World of Apple

iPod touch (6th gen) | Image courtesy of Apple

Sharing the stage with the iPhone 5 Apple’s iPods and iTunes were updated in front of the world’s media today. Starting with iTunes Apple’s Eddy Cue announced a whole new version of iTunes on the desktop, version 11, with a major redesign (see it up close). Joswiak also explained how over 60% of music bought off the iTunes store is done through iOS devices so kicked off his section of today’s keynote by announcing a redesign of the iTunes store on iOS.

The changes to the desktop iTunes app are deeper than just the iTunes store which has also had a redesign. iTunes 11, set to land in late-October is much simpler to use and includes iCloud integration for seamless syncing of content between all devices, iCloud also remembers where you are in your favourite movies or TV shows no matter which device you’re viewing on. The new library view makes it easier to view your music, TV shows and movies, allowing you to click on the category of content you want to browse and that’s all you will see. The expandable album view allows you to see track listings for an individual album, while letting you continue to browse your music library. The new search feature searches across your entire iTunes library, including music, movies and TV shows.

Revamped iTunes Store on MacBook Pro (with Retina display), iPad and iPhone 5 | Image courtesy of Apple

One feature I’m personally keen on is called Up Next and is a new way to see what songs are coming up and queue songs or albums you want to hear next.

Apple also took the opportunity to show off the impressive statistics attached to the almost decade old iTunes store. The iTunes store includes 26 million songs, over 700,000 apps, over 190,000 TV episodes and over 45,000 films and is available in 63 countries around the world.

Apple also refreshed some of its iPod lineup in preparation for the upcoming Christmas shopping season. Both the iPod nano and iPod touch got major updates whilst the iPod shuffle got minor colour changes and the iPod classic remained untouched as with previous years.

The new iPod nano features a 2.5-inch multi-touch display, a small home button, navigation buttons on the side for quick track changing and Bluetooth for wireless transmission of music. The iPod nano is now just 5mm thin and available only in 16GB size in six different colours.

iPod nano is available in October for $149.

iPod nano (7th gen) | Image courtesy of Apple

The iPod touch also got a major revamp. Following in the steps of the iPhone 5 the new touch has a 4-inch retina display and a a 5MP camera with autofocus, support for 1080p video recording with video image stabilisation, face detection and an LED flash, and the new panorama mode. Every new iPod touch comes with a colour-matched iPod touch loop, a clever and convenient wrist strap a perfect accessory for kids.

The new iPod touch is just 6mm thin and weighs 88 grams. Inside Apple has managed to pack in last years A5 SoC but the graphics capabilities of this chip were enough for Apple to spend a considerable portion of the keynote showing off how good a gaming device the iPod touch is.

iPod touch is available in October in five colours in 32GB and 64GB capacities for $299 (£249) and $399 (£329) respectively.

It is being reported by Boy Genius Report that iOS 4.3.2 is set to land “within the next week or so” and pack a number of key fixes.

The update is said to fix the issues with Verizon iPad 2 connectivity, as well as FaceTime and security fixes. A number of vulnerabilities in WebKit alongside other minor fixes are also said to be included.

Two days ahead of its self-imposed schedule Apple has released iOS 4.3 to the public. The update which is compatible with iPad, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 GSM, iPod touch 3rd and 4th generation but not the Verizon iPhone 4 delivers a number of major enhancements.

The second-generation Apple TV which also runs on iOS has also been issued an update to iOS 4.3.

iOS 4.3 for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch contains a number of new features and improvements including:

• Personal Hotspot for sharing the iPhone 4 data connection with up to 5 devices
• iTunes Home Sharing
• AirPlay has been extended to other apps such as Photos as well as third-party apps
• Improved Safari performance through Apple Nitro JavaScript engine
• HD video out using Apple Digital AV adapter
• Push notifications in from Ping as well as ability to Post and Like songs from Now Playing screen
• Bug fixes

Following yesterday’s announcement that iOS 4.3 will be available to download by all on March 11, the company has today released the Golden Master build to registered iOS developers.

The GM build of iOS 4.3 carries the number 8F190. Included in the first beta was new four and five finger gestures for the iPad. Apple has since clarified how the gestures will be implemented in the future:

This feature will not be enabled in iOS 4.3 for customers, but we are providing this preview to gather input on how these gestures work with your apps.

iOS 4.3 will be available to download for the iPhone 3GS, the GSM iPhone 4, third and fourth generation iPod touch, and iPad models on March 11. Verizon iPhone 4 owners will seemingly have to wait longer for an iOS 4.3 release. The Apple TV will also be updated on a separate schedule.

Included in the iOS 4.3 GM build is:

• 4 or 5 finger multi-touch gestures on iPad (developers only)
• Option on the iPad to use the hardware switch as orientation lock or mute switch.
• Personal Hotspot is enabled on iPhone 4 devices, allowing access to a personal Wi-Fi network from up to 5 devices.
• AirPlay streaming from third party apps.
• Ability to stream content from local iTunes library via Home Sharing.
• Improved Safari JavaScript performance using Nitro engine which has been brought over from Mac OS X.

According to MacStories a reliable source has informed them that iOS 4.3 will be released on February 14 at 10 a.m. pacific time.

iOS 4.3 which will be available for the iPod touch (3rd and 4th gen), iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPad as well as the Apple TV was first delivered to developers in mid-January.

Included in iOS 4.3 is the new Personal Hotspot functionality that appeared with the unveiling of the Verizon iPhone. Although at this stage it is unknown whether carriers will be able to choose whether they allow access to the feature.

Developers are now able to stream video from their apps and have access to iOS 4.3 for Apple TV to test the feature.

Included in the iOS 4.3 beta is:

• 4 or 5 finger multi-touch gestures on iPad (not included in final release)
• Option on the iPad to use the hardware switch as orientation lock or mute switch.
• Personal Hotspot is enabled, allowing access to a personal Wi-Fi network from up to 5 devices.
• AirPlay streaming from third party apps.
• iAds for the iPad
• FaceTime, Camera and Photo Booth icons found on iPad
• Evidence of features known as “Find My Friends”, “Media Stream” and “Photo Streaming”

It has been pointed out by French site igeneration Apple appears to have amended its policy when dealing with water damaged iPods.

Apple will now allow some leeway when it comes to iPods which have their water indicator triggered. iPods will still be eligible for replacement if the customer claims that no water damage has been inflicted upon the iPod, Apple will use external signs of corrosion to establish whether the device is still within warranty.

Apple has announced that it will make iOS 4.2 available for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch today at around 10am Pacific time (6pm London). iOS 4.2 is the first version of iOS 4 to be able to run on the iPad bringing the major enhancements to the iPad that have been present on the iPhone and iPod touch since the summer. The main features of iOS 4.2 on the iPad include folders, app multitasking, AirPlay (and AirTunes), AirPrint and the ability to search a webpage in Safari.

“iOS 4.2 makes the iPad a completely new product, just in time for the holiday season,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Once again, the iPad with iOS 4.2 will define the target that other tablets will aspire to, but very few, if any, will ever be able to hit.”

Folders on the iPad can hold up to 20 apps, giving the iPad the ability to store 520 apps on an individual screen. Apple has also changed the hardware switch from an orientation lock to an alert volume mute switch. The orientation lock of the iPad can now be changed by entering the multitasking dock and swiping to the right, the screen brightness can also be adjusted here.

Apple also announced that AirPrint will be the name of the technology that will allow iOS devices to print wirelessly to printers.

AirPrint automatically finds printers on local networks and can print text, photos and graphics to them wirelessly over Wi-Fi without the need to install drivers or download software. HP’s existing and upcoming ePrint enabled printers will be the first to support printing direct from iOS devices.

Apple has also included AirPlay and AirTunes with iOS 4.2. AirPlay allows video to be sent from an iPhone or iPad to another device such a new Apple TV for output. Users with an old Apple TV will be unable to use AirPlay as the device is only AirTunes compatible.

iOS 4.2 brings folders to the iPad. Folders on the iPad can hold 20 apps, a whopping 520 apps per page.

Folder viewed in landscape

Web pages can now be searched in Safari, although the search must be initiated using the 'Google search'

iOS 4.2 brings the multitasking dock to the iPad, swipe to the right and get shortcut controls for music apps, screen brightness, volume and an orientation lock

Multitasking dock in landscape mode

Game Center is also included with iOS 4.2 on the iPad

iOS 4.2 allows for the font in the Notes app to be changed

One of the biggest features in iOS 4.2 is the ability to print using Apple's AirPrint technology

iPhone 4 owners now have a selection of new SMS message tones and the ability to FaceTime from within an SMS conversation

The iPhone also gets the same Safari search and the ability to print webpages

Apple iPad

According to a survey named the Toy Report done in the UK by Duracell Apple’s iPhone 4 tops the list as the most wanted item for this Christmas. The survey which gleaned information from five to 16 year olds, with 66 percent of 13 to 16 year olds placing Apple items at the top of their lists.

Following in a close second and third place were the iPod touch and the iPad respectively in the survey which questioned 2,138 children.

Top 10 most wanted items this Christmas are as follows:

1) iPhone 4 (14%)
2) iPod touch (13%)
3) iPad (12%)
4) Kinect for Xbox (6%)
5) Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters / Kung Zhu Hamsters (5%)
6) Flip Video Camera (4%)
7) Toy Story 3 Jet Pack Buzz Lightyear (4%)
8) PlayStation Move (4%)
9) LEGO Harry Potter Years 1-4 Video Game (3%)
10) Barbie Video Girl (3%)

Apple has on schedule released iOS 4.1 for the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and second and third generation iPod touch. The update carries the build number 8B117 which is the same build delivered to developers last week.

Apple has a page detailing all the major changes in iOS 4.1 which includes a proximity sensor fix, Bluetooth improvements, speed improvements on iPhone 3G, HD video upload to YouTube via Wi-Fi, TV show rentals and the inclusion of Game Center. Apple has also added a high dynamic range photo option to the iPhone 4 camera.

Apple also includes the following release notes with iOS 4.1:

• Game Center (Game Center requires iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPod touch 2nd generation or later.)
  – Send and receive friend requests
  – Invite friends to multi-player games over the Internet
  – Play multi-player games by auto-matching with other players
  – View Leaderboards and Achievements
  – Discover new games from friends

• High dynamic range (HDR) photos on iPhone 4
• Support for TV show rentals on iTunes
• Ability to upload HD videos to YouTube and MobileMe over Wi-Fi on iPhone 4
• Additional support for AVRCP-supported accessories, including next & previous track control
• FaceTime calling directly from Favorites
• Bug fixes, including:
  – iPhone 4 proximity sensor performance
  – iPhone 3G performance
  – Nike+iPod fixes
  – Bluetooth improvements

During today’s keynote presentation Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced that iOS 4.1 for the iPhone and iPod touch will be available next week. The date of September 8 is clearly visible on Apple’s Spanish website which would indicate that the release is set for a week from now.

iOS 4.1 which has been in developers hands since mid-June brings a number of fixes and enhancements to the iPhone. During the keynote Apple labelled the major featues as: proximity sensor fix, Bluetooth improvements, speed improvements on iPhone 3G, HD video upload to YouTube via Wi-Fi, TV show rentals and the inclusion of Game Center. Apple has also added a high dynamic range photo option to the iPhone 4 camera.

Apple also discussed the upcoming iOS 4.2 update which will be the first version of iOS 4 capable of running on the iPad. In the keynote Steve Jobs gave a demo of iOS 4.2 running on the iPad and ran through just two features. With iOS 4.2 the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch will now be able to print wirelessly to printers. AirPlay will also be available on iOS 4.2 which allows streaming of music, video and photos.