Monthly Archives: November 2010

By Staff | Published: November 22, 2010

Apple updates AppleTV 2 software to iOS 4.2

2nd Generation AppleTV

2nd Generation AppleTV


Along with the release of iOS 4.2.1 for the rest of the iOS device lineup, Apple has updated the new AppleTV 2 device in order to support AirPlay video streaming.

While many sites reported that the new build for the AppleTV 2 was iOS 4.1, it is in fact iOS 4.2 (but NOT 4.2.1 which was a bugfix build for portables due to 4.2 being pulled after it went Gold Master earlier this month).

AirPlay video is of course the major new feature in this build. Users can now stream video from an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad running iOS 4.2.1, directly to the AppleTV 2 wirelessly. In addition, iTunes on the Mac or PC can also stream video to the AppleTV 2. Read more

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Posted in Apple Software | Tagged , , | 1 Response
By Staff | Published: November 22, 2010

iOS 4.2.1 now available on iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad

As we expected, Apple today released iOS 4.2.1 and brought all supported devices up to the same version of the operating system. You can upgrade by plugging in your device and checking for updates in iTunes.

The update is free for all devices that can run iOS 4, which at this point is every iOS portable device other than the first generation iPhone and iPod Touch.

For iPad owners, iOS 4.2.1 is a very significant upgrade; many of the features that other iDevice owners have been enjoying since iOS 4 was released this past summer are now available on Apple’s tablet. Game Center, folders, tv show rentals, the unified email inbox, and of course multitasking are all now available on the iPad. Read more

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By Staff | Published: November 16, 2010

Official Google Voice app appears in App Store

Google Voice for iPhone

Google Voice for iPhone

Back in the middle of 2009, Google submitted an official Google Voice App for iPhone that would allow users to manage their Google Voice account and place calls using the service, along with free text messaging, voicemail playback and transcription.

At the time we expected Apple would simply approve it and that would be that, but instead Apple chose to “study” it for another 16 months, and in the meantime they also pulled all of the other third party Google Voice apps from the App Store, citing “duplication of built-in functionality” because of the text messaging and phone dialer capabilities.

But in September of this year, Apple chose to allow the third party GV Apps back into the App Store, and at the time we speculated that Apple would probably allow the real Google Voice App, the one that started this whole mess, back into the App Store as well. Read more

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Posted in 3rd Party Software, App Store | Tagged , , | Leave a comment
By Staff | Published: November 15, 2010

Apple posts iTunes teaser front and center on Apple.com

Apple.com

Apple has replaced the front page of Apple.com with a teaser for something iTunes-related due to happen tomorrow morning, Tuesday, November 16th.

In large bolded text, the page reads “Tomorrow is just another day. That you’ll never forget”. Under that text is a curiously worded invitation to check back Tuesday for an “exciting announcement from iTunes”.

And under the text are 4 clocks each showing a different time from California, New York, London and Tokyo, which could be a clever way for Apple to announce that whatever is going to happen tomorrow, will happen at 10AM Eastern Time, but will be relevant for everyone around the world, at least in markets which currently have an iTunes Store.

Apple would not make such a big deal out of releasing iOS 4.2, however they would make a big deal out something like cloud based iTunes streaming or a subscription music service. Read more

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Posted in Apple Events, Apple Software | Tagged , | 3 Responses
By Staff | Published: November 12, 2010

Oracle and Apple bringing OpenJDK to Mac OS X

Java

Following Apple’s deprecation of their own Java distribution for Mac OS X, many developers were concerned the company would simply drop Java completely, leaving it up to Oracle or IBM or the open source community to develop, test and release an integrated Java distribution for Mac OS X. Many were also concerned that only Apple would be able to provide the necessary source code to correctly integrate a Java distribution into Mac OS X.

There are alternative Java distributions for Mac OS X, such as the SoyLatte project, however they do not integrate well with Mac OS X, leaving Java as a second class citizen on the platform.

But a new Apple press release just posted this morning announces that the company plans to participate in the OpenJDK project along with Oracle, to bring an officially supported, tightly integrated OpenJDK release to Mac OS X. Read more

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Posted in 3rd Party Software, Apple Software | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment
By Staff | Published: November 1, 2010

iOS 4.2 is now Gold Master

While the official public release isn’t due until sometime later in November, Apple has seeded paid iOS developers with a Gold Master build of iOS 4.2 for the iPhone 3G, 3GS and 4, iPod Touch 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation, and the iPad.

The newly updated Apple TV hardware is also likely to be updated to iOS 4.2 at some point this month or early in December, however as there is no Apple TV developer program right now, Apple is not providing early access to iOS builds for that device.

A new Xcode build and the corresponding iOS SDK is also available to paid developers.

As previously reported, the screen rotation lock button on the iPad is now going to be a mute button, which Apple mentions in the release notes for the iOS 4.2 GM seed:

The iPad screen rotation lock switch now functions as a sound/silent switch in iOS 4.2.

Read more
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