Today in iOS Podcast - The Unofficial iOS, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch News and iPhone Apps Podcast

Tue, 29 May 2012

Jailbreak - iOS 5.1.1 - Untethered - GreenPoisi0n - Absinthe 2.0

An un-tethered jailbreak is now available for iOS 5.1.1 for the following devices running iOS 5.1.1:

iPhone 3GS, 4 and 4S

iPad 1st Gen

iPad 2 - with original 45nm Processor (if you purchased it prior to March 10th 2012 you are ok)

iPad 3rd Gen

iPod touch 4th and 5th gen

NOTE - This jailbreak is not for those that need to or plan to unlock. DO NOT USE THIS JAILBREAK IF YOUR IPHONE RELIES ON AN UNLOCK. stay away from Absynthe Jailbreak.

Here is the link for Jailbreaking for UNLOCKERS.

=========

There are some very good articles on how to jailbreak but many miss a couple of steps that new jailbreakers need to know especially when it comes to using Cydia - the resource for finding and installing jailbroken apps. This tutorial tries to help those first time jailbreakers by covering both the jailbreak process step by step and also how to use Cydia to install an app.

Do not try to jailbreak if you don't like when things go to (expletive). If you need your device for your business and being without it for any period of time will cause you to loose your job - stop now. If you get mad at your significant other at how they fold towels or put the toilet paper on a roll - Jailbreaking is probably not for your personality. Sometimes things break and your device will likely crash more often then if it was not jailbroken. Apple "claims" jailbreak voids your warranty if that is an issue stop now. Note Squaretrade's warranties still cover jailbreaking.

Step 0 - Before you start make sure you update your iOS device to iOS 5.1.1 if you have not done so already. If you do not know how to update your iOS device jailbreaking may not be for you.

If you are already updated to iOS 5.1.1 make sure you do a sync and backup of your iOS device. If you have any photos or video you shot - transfer those now to your computer from your camera roll. Also force quit every open App on your iOS device and then go to settings and general and then go to Reset and select "Reset Network Settings". This will then reboot your iOS device. Next connect your iOS device via the USB cord directly to your computer - not through a USB hub or keyboard or Monitor - right to the computer.

(To force quit the open apps - From the home screen on your iOS device - double tap the home button - a tray will appear on the bottom of the device with your apps that are open - tap and hold one of the apps. All the apps in the tray will wiggle and you will see a red circle in the upper left with a "-" in it. Tap on all of the red circles until all of your apps are closed.)

Step 1 - Close out iTunes on your computer. Make sure your iOS device is still turned on and connected via the USB cable - per Step 0.

Step 2 - Download Absinthe 2.0 from the links below and unzip the file.

Download - Absinthe v2.0.2 - Mac OSX (10.5, 10.6. 10.7)

Download - Absinthe v2.0.4 - Mac OSX (10.5, 10.6. 10.7)

Download - Absinthe v2.0.2 - Windows (XP/Vista/Win7)

Download - Absinthe v2.0.2 - Linux (x86/x86_64)

Download - Absinthe v2.0.4 - Linux (x86/x86_64)

You can also go to this site for the official download page for GeenPoision

Step 3 - I recommend closing out all of your open programs and restarting your computer before proceeding. If you have iTunes set to launch when you connect your iOS device - you will need to quit out of iTunes again.

Step 4 - Per the iPhone dev teams recommendation - "Once your backup is complete return to your device and go to Settings – General – Reset – Erase all Content and Settings. This will make the jailbreak process much faster." Make sure you keep your iOS device connected to the computer via a USB cable - also make sure it is connected directly to a USB port on the computer and not via a USB hub nor a USB port on a keyboard nor monitor. Also make sure your device is re-activated before proceeding.

Note: If you are using Test Flight to get beta versions of apps for testing on your device - they will be removed if you erase all content and settings - and you will need to manually reload each app at the end.

Step 5 - Launch - GreenPois0n Absinthe 2.0.2 - and select "Jailbreak"

Step 5 continued - Sit and Wait. After you click Jailbreak above you will see some messages about the status of the jailbreak (see below).

Step 6 - You will eventually (5 minutes typically - could be more or a little less) see the message below.

You will need to unlock the screen and then find the Cydia icon on your iOS device - it is a brown icon - with "Cydia" below it. Sometimes however in the past it has been an all whitie icon. If you see this - you have a jailbroken iPhone.

Step 7 - Once jailbroken, open iTunes and restore your backup from earlier. When you open iTunes it should take you to the option to "Set up your" iOS device - Select "restore from the backup of: " with the correct backup choosen. Then click continue.

If it does not show up - then Right click on your device name under the ‘Devices’ menu in the left panel of iTunes and click ‘Restore from Back Up…’ then select the latest backup you created before. Restoring this backup will return all the content previously on your device ie, apps, photos, etc.

This is the longest part of the jailbreak - and depending on how much content there is to get back on your iOS device it could take a while - it took over 2 hours for me. Once you confirm your restore from back up worked correctly go to step 8.

Step 8 - Launch the Cydia App. The first time you launch it you will see a message "Preparing Filesystem (cydia weill exit when complete)" - and per the message Cydia will quit out / exit when done. Once it does this - relaunch Cydia. The second time you launch it you will be asked "Who Are you?" with the options of "User", "Hacker", "Developer" - if you are reading this - select "User" and then tap "Done"

Step 9 - Once it is done it will open up and you should see a screen that looks like that below.

One App almost everyone will want and that works on the iPhone's, iPod Touch's and the iPad is the app SBSettings. This moves important settings / controls to the notification dock where they are always quickly available.

To install this app Tap on "Search" in the bottom row of Cydia and then in the search box type "SBSettings"

Next Tap on "SBSettings" the top one - not the one any of the others.

Read the warning. Then Tap on "Install" in the upper Right corner

Then Tap on "Confirm" in the upper Right corner

Then Tap on "Restart Springboard"

Then in the Settings App under Notifications - Go to SBSettings and turn it to "On".

Next launch the SBSettings app - and look at all the options.

Thats it you are now jailbroken and have your first real jailbroken app running on your device.

Please understand sometimes installs of apps are interrupted - in which case you need to try and re-install. Things are not as stable when you jailbreak - expect some additional crