iPhone contacts and favorites are accessible right within the app, there

'Magic Slate' also has been trademarked by Apple

Avatar for 9to5 Staff Dec 25 2009 - 10:40 pm PT
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More sleuthing being done by the bloggers:  This time Fscklog finds ‘magic slate’ is also registered to the same front company as iSlate.com.  As Macrumors notes, this would make a good name for a portable trackpad.  

MR also found a ‘smoking gun’ on the iSlate trademark.  Regina Porter, presumabley the same one that works in Apple Trademarking, was doing paperwork on the Slates as part of Slate Computing, LLC as recently as August of this year.  That means Apple is still interested in this name.

We’re still not sold on the name (like you, our readers, it appears) iSlate.  The original timing could have indicated it was a Plan B for the original iPhone but it’s seeming more and more like iSlate will be the name of the tablet and Magic Slate the name for a portable trackpad for desktops. 

For better or worse. 

Oh, you might want to sell your Wacom stock now.

Apple's Laptops 'most gifted' at Amazon

Avatar for 9to5 Staff Dec 25 2009 - 7:56 am PT
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Aggressive pricing might have helped turned ‘wishes’ into ‘gifts’ this year at Amazon.  Specifically, Amazon’s most wished for laptops and MP3 players a month ago have now turned into the most gifted MacBooks and iPods according to PED at CNN Money.

A look at the most gifted MP3 players is staggering.  iPods own the category with the only non-iPod product or accessory in the top 25 is the 32GB Zune which comes in 24th.

In laptops, MacBooks were three of the top five and took the first two spots.

In slightly related news (and helped by tablet rumors), Apple closed at an all time high — over 209 yesterday.

Merry Christmas.

 

NY Times source:

Avatar for 9to5 Staff Dec 23 2009 - 8:55 pm PT
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It’s hard to remember any time where so many tablet rumors were flying so furiously.  The NY Times steps in this evening with their take.  While mostly a rehash, they do drop a hint that there might be some new, unexpected type of interaction to this tablet.   According to their source, a recently departed Apple employee, 

Google Phone (Nexus One) leaks continue. Jan 5th invite-only release

Avatar for 9to5 Staff Dec 23 2009 - 10:27 am PT
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Does anyone believe that these leaks aren’t orchestrated by Google? Today Gizmodo and Engadget both got leaked information about the Nexus One handset from Google. 

Gizmodo got to play with one and compare it to the iPhone and the Droid.  The Nexus One is thinner and lighter than the iPhone with a faster processor and better screen according to Editor, Jason Chen.  The results on web browsing speed were pretty close, however, even though the Nexus one has a bigger screen.  Gizmodo said the 3.7 inch AMOLED screen was the best they’ve ever seen on a smartphone.

Engadget, meanwhile got the hard specs on the device, which don’t reveal many surprises but confirm a lot of the speculation.  They also got word that it will have an invite-only retail sales start on January 5th.

 

  • Android 2.1
  • 11.5mm thick
  • 512MB RAM, 512MB ROM, 4GB microSD in-box expandable to 32GB
  • 5 megapixel camera with mechanical AF and LED flash
  • HSPA 900 / 1700 / 2100, 7.2Mbps down and 2Mbps up — in other words, yes to T-Mobile 3G and no to AT&T 3G, though you’ll still be fine on EDGE
  • 3.7-inch WVGA AMOLED display

 

Background Check app brings up all of that old stuff (mega-privacy invasion coming)

Avatar for 9to5 Staff Dec 23 2009 - 8:45 am PT
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Remember that fight you got into in high school?  Or that time you got busted for weed in college?  Well, now your employer, in-laws, prospective dates, and new friends will have easy access to all of your police records right from their iPhone via the free Background Checker App (App Store link) from BeenVerified.com.

The application also helps stalkers find all kinds of information on their targets including pictures, social network interaction, relatives and other horribly invasive information.  The app will even search your contacts for criminals!  Zoikes. 

 

 

Instant Background Checks Now on the iPhone
Background checks are no longer just for large corporations. Thanks to a new application from BeenVerified.com, anyone can run a background check while at home or on the go, right from their iPhone. The appropriately named

iPhone-in-iPhone augmented reality app is a good sandbox

Avatar for 9to5 Staff Dec 23 2009 - 1:11 am PT
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…or maybe it is just eye candy.  Whatever, take a look:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4IjeO7g6kA&w=600&h=385]

A promotional augmented reality app by Ogmento. Developed to promote the iPhone launch by Orange Telecom Israel. Point your iphone to an Orange logo and watch a virtual iPhone appears hovering over the logo. Use finger gestures to turn the iphone around, zoom in or out

Nielson data: Apple takes 4% of US cell phone market. That isn’t much.

Avatar for 9to5 Staff Dec 22 2009 - 11:11 pm PT
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Notice that title is a bit different than what you are seeing around the Web?  Everyone is giving this story an extremely positive slant towards Apple, but it just isn’t so.  Even in the PC marketplace, the Mac has more than 4% of the US market, yet everyone getting excited because Nielson is presenting their data in a way that makes Apple’s iPhone the tops for 2009.

To start getting excited, you want to wait until the iPhone starts putting up numbers like iPod, which consistently surpasses 70% of the MP3 market.

First of all, they are counting the iPhone 3G and 3GS as one device.  They are also counting the different configurations 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, etc. as one device even though they have significantly different costs.  All of that isn’t a problem except they don’t group all of the other handset makers’ devices the same way.  If they had, just the four LG phones on Nielsen’s  top 10 list would have beat Apple by over 50%. Blackberry would have beat them by more than 50% too.

Yet, four percent isn’t bad, especially since Apple is only two and a half years into selling these things (and only was after 1% for the first year) and ‘dumb phones’ like Motorola’s RAZR still outsell smartphones by a significant margin.  

But to say that the iPhone is the best selling device, you have to play with the numbers.

 

Tablet event next month, launch in March?

Avatar for 9to5 Staff Dec 22 2009 - 10:20 pm PT
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The Financial Times today rehashed most of the WSJ piece from yesterday on Apple taking on the cable companies with possible streaming agreements from ABC and CBS.  They took it one step further by saying that the tablet, which was mentioned in the WSJ piece, is coming VERY soon:

“Apple is preparing an announcement next month that many anticipate will be the official unveiling of its tablet, but the company has so far declined to confirm the existence of the device. Wall Street analysts expect mass production of an Apple tablet to begin as early as February.”

Remember, however, that the FT said in July that the Apple Tablet was coming before Christmas and that it would be part of Cocktail (iTunes LP).

Hurry up and download an NES emulator that slipped into the App Store

Avatar for 9to5 Staff Dec 21 2009 - 9:44 pm PT
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Update: It has been pulled, you’ll have to jailbreak to get an NES emulator now.

We’re not sure how this one slipped through, but Nescaline, a Nintendo Entertainment System emulator is in the App Store as we speak.  Yes, Apple has prohibited emulators in the past as a security measure although it did eventually approve a Commodore64 emulator.  Nescaline comes with five homebrew apps but allows you to download NES.roms from the Internet by providing a URL.  We’re sure no one will upload any pirated ROMs.

Doesn’t sound very Appley does it?  We don’t expect this one to last 24 hours in the App Store.  Get it at the App Store now ($6.99)

The developer is Jonathan Zdziarski, who besides being the last guy in the phone book is also the author of O’Reilly’s iPhone forensics.  From the developer:

Kick it old school with home-brew games written for the original Nintendo Entertainment System. Nescaline allows you to play public domain NES games, five of which are included, or use Nescaline’s download feature to add games to your library from any remote URL.

Features:
– Multitouch support; use the directional pad and A+B or many other combinations together.
– Works with many zapper-enabled games. Simply touch the screen where you want to shoot.
– Save-state allows you to save games in progress and later restore them to the state they were in when you left the game.
– Supports both landscape and portrait mode, in both full screen or original resolution
– Enter Game Genie codes to enable cheats for your favorite games.
– Alternate frame skip, palette, and advanced settings.

Nescaline works well with many freely available home-brew and public domain games, but is not guaranteed to work with all of them. Author does not condone the piracy of commercial games.

For optimal performance, an iPhone 3Gs is recommended, but not required.

NOTE: Nescaline is in no way affiliated with Nintendo of America or its affiliates. Nescaline does not contain any intellectual property or copyrighted material owned by Nintendo of America or its affiliates.