Smartphone Fanatics

AppleSeed: Apple's Customer Software Testing Program

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Sat, 19 May 2012 17:39:19 PDT

Earlier today, I learned of "AppleSeed," Apple's customer software testing program from 9To5Mac.com.

AppleSeed is an invitation only program where customers are selected by Apple to participate in voluntary testing of new software. So, no, you can't register or submit your name into a pool of applicants. (I've checked the FAQs just to be sure.)

"Apple Software Customer Seeding is a program where customers are invited to test pre-release software products in order to provide Apple Software Engineering with real-world quality and usability feedback."

Once you have been accepted into the software testing program, you are "strongly [urged] to test the software and [we] require your feedback. A variety of reporting tools are offered providing engineering with functional data. Failure to actively participate may disqualify you from future seeding programs." In other words, Apple expects you to work hard for your exclusive access to software that is still under development.

Back in the heady days of Palm, in all of it's variations, I was a vocal advocate in both public and private forms to urge Palm to setup such a program as a means to help squash software bugs in the Palm OS, and later, webOS software. I'm glad to see that Apple has setup a program like AppleSeed, even if I'm not contributing to it.

To learn more about AppleSeed, check out the Apple website.

[Via 9To5Mac.com...]

Surprise! Apple Releases iOS 5.1.1!

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:46:05 PDT

I was completely unprepared for what I will call today's surprise arrival of iOS 5.1.1.

Available for the iPhone 4S, 4, 3GS, iPod touch 4th and 3rd generation, and all three generations of the insanely popular iPad, iOS 5.1.1 addresses the following five areas:

Improves the reliability of HDR photos taken from the Lock Screen shortcut
Addresses a bug with the new iPad (3rd generation) switching between 2G and 3G networks
Corrects bugs in AirPlay
Improves the reliability for syncing Safari bookmarks and Reading List items
Resolves an issue where an "Unable to purchase" alert is displayed after a successful purchase

You can install the update in one of two ways: directly from your iOS 5.x device or by syncing your iDevice with a Mac or PC running the latest version of iTunes.

To perform the quicker "delta" update over the air right from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, do the following:

1. Tap the Settings icon.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap Software Update.
4. Tap Download and Install.
5. Follow the on screen directions.

Genius Bars Upgrading Select White iPhone 4 Models

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 14:31:44 PDT

I just read over at 9To5Mac.com that Apple has instructed employees working the Genius Bar to upgrade select 16GB white iPhone 4 models to the newer iPhone 4S due to limited parts availability.

"According to multiple sources, Apple has notified Apple Store Genius Bars that inventory of white iPhone 4 16GB replacements units is heavily constrained, and until further notice, stores lacking white iPhone 4 16GB replacements units should upgrade customers seeking a replacement phone to an iPhone 4S."

Sounds like a good deal for Apple customers who need to get their 16GB white iPhone 4 repaired. Apple's always been pretty good to their customers in this regard. I had what I believed to be a battery problem with a 17-inch MacBook Pro and the good folks at a local Apple Store swapped out the battery and my T-style power brick at no cost.

[Via 9To5Mac.com...]

Infinity Blade II Gets Bumped to 1.1

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 04:29:53 PDT

This morning, I woke to find that Chair has bumped Infinity Blade II to version 1.1. Whoo-hoo!!

NEW CONTENT PACK! Infinity Blade II: ClashMob™!

Jump into the all-new, globally social battle mode: ClashMob, featuring dynamic challenges that will test your strategic mettle. 
Recruit friends and team up together in MyMob and earn special perks as well as unlock new achievements & rewards! 
Upgrade your weapons by crafting the most powerful gems available in the all-new Gem Forge. 
More than two dozen new weapons, magic rings, gems and equipment to collect, wield and master.
Fully supporting iOS 5.1, with gameplay enhancements and updates for overall optimized gameplay. 
All for free! Infinity Blade II is now better than ever!

For a limited time, you an buy Infinity Blade II for $4.99 from the App Store. If you have perviously purchased Infinity Blade II, the update, as always, is free.

Infinity Blade II is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation) and iPad.Requires iOS 4.0 or later.

Max Payne Mobile "Hits" iOS

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:13:34 PDT

Just a short while ago, Max Payne Mobile just "hit" in the US iTunes App Store for iOS devices.

[Parental Warning: Parents, you'll want to check out this game before you outright buy it for your kids. It's a violent game.]

For those who may not remember Max Payne on the PC platform, here's a brief summary from the App Store.

"A fugitive undercover cop framed for murder, hunted by cops and the mob, Max is a man with his back against the wall, fighting a battle he cannot hope to win. Max Payne is a relentless story-driven game about a man on the edge, fighting to clear his name while struggling to uncover the truth about his slain family amongst a myriad of plot-twists."

I remember Max Payne for it's famous "Bullet Time" gimmick. Bullet Time became a popular game mechanic because it was similar to the slow motion bullets whizzing by Neo in "The Matrix" films.

Max Payne Mobile is available now in the US iTunes App Store for $2.99 (App Store Link). This universal app runs on the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod Touch 4, iPad 1, iPad 2, the new iPad.

Verizon Pushes DROID Pro Update Out

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 07:24:25 PDT

The Motorola Droid Pro isn't exactly the most sexy or coolest member of the DROID product family, but it does get the job done. So I was surprised yesterday when I pulled out my Pro to see that there was a software update available from Verizon.

The update, who's official name is 4.7.3XT610.Verizon.enUS, is only a minor maintenance update rather than a full Google Android software upgrade.

This update addresses:

Improved security with DigiNotar security patch.
Device is enabled with the Wireless Alerting System.
Device will no longer lockup or reset after an Over the Air update.
Device will no longer automatically power on after it has been powered off.
Pressing the spacebar key will no longer cause the device to lockup.
Improvements to keyboard backlighting.
Smart Forwarding will no longer cause forwarded messages to remain in the Outbox.

I'm glad that Verizon and Motorola have figured out a fix for OTA updates, because, well, 4.7.3XT610 is kinda an OTA update, so that's progress, right? I'm also glad to see Verizon and Motorola pushing out an update that improves the performance of the Pro's keyboard. Pressing the spacebar key should not hang up your phone, it's never happened to me, but the backlighting on my phone was always a bit schizophrenic.

And, any software update from Verizon wouldn't be complete without some new bloatware, so Big Red has thrown in new versions of their V CAST and VZ Navigator apps. I'm not sure why anyone is still using Verizon's GPS navigation software when Google Maps and Google Navigation work well and don't require the extra cost of an additional service on your monthly bill.

Anyway, you can read the official change log and directions on how to upgrade your Droid Pro on the Verizon website.

iOS 5.1 Improved Battery Performance on My Sprint iPhone 4S

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 03:11:00 PDT

Since applying the iOS 5.1 software update on my iPhone 4S (Sprint) back on March 7, I've noticed much improved battery performance. While I still can't go two days without having to recharge, I can go a day and little bit before I have to share up again.

The New iPad Unboxing Photos

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 20:24:01 PDT

I purchased my 3rd generation Apple iPad (aka iPad 3) yesterday at the New Haven Apple Store. The following are some unboxing photos from my new iPad and smart cover.

Apple iPad 3rd Generation is in the House!

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 20:26:00 PDT

Ya, there was no chance that I wasn't going to buy and Apple iPad 3rd Generation this weekend. I was just getting my new "Business Tool" at the New Haven, CT Apple Store.

The iPad's screen looks AMAZING and is well worth the trip to pick one up this weekend.

There are lots of units still in stock so go and grab yours now!!

Sprint announces the ZTE Fury, available March 11th for $19.99

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 19:45:54 PST

I just saw this over at BGR, it looks like a new, super low cost Android smartphone is coming to Sprint in the very near future.

"Sprint on Wednesday announced the “family-friendly” Android-powered ZTE Fury. This entry-level handset features a 3.5-inch capacitive display with a 1GHz single-core processor and Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

“Providing affordable, Android-powered devices, like ZTE Fury, in our lineup helps give families the tools and information to better manage their wireless usage while still providing the style and functionality they need to keep up with their busy lives," according to David Owens, Sprint’s vice president-Product Development."

The ZTE Fury will sell for $69.99 with a qualifying service plan, and will be $19.99 after a mail-in rebate.

[Via BGR.com...]

iPhoto '11, iBooks Author Get Updates

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 19:09:13 PST

As part of this week's massive Apple product rollout, a pair of Mac OS X applications also received updates: iPhoto '11 and iBooks Author.

iPhoto only received one update, but I think it will be a very popular one, the ability to delete a photo from the Photo Stream. iDevices running iOS 5.1 also have this ability.

iBooks Author received updates in two areas. The first is support for iPad 3's (ok, Apple calls the new iPad, "the new iPad") new Retina display. The other area is performance and stability updates.

All in all, it's been a nice week for the Apple fan club.

Both apps are available from the Mac App Store. iPhoto '11 9.2.2 is a free update to customers who previously purchased the software. If you need to buy iPhoto '11, it can be purchased for $14.99. iBooks Author is free.

Rovio Releases Angry Birds Seasons - Cherry Blossom Festival

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 21:19:47 PST

Our favorite ticked off birds are back at it again with Rovio's Cherry Blossom Festival, the latest installment of Angry Birds Seasons.

Angry Birds Seasons is available now for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch as a free update to current owners. If you haven't purchased Seasons yet, you can purchase the iPad edition for $1.99 or the iPhone/iPod touch edition for $0.99.

iPhoto Makes the Jump from Mac OS X to iOS

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 21:06:34 PST

As part of today's massive software deployment from Apple, our old friend iPhone received an iOS, touch enabled makeover and is now available as a $4.99 app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

"With iPhoto for iOS, Apple brings Multi-Touch to photography in a breakthrough way. Browse, edit, and share your photos from your iPad or iPhone, like never before – all the powerful tools you need are at your fingertips. And with iCloud, you can share your experiences as stunning photo journals."

iPhoto for iOS is compatible with iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPad 2 Wi-Fi, and iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G and requires iOS 5.1 or later.

You can purchase iPhoto for iOS from the iTunes Store.

Apple Rolls Out iOS 5.1 for Current iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Models

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:39:11 PST

Earlier today, while unveiling the new revolutionary iPad with Retina display and the third generation AppleTV, Apple released iOS 5.1.

The new iOS update can be used to upgrade the following iOS devices:

iPad 2, iPad 1
iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS
iPod touch 3rd and 4th generation

A separate update will be released to upgrade the software in the second generation AppleTV which also runs iOS 5.

To receive the update on your iOS 5 device, go to: Settings > General > Software Update. If you prefer to update your iDevice the 'old fashioned' way, or haven't yet installed iOS 5, connect your handset to your computer running iTunes 10.6, also released today, and sync your device. Then select your iDevice from the iTunes source pane and click the "Check for Updates" button in the pane on the right.

Apple Updates Many of Their iOS Apps

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 19:46:33 PST

With today's release of iOS 5.1 for current generation iDevices, Apple is also rolling out a number of software updates to their iOS titles. iOS applications receiving an update today include:

iBooks 2.1
Find My Friends 1.1
Find My iPhone 1.4
iMovie 1.3
iTunes U 1.1
Keynote 1.6
Pages 1.6
Remote 2.3

While some of the updates are specific to the new iPad and it's new Retina display, there are some goodies for those of us with older iPads, iPhones, and iPod touches.

The iOS versions of the iWork applications - Pages, Numbers, and Keynote - all received updates to take advantage of iOS 5.1 and the new iPad, but also gained support for creating and viewing stunning 3D bar, line, area, and pie charts. The new versions of the iWork apps for iOS also include general performance improvements.

To download the new software, I recommend first upgrading to iOS 5.1 on your supported iDevice, and then using the App Store application on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to make sure you have all the latest software installed.

Apple Introduces the New AppleTV with Support for 1080p Video [U]

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 03:52:21 PST

Along side the third generation iPad, Apple introduced the third generation AppleTV. The "tiny entertainment powerhouse" as it is referred to by Apple, now supports 1080p videos downloaded from the iTunes Store for playback on your 1080p television and had a new, streamlined user interface.

The third generation AppleTV retains the same $99 price point. AppleTV's tentpole features include: video playback from iTunes Store purchase, Netflix, YouTube and major league baseball streaming video (subscriptions maybe required), AirPlay, iCloud support, iTunes Match, and Photo Stream.

Owners of the second generation AppleTV will gain access to the new user interface and software features by way of a free iOS software update.

For more details or to order the new AppleTV, visit the Apple website.

Update

The new AppleTV will go on sale next Friday, March 16, at the same time the new iPad goes on sale. Unlike the new iPad, Apple does not appear to be taking pre-orders for the new AppleTV and the website is still showing a 1-2 week lead time.

iTunes 10.6 Released for Mac OS X and Windows PCs

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 19:15:36 PST

Today, along side the massive iOS software updates, Apple released iTunes 10.6 for Mac OS X and Windows PCs.

iTunes 10.6 adds support for devices running iOS 5.1, and high definition 1080p videos purchased from the iTunes Store. Apple also included enhancements to the iTunes Match features of iCloud that was launched last year.

