Mac notebook and other portable computing is covered
in The 'Book Review, and general Mac
news is in Mac News Review.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
iPhone News, Reviews, & Opinion
iPod News, Reviews, & Opinion
Apple TV News, Reviews, & Opinion
iPhone Add-ons
iPod & iPhone Deals
iPhone News, Reviews, & Opinion
I Predict iPhone Will Come Down to $299 Within a
Few Months
ZD Net blogger Russell Shaw
reports:
"With his customary deftness, my CNET colleague Tom Krazit mashes up
some numbers from AT&T's earnings call this week with other numbers
from Apple iPhone sales and projected sales reports.
"Tom's conclusion: iPhone sales are slowing, especially in
AT&T's sales channels.
"OK, let us take that as fact. Where does this lead us?"
Link: Here's Why I Predict
iPhone Will Come Down to $299 Within a Few Months
The Complete Guide to iPhone Car Integration
iLounge's
Jeremy Horwitz says:
"Though we've reviewed hundreds of iPhone-compatible accessories
since last June, there has not been a complete, turnkey solution for
in-car iPhone integration that average users can go out and purchase
with ease. The reason is simple: though the iPhone is supposed to be
Apple's 'best iPod ever,' it actually doesn't work properly with many
of the iPod's best previous car accessories, and the iPhone accessory
development process has proved unusually difficult for even the best
engineers out there.
"Today, the major problem is that there's no single accessory that
charges, mounts, and performs all audio from an iPhone, so unless you
want to hand-hold your iPhone while you drive - which is against the
law in many places - you can't just connect one cable and expect to
safely use both its music and phone features. This is largely due to
Apple-imposed software limitations, but also certain technical hurdles
developers need to overcome. So for now, in-car use of an iPhone
requires a number of different parts, and we've created this Complete
Guide to iPhone Car Integration to help you choose the ones that are
best for your vehicle and personal needs."
Link:
The Complete Guide to iPhone Car Integration
iPhone Privacy Concerns
MacFormat's
Christopher Phin says:
"No, nothing sinister. But I did learn an important fact yesterday:
if you don't want people to read the emails you're writing, don't write
them on an iPhone."
Link:
iPhone Privacy Concerns
More than a Quarter of iPhones Unlocked
PC Magazine's
Scott Hillis reports:
"More than a quarter of people who bought Apple Inc's iPhone are
using them on wireless networks other than AT&T's, the exclusive
iPhone carrier in the U.S., a 'stunning' number that will pressure the
company's business model, an analyst said on Monday.
"Bernstein Research analyst Toni Sacconaghi said analysis of sales
numbers from Apple and AT&T Inc revealed about 1.45 million phones
were 'missing in action' at the end of 2007.
"About 480,000 of those were believed to be held by AT&T as
inventory, leaving another 1 million phones, or 27 percent of the
total, that Sacconaghi said were 'unlocked' so they could work on
non-AT&T networks."
Link: Analyst: More
than a Quarter of iPhones Unlocked
iPhone Apps in the Works
Forbes'
Elizabeth Woyke reports:
"Macworld may be over, but for a group of developers the most
important Apple news has yet to be unveiled: the much-anticipated
iPhone software development kit (SDK).
"Developers say they can't wait to get their hands on the SDK, which
is expected to be released in late February and will allow third-party
developers to create native applications for Apple's iPhone. But
developers are also anxious about how Apple may monitor and distribute
applications. So far, Apple has been characteristically mum about its
SDK-related plans."
Link:
iPhone Apps in the Works
Webapps Keep the iPhone Busy
MacLife's
Michael Simon says:
"Even with the SDK being released, webapps are still going
strong.
"Now that Apple has released the iPhone 1.1.3 firmware that allows
users to automatically find their location in Google Maps and customize
their home screens, it's just a matter of waiting a few short weeks for
all those third-party apps to start pouring in. But in the meantime,
there might be a couple Web-based gems that you might have missed:"
Link: Webapps
Keep the iPhone Busy
iPod News, Reviews, & Opinion
Apple Applies to Light Up Laptop Touchpads, iPod
Clickwheels
Register Hardware's
James Sherwood reports:
"Apple has touched on a new way to help you find your way around its
products. The company has registered technology in the US that could
see the iPod's clickwheel or your MacBook Air's touchpad light-up when
you finger it."
Link:
Apple Applies to Light Up Laptop Touchpads, iPod Clickwheels
Apple TV News, Reviews, & Opinion
Apple TV Update 'Coming Soon'
PR: Apple announced
Wednesday that the new Apple TV software update, which allows users to
rent high definition movies directly from their widescreen TVs, is not
quite finished. Apple now plans to make the free software download
available to existing Apple TV customers in another week or two.
Apple TV's software update will allow movie fans to rent movies on
the iTunes Store directly from their widescreen TV. With iTunes Movie
Rentals and Apple TV, users can just click a button on their remote to
effortlessly rent movies from a catalog of over 1,000 titles by the end
of February, including over 100 titles in stunning high definition
video with 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound, with no computer required.
DVD-quality iTunes Movie Rentals are $2.99 for library titles and $3.99
for new releases, and high definition versions are just one dollar more
with library titles at $3.99 and new releases at $4.99. Purchases
downloaded to Apple TV are automatically synched back to iTunes on the
user's computer for enjoyment on their computer, all current generation
iPods* or iPhone. Apple TV easily connects to a broad range of
widescreen TVs and home theater systems and comes standard with HDMI,
component video, analog and optical audio ports.
The new Apple TV software will be available as a free automatic
download to all Apple TV customers within two weeks. Apple TV, which
includes the Apple Remote, is available from the Apple Store, Apple's
retail stores, and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail
price of $229 for the 40 GB model and $329 for the 160 GB model (US and
Canada). Apple TV requires an 802.11g/n wireless network or 10/100
Base-T Ethernet networking, a broadband Internet connection and a high
definition widescreen TV. iPod games will not play on Apple TV. iTunes
Movie Rentals are available in the US only.
*Movie rentals work on iPod classic, iPod nano with video, and iPod
touch.
iPhone Add-ons
PRIE Ambassador Case for iPhone
PR: PRIE Ambassador for iPhone is now available in five
different fashion looks. Traditionalists can choose versions in black
nappa leather with either white or red stitching to complement any
style. Other models include gold, gold with white, and silver colored
leather for iPhone users who are looking to attract more attention to
their device.
PRIE Ambassador is an open-face carrying case, which makes checking
incoming calls a breeze. All ports, sensors and the camera remain open
and accessible. 
iPhone is held secure using a clever
magnetic side latch and can be quickly removed when needed. For added
protection of the Multitouch display, TuneFilm protective clear film is
included free with PRIE Ambassador for iPhone.
Using the optional TuneWear hook, PRIE Ambassador can be attached to
just about anything, such as a belt loop or carry bag. Remove the hook
and slide iPhone easily into a jacket or pant pocket.
The suggested retail price is $59.95 each.
PRIE Ambassador for iPhone in all five styles is now available from
the TuneWear store.
Link: TuneWear
iJailBreak Released for 1.1.3
PR: AriX, the 13-year old developer behind the open source
iJailBreak utility downloaded over 200,000 times, has announced that
iJailBreak 0.4 has been released. iJailBreak 0.4 allows iPhone and iPod
Touch users on jailbroken versions of firmware 1.1.1 or 1.1.2 to
automatically update to and jailbreak the newly released 1.1.3
firmware.
iJailBreak 0.4 works on Mac OS X Tiger or Leopard systems with an
Intel architecture. Unfortunately, PowerPC (PPC) systems are not
currently compatible - that is being worked on.
Users who currently have the previous version of iJailBreak
installed should be notified of the new release and be offered the
ability to have the utility update itself. If not prompted, go into the
iJailBreak menu and choose "Check for Updates."
iJailBreak can be downloaded at Google Code, and more information
can be found at their website. Donations through PayPal are greatly
appreciated and go towards more devices for testing and
development.
The process does require the user to start on a jailbroken 1.1.1 or
1.1.2 device. If you are currently on a non-jailbroken 1.1.1
installation, it is suggested that you visit JailbreakMe to jailbreak.
Non-jailbroken 1.1.2 users should downgrade to 1.1.1 and continue from
there. To downgrade to 1.1.1 from 1.1.2, follow the instructions posted
at the iJailBreak website.
To downgrade from 1.1.3 to 1.1.1, visit the iJailBreak website - if
you're on an iPod Touch do just the first page then visit JailbreakMe
in Safari, and if you're on an iPhone do the first and second pages
(includes jailbreaking); at which point you're clear to run iJailBreak.
It's important to note that once downgraded, an iPhone will appear to
be deactivated. This is not the case. Jailbreaking will 'reactivate'
iPhone.
Note: all unlocks you do to an iPhone will remain untouched and will
work 'out of the box' in your new 1.1.3 installation. Google Maps' new
Locate Me function will not work on a jailbroken 1.1.3, however a patch
is now being worked on and will be available in Installer.app shortly.
In the mean time, the Locate Me app (also found in Installer.app) does
the exact same thing Google Maps does, only in a separate application,
so it's recommended you use that until the patch is available.
The actual jailbreaking process goes as follows: connect your device
to your computer, open iJailBreak and click on the Jailbreak icon. Once
iJailBreak tells you that it is finished, go into Settings->General
on your device and set Auto-Lock to Never. Next, open Installer.app and
install the '1.1.3 Soft Upgrade' package. This installation can take
some time - maybe 5 or 10 minutes. Leaving your device alone at this
point is fine and is encouraged.
Once the installation is complete, the device should reboot. If your
device hasn't rebooted automatically after 15 minutes, it's safe to
reboot it manually. Your device will then boot into your new 1.1.3
installation. Note that while all 3rd party applications have been
deleted, their settings have not, so if/when you reinstall them, any
settings or high-scores should appear as you left them.
If you are using an iPod Touch, the "Software Upgrade," which
normally costs $20, will automatically be installed legally and for
free. This will enable Mail, Maps, Stocks, Notes, Weather, and
customizable home screens (a.k.a. wiggly icons).
New to iJailBreak 0.4 is the iJailBreak News Flash section of the
utility. This little line of text will be downloaded from iJailBreak
servers and will contain either a tip or new and interesting package to
download from Installer.app (such as the Google Maps Locate Me patch)
or a "3rd Party Application of the Week." (disclaimer: the "3rd Party
Application of the Week" may not actually be updated exactly once a
week)
Should you already be running a jailbroken 1.1.3 iPod Touch,
iJailBreak 0.4 includes a nifty Add iPhone Apps button which will
legally install the "Software Upgrade" for free.
Of course, as with anything of this nature, there's a small chance
you may temporarily render your device inoperable. To restore your
iPhone or iPod Touch, hold down the Power and Home buttons on the
device until the Apple logo appears on the screen, at which point you
can let go of the Power button - but keep holding the Home button. When
you see the "Connect to iTunes" logo appear, you may let go of the Home
button, connect your device to your computer, and use iTunes to
restore.
As with previous versions of iJailBreak, 0.4.x is happily released
under the GNU General Public License version 2. As such, the utility
and code are provided AS IS and come with no warranty whatsoever. Any
damage you do to your device(s) with iJailBreak or its underlying
source code is your responsibility.
AriX hopes you enjoy this new version of iJailBreak and have a good
time with 1.1.3 and all its wiggly niceness.
iJailBreak is an automated OS X jailbreaker for your iPod Touch or
iPhone licensed under the GNU General Public License v2 written by
13-year-old AriX with help from 13-year-old friend Ben Feldman.
Link: iJailBreak
