I could just say that the iPhone 4 is gorgeous, packed with features, it works great and end the review right there. While that’s all true, I do have a few things to say. So, here is the long version of the review. (more…)
Every once in a while I come across something that is just so funny, I have to let everyone know. Today is one of those days. Daring Fireball’s John Gruber posted a “translation” of Apple’s letter on Friday explaining the problems with the iPhone 4 reception and what they are doing to fix it. It’s hilarious.
Apple’s PR said:
To start with, gripping almost any mobile phone in certain ways will reduce its reception by 1 or more bars. This is true of iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, as well as many Droid, Nokia and RIM phones.
Gruber’s translation:
We cannot believe we’re getting shit for this.
Apple PR:
We have discovered the cause of this dramatic drop in bars, and it is both simple and surprising.
Gruber:
We are going to blame AT&T.
Translation From Apple’s Unique Dialect of PR-Speak to English of the ‘Letter From Apple Regarding iPhone 4’ [Daring Fireball]
In a letter posted to its Web site on Friday, Apple says it has figured out what is causing the reception issues on its new iPhone 4 and will release a fix within a few weeks. (more…)
Apple CEO Steve Jobs has been emailing with customers for the last several months, but Apple said an email exchange with a customer reported on today is a fake. (more…)
You knew it was going to happen. From the first day people started complaining about the iPhone 4 and the poor reception, you just knew a lawsuit was imminent — and now it’s here. (more…)
Big news today in iPhone gaming — reports are surfacing that Disney has purchased fan favorite Tapulous. According to the report, Tapulous founder Bart Decrem will join Disney as a vice president and continue to help them with mobile gaming. Tapulous is best known for its Tap Tap Revenge games on the iPhone and have a good name for themselves in the iPhone market. It is worth noting that Apple CEO Steve Jobs is Disney’s largest shareholder since it purchased Pixar from Jobs.
Tapulous Acquired By Disney [TechCrunch]
It seems that a new Verizon compatible iPhone rumor surfaces every couple of weeks, so I thought I’d chime in and give my thoughts on it. (more…)
Apple’s built-in tracking technology helped rap star Will.i.am to track down a thief that broke into his Bentley last week. The thief reportedly made off with $10,000 in merchandise from the rapper’s car, including an iPad. Turns out, he probably should have left the iPad behind — Will.i.am used Apple’s Find My iPad technology to get a location on the thief and gave it to police.
Last winter we presented 30 Must Have Games for the iPhone and iPod touch. That garnered your attention and plenty of comments, so we’re happy to present its natural sequel, 15 Must Have Games for the iPad. (more…)
There’s nothing better than getting information directly from the pros that we respect and follow. Whether it’s music, graphics or in this case, photography, getting tips on workflow can be invaluable. (more…)
Everyone knows about the success of the iTunes Store and the amount of of music, video and apps that are downloaded, but there is a lesser known part of iTunes that is equally successful in its market. (more…)
One of the notable features missing from the iPhone 4 is the ability to put a call on hold. The Hold button was replaced by the new FaceTime feature on the iPhone 4, but it hasn’t gone away. Turns out if you tap and hold the Mute button while on a call it will put the call on hold. Tapping the Mute button quickly, will just mute the call, as you would expect. Tapping the button again will take the call off mute or hold. Great find.
iPhone 4: Finding the Hidden Hold Button [The Mac Observer]
New York City, one of the toughest areas in the U.S. to get decent 3G and voice service on AT&T, has been upgraded. (more…)
Long time Mac game specialist, Macgamestore, is offering users a substantial savings on Mac games for the next few days. (more…)
Apple announced Monday that since its launch of the iPhone 4 on Thursday, June 24, the company has sold 1.7 million units. (more…)
Germany’s justice minister is saying Apple must make it clear what data it is collecting from its customers. The demand comes after Apple changed its policies to allow it to collect the data from users of its iPhone and other devices.
According to Der Spiegel, the minister’s criticism was aimed at changes Apple has made in its privacy policy whereby the company can collect data on the geographic location of the users of its products — albeit anonymously.
Apple updated its App Store on Friday to include a new section that shines a spotlight on apps and developers that have released apps for its new iOS 4. (more…)
Griffin Technology is about to make me a very happy guitar player. The company is going to introduce a new product called GuitarConnect that will enable you to plug your guitar into an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad.
With long lines surrounding Apple and AT&T stores across the country on Thursday, Apple’s iPhone 4 went on sale to new customers and those who reserved their iPhones for pickup. (more…)
With all the stories going around today about the iPhone 4 antenna problems, I decided to speak with Apple directly and find out what was going on. (more…)
Like so many other iPhone users, my day began today by standing in line at an Apple Store. Ultimately my patience was rewarded with a shiny new 32GB iPhone 4. Of course, I opted for a black one, as that’s all that’s available (at least until the second half of July – apparently Apple has run into unanticipated manufacturing problems with the white one). So far, I’m very impressed with the new device. (more…)
Update: Apple offers advice for iPhone 4 antenna issues 5:48 pm PT
There have been a lot of reports from users of Apple’s new iPhone 4 that the antenna suddenly drops when you hold it in your hands, but nobody has been able to nail down the cause yet. (more…)
Some of those that received their iPhone 4 before today’s official launch have complained about screen discoloration. Specifically, a yellow blotch on the bottom of the screen is showing up on some phones. However, the discoloration may not be permanent or a defect with the phone. In fact, it could be a problem resulting from how quick Apple is manufacturing and shipping the phones.
Apple is using a bonding agent called Organofunctional Silane Z-6011 to bond the layers of glass. Apparently, Apple (or more likely Foxconn) is shipping these products so quickly that the evaporation process is not complete. However, after one or two days of use, especially with the screen on, will complete the evaporation process and the yellow “blotches” will disappear.How do I know? I was involved in pitching Z-6011 to Apple.
Some early iPhone 4 shipments have defective screens, missing bars [AppleInsider]
People are reporting screen defects on their new iPhone 4 as shipments of the device begin arriving to customers. According to Gizmodo, 27 people that received their iPhones are reporting the problem. That’s hardly widespread, but the majority of iPhones won’t be delivered or picked up until tomorrow. It’s going to be an interesting day.
iPhone 4 Displays Have Yellow Discoloration Bands and Spots [Gizmodo]
Ambrosia Software on Wednesday released an update for one of my favorite iPhone utilities, iToner. (more…)
Apple said on Wednesday that the white iPhone 4 will not be available until the second half of July. (more…)
Pangea Software has announced updates to its iPhone and iPod touch games to support iPhone 4. The new updates are available for download from the App Store. (more…)
RSS readers are popular items on the iPad as news hounds look for the perfect way to get stories from their favorite sites quickly and easily. I’ve been using NewsRack for the iPad and am very happy with it, but the buzz these days is all about Reeder. The app scored very high in the review and most everyone I’ve talked to enjoys it.
Finding the perfect feed reader is more complicated than it might at first appear. Finding the right one for the iPad has proven even more challenging. There’s a delicate balance that must be achieved between style and substance, between the practical and the visually enticing. Developer Silvio Rizzi’s Reeder for iPad may straddle that fine line better than other readers out there, but it’s still not perfect.
Reeder for iPad Review [148Apps.com]
Adobe on Wednesday will announce that it will bring its professional music application, Audition to the Mac. A beta for Mac is expected to be released later this year, sometime in the Winter 2010. (more…)
AT&T has posted a statement regarding iPhone 4 availability at its retail stores on June 24th. In short, if you didn’t pre-order the iPhone 4, don’t expect to pick one up until next week at the earliest. (more…)