Apple has released an update to iTunes, bringing a variety of bug fixes and other minor enhancements. Version 9.2.1 is said to improve stability by disabling older versions of third-party plug-ins that are no longer compatible. The update also addresses issues related to drag-and-drop controls, device syncing, and iOS 4 upgrades for devices with encrypted backups.... Apple - iTunes - Drag-and-drop - IPhone - Music and Audio
Macintosh News Network, 20.07.10
In an effort to forward adoption of its cross-platform relational database application, Apple subsidiary File Maker, Inc. on Tuesday plans to take the software mobile with the release of FileMaker Go for both the iPhone and iPad.
Appleinsider, 20.07.10
As was requested in June, Apple did indeed reply by July 12th to the House Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus' demand for an explanation of iTunes privacy policies, reports say. Apple recently revised end-user terms to give itself the right to track "real-time geographic location" of devices, such as iPhones, for the sake of providing and improving "location-based products and services." Critics have worried about a number of pitfalls, such as the possibility of individual profiling, or device restrictions for not agreeing to iTunes terms.... Apple - IPhone - Privacy - iTunes - Security
Macintosh News Network, 19.07.10
RIM's one-time iPhone rival the may get its second low-key refresh in as many years if a slip from a presentation is borne out. The Storm3, nicknamed "Odin Refresh," would see little changed superficially from the Storm2 with just a five-megapixel camera, 512MB of RAM and 802.11n Wi-Fi as its upgrades. Most of the changes known by Engadget would be in software, in the form of BlackBerry OS 6 and a new 3G-to-Wi-Fi hotspot router app.... BlackBerry - iPhone - Research In Motion - Wi-Fi - Smartphone
Macintosh News Network, 19.07.10
Both Apple and AT&T are to blame for the latter's network suffering under the weight of the iPhone, a Wired investigation suggests. Apple's part is said to stem largely from demanding unlimited Internet access for users, and being unwilling to bend on the matter, even though AT&T was unable to expand its network fast enough to accommodate the strain. Even though AT&T has asked to cooperate on fixing some problems, Apple has sometimes insisted that AT&T resolve them by itself.... Apple - iPhone - AT&T - Wired (magazine) - Internet access
Macintosh News Network, 19.07.10
Apple's recent suggestion that the iPhone 4's reception problems are universal has stirred up a hornet's nest of protest among competitors. Nokia, RIM, HTC and Samsung have all fired back with responses since Apple CEO Steve Jobs' Friday presentation, many of them clearly annoyed at being drawn into Cupertino's "Antennagate" morass.
Macnewsworld, 19.07.10
Analyst opinions are differing in the wake of a Friday announcement by Apple, in which the company agreed to hand out refunds or free cases to iPhone 4 owners affected by reception issues. Kaufman's Shaw Wu comments that Apple "did the right thing" by offering the cases, noting that there has been "strong evidence" that a case can insulate the iPhone's sensitive antenna. Wu also points out that just a small percentage of people have complained, and that sources indicate a permanent hardware or software fix may still be coming.... iPhone - Apple - Smartphone - Hardware - Handhelds
Macintosh News Network, 19.07.10
A new report detailing the relationship between Apple and AT&T, the exclusive carrier of the iPhone in the U.S., reveals that Apple CEO Steve Jobs allegedly considered dropping AT&T numerous times, and considered leaving for Verizon as far back as 2007.
Appleinsider, 19.07.10
iHome has introduced what is the first fully functional iPad dock with the iHome iA100ZE. It can also accommodate iPhones and iPods, and gets a Bluetooth connection in addition to an FM radio. The dock includes a free download of the iHome+Sleep app (currently not iPad-optimized, App Store) that offers custom alarms, sleep stats, social media alerts, weather, and overnight news.... iHome - Radio - IPhone - IPod - App Store
Macintosh News Network, 19.07.10
Apple, Sprint, Verizon and Samsung have been targeted in a new lawsuit, accusing the companies of false patent marketing, according to AppleInsider. The group called Americans for Fair Patent Use asserts that the companies are claiming expired patents, and/or attaching some patents to products for which they don't apply. In the case of Apple, the iPhone, the iPod touch, the fifth- and sixth-generation iPod classics and the third- and fourth-generation iPod nanos are all said to have product guides claiming patents which "expired prior to the first sale in the Unite... iPhone - Apple - Patent - iPod - IPod Touch
Macintosh News Network, 19.07.10
ZDNet reports on a new feature article in the August 2010 issue of Wired discussing the relationship between Apple and AT&T and how the success of the iPhone has enabled the partnership to continue despi...
Macrumors, 19.07.10
ZDNet reports on a new feature article in the August 2010 issue of Wired discussing the relationship between Apple and AT&T and how the success of the iPhone has enabled the partnership to continue despi...
Macrumors, 19.07.10
Apple - IPad - IPhone - AppStore - Apture
Macintosh News Network, 19.07.10
Engadget summarizes reports in the Chinese-language media claiming that the delays experienced by the white iPhone 4 are due to issues with the paint application process for the device's glass front and back panels. In particular, the compan...
Macrumors, 19.07.10
iPhone - Handhelds - Smartphones - Auctions - Shopping
Macintosh News Network, 19.07.10
Upcoming FaceTime support for the iPod touch -- and possibly the iPad -- should allow for customizable user details, code examination is said to show. It was recently discovered that Apple is planning to link FaceTime IDs to e-mail addresses attached to Apple ID accounts. On the iPhone 4, FaceTime calls are presently linked to carrier phone numbers.... Apple - IPhone - IpodTouch - email address - Telephone number
Macintosh News Network, 19.07.10
The official bumper cases for the iPhone 4 are now temporarily off sale at the Apple online store. All colors are listed as "currently unavailable" worldwide, including at the US, UK, French and German storefronts. The stock-out is expected, as Apple has promised to give out free cases later this week to people affected by the iPhone 4's reception issues, including not only the bumpers but a selection of third-party cases.... IPhone - Apple - iPhone 4 - Smartphone - Handhelds
Macintosh News Network, 19.07.10
Samsung today became the latest to shoot back at Apple as it said on Sunday that its phones were purportedly immune to the iPhone 4's reception issues. Company spokesman Shin Young-joon told the Korea Herald that the Omnia II's antenna position at the bottom not only reduced the likelihood of dampening the phone signal but that, allegedly, it was physically impossible for a problem to happen. The design was such that there was "no room for such problems to happen in the future," he said.... Apple - IPhone - Samsung i8000 - Smartphone - Antennas
Macintosh News Network, 19.07.10
On Friday, Apple held a press conference where they defended the iPhone 4's antenna design and presented data suggesting the issue was blown out of proportion. During a portion of their presentation, they demonstrated signal loss in other major pho...
Macrumors, 19.07.10
On Friday, Apple held a press conference where they defended the iPhone 4's antenna design and presented data suggesting the issue was blown out of proportion. During a portion of their presentation, they demonstrated signal loss in other major pho...
Macrumors, 19.07.10
The reasons behind the month-long delay in delivering white iPhone 4 units may have been provided in a report from this Saturday. The 21st Century Herald explained that Lens Technology, believed to be the contractor, is having difficulty reliably getting the right opacity and thickness for the pure white paint that Apple wants on the glass panels. The setback, along with other obstacles, has reportedly left Lens' production at just half the necessary level, or about three panels per hour.... IPhone - Apple - Smartphones - Handhelds - 21st century
Macintosh News Network, 19.07.10
Are antenna grip problems universal among smartphones? Even if they are, handset makers RIM, Nokia, and HTC are not happy with Apple for insinuating that the iPhone 4 isn't alone in suffering from signal loss when gripped in a certain way. During a press conference on Friday, Apple CEO Steve Jobs called media coverage of the iPhone 4's antenna problems overblown. Jobs said that reception issues were something common to all smartphones, playing a video that showed smartphones from HTC, Samsung, and other manufacturers dropping signal when held in various ways. Read the comments on this post
Ars Technica, 19.07.10
Details of the manufacturing difficulties Apple has faced in producing the white version of the iPhone 4 have been detailed in a new report, which suggests supply will be extremely limited when the devices launch later this month.
Appleinsider, 19.07.10
Mozilla yesterday announced that its Firefox Home app for iPhone had been accepted and is ready for download from the App Store. The app, which works with Firefox's Sync add-on, lets you access your Firefox bookmarks, open tabs, and browser history from your iPhone when you're away from the computer. We took it for a test drive and came away impressed with the convenience it offers, even if it doesn't offer true Firefox browsing. Read the comments on this post
Ars Technica, 19.07.10
This last week in Apple news has been intense, with a short-notice Apple press conference, a software update to adjust the iPhone signal display, and disappearing discussion threads on Apple's support boards. What more is there to say? Read on for the bite-sized summary. Steve Jobs: free iPhone 4 bumpers for everyone: Apple CEO Steve Jobs promised free bumpers for all iPhone 4 owners during a press conference Friday while arguing that the antenna problems seen with Apple's new device are endemic to all smartphones. Mysterious minuscule Apple-branded display emerges: What could Apple be doing with a 3x3cm display? We're not all that sure, but we're willing to go out on a limb and say that Apple isn't about to announce an "iWatch." Read the comments on this post
Ars Technica, 17.07.10