Leander Kahney's Blog, page 1438

December 28, 2011

How To Jailbreak iOS 5.0.1 On Your iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS or iPod Touch [Jailbreak Superguide]

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The Redsn0w software by DevTeam has always allowed you to jailbreak your iOS device, giving you complete control over your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch (see why you should jailbreak here). This morning, though, redsn0w version 0.9.1ob1 was released with iOS 5 support, meaning you can now jailbreak devices and run Cydia apps on devices with iOS 5 installed. Here's how to jailbreak iOS 5!

Ingredients:

A compatible iOS device That same device updated to firmware iOS 5.0.1 iTunes 10.5.2 redsn0w 0.9.10b1 for Mac.

Please backup all your information using iTunes before following this tutorial.

1. Download redsn0w and extract the ZIP. Double-click to open redsn0w application.

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2. Click the 'Jaibreak' button below the text. Now it will ask you to connect the device to your Mac/PC and then turn it off, do so and click 'Next'. Now follow the on-screen instructions to proceed.

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3. The device will reboot while redns0w prepares the jailbreak data.

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4. Then choose if you want to install Cydia and click the 'Next' button.

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5. The device will reboot showing 'Downloading Jailbreak Data' logo and then some code on the device's screen, while redsn0w sends modified files to the device. You will be notified once redsn0w is done. Let the rest of process continue on the device, please be patient.

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6. After it reboots, your device should now be jailbroken with Cydia on the homescreen.

That's it! You're done! Let us know how you got along in the comments.

All credit for the great tool goes to the DevTeam.

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Published on December 28, 2011 11:29

British Prime Minister To Run The Country With The Help Of A Personalized iPad App

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British Prime Minister David Cameron is having a personalized iPad app built by programmers inside the Cabinet Office that will provide him with the latest information he needs to run the country, The Telegraph reports. The app, which was inspired by advisers after a trip to the U.S., will compile real-time information like NHS waiting-list figures, crime statistics, unemployments numbers, and more all in one place.

The app will also provide news information from Google, Twitter and The Times, according to the report. David Cameron famously uses an iPad — like U.S. President Barrack Obama — to keep abreast of the day's news, and tune into his favorite radio programs, the report says.

However, it's unlikely he uses the device for email, preferring instead to receive handwritten notes and text messages.

The app is expected to be ready by March of next year.

[via The Next Web]

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Published on December 28, 2011 08:40

Apple's Television Set Will Be Powered By A Custom-Built Processor Like Its iOS Devices [Rumor]

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Like its iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch which utilize the company's A4 and A5 processors, Apple's upcoming television set will be powered by a custom-built chip made specifically for the Cupertino company. Sources claim that a number of manufacturers are currently bidding for Apple's order, including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE), and Siliconware Precision Industries (SPIL).

Apple has reportedly struck a deal already with TSMC which will utilize the company's 28nm and 20nm process technologies for its A6 and A7 processors, according to sources for DigiTimes. It's unclear whether chips for the Apple television were part of the deal, but it's possible the set could also adopt the same chips.

Like most of its devices, the Apple "iTV" will reportedly be assembled by Foxconn, with a launch towards the end of 2012. Recent reports have claimed the device will be available with 32- and 37-inch displays.

[via MacTrast]

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Published on December 28, 2011 08:26

Tablet Trend Helping Wi-Fi Instead of Cell Carriers

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Photo by Oran Viriyincy - http://flic.kr/p/as4zMi

If you received an iPad for Christmas, there is a 95 percent chance you connected to a local Wi-Fi network to slurp up data, a new study predicts. Where does that leave cellular carriers? Out in the cold with their expensive data plans and 3G tablets, that's where. The really bad news for folks like Sprint is the trend for 9.5 out of 10 tablets to exclusively use Wi-Fi doesn't appear to be changing.

The bringer of bad news is Sandvine, a company that keeps track of how mobile devices are used. The problem with tablets is that they are not as mobile as carriers would prefer. Instead of taking them where the only Internet connection is cellular-based, many iPad owners simply jump on their home Wi-Fi network or the corner cafe's hotspot. Like much in life the reason boils down to cost.

First off, a 3G tablet costs more than a Wi-Fi only device. This is why Amazon's Kindle Fire only offers Wi-Fi. The second is to use the 3G, you need to buy a separate data plan for your iPad, since there is no sharing your iPhone's data bucket. That could change in 2012 when Verizon Wireless is expected to introduce a family data plan.

The advent of so-called "pooled plans" won't mean automatic milk-and-honey for carriers. Subscribers will still watch their data allowance like a hawk to prevent being socked with huge overages because they just love the new batch of cat videos on YouTube.

If carriers can't make it with data plans, there is still the texting racket, where providers pay pennies for for an SMS message to piggyback along voice signals, but charge $20 per month for unlimited usage, right? Maybe not for long.

According to Sandvine, tablet users and smartphone owners are quickly turning to iMessage, BlackBerry Messenger or WhatsApp. Instead of paying for a texting plan or $0.20 a pop, mobile device users are taking a page from carriers and using a fraction of their data plan to send texts. But this trend certainly shouldn't worry carriers, should it? Think again, grasshopper.

The study found in the Asia-Pacific markets 8 percent of consumers avoid SMS charges by using WhatsApp. Just think what havoc could be unleashed if teenage U.S. girls discover this option? It just sends shivers down the coldest carrier.

So, let's review: fewer people make phone calls, so carriers turn to data plans to recoup their losses. The Wi-Fi iPad is born and people attach themselves to Wi-Fi networks, giving 3G fees the big kiss-off. SMS is a lucrative way to squeeze cash from consumers sending billions of text messages each day. Apps like iMessage come along, allowing iPad owners to bypass texting fees. Where does that put carriers? You don't need the Where's My iPhone app to know your up a creek without a paddle.

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Published on December 28, 2011 08:23

Apple's TV Plans Shouldn't Reinvent Cable, Experts Say

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Photo by Kimb0lene - http://flic.kr/p/8Hyk7U

If Apple got into the TV set business, they could give cable operators a run for their life, right? Probably, but some observers suggest the tech giant should not try to reinvent the wheel – a broken one at that. Instead, any Apple TV set should be based on Internet streaming, making cable television obsolete.

Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu this morning writes TV manufacturing is "the only major end market the company is not currently participating in a bigger way." Wu told investors he's "picked up several data points" indicating suppliers are preparing to ship iTV parts allowing for an Apple device later in 2012.

Wu's comments dovetail with a Tuesday DigiTimes report claiming Samsung Electronics and Sharp are readying chips and displays for such a unit that Apple could introduce in the second or third quarter of next year. For some time, analysts and others have said the move into TV set manufacturing would be a natural progression by Apple.

Although the analyst agreed with the industry publication, he believes Apple would be better not to simply replicate the cable television distribution model, but employ Internet video streaming. In such a scenario, Apple could offer a more robust device while also selling its Apple TV device.

Wu's vision of a two-pronged attack on television makes sense. Not everyone would want to ditch their current TV setup for an Apple version, making the Apple TV product a perfect introductory arrangement. This has worked before. The iPod touch, once seen as a totally separate product is now viewed as an iPhone on training wheels.

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Published on December 28, 2011 07:09

Apple Gives Employees Free Hoodies As A Thank You For A Great 2011

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Apple has begun issuing its employees with Apple-branded hoodies as a thank you for all their hard work during a terrific year for the Cupertino company. In addition to a free hoody, employees also got extra vacation time over Thanksgiving, and some departments were given personalized noted from higher-level staff, according to 9to5Mac.

2011 has been a fantastic year for Apple, despite the loss of its co-founder and former CEO, Steve Jobs. Not only did it see the launch of the iPad 2 back in March — which has been an incredibly successful device, following in the footsteps of its predecessor and ensuring rival tablets from the likes of Samsung don't have a chance of stealing any significant percentage of the market — but it also saw the launch of the iPhone 4S, which is shaping up to be the company's most successful iPhone yet.

2011 also saw Apple overtake Exxon Mobil to become the world's most valuable company; the launch of the Mac App Store, OS X Lion, iOS 5, and more. It's no wonder, then, that the company wants to say thanks to its employees for all their hard work.

However, the Apple hoody doesn't quite match the gift Google gave to its employees this holiday: a customized Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphone. But even so, I know which company I'd much prefer to be a part of.

[via 9to5Mac]

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Published on December 28, 2011 07:08

The Biggest Apple Stories Of 2011 [Year In Review]

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Wow! 2011 has been one of the most interesting years in recent memory for Apple Inc. Of course the death of Apple's co-founder, Steve Jobs, stands out as one of the most important events of the year for Apple, but there have been a load of other stories too that have made 2011 a very memorable year for the fruit company. From one controversy to the next, to record-breaking earnings, and new products, Apple has plowed through 2011 with a steady determination to be the best technology company on the planet. Only one device underwent a redesign (the iPad), while other form factors stayed the same. Instead of focusing on making pivotal leaps forward with hardware, Apple's main focus of 2011 was to fortify their strong foundation in the software game.

Here's Cult of Mac's look back on the Apple in the year 2011.

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Apple started off the year fairly quiet. The traditional January keynote at MacWorld was scrapped. Apple launched the Mac App Store, providing Mac users the same type of stability and security iOS users had been enjoying for years in the iOS App Store.

Fueled by hundreds of cellphone manufacturers jumping aboard the Google train, Android finally overtook iOS as the most dominant smartphone operating system in terms of marketshare.

The most shocking event of January occured on the 17th when CEO Steve Jobs took a medical leave of absence handing the reigns of the company's day-to-day operations over to Tim Cook. Rumors began circulating that Steve only had weeks to live.

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A negative cloud of publicity hovered over Apple throughout February as controversy over suicide rates at Foxconn (Apple's largest supplier) hit an all-time high. Suicide rates at the Chinese company were on the rise, which led to a Wired magazine cover story. Apple touted the new installation of nets at the facilities to prevent suicides, but little changed. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak urged Tim Cook to go see "The Agony and the Ecstacy of Steve Jobs," – a new play by Mike Daisey focusing on the working conditions of the Foxconn factories and Steve Jobs' relation to them.

To the joy of Apple fans across the U.S., Apple launched the iPhone 4 on Verizon on February 10th providing fans with multiple carrier options for the first time in the device's four year history.

Apple also introduced their new Thunderbolt port for Mac's in Febraury. Produced in collaboration with Intel-labs, the new Thunderbolt port is up to 20 times faster than USB 2.0 and twice as fast as USB 3.0. It's a single cable that consolidates almost all existing ports, from FireWire to USB to miniDisplay to eSATA.

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March

The iPad 2 was the main focus of March. Despite being on medical leave, Steve Jobs took to the stage on March 2nd to introduce the newly designed iPad 2. Coming in two colors, better processor and two cameras, the iPad 2 was thinner than it's predecessor, and featured a novel new cover called the Smart Cover that used 31 magnets to effortlessly attach to the body of the iPad 2 when needed. Demand for the new device was so great that supplies were still limited weeks after launch. Foreigners were blamed for the supply constraints as many grass-roots organizations camped out at stores to buy the new device in order to ship it overseas to make a profit.

AT&T announced plans to acquire U.S. wireless carrier T-Mobile.

Microsoft finally declared the Zune – their competing MP3 player to iPod – to be officially dead in March after a long fruitless battle. Succumbing to the success of iOS, Microsoft released their first iOS app, Bing.

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By focusing on creating the best camera ever seen in a smartphone, Apple was rewarded as the iPhone 4 became the most popular camera used to take pictures on Flickr, beating out many high quality DSLR cameras and point-and-shoots. Other news with the iPhone included the release of the mythological white iPhone. Despite being announced in June of 2010, the white iPhone experience many delays that prevented its release.

Revamping their popular professional video editing software, Apple announced Final Cut X.