You can download iTunes 10.6 either by using the Apple Software Update application on your computer or download the installer from the iTunes website.

Apple Unveils the Revolutionary New iPad

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 19:16:57 PST

Earlier today, Apple unveiled the revolutionary third generation iPad.

For all the new features and specifications of the new iPad, check out the Apple website. You can view Apple CEO Tim Cook's keynote, the new iPad video, and the new TV spot also on the Apple website.

In addition to the new iPad, Apple also unleashed a boat load of new software updates, including: iTunes for Mac OS X and Windows, iOS 5.1, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iTunes U, iBooks, Find My iPhone, Find My Friends, iMovie, and Remote. Use the App Store application on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to upgrade your software.

On the hardware front, Apple also unveiled the new third edition AppleTV.

The new iPad can be pre-ordered now and has the same price points as the previous two generations of iPad, and will begin shipping on Friday, March 16. The iPad 2 is still available at a new low $399 price point.

The third generation AppleTV is available for order now at the same $99 price point and will begin shipping in 1-2 weeks according to the Apple website.

Apple To Hold iPad Media Event on Wednesday

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 16:56:41 PST

If all the rumors haven't been enough for you, Apple is ready to publicly talk about the third generation iPad, presumably called iPad 3, this Wednesday. The event will be held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco and will get underway at 10am PDT/1pm EDT.

As of Monday, there is still some debate over the name of the new iPad, whether it will be called "iPad 3" or "iPad HD." There are also rumors circulating that there will be a new Apple designed case that falls somewhere between the original black iPad case and the new iPad 2 Smart Cover cases, that protects the entire iPad. Perhaps the one rumor that I was glad to hear squashed was the one that suggested that each new iPad 3 model would be $79 more expensive to cover the costs of the new display.

Happy Birthday, Steve!

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:33:17 PST

Today would have been the Apple co-founder's 57th birthday today. He is missed.

Rumor: Microsoft Working on a Version of Office for the iPad

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:53:01 PST

Take this one with a grain of salt; a big one. According to The Daily, the iPad only News Corp. daily newspaper, Microsoft is working on a version of Microsoft Office for the iPad. Just imagine being able to run Word, Excel, and PowerPoint natively on your iPad.

Sounds too good to be true? It might be. Microsoft has come out denying that they are working on an iOS edition of Office and that The Daily flat out got bad information for their exclusive scoop. I read the report this morning, interestingly enough, on my iPad while reading The Daily. You can read the full story on The Daily website.

Following up on the story, The New York Times wrote today:

"A Microsoft spokeswoman issued this statement: “The Daily story is based on inaccurate rumors and speculation. We have no further comment.” She added that a screen image included with The Daily’s article showing an Office product for iPad was “not Microsoft’s software,” she said.

But perhaps that isn’t the entire story. Peter Ha, tech editor at The Daily, said that a Microsoft employee had demonstrated a version of the app on an iPad. “The launch screen may not be final, but the app itself is real,” Mr. Ha said. “We were told that the app was done and it was being tested internally.”"

So is Microsoft working on a version of Office for the iPad? They might be. And they might not be.

Pros:
1. Windows and Office have long been cash cows for Microsoft. By releasing Office for the iPad, Microsoft opens the door to some 55 million plus new customers.

2. Microsoft Office is the de facto office productivity suite, and now we can get Office on our Windows, Mac, and iOS devices; there by eliminating a number of cross platform translation and formatting headaches.

3. Chances are that you've used a version of Office before and you will be instantly familiar with how to use the software.

Cons:
1. Microsoft wants to keep Office as a Windows Phone 7, Windows 8 Tablet Edition exclusive to help differentiate tables and phones running Windows from those running Apple's iOS, Google's Android, or RIM's BlackBerry OS.

2. The iPad is regarded, by-and-large, as a content consumption device, not a content creation device. There may not be a strong demand for Office-on-an-iPad to justify the cost to develop the software.

3. The development of iOS applications will draw resources away from the Windows and Mac OS X Office development teams.

Personally, I think Microsoft is testing the water for iOS applications. They've already released Bing, MSN for iPad, OneNote and Microsoft Lync 2010 for iPad. There are a few iPhone applications also, including SkyDrive, Windows Live Messenger, and Photosynth. That's a lot of toes to dip in the water without developing a full blow Office suite. I think OneNote and Lync 2010 are strong indications that Microsoft is at the very least, considering releasing a version of Microsoft Office for the iPad. Only time will tell.

[Via The Daily, The New York Times...]

Documents to Go for iOS Receives Minor Update for Excel Files

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:04:56 PST

Documents To Go for iOS was updated today to include fixes for launching Excel files from the iOS search screen and other undocumented minor bug fixes.

Documents To Go is an office suite for iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad that allow you to work with native Microsoft Office documents. Documents To Go also features the InTact Technology that keeps the original file formatting 'in tact' after it has been edited on your iOS device.

Documents To Go is $9.99 in the App Store (link), $16.99 with Exchange Server support (link). The update is free to all who have previously purchased the software.

Rumor: 8GB Nook Arriving This Week

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:40:39 PST

A new rumor has appeared in today's Wall Street Journal, siting the technology website The Verge, indicating that book retailer Barnes & Noble could begin selling an 8GB version of their Nook tablet as early as this week.

"The Verge reported Monday that Barnes & Noble Inc. is expected to release a new Nook Tablet with 8 gigabytes of built-in memory later this week. That could allow the book retailer to match or even undercut Amazon.com Inc.’s $199 price on its Kindle Fire tablet, which has 8 GB of memory. Barnes & Noble’s existing Nook Tablet, released about the same time as the Kindle Fire last November, has 16 GB of memory and sells for $249."

I've toyed with the idea of getting a Kindle Fire to play with, but in all honesty, I don't because I don't ready many books for enjoyment. At least the iPad, Kindle Fire, and the BN Nook can all play Angry Birds!

[Via The Wall Street Journal.com...]

Rumor: iPad 3 Logic Board Poses for the Camera

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 16:43:24 PST

Is this the new logic board for the iPad 3 that is expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks? Many people believe that the next Apple CPU would be the "A6," but that may not be true.

"[I]f this photo is to be believed, that assumption appears to have been incorrect, with Apple instead having branded the upgraded package with the A5X name.

A date code of "1146" on the A5X indicates that it was manufactured in the 46th week of 2011, which would have corresponded to November 14-20.

An "A5X" as a step-wise upgrade to the A5 corresponds with progression of processor part numbers as revealed by BGR in February. At the time the A4 was known to be the S5L8930X, the A5 as the S5L8940X and the new iPad processor as S5L8945X."

Apple is widely expected to introduce the iPad 3 at a media event on March 7.

[Via MacRumors.com...]

Apple Unveils OS X Mountain Lion

grassia.forums@gmail.com (Alan Grassia) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:39:36 PST

In a move that surprised many, Apple today announced the next major release of Mac OS X 10.8, Mountain Lion.

With Mountain Lion, Apple continues to blur the lines between OS X and iOS, so much so, the advertising tag line is, "Inspired by iPad. Re-imaged for Mac."

With more than 100 new features to look forward to, Mountain Lion is going to be a must upgrade for Mac users with modern hardware (2009 and later). The tentpole applications for Mountain Lion include deep iCloud integration, Messages (replacing iChat), Reminders and Notes (taking over for features in the Mail application), Notification Center, Share Sheets, deep Twitter integration, Game Center, AirPlay Mirroring (requires a second generation Apple TV), and Gatekeeper.

Additionally, the Software Update control panel will be making the jump from a stand alone application to a feature inside the Mac App Store application - just like the software update feature in iOS.

You can read more about the major features of OS X 10.8 on Apple's Mountain Lion website.

With today's announcement, Apple has made Messages available as a free download to Mac OS X 10.7 Lion users. You can download Messages for OS X from the Apple website.

While Apple was publicly talking about Mountain Lion today, they weren't talking release schedules or pricing. Apple was only saying, "OS X Mountain Lion arrives this summer." Mountain Lion, like Lion before it, will be available only as a purchase from the Mac App Store. Registered developers can download a beta version of OS X Mountain Lion starting today with a $99/year paid subscription.

I remember when Apple first started talking about how Lion was going to bring many of the iOS features to OS X and was not really looking forward to 'dumbing down' my Mac. But Lion has been a nice upgrade and I'm perfectly comfortable with it, so much so, I'm looking forward to getting Mountain Lion installed sooner rather than later.