Killian Bell - page 331

In an internal memo to its employees, Apple has announced the end of its iWork and MobileMe rebate programs with effect from close of business on April 18th. The rebate programs allowed customers to save $30 on MobileMe when purchasing a new Mac or iPad, and $30 on iWork when purchasing a new Mac.

The termination of these programs follows reports that Apple is set to revamp its MobileMe service over the coming months. A new MobileMe service, said to feature a digital “music locker” for streaming content from the cloud to Apple devices – as well as the “Media Stream” and “Find my Friends” features – is rumored to launch either later this month or at WWDC in June.

Though it’s not clear why iWork was also cut from the rebate program, it’s believed this is simply due to the release of iWork 2011 later this year. I think the the Mac App Store could also play a part in this: if Apple has decided to offer future iWork releases exclusively through the App Store as separate purchases, there may be a new way for customers to claim rebates – such as promo codes – or no rebates at all.

[via 9to5 Mac]

Apple’s iPhone 4 could soon be the most popular camera used to upload photos to Flickr, overtaking the Nikon D90 DSLR. The iPhone still has a little way to go before it reaches the top spot, but if the current trend continues it will overtake the D90 in around one month.

Although the iPhone 4 only launched just under a year ago, it is considerably less expensive than the Nikon D90 – which has been on the market for around three years and costs over a thousand dollars. Its smaller form factor, and the fact that everyone carries their iPhone everywhere, is believed to be one of the reasons why the device is proving to be more popular than a traditional camera.

Great news for all you Angry Birds addicts; Seasons has just been updated for Easter, delivering 15 brand new levels of bird throwing fun, suitably themed for the Easter holiday with plenty of eggs and pigs wearing bunny ears.

In addition to the new levels, there are also new Game Centre achievements and some new golden eggs for you to discover.

The update is free to those who have already purchased Angry Birds Seasons for the iPhone or iPad, or $0.99 and $1.99 respectively for those who haven’t.

Check out Rovio’s gameplay trailer for the Easter update below:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OagPEBfmMw0

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7wzffgw9Xc

The new 2Phone case for the iPhone 4 from Rebelsimcard.com features a SIM card slot that enables you to install and use an additional SIM card with your device. Both SIMs will work simultaneously, so there’s no need to switch back and forth – enabling you to make and receive calls on 2 different lines, with two different carriers.

The $250 2Phone case actually looks pretty good, and also features a 800mAH rechargeable battery that provides your iPhone with some extra juice when you need it.

Just as expected, Toys ‘R’ Us has now joined the growing list of U.S. retailers to offer the iPad 2. The toy giant began advertising the second-generation tablet on Sunday, which is now available for purchase in selected stores. (If you can find stock.)

There is a list of stores now offering the iPad 2 available on the Toys ‘R’ Us website, and a leaked product sheet indicates the retailer will also offer the Smart Covers, Camera Connection Kit, and VGA Connector to accompany the device.

Toys ‘R’ Us joins Best Buy, Walmart, Target, AT&T and Verizon on the list of third-party stores to offer the iPad 2 as Apple’s retail expansion for the device continues to grow in the U.S.

Despite this, the device seems to be no easier to obtain – with stores continuing to sell out the day they receive their stock.

[via AppleInsider]

Samsung could be about to sell its dwindling hard disk drive business as flash memory becomes increasingly popular, according to a person “familiar with the matter.” Thanks to the success of devices such as the iPod, iPad and MacBook Air, Apple has boosted the adoption of flash memory devices and encouraged consumers to ditch standard hard drives for speedier storage.

Samsung has set a target price of $1.5 billion for its hard drive business, but the Korean company is reportedly keen to sell it for under $1 billion if the right customer comes along. The Wall Street Journal report notes that Seagate Technologies could be a candidate for the business, though neither company has commented on the rumor.

Apple is considered to be the largest consumer of flash memory in the world, and predominantly responsible for the shift away from conventional hard drives to solid state drives. It’s believed the company’s iPad is entirely responsible for the complete reorganization at Acer – whose netbooks sales were hit hard by the popular tablet.

Apple is undoubtedly responsible for my personal adoption of SSD drives; after purchasing an 11-inch MacBook Air my other Macs felt incredibly slow in comparison. It seems once you go flash, there’s no going back.

[via Electronista]

Three weeks after its launch, the iPad 2 is still incredibly hard to obtain for some – while Chinese campers in New York City continue to sleep outside Apple Stores in order to make a quick buck reselling the device in their home country. A New York Times report reveals that some are making up to $400 a day.

Nick Bilton writes:

On Wednesday morning I stopped by the SoHo Apple store in New York City to purchase an iPad for a family member. As I had anticipated, a store clerk said they were out of stock and recommended that I check back the following morning. When I asked what time I should arrive, the clerk hesitated, looked around as if about to tell me a secret and said: “Well, do you see that group of people outside? They’re already here waiting for tomorrow’s shipment of iPads.”

I looked, and saw that outside the store sat a small group of Chinese men and women ready with camping chairs and apparently all the time in the world, preparing for a chilly night on New York’s streets as they waited to buy the iPad 2.

Bilton attempted to interview some of the campers outside the SoHo store, but most refused to answer his questions.

This kind of scheme has recently proven to be a popular money maker with Apple’s latest gadgets – with resellers exporting the iPhone all over the world after its launch and earning a tidy profit with each sale. However, due to the high demand of the iPad 2 and the struggle many are experiencing in trying to obtain the device, resellers are now becoming a huge frustration to genuine customers.

[via 9to5 Mac]

Not so long ago, Apple removed all images of the white iPhone 4 from its website and it seemed for a brief period that the device would never launch. While rumors turned to the iPhone 5, the white device seemed to have been disregarded. That period didn’t last very long, and speculation about the device is now very much in full flow once again.

Last week Apple confirmed that the white iPhone 4 would launch this spring, while a Bloomberg report claimed that it could launch before the end of April.

It now seems April 26th could be the special day. In an exclusive report, iPhoneItalia (Google translation) cites information they have received from a “reliable source,” who has confirmed the device will arrive on that date.

So, if you’re still waiting, you have another date to pencil into your calendar. However, we’d suggest that you don’t start camping out in front of stores just yet.

Facebook is yet to release an official application for the iPad, and with its founder Mark Zuckerberg claiming the device was “not mobile,” we’re not likely to see one anytime soon. Zuckerberg wants us to use Facebook in our iPad’s web browser, which is fine for some, but others prefer a dedicated application that brings simple photo and video uploading, better chat support, and a user interface better suited to a touchscreen device.

It’s no wonder, then, that iOS developers have attempted to fill this void, and are slowly started to introduce their own third-party Facebook applications to the App Store. We’ve selected the best apps currently available for getting your Facebook fix on your iPad.

Check them out after the break!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogHcJT0bvUg

Gameloft released a teaser trailer on Thursday for its upcoming N.O.V.A Elite title heading to the App Store. Although it hasn’t been confirmed, from the gameplay video the title looks to be completely dedicated to online multiplayer action – and it looks pretty damn good.

N.O.V.A Elite is expected to hit the App Store very soon – possibly as early as next Thursday. There are currently no details on price, though Touch Arcade speculates that it could be free; following in the footsteps of ngmoco’s Eliminate Pro – the free online multiplayer that brings in cash through in-app purchases for “power ups.”

In true N.O.V.A. style, Elite looks to be an intense, action-packed shoot ’em up – and I can’t wait for its release. Check out the trailer above and leave your thoughts in the comments.

Shortly after the release of iOS 4.3.2 yesterday, hackers discovered that the firmware update can be jailbroken successfully with the latest version of Redsn0w and PwnageTool bundles. These are, however, tethered jailbreaks – which means you’ll need to connect your device to your computer every time you need to reboot.

Though it’s possible to jailbreak the latest iOS release, it is still a good idea to stay away from the update for the time being if jailbreaking your device is important to you. There is yet to be an announcement from the Dev-Team regarding a jailbreak for this firmware, and there’s a chance you may lose your untethered jailbreak completely if you upgrade.

Apple has just released iOS 4.3.2 – an update for all devices that support the 4.3 software – except the Verizon iPhone 4 (CDMA) – which fixes a FaceTime bug and an issue that prevents some international users from connecting to 3G networks on the iPad.

The release notes read:

– Fixes an issue that occasionally caused blank or frozen video during a FaceTime call

– Fixes an issue that prevented some international users from connecting to 3G networks on iPad Wi-Fi + 3G

– Contains the latest security updates

As usual with an iOS update, jailbreakers should avoid updating their devices, especially if they rely on an unlock. Dev-Team member MuscleNerd has warned hackers with messages on Twitter, confirming that Apple is working hard to prevent untethered jailbreaks:

ultrasn0w unlockers stay away from today’s iOS 4.3.2!

Apple sure is aggresively patching these untethered jailbreaks lately (but that’s better than lawsuits)

The iOS 4.3.2 update is now available to download via iTunes. Verizon users get the same bug fixes, but they come in the form of iOS 4.2.7 – also immediately available.

One of the most anticipated Twitter clients for the iPhone finally hit the App Store yesterday, and I was staggered by the attention it received within its first few hours – I can’t remember the last time an iOS application launched with that kind exposure – especially not a Twitter client.

From Tapbots – the creators of Convertbot, Pastebot and Weightbot – Tweetbot promises to be a full-featured Twitter client with a lot of personality; boasting a meticulously crafted user interface, smart gestures, and customizable navigation.

Tweetbot’s launch is big news today – it’s all over Twitter and many publications are dubbing the application a Twitter for iPhone killer. But is it as good as the release day hype would have you believe? Find out in our review after the break!

Following a long 10-month delay, the wait for Apple’s white iPhone 4 could soon be over, according to three people with knowledge of the company’s plans. The device will be available through both AT&T and Verizon Wireless and will launch by the end of April.

A Bloomberg report on Wednesday cites three people who are familiar with Apple’s plans, while another report published on Thursday by Reuters cites two more who also claim the white iPhone 4 is currently in production.

A bout of manufacturing challenges have delayed the device – which is rumored to have included paint that becomes discolored and peels under heat, light leakage into the camera, and light leakage out of the case – the device that many thought would never see the light of day could finally be released from the Foxconn factory.

Despite a message on Twitter last month from Apple’s vice president Phil Schiller, confirming the white device would be available this spring, the recent removal of any image depicting the device from Apple’s website fuelled rumors that the handset would not be launching.

[via AppleInsider]

An Apple cloud service has been one of the main focal points for a lot of recent speculation, and a new job listing on the Apple website confirms that the company is currently putting together a crack team of people to build “the future of cloud services at Apple.”

The listing is for a “Cloud Systems Software Engineer” – a full-time role in a “small team” based at the company’s main Cupertino campus. In true Apple style the listing doesn’t reveal a lot of information about this cloud service, however, it does state that the team will be responsible for writing software “which forms the foundation” for some of Apple’s “most exciting new products and services.”

Apple’s only attempt at cloud services so far has been MobileMe, which has left a great deal to be desired for many of its users. Recent rumors claimed that a revamped MobileMe service would soon go live, featuring a digital storage function similar to iDisk which would enable users to store content that could be streamed to iOS devices.

Since Apple has only just started advertising for people to build their new team, it doesn’t look like the cloud service will be launching anytime in the immediate future. It is believed cloud services will be a big part of iOS 5, so the first we hear about it could be at WWDC in June.

Interestingly, since this job listing became famous, it seems to have been removed by Apple.

[via AppleInsider]

One of the best things about a device like the iPhone is that you can enjoy constant connectivity with your favorite social networks – wherever you are, whatever you’re doing. As one of the most popular social networks, it’s no wonder there’s a shed-load of third-party Twitter clients in the App Store, but how do you separate the good from the poor and decide which is best for you?

If you’re not keen on the official Twitter app, check out our list of the best 8 third-party Twitter apps for iOS after the break.

The new Italian i’mWatch describes itself as a “technological jewel” – it is currently the closest you’ll get to having an iPhone on your wrist, and it’s by far the coolest wristwatch I’ve ever seen. Featuring a high-resolution touchscreen, the i’mWatch lets you receive calls, text messages, notifications from Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare, and so much more.

Browsing through the list of its plethora of features makes you wonder whether you would ever need to take your iPhone out of your pocket:

• Receive calls and see you caller’s name and number
• Make calls using the keypad or your iPhone’s address book
• Receive text messages and emails
• See the weather forecast for your city
• See your Facebook news feed
• Receive notifications from Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare
• Download music from the i’music store
• Listen to the radio
• Download apps from the i’m store
• View your iPhone’s photo collection, arranged by album
• View stock market data
• Receive notifications for Calendar appointments and reminders
  Continue reading

For those that find the iPad’s 9.7-inch display far too small, Lenovo is working on a 23-inch tablet designed for the home. William Cai, Lenovo’s senior specialist in marketing, said that he believes a tablet that can be moved from room to room, used on (big) tables, and be docked to provide an all-in-one, could be the solution to the “problem” of having multiple screens around the home.

We think that there is potential for a 23-inch tablet. We’d have to take care of battery life and we are working to get the weight down.

It’s obviously not for full mobility use, but it could be moved from room to room in the house and used with a full keyboard, or as a television. Or you could lay it on a table top and use it for family games.

We’re hoping that we can launch it later this year.

Hopefully Lenovo will change its mind before then. I’m not sure how big a battery would have to be to power a device of this size – maybe some kind of battery rucksack that the user wears to keep the thing juiced up for an hour or so is the answer?

While several competitors have tried to beat the iPad with smaller devices, or even slightly larger ones, Lenovo’s idea is certainly the most drastic attempt at producing a tablet unlike any other.

Maybe there is a place for a 23-inch tablet in the home; would you buy one? Could you see a use for a device like this, that provides any advantage over an iPad coupled with an iMac? Let us know in the comments.

