The Apple Core

August 21st, 2008

iTunes Unlimited: music subscription rumor returns

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 8:00 am

Categories: Rumor, iTunes, Service, iTunes Store

Tags: Apple iTunes, Music, Digital Music, Digital Media, Personal Technology, Consumer Electronics, Jason D. O'Grady

We’ve heard the rumors of an iTunes subscription service before, but they’ve never materialized. It doesn’t hurt that Steve Jobs has long been a vociferous opponent of rental music (paying one monthly fee for unlimited music downloads). When asked about it he recites his familiar mantra that “people want to own their music.”

While I generally agree with him and prefer to own my music (preferably without DRM), times change and Apple needs to change with them. Jobs also dissed flash music players and PDAs for years too, and now look at them.

This latest iTunes subscription rumor comes from TUAW who received an email tip too juicy to pass up. According to the source:

…the late September Apple event would introduce several great items that we’d love to see but haven’t been holding our breath for. These are disk access for the iPhone and iPod Touch and iTunes Unlimited.

The source also provided some details on pricing saying that iTunes Unlimited will cost US$129.99 per year or US$179.99 bundled with MobileMe. It will also be offered to current MobileMe subscribers for US$99. Naturally, you’d have to maintain an active account and connect your iPod regularly or risk having your music deactivated.

Subscription music isn’t really for me, but judging by the success of Rhapsody and Napster, someone is buying it. Is it Apple’s turn?

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August 21st, 2008

Class action suit filed over Apple’s 3G speed claims

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 6:00 am

Categories: Legal, 3G

Tags: Class Action Suit, Apple iPhone, AT&T Corp., Apple Inc., Class Action, AppleInsider, 3G, Cellular Phones, Wireless, Consumer Electronics

A class action suit has been filed by a Birmingham Alabama woman that accuses Apple of deceptive advertising in their claim that the 3G iPhone is “twice as fast” as the previous model. AppleInsider has more details.

Always referring to the device as the “Defective iPhone 3G,” Smith and her legal team assert that e-mail, text, and most other downloads were considerably slower than what Apple promised. This in no small part stemmed from the reliability of the connection: the device would connect to 3G less than a quarter of the time to 3G even in areas AT&T says should provide “excellent” coverage, according to the lawsuit.

I’ve previously mentioned my problems with the lack of AT&T 3G coverage in my area when their online coverage viewer says it should be “excellent.” However, Since AT&T installed a new tower in my area earlier this month, 3G and GSM reception has been appreciably better. For example, I can now receive phone calls in my house. Obviously, your mileage will vary.

But why Apple? Shouldn’t the suit be directed to AT&T who is providing such poor 3G coverage and support even where “coverage” exists? What about iPhone 3G customers that don’t live in 3G coverage areas that are forced to pay an extra $10/mo to receive the same 2G/EDGE service they had with the original iPhone?

Thoughts on the suit? Does it have any merit?

August 21st, 2008

Apple confirms iPhone 2.0.2 addresses 3G bugs

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 5:00 am

Categories: iPhone, Bug, 3G

Tags: Apple iPhone, Apple Inc., Software Update, 3G, Cellular Phones, Wireless, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Jason D. O'Grady

Although Apple has never given us a proper changelog with its software updates, an Apple spokesperson has provided a tiny but important detail on the iPhone firmware 2.0.2 released earlier this week. According to an Associated Press article, the update “improved communication with 3G networks,” said Apple spokesperson Jennifer Bowcock.

Why couldn’t they just say that in a changelog? I know that it’s technically a “bug” and so it would fall under the generic “bux fixes” catchall that they use. But still, a little more detail is in order for Apple’s software updates as they currently border on offensive.

Despite Bowcock’s comments about the update addressing 3G reception issues, the verdict is mixed with some seeing improvements while others aren’t.

In related news, Apple is said to be working on a fix for a bug that causes third-party apps to crash on boot then proceed to lock the iPhone on the Apple screen - a.k.a. the black screen of death.

An AppleInsider reader received an email from Steve Jobs (or one of his staff) saying that the company is aware of the problem and has a solution. The terse reply reads:

“This is a known iPhone bug that is being fixed in the next software update in September.”

August 20th, 2008

Apple discontinues MobileMe status blog

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 9:35 am

Categories: MobileMe

Tags: Blog, Apple Inc., MobileMe, Blogging, Internet, Jason D. O'Grady

Wow, that was quick. MobileMe’s status page is no longer going to be updated.

Promising to “write a posting every other day or so to let everyone know what’s happening with MobileMe” the blog-like page started out strong, with three posts in July.

Then it went dark with Monday’s “Final Post” stating “this will be the last MobileMe Status posting.” The final blog post refers readers to Apple’s MobileMe Support and MobileMe News pages.

Why did Apple punt on one of their first honest attempt at a corporate blog? It’s a shame. Tidbits has an excellent piece comparing Apple’s act of contrition with Google’s.

August 19th, 2008

Dell to offer one year warranty extension on GeForce 8600M GT

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 12:57 pm

Categories: MacBook Pro, Graphics, GPU

Tags: Dell Computer Corp., Nvidia GeForce, NVidia Corp., Notebooks, Hardware, Notebooks & Tablets, Jason D. O'Grady

On 8 August 2008 I reported that some MacBook Pros with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT GPUs were failing prematurely. Today Dell extended the warranty on their notebooks that use the chip.

According to a post on setteB.IT (Italian | English translation):

Dell will offer 12-month limited warranty enhancement to all worldwide customers of 15 laptop with defective Nvidia GPUs. These Dell laptops use nine models of graphic processor unit, only one of them is also used on MacBook Pro models (15″ and 17″), sold from mid 2007 to now. It’s the GeForce 8600M GT (from 128 to 512 MB). What is Apple doing for these customers and why Nvidia doesn’t say the name of all defective models

August 19th, 2008

Apple releases iPhone 2.0.2, as usual, sans changelog

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 9:45 am

Categories: General

Tags: Software, Apple iPhone, Apple Inc., Software Update, Jason D. O'Grady

Apple today release firmware 2.0.2 for iPhone and the iPod touch. Yipee.

But, once again, Apple is completely lame in the software update department. This screen is a perfect example:

Apple needs to begin implementing a real changelog with its software updates. It’s pretty arrogant to expect customers to blindly download and install their software updates because they offer “bug fixes.”

Like what?

I bet 2.0.2 kills PwnageTool, Cydia and Installer.app. What about new beaconware and remote kill backdoors? Granted, Apple will never give us that level of detail, but what about starting slowly. For example:

• Speed improvements when flipping pages on home screen
• Better support for partial downloads from the App Store
• Fixed a bug in the calendar that …
• Fixed a bug in mail that …

Personally, I’m boycotting this update until I find out what it really “fixes” and I suggest that you do the same thing. Word is that it doesn’t do anything to fix the 3G data reception issue anyway.

I’m interested in your thoughts on Apple’s lack of a changelog. If you’ve found any changes in the 2.0.2 firmware post them in TalkBack.

August 19th, 2008

Google revs Android SDK

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 9:13 am

Categories: Smartphone, Google, iPhone Killer

Tags: Google Inc., SDK, Jason D. O'Grady

Speaking of Android, Google released a new SDK (sdk v0.9_r1) a few hours ago. Some features that caught reader plusminus‘ eye include:

• The new Desktop-Style Home-Screen (moveable and customizable shortcuts. Completely slideable once to left and right!)
• StreetView (awesome implementation, can use Compass if available! Feels just like on the Desktop.)
• The browser (feels faster)
• SMS-Sending
• Ringtones for Contacts
• New Dialer (+ Calculator)

You can find 31 additional screenshots here.

VentureBeat also has posted an analysis of the Android SDK.

August 19th, 2008

Tom Bihn announces first “Checkpoint Friendly” bag (updated)

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 7:00 am

Categories: Cases, Luggage, MacBook Pro, MacBook, Bags

Tags: Tom Bihn, Checkpoint Flyer, Notebooks, Hardware, Notebooks & Tablets, Jason D. O'Grady

On Friday 16 August 2008 the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) launched their new “checkpoint-friendly” bag policy. The policy allows notebook computers in “checkpoint-friendly” bags to remain in their case while being scanned, sort of.

In order to qualify under the program the bag must have a designated notebook-only section that unfolds to lie flat on the X-ray machine. The compartment cannot contain metal snaps, zippers, buckles or pockets. If the notebook section of your bag can unfold and lie flat, then you don’t have to remove it from the bag when it goes through the X-ray scanner.

Bag manufacturer Tom Bihn appears to be the first company out of the gate to offer a “checkpoint-friendly” notebook bag. Their Checkpoint Flyer Briefcase (US$220) is a briefcase-style laptop bag that includes protective compartment for a notebook computer that flips out.

The Checkpoint Flyer provides the TSA with a clear, unobstructed x-ray view of the laptop in the bag without sacrificing organizational pockets and clean design.

The Checkpoint Flyer is available for pre-order through the Tom Bihn Web site and will ship in late September according to the company. It will be available in red, grey and black.

Update: Some pictures of the notebook section unfolded.

August 18th, 2008

MobileMe subscribers get a 60 day extension

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 7:10 pm

Categories: MobileMe

Tags: Subscriber, MobileMe, E-mail, Online Communications, Jason D. O'Grady

The following email was sent this evening to MobileMe subscribers detailing a free 60 days extension of their service. This extension is in addition to the 30 days that were given back in July.

We have already made many improvements to MobileMe, but we still have many more to make. To recognize our users’ patience, we are giving every MobileMe subscriber as of today a free 60 day extension. This is in addition to the one month extension most subscribers have already received. We are working very hard to make MobileMe a great service we can all be proud of. We know that MobileMe’s launch has not been our finest hour, and we truly appreciate your patience as we turn this around. Read this article for more details.

The MobileMe Team

August 18th, 2008

Garmin Project Bobcat beta software hits version 2.0.0.8

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 10:17 am

Categories: Accessory, Gadget, Software, Mac OS, GPS

Tags: Software, Apple Macintosh, Garmin Ltd., GPS Receiver, Project Bobcat, GPS, Desktops, Handhelds, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology

I’m pretty partial to my nüvi GPS receiver from Garmin because I’ve always preferred the nüvi’s maps and user interface design to that of their competition. One thing that’s a boon for Mac owners is Garmin’s beta Project Bobcat software for Mac OS X that was announced in January and was recently updated to version 2.0.0.8 in July.

Typically, GPS receivers require that you peck out your destination address on the built-in touchscreen on the device. While fine for occasional use the touchscreen isn’t exactly efficient when it comes to entering long addresses or multiple waypoints. A much faster way to get waypoints into your nüvi is to use their Project Bobcat software for Mac OS X.

Bobcat makes your life much easier by allowing you to transfer waypoints, tracks, and routes between your Mac and your Garmin device, manage your data using your Garmin maps, search for points of interest from the convenience of your Mac then sync them to your GPS receiver. Bobcat is also excellent for removing erroneous and duplicate entries in your Favorites list and for fixing waypoint typos that you never get around to.

Bobcat is another great reason for Mac owners to love the nüvi.

What’s your preferred automotive GPS receiver these days? Why?