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Rumor: 'Automatic Download' of app updates in iOS 5
A MacRumors reader reports that iTunes has leaked a new "Automatic Download" function expected to debut in iOS 5. Currently, apps can be updated either in iTunes on a Mac/PC or directly on the iDevice itself, but app updates have always required user intervention thus far. By the sounds of this leaked info, app updates will now be downloaded automatically in the background if the user so chooses. "If your device has Automatic Download enabled for apps, your updates will download to your device without having to sync," the leaked info states. This setting doesn't currently exist in iOS, which suggests it's a forthcoming feature of the iOS 5 update, possibly tied in with Apple's iCloud offering. If MacRumors' source is accurate, and it most likely is given other rumors, we can expect to see this feature debuted at WWDC next week.
Steve Jobs talks iCloud, iOS 5, OS X Lion and more at WWDC, liveblog starts at 10AM PT on June 6th!
Do you love music? Do you love it in the cloud? Are you still trying to figure out if "the cloud" is "your bag?" Regardless of your mixed emotions regarding the impending iCloud service, that's just a third (based on rough calculations) of what Steve Jobs will talk about on Monday, when WWDC 2011 kicks off in San Francisco. iOS 5 and OS X Lion will also be major topics of conversation, and while we've no evidence that new hardware will be kicking around backstage, we've got history at our backs giving us a sliver of hope. Naturally, we'll be there kicking out the facts as they happen, and you're encouraged to join us at this very link. Bookmark that and return at the times listed below, and if your neck of the woods ain't listed, shout it out in comments. Oh, and any predictions? Anything somewhat sane is welcome below. 07:00AM - Hawaii 10:00AM - Pacific 11:00AM - Mountain 12:00PM - Central 01:00PM - Eastern 06:00PM - London 07:00PM - Paris 09:00PM - Moscow 02:00AM - Tokyo (June 7th) Take a look through the archives with our past WWDC liveblogs! Live from WWDC 2010 Live from WWDC 2009 Live from WWDC 2008 Live from WWDC 2007 Live from WWDC 2006 Live from WWDC 2005
Apple renews Google partnership, Google Maps still in iOS 5
According to Engadget, in an interview at the D9 Conference Google's Eric Schmidt confirmed that Apple and Google will maintain their partnership in maps and search functionality in iOS. "We just renewed our map and search agreements with Apple, and we hope those continue for a long time." This may mean that Apple has put a hold on plans to institute its own mapping service, or that the service was never close to deployment to begin with. Whatever the case may be, it looks like Google Maps will be the default mapping service for iOS 5 at the very least, and possibly for some time to come.
Twitter to have systemwide integration in iOS 5?
TechCrunch reports that Twitter is on the verge of launching its own photo-sharing service in direct competition with existing services like TwitPic and yFrog. The big news for iOS device users is this service might have system-level integration in iOS 5. According to TechCrunch, the site has heard from several sources that "Apple's new iOS 5 will come with an option to share images to Twitter baked into the OS. This would be similar to the way you can currently share videos on YouTube with one click in iOS. Obviously, a user would have to enable this feature by logging in with their Twitter credentials in iOS. There would then be a 'Send to Twitter' option for pictures stored on your device." John Gruber of Daring Fireball thinks the service, if it does come to fruition, may not be restricted to just photo sharing. "Imagine what else the system could provide if your Twitter account was a system-level service," he muses. Indeed, after installing Twitter for Mac in Mac OS X, there's a right-click option to tweet any hyperlink from Safari; if Twitter sharing is going to be baked into iOS 5, this seems like an easily-implemented feature. More out in left field, integrating Twitter into iOS Contacts could also allow users to post tweets to other users directly from within apps like Messages, thus allowing conversations begun via SMS to divert to Twitter and spare users from per-text carrier charges. There's obviously been no confirmation from Apple that Twitter will be integrated in iOS 5, and TechCrunch hasn't heard about similar functionality for services like Facebook or Flickr. With WWDC and iOS 5's unveiling only a week away, we'll know one way or the other very soon.
Apple to unveil iCloud, iOS 5 on Monday, June 6
Had some doubts that Apple was heading skyward? Those lingering concerns can now be put to rest. Apple has confirmed that it will be announcing iCloud on June 6th, what it's calling an "upcoming cloud services offering." That will be part of the keynote for this year's Worldwide Developers Conference, known to the cool kids as WWDC. This is, of course, where everyone has come to expect new iPhones to come to light, but this year we're thinking the focus will be more on software, and indeed Apple's event notice indicates that the big highlights will be Mac OS X Lion and the next version of its mobile operating system, iOS 5. This is a decidedly non-Apple way to announce something big like iCloud, making us wonder what other surprises Steve Jobs will have for us at the event -- yes, he'll be kicking things off. As ever you can find out as it happens here, live.
iOS 5 to feature 'completely revamped' notifications, widgets
TechCrunch reports that iOS 5, expected to debut at WWDC next month, will feature a "completely revamped" notification system and widgets. Apple has long been rumored to be revamping its notifications system in iOS, and many have expected that such a notification system revamp would make its way into iOS 5. The widgets functionality is somewhat a new concept, however. Besides TechCrunch's mention that there will be iOS widgets, nothing else is known about what they'll look like or what function they'll perform. MacRumors postulates that iOS widgets could "presumably provide quick access to information without the need for launching dedicated apps, much the same as Dashboard widgets in Mac OS X." They might also function similarly to a pretty cool concept video of how widgets might work in iOS.
iOS 5 rumor: iPhone 3GS to drop off supported list?
Normally we don't give much credence to a single tweet pertaining to rumors about the next iPhone, but this one comes from Eldar Murtazin, editor-in-chief of mobile phone blog Mobile-Review. Murtazin has a history of accurately predicting mobile phone rumors and in this tweet says the iPhone 3GS will not be upgradable to iOS 5 when it debuts this fall: "Just one comment. Apple iPhone 3Gs wont be upgradable to iOS 5.x. iPhone 4 will." [Note that it is possible that Murtazin was referring to the plural of iPhone 3G -- 3Gs -- and not the iPhone 3GS model, but it's not clear. –Ed.] Apple dropped support for the original iPhone in iOS 4 and limited support to certain features of iOS 4 on the iPhone 3G, so some might think it's obvious that iOS 5 will not support the iPhone 3GS -- a two year old phone by the time the new operating system ships. However, as MacRumors points out, Apple still currently sells the iPhone 3GS and not supporting the newest OS on something they currently sell (at least until the day they announce the new iPhone) would be out of character for the company. But with all the rumors that iOS 5 will sport the biggest changes iOS has seen since its debut, it's conceivable that iOS 5 might have some pretty big hardware requirements and could require at least an A4 chip and possibly even a Retina Display to run. [hat tip MacStories]
Nuance voice samples provide a taste of Lion text-to-speech
As we reported on May 14, Lion Developer Preview 3 includes a number of voices from Nuance's RealSpeak Solo software that can be used for text-to-speech (TTS) operations in the OS. These voices are a good improvement on the existing voices used by Mac OS X, and could point to a greater use of speech recognition and TTS as a user interface feature in Lion and iOS 5. If you have a hankering to hear just how good these voices are, OS X Daily has linked to a number of samples that are available on the NextUp Nuance Sample page, some of which are listed below: • Samantha - American English Female • Serena - British English Female • Sangeeta - Indian English Female • Felix - Canadian French Male • Karen - Australian English Female • Lee - Australian English Male • Yannick - German Male • Monica - Spanish Female • Paolo - Italian Male My current favorite on the list is Karen, the Australian English female voice. What voice do you want to hear coming out of your Mac or iOS device speakers in the future? Let us know in the comments.
iOS 5 speech recognition concept showcased in video
Recent rumors and a patent application suggest an upcoming version of iOS will include some form of speech recognition. Inspired by these revelations, graphic designer Jan-Michael Cart created a short video that shows how Apple could add this speech-to-text functionality to iOS 5. His conceptualization takes speech recognition one step further than the patent, which focus on calling only. Cart envisions a world where speech is incorporated into the core of iOS and used throughout the user interface. For example, a long-press of the home button would launch the speech recognition module and let you create text messages. An API could be made available to developers so that they could add speech recognition to their applications. It's an interesting concept that would make many users happy if Apple implements speech-to-text in this way. Read on for Jan-Michael Cart's concept video. [Via iPhoneDownloadBlog]
iOS 5 updates expected to be carried over-the-air, at least for the Verizon iPhone
Having spent a good part of our day yesterday negotiating with iTunes and downloading a whopping 666.2MB file to update our iPhone to version 4.3.3 -- a version, we might add, whose sole claim to fame is the removal of things -- we know well the pains of updating Apple's mobile software. Those aches, however, may soon be coming to an end. 9to5Mac has multiple sources informing it that Apple and Verizon are scheming to start delivering iOS updates over the air from this fall, or just as soon as iOS 5 is made available. Untethered OS updates are a familiar feature to users of other smartphone operating systems and even the iOS-infused Apple TV, but getting Apple's mobile devices up to date has so far always required going through the company's own cable and software. There's no reason to believe this wireless update feature will be limited to Verizon, mind you -- that's just where the informants are coming from in this instance -- though Apple will almost certainly have to alter the file sizes of its updates. We can't think of many carriers who'll be happy to push more than half a gigabyte of data per user per update. Additionally, since iTunes currently acts as the major backup hub, 9to5Mac speculates Cupertino must be working on a cloud backup service as well, which would seem a very sensible idea. Of course, that doesn't paint a very happy or busy future for iTunes, but so what?
iOS 5 may offer over-the-air software updates
One major complaint about iOS thus far has been the inability to apply software updates over the air. If you want to move from iOS 4.3.2 to 4.3.3, you have to download the appropriate update through iTunes, or via direct download, assuming you can find the links, plug your iOS device into your Mac or PC, and apply the software update using iTunes. It's a bit of a backward process in an era when iPhones and iPads are looking more like portable computers in their own right with each new iteration. But according to 9to5Mac's sources, after iOS 5 this will be a thing of the past. While iOS 5 itself won't be available over the air, following "point" upgrades (i.e., iOS 5.1) will. This means that like competing devices using Android or webOS, once you receive a notification on your device of a new OS update being available, you could download and install that update from the device itself rather than using iTunes as a go-between. If true, this will be welcome news for iPad users particularly. Wireless carriers may not be so thrilled, however. iOS updates are usually well north of 500 MB, and if a few hundred thousand iPhone owners in markets like New York City or San Francisco all start downloading a big update at once, that's going to cripple the network very quickly. That may be why Verizon is thus far the only carrier that's been "confirmed" (by those always-reliable "sources") to be discussing over the air updates with Apple. Alternatively, Apple might be working out a way to reduce the size of iOS "point" updates by offering smaller "delta" updaters like it does with Mac OS X.
Developer gets crash report from device running iOS 5
iOS app developer FutureTap has received a crash report from a device running iOS 5. FutureTap notes the crash involved MKUserLocationBreadCrumb, which 9to5Mac notes is related to the maps/location functions in iOS and could mean these APIs have been altered in iOS 5. Since Apple is now testing third-party apps with iOS 5, it likely puts the next version of the iPhone's operating system on-track for a public unveiling in June at WWDC. It's still not clear if we'll see iOS 5 released in mid-summer as we have previous major iOS updates, or if Apple will wait until the fall to release iOS 5 alongside updated hardware.
White iPhone 4 used to demo new multitasking, Spotlight search in 'test version' of iOS? (video)
We've just laid eyes on a video from the prolific leaksters over at Tinhte, who claim they not only have a white iPhone 4 from Apple, but it's one with a "test version" of iOS that nobody else has yet seen. It's difficult to ascertain how legitimate this software is -- it could just be a neatly done jailbreak mod -- but that site has a track record of getting its hands on Apple gear ahead of the pack. With that said, the multitasking menu shown here substitutes the current use of apps' icons to represent them with a visual of each app's open window. You can tap on a window to expand it (replete with animation) to fill the screen or long-press on it to bring up the familiar "x" button for shutting it down. This is all accompanied by a new "Search iPhone" dialog at the very top, which sends you into Spotlight search that looks very much the way it currently does (though it seems to no longer be accessible with a left swipe from the first homescreen as on previous versions of iOS). Jump past the break for the video. Update: A second video has been uncovered, this one showing that we're looking at a prototype unit and taking us on a tour around its body. A visit to the Settings menu shows a 64GB storage capacity, while app folder creation is also handled a little differently from iOS 4. The presence of the Touch Fighter app on this phone, which Apple built to show off the capabilities of earlier versions of the handset, and other internal-looking software seems to point to this indeed being some form of iOS beta build. Of course, it might not be iOS 5 at all, but simply a never-released version of iOS 4. All we know for sure is that the video's after the break. Update 2: All indications are that this is indeed an early, unreleased version of iOS 4. Interesting, but probably not something to get your hopes up about.
Latest iPhone 5 rumors point to iterative update, production beginning in September
The latest iPhone 5 rumors could also be filed under "logical evolution of the species." As we saw with the iPhone 3G to 3GS, the form factor on the iPhone 5 is not expected to change. As logic would dictate, Apple should update the processor to the A5 (currently in the iPad 2). New rumors also indicate an 8 MP camera (probably not from Sony, however) on the back and a switch to Qualcomm baseband chips for CDMA and GSM. Oh, and as AppleInsider reports, "an improved antenna design." These latest details are courtesy of analyst Ming-Chi Kuo with Concord Securities. He's been right before, correctly predicting the resolution of the iPad 2's screen and its cameras. Kuo echoes the September availability we've been hearing, but claims it will be announced at WWDC (which we have heard will not happen). All of the hardware points line up with rumors we've heard before. Still, Kuo says iOS 5 will be the big news this year on the iPhone front, and I agree. Some of you may recall that Mac OS X Tiger (10.4) introduced so many new features, applications and frameworks that Apple said it would turn your Mac into a "new" computer. I think iOS 5 will not only address some of the glaring issues in iOS (notifications, for example) but will also add many features designed to leapfrog the competition. The question is whether iOS 5 will debut with the iPhone 5 or after it.
Photo Stream feature hints found in iOS 4.3
Possible confirmation of a Photo Stream service in iOS 5 has come after users spotted hidden references to the service inside the current version, iOS 4.3. We wrote about it a while ago here, but now a 9to5Mac reader has come across it while using a third-party app to browse his iPhone 4 photo albums. The expectation is that Photo Stream will work for your photos in Photos.app the same way Playlists work for music in iTunes, allowing you to send albums of photos to friends. Its background appearance in iOS 4.3 may indicate that it was pulled at the last moment and will instead be part of the major iOS 5 upgrade, which is rumored to be out this fall. Hopefully, Photo Stream will indeed make it into iOS 5. Sharing your photo albums via a revamped MobileMe with your friends and family, all in an easy-to-use Apple fashion, would be a great feature.
5 things I want to see in iOS 5
With all the rumors that iOS 5 is going to be a major revamp, including features like digital lockers, cloud storage and AI voice control, the next version of Apple's iPhone and iPad operating system is sure to knock our socks off. It may even include things we never knew we always needed. However, here are five of my humble wishes for iOS 5: 1. Notifications: Everyone knows notifications need a major overhaul in the next iOS. They really haven't been tweaked since iOS launched in 2007. While the iPhone is arguably the best smartphone on the market, its notification system is perhaps the worst of all. There are plenty of ways Apple could go with a notification redesign, but I'm hoping at the very least it includes a new lock screen featuring notifications (with the ability to disable them on the lock screen for privacy purposes), then use the very valuable screen real estate, which is currently entirely dedicated to Spotlight searching. There is so much space on that screen, Apple can easily divide it up between a notifications center and Spotlight search. 2. Weather app: This is probably not on anyone's list but mine, but I want to see a feature-added Weather app. I'm not even talking about any advanced stuff; all I really want is to be able to rotate the iPhone into landscape mode while in the Weather app and see an hourly forecast. Like notifications, the Weather app hasn't changed since the first version of iOS, and I don't think asking for an hourly breakdown is beyond Apple's technological skills. It would also be nice for the Weather app to be location aware, with one default weather screen always showing your current location's weather.
Rumor: iOS 5 will be a 'major revamp,' won't debut until fall
TechCrunch reports that two "solid sources" have said Apple will hold off on unveiling the next iteration of iOS, version 5, until this fall instead of debuting in the summer as in years past. If TechCrunch's sources are correct, the iPhone 5 is still likely to debut in the summer, but it will be running a flavor of the current v4 iOS. In addition of launching in the fall, TechCrunch's sources state that iOS 5 will be a "major revamp of the OS" that will include: an heavily cloud-based iOS, with several new services a "music locker" service to coincide with the introduction of new iPods a location service that focuses on finding friends and family members TechCrunch also states Apple will first discuss many of iOS 5's cloud-based services at WWDC in June, and Mac OS X Lion will likely include integration with those cloud-based components. Until Apple makes an announcement about iOS 5 nothing is certain, but if TechCrunch's sources are right about a "music locker" service, it would make sense to hold iOS 5 until the fall when new iPods are traditionally launched. The extended timeline would also give Apple the time to devote sufficient resources to completing work on Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, which Apple has said will be released this summer.
Rumor: Apple to hold iOS 5 and MobileMe media event in April
German Apple site Macerkopf.de is claiming via a "trusted source" that Apple is set to hold a media event sometime during the first two weeks of April in which Apple will preview iOS 5 and also launch a revamped MobileMe service. The site offers no details on the features of iOS 5 or what the MobileMe revamp might entail, but it is not unreasonable to assume Apple would be holding such an event in the near future to prep developers for the next release of iOS, which presumably will be released with the iPhone 5 in the summer. For those of you wondering if you should wait until the release of iOS 5 to buy a new iPad 2, which ships this Friday, don't bother. Apple has stated in the past that all iPad owners are entitled to one free iOS upgrade. It will, however, be interesting to see whether Apple plans to charge original iPad owners (who already got their free upgrade with iOS 4.2) for the iOS 5 upgrade. Macerkopf.de's original posting about the iOS 5 event can be read in English (via Google Translate) here.
What was MIA from the big iPad announcements today?
Pretty exciting stuff at the Yerba Buena Center. From where I sit, the new iPad is a substantial, but not groundbreaking upgrade. I do think it has created some unpleasant drama for the Android and unshipped BlackBerry tablets. On the other hand, life is not all about fawning over every move Apple makes (despite what it feels like some days). As I step outside the Reality Distortion Field, there were some things I wanted to see Apple include. More storage: We've seen the iPhone storage increase over time while prices stayed the same. The iPad is sitting at the same configurations at the same price. It would have been nice to see the 16 GB iPad dropped, with the 32 GB at the lower price point. Screen: I didn't expect the screen resolution to increase. That would have jacked the price up, and Apple surely didn't want to do that..., but a non-glare screen option would have been awfully nice. Using the iPad outside or in a room with a lot of windows is no picnic.
Live from Apple's iPad 2 event (update: it's over!)
We're going to be liveblogging Apple's iPad 2 announcement (and whatever else they have in store). Check back at the times below, and get ready to make history together! 08:00AM - Hawaii 10:00AM - Pacific 11:00AM - Mountain 12:00PM - Central 01:00PM - Eastern 06:00PM - London 07:00PM - Paris 09:00PM - Moscow 11:30PM - Mumbai 03:00AM - Tokyo (March 3rd) 05:00AM - Sydney (March 3rd) Update: Phew! The event's just finished. Now here's a list of all our posts from this event: The iPad 2 iPad 2 first hands-on! iPad 2 vs. original iPad: what's changed? iPad 2 vs. Motorola Xoom vs. HP TouchPad vs. BlackBerry PlayBook: the tale of the tape iPad 2 gets a Smart Cover Apple's Digital AV Adapter also works with iPhone 4, fourth-gen iPod touch, and first-gen iPad Apple iOS 4.3 coming March 11 with iPad 2, includes new AirPlay features and FaceTime iMovie, GarageBand for iPad announced -- $4.99 on March 11th Apple ships 100 millionth iPhone, 15 million iPads sold in 2010 100 million books downloaded from iBooks, Random House titles added Apple slashes original iPad price to $399, iPad 2 not up for pre-order yet CE-Oh no he didn't!: Steve Jobs misquotes Samsung, asks what you're gonna do about it
