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iPhone 3G, iOS 4, and you -- what's missing (spoiler: multitasking)
While iOS 4 is delivering on every promise for the iPhone 3GS users out there, as we were all told up front, the iPhone 3G would be missing some of those touted new features. Granted, we knew such disparities would exist but were never given the finer details. Now that the final build is percolating through the internet, we decided to take a look at what features are and aren't working on the earlier year's model. What's there Folders Threaded mail iTunes playlist creation / editing 5x digital zoom: just tap on the display near the capture button, but be warned, it doesn't paint a pretty picture iBooks: we were having issues with the earlier build, but it seems to be running fine after today's official download -- PDFs work, too. Photos: you can now sort by albums, events, faces, and places Game Center: the icon is present, but as of this writing we're unable to connect to the servers. (Update: a number of readers saying it didn't come with today's download. We nabbed ours as a gold build, which might explain the discrepancy despite still being considered "up to date" by iTunes.) Spell check has been updated Spotlight search: you can search the web and Wikipedia from the home screen search bar. That said, not all our queries -- "Engadget," for example -- weren't offering the option. [Thanks, jkane08] What isn't Multitasking: this is the big one. Double-tapping the home button doesn't give you the handy menu, there's no fast app switching, and background use is missing in action. Screen lock: normally in the multitasking menu (which isn't available on 3G), it's nowhere to be found, even under Settings. Bummer. Home screen wallpaper: you'd think this simple addition would make the cut, but sadly no. The dock has been given a visual upgrade, though. Bluetooth Keyboard support: we haven't tried this ourselves, but an influx of reports from Twitter suggest this is also a no-go. We'll keep testing, but be sure to let us know your own discoveries below!
iOS 4: Updating woes with iPhone 3G
It is for you, the faithful Apple consumers whose upgrades have gone awry, that we post this little tidbit and attempt to help you maintain your sanity. While we can't help much with the activation errors that some of you have had (potentially due to overloaded communications between Apple), we can help with the infamous error 3002 that many iPhone 3G owners are seeing when attempting to update their devices.
I've upgraded to iOS 4: Now what?
You've upgraded your iPhone to iOS 4, and you're anxious to play with all sorts of new and wonderful features. Before you do that, take a few minutes to make sure everything is working as expected. Here's a list of things to confirm. They aren't in any particular order, and not all of them will apply to everyone, but some of them will, especially if you have "restored" your iPhone. 1. Launch the phone app and go to the voicemail tab. Make sure that it isn't asking for your PIN. If you're really cautious, you might even call your iPhone and leave yourself a voicemail just to make sure it's working as expected. Six more easy and necessary steps after the break.
iBooks now available on iOS 4
A number of iOS 4-compatible apps are being distributed today, and now Apple's iBooks application has gone universal as promised. The new version offers book syncing between the iPhone or iPod touch and the iPad, plus bookmark syncing (via iTunes) and a free copy of Winnie the Pooh. The UI has a few subtle differences. When viewing the iBookstore from the iPhone, the icons across the bottom are Featured, Charts, Browse, Search and Purchases. On the iPad, they're Featured, New York Times selections, Top Charts and Purchases. Bookmark synchronization is done via iTunes. When first launched, you're asked if you'd like to setup bookmark sync. A simple "yes" will do. You can move previously-purchased iBooks to your iPhone in two ways. The first is to sync them like other items in iTunes. With your iPhone connected to iTunes, click the "Books" tab. You'll see options to sync both audio books and iBookstore purchases. You can opt to sync all books at once, or pick-and-choose individual titles. The other method is to go into the iBookstore with your iPhone and tap Purchases. You'll see a list of all the purchases you've made with an option to re-download each one. Reading on the iPhone is of course different than the iPad due to the screen size, but all of the settings in the iPad version, like brightness, text size, search and bookmark, are in place. We'll have an in-depth look at this app up soon. For now, try it out and experience Apple's idea of the iPhone as an ereader.
iOS 4.0 Gold Master SDK publicly released
The iOS 4.0 gold master SDK (not release candidate) is now available for download from Apple. All members of Apple's developer program (not just paid members) can access the iOS 4.0 SDK, with its enhanced APIs. As in the past, the ongoing NDA for the iPhone version of iOS 4.0 is expected to be revoked as the GM is put out for public developer consumption. So what's next? Apple is expected to put its latest iPad iOS 4 SDK into beta soon as well as the new Game Center functionality. Meanwhile, developers are anxiously anticipating the general beta of the new Xcode 4.0. If you are a paid or online developer and you haven't watched the Developer Tools State of the Union, you really should head on over to do so at your earliest convenience. It's an amazingly exciting time to be developing for iOS and Mac OS X.
iOS 4 apps: the best of what's new and updated (live updates!)
Although iOS 4 is out now with 1500 new APIs including multitasking support, your apps won't support all those new features out of the gate -- they'll need to be updated to take full advantage of the iPhone's new tricks. Happily, Apple started accepting iOS 4-ready apps last week, so there's a handful of interesting apps already available, and we're sure more are on the way. Here's a quick list of what you can check out right now -- we'll be updating this as we go, so check back for more! Dropbox: Everyone's favorite file-syncing tool can now sync and complete uploads in the background, and also adds in support for fast app switching. Evernote: the notes-in-the-cloud app adds support for fast app switching, and can continue to record audio notes in the background. Pandora: Yes, you can finally play Pandora in the background -- and the quick music controls on the left-most panel of the app switcher even control playback when it's in the background. Nifty. New York Times: Nothing major, but the Gray Lady supports fast app switching, so you can jump right back into an article without reloading. ESPN ScoreCenter: Supports fast app switching, although you'll still have to open it up for scores to refresh, since there's no background updating API. How to Cook Everything: Funny that a cookbook is one of the first iOS4 apps out there, but we're Mark Bittman fans, so this is pretty cool -- it supports fast app switching, so you don't have to reload a recipe every time you close the app. Oh, and it's got newer high-res art for the iPhone 4. Tasty. Fandango: Now has fast app switching, so you can juggle other tasks while buying your movie tickets. LinkedIn: Yep, LinkedIn's iPhone app adds fast app switching to the mix. So those are some highlights -- we'll keep updating as we go here, but most of the early iOS 4-ready apps are just adding fast app switching. We won't lie, once you see it in action, you'll wonder how you lived without it, but we're still waiting to see developers get wild on those 1499 other new APIs -- let us know what you're seeing out there! Update: We're listing off more as we find them after the break -- check it! Update 2: "Tested for iOS4" doesn't guarantee new features, but if you want to know which apps can make that claim, here's a handy Google search. [Thanks, jihuiwen!]
Pandora for iOS 4 hits the streets
Not a minute too soon! As expected, Pandora has updated the much-loved music app for the iPhone to version 3.1. This build will (drumroll) allow you to keep playing music when you move on to something else. Of course this will only work on devices that support multitasking on iOS 4, which means the iPhone 3GS and the new iPhone 4 available later this week. As I write this, Apple has just delivered the OS update for current iPhones, so those with the iPhone 3GS are good to go. This update will make a whole lot of people very happy. I tried out the 'music in the background' feature with the golden master of iOS 4, and it worked like a charm. Pandora did ask me to re-enter my password. Your mileage may vary on that one. Pandora! Grab it.
iOS 4 now available for your iPhone 3G, 3GS, newer-generation iPod touches
Right on time, Apple has unleashed iOS 4 for owners of the iPhone product codes 1,2, 2,1, and 3,1 -- in other words, the 3G, 3GS, and yet-unreleased iPhone 4. Owners of more recent iPod touches are also in luck. Interestingly, the build is 8A293 -- the exact same that was released to developers before as a GM seed -- so Apple apparently found no showstoppers pressing enough to necessitate a new build before pushing it to the public at large. It's coming up in iTunes now, so go on -- what are you waiting for? [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
iOS 4.0 firmware release expected momentarily, quick Terminal tip to check
Last year, we showed you how to check for the 3.0 firmware release via the terminal command line. As we move into the new year, TUAW reader Mike K writes in, saying "Being compulsive, is the terminal command to check for 3.0 the same as for 4.0? I'd love to know..." Hey Mike, yes the terminal command is more or less the same as last year, but we have a slight improvement for you, so your system will speak to you when the new firmware goes live. #! /bin/csh curl -s -L http://phobos.apple.com/version | grep -i Restore | grep -i iPhone | grep -i 4.0 if ($? == 1) then echo "Nothing yet..." else say "FOUR POINT OH FIRMWARE IS NOW AVAILABLE" endif sleep 30 Save this script into a new file (e.g. "checkingscript") and chmod it to 755 so it will be executable. (The line that starts with "curl" and ends with "4.0" is a single line -- so make sure you don't split it in two. Also make sure you put a carriage return at the end of the "sleep 30" line.) Then run the script from the command line using a repeat command, e.g. repeat 5000 ./checkingscript. The built-in "sleep" command ensures that it will wait 30 seconds between attempts. If you are not using csh or tcsh, just type csh at the command line before issuing the repeat command. The script works by checking for iPhone restore firmware that has 4.0 in the name. When it finds this, the curl command will return a success (exit status 0 versus a failed exit status of 1) and your system will speak to you using the OS X "say" command. You will need to select your firmware using the iPhone or iPod touch model. They are: iPhone 3G: iPhone 1,2 iPhone 3GS: iPhone 2,1 iPod touch 2G: iPod 2,1 iPod touch 3G: iPod 3,1 These are embedded into the name, so a firmware restore named iPhone2,1_4.0_9B291_Restore.ipsw (I just made that name up) would be a 3GS restore file for 4.0. To download, copy the full phobos.apple.com URL and paste it into Safari's download window or use any other favorite method to retrieve the firmware. Then hold the Option key and click Update in iTunes. Navigate to the firmware (the ipsw file), select it, and 4.0's good to go. Of course, you can also download directly through iTunes as soon as the update is available.
Talkcast tonight: iPhone 4 preorder and more!
As per tradition, we'll be digitally gathering this evening for the Talkcast. Hosting tonight will be handled by me, unofficial Mistress of the unofficial Aftershow. This week's topics include the iPhone 4 preorder snafu-age, the 10.6.4 system update, the impending iOS 4 release, and iPad/Mac security. We'll get things underway at 4pm Hawaiian time, which is 7pm Pacific and 10pm Eastern. Of course, we'll also talk about whatever your heart desires too. None of this works without you. Yes, you! Without our regular readers and listeners, it's just TUAW bloggers talking to themselves. What Mac and iPhone-related topics are on your mind? To participate on TalkShoe, you can use the browser-only client, the embedded Facebook app, or the classic TalkShoe Pro Java client; however, for maximum fun, you should call in. For the web UI, just click the "TalkShoe Web" button on our profile page at 10 pm Sunday. To call in on regular phone or VoIP lines (take advantage of your free cellphone weekend minutes if you like): dial (724) 444-7444 and enter our talkcast ID, 45077 -- during the call, you can request to talk by keying in *8. If you've got a headset or microphone handy on your Mac, you can connect via the free Gizmo or X-Lite SIP clients; basic instructions are here. Come by, won't you? We'll have coffee, we'll talk, no big whoop.
iTunes 9.2 adds checkbox for automatic sync of new apps
We already told you about iTunes 9.2 being released, but there was a little new feature in there which may have escaped your notice. At the bottom of the list of apps that you can install on your iDevice is a checkbox to automatically sync new apps. This has been the default behavior of iTunes, but you are now able to turn it off if you don't want apps to be automatically sync'd to your iDevices. Thanks to TUAW reader Mike (aka MC SE7EN) for the tip. Mike also pointed out that the little iOS device images that appear next to the device name, identifier, etc, seem to be pictured running iOS 4, even if your device isn't. If you look closely you can see a folder icon. Well, Mike could. My eyes apparently aren't as good as his. Updated 7:30 pm to clarify that this was the default behavior which now has an "off" switch.
Next update to Navigon app will multitask on iOS 4
Navigation is one of the iPhone app categories that will really benefit from multitasking, and Navigon will shortly release a free update to provide that highly desired functionality. You can leave the app when a call comes in, and when you end the call you'll still be navigating. Better yet, any voice alerts will be heard while you are on a call. The US and Canada version will be updated first, with the regional versions of the apps to follow shortly. Navigon has continued to be very aggressive in delivering features, and this latest update will be an important leap forward. No release date has been announced yet for the 1.6 update, but it's in review with Apple now. If you'd like to see the new features in action, Navigon has posted a video of the new version in operation. I can't wait for this update, and I expect I'm not alone. TomTom has also announced it will be supporting multitasking shortly after the new OS is released. [via MacRumors]
Navigon shows off new release for iPhone with multitasking compatibility
Of the app categories to benefit most from iOS 4's new multitasking features, turn-by-turn navigation is certainly pretty high on the list -- after all, no one wants their route to be interrupted by a phone call mere moments before a critical intersection or exit ramp. Navigon has just posted a video showing off the multitasking compatibility in the upcoming 1.6 release of its iPhone app, and it's pretty neat -- you can switch out of the app and come back to the exact same place where you left off, of course, but it'll also continue to play voice guidance during phone calls (hopefully, you can turn that off if you find it annoying). Follow the break for the video.
iTunes 9.2 is out, ready to hook up with your iPhone 4
It looks like iTunes 9.2 has just hit the Software Update screens of computers across the land, and if you've got an iPhone 4 on order, this is one you'll want to get around to installing in the next few days -- it's the only way you'll be able to sync (actually, you'll want it if you're using iOS 4 on any manner of iPhone). Major features include iBooks support on the iPhone and iPod touch, PDF syncing through iBooks, home screen folder organization, and "faster backups" with iOS 4-equipped devices -- a promising sign for anyone troubled by long sync times. Follow the break for Apple's full rundown.
iPhone 4 may natively support Facebook video uploads
Maybe this is the kind thing that would make Facebook head Mark Zuckerberg like his iPhone a little more. The folks over at 9to5Mac.com dug into the iOS 4 SDK, and found some XML code that seems to indicate that video uploads to Facebook will be integrated with the new OS on the iPhone 4. Most likely they'll show up as an option for submitting your recorded videos direct from the native iOS video app. While this is a little bit of an brow-raiser, it's not completely surprising. When you consider the reported Facebook integration coming for calendars and contacts, among other things, it's a natural progression It's a bit odd, however, to have this capability native to iOS, when the official Facebook iPhone app already supports video uploads. I'm just wondering when Facebook's remaining iOS developers are going to get around to an iPad native Facebook app; I mean, how hard can it be? [via Engadget]
In praise of unitasking
Weaning an addict isn't easy, and I'm addicted to information. For a data junkie, the Internet is irresistible. It offers innumerable incoming streams, and with tools like Web browsers, RSS, Twitter and so on, I can soak them all up. The by-product, of course, is distraction. I flip from one to the other like a manic hummingbird, never satisfied. What else is going on, and how quickly can I find out about it? It's amazing how eagerly we invite distraction upon ourselves. Consider how frequently we do two (or more) things at once. While an app launches, I check Twitter. As a Web page loads, I Command-Tab over to Mail. All the while, iTunes plays music, and I'm thinking about what else must be done today. I became keenly aware of how infrequently I focus on one single thing when I started using my iPad. For the most part (yes, you can play music in the background), it does one thing at a time. In fact, when I'm using an app on the iPad, it becomes that app.
iPhone OS 4 to include Facebook video uploads?
We already knew that Apple was likely ratcheting up the social networking integration in iOS 4 -- that is, if the addition of Linked Contacts and .plist entries referring to Facebook means anything (and it probably does). Adding further flame to the fire, the gang at 9to5Mac.com have dug up a bit of code that appears to handle video exporting to the popular social networking site. As near as we can tell, users will be able to send files at 480 x 480, 30 FPS -- and since Facebook is already using HTML5, you won't have that pesky Steve Jobs / Flash thing to worry about.
Apple now accepting iOS 4 apps, multitasking ahoy
Although we've been running iPhone OS 4 -- now known as iOS 4 -- since it was first announced in April, we actually haven't been able to try out any of the fancy new multitasking features, since no third party apps have been released with support yet. That's all about to change: as of today, Apple is accepting iOS 4 apps, which means we should see quite a few apps that take advantage of multitasking on the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4, as well as make use of the 1500 other new APIs in the system when it launches on June 21. That's definitely good news, but we've got a feeling Apple's unique take on iPhone multitasking will take a few people by surprise, as only certain tasks are allowed in the background -- and apps that need to run persistently, like IRC and IM clients, still won't really work at all. In fact, there's already some rumblings by devs that they need additional backgrounding tools in order to provide features that users are asking for; Instapaper's Marco Ament has proposed a network polling API that would allow his app to update content in the background, for example. We'll see how quickly Apple responds to these requests, but for right now we're just happy we'll finally be able to switch away from a Skype call or GPS app while using our iPhones. [Thanks, Oliver]
iBooks for iPhone begins to issue iBooks for iOS 4
Several readers with access to the developer's release of iOS 4 have written to say that they can download iBooks for iPhone. In fact, most users report that they're being prompted to download the app. Just like the iPad version, it includes a free copy of Winnie The Pooh (to the delight of developers' children no doubt). It seems that the app is restricted to 3GS iPhones, confirming what Engadget reported earlier. It's also notable that most report the app can only be downloaded via iTunes for the desktop and not over the air. Enjoy reading about Pooh Bear, and imagine how beautiful the Hundred Acre Wood will be on that Retina Display.
WWDC 2010: Matt Martel's reMovem 2
We're meeting all kinds of developers at WWDC in San Francisco this week; some from big companies with big resources (and stay tuned -- we're talking to a few of this week's Apple Design Award winners later on), and some hard-working, smaller groups. Matt Martel's Mundue is the second kind of developer. He makes the reMovem app; it's a simple little game that has you removing colored balls from the screen (in order) and trying to completely clear the board. The idea is simple and fun, but the app has grown extremely complex; it has been downloaded over 6 million times, and is now available in thirteen languages across several versions. Martel sat down this week to show off reMovem2, which is the iPad version of his app. The main difference, he told us, between the iPhone and iPad versions of the game is the screen size, but the fact that you've got more room to play with really opens up the gameplay. More balls to match can mean greater difficulty, but it also means larger scores. And though Martel started out with a single game mode, the iPad version incorporates four different modes, the option to add extra themes, a chance at in-app purchases, and, as he told me, lots of different opportunities with iOS 4 and Apple's upcoming Game Center.
