Latest Gear Live Videos
Apple readying CDMA iPhone?
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors,
The rumor mill has been buzzing today with whispers that Apple may be readying a CDMA version of the iPhone, which would have EVDO support. So, when would this one be announced? Apparently, at MacWorld 2009 in January. Unfortunately, we are gonna have to call shenanigans on this one. After all, Verizon Wireless was supposed to get the iPhone originally, but were too wrapped up in a traditional cell carrier mindset to see that it would be a boon to their business. Then, AT&T came in and signed a multi-year exclusivity contract in the USA. Plus, it’s not like Apple needs more distribution for the iPhone to make it a success, it’s doing just fine. We think they’d rather focus their iPhone staff on the next iteration of the phone, rather than going sideways to make one that will work on Verizon’s network. Sure, we could be wrong, but…nah…we don’t think so.
Read More 
| 9to5Mac
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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?
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
iPod touch 2G unboxing gallery
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Features, Galleries, Portable Audio, Portable Video,
You that 2G iPod touch that Apple was all excited about, being that it’s the thinnest iPod touch ever (despite being only the second one ever made)? We figured you guys might be interested in having us take a bunch of unboxing images of the one that just got delivered here to Gear Live HQ. Yeah, this thing is thin, and if you don’t already have a first-gen iPod touch, you should seriously look into this model if you’ve been waiting one. It’s a nice improvement over the original. Check out the rest of the images over at our iPod touch 2G unboxing gallery.
iPod touch 2G unboxing
Gallery:
Mac OS X 10.5.5 released
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Software,
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
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
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
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
Pangea puts their iPhone Apps on sale
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Hot Deals, Software, Video Games,
Well, here’s something we could get used to. Pangea, maker of popular App Store titles like Cro-Mag Rally and Enigmo, have put their entire line of apps on sale. This is obviously just going to be for a limited time only, but we can’t seem to find the end date of the promotion anywhere. In the meantime, just know that for now, the prices on Pangea App Store software is as follows:
- Enigmo: $4.99, down from $9.99
- Cro-Mag Ralley: $1.99, down from $5.99
- Billy Frontier: $3.99, down from $5.99
- Beer Bounce: $1.99, down from $2.99
- Pangea VR Pro: $14.99, down from $19.99
A couple of these are fantastic for the money (we’re looking at you, Enigmo and Cro-Mag). Head on over to the App Store to start shopping. Here’s hoping this is just the beginning of App Store sales.
Read More | App Store
Apple “Let’s Rock” event now viewable
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Portable Audio / Video, Videos,
If you are tired of hearing us talk about all the Apple news of the day, maybe you’d prefer listening to Steve Jobs himself deliver the news. If that is the case, you’ll be happy to know that the Let’s Rock keynote is now available online for your viewing pleasure. You can stream is now from the Apple Special Event page. If downloading is more your thing, we are sure it will be hitting iTunes 8 shortly.
Read More | Let's Rock event video
