Sunday, May 10, 2015

A first pass at iPhone OS 4

A first pass at iPhone OS 4
MultitaskingIn our review of the iPhone 3GS, multitasking led our list of common cell phone features that were lacking. Granted, that list was shorter than it had been with previous iPhone versions, but multitasking remained a major omission in light of Android and the Palm Web OS.Apple, however, has a special talent for making us forget such things by packaging an existing feature in a flashy new way. As Jobs said, Apple isn't about being first, but rather about "being the best." We'll have to get our hands on the update before we fully agree, but Apple appears to have hit the mark. During the demo, Jobs showed how you'll be able to tap the Home button twice to get a pop-up menu of running apps at the bottom of the display. As you switch back and forth, you'll return to the exact point you left, even if you're in the middle of a game. There's no task manager of any kind and Jobs dismissed competitor devices that have one. As he put it, "If you see a task manager, they blew it." Though the pop-up menu only shows four apps at a time (you can swipe sideways through the full list), you'll be able to run at least 12 apps simultaneously. Jobs did not say if that number is a hard limit, but we'll confirm that one exists when we get to play with the OS ourselves. Forstall insisted that multitasking would not affect performance because Apple distilled background processes into seven API services. They include audio from apps like Pandora Radio (yay!), VoIP (for Skype calls), push notifications, and task completion. Multitasking also will support local notifications and related security setting enhancements. There is bad news with multitasking, though. The feature is compatible only with the iPhone 3GS and the third generation of the iPod Touch. Owners of other iPhone and iPod Touch models still get other OS 4 benefits, but you'll need to upgrade if you want the full package. Before you run to the store, however, keep in mind that OS 4 probably won't appear until after the Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June. At that event--we're still waiting for firm dates--we should get new hardware, so make your upgrade decision then.iPhone OS 4 features (photos)See full gallery1 - 4 / 17NextPrevFoldersAre you sick of scrolling through seven home screen pages to find your app? We certainly are, which is why we welcome the option for home screen folders. After a long press on the home screen (so the icons "jiggle"), you can take an app and drop it on top of another to create a folder. To see the contents of a folder or change the default name, just tap it for an expanded view. You can add as many folders as you like, but we're unsure if there's a limit to how many apps you can store in a single folder. The process appears to be easy, though we wouldn't say it offers a huge change from the equivalent steps on Android. It's interesting, though, that with multitasking and the home screen folders, Apple is slowly chipping away at the advantages that Android currently holds. We love a good fight so we can't wait to see how this develops.E-mailThough e-mail has always worked well on the iPhone, the experience has been a little disjointed with its various in-boxes and limited options for message sorting. Fortunately, the OS 4 update fixes some of those flaws. Not only will you get a unified e-mail in-box, but also the ability to add multiple Exchange accounts, organize e-mails by thread, quickly switch between accounts, and open attachments with a preferred app. We're most excited about the unified in-box--sometimes it's the little things--but we certainly wouldn't kick the other features out of bed.Hello, unified e-mail in-box.iBooksiPhone owners will be able to get iBooks, the Apple's e-book reader, on their devices. They'll also be able to access Apple's iBookstore to purchase new content. And if you have an iPhone and an iPad, you can read your book on both devices (with just one purchase) and sync your current page.EnterpriseThough Forstall said 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies are using the iPhone, the device still doesn't have quite the reach of the BlackBerry in IT departments. Yet, Apple continues to pursue that market with new features like enhanced data protection, mobile device management, wireless app distribution (nice), and multiple exchange accounts. Also new is support for Exchange 2010 and SSL VPN from Juniper and Cisco.Game CenterComing "later this year," so perhaps not at the same time as the general OS 4 release, is Game Center. It will bring features like a social gaming network, the ability to invite friends to games, leaderboards, achievements, and the opportunity for "matchmaking" (setting up two people to play). We didn't get an extensive demo of Game Center so Apple may still be tinkering with it.iAdsThough Jobs and Forstall spent a lot of time on this feature, we're not so enamored. Apple knows that iPhone users spend a lot of time in apps and it has recognized the revenue opportunities. iAds appears to be all about making you "want" to click on an ad by offering multimedia and interactive content. Jobs described it as combining "interaction" and "emotion" like we get in TV commercials. For example, if you have an ad about "Toy Story 3," you'll be able to see a preview and search local theaters for showtimes.Though iAds will deliver new functionality to users, developers clearly are the primary target audience. Jobs even said that Apple wants to help developers make money by offering them a 60 percent share of any revenue. Yes, we understand that free apps aren't really free, but the prospect of more ads cluttering our phone isn't exciting. And you can be sure iAds will be available beyond the iPhone 3GS.Just a few of the new features in iPhone OS 4.Other changesJobs and Forstall didn't detail the 93 other new features of iPhone OS 4, but we did get a brief glimpse of other additions at the start of the presentation. Here are a few to ponder.Spell checkLarger fonts for e-mail, texts, and alertsPersistent Wi-FiTap to focus videoCustomizable wallpapers for the home screenSearch text messagesChoose image size in mail messagesRecent Web searchesCreate playlists5x digital zoom in cameraBluetooth keyboardsGifting of appsiPod outBirthday calendarWake on wirelessFile and delete mail search resultsWeb search suggestionsRotate photosWhat iPhone OS 4 means for the iPadVersion 4 of Apple's iPhone OS is going to bring many welcome improvements to the iPad, including multitasking, app folders, and more capabilities for app developers to tinker with. Unfortunately, though iPhone 3GS and third-gen iPod Touch users can expect to run the new OS this summer, iPad owners will need to keep patient until fall.On the upside, there are a few OS 4 capabilities included on the iPad currently that iPhone users will have to wait until summer to play with. Features such as iTunes playlist creation, home screen wallpaper, and iBooks will have iPhone users giving the iPad envious looks until their upgrade is available. Also, the iPad already offers apps that all can maintain your place after exiting the app. These include: Numbers, Keynote, Pages, and iBooks.Another silver lining iPad owners can hold on to is the fact that OS 4 should come as a free upgrade. The iPad's OS 3.2 documentation states that OS upgrades will be provided to users free of charge up to and including OS 4.The collective groan from iPad users is mostly over having to wait for OS 4's multitasking capability. Given the iPad's aptitude for Web and e-mail browsing, it's a shame that users can't yet use these features simultaneously--a fact that Netbook proponents are quick to point out.It might be easier to muster some patience if we only understood why Apple chose to stagger the roll-out to the iPad. No reason was cited at the OS 4 unveiling event. Given that Apple releases a new crop of iPods every fall like clockwork, it's possible that the iPad update is being deliberately delayed to dovetail with an iPod announcement and Apple's rumored cloud music service. It's also possible, given the larger screen of the iPad, that porting over iPhone OS 4 simply requires more time.


Thursday, May 7, 2015

How to set up the Sonos Controller app on iPhone

How to set up the Sonos Controller app on iPhone
Sonos puts together one heck of a multiroom music system, allowing you to stream music all over your house with relative ease. But what if you don't want to sit in front of your computer to make changes to your music queue, or you leave one zone and want to turn the music on for the zone you just entered? Wouldn't it be great if you could control your entire Sonos system directly from your iPhone or iPod Touch? Well, you can. The Sonos Controller for the iPhone or iPod Touch allows you to take control of your Sonos system, and this guide will show you how easy it is to set up.Screenshot by Jason CiprianiThe first thing you will need to do is download and install the Sonos Controller (iTunes link) app on either your iPhone or iPod Touch. Screenshot by Jason CiprianiThe first time you run the app, it will recognize that you have not set up the Sonos Controller on your iPhone or iPod Touch yet. Tap on the button titled, "Set up your Sonos system now."Screenshot by Jason CiprianiYou will see a screen that recommends that you have set up your Sonos system on your computer already. The app, as well as this post, assumes you have already set up your Sonos system and Sonos Desktop Controller on your computer. Press Next.Screenshot by Jason CiprianiOnce you press Next, the clock starts ticking. You only have 2 minutes to complete the next step, otherwise the app times out and you have to start over. If you have a ZoneBridge, you can press the single button located on top of the unit (the same button is pictured on the right in the app) to connect your iDevice to the system. If you have a ZonePlayer, you can connect your iDevice to the system by pressing the mute and volume-up (pictured left in app) keys at the same time.In each instance, you should see alternating white and green lights start blinking once you have pressed the correct button(s). Screenshot by Jason CiprianiAlmost instantly after pressing the button on the ZonePlayer or ZoneBridge, the application should move on to the next screen, revealing the Zone Menu. Now that your iPhone or iPod Touch is set up as a Sonos controller, you can control basic playback, as well as more in-depth Sonos functions such as group your zones, set sleep timer and/or an alarm, and much more. There is no limit to the amount of Sonos Controllers you can have set up at any given time. Simply repeat these steps if you have another iPhone or iPod Touch you would like to set up as a Sonos Controller.


Sunday, May 3, 2015

Analysts on Apple- Looking to iPhone 6 upside

Analysts on Apple: Looking to iPhone 6 upside
Wedge Partners and Pacific Crest weighed in on the rumored iPhone 6 this week, with Wedge also offering speculation on other possible products like the iWatch and a bigger iPad as well as strategies for services at Apple.Overall, the research note from Wedge Partners' Brian Blair, as posted by Barron's, was upbeat, stating that "Apple's next array of products" provide an "opportunity" for investors.Apple shares have an upside this year of more than 20 percent, he said.Andy Hargreaves at Pacific Crest was also optimistic, citing the iPhone 6. "Apple is likely to choose its opportunities and timing extraordinarily carefully and release new products or services only when it feels it has the best chance to succeed," Hargreaves said. Here's what Blair and Hargreaves expect from Apple this year.Big-screen iPhone 6: --Blair: Expects Apple to offer a 4.8-inch iPhone option this Fall to address a product gap. Strong adoption in Asia and at new carrier partner China Mobile.--Hargreaves: Believes Apple will release a 4.7-inch iPhone 6 in the fall.Thinks Apple will charge $299 for the phone with contract (the iPhone 5S starts at $199).The relatively negative reception for the iPhone 5C shows that Apple's customers will spend more for a better product, he said. Hargreaves doesn't think Apple will bring out a 5.5-inch class phablet.iPad Convertible and/or new MacBook Air:"We believe Apple has been testing 12-inch panels for a potential new product. ... This product could be shown at WWDC," according to Blair.(Note: some analysts have referred to an analogous product as the "iPad Pro.")iWatch or iBand: Blair believes that the Asia supply chain is gearing up for a September release. "We expect Apple to release a wrist-worn computing device with a curved screen that will tie-in notifications, activity tracking, and fitness/health monitoring into a [new] platform."Mobile payment:Blair cites Tim Cook as saying that the mobile payments space is intriguing and cites several related patents filed by Apple."This fall, we expect Touch ID to be built into all of the new iPhones and iPads.Either ahead of or shortly after the rollout of Touch ID across the next wave of iOS devices, we believe Apple will introduce its payment platform."Blair also mentioned that Apple will 'ultimately" launch an iTV but didn't give any timeframe. And he had some caveats about Apple too, including soft demand for the iPhone 5C (echoing Hargreaves) and a continued slowdown in the high-end smartphone market.)iPhone concept video courtesy of Sam Beckett.


Sunday, April 19, 2015

Rock Band iPhone- Finger-cramping fun

Rock Band iPhone: Finger-cramping fun
Back in our parents' day you were either a Beatles man or an Elvis man, these days you're either a Rock Band guy or a Guitar Hero guy (or some weird kind of non-gaming hermit). Game developer Harmonix is making sure its loyal fans can get a fix of Rock Band while away from their home consoles, releasing a version for the iPhone. It costs AU$13.99, which is a fortune for the Apple App Store, but fans will be happy to hear that its worth every cent. The core game consists of 20 tracks including Rock Band favourites Saboutage by the Beastie Boys and Cherub Rock by the Smashing Pumpkins. What sets Rock Band apart from Tap Tap Revolution and Gameloft's Guitar World Tour is that it offers the full band experience; guitar, bass, drums and vocals. While haters will argue that the gameplay for guitar, bass and drums are virtually identical in theory, it is worth pointing out that each has its own note-map to follow, so you can play your favourite songs four times each.There's also online play and local multiplayer over Bluetooth. There's multiple game modes, including Quickplay and World Tour modes, and in true Rock Band fashion there is also downloadable content, with five songs available at launch at AU$1.19 each. The art style of the games comes across well to the iPhone and it has to be one of the best looking iPhone apps around with barely any Apple-like styling.Activision is yet to release a similar app for the iPhone for its Guitar Hero franchise, but did delve into portable gaming with its Guitar Hero port for the Nintendo DS last year.Rock Band for the iPhone delivers a solid rhythm game experience and will no doubt have an impact on your remaining iTunes credit, whittling down the tally AU$1.20 at a time.


Friday, April 17, 2015

How to add multitasking to your old iPhone without jailbreaking

How to add multitasking to your old iPhone without jailbreaking
If you're hanging on to your little piece of Apple history (whether because you have to or just want to) TechCrunch lets us know that you can now use a custom firmware called Whited00r to add some sweet features such as multitasking, app folders, and device syncing.The best part about Whited00r? No jailbreaking.Instead, Whited00r is a variation of an old iOS firmware, version 3.1.3, which is the last version of iOS to which many users have upgraded their original iPhones and iPod Touches. Now, when dealing with a custom firmware, there are going to be trade-offs. Users installing Whited00r will not have the luxury of notifications, nor access to Apple's App Store.Also tweaked in the Whited00r release is video recording, which is actually just a version of an old app, Cycorder, that has been added. You also won't have access to iCloud syncing, but Whited00r does offer sync options via Dropbox and Exchange.Though Whited00r has been available in beta for some time, the latest version is the first considered stable enough for public use. To get and install Whited00r, simply visit its Web site and download Whited00r 5.1.Next, read up on all the information provided by Whited00r. Be sure you know what you're getting yourself into before going on in the process.Once you've downloaded the appropriate version of Whited00r, unzip the package files. Open iTunes on your computer and select your iPhone or iPod Touch from the devices section. Now, hold Option (on a Mac) or Shift (on Windows) and click the Restore button. Wait for your device to automatically reboot (this could take up to 15 minutes, so be patient). Once it boots, select "Set up as new iPhone/iPod." At that point, you're all set. Just wait for the setup process to take place, add your music, videos, and photos, and get back to work on your device. To get a full list of features available in Whited00r 5.1, check out the change log here.Once I dig my original iPhone out of storage I'm going to give this a shot. Is anyone still running iOS 3.1.3 on their old iDevice? Are you going to try out Whited00r? Let me know in the comments!


Siri can tap into Google, Bing, and Yahoo for answers

Siri can tap into Google, Bing, and Yahoo for answers
Just like us old-fashioned human beings, Apple's Siri is bright enough to know how to find information when it can't answer a question on its own.When you ask Siri a question that it can't answer or if you tell it specifically to search the Web, the voice-based assistant uses Google as its default source. But Siri is also capable of tapping into the smarts of Bing and Yahoo, according to an article in Search Engine Land.Noted yesterday by search engine guru Danny Sullivan, iPhone 4S users can tell Siri to use a specific search engine to answer a question. Saying "Search Bing for the weather" or "Search Yahoo for Apple news" will display results from those respective search engines.Related stories:• Siri: Smart, sly, and sarcastic• Five lessons from Apple's SiriSullivan's finding is not quite a discovery: if you launch Siri, click on the info button, and select the Web Search option, you'll see an example of how to search a site like Bing. But it is a helpful tip, especially for iPhone 4S owners who haven't yet delved deeply into the new feature.Users can also change Siri's default engine to Bing or Yahoo but still use Google by specifying that in their question, as in "Search Google for tips on using Siri."


Simple tool checks multiple Apple stores for iPhone 5S stock

Simple tool checks multiple Apple stores for iPhone 5S stock
For those still on the hunt for an iPhone 5S and planning to buy it from an Apple retail store, there's a new, unofficial tool that makes it very simple to search multiple stores at once.iPhone-Check, made by developer Mordy Tikotzky, just has you plug in your ZIP code, then pick what color and carrier you want. It then shows what phones are available at varying capacities at all of Apple's stores in that area.CNETThe tool is US-only for now. It's also unclear how up to date it is with Apple's own store data. Tikotzky notes that the tool is actually scraping Apple's retail store site to show availability. Apple brought back its stock-checking tool and in-store pick up option this week after offering it briefly last week. The option lets buyers reserve a phone for pickup without having to wait in line, something that's become more important for would-be iPhone buyers given Apple's currently nebulous shipping estimation of "October" on all 5S models. (Via Reddit)


Thursday, April 16, 2015

Apple iOS users hit by online access glitches

Apple iOS users hit by online access glitches
Apple iOS users bumped into some trouble with several online services today.Updates on Apple's status page this morning revealed that users might get an error when signing into their iCloud accounts or creating new accounts.Users may incorrectly receive an authentication error when attempting to use iCloud. Setting up a new iCloud account from an eligible device may be temporarily unavailable.Additionally, some people were unable to create new Apple IDs or sign into the Game Center app. Some iTunes users had been unable to access the iTunes store or make purchases, but Apple's status page indicates that problem was resolved at 6:32 a.m. PT.The problems overall were cleared up by about 1 p.m. PT, when Apple's status page once again showed all services functioning normally.In all of these cases, the problems surfaced around 4:20 a.m. PT today and affected only some users, according to Apple. However, it's unclear just how many people "some users" represents. As usual, many of those affected have taken to Twitter to express their frustration over what some reports are calling a global outage.Apple's online services have suffered their share of outages in the past.On April 9 of this year, iMessage and FaceTime were both down throughout the day. On February 28, iCloud was taken down by an early morning outage. On February 21, Apple's App Store, iTunes, iCloud, and the Mac App Store were inaccessible to some users for several hours. And last September, iCloud was unavailable to a small number of users for several days.Last December, Apple beefed up its status page specifically to provide more details in the event of service outages.Update 1:02 p.m. PT: Added that Apple's status page again shows normal functioning for all the affected services.


Apple iOS 4, in light of Android 2.2

Apple iOS 4, in light of Android 2.2
Appearances are ever deceiving, though, as many of Apple's "new" features are old hat on Android phones. Multitasking and threaded e-mail messages have existed since the first Android phone. Folders, video sharing, and camera software that focuses when you tap the screen have also been available in previous Android operating systems.In addition to tethering--which independently exists on Sprint's HTC EVO running Android 2.1--iOS 4 and Android 2.2 share camcorder behavior that turns on the LED flash to shoot low-light video. Apple gets credit for building the FaceTime video call app into iOS 4, though we wish it didn't have quite so many limitations. We'd also give Apple kudos for its iPhone version of iMovie, an app that crucially lets you edit those shiny HD videos from the phone before you upload them to video sites or send them on via e-mail or MMS; however, there's just the pesky fact that the video editor is a $5 after-market add-on and not built-in software that darkens our view.Since Apple is largely playing catch-up with its heaviest-hitting software upgrades, Android is better positioned to innovate in future releases. For instance, Google announced  last month at its developer conference that it would soon release an updated online Android Market that wirelessly installs software you choose from the Web to your phone. This is an example of the "cloud syncing" that Apple didn't deliver Monday morning.At the same time that we're pointing out Apple's OS faults, we can't overlook the importance of a thriving app store to mobile phone owners, and with more than 250,000 apps in the store front--compared with about 30,000 Android apps reported last March--Apple remains the strongest contender. As the Android platform continues to grab market share, we're sure to see its app market grow. We'll also look for the integration of more Google products in future Android phones. As it stands, iOS 4 and Android 2.2 will have similar major features: multitasking (but only for iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS), threaded e-mail, video recording, and data tethering--though iOS still rules on the App Store, iTunes store, and music-playing front. For its part Android's support for Flash and built-in turn-by-turn navigation currently give it the browsing and mapping edge.Related story: iPhone 4 versus the HTC EVO


Sunday, April 12, 2015

Apple delivers iOS 4.3.4 to patch PDF security hole

Apple delivers iOS 4.3.4 to patch PDF security hole
Apple rolled out a minor security update to iOS this morning that fixes a vulnerability with the software's PDF-reading capabilities. iOS 4.3.4 (and 4.2.9 for those on Verizon) is available as a free update to iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad users. A description of the update says it "fixes (a) security vulnerability associated with viewing malicious PDF files." That's the same one used by JailbreakMe.com, a sitethat re-launched earlier this month to allow users to jailbreak their phones without using a computer or any special software, giving the owners a way to install third-party software and make low-level system changes. Shortly after the release of that tool, and a reaction by Germany's IT agency calling the exploit a part of "critical weaknesses" in iOS, Apple responded by saying it took security "very seriously" and that it was "developing a fix." Beyond jailbreaking, the danger of having a vulnerability in place that is well-known is that it can make devices a target for attackers. "The Jailbreakme.com exploit downloads a payload to jailbreak the phone, but it could be changed to deliver a malicious payload," said Charlie Miller, a principal research consultant at Accuvant and an Apple security expert, in an interview with CNET last week. This is the second time Apple has had to fix a vulnerability in its PDF-viewing technology. In August an earlier version of Jailbreakme.com exploited the way the PDF viewer loaded fonts to let users gain low-level system access, and install third-party application installers. (via Macrumors)


Apple delays global rollout of iPad

Apple delays global rollout of iPad
With customers grabbing more than 500,000 iPads during the tablet's first week, demand has been higher than expected, Apple said Wednesday, and will likely exceed supply over the next several weeks. The company said that it's also trying to handle a huge number of preorders for the 3G iPad models, which are also supposed to reach the hands of U.S. customers by the end of this month.Apple had said that on the first day, it sold more than 300,000 iPads."Faced with this surprisingly strong U.S. demand, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the international launch of iPad by one month, until the end of May," said Apple. "We will announce international pricing and begin taking online preorders on Monday, May 10."Putting a positive spin on the delay, Apple said that while it expected many international customers would be disappointed, "we hope they will be pleased to learn the reason--the iPad is a runaway success in the U.S. thus far."Customers were able to preorder the tablets as of March 12. The Wi-Fi version of the iPad hit the the U.S. on April 3, while models offering Wi-Fi and 3G are supposed to be available the end of April. Both the Wi-Fi and 3G versions were initially cleared to launch in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland, and the U.K. at the end of this month. The iPad's Wi-Fi-only version costs $499 for 16GB of memory, $599 for 32GB, and $699 for 64GB. The Wi-Fi/3G edition costs $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB, and $829 for 64GB.See also: CNET's rated review of the Apple iPadApple iPad from every angle (photos)See full gallery1 - 4 / 16NextPrev


Apple defies price war with iPad Air, says Deutsche Bank

Apple defies price war with iPad Air, says Deutsche Bank
While a holiday price war is breaking out among laptops, Apple is staying comfortably above the fray with its iPad Air, according to Deutsche Bank. About 60 percent of the 80 best-selling laptops at retailers that Deutsche Bank recently monitored cost less than $400, while 30 percent are below $300.Deutsche Bank did a "series of online checks" that included Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart over cyber Monday. "We believe this reflects the need for [laptop] vendors to close the pricing gap with tablets which continue to exhibit strong market momentum," analyst Chris Whitmore said in a research note published Monday."Tablets are bifurcated between Apple, who commands a premium, and everyone else," Whitmore said.He continued. "Apple is a best seller and everyone else is playing for scraps at significantly lower price points. Overall, it appears there is little margin in the Android ecosystem but volumes are robust due to very low price points." The pricey MacBook Pro also made it into the top 15 best-selling laptops at Best Buy on Cyber Monday.The $1,050 13.3-inch MacBook Pro (non-Retina) was No. 5 and the $1,400 13.3-inch MacBook Pro Retina was No. 10. Last year during the fourth quarter, tablets outsold laptops by 10 million units."We expect that spread to expand to [about] 20M units in 2013 despite massive discounting...among [laptop] offerings," according to the note. Best-selling laptops at Amazon on Cyber Monday.Deutsche BankBest-selling tablets at Target on Cyber Monday.Deutsche BankBest-selling tablets at Best Buy on Cyber Monday.Deutsche Bank


Apple defensive over Consumer Reports findings, deletes forum threads

Apple defensive over Consumer Reports findings, deletes forum threads
Moderators for Apple's Support Discussions forums quickly deleted growing threads discussing the Consumer Reports articles. Though these threads are no longer viewable, you can read through cached versions via Bing.Despite the generally positive reputation that Consumer Reports enjoys, many Apple fans vehemently defend iPhone 4 throughout the thread. It will be interesting to see what sort of fallout this finding will produce in terms of sales for iPhone 4 moving forward. Despite the early reports of these very issues, iPhone 4 still outsold iPhone 3GS by nearly double over its first few days. Not to mention, Consumer Reports has already stated that the issues related to iPhone 4's antenna are not unique to iPhone 4.Also interesting to note, Consumer Reports does rate iPhone 4 as the best smartphone currently available, sans the antenna issue, which it has now concluded is a hardware flaw inherent to iPhone 4's design. Apple has insisted the issues are a software problem to be fixed in the next release of iOS 4. The next move will be Apple's, and I have to believe every software engineer available is working on a solution via an iOS 4 update. Should the antenna issue prove to be hardware related, the recall could be devastating to Apple's iPhone future and a huge win for other smartphone developers fighting tooth and nail for market share with the iPhone brand.Should Apple Support Discussions forum moderators have deleted threads regarding the latest article from Consumer Reports? Is the antenna issue affecting your decision to purchase iPhone 4? Let us know in the comments!Be sure to check us out on Twitter and the CNET Mac forums.Submit a fix to MacFixIt! Email Us.


