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iPhone 2.2 beta seeded to developers
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,
Right on the heels of the iPhone 2.1 release that seems to cure just about all our iPhone-related woes (although, honestly, some are still there,) Apple has just released iPhone 2.2 into beta, and seeded it to their iPhone devs. Officially, we are talking about iPhone OS 2.2 beta 1, and as such, we have no timetable or anything as to when this will actually hit the masses. But still, it’s nice to know that it’s coming, right? What would you like to see addressed in iPhone 2.2?
Gallery: iPhone 2.2 beta seeded to developers
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The App Store is a gamble for developers
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Editorial, Features, Handhelds, Software,
Earlier today, I received word that a second iPhone App had been denied access into the App Store, with Apple citing that the application duplicates existing functionality already found in the Apple ecosystem. This is beginning to become a problem, and if you aren’t seeing why, allow me to explain why this is so alarming to me. In case you hadn’t heard, a couple of weeks ago, an app called Podcaster was rejected by Apple for similar reason. The line of thinking there was that Podcaster, an app that would allow you to subscribe to and download podcasts while on the go, duplicated functionality already found in iTunes.
Now, if you’ve never used an iPhone, allow me to point out the absurdity. There is nothing on the iPhone or iPod touch that allows you to subscribe to, or even download, a podcast to your device. Sure, you can open the file in Safari, but that is not what we are talking about. That’s right, even if you enter the iTunes app, you will find right away that podcasts just aren’t there. So we have to then assume that Apple was referring to the iTunes desktop software when they said that Podcaster duplicated functionality. Really? Is that a major issue that a company decided to fix a gaping hole on the iPhone, even if that hole doesn’t exist on the desktop? Why, then, are there so many calculators in the App Store? After all, not only do we have a calculator as part of OS X, but there is a calculator that ships installed by default on the iPhone as well. It seems we have a double-standard here.
Click to continue reading The App Store is a gamble for developers
Gallery: The App Store is a gamble for developers
Free MP3 to iPod Audio Book Converter
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Hot Deals, Portable Audio / Video, Software,
Who needs the expense of a Kindle if you can get a free application? The MP3 to iPod Audio Book Converter collects all your files into one big file. The open source shareware combines them for listening without search, and your iPod will remember your stopping place. The application runs on Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/Vista, with future plans for Mac and Linux. And, if you dig the app., a donation would certainly be welcomed.
Read More 
| Free iPod Software
Gallery: Free MP3 to iPod Audio Book Converter
Zune 3.0: All the details
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Design, Features, Microsoft, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Software,
Okay, we’ve been hitting you with snippets of Zune news all day, especially as it pertains to the hardware. Now it’s time to break down all the changes that the Zune 3.0 software is bringing, both from the hardware side of things, as well as the software client side of things. On the hardware side of things, we are seeing new features like support for games, the ability to buy songs tagged while using the FM radio, and the ability to browse and download from the Zune Marketplace directly from the device itself. Over on software, we see a bunch of improvements to the client that are all focused on music discovery and helping you experience your music library in a whole new way. A lot of the changes seem geared towards Zune Pass subscribers (which, by the way, we think is the best deal in music). Click on through for an in-depth look at all the important changes that Zune 3.0 brings.
Click to continue reading Zune 3.0: All the details
Gallery: Zune 3.0: All the details
Zune 3.0 software is live
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Microsoft, Music, PC / Laptop, Portable Audio / Video, Software,
For all you Zune fans out there, you will be pleased to know that the Zune 3.0 software went live this morning, and is ready for your consumption. The update brings a slew of new features to the table, with a lot of them being firsts in the industry (we’re looking at you, iTunes). What you’ve got is the desktop software update, alongside a firmware update for the actual Zune devices as well. And just like last year, the updates work on all previous generation Zunes as well - at no cost to you (we’re looking at you iPod touch!).