The biggest news surrounding Apple in April pertained to the "LocationGate" scandal. Information was released to the public that iPhones running iOS 4.0 had been secretly tracking user locations. Senator Al Franken got involved with the fiasco and grilled Steve Jobs on why Apple's phones were tracking users. Both Apple and Google were ordered to appear before the Senate. Lashing out against the controversy, Steve Jobs explained the misunderstanding of iOS 4.0 tracking users and went on to say that Google's Android phones are tracking everything.

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Building on the recent announcement of the new Thunderbolt port, Apple updated the iMac line in May to include the new port along with Sandy Bridge architecture and front-facing HD-camera.

Answering critics who described the iPad as merely a device for media consumption rather than creation, Apple introduced iPad versions of their iWork apps. A slew of videos start hitting YouTube shortly after of iPad users shredding on guitar and creating studio quality music on their tablets.

The announcement of WWDC is released with news that Steve Jobs will be a presenter at the keynote. Tickets sell out in 8 days.

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Hungry for a new iPhone, fans are disappointed when Apple's WWDC keynote doesn't include announcements of any new hardware. However, new software is announced in the form of OS X Lion and iOS 5.0. iCloud is also announced as the replacement for MobileMe.

Even though his health was fading, Steve Jobs appears before Cupertino's City Council to lobby for the approval of a new Apple campus that looks like a glass spaceship.

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July

MacBook Airs were refreshed with new hardware on July to coincide with the launch of OS X Lion. Even though the redesigned MacBook Air had been on the market since 2010, this update, along with the discontinuation of the low-end model MacBook, brought the MacBook Air into mainstream popularity. Over 1 million copies of OS X Lion were purchased on launch day alone despite the lack of a physical format being sold in stores.

Apple's quarterly earnings report shows that the company experienced another record-breaking quarter. Posting a quarterly revenue of $28.57 billion and record net profit of $7.31 billion, Apple sold 20.34 million iPhones, 9.25 million iPads, and 3.95 million iMacs.

New 27-inch Cinema Displays with Thunderbolt Port capabilities were announced.

The absence of a new iPhone announcements starts a frenzy of iPhone 5 rumors that carried on for months.

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August

"I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come. I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee. I believe Apple's brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role." – Steve Jobs

After months of speculation regarding his health, Steve Jobs resigns as CEO of Apple Inc on August 24th. Shocked investors quickly sell off shares of Apple stock hours after the announcement causing Apple's stock price to plummet. Cheif Operating Officer Tim Cook is named new CEO of Apple and Jobs stays on as an Apple employee and Chairman of the Board.

iCloud Beta access is granted to developers.

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Rumor-mill goes wild with rumors of a possibly redesigned iPhone coming soon. A report from CNET claims that Apple lost a prototype version of the iPhone 5 and that Apple's security personnel illegally impersonated police officers while looking for the device.

At the end of September Apple finally announced a keynote to talk about the iPhone.

Speculation over the future of Apple without Jobs continues into the month of September.

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October

On October 4th Apple unveiled the iPhone 4S. Many fans were hoping Apple would announce a redesigned iPhone and were disappointed by the latest offering. As a result, Apple's stock price fell. Siri, a digital assistant that utilizes voice recognition and artificial intelligence to interact with users was also unveiled at the keynote.

Steve Jobs, Co-Founder of Apple Inc, died on October 5th. Tim Cook sends out an email to Apple employees and flies the flags on campus at half-mast. Prominent Silicon Valley businessmen, President Obama, and countless others offer their condolences about Jobs.

iOS 5 is released on Oct 12.

iPhone 4S sales hit record numbers, pushing ship times back to one or two weeks 24 hours after the device goes on sale.

Apple hosts a memorial for Steve Jobs on October 19th.

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November

Succeeding Steve Jobs as chairman of the board, Art Levinson is tapped by Apple having served on the board of directors for over 10 years.

Battery issues with the iPhone 4S cause a stir for a number of weeks while Apple busied itself coming up with a solution to the problem.

Delayed a few weeks, iTunes Match was released giving users access to their entire iTunes Library via any iOS device. Apple's popular Garageband app for the iPad is updated to support use on iPhone and iPod Touch as well.

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December

Amazon announces Steve Jobs biography as the best selling book of 2011.

At Grand Central Station in New York City, Apple opened up a unique store that is also one of its largest.

Mac App Store hits 100 million downloads after only being open for less than a year. The iOS App Store is announced to include 500,000 apps and recorded 18 billion downloads

Rumor-mill starts cranking out new rumors about a possible iPad 3, Apple Television, as well as other redesigned Apple products to come in 2012.

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Published on December 28, 2011 07:00

Facebook Will Bring Timeline Feature To The iPad By Late January [Rumor]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzPEPfJHfKU

Following the rollout of its new Timeline feature earlier this month, Facebook updated its official iOS app to introduce the new feature to the iPhone. It did not introduce Timeline to the iPad, however. But according to one report, it'll be here by late January.

9to5Mac reports that the social network's new Timeline feature — which allows you to look back at all your Facebook activity since the day your were born — will hit Apple's tablet by late January:

The feature works great on the desktop web and mobile version of Facebook's website, and now Facebook plans to bring Timeline to the iPad's Facebook application. Timeline was supposed to come to the iPad in December, but the release has been pushed back due to last minute bugs found during advanced testing. Facebook is now planning to launch the update between mid-January and late January.

The iPad's version of Timeline, which is optimized for a large multi-touch device, is said to be "very smooth and intuitive and a fusion of the web and iPhone/iPod touch versions."

[via 9to5Mac]

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Published on December 28, 2011 04:25

Apple's Redesigned iPhone 5 Will Land In Fall 2012 With Aluminum Back, Rubber Bezel [Rumor]

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Having been forgotten at Apple's 'Let's talk iPhone' event back in October, the completely redesigned iPhone 5 is now on track for a Fall 2012 launch, according to a "close source" who is familiar with Apple's plans. And like the iPad, the sixth-generation device will reportedly sport an aluminum rear casing, with a rubberized bezel much like Apple's iPhone 4 bumper cases.

The Gorilla glass that currently houses the fourth- and fifth-generation iPhones — which is notoriously susceptible to cracks and smashes — will be replaced by aluminum for the sixth-generation device, according to the source, who has passed information on to Boy Genius Report. The device will also adopt a rubber or plastic bezel that is designed to cover the antennas:

We have also learned that Apple is planning to use a rubber or plastic material — similar to the material used in the company's bumper cases — that will be built into the new iPhone case. In all likelihood, this material will be used as a bezel surrounding the front edge of the phone (like the iPhone 3GS bezel) and it will serve two purposes. First, it will join the glass iPhone face with a new aluminum back plate. It will also cover a redesigned antenna system that surrounds the device, allowing Apple to build the rear case out of aluminum without having to use a large plastic insert above the antennas as the company does on its iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G.

Rumors claiming an aluminum casing will feature on the iPhone 5 have been circulating for many months now — long before the release of the iPhone 4S — but this is the first we've heard of a rubber or plastic bezel. It certainly sounds like a good idea, but will it be pretty?

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Published on December 28, 2011 03:54

December 27, 2011

Intel Ready To Release Thunderbolt For PCs In 2012 [Rumor]

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Intel has reportedly begun notifying PC makers that it will "fully release" its Thunderbolt technology in April of 2012. This means that companies like HP and Dell will be able to sell Thunderbolt-equipped notebooks and desktops.

Apple and Intel partnered for the launch of Thunderbolt, and Apple has made the connection architecture standard for its notebooks and desktop computers, excluding the Mac Pro. It appears that Apple won't be the only Thunderbolt-equipped computer company on the block anymore.

Intel has allegedly tapped several big-name PC makers to produce Thunderbolt-equipped motherboards, notebooks, and desktop PCs next year. The partnership with Apple was apparently meant to help the "standardization of Thunderbolt," but Intel now seems to think that it's time to branch out. Sony has reportedly voiced interest in adopting Thunderbolt already.

Intel has said that it plans to support both Bluetooth 3.0 and now Thunderbolt in its future motherboards. The costs of producing Thunderbolt-equipped computers is expected to go down in 2012, and such an incentive could help PC makers jump on board.