Apple cuts iPhone production ahead of next-gen model

Apple cuts iPhone production ahead of next-gen model
Apple may already be prepping for the production of its next-generation iPhone. The company is significantly cutting back on the production of the current iPhones, according to supplier checks by Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu. The number of iPhones produced may have fallen by 20 percent to 25 percent on a quarter-over-quarter basis, Wu said in a research note published today.The reduction suggests Apple is being conservative and giving suppliers a two-quarter pause ahead of the introduction of a new iPhone, which Wu believes will come around September or October. The pause will allow suppliers to better manage inventory and prepare for the new model. Apple had similarly reduced the production of iPhone 4 devices ahead of the iPhone 4S.As a result of the checks, Wu pegs the potential shipment of iPhones at 26 million to 28 million units, below Wall Street's average estimate of 30 million to 31 million. He noted that the reduction was due primarily to the iPhone refresh, as opposed to weaker demand for the product. The new iPad, however, continues to perform well, and Wu said he expects a slight increase in the production thanks to the addition of a new supplier. Apple faced some constraints early on with supply limited on the high-definition Retina Display, but seems to have addressed the issue, he said. "We believe this will enable Apple to be better equipped to meet strong demand and deliver upside relative to consensus expectations," Wu said. Wu raised his estimate for iPad shipments in the quarter to 15 million from 14 million units.


Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Apple fights back against iPhone ruling in Brazil -- report

Apple has struck back in its ongoing battle over the "iPhone" trademark in Brazil.Not surprisingly, Apple has decided to challenge the ruling laid down yesterday by the Institute of Industry Property (INPI) that Gradiente Eletronica's registration for the "iphone" trademark in 2000 is valid, Reuters is reporting today, citing conversations with people within INPI.Now that Apple has challenged the ruling, Gradiente has 60 days to prove that it made use of the branding between January 2008 and January 2013. Gradiente wasn't authorized to use the iPhone trademark until 2008. Apple launched its iPhone in Brazil in 2007.Gradiente did not actually use the iPhone trademark until this past December, when it launched a spate of Android-based handsets using the "iphone" moniker. Whether that will be enough for Gradiente to hold onto the iPhone name remains to be seen.Although Apple has decided to make its case with INPI, the company has the right to settle the matter out of court. Apple did just that in early 2007 when it cut a deal with Cisco Systems, which originally owned the iPhone name. Apple last year settled another lawsuit with China-based company Proview over the use of the iPad trademark.

Apple fans celebrate Steve Jobs' 57th birthday

Today is the birthday of Steve Jobs, the late co-founder of Apple.Jobs passed away last October, succumbing to a battle with pancreatic cancer. Had he lived, this would have been his 57th birthday.Fans remembered him on Twitter today, with "happy birthday Steve Jobs" quickly becoming one of the service's top trends. According to the New York Post, an unofficial birthday party for Jobs is also planned outside outside Apple's flagship retail store in New York.Related storiesThe death of Steve Jobs, 1955-2011 (roundup)Steve Jobs: A timelineSteve Jobs at Apple: A retrospective (photos)Following Jobs' death, interest piqued about the technology visionary and inventor. Jobs was the main topic and namesake of an authorized biography by author Walter Isaacson. He was also the subject of the main exhibit at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office highlighting some 300 inventions that bore his name.Apple, for its part, held a private celebration of Jobs' life in late October, complete with speeches by former Vice President Al Gore and CEO Tim Cook, as well as performances by Nora Jones and Coldplay. That event, held at the company's headquarters, was later posted in video form to Apple's Web site, and is still available for viewing.