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Apple's iOS 5.1.1 update for iPad, iPod touch and iPhone: fixes AirPlay and network bugs, jailbroken already
Plugged your iDevice into an iTunes-equipped machine lately? You should. Apple has just let loose iOS 5.1.1, a seemingly minor point update that actually promises to fix quite a few (potentially) substantial quirks. Coming two months to the day after the iOS 5.1 software update, the extra 0.0.1 is said to improve reliability of the HDR option for photos taken using the Lock Screen shortcut, address bugs that could prevent the new iPad from switching between 2G and 3G networks and solve a few issues that were affecting AirPlay video playback "in some circumstances." There's also improved reliability for syncing Safari bookmarks and Reading List, and Apple has purportedly fixed an issue where 'Unable to purchase' alert could be displayed after successful purchase. Sucked the update down yourself? Let us know how it goes in comments below, and peek the full changelog just after the break. Update: Looks like iOS 5.1.1 has already been jailbroken. Huzzah! [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Clarion Next Gate brings iPhone apps (and distractions) to your windshield
Clarion is primarily known for its aftermarket car audio and navigation solutions, but it's increasingly moving into the realm of smartphone integration. Looking to court iPhone users who'd appreciate the connectivity and convenience of Pioneer's AppRadio, but don't care to fuss with the installation, Clarion's Next Gate can be easily mounted to one's windshield. It offers access to popular apps such as TuneIn and Pandora, along with navigation, hands-free calling and voice-dialing functionality. Scarily enough, users will even be able to access Facebook and Twitter via the voice-activated Vlingo app -- please, just promise to keep your focus on the road. The display itself is a 7-inch, WVGA affair, and as you'd expect, the unit is powered by the vehicle's 12 volt accessory jack -- otherwise known as the cigarette lighter receptacle. Similarly, the Next Gate connects to the iPhone via Apple's dock connector, which means that users will need to manage a bit of cable clutter. All in all, the Clarion Next Gate could certainly be a compelling solution for some, and its $270 price is within the realm of reason. While we're a bit concerned about what it entails for driving distractions, the unit shouldn't be any worse of a diversion than the ol' smartphone itself. In fact, we're most disappointed that there's no support for Android. Those in the privileged iPhone community will be able to purchase the Next Gate as of June 1st, and you'll find the full PR after the break.
Sprint CEO takes pay cut as investors voice concern about cost of iPhone deal
Sprint Nextel's $15.5 billion gamble on Apple's iPhone will apparently lighten CEO Dan Hesse's proverbial wallet by $3.25 million this year. That's how much compensation Hesse agreed to give back to help placate investors unhappy about the high cost of the company's iPhone deal. Securing the iPhone has already paid dividends for Sprint in terms of sales. The company sold 1.5 million iPhones in the first quarter while posting a net subscriber growth of 263,000. That didn't stop Sprint from posting an $863 million net loss during the same period, however, causing some investors to grumble about the cost of subsidizing Apple's phone. The subsidy Sprint pays for each iPhone is 40 percent higher -- about $200 -- than what the company pays for other competing devices. Don't feel too bad for Hesse, though. Apparently, the financial gesture basically brings back his "compensation target opportunities" to 2010 levels.
Walmart cuts price of iPhone 4S (Update: Pricing error)
Update: 9to5Mac got confirmation from Walmart that this was a pricing error, not a sale. Walmart is not only the third-largest reseller of iPads, but the discount retailer also sells a lot of iPhones for Apple at its approximately 9,000 locations. Now it appears that Walmart is selling the AT&T iPhone 4S at a significant discount at some stores. According to Cult of Mac and The Verge, some Walmart stores are showing a sale price on the 16 GB iPhone 4S (in both black and white) with a two-year AT&T contract for US$114. That's $74 less than the usual price at Walmart and a full $85 off the normal $199 price from Apple and AT&T. The sale isn't available on Walmart's website, but appears to be popping up at a number of stores. The price drop was discovered at a Walmart store in Edmond, OK by Cult of Mac, and The Verge found the same pricing at a store in Austin, TX. If you're not in the market for an iPhone 4S, the 8 GB iPhone 4 is also available at a discount at the low, low sale price of just $34. TUAW readers who find the sale pricing at their local stores should leave the store location in the comments below so other readers may take advantage of the bargain.
iPhone 4 named latest recipient of untethered iOS 5.1 jailbreak, exploit remains MIA
Apple's not gonna like this one, but news of the perpetual cat-and-mouse game between it and the hacking community continues with the announcement of an untethered jailbreak for iOS 5.1, which is now alive and kicking on the iPhone 4. The good news went out in the form of a tweet from pod2g, and while the naughty bit of software isn't yet available for public download, we can only hope that it'll soon be ready for mass consumption. As you'll recall, we last saw hints of an untethered jailbreak for the latest iPad (also iOS 5.1), which similarly remains elusive to the public. At any rate, we welcome the progress -- now bring on the exploits.
iPhone will launch for five US regional carriers today
As noted by Cnet, the iPhone is launching on an additional five US regional carriers today. The carriers include Alaska Communications, Appalachian Wireless (Kentucky and Virgina), Cellcom (Wisconsin and Michigan), nTelos (Virginia), and GCI (Alaska). The regional carriers apparently know they'll have an uphill battle against the national carriers like AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon, so they're offering the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S at $50 discounts over the nationals. With a two year contract, the 8GB iPhone 4 costs $49 and the 16, 32, and 64 GB iPhone 4S costs $149, $249, and $349 respectively.
Max Payne to rampage on iOS April 12th, Android April 26th
Are you a smartphone user with an itchy trigger finger? Listen up. Rockstar Games has announced that the one and only Max Payne will begin terrorizing your iOS and Android devices in the very near future. The wares will be available for Apple-branded gear (iPhone 3GS, 4 and 4S, along with the iPod touch 4 and all iPad iterations) on April 12th, and Google's implements two weeks later on the 26th. Max Payne Mobile is promising to deliver HD graphics, high resolution textures and exclusive content via the company's Social Club service to your miniaturized screen. Rockstar did not elaborate on which Android sets would be supported, but promised to publish a full list "in the coming weeks." Limber up those thumbs, charge up that handset and get ready to lay waste to... pretty much anything that moves.
iPhone 4S to launch with select regional carriers April 20th
Been hankering after an iPhone 4S, but just can't tear yourself away from that great local network? Well, if you live in a select handful of locations, you might just be in luck, as it seems Apple has been working with some of these smaller operators to give them a piece of the pie. The lucky carriers we've heard about so far include nTelos in Virginia, Alaskan Communications, GCI (Alaska), MTA (Alaska), Appalachian Wireless (Kentucky), and Cellcom (Wisconsin). The golden date for all the above is April 20th, and deals of course will vary. Hit the source and coverage links below or PRs after the break for the deets, and let us know if your local network's been spotted putting up the iPhone bunting too.[Thanks everyone who sent this in]
iPhone 4 owners who refused a free bumper case can now claim $15 settlement
iPhone 4 owners who didn't accept a Bumper case as part of a class-action suit regarding the device's antenna are now eligible to receive US$15 from Apple, AppleInsider reports. Apple initially offered free Bumpers in 2010 for a brief period. Those eligible for the settlement had to have been the original owner of an iPhone 4 before February 17. The settlement offer is good through August 28.
iPhone 4 owners can register for $15 antennagate settlements (updated)
The official website for the iPhone 4 "antennagate" class action settlement is live, as pointed out by co-lead counsel on the case Ira Rothken. Of course, speaking of cases, if you're an iPhone 4 owner who has taken advantage of the free bumpers Apple's been offering since 2010 then you're not still eligible for the $15 settlement. Customers who meet the requirements (experienced antenna issues, couldn't return your phone without incurring costs, don't want to put on a bumper or case and either completed troubleshooting or no longer own the phone) can opt for the payout and file their claim at the website linked below. Of course, assuming you're not a stickler for that skin-to-metal and glass feel the case is probably the better deal overall, but as long as this issue is finally dead and buried we can probably all walk away happy.Update: Turns out it doesn't matter if you scored yourself a free bumper or not, so long as you don't actually use it you can still register for your share of the settlement. So, if you took the consolation prize offered at the time, but have grown to hate it, now's your chance to make $15.
Design matters with Sonastand, a tiny acoustic amplifier
Apple is well-known for its precision crafting and impeccable industrial design, but there are many smaller companies that also wrestle with materials, form and function. One such example is the upstart company, Kinetic Custom Machine, which was recently profiled by Core77. Started by Colin Chu and Bob Wimbrow, the company has funded its first product, the Sonastand. The Sonastand is a tiny, aluminum stand that doubles as an acoustic amplifier. It attaches to your iPhone 4 and 4S and is shaped perfectly to capture the sound from the speaker and project it towards you. There's no battery; all amplification is done using the curvature of the device. It's not the first acoustic amplifier for the iPhone, but it's one of the best designs we've seen. A single Sonastand costs $39 and is still available from the company's Kickstarter page. It can be order in sizes to fit your naked, skinned, and cased iPhone. If you want to read the back story that lead up to the development of the Sonastand, check out the Core77 article. It's chock full of details.
Apple patent app portends gadgets made of glass
Thought all those shattered screens and iPhone 4 backplates would push Apple towards making mobile devices machined from aluminum like its laptops and tablets? Think again, friends, because a newly published patent application from Cupertino indicates the company is considering crafting portable computing devices out of glass. The app claims a "substantially seamless enclosure . . . extruded in its entirety with glass material" so that wireless signals can freely flow to and fro, along with a method for manufacturing such a device. Naturally, this is only an application, and it doesn't say exactly what kind of super-durable glass would make this a desirous design change. So, who knows if we'll ever see an all-glass exterior on an iPhone or iPod, but you can get a more in-depth peek at that potential future at the source link below. You can also get a glance at what'll be Android's new anthem should that glass-filled future come to pass after the break.
New iPad uses Retina graphics assets for upscaling
Touch Arcade noticed something interesting about the new iPad that you might not have seen yet. Specifically, it uses Retina Display graphics meant for the iPhone 4 and 4S displays when doubling the size of non-universal iPhone apps. This is a small use case these days, as many popular apps are universal. But there are still a few apps without dedicated iPad compatibility built in, and the new iPad will now use the Retina-style graphics when pixel doubling the image. The screenshot above is a representation of what it looks like. You'd only be able to see the real difference on a new iPad's display. The upscaled graphics still aren't as perfect as full-sized iPad graphics, but they look much better than the original iPhone-sized versions, especially when spread across the new iPad's big screen. This means even apps that aren't designed for your iPad (but have built-in compatibility for a Retina Display) will look much better than they did before.
FreedomPop rumored to introduce iPhone case with free WiMAX service
Lending a bit of credence to the notion that it'll have life beyond LightSquared, an insider at FreedomPop is now suggesting that it'll debut a case for the iPhone 4 / 4S that features a WiMAX radio, hotspot capabilities and delivers a free (albeit, limited) data service. This rumored accessory would complement the company's two previously known devices, which include a USB dongle and a dedicated hotspot. For those unfamiliar, FreedomPop aims to take on a role similar to NetZero -- it's said the company will offer each customer 1GB of free data per month, where each megabyte consumed beyond that limit will cost one penny. That's not to suggest that everything is free, however: the insider also states that customers will need to front a $100 deposit for this alleged case, although that money can be retrieved at any point, so long as the product is returned in good condition. Naturally, the utility of FreedomPop's service will be sorely limited if it's only available via WiMAX networks, but we've got a hunch that a few iPod Touch owners might find it quite useful in their attempt to skirt the carriers.
Insert Coin: JuiceTank is a two-pronged iPhone case
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. Granted, claims by the JuiceTank's creators that their product is "the first ever iPhone charger and case in one" may be a bit overblown, but its design is certainly novel enough to make us give it a second look. The product looks like a pretty standard hard-shelled iPhone 4 / 4S case from the front -- flip it over though, and you'll see two charging prongs embedded in the back. Click the button just below and they'll pop up, allowing you to plug the handset directly into the wall -- no cords or separate chargers needed. Of course, this initial version is made specifically for North American-type outlets, so if you live outside the region or travel a lot, the novelty might be lost on you. If you're covered, however, you can pick up a limited edition green version by being one of the first 400 people to pledge $40 or more. Check out a video explanation / plea after the break.
iOS 5.1 gets tethered jailbreak for non-A5 iPads, iPhones and iPods
We've got good news for anyone intrigued by the new (largely incremental) features of Apple's latest mobile OS update. MuscleNerd, famed iOS meddler, has confirmed that iOS 5.1 can be jailbroken to the original iPad, iPhone 4 and 3rd and 4th generation iPod Touch devices. Unfortunately, it's still a tethered jailbreak which means you'll need to "just boot" the device using redsn0w whenever it powers down. However, we're sure those iOS hackers are already working on that minor niggle. Get the full instructions and those ever-important warnings over at Think iOS, which also links to the required iOS 5.1 files. [Thanks all]
iOS 5.1 software update now rolling out to iPhones, iPads and iPod touches
Well, it looks like we didn't have to wait long for that iOS 5.1 update promised for today. The update is already rolling out to iPhones, iPads and compatible iPod touches. That brings with it a number of improvements and bug fixes, including the previously-announced Japanese language support for Siri, a redesigned camera app for iPad, the ability to delete individual photos from Photo Stream and, somewhat curiously, an "updated AT&T network indicator." What's more, as previously rumored, the camera shortcut is now also always visible on the lock screen for iPhone and iPod touch users.Update: As a number of commenters have pointed out, it turns out that update to the AT&T network indicator is a change to display "4G" in the status bar, even though the device's connectivity of course remains the same speed as ever.
Mobile Miscellany: week of February 27th, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, we've seen a major shakeup in the world of mobile payments and we were thoroughly teased by Rogers, which launched a curious pre-order promotion for the Lumia 900. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of February 27th, 2012.
Apple wins ad standards conflict over Siri in the UK
When the iPhone 4S and Siri first arrived in the UK last October, carrier Vodafone created a website ad that promoted the features of Apple's intelligent assistant. The ad touted (among other things) that Siri "can even use information from your iPhone -- such as your location, contacts and contact relationships -- to provide intelligent, personal assistance." Some Siri location features only work in the U.S. at this time, so a Vodafone customer complained to the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) about the ad. Vodafone passed the ball to Apple, saying that the company had given the offending text to their ad team. The ASA ruled in favor of Apple and Vodafone on Wednesday, saying that the advertisement was not misleading. The ad did not specifically state that Siri had maps-based functionality in the UK, but did show location-based weather reports -- something that Siri can do in the UK. As a result, the ASA felt that the ad was accurate. The ASA also noted that some consumers may have had knowledge of what Siri can do in the U.S., and that they may have "read into the ad that Siri users in the UK would benefit from similar maps-based functionality." The ASA felt that the average UK consumer would not know about that capability, and since the ad didn't "explicitly or implicitly" make such claims, it was not misleading. The moral of the story? Before you file a formal complaint about a tech advertisement being misleading, be sure to check the features for your own country. [via Electronista]
Radio Shack drops iPad 2 prices $20-50, swears it has nothing to do with the iPad 3
There's a lot of signs pointing to the release of a brand new iPad floating around these days: myriad rumors, retina displays, and even Apple event invites. Now, a freshly taken pic from an anonymous tipster has given us a little more grease for the iPad 3 rumor mill. As you can see above, starting today all iPad 2 SKUs at Radio Shack are getting $20-50 lopped off their prices, which sure seems like a good way to clear out stock to make room for a newer, pricier version. And, the good news for Apple fans doesn't stop there, as the Shack will also be discounting the iPhone 4 and 4S by $25 from March 1st - 4th. So, is this more evidence of the iPad 3, or just a retailer trying to move more product? We'll know for sure next week.[Thanks, Anonymous]