[TechCrunch via Revert to Saved]

Rovio Mobile, the creator of the hugely successful series of Angry Birds games, has revealed in a message posted on Twitter that it is working on a solution to bring game syncing across all devices. The feature would enable players to begin a game on their iPad at home, which they could then continue from where they left off on their iPhone on the train. When you unlock a new level on one device, you unlock the level on all devices.

Game syncing is a feature that many iOS games would benefit from. As more and more games and applications become universal and playable on both the iPhone and the iPad, one of the biggest frustrations is that you have to complete the same levels, missions, and objectives twice – once on each device. The same goes for high scores.

Rovio has also confirmed a forthcoming Easter update to Angry Birds Seasons – due sometime next week – which will deliver 15 brand new levels to enjoy while you devour your eggs. And if you didn’t have enough platforms the play Angry Birds on, the Facebook version of the game will also get three new levels so that it doesn’t feel too left out.

[via AppAdvice]

At an event in London today, HTC unveiled a brand new addition to its ever growing smartphone lineup called the Sensation 4G. Boasting 4G data connectivity, a Super LCD screen, and a dual-core 1.2 GHz Snapdragon CPU, the Sensation is a worthy adversary for the iPhone 4. So how do the two compare?

We’ve created a great little comparison that compares all of the main specifications, helping you decide which device deserved your hard earned cash. Check it out after the break!

According to several reports from various sources recently, it seems there could be a nasty ‘virus’ lurking in dodgy internet adverts that wipes your iOS device when you tap on them. Users searching for jailbreak and unlock methods on their devices are the ones currently at risk.

When performing a search for these hacks on an iOS device, false adverts are returned that claim to unlock your device for free. Tapping on them takes you to a webpage that shows an animation lasting 10 to 15 seconds, followed by a message that says: “DOWNLOAD UNLOCK 2 NOW FREE.” By this point the device is completely wiped of all your information.

Visitors to The Establishment Hotel in Sydney, Australia, can now enjoy access to an iPad 2 during their stay after the hotel recently deployed one of the devices to each and every one of its 31 rooms. The iPads are free to use and include a selection of movies and music including the hotel’s welcome video. There’s also a collection of apps that provide access to international news in addition to travel and restaurant guides.

Justin Hemmes, Merivale’s CEO, said the company is looking at ways in which it can further integrate technology into its hotels:

Now that we have the hardware, we are only limited by our own imagination. Well, maybe also by the software developers’ abilities but seriously, we will be looking at ways in which we can integrate this technology further into the whole guest experience

As well as the iPad, guests also get an AppleTV and surround sound system in their room which enables them to enjoy the iPad’s content on the big screen over AirPlay. If I wasn’t in Sydney, I wouldn’t want to leave the room!

[via MacStories]

Despite recent speculation that a third generation iPad will launch later this year, component makers in China have ruled out the possibility of two iPads in twelve months, and claimed that although Apple has released its plans for a higher resolution tablet, the device is still in the “initial planning stage.”

Sources said they do not see the iPad 2 as a transitional product, and pointed out that the launch of an iPad 3 so soon after the release of the second generation device would simply cut off interest in the iPad 2. Component makers confirmed that they are yet to receive any notice for next generation iPad components, and with such a strong demand for the iPad 2, an update won’t appear anytime soon.

Touch panel makers also revealed that Apple may be considering an AMOLED panel for the iPad 3, which would be a “great risk” for the Cupertino company since AMOLED technologies are currently largely controlled by Samsung. It may mean Apple could no longer have priority over the key technologies used in its devices, and meeting demand for the device could prove even more difficult.

[via DigiTimes]

A new service from Piecable, called Piecable Viewer, allows you to run iOS applications in your web browser. They’re not just watered down demos either; they’re complete applications – just like you’d get from the App Store – that run on Flash with just one additional line of code.

The service provides developers with a great way of giving people access to their applications for testing, without having to worry about iTunes redemption codes or the UDID limit Apple places on developer accounts. All they have to do is sign up to the Piecable service and choose one of its tiered pricing plans, add an extra line of code to their application, and upload it to the service. They receive a link to the app on the web which can be sent out to agencies, clients, organizations, and the press, enabling the recipient to play around with the application in their web browser.

Thanks to its front-facing camera, the iPad 2 is capable of producing a glasses-free 3D effect using head-tracking technology. Jeremie Francone and Laurence Nigay from the Laboratory of Informatics of Grenoble at the EHCI Research Group have used this technology, along with some really basic applications, to show off what the iPad 2 is capable of when it comes to 3D.

We track the head of the user with the front facing camera in order to create a glasses-free monocular display. Such spatially-aware mobile display enables to improve the possibilities of interaction. It do not use the accelerometers and relies only on the front camera.

The video below demonstrates how the concept works, and I think it’s really impressive. I can’t wait to see how developers might use head tracking to create a 3D gaming experience.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBQQEcfkHoE