This has been a huge news week for iOS devices - so big that we've
made the decision to divide the iNews Review into separate editions,
one specifically for the iPad and this one for
news and press releases that are not specific to the iPad.
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.
News, Reviews, & Opinion
Apps & Services
Protection
iPod Deals
These price trackers are updated every month.
News, Reviews, & Opinion
Apple Introduces iOS 4.3 with Personal Hotspot for
iPhone 4
PR: Update Includes Faster Safari Performance, iTunes Home
Sharing, AirPlay Improvements & New Personal Hotspot
SAN FRANCISCO - March 2, 2011 - Apple today introduced iOS 4.3, the
latest version of the world's most advanced mobile operating system.
New features in iOS 4.3 include faster Safari mobile browsing
performance with the Nitro JavaScript engine; iTunes Home Sharing;
enhancements to AirPlay; the choice of using the iPad side switch to
either lock the screen rotation or mute the audio; and the Personal
Hotspot feature for sharing an iPhone 4 cellular data connection over
WiFi.
"With more than 160 million iOS devices worldwide, including over
100 million iPhones, the growth of the iOS platform has been
unprecedented," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "iOS 4.3 adds even more
features to the world's most advanced mobile operating system, across
three blockbuster devices - iPad, iPhone and iPod touch - providing an
ecosystem that offers customers an incredibly rich experience and
developers unlimited opportunities."
The Safari mobile browsing experience gets even better with iOS 4.3.
The Nitro JavaScript engine that Apple pioneered on the desktop is now
built into WebKit, the technology at the heart of Safari, and more than
doubles the performance of JavaScript execution using just-in-time
compilation. With the Nitro JavaScript engine, Safari provides an even
better mobile browser experience working faster to support the
interactivity of complex sites you visit on a daily basis.
New iTunes Home Sharing allows iOS 4.3 users to play music, movies
and TV shows on an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch from their iTunes library
on a Mac or PC over a local WiFi network. With a simple tap you can
enjoy all the media in your iTunes library wherever you are in your
home. You can stream a movie from your Mac in one room to your iPad in
another or stream an iTunes mix to your iPod touch from the office to
the kitchen. With Home Sharing on your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch
you've got your entire iTunes library in your hands wherever you are in
your home.
iOS 4.3 includes enhancements to AirPlay, the breakthrough wireless
technology that allows users to stream music, photos and video to Apple
TV. With iOS 4.3 you can stream additional content including video from
third party apps and web sites, videos from the Photos app and previews
from the iTunes app to your TV.1 AirPlay also allows you to
bring photos to life on the TV screen by using one of the stunning new
slideshow transitions, or shoot a video on your iPad 2, iPhone or iPod
touch and stream it directly from the Photos app to Apple TV.
The new Personal Hotspot feature in iOS 4.3 lets you bring WiFi with
you anywhere you go, by allowing you to share an iPhone 4 cellular data
connection with up to five devices in a combination of up to three
WiFi, three Bluetooth and one USB device.2 Joining a
Personal Hotspot is easy and once the feature is enabled a status bar
displays how many devices are currently connected. Every connection is
password protected and when not in use Personal Hotspot turns itself
off to save battery life.
More than 10 billion apps have been downloaded from the
revolutionary App Store - and more than 350,000 apps are available,
including more than 65,000 native iPad apps, to consumers in 90
countries. Users of the more than 160 million iOS devices around the
world can choose from an incredible range of apps in 20 categories,
including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and
travel.
iOS 4.3 will be available to iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users as a
free software update on Friday, March 11. iOS 4.3 is compatible with
iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 (GSM model), plus third and fourth
generation iPod touch. For more information please visit apple.com.
This update is now available
via iTunes.
- AirPlay video requires second generation Apple TV running the
latest software.
- Personal Hotspot requires supporting data plan. Customers should
check with their carrier for availability.
Apple Releases iOS 4.3 Software Update
PR: The iOS 4.3 Software Update contains new features and
improvements, including the following:
- Personal Hotspot (Requires iPhone 4 with tethering data plan):
Share iPhone 4 cellular data connection with up to 5 devices
(combination of up to 3 WiFi, 3 Bluetooth, and 1 USB)
- iTunes Home Sharing: Play music, movies and TV shows from a shared
iTunes library on a Mac or PC (requires iTunes 10.2)
- New AirPlay features:
- - Play videos from the Photos app including the Camera Roll album,
iTunes previews, enabled third-party apps and websites on Apple TV
- Play slideshows from Photos on Apple TV using transitions available
on Apple TV
- Faster Safari performance with Apple Nitro JavaScript engine
- HD video out using the Apple Digital AV Adapter: View 720p HD
videos from Videos app, iPod app, Photos, YouTube, Safari, Keynote, and
enabled third-party apps on an HDMI display
- Ping features
- Push notifications for comments and follow requests
- Post and Like songs directly from the Now Playing screen
- Parental controls
- New Settings
- Messages setting for number of times to repeat an alert
- iPad side switch setting to lock screen rotation or mute audio
notifications and sound effects
- Single tap conference call dialing with a pause to send a
passcode
- Bug fixes
System Requirements:
- Personal Hotspot requires iPhone 4 with tethering data plan
- New AirPlay features requires Apple TV (2nd generation) running
software version 4.2 or later
- HD Video out using the Apple Digital AV Adapter requires iPhone 4,
iPad, iPod touch (4th generation)
Products compatible with this software update:
- iPhone 4 (GSM model)
- iPhone 3GS
- iPad
- iPod touch (4th generation)
- iPod touch (3rd generation)
This update is available
via iTunes.
Link: iOS
4.3 Software Update
Random House Makes Entire US Catalog of 17,000
Ebooks Available on Apple's iBookstore
PR: iBookstore Now Features More than 2,500 Publishers,
Including All Six Major Trade Publishers
SAN FRANCISCO - March 2, 2011- Apple today announced that Random
House, Inc., the largest trade book publisher in the US, has made its
full catalog of 17,000 ebooks available on Apple's iBookstore,
including bestsellers by Stieg Larsson, John Grisham, Dan Brown,
Danielle Steel, Laura Hillenbrand, Cormac McCarthy, Lee Child and many
more of the world's preeminent authors. Starting today, customers can
preorder upcoming releases from Random House including Lisa Gardner's
"Love You More," Suze Orman's "The Money Class" and Jean Auel's "The
Land of Painted Caves." With the addition of Random House, the
iBookstore now offers ebooks from all six major trade publishers and
thousands of independent publishers.
"We are delighted that Apple's iBookstore now will be carrying
Random House's US ebooks for the first time," said Markus Dohle, Random
House's Chairman and CEO. "And we look forward to bringing our 17,000
ebooks to Apple customers."
"We're thrilled to offer Random House on the iBookstore," said Eddy
Cue, Apple's vice president of Internet Services. "iBookstore customers
have already downloaded more than 100 million books in less than one
year, and we think they'll love being able to choose from Random
House's incredible selection of titles to enjoy on their iPad, iPhone
and iPod touch."
iBookstore customers can choose from a wide selection of illustrated
and video-enhanced books that look incredible on iPad, including
Jay-Z's memoir "Decoded" and Bing West's "The Wrong War"; best-selling
children's series such as Magic Tree House and Junie B. Jones; and
cookbooks by Martha Stewart, Rachael Ray, and the Barefoot Contessa,
Ina Garten. Random House, Inc. comprises more than 80 adult and
children's US publishing imprints including Alfred A. Knopf, Doubleday,
Crown, Pantheon Books, Vintage, Ballantine and Bantam.
The iBookstore, included in Apple's free iBooks app, is the best way
to browse, buy and read books on your iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.
iBookstore offers ebooks from more than 2,500 publishers in more than
20 categories, including Mysteries & Thrillers, Biographies &
Memoirs, Cookbooks, Children's & Teen, Humor, Romance, Business and
Travel.
This update is available
via iTunes.
19% of Drivers Admit to Using the Internet While
Driving
PR: Results from an online survey conducted by State Farm
shows an alarming number of drivers who use the Web while driving.
In November 2010, State Farm conducted a small "pulse check" to dig
deeper into the growing use of smartphones among drivers. Survey
respondents consisted of 912 drivers who met the following criteria:
had a valid driver's license, reported driving at least one hour per
week, and owned a smart phone.
Of these drivers, 19% admitted to using the Internet while driving.
The top five Web-based activities they engage in are:
- Finding/reading driving directions,
- Reading email,
- Looking up/referencing specific information of immediate
interest,
- Looking at/reading social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter,
etc.),
- Composing/sending email.
Most respondents who said they use the Internet while driving
reported that they engage in these activities when stopped at a stop
light or stopped in heavy traffic. They also commonly said they access
the Internet when driving alone, during daylight hours, or on long
drives on the interstate.
Approximately 40% of the U.S. population owns a smartphone.
Considering the growth of smartphone use among young adults and the
risk of crashes associated with phone use while driving, State Farm
will conduct an in-depth and comprehensive study to learn more about
smart phone use among young drivers.
"We are very interested in learning more about the growing trend of
using the Web while driving," says Cindy Garretson, Director of Auto
Technology Research at State Farm. "We are working to prevent crashes
and save lives, and this research takes us one step closer to
understanding the driver distractions that affect everyone on our
roadways."
Why should you think twice before using your cell phone while
driving? "Studies show that driving while talking on a cell phone is
extremely dangerous and puts drivers at a four times greater risk of a
crash," says Janet Froetsher, president and CEO of the National Safety
Council, quoted in a
State Farm LearningCenter blog. Each year, it's estimated to
cause:
- 636,000 crashes
- 330,000 injuries
- 12,000 major injuries
- 2,600 deaths
- and $43 billion in damages
States and local jurisdictions are responding to the dangers with a
variety of new laws. Cell phone use by novice drivers is restricted in
many states. Some states and all Canadian provinces by the end of 2011
will have banned handheld cell phone use altogether. Some states have
banned texting. Learn which cell phone driving laws apply in your
state:
When Talking Absolutely Can't Wait
- Always use a handsfree device.
- Pull over to make calls. Even handsfree talking can be distracting.
So move safely out of traffic and make your call while parked.
- Keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
- Use voice-activated controls when talking is absolutely necessary
(although studies have shown that your risk of crashing or hitting
something or someone is still 4x higher even when using a handsfree
device behind the wheel)
Texting
There's no reason to sugarcoat it - texting while driving is a BAD
idea. REALLY BAD. A recent study from the Virginia Tech Transportation
Institute (VTTI) shows that texting while driving makes you 23.2 times
likelier to be involved in a crash or near crash. That's why many
states have passed laws partially or completely banning texting while
driving, and are likely to follow.
As of February 2011
- A jurisdiction-wide ban on driving while talking on a handheld
cellphone is in place in 9 states (California, Connecticut, Delaware,
Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Utah, and Washington) and the
District of Columbia. Utah has named the offense careless driving.
Under the Utah law, no one commits an offense when speaking on a
cellphone unless they are also committing some other moving violation
other than speeding.
- Local jurisdictions may or may not need specific state statutory
authority to ban cellphones or text messaging. Several of the many
localities that have enacted restrictions on cellphone use include:
Oahu, HI; Chicago, IL; Brookline, MA; Detroit, MI; Santa Fe, NM;
Brooklyn, North Olmstead, and Walton Hills, OH; Conshohocken, Lebanon,
and West Conshohocken, PA; Waupaca County, WI; and Cheyenne, WY.
- The use of all cellphones while driving a school bus is prohibited
in 19 states and the District of Columbia.
- The use of all cellphones by novice drivers is restricted in 28
states and the District of Columbia.
- Text messaging is banned for all drivers in 30 states and the
District of Columbia. In addition, novice drivers are banned from
texting in 8 states (Alabama, Indiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri,
Oklahoma, Texas, and West Virginia) and school bus drivers are banned
from text messaging in 2 states (Oklahoma and Texas).
State Farm insures more cars and homes than any other insurer in the
US and is also a leading insurer in Canada.
Link: State
Farm
Flash (Sort of) Coming to iOS Devices
Tech Radar's Gary Marshall says:
"If you were one of the people who just loved Apple's spat with
Adobe over Flash support - or rather, Flash non-support, because Apple
won't let it onto iOS devices - then we've got bad news for you.
"Flash is coming to the iPhone, the iPad and the iPad 2. IN YOUR
FACE, FLASH HATERS!
"Okay, it's a bit more complicated than that. Steve Jobs hasn't
changed his mind, and iOS hasn't got a secret Enable Flash switch.
What's changed is at Adobe's end. Its new Wallaby tool
takes a Flash file and turns it into HTML5, which means it'll work
quite happily in Mobile Safari."
Link: Flash Is Coming to
the iPad, iPad 2 and iPhone
Apps & Services
Textforce 2.0 for iPhone and iPad: Major Update for
Cloud Text Editor
PR: Domo Apps, the developers of Textforce, have released
their latest update for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad users. The
application is an extremely helpful, feature-packed text editor that
takes users to the cloud. Textforce makes it fast and easy to
seamlessly work interchangeably between iPhone, iPad and a PC, and to
sync with Dropbox. There is an astounding number of editing tools and
this latest major update adds Find/Edit function support, as well as
easy, intuitive cursor moving.
For anyone who works with creating or editing documents, Textforce
is the answer to a prayer. This text editor is not only packed to the
rim with features that make editing and syncing a seamless experience;
it allows users to work interchangeably between their iDevices and
desktop computer.
That means that a user can create a document on their iPad, edit it
on their iPhone then polish it up on their computer. Or the other way
around, it doesn't matter which device is used because the application
makes everything available for cloud computing. Documents are stored
online, so users have access to them from anywhere at anytime. When an
Internet connection is not available, there is an Offline Mode that
still permits document work to be done.
Textforce not only comes with its own set of impressive tools (see
features list) but it also allows users to sync smoothly with the
Dropbox online storage site. There, users are able to edit and store
their text files, with all data automatically saved instantly as they
work. A free Dropbox account can be created through the Textforce app.
Users are also able to open .txt files in Evernote and GoodReader.
This is just a partial list of the features offered in
Textforce:
- Easy, intuitive interface
- Takes users to the cloud
- Allows seamless linking to and working with Dropbox
- Create free Dropbox account from Textforce
- Allows interchangeable access between iPhone, iPad, PC
- Open .txt files in Evernote or GoodReader
- Supports text editing
- Smooth, intuitive cursor movement on iPhone and iPad
- Regular expression search and replacement
- Displays character count
- TextExpander allows insertion of predefined snippets
- Supports character encoding; open files in Windows
- View, edit and sync automatically when online
- Work in Offline Mode
- Bookmark and History functions for easy file retrieval
- Auto save while editing data
- Copy/email and copy/move text
- Change settings
- Find/replace support
- Latest version includes File Move and Save As functions
- On sale for only $1.99 until March 15, 2011; $3.99 thereafter
Impressive Textforce features seem to go on forever. Still, Domo
Apps developers have added even more value in this latest update by
introducing Find/Edit function support, as well as easy, intuitive
cursor moving on the iPhone and iPad.
Until March 15th, Domo Apps is offering Textforce at two dollars off
the regular price. The app can be downloaded for $1.99 but only until
the 15th. After that, it returns to its regular selling price of
$3.99.
Device Requirements:
- iPhone, iPod touch and iPad
- Requires iOS 4.0 or later
- 2.1 MB
Textforce 2.0 is $1.99 until March 15, 2011 and available worldwide
exclusively through the App Store in the Productivity category. Promo
codes are available for qualified reviewers. Please specify the website
or blog you represent when making your request.
Link: Textforce
(download
link)
Protection
Mini-mal Launches pic.me iPhone 4 Case
PR: Mini-mal, a cellphone case developer known for their
compact multifunctional iPhone cases, has launched a preorder funding
campaign for the iPhone 4 pic.me case on Kickstarter.com .
The "pic.me" case is an
iPhone 4 case with an integrated arm that allows for the multi-angle
positioning of the iPhone in both the traditional "viewing mode" as
well as the "video recording mode". The case adds the ability to take
iPhone videos and photos without the need for a tripod.
When not in use the arm folds away completely, leaving the user with
a traditionally designed protective iPhone case. The case caters
towards a wide range of iPhone users; from those that utilize their
phones for recording videos and taking photos, to those that are
looking for a compact case that allows the iPhone to stand in multiple
angles. The new case is designed to fit both the Verizon and AT&T
iPhone 4s.
We are very excited about the
Kickstarter campaign and hope that we can garner enough support to make
this case a reality. We believe the pic.me case is perfect for the
everyday iPhone user who is looking for a sleek protective case, but
would also like the added benefit having a multi-angle viewing and/or
video recording stand when necessary. Its a great complement to the
iPhone 4's many capabilities and features, including the HD camera, and
high-res screen, spokesperson Joey Chun said.
The arm on the "pic.me" case can rotate over 270° and lock into
19 different positions.
Link: pic.me iPhone
4 Case
Atomic Industries Releases the New Hybrid Composite iPhone 4 Case
for Verizon and AT&T
PR: Atomic has designed a styling new bumper style case
for the new iPhone 4 that is made of CNC machined Billet Aluminum
combined with a Graphite, Carbon & Delrin space age material that
enhances the style of the iPhone 4 while creating a better protective
grip. The ALL NEW new Hybrid Composite case by Atomic is signal, GPS,
and data friendly unlike all aluminum cases while retaining the similar
techno-sexy style.
The Lake Tahoe based company was challenged to produce a bumper
style case that helps with Apples original antenna band death grip
issue. Shankar, industrial designer and VP of Atomic says he was
compelled to create a solution to this media propagated issue while
retaining a classy, elegant style.
"Most cases degrade signal to some extent, while all aluminum cases
kill it," Shankar comments. "By creating this Hybrid Composite case,
Atomic has addressed the demand of the aluminum look while using space
age composite material to help signal penetration. Most users actually
see an improvement of signal after the case is on. The case only weighs
15 grams so it feels as if there is no case on. The case is available
in a matte black or matte white composite frame coupled with a CNC
machined aircraft grade aluminum cap. The aluminum part is
electroplated in a choice of 10 different colors."
The Hybrid Composite case will hit major electronics stores
nationwide soon, but can also be purchased on their website.
The price of such an advanced case for the iPhone 4 does not come
cheap. Expect to pay almost $80.00 for this case and add more if you
want a true carbon fiber back plate for you carbon fiber fanatics.
Verizon iPhone 4, as well as AT&T iPhone 4 users have thousands of
cases to chose from, but if you want to retain or enhance the style of
the iPhone 4, not worrying about signal or GPS issues, the Atomic
Hybrid Composite Case is one to consider.
Link: Atomic
iPhone 4 Case
