Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[iOS 4 gold build now available to iPhone Developer Program members]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/07/ios-4-gold-build-now-available-to-iphone-developer-program-membe/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/07/ios-4-gold-build-now-available-to-iphone-developer-program-membe/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/07/ios-4-gold-build-now-available-to-iphone-developer-program-membe/#comments You've got to wait a couple weeks to get this if you're the run-of-the-mill iPhone type -- but if you've ponied up the Benjamin for an iPhone Developer Program membership (who's probably suffered through a handful of iPhone OS 4 beta builds over the last few months), you're now able to download the Gold Master seed of iOS 4 directly from Apple's site. Let us know if you manage to sprout a front-facing cam on your 3GS to test FaceTime or anything cool like that, alright?

Update: We just updated to iOS 4 GM and haven't noticed anything particularly new or crazy yet. The install requires a beta of iTunes 9.2 to be installed as well, which adds in support for app folders and backups, but otherwise life is proceeding just like it did when we had beta 3 installed. We'll let you know if we spot anything as we go.

Continue reading iOS 4 gold build now available to iPhone Developer Program members

iOS 4 gold build now available to iPhone Developer Program members originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebreaking newsBreakingNewsgmgoldgold masterGoldMasteriosios 4ios 4.0Ios4Ios4.0iphoneiphone dev programiphone developer programiphone osiphone os 4iphone os 4.0IphoneDeveloperProgramIphoneDevProgramIphoneOsIphoneOs4IphoneOs4.0itunesitunes 9.2Itunes9.2Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:36:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T makes sweeping changes to data plans, iPhone tethering coming at OS 4 launch]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/02/atandt-makes-sweeping-changes-to-data-plans-iphone-tethering-comi/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/02/atandt-makes-sweeping-changes-to-data-plans-iphone-tethering-comi/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/02/atandt-makes-sweeping-changes-to-data-plans-iphone-tethering-comi/#commentsYou might think that AT&T would hold off for a national HSPA+ deployment or a full-on LTE launch before tweaking its data pricing strategy, but not so much -- the carrier is coming out swinging today with some significant changes that should benefit the overwhelming majority of its smartphone users (and could stand to harm a select few). Let's break down the major points:

DataPlus / DataPro
  • The existing $30 fair-use "unlimited" smartphone data plan is being replaced by two new options: $15 per month for 200MB and $25 for 2GB (called "DataPlus" and "DataPro," respectively). Customers currently on the $30 plan are welcome to stay on it, but they can switch at any time without extending their contract.
  • AT&T's new overage system is arguably the game changer: on the $15 plan, you'll pay $15 for each additional 200MB, but on the $25 plan, you'll pay $10 for each additional GB. It's simple and straightforward -- but most importantly, it won't bankrupt you if you go over by a gig or three in a month. This compares to $50 per gigabyte of overage on AT&T's 5GB DataConnect plan for laptops.
  • The carrier's going to be very flexible about changing between the DataPlus and DataPro plans -- if you're on DataPlus, for example, and you discover that you're blowing past your allotment, you can choose either to start DataPro the following billing cycle, pro-rate it, or apply the higher plan retroactively to the beginning of your current billing cycle. That's pretty wild.
Tethering
  • Tethering will be offered as an add-on to the DataPro plan for an additional $20 per month, which means you'll pay a total of $45 a month for 2GB of data shared between your phone and your tethered devices. If you're light on the usage, it's a sweet deal -- but if you scale it up and you're using the data almost exclusively on your laptop, it compares unfavorably to the traditional DataConnect plan: $60 versus $75 for 5GB (and in the unlikely even you've got a webOS device on Verizon, it compares even less favorably). If you're striking a balance of data use between a smartphone and tethered gear, AT&T's new setup is still pretty solid considering that you would've been paying $60 for the USB stick plus $30 for smartphone data before.
  • Yes, it's finally happening: AT&T's iPhones will get access to the tethering option, too.
iPad
  • iPad users are also affected by the change. The $30 iPad data plan -- lauded for being labeled by AT&T as truly unlimited -- goes away to be replaced by the same $25 / 2GB plan that smartphone users will see, though current subscribers to the $30 plan can continue unaffected.
Everything launches on June 7, except for iPhone tethering -- it'll launch when OS 4 does. In the meantime, we're told users can sign up for the $30 plans both on their phones and iPads if they'd like to be grandfathered in. Follow the break for more details along with AT&T's full press release.

Continue reading AT&T makes sweeping changes to data plans, iPhone tethering coming at OS 4 launch

AT&T makes sweeping changes to data plans, iPhone tethering coming at OS 4 launch originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attbreaking newsBreakingNewsdatadata plandata plansDataPlanDataPlansdataplusdataproiphoneiphone os 4iphone os 4.0iphone tetheringIphoneOs4IphoneOs4.0IphoneTetheringtetheringWed, 02 Jun 2010 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone video conferencing surfaces in supposed test firmware]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/22/iphone-video-conferencing-surfaces-in-supposed-test-firmware/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/22/iphone-video-conferencing-surfaces-in-supposed-test-firmware/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/22/iphone-video-conferencing-surfaces-in-supposed-test-firmware/#comments
Need a bit more evidence that the next iPhone will do video conferencing? Then take a good, hard look at the exciting screenshot above, which supposedly comes from a field test firmware for the next-gen iPhone that Apple is apparently working on. Not much more to go on than that at the moment, unfortunately, but Boy Genius Report says the screenshot (and a second one after the break) comes from one of its "Apple guys" and, as you can see, it not only offers yet more evidence of video calls, but video call debugging.

Continue reading iPhone video conferencing surfaces in supposed test firmware

iPhone video conferencing surfaces in supposed test firmware originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 May 2010 18:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleiphoneiphone 4iphone 4giphone hdiphone osiphone os 4.0iphone4Iphone4gIphoneHdIphoneOsIphoneOs4.0next-gennext-gen iphoneNext-genIphonevideo callingvideo callsvideo conferecningvideo conferencingVideoCallingVideoCallsVideoConferencingSat, 22 May 2010 18:16:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone OS 4.0 beta 4 hints at LED flash, camera for iPad, iPod, iPhone]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/iphone-os-4-0-beta-4-hints-at-led-flash-camera-for-ipad-ipod/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/iphone-os-4-0-beta-4-hints-at-led-flash-camera-for-ipad-ipod/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/iphone-os-4-0-beta-4-hints-at-led-flash-camera-for-ipad-ipod/#comments We've yet to see concrete proof that Apple's portable media players will ship with a camera, but the new iPhone OS 4.0 beta shows Cupertino's at least considering the notion for the iPod touch and even the iPad. It seems AT&T tethering wasn't the only thing hidden in iPhone OS 4.0 beta 4 -- 9to5Mac found a variety of telltale references to an a flash when pouring through the update's source code. Does that mean that the iDevices will actually get cameras, let alone supporting light fixtures? It's too early to tell... but we did spot an LED flash on that early iPhone HD, and a recent Vietnamese leak proves that Apple at least prototyped an iPod touch with a camera -- though no flash, sadly -- as well. Is Apple simply updating their error messages, or is there something to this? You make the call.

iPhone OS 4.0 beta 4 hints at LED flash, camera for iPad, iPod, iPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 May 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AppleApple iPadApple iPhoneApple iPodApple iPod TouchAppleIpadAppleIphoneAppleIpodAppleIpodTouchcameracamera flashCameraFlashcamerasflashiPadiPhoneiphone os 3iphone os 4iPhone OS 4 Betaiphone os 4 beta 4iphone os 4.0IphoneOs3IphoneOs4IphoneOs4.0IphoneOs4BetaIphoneOs4Beta4iPodLED flashLedFlashWed, 19 May 2010 15:33:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone OS 4.0 beta 4 includes AT&T tethering option]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/18/iphone-os-4-0-beta-4-includes-atandt-tethering-option/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/18/iphone-os-4-0-beta-4-includes-atandt-tethering-option/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/18/iphone-os-4-0-beta-4-includes-atandt-tethering-option/#comments See that screen there? That's from the minty fresh beta 4 of iPhone OS 4.0, which was just released to developers moments ago. Unless our eyes are badly mistaken, that's an option to setup internet tethering on AT&T, something that WWAN warriors have been waiting for since... oh, forever. We're downloading the new build as we speak, and we'll let you know if we find anything out. Oh, and don't get your hopes up too high -- AT&T proclaimed that it was "still waiting on better network performance" before enabling iPhone tethering just three weeks ago.

Update: There's a video of the screens after the break, just in case your belief was temporarily suspended for any reason. Thanks, Jerish!

Update 2: Well, this is interesting -- we just updated an iPhone 3GS in Chicago, and we're not seeing the tethering option. We're guessing this is a glitch or just a mismatched carrier setting file, since so many others are seeing it, but we'll do some digging and see what's up.

Update 3: Okay, we've got it sorted -- all it took was a quick network settings reset. Thanks, Gray!

[Thanks, Pete]

Continue reading iPhone OS 4.0 beta 4 includes AT&T tethering option

iPhone OS 4.0 beta 4 includes AT&T tethering option originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 May 2010 21:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleattbreaking newsBreakingNewsbroadbandinternetiPhone OSiPhone OS 4.0iPhone OS 4.0 beta 4IphoneOsIphoneOs4.0IphoneOs4.0Beta4mobilemobile broadbandmobile internetMobileBroadbandMobileInternetossoftwaretethertetheringvideowwanTue, 18 May 2010 21:56:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone OS 4 beta 4 drops in]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/18/iphone-os-4-beta-4-drops-in/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/18/iphone-os-4-beta-4-drops-in/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/18/iphone-os-4-beta-4-drops-in/#comments If you like living on the brutal, life-altering bleeding edge the same way we do, odds are you've got iPhone OS 4 beta 3 installed on that 3GS of yours -- assuming you have an iPhone 3GS, naturally. That also means that you'll likely be interested to hear that beta 4 is now out and ready for you to download, install, and not brick your phone if everything goes according to plan, just as long as you've got access to an Apple iPhone Developer Program account. Go forth, intrepid readers -- and do report back on your exploits, won't you?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

iPhone OS 4 beta 4 drops in originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 May 2010 20:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta 4Beta4breaking newsBreakingNewsiphoneiphone developer programiphone osiphone os 4iphone os 4 beta 4iphone os 4.0iphone os 4.0 beta 4iphone sdkIphoneDeveloperProgramIphoneOsIphoneOs4IphoneOs4.0IphoneOs4.0Beta4IphoneOs4Beta4IphoneSdkTue, 18 May 2010 20:31:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone covered front to back with camera-related rumors]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/29/iphone-covered-front-to-back-with-camera-related-rumors/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/29/iphone-covered-front-to-back-with-camera-related-rumors/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/29/iphone-covered-front-to-back-with-camera-related-rumors/#comments
Well, here's a nice bit of symmetry to emerge from the Apple rumor mill in recent days -- some new purported details on both the rear and front-facing camera on the next-generation iPhone. The first, and more straightforward of the two, comes courtesy of The Chosum Ilbo, which is reporting that the next iPhone will pack a 5-megapixel camera supplied by LG Innotek. Details on it are otherwise pretty light, but the site says that LG has already started producing the "sophisticated cameras" at its plant in Gumi this month, with mass production supposedly set to begin in the second half of this year. The second rumor concerns the iPhone's front-facing camera, and comes after a bit of digging in the latest iPhone 4 SDK beta. According to MacRumors, the SDK not only includes an unfortunate bit of code that suggests video calls will be WiFi-only, but evidence that video chat will be integrated into Apple's Game Center as well -- exactly how remains unclear, although there's certainly no shortage of possibilities. Dive into the links below for the complete details.

iPhone covered front to back with camera-related rumors originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applegame centerGameCenteriphoneiphone 4iphone 4 sdkiphone 4giphone osiphone os 4iphone os 4 sdkiphone os 4.0iphone os 4.0 sdkiphone sdk 4iphone sdk 4 betaIphone4Iphone4gIphone4SdkIphoneOsIphoneOs4IphoneOs4.0IphoneOs4.0SdkIphoneOs4SdkIphoneSdk4IphoneSdk4BetasdkThu, 29 Apr 2010 15:02:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone OS 4.0 beta 2 hits the scene]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/20/iphone-os-4-0-beta-2-hits-the-scene/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/20/iphone-os-4-0-beta-2-hits-the-scene/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/20/iphone-os-4-0-beta-2-hits-the-scene/#comments That's right: a little under two weeks since the launch event and the release of the first beta, Apple has pushed out beta 2 of its next-gen iPhone OS 4.0. Considering that our units have seemingly gotten buggier over time the longer they've had beta 1 loaded, we've got high hopes for this one -- hopes that stand a very real chance of being crushed, of course, as long as this isn't a gold build. Guess we're still months off from that, huh? Stay tuned for a report of anything that's changed, new, awesome, or lame.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

iPhone OS 4.0 beta 2 hits the scene originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebreaking newsBreakingNewsiphoneiphone os 4iphone os 4.0IphoneOs4IphoneOs4.0Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:39:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone OS 4 reveals its social side: Facebook integration?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/19/iphone-os-4-reveals-its-social-side-facebook-integration/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/19/iphone-os-4-reveals-its-social-side-facebook-integration/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/19/iphone-os-4-reveals-its-social-side-facebook-integration/#comments Users of webOS and HTC Sense can skip ahead, you're already familiar with tight social networking integration on your handsets. Now Apple appears ready to join the social, so to speak. New evidence of low-level Facebook event and contacts integration has been revealed in iPhone OS 4 hinting at the possibility of unified Calendar and Contacts apps from Apple when the OS launches this summer on, um, this device. Web site Website Gunning for Safety says that Apple appears to have created a "separate type of contact" just for Facebook. On its own, the claim is suspect if only because the site's focus is related to nail gun safety. But we've grabbed copies of the associated .plist files from a jailbroken iPhone running OS 4 that seemingly back the claim. There's even mention of a generic "SocialKitInternal.framework" opening the door for integration with services like Twitter -- though we found no evidence for that. All this aligns nicely with a "Linked Contacts" feature discovered by AppleInsider last week. According to AI, multiple Linked Contacts can be associated to a single entry in the new iPhone OS 4 Contacts app. See some of the .plist evidence in the gallery below.

Gallery: iPhone OS 4 reveals its social side: Facebook integration?

iPhone OS 4 reveals its social side: Facebook integration? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applefacebookiphoneiphone os 4iphone os 4.0iPhone OS 4.0 Betaiphone os 4.0 sdkIphoneOs4IphoneOs4.0IphoneOs4.0BetaIphoneOs4.0Sdkipod touchIpodTouchossdkMon, 19 Apr 2010 08:02:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone OS 4 jailbreak released to developers, not you]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/16/iphone-os-4-jailbreak-released-to-developers/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/16/iphone-os-4-jailbreak-released-to-developers/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/16/iphone-os-4-jailbreak-released-to-developers/#comments Be clear on this: if you're not a jailbreak app developer then the redsn0w 0.9.5 beta release is not for you. The iPhone OS 4 jailbreak previously hinted at is for real and it's for devs only so that they can prep their wares for the summer update. Don't worry, it doesn't reveal anything new to Apple and no, it won't work on the iPad -- it's Mac OSX only, iPhone 3G only, and iPhone 4.0 beta 1 only for now. But hey, it's early days, at least you know it's out there and that people smarter than you are tending to things.

iPhone OS 4 jailbreak released to developers, not you originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 01:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebetacydiadev-teamdevelopersipadiphoneiphone os 4iphone os 4.0iphone os 4.0 betaiphone os 4.0 beta 1IphoneOs4IphoneOs4.0IphoneOs4.0BetaIphoneOs4.0Beta1ipod touchIpodTouchjailbreakmusclenerdredsn0wFri, 16 Apr 2010 01:06:00 EST<![CDATA[PhoneGap framework fine for App Store development, sez Apple]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/15/phonegap-framework-fine-for-app-store-development-sez-apple/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/15/phonegap-framework-fine-for-app-store-development-sez-apple/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/15/phonegap-framework-fine-for-app-store-development-sez-apple/#commentsNow, we've all been concerned about recent updates to the iPhone dev agreement -- you haven't been sleeping and your parents are, quite frankly, worried for your sanity. And it's a heady subject: "what is the fate of PhoneGap in the wake of the iPhone OS 4 beta SDK?" Well, worry no more, little one -- it seems that Jesse Macfadyen, a contributor to the project, pinged Apple to make sure that users of the mobile development platform wouldn't find their apps rejected simply for using the tool. As you remember, the agreement states: "Applications must be originally written in Objective-C, C, C++, or JavaScript as executed by the iPhone OS WebKit engine" (and of course HTML and CSS are cool), so PhoneGap -- which indeed sticks to HTML, CSS and Javascript -- is totally safe. Now developers can get back to having their apps rejected for any number of other silly reasons.

[Thanks, Bea]

PhoneGap framework fine for App Store development, sez Apple originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 03:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adobeapplecc++compilerdeveloperdevelopmentflashiphoneiphone osiphone os 4.0IphoneOsIphoneOs4.0objective-cphonegapsdkThu, 15 Apr 2010 03:04:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone OS 4.0 paving way for Apple-branded car kit?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/iphone-os-4-0-paving-way-for-apple-branded-car-kit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/iphone-os-4-0-paving-way-for-apple-branded-car-kit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/iphone-os-4-0-paving-way-for-apple-branded-car-kit/#commentsiPhone OS 4.0 paving way for Apple-branded car kit? Apple dropped iPhone OS 4.0 on us last week in a big way, and we spent plenty of time breaking down and exploring the details. But, there are apparently a few gems left to be discovered, like dedicated support for in-car use -- possibly even with an Apple-branded mount of some sort. When put into this mode the iPhone generates a simple menu that's fed over video output (demonstrated after the break) while the handset becomes a remote control... which may or may not be a good idea as more and more states ban cellphone use of any kind while driving. The developer hooks for such functionality appear to be in the iPhone API and, while it's all rumorsville at this point, Apple would be blind to not try and cash in on the auto integration market -- even if it is a little late to the party.

Continue reading iPhone OS 4.0 paving way for Apple-branded car kit?

iPhone OS 4.0 paving way for Apple-branded car kit? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appappleapple iphoneapple iphone os 4.0AppleIphoneAppleIphoneOs4.0auto integrationAutoIntegrationcarcar kitCarKitiphone osiphone os 4.0IphoneOsIphoneOs4.0videoTue, 13 Apr 2010 08:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Steve Jobs apparently says original iPhone won't be upgraded in the future]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/steve-jobs-apparently-says-original-iphone-wont-be-upgraded-in/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/steve-jobs-apparently-says-original-iphone-wont-be-upgraded-in/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/steve-jobs-apparently-says-original-iphone-wont-be-upgraded-in/#comments Now that the iPad is out and iPhone OS 4 has been announced, it looks like Steve Jobs is taking a little time to catch up on his email -- in addition to taking up the new SDK rules, it appears he's very tersely confirmed what we sadly suspected all along: the first-gen iPhone won't get an upgrade to iPhone OS 4. That makes a certain amount of sense, given that Apple's subscription accounting model for the original iPhone only booked free upgrades for 24 months, but really, that's just paperwork -- we don't see why Cupertino couldn't at least allow for an iPod touch-style paid upgrade, especially since the upgradeable iPhone 3G runs essentially the same hardware. And let's not forget that first-gen iPhone owners paid more or less full price for their devices, so if this is true, Apple's summarily dead-ended a $400 phone just under three years after it launched. Of course, none of this is officially confirmed yet, so anything can change -- we've pinged Apple for comment and they haven't responded yet, but we'll let you know what we find out.

[Thanks, Tanzeel]

Steve Jobs apparently says original iPhone won't be upgraded in the future originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleiphoneiphone 2giphone osiphone os 4iphone os 4.0Iphone2gIphoneOsIphoneOs4IphoneOs4.0original iphoneOriginalIphonerumorrumorssteve jobsSteveJobsupdateupgradeMon, 12 Apr 2010 12:42:00 EST<![CDATA[iChat video with front facing camera evidence mounts in iPhone OS 4]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/09/ichat-video-with-front-facing-camera-evidence-mounts-in-iphone-o/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/09/ichat-video-with-front-facing-camera-evidence-mounts-in-iphone-o/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/09/ichat-video-with-front-facing-camera-evidence-mounts-in-iphone-o/#comments Of the 1,500 or so new developer APIs and over 100 new user features mentioned by Steve and Co. yesterday, only a handful were covered in any detail. As usual, Apple was careful not to reveal anything about the next generation iPhone hardware expected to launch this summer. Fortunately we can spelunk the iPhone OS 4 SDK developer preview for hints of what's to come. TUAW found a new "iChatAgent" process running on OS 4 devices -- purpose, unknown -- but surely an indicator that Apple's finally set to launch a mobile iChat app. The fact that Apple hasn't already is one of those great iPhone / iPad / iPod touch mysteries. We've also peeled back the SDK to find evidence supporting those rumors of a front-facing camera (AVCaptureDevicePositionFront), flash (AVCaptureFlashModeOn/Off/auto), and torch/flashlight (AVCaptureTorchModeOn/Off/Auto) all declared in the AVCaptureDevice.h. Who cares, right? Front-facing video cameras have been implemented on a variety of mobile devices for years. Trouble is, how many people actually use them to video conference? And if Apple's late contribution to copy and paste can be used as a guide for setting expectations (and it can), then we expect Apple's iChat implementation to be done with the same grace and ease of use -- something that should have its carrier partners a bit worried if it's allowed to function over 3G data.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

iChat video with front facing camera evidence mounts in iPhone OS 4 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Apr 2010 04:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleAVCaptureDevice.hAVCaptureDevicePositionFrontAVCaptureFlashModeautoAVCaptureFlashModeOffAVCaptureFlashModeOnichatiChatAgentiphoneiphone os 4iphone os 4.0IphoneOs4IphoneOs4.0os 4Os4rumorsdkspeculationvideo chatvideo conferencingVideoChatVideoConferencingFri, 09 Apr 2010 04:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple's iPhone lockdown: apps must be written in one of three languages, Adobe in the hurt locker]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/apples-iphone-lockdown-apps-must-be-written-in-one-of-three-la/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/apples-iphone-lockdown-apps-must-be-written-in-one-of-three-la/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/apples-iphone-lockdown-apps-must-be-written-in-one-of-three-la/#commentsApple's already got a veritable novella describing things you can't do with the iPhone as a developer -- create apps that execute their own code is the biggie, obviously, blocking technologies Flash and Java in the absence of a loophole -- but it seems they've locked down the ecosystem just a little further today with the release of the iPhone OS 4 beta SDK. Check out this snippet from the developer's agreement:
Applications may only use Documented APIs in the manner prescribed by Apple and must not use or call any private APIs. Applications must be originally written in Objective-C, C, C++, or JavaScript as executed by the iPhone OS WebKit engine, and only code written in C, C++, and Objective-C may compile and directly link against the Documented APIs (e.g., Applications that link to Documented APIs through an intermediary translation or compatibility layer or tool are prohibited).
What does that mean, exactly? Well, it means that technologies like Adobe's iPhone compiler in Flash CS5 won't be allowed, simply because the source code of the app that you're writing isn't in a language Apple's comfortable with. The compiler had been seen as a potential boon for Flash devs that had already been blocked out of the iPhone ecosystem for lack of a true Flash player, but Apple's found a way to block even this workaround -- technically you don't need to be using Apple's own tools, but you've got be using one of three variants of a single programming language. It's hard to say why Apple cares, exactly, but we suspect that the company would have to analyze your app pretty closely to detect variances in how the compiler produced your machine code in order to determine that you'd violated the rule.

This could be a blow to publishers -- Condé Nast included -- who'd been banking on Adobe Air to lead the digital push, since those guys presumably won't be able to bring their issues to the iPhone (and, more importantly, the iPad) without violating the terms of Apple's agreement. Protectionism is a core element of the iPhone's success, in Apple's view -- but ultimately, this might come out as a decision that's difficult to defend, unnecessarily sours publishers to the platform, and turns Flash devs' heads just a little grayer than they already were.

Apple's iPhone lockdown: apps must be written in one of three languages, Adobe in the hurt locker originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 22:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adobeapplecc++compilerflashiphoneiphone osiphone os 4.0IphoneOsIphoneOs4.0objective-cThu, 08 Apr 2010 22:59:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone OS 4 keynote video now online]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/iphone-os-4-keynote-video-now-online/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/iphone-os-4-keynote-video-now-online/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/iphone-os-4-keynote-video-now-online/#comments Sure, you devoured every word of the liveblog (or perhaps just casually refreshed throughout the day, who are we to judge), but if you want to see the Steve Jobs-delivered iPhone OS 4 keynote with your own two eyes, the streaming video is now online. Multitask your way on over!

iPhone OS 4 keynote video now online originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 18:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleiphoneiphone os 4iphone os 4.0IphoneOs4IphoneOs4.0keynotestevenotevideo streamVideoStreamThu, 08 Apr 2010 18:52:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone OS 4 hands-on (updated with video!)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/iphone-os-4-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/iphone-os-4-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/iphone-os-4-hands-on/#comments Okay, so we're currently holding our breath while the developer preview of iPhone OS 4 installs on our 3GS -- a process that seems to be, uh, not going so well, but we wanted to share these quick shots we took from the simulator in the meantime. The dock is now 3D, like the one in Snow Leopard and on the iPad, multitasking works just like you'd expect -- you can swipe left and right to see more open apps -- and the Game Center app is present, although not functional. There's also Events and Faces in the Photos app, which you'd expect after the iPad version got them. We've got our fingers crossed that our latest restore attempt is going to work, so check back in a few for a video walkthrough, but hit the gallery below in the meantime!

Update: Wonder of wonders, we actually got the bugger working! We're doing video right now, let us know what you want to see -- and check out some on-device shots below.

Update 2: Video time! We also added some impressions, it's all after the break.

Gallery: iPhone OS 4 simulator screenshots


Gallery: iPhone OS 4.0 device screenshots

Continue reading iPhone OS 4 hands-on (updated with video!)

iPhone OS 4 hands-on (updated with video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleemulatorhands-oniphoneiphone osiphone os 4iphone os 4.0IphoneOsIphoneOs4IphoneOs4.0simulatorvideoThu, 08 Apr 2010 18:02:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone OS 4 versus Windows Phone 7: the tale of the tape]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/iphone-os-4-versus-windows-phone-7-the-tale-of-the-tape/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/iphone-os-4-versus-windows-phone-7-the-tale-of-the-tape/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/iphone-os-4-versus-windows-phone-7-the-tale-of-the-tape/#comments So now that Apple's finally addressed (well, sort of addressed) the 800-pound gorilla known as multitasking, it's time to take a good, hard look at how iPhone OS 4 stacks up against Redmond's completely redesigned mobile monster that's destined to hit handsets toward the end of the year. Though the two companies have taken vastly different paths to get to where they are with their mobile strategies today, there are some striking similarities between the platforms; take that multitasking we already mentioned, for example -- both iPhone OS and Windows Phone are looking to keep processor and battery utilization to a minimum by putting the emphasis on managed services for background apps rather than just letting them run roughshod over your fragile hardware. Of course, there are some striking differences, too -- so let's have a look, shall we?

Continue reading iPhone OS 4 versus Windows Phone 7: the tale of the tape

iPhone OS 4 versus Windows Phone 7: the tale of the tape originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 17:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleiphoneiphone osiphone os 4.0IphoneOsIphoneOs4.0microsoftwindows phone 7WindowsPhone7winpho 7Winpho7WP7SThu, 08 Apr 2010 17:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Jobs: If you see a stylus or a task manager, 'they blew it']]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/jobs-if-you-see-a-stylus-or-a-task-manager-they-blew-it/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/jobs-if-you-see-a-stylus-or-a-task-manager-they-blew-it/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/jobs-if-you-see-a-stylus-or-a-task-manager-they-blew-it/#comments Steve Jobs is never one to mince words when taking questions from the press, and he just made it very clear how he feels about other platforms during the iPhone OS 4 event when asked about task management:
Q: How do you close applications when multitasking?
A: (Scott Forstall) You don't have to. The user just uses things and doesn't ever have to worry about it.
A: (Steve Jobs) It's like we said on the iPad, if you see a stylus, they blew it. In multitasking, if you see a task manager... they blew it. Users shouldn't ever have to think about it.
Yeah, that pretty much sums up the Apple Way, but hey -- tell us how you really feel, Steve.

Jobs: If you see a stylus or a task manager, 'they blew it' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 14:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleiphone os 4iphone os 4.0iphone2010IphoneOs4IphoneOs4.0multitaskingscott forstallScottForstallsteve jobsSteveJobsThu, 08 Apr 2010 14:48:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone SDK 4 beta now available for download]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/iphone-sdk-4-beta-now-available-for-download/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/iphone-sdk-4-beta-now-available-for-download/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/iphone-sdk-4-beta-now-available-for-download/#comments Got your iPhone developer credentials handy? Then you'll want to head straight on over to the iPhone Dev Center, where you can now download the iPhone SDK 4 beta and get a taste of what everyone else will see this summer (or fall). And don't worry too much if you're not among the lucky iPhone devs, we've got you covered on all the details of iPhone OS 4 right here.

iPhone SDK 4 beta now available for download originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 14:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleiphoneiphone osiphone os 4iphone os 4.0iphone sdkiPhone SDK 4 betaIphoneOsIphoneOs4IphoneOs4.0IphoneSdkIphoneSdk4BetaThu, 08 Apr 2010 14:24:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone OS 4 not coming to the iPad until the fall]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/iphone-os-4-not-coming-to-the-ipad-until-the-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/iphone-os-4-not-coming-to-the-ipad-until-the-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/iphone-os-4-not-coming-to-the-ipad-until-the-fall/#comments All that great stuff we just heard about iPhone OS 4: multitasking, tentpoles, app folders, Game Center, iAd -- okay, maybe you weren't all that excited about iAd -- seemed destined to hit the iPad this summer. Surely, right? Instead, rather than finishing with his usual "one more thing" flourish today, Steve Jobs just left a stunned audience with the terse statement that Apple will be "bringing OS 4 to the iPad this fall." That's like... a whole different season from the new operating system's release. Why Steve, why?

iPhone OS 4 not coming to the iPad until the fall originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple ipadAppleIpadbreaking newsBreakingNewsipadiphoneiphone 2010iphone osiphone os 4iphone os 4.0Iphone2010IphoneOsIphoneOs4IphoneOs4.0Thu, 08 Apr 2010 14:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Multitasking comes to iPhone OS 4.0 -- but not to the iPhone 3G]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/multitasking-comes-to-iphone-os-4-0/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/multitasking-comes-to-iphone-os-4-0/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/multitasking-comes-to-iphone-os-4-0/#comments You heard that right, people -- iPhone OS 4 just brought multitasking to the platform! Apple says they've figured out how to implement third party multitasking without hurting performance or battery life, and they're demoing it now -- you just double click the home button and see a list of your apps, and you can just tap to switch between apps. The system actually runs the services apps need in the background -- the apps don't need to do them individually, so it's not a "true" multitasking system, but it seems plenty effective. There are seven services: background audio, which allows you to use the standard pop-over iPod controls, Voice over IP, which can receive calls in the background, location services for GPS and social networking (there's an indicator if any service is tracking you), updated push notifications with local notifications, task completion so you can finish things like uploads in the background, and fast app switching, which lets apps sleep and resume instantly. Notably missing? Anything for managing a conversation, like IM or Twitter, which is a big omission. Win some, lose some, we suppose.

Update: Here's a big "lose some" -- only the iPhone 3GS and 3rd generation (late 2009) iPod touch will support multitasking. The iPhone 3G and below won't -- Steve says the hardware doesn't support it. Sad face.

Gallery: Multitasking comes to iPhone OS 4.0!



Developing...
Make sure to check out the ongoing iPhone OS 4.0 liveblog!

Multitasking comes to iPhone OS 4.0 -- but not to the iPhone 3G originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebreaking newsBreakingNewsipadiphoneiphone osiphone os 4iphone os 4.0IphoneOsIphoneOs4IphoneOs4.0multitaskingThu, 08 Apr 2010 14:05:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone OS 4 unveiled, adds multitasking, shipping this summer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/iphone-os-4-0-unveiled-shipping-this-summer/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/iphone-os-4-0-unveiled-shipping-this-summer/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/iphone-os-4-0-unveiled-shipping-this-summer/#comments Just a bit more than a year after we first laid eyes on iPhone OS 3.0, Apple is back with the latest big revision of the OS that powers the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. iPhone OS 4 is shipping this summer (iPad in the fall), and the developer preview will be out today. iPhone 3GS and new-gen iPod touch will get all the features, but some features won't make it to the iPhone 3G, original iPhone, and older iPod touches. The biggest new feature is multitasking, which Apple says is going to be the "best" implementation in the smartphone space, though it's obviously not the first. App switching is activated by double tapping the home button, which pulls up a "dock" of currently running apps, and Apple claims it can do this without hurting battery life or performance for the front app. Unfortunately, this multitasking won't be available for devices older than the 3GS and new iPod touch. Multitasking is just one of seven different new "tentpole" features, including Game Center, enhanced Mail, and more...

Notable new features for users ("tentpoles" are in bold):
  • Multitasking.
  • Spell check (like on the iPad).
  • Bluetooth keyboard support (again, on the iPad).
  • User-defined wallpaper (a jailbreak favorite).
  • Tap to focus when recording video, just like with photos, and a 5x digital zoom for the camera.
  • Playlist creation and nested playlists.
  • App folders for sorting apps! You can even put an app folder in the dock.
  • Enhanced Mail! You can have a merged inbox view, switch between inboxes quickly, and sync to more than one Exchange account. There's also threaded messaging (at last!) and in-app attachment viewing.
  • iBooks, just like on iPad, only smaller. You can wirelessly sync books between platforms, a la Kindle.
  • Enterprise features, including remote device management and wireless app distribution.
  • Game Center. It's like Xbox Live, but for iPhone games. Includes achievements, leaderboards, and match making. It will be available as a "developer preview," and out for consumers later this year.

Developers are getting plenty of new tricks too:
  • New SDK, available today.
  • 1,500 new APIs.
  • Background audio (think Pandora).
  • Background VoIP (think Skype).
  • Background location data, both with live GPS for backgrounded turn-by-turn, and cell tower-based for lower power draw.
  • Local notifications. Like push notifications, but sends a notification straight from the app without needing a push notification server, perfect for an alarm, for instance.
  • Fast app switching. Saves the state of an app and resumes it from where you left off, without dwelling in memory.
  • iAd. Apple says it's for keeping "free apps free." The ads keep you in the app, while also taking over the screen and adding interactivity -- using HTML 5 for video -- up to simple gaming in-ad. Apple will offer a 60 / 40 split on revenue, and users can even buy apps straight from an ad.
  • In-app SMS.
  • Map overlays.
  • Quick look for previewing documents.
  • Photo Library access.
  • Calendar access.
  • Full access to the camera.
  • Video playback and capture.
  • Date and address "data detectors."
  • Automated testing and performance / power analysis (the same tools Apple uses).

Gallery: Folders in iPhone OS 4.0

Gallery: Enhanced Mail in iPhone OS 4.0

Gallery: Apple demos Game Center for iPhone OS 4.0



Make sure to check out the iPhone OS 4.0 liveblog to see how it all went down!

iPhone OS 4 unveiled, adds multitasking, shipping this summer originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app foldersAppFoldersapplebreaking newsBreakingNewsgame centerGameCenteribooksiphoneiphone osiphone os 4iphone os 4.0IphoneOsIphoneOs4IphoneOs4.0multitaskingThu, 08 Apr 2010 13:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple iAd brings ads, cash money to third-party iPhone apps]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/apple-iad-brings-ads-cash-money-to-third-party-iphone-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/apple-iad-brings-ads-cash-money-to-third-party-iphone-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/apple-iad-brings-ads-cash-money-to-third-party-iphone-apps/#comments If you were wondering exactly what Apple had in mind with its acquisition of Quattro Wireless a few months back, the picture gets a little clearer today with the announcement of the iAd mobile ad platform alongside iPhone OS 4.0 today with the company saying that iPhone devs have a billion "ad opportunities" per day. The idea is to keep users in the apps to see interactive, "emotional" ad content as often as once every three minutes -- not to "yank" them out, as Steve puts it -- while developers are rewarded with a 60 percent cut of the revenue. Ads are hosted and served by Apple, and while there'll be some sort of approval process, Steve's describing it as a "light touch," so it probably isn't the same process traditional apps go through. This makes things considerably more interesting for the mobile advertising business as a whole, since Google's been trying to seal the deal on an acquisition of industry leader AdMob for a while now in the face of some pretty intense FTC scrutiny. Certainly seems like this would grease the wheel a little bit, doesn't it?

Gallery: Apple's iAd system

Apple iAd brings ads, cash money to third-party iPhone apps originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadsadvertisingapplebreaking newsBreakingNewsiadiphoneiphone osiphone os 4.0iphone2010IphoneOsIphoneOs4.0mobilemobile admobile adsmobile advertisingMobileAdMobileAdsMobileAdvertisingquattro wirelessQuattroWirelessThu, 08 Apr 2010 13:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Live from Apple's iPhone OS 4 event!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/live-from-apples-iphone-os-4-event/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/live-from-apples-iphone-os-4-event/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/live-from-apples-iphone-os-4-event/#comments
We're on the ground outside of Apple's iPhone OS 4 event, awaiting the doorbuster stampede we hope to be a part of soon. Keep it tuned here, and check back at the times below for the official start!

07:00AM - Hawaii
10:00AM - Pacific
11:00AM - Mountain
12:00PM - Central
01:00PM - Eastern
06:00PM - London
07:00PM - Paris
09:00PM - Moscow

Continue reading Live from Apple's iPhone OS 4 event!

Live from Apple's iPhone OS 4 event! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple eventapple ipadapple iphoneAppleEventAppleIpadAppleIphoneeventipadiphone osiphone os 4iphone os 4.0IphoneOsIphoneOs4IphoneOs4.0liveblogos 4Os4steve jobsSteveJobsThu, 08 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple to announce iAd / AdKit mobile ad platform on Thursday?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/06/apple-to-announce-iad-adkit-mobile-ad-platform-on-thursday/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/06/apple-to-announce-iad-adkit-mobile-ad-platform-on-thursday/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/06/apple-to-announce-iad-adkit-mobile-ad-platform-on-thursday/#comments Here's an interesting little rumor that seems all too plausible: Peter Kafka at All Things Digital says sources are telling him Apple will announce a new mobile ad network based on its Quattro Wireless acquisition on Thursday at its iPhone OS 4 event, a report that jibes completely with what we learned about the iAd / AdKit framework present in the iPhone OS just last week. Kafka also says that Google will undoubtedly cheer the move on, since it's trying to convince the FTC to approve its $750m AdMob acquisition -- the presence of a formidable competitor like Apple in the mobile ad space makes the buyout seem more like healthy business and less like "evil monopoly that owns every ad on the internet and is stalking innocents for their flesh with Google Buzz." Our guess is that Apple will give developers a standard way to place ads in their apps using a new OS service and split the revenue 70/30, just like paid apps in the App Store, but that's just a shot in the dark -- we'll see what happens on Thursday.

Apple to announce iAd / AdKit mobile ad platform on Thursday? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adkitappleiadipadiphoneiphone osiphone os 4iphone os 4.0IphoneOsIphoneOs4IphoneOs4.0rumorrumorsTue, 06 Apr 2010 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Three flavors of iPhone OS 4.x showing up in developer's analytics?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/05/three-flavors-of-iphone-os-4-x-showing-up-in-developers-analyti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/05/three-flavors-of-iphone-os-4-x-showing-up-in-developers-analyti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/05/three-flavors-of-iphone-os-4-x-showing-up-in-developers-analyti/#commentsSpeaking of iPhone OS 4, check this out: PixelCUBE Studios, which currently holds the #1 spot on iTunes' list of free iPhone app downloads with The Impossible Test, noticed something rather curious in its usage stats. See, PixelCUBE uses Pinch Media to dredge up analytics, and a quick check of the OS versions its users are running (pictured left) shows that not one, not two, but three distinct flavors of OS 4 have turned up: 4.0, 4.0.1, and 4.1. It's not unusual for Apple (or any major software developer, really) to have different teams working on multiple version milestones at the same time, so we don't doubt that this could be real; then again, this is easy enough to spoof in a world where enterprising devs and fun-loving miscreants are bending iPhones to their every whim with creative hacks and lightning-quick jailbreaks. Anyone up for a careful daily sweep of BART trains until we get to the bottom of this?

Three flavors of iPhone OS 4.x showing up in developer's analytics? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>44.0appleiphoneiphone osiphone os 4iphone os 4.0IphoneOsIphoneOs4IphoneOs4.0pinch mediaPinchMediaMon, 05 Apr 2010 14:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple rumor twofer: Expose-like multitasking in iPhone OS 4.0, international iPad launch on April 24th]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/31/apple-rumor-twofer-expose-like-multitasking-in-iphone-os-4-0-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/31/apple-rumor-twofer-expose-like-multitasking-in-iphone-os-4-0-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/31/apple-rumor-twofer-expose-like-multitasking-in-iphone-os-4-0-i/#comments We're not quite at the height of Apple frenzy, but looking at the bell curve, we're only a standard deviation or two from its zenith (we imagine the fever pitch will be in tandem with Saturday's iPad launch, if history and human nature tells us anything). Of course, that doesn't stop the rumor mill from amping up production, and so on with the show! First on the docket, remember last month's discovery of multitasking comments in the iPhone SDK 3.2 beta? Well, AppleInsider's apparently got it on word from its network of sources that OS 4.0 will in fact include multitasking, with app switching purportedly done by double-tapping the home button and selecting the appropriate active app icon. If you ask us, that sounds similar in function to command / tab switching, but the people claiming to be in the know liken it more to Expose for OS X.

Taking a step back to focus on the actual hardware for a moment, iPad in Canada is hearing that local Apple store employees have been told April 24th is a "black out period," meaning no one is allowed to take that day off. That usually coincides with major product launch, and we did hear the international iPad debut would be late April, but Apple's yet to make its non-US plans concrete. It is the last Saturday of the month, however, and perhaps it'll coincide with the other countries as well. As always, none of this is confirmed and shouldn't be taken as gospel in any way, shape, or form. We can't stop you from getting your hopes up, but don't blame us if those dreams get shattered by a sucker punch of reality.

Apple rumor twofer: Expose-like multitasking in iPhone OS 4.0, international iPad launch on April 24th originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple ipadapple iphoneAppleIpadAppleIphoneaprilcanadaexposeexpose os xExposeOsXinternationalipadipad osipad os 4ipad os 4.0IpadOsIpadOs4IpadOs4.0iphoneiphone os 4iphone os 4.0IphoneOs4IphoneOs4.0macmulti taskingMultiTaskingosos 4os 4.0os x exposeOs4Os4.0OsXExposerumorrumorsWed, 31 Mar 2010 18:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple rumor roundup: future of media edition]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/19/apple-rumor-roundup-future-of-media-edition/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/19/apple-rumor-roundup-future-of-media-edition/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/19/apple-rumor-roundup-future-of-media-edition/#comments
Now that Apple's officially announced an event to show off its "latest creation" on the 27th, the rumors and gossip are about to get even more out of hand -- eventually we expect them to take flight and start raiding small towns for soda water and appetizers. In the meantime, however, we've got the latest batch of somewhat-sober whispers to tide us over, so let's run through 'em, shall we?

The rumor: The iPhone Blog points us to a China Times piece setting the tablet's screen size at 9.7 inches. (We covered the 22-inch touchscreen iMac rumor separately.)
Our take: At this point we've heard pretty much every screen size from eight inches to 11, so we're not making a call either way on this one. We will say that the only other product with a 9.7-inch screen we can think of off-hand is the Kindle DX -- a relatively simple device that's still so large and heavy we generally hold it with two hands. Just something to think about.

The rumor: Ars Technica talks to the director of the OLED Association, who rules out a 10.1-inch AMOLED screen by saying "there's no real production of 10.1-inch panels." Oh, and the only place to buy those would be Samsung, really, and Sammy doesn't have the capacity.
Our take: We never thought a 10.1 OLED screen was likely: not only are prices insane, but OLED still has terrible daylight viewing issues. The Ars piece is well worth a read, though -- it's a nice look at the state of OLED.

Continue reading Apple rumor roundup: future of media edition

Apple rumor roundup: future of media edition originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amoledappledisneye-bookebookiphoneiphone osiphone os 4.0IphoneOsIphoneOs4.0new york timesNewYorkTimesoledrounduprumorrumor roundupRumorRounduprumorstabletTue, 19 Jan 2010 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Next week's Apple event to be iLife / iPhone OS 4.0 / tablet trifecta?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/18/next-weeks-apple-event-to-be-ilife-iphone-os-4-0-tablet-tri/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/18/next-weeks-apple-event-to-be-ilife-iphone-os-4-0-tablet-tri/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/18/next-weeks-apple-event-to-be-ilife-iphone-os-4-0-tablet-tri/#commentsWe're realistically no closer to knowing the outcome of next week's Apple event than we were a week, a year, or a decade ago, but rumors are obviously congealing around the mythical tablet that users, fans, and media have all but willed into existence recently -- and our buddy Clayton Morris says that's indeed a part of the story. Morris reports having spoken with a source at Apple this morning -- prior to the company's invites going out, interestingly -- who said that the event would focus on a new version of iLife, iPhone OS 4.0, and naturally, the tablet.

Loosely speaking, you can see how these would all tie together pretty nicely: the seemingly "creative" theme of Apple's invite rolls into a new version of iLife, and the announcement of a tablet could have implications for how a suite of artsy tools gets used. Rumblings that the tablet is underpinned by a new version of iPhone OS have gone back months, so that would give Apple impetus to tease it at the same time the tablet's shown off -- sans new iPhone hardware, possibly, which the company has done before. It's also possible that Apple will open source its entire catalog of software and shut down, buy an island nation, or do nothing at all -- but in fairness, there's an awful lot of logic to what Clayton's saying here. We'll know soon enough.

Next week's Apple event to be iLife / iPhone OS 4.0 / tablet trifecta? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple eventapple tabletAppleEventAppleTableteventilifeilife 2010Ilife2010iphoneiphone osiphone os 4iphone os 4.0IphoneOsIphoneOs4IphoneOs4.0rumortabletMon, 18 Jan 2010 16:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple rumor roundup: iPhone patent 4.0 edition]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/15/apple-rumor-roundup-iphone-patent-4-0-edition/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/15/apple-rumor-roundup-iphone-patent-4-0-edition/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/15/apple-rumor-roundup-iphone-patent-4-0-edition/#commentsOn today's edition of the never-ending Apple rumor roundup, we take a quick detour into the murky realm of the United States patent database, topped off with a charming unsourced tip and some delightful analyst conjecture. Let's blaze.

The rumor: A recent Apple patent application for a capacitive touchscreen-specific stylus may or may not mean The Tablet uses a stylus for input.
Our take: We've already promised to eat our hat if Apple puts a removable battery in the iPhone, so what's next? A shoe? We will eat a shoe if Steve Jobs introduces a product that requires the use of a stylus. Besides, this product already exists: it's called the Pogo Stylus, and it's not exactly rocking minds (although we are intrigued by Inklet). Apple likes to file silly broad patent applications and see what it can get away with -- it's never been wise to read too much into them.

The rumor: Another Apple patent application hints that portable DVR functionality is coming to the iPod / iPhone -- you'll be able to grab TV and radio content from cable, satellite, OTA, or using "services" with your portable device and then load that into iTunes. Not only will you be able to connect new iPods to a cable box to record shows -- channel changing and everything -- but Apple's going to release an accessory for older iPods to enable this functionality as well.
Our take: This would be like a dream come true for the consumer, and a crazy heroin nightmare for Apple to actually implement -- can you imagine an iPod with a freaking CableCARD slot? Neither can we. Besides, it's not like Apple to push content sales from anything other than the iTunes Store, and it's especially not like Apple to extend functionality to older iPods when it can just release a newer one in a slightly different metallic finish. Next!

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Apple rumor roundup: iPhone patent 4.0 edition originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple tabletAppleTabletiphoneiphone osiphone os 4.0IphoneOsIphoneOs4.0rumorrumor roundupRumorRounduprumorstabletFri, 15 Jan 2010 12:28:00 EST