Gallery: Zune 3.0 software is live
Running Windows in OS X is still cool, even if software like Parallels, VMware Fusion, and Boot Camp have been around for a while. Now though, Fusion has hit 2.0, which is a nice milestone. Performance improvements, better multi-monitor support, and more robust Unity features (that’s the feature that lets you “erase” the Windows desktop, so that your Windows programs appear right next to your OS X ones) make this a worthy upgrade. Here are the details:
- More Seamless with Unity 2.0: Application Sharing, Link Handling, Mirrored Folders, Driverless Printing, True Multiple Display Support, and Custom Keyboard Mapping
- Safer Windows on Mac experience with AutoProtect automated snapshots and a 12-month complimentary subscription to McAfee VirusScan Plus security software for Windows XP and Vista
- More Power with DirectX 9.0c with Shader Model 2 3D graphics, 1080p HD video playback, Multiple Snapshots, 4-way vSMP, and Better Linux Support (Unity & Easy Install)
- More Mac-like, More Mac-friendly with all new Welcome Screen, Virtual Machine Library and Virtual Machine Settings, Cover Flow and Quick Look integration, and Apple Help
- Mac OS X Leopard Server now is supported in a virtual machine on Mac hardware
If you already have a copy of Fusion 1.x running, you’ll be happy to know that this is a free upgrade. Otherwise, you can pick up Fusion 2.0 for $79.
Read More | Fusion product page
Gallery: VMware Fusion hits 2.0
Time to fire up Software Update yet again, as Apple has just pushed out the latest update to Leopard, 10.5.5. There’s a lot here, but being the email warriors that we are, seeing all the Mail.app improvements makes us just a tad bit exited. We are also into the MobileMe fixes as well. Gotta love the cloud. In any event, hit the jump to get the full list of updates. If you don’t care, then you can just be assured by this nugget from Apple:
The 10.5.5 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac.
Yeah, didn’t do it for you either? Didn’t think so.
Click to continue reading Mac OS X 10.5.5 released
Read More | Mac OS X 10.5.5 release notes
Gallery: Mac OS X 10.5.5 released
Jailbreak iPhone 2.1 with PwnageTool and QuickPWN
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Mods / Hacks, Software,
Since everything and their mother has been writing in requesting follow-up on the iPod touch 2.1 jailbreak, we figured we’d better respond. Latest is that you can now jailbreak iPhone 2.1 as well, and the GUI version of the iPod touch 2.1 firmware is available as well (thanks for letting us know, QuickPWN!). The one thing that isn’t yet done is the jailbreak of the newer iPod touch 2G, but that is only because no one on the Dev Team has happened to pick one up yet. I’m sure we’ll be seeing it in the next few days. You just can’t keep these guys down.
Read More | iPhone 2.1 jailbreak info
Gallery: Jailbreak iPhone 2.1 with PwnageTool and QuickPWN
iPod touch 2.1 jailbroken with the quickness
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Mods / Hacks, Software,
To say “That was fast” would be an understatement. Just three days after Apple unleashed the new iPod touch 2.1 firmware, alongside a newly updated iPod touch, the new firmware has already been jailbroken by the good folks at the QuickPwn project. Hey, I guess we should no longer be surprised anymore. If you are jonesing to jailbreak your touch, just know that you are gonna have to mess around with the command line, as the GUI version has yet to be completed (it’s coming though - as is an iPhone 2.1 jailbreak.) But, hey, getting comfy with the command line is right in line with the iPod touch being the “funnest iPod ever”, am I right?
Read More | QuickPwn
Gallery: iPod touch 2.1 jailbroken with the quickness
iPhone 2.1 firmware released
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,
Apple has finally unleashed the iPhone 2.1 firmware to the masses as of an hour or so ago. If you’ve been running iPhone 2.0 since July, then you’ve probably been waiting desperately for this firmware release, which is supposed to clear up a ton of bugs and other annoyances about the app-centric iPhone OS. Here’s a list of the changes and improvements:
- Decrease in call set-up failures and dropped calls
- Significantly better battery life for most users
- Dramatically reduced time to backup to iTunes
- Improved email reliability, notably fetching email from POP and Exchange accounts
- Faster installation of 3rd party applications
- Fixed bugs causing hangs and crashes for users with lots of third party applications
- Improved performance in text messaging
- Faster loading and searching of contacts
- Improved accuracy of the 3G signal strength display
- Repeat alert up to two additional times for incoming text messages
- Option to wipe data after ten failed passcode attempts
- Genius playlist creation
So, there’s a lot of stuff there. Of course, most are concerned primarily with the big fixes. Here’s hoping that iPhone 2.1 is the solid OS that the 2.0 release should have been. You can get the update by connecting your iPhone to your computer, firing up iTunes 8 (it’s required), and hitting “Check for Update.” Good luck!
Read More | iPhone 2.1 details
