Apple is testing the first material update to its iOS 4.0, next-generation iPod touches, an iPad revision, and an "unknown" product.
The latest beta of iOS 4.1 includes three new "Configuration Descriptors" within its USB configuration files - all of which pertain to devices that list "Apple, Inc." as their "manufacturer" (see screenshot).
The first product, a fourth-generation iPod touch, is referenced as "iPod 4,1." This year's iPod touch calls for models akin to iPhone 4, equipped with dual cameras, FaceTime support, Apple's A4 processor, and Retina Display.
The second product referenced in the USB configuration files is "iProd 2,1." All indications are that this device represents a material update to the iPad.
Finally, is a previously undiscovered mention of a mysterious device listed as "unknownHardware." Although the configuration files tag this device with Apple product ID of 20547, it's textual descriptor is similarly listed as "Unknown- Add device descriptor info for this device." It's possible that those place holders are to be dubbed iTV - capable of running App Store applications and based on iOS 4.0 platform.
After iPad's appearance in late April many Apple's competitors decided to release their own tablets. Almost four months had passed since that moment and now we decided to study the market of iPad's rivals and write down every one that worth attention.
But before we start the list it is important to note that we chose the tablet devices that satisfied next criteria:
Chinese-language newspaper Economic Daily News reported Tuesday that Apple plans to launch a second-generation iPad with a 7-inch screen by Christmas of this year.. The report claimed that the original, 9.7-inch iPad is too big and heavy for many consumers, and the new model will cut weight down from 700 grams to 500 grams.
The newspaper suggested that the new iPad will have a Cortex-A9 processor and 7-inch LCD screen with resolution of 1,024-by-768 pixels.
On Monday, it was alleged that indications of a next-generation iPad are currently found within the source code of iOS 4. The relevant code allows devices carrying the designations of iPhone3,2, iPhone3,3, and iProd2,1 to “auto-activate”, a process said to allow carriers to test the devices without requiring manual activation through iTunes.
As you may know, iOS4 has new features that allow parents or even companies to limit an access to the system for their children or employees respectively. Currently an access to Safari, YouTube, camera controls, location services and iTunes content including music, TV, movies, software and podcasts (that satisfy given rating threshold) may be blocked.
But the latest developer builds of iOS 4.1, which in turn must appear in a couple of months, include new restrictions related to the Game Center. The latter will allow players to find other players or teams for group play and track their game scores and in-game achievements, but new restrictions will make it possible for parents to prohibit their children from playing against any other user without supervision.
Screenshots that reveal these options are posted above.
Taking into account the rumors about iPods from Apple, some people all over the world have found out that in UK there are many retailers who decided to slash their prices for the iPod nano and iPod shuffle by nearly 40%! The result of this action is that these media players have been already in various places, speculating that Apple is going to introduce a new version of the iPod nano and iPod shuffle very soon. Some guys are even thinking that the new iPod shuffle will feature a miniature touchscreen. It’s quite interesting till the device price haven’t yet risen to the stars.
Today Adobe has announced a new Photoshop application for the devices based on iOS while giving a new image to its previous limited functional application Photoshop.com Mobile for the Apple iPhone. Now it has got a new name Adobe Photoshop Express. Here you’ll find a great number of new features for the iPad sporting the larger screen space, support for the device and improved user interface (UI).
Does it have pros and cons?
Yes! There is no support for the Retina Display of the new iPhone 4. It is quite disappointing for many users.
We've gotten some information that Apple plans to rename the Apple TV into "iTV", which was initially named as "iTV" in September 2006, but changed the name to "Apple TV" for its launch in January 2007. Apparently the box won't be capable of handling 1080p video. Instead it will only push out 720p clips. Moreover, video experts note that the difference in resolution is not visible to users at a normal TV viewing distance unless the screen is larger than 55 inches. The device will be getting apps and presumably an App Store entry.
iTV well be running iOS that means that it will get access to iTunes. By converting Apple TV into an iOS device, the company could erect a third new wing of apps in iTunes. This smaller, cheaper device will probably use network streaming rather than Apple TV's hard drive for local storage.
One Apple fan published a video where he jailbreaks iPad by using his Nexus One's mobile hotspot capabilities. Take a look at the video after the break:
Today ChangeWave Research revealed the results of its survey on iPhone 4. 213 new handset owners were questioned in a few weeks after the launch of the latest Apple's smartphone, between July 19 and 28. Here is a list of facts that were revealed:
In June 6.3% of iPhone 3GS owners experienced dropped calls, in July only 5.2% of those who use iPhone 4 had dropped a call at least once. ChangeWave Research's vice president Paul Carton says that means that iPhone 4 is quiet better at making calls:
"Despite all of the issues surrounding the antenna, in actuality iPhone 4 owners reported experiencing fewer dropped calls on the average than iPhone 3GS owners".
Guys from 9to5mac decided to count how much data FaceTime uses over 3G. They made a 5 minute test call, and concluded that FaceTime takes 3 Mb every minute. Not much at all!
Here are the screenshots before and after the call.
Jailbreaking an iPhone 4 is easy. Jailbreaking at an Apple retail store is fun. One of the users did that and captured everything on video. Take a look at the video: