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iOS 5.1 beta 2 out of the oven, ready for developer consumption
Ready to kick off Monday with some iOS flashing? Excellent, because Apple's just released the second beta of iOS 5.1, lovingly christened 9B5127c. No Cupertino devices at Engadget HQ have taken the plunge, but as noted by MacRumors, the beta enables individual picture deletion from Photo Stream -- which differs from the existing delete all or nothing implementation. Too early to tell if it'll finally squash any lingering battery bugs once and for all, but you can hit Apple's developer website to get your download on -- just be ready for the next one in two weeks, cool? [Thanks, Haseeb]
App review: Infinity Blade 2 (iOS)
The 3D duel-fest is back, and attempting to answer some of the questions left over from its first installment (and a few major updates). Infinity Blade has had a huge effect on promoting the iPad and iPhone as valid gaming options, with high quality visuals and intuitive touchscreen controls. Well, Epic hasn't tampered with the formula too much, but has tried to instill some considered expansions and pour even more eye-honey all over it. Will it stretch gamers beyond the original? We've now spent a fair bit of time slashing away at those pesky immortals and their underlings -- see what we thought of this little big adventure after the break. %Gallery-141444%
Chrono Trigger hits the App Store, lets Square Enix fans turn back time
Square Enix just couldn't resist plucking at our heartstrings -- not to mention willing bill folds. As a timely holiday treat, the company's made good on its end-of-year promise, delivering the SNES RPG epic and cult hit -- Chrono Trigger -- to Apple's App Store. If you're wielding either a third generation and up iPhone or iPod touch, the endless hours of non-linear, time-traveling gameplay can be yours for the re-hashing, albeit on a maddeningly tiny screen. That 16-bit nostalgia won't come cheap, either, at $10. But it's a small price to pay for a welcome walk down gaming's memory lane.
Motorola wins injunction against Apple Sales International in German patent dispute (update: Apple appeals)
After issuing a default judgment against Apple last month, Germany's Mannheim Regional Court has now granted a "preliminarily enforceable" injunction against Ireland-based Apple Sales International, on the grounds that its products may violate some of Motorola Mobility's patents. At issue is Motorola's European Patent 1010336 (B1), which covers a "method for performing a countdown function during a mobile-originated transfer for a packet radio system." According to Foss Patents, the court's injunction encompasses the iPhone (3G, 3GS and 4), iPad 3G and iPad2 3G. The ruling also states that Apple can avoid the injunction if it removes the patent-infringing elements from its devices, though it's more likely that Cupertino will appeal to the Karlsruhe Higher Regional Court, in the hopes of obtaining a stay. We've already reached out to Apple for comment, and will update this post as soon as we get more information. Update: And as expected, Apple intends to appeal the ruling which, if enforced, would only apply to future shipments. So grab that existing stock while you can.
Grand Theft Auto III anniversary edition for iOS and Android exalts a decade of metropolitan mayhem
Before Niko Bellic, there was a man who was known as Claude, who was just as willing to terrorize Liberty City back in Grand Theft Auto III. If fond memories of carjackings and Flashback 95.6 are starting to rush back, know that Rockstar plans to sell you a fresh copy for your iOS or Android devices come December 15th. And just so we're clear, the $4.99 redux is a full re-release -- not some watered-down version with an alternate story line. Already counting the days? Peep the list of compatible devices after the break so it's not all for naught. Go on, we've left you a surprise.
Jailbroken iOS 5 devices get Siri0us, tap into Nuance's dictation servers (video) (update)
Sure, it's leaps and bounds away from all the parlor tricks that Siri is able to perform, but now, jailbroken iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch devices -- that have been upgraded to iOS 5 -- may access the dictation portion of Siri's prowess. Thanks to Siri0us, the free app available through Cydia, users will gain the option to speak messages and search queries rather than type them, which could be a huge time saver -- unless there's a series of mistakes, anyway. Rather than accessing Apple's own system, the app works by tapping into Nuance's Dragon Go servers for speech recognition. Rather subversive, don't you think? If you'd like to get in on the fun (before Nuance breaks up the party), just check the video following the break. Update: Well, who didn't see this one coming? Nuance has pulled the rug out from under Siri0us, and the app has been yanked from Cydia while the developer searches for another speech recognition server. Happy hunting, dude.
iPhone 4 combusts on Australian flight, looks madder than a spurned Qantas employee
On an airline that's actually serving the great country of Australia these days, an iPhone 4 decided enough was enough. Shortly after Regional Express flight ZL319 landed in Sydney from Lismore, "a passenger's mobile phone started emitting a significant amount of dense smoke, accompanied by a red glow." What happened next is a bit of an Aussie mystery, but it seems at some point that the glow was "extinguished successfully." No one onboard was harmed, and the handset in question has been handed over to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau for "analysis." It suffered only mild reception issues prior to its final collapse, and if faced with a similar situation, Siri reportedly stated that it would consult a therapist before discharging hot fury. Update: Ross let us know that officials from the Australian Transport and Safety Bureau are investigating the incident.
Screen Grabs: Covert Affairs exposes secret Rogers service in Washington DC
Screen Grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dot com. Fans of USA's Covert Affairs know that Annie Walker's stomping ground is Washington DC, where she pretends to be a buyer for the Smithsonian. So, there are only two plausible explanations for her iPhone 4 being able to connect to Rogers Wireless Canadian network: Either she's got a nuclear powered antenna on that thing, or the company is running a south-of-the-border service for Government agencies. Some might point out that the show is filmed in Toronto for cost purposes and the art directors aren't too hot at spotting continuity errors, but we'd dismiss that as paranoid fantasy. [Thanks, Mike G]
The Olloclip 3-in-1 iPhone camera attachment: a cool iPhoneography accessory
Earlier my colleague Steve wrote about the US$249 Photojojo iPhone Lens Dial, an iPhone accessory that gives iPhone photographers access to an array of three camera lenses on rotating dial. For those of you who like the ability to add lenses to your iPhone, but don't like the $249 price, I recommend the Olloclip, a $69 slip on 3-in-1 lens for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. The Olloclip started off as a Kickstarter project and went on sale in May. The body of the Olloclip is made of anodized aircraft grade aluminum and it comes in two colors, red or black. On the front end of the Olloclip is the fish eye lens, which gives you a 180-degree field of view. The rear of the Olloclip houses the wide angle lens, which gives you a greater field of view than what your iPhone 4/4S camera would normally have. You can unscrew the wide angle lens to access the macro lens that gives you about ten times the magnification of the subject of your shot within 12-15mm. To use the Olloclip, simply slip it onto the end of your iPhone, over the iPhone's camera. The notch in the Olloclip is made of plastic so you don't need to worry about it scratching the glass front or back of your iPhone 4 and 4S. The Olloclip's entire 3-in-1 lens solution is quite small, which is nice when traveling. It easily fits into your pants or shirt pocket. The Olloclip also comes with a small, draw-string bag/case made of microfiber material that also doubles as a lens cleaner. The Olloclip's primary difference from the pricier Photojojo iPhone Lens Dial is that it comes with a macro lens instead of a telephoto lens. However, if macro shots are more important to you than telephoto shots, the Olloclip is a terrific choice for photographers who want to get more out of their iPhone4/4S camera. The quality of its construction, size, and features can't be beat for the price. You can order the Olloclip from Amazon or directly from the company's website.
iPhone 4S reportedly to launch in Taiwan December 14-16
The iPhone 4S is rolling out globally and its next stop may be Taiwan. A Digitimes report suggests the iPhone 4S will go on sale in the Pacific Rim country starting next month. Apple has not confirmed the release, but industry sources in Taiwan claim the handset will hit Taiwan's three largest carriers sometime between December 14-16. Chunghwa Telecom (CHT), Taiwan Mobile (TWM) and Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET) are supposedly working with Apple to lower the price of the 4S. The carriers want the iPhone 4S to debut at a price point that's only NT$1,000 (US$33) above the iPhone 4. Presumably, this lower price will entice current iPhone owners to buy the 4S instead of waiting for the iPhone 5 which could launch sometime in mid-2012. Sales in the territory are expected to be moderate and Apple may supply carriers with only 30,000 total units. The bulk (50 percent) of these handsets will go to Chunghwa Telecom. Taiwan Mobile and Far EasTone will split the remaining shipment and get 25 percent each. Most of the iPhone 4S units will be 16 GB and 32 GB models. Less than 1500 units will be the 64 GB model.
iPhone 4S now second most popular camera phone on Flickr
The iPhone 4 sits at the top of Flickr's most popular camera phone list, but its days in the #1 slot may be numbered. Sneaking into the second place, a mere month after its launch, is the iPhone 4S. As pointed out by Macrumors, The iPhone 4S has climbed past the iPhone 3G, the 3GS, and the HTC EVO 4G, which is only Android phone to make it into Flickr's top five list. Though the iPhone 4S has skyrocketed into second place, the iPhone 4 has an impressive lead and will keep its #1 position for a while. It's a numbers game and the iPhone 4 has a huge user base the iPhone 4S won't rival for at least another quarter or two. With its improved 8-megapixel lens system and wider aperture, the iPhone 4S is the superior shooter. It's only a matter of time before Flickr shutterbugs make the transition to Apple's latest handset and push the 4S to the top.
Photojojo intros iPhone Lens Dial for fisheye, telephoto and wide-angle shooting
Annie Leibovitz seems to love the camera in the iPhone 4S as is, but if you'd ever hoped the snapshot darling were a bit more flexible, then Photojojo's new Lens Dial may be the solution. Available as a case that's compatible with the iPhone 4 and 4S, users are able to rotate between three different lenses -- including fisheye, telephoto and wide-angle -- to achieve their desired effect. Naturally, the enclosure will add quite a bit of thickness and heft to your handset (it weighs ten ounces, or twice that of the iPhone), but it also piles on flexibility, too, such as tripod mounts for landscape or portrait scenes. Shipping now for $250, the iPhone Lens Dial seems like the logical step after you've taken Holga's option for a spin.
Thanks to iOS 5, some users lose WiFi connectivity
Of all the enhancements to discover in Apple's iOS 5 upgrade, it seems that an unforeseen monster may have snuck its way into the release. We're now reading through a handful of user complaints about losing WiFi after taking the plunge, with most replies mentioning intermittent connectivity and / or a significant loss in signal strength. The issue remains unconfirmed by Apple, but it appears to span across a number of devices, including the iPhone 4S, 4 and 3GS, along with the iPad (and possibly, the iPod Touch). By troubleshooting, one user was able to resolve the problem by reverting to iOS 4.3, then cause it to manifest -- once again -- by upgrading to iOS 5. The recent iOS 5.0.1 update certainly hasn't fixed the matter, either. Could these reports be an unfortunate series of unrelated events, or is there something larger at play? Sound off about your experience with WiFi and iOS 5 in the comments below. [Thanks, Iain]
Holiday Gift Guide: Buying an iPhone
Welcome to TUAW's 2011 Holiday Gift Guide! We're here to help you choose the best gifts this holiday season, and once you've received your gifts we'll tell you what apps and accessories we think are best for your new Apple gear. Stay tuned every weekday from now until the end of the year for our picks and helpful guides and check our Gift Guide hub to see our guides as they become available. For even more holiday fun, check out sister site Engadget's gift guide. Two years ago, my best friend bought his wife an iPhone 3GS for Christmas. She totally wasn't expecting it. When she opened the package and saw what was inside, she went crazy with glee. Two years later she still has that phone, and it's become an indispensable tool. People refer to a lot of things as "the gift that keeps on giving," but it's especially true of the iPhone. Even the iPhone's basic functions via Apple's pre-installed apps can vastly expand the things you're able to accomplish while on the go; once you factor in all the apps on the App Store, the iPhone turns into a full-fledged, powerful, portable computer that quite literally fits in your pocket. Before I get into discussing which iPhone may be right for that special person in your life, there are a couple things to keep in mind before you decide to give an iPhone as a gift. Contracts I called the iPhone "a gift that keeps on giving" earlier, but it's also a gift that keeps on taking. You may think you're doing someone a favor when you give them a US$199 iPhone 4S (and they'll probably think so, too), but that lovely gadget also comes with a significant monthly expense attached to it in the form of a carrier plan. The cheapest possible (on-contract) iPhone plans in the US, according to the rate plan info on Apple's site: AT&T: $54.99 Sprint: $79.99 Verizon: $59.99 You might be able to tailor a cheaper pre-pay plan through one of these carriers if you buy an unlocked iPhone instead, but no matter how you look at it, the iPhone is going to incur a monthly expense. This may not be a big deal to you if you're giving the iPhone to your spouse or one of your children, but buying an iPhone for one of your friends or someone outside your immediate family is kind of like buying them a pet: it's not just a one-time gift, but an ongoing and expensive obligation. Buying an on-contract iPhone also makes it a bit tougher to keep it a surprise, unless you're planning on paying the monthly plan fees yourself. If you're buying an iPhone for someone outside your immediate family and you want to keep it under wraps, the best option is probably going to be buying one of the unlocked, contract-free models -- but keep in mind that those iPhones are significantly more expensive than they are when subsidized through a carrier. Carriers The carrier situation in the US is more involved than in most other countries due to the differing technologies US telcos use. Depending on which model of iPhone you're looking at giving, this could considerably affect your options. Apple currently offers four iPhone models, but the carrier compatibility situation is quite complex in the States: iPhone 3GS: AT&T only iPhone 4: GSM version (AT&T only) iPhone 4: CDMA version (Sprint or Verizon only) iPhone 4S: Technically universally compatible, but all models are locked to their specific carrier when sold -- even the "unlocked" iPhone 4S will only work on AT&T Different carriers also offer markedly different quality of service depending on where you are. AT&T is notorious for having terrible service in some parts of the US, so if your gift iPhone is going to someone who lives in an area with little to no AT&T coverage, Verizon or Sprint may be a better choice. Check each carrier's coverage map first before you decide which one to go with; if you give someone an iPhone that's locked to AT&T, but AT&T doesn't offer coverage in their area, you might as well have bought them an iPod touch instead. The three US carriers also have specific strengths to consider. While AT&T is the only one that supports simultaneous voice and data traffic (and also somewhat higher 3G network speeds, assuming you have coverage), Verizon's overall network coverage and reliability is considered top-notch. Sprint's data plans or support may also draw you in, especially if your intended recipient already has a phone on Sprint; the company is advertising heavily that it has the only "true unlimited" data plan for the iPhone, with no 2GB cap or overage fees. The carrier situation outside the US usually isn't quite so byzantine, because almost all other countries use the GSM standard instead of CDMA. The only specific carrier recommendations I can make for countries outside the US apply to Australia and New Zealand. For both countries my recommendation is the same: avoid Vodafone if at all possible. My experiences with Vodafone's networks in both nations have been almost universally terrible. Your best bet for sussing out the ideal carrier for you is to ask neighbors or coworkers who already have iPhones (and who commute/hang out in the same general area as you) how they feel about their carrier of choice. With that out of the way, let's look at which model of iPhone fits your gift-giving mood. Super-low budget: iPhone 3GS The iPhone 3GS is available at a very attractive price: free from Apple and nearly free ($1) from AT&T, but both incur a two-year contract. It might therefore look like a great option for a particularly budget-minded gift-giver, and in fact if you're looking at giving an iPhone as a Christmas gift to your teenager, this might be a good choice. The iPhone 3GS is old, though -- more than two years out of date. It lacks many features that owners of more modern iPhones have come to take for granted, like the Retina Display, faster processors, and much-improved cameras (including the forward-facing camera for FaceTime or Skype use). It's also only available on AT&T in the States, so if you wanted to go with Verizon or Sprint, you're out of luck. It also comes in only one capacity: 8 GB. That's going to be quite cramped for even light users; between apps, music, photos, videos, and other data, 8 GB just doesn't count for as much as it used to. The iPhone 3GS is quite far behind at this point in terms of its feature set, and it's unlikely Apple will continue to support the device with iOS updates for the same length of time that it will support more current iPhones. Although the iPhone 3GS is still a decent iPhone, I wouldn't recommend giving one as a gift unless your budget absolutely cannot handle giving an iPhone 4 instead. Low budget: iPhone 4 For just $99 more than the iPhone 3GS, you can get last year's flagship iPhone, the iPhone 4. Check out all the improvements that $99 gets you: More powerful processor, leading to better overall performance (especially in games) Much higher quality Retina Display Improved battery life Much better camera (5 vs. 3 megapixels in the iPhone 3GS) with an LED flash and improved video recording quality Front-facing camera for FaceTime Noise-cancelling microphone Compatibility with Verizon and Sprint (CDMA models only) The iPhone 4 is still a great phone, and it should offer plenty of power for most users with only one exception: like the iPhone 3GS, the iPhone 4 now comes only in an 8 GB capacity. That may feel even more cramped on the iPhone 4, because the pictures and videos it takes have much larger file sizes than on the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3GS is a decent iPhone, but the iPhone 4 simply blows it away no matter how you look at it. It's also a more attractively-designed phone, and Apple is likely to continue issuing software updates for the iPhone 4 for longer than for the iPhone 3GS. I know if I was receiving an iPhone as a gift, I would much rather receive an iPhone 4 than an iPhone 3GS. That's likely to be true of just about everyone. Higher budget: iPhone 4S (16 or 32 GB) Here we hit another $100-200 price jump (depending on which capacity you choose), but again that rise in price nets you some great improvements over the iPhone 4: Much more powerful processor -- up to twice as fast as the iPhone 4 for some applications Improved camera (8 vs. 5 megapixels in the iPhone 4) with face detection, 1080p video recording, and video stabilization Higher data capacity (16 or 32 GB versus 8 GB on the iPhone 4) Improved antenna (faster download speeds, better signal quality) Siri voice assistant The iPhone 4S will easily outperform the iPhone 4 at any processor-intensive task, especially gaming. Its camera is much improved, too, especially in low light situations; in fact, the iPhone 4S is arguably a great replacement for a low- to mid-budget point-and-shoot camera. The higher capacity the iPhone 4S offers over the iPhone 4 will also allow its user to store more music, photos, and apps on the device. 16 GB will probably be enough for light users -- people with small music libraries, not many photos, and only a handful of apps -- but it might start to feel cramped after awhile, especially if the user starts taking lots of videos with the built-in camera. A 32 GB iPhone 4S may be a better choice if the person using it has a lot of media; if this isn't their first iPhone, the person you're giving it to may already have lots of apps, too. [iTunes Match users can spend less time worrying about how to fit a music library on to the portable device. –Ed.] Let's be frank, though: Siri is the biggest selling point for the iPhone 4S. It may or may not come to Apple's other devices eventually, but for now the iPhone 4S is the only device that offers Apple's revolutionary new voice-driven interface. As corny as talking to your phone may seem at first, Siri is the kind of feature that seems perfectly natural (maybe even necessary) after using it for awhile. Money is no object: iPhone 4S (64 GB) Even with a two-year contract, the biggest, baddest iPhone on the block is going to set you back almost $400. The unlocked, contract-free version is an even more staggering $849 -- $20 more than an iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G model with the same storage capacity. Though the 64 GB iPhone 4S offers no other improvements over the smaller capacity iPhone 4S models, the higher capacity is definitely going to come in handy for "power users" with huge music libraries, hundreds of apps, thousands of photos, or any combination of those items. The 64 GB iPhone 4S is Apple's first iPhone to come in that capacity, and that's the model I snagged for myself. It holds all of my music (well, all the stuff I actually listen to anyway), almost 200 apps, over five hours of videos, and it still has enough space left over that I can take hundreds of photos or an hour of high-def video without worrying about deleting things first. That having been said, once you get into this pricing territory you have to start wondering whether an iPad 2 might not be a better gift instead. Though it's larger and less portable than an iPhone, it's also available without a contract commitment to any carrier. A 64 GB Wi-Fi-only iPad costs $300 more than the on-contract 64 GB iPhone 4S, but that bigger $300 initial outlay also saves you over $1300 in carrier fees over the course of two years. There's an iPhone for every budget now, from the free iPhone 3GS all the way up to the credit-card-slaying 64 GB iPhone 4S. As you go up the ladder the feature set expands along with the price, but the 16 or 32 GB iPhone 4S is probably going to be the sweet spot for most users. Regardless of which iPhone you give this holiday season, the person who receives it will almost certainly be very excited -- so long as he or she can afford the monthly service costs.
iPhone case offers up literal kaleidoscope of Holga lens effects
Sometimes photo apps just don't cut it. Sometimes you want instant color filters and split image gratification. Now they're here with a turn of a dial, though it looks suspiciously like something your parents might have played with in the distant past. Holga's iPhone Lens Filter will fit both iPhone 4 and 4S models and there are nine different lens effects to meddle with. The case itself is up for grabs in some curiously Nokia-esque colors options available for $25 in white, silver, black, blue and red. If tinted photography sends you into a spin, you can direct yourself to the source link below.
Belkin's Live Action camera accessories should be in the middle of your picture, lyin' in the reeds
Belkin is making it easier for you to turn your iPhone into a real camera. The LiveAction Camera Grip is made of rich corinthian leather soft touch plastic and connects to your iPhone 4, 4S or iPod touch via the dock port. It sits on the heel of the phone with separate shutter release and video / stills buttons for easy snapping. On the bottom is a standard size tripod mount for when you need a mechanically steady hand. At the same time, you can grab the LiveAction remote -- a Bluetooth control that can shoot pictures from up to 30m, saving you the ten-second-timer-dash. If the surface won't hold your phone neatly, you also get a detachable prop. Undecided buyers should check out the press release after the break; those who believe in love at first sight just need to know both are available from mid December and will set you back $50 each.
NPD Group: iPhone 4, 3GS outsold Android phones in Q3
NPD's latest Mobile Phone Track service shows that Apple's iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS outsold other Android phones on the market in the US for the third calendar quarter of 2011 -- the same situation as results for the previous quarter. The iPhone 4 held the top spot, with Apple's two-year-old iPhone 3GS holding the second spot. It's no surprise the iPhone 4 claimed top spot, but it's a testament to how well the iPhone is revered among consumers that the iPhone 3GS -- which came out in 2009 –– outsold newer Android phones with higher screen resolutions and more processing power. The $49 price point through AT&T last quarter also must have helped. Here's the entire top 5 list for the quarter that ended September 30th: Apple iPhone 4 Apple iPhone 3GS HTC EVO 4G Motorola Droid 3 Samsung Intensity II Results for this next quarter, which runs until December 31, will be very interesting to see. Given the strong sales of the iPhone 4S, the fact that the iPhone 4 is now only $99, and the fact that the iPhone 3GS is free on a two year contract, Apple may very well hold the top three spots when NPD announces its Mobile Phone Track results for Q4 sometime in January 2012.
Samsung drops plan to file Apple suit in Korea, will battle in 'the global market' instead
A Samsung executive revealed to Korean Newspaper The Chosun Ilbo today that it will drop its plans to pursue Apple for patent violations in Korea, instead focusing efforts on cases overseas. The anonymous exec cited performance in his company's home country, saying "we concluded that we should engage in legal battles with Apple only in the global market, but not in order to gain more market share in Korea." The move seems logical given the company's existing share, and will allow Samsung to maintain a positive image at home, where it dominates in categories ranging from televisions to refrigerators. So Apple may be in the clear in Sammyland, but the battle will likely continue beyond Korean shores for some time to come.
Apple releases iOS 5.0.1, fixes bugs plaguing battery life and document syncing
Get ready to fire up iTunes and plug in that iOS device, because Apple's just released iOS 5.0.1. The release notes are identical to the two beta releases, which include fixing bugs relating to battery life and document syncing, while also re-enabling app switching gestures that developers previously had access to on the original iPad. And for those down under, voice recognition has apparently been improved when dictating with an Aussie accent. Those not interested in the 790MB download from iTunes, can look for a 44.6MB delta -- including only the changes -- from their device Settings. You'll find photographic evidence of the latter after the break. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Auto-suggestion keyboard found hiding inside iOS 5
The panoramic camera mode isn't the only thing to be unearthed from within iOS 5. A familiar-looking predictive typing option has been unlocked by iOS tinkerer, Sonny Dickson, who tweeted several shots of the new keyboard in action. Like the rough-around-the-edges panorama mode, jail-breaking isn't necessary, requiring only the iBackupBot program to tweak your configuration settings. Tick yes to Library/Preferences/com.apple.keyboard.plist, and you're away. We'd advise speed-typing obsessives to back up their devices to iTunes first, naturally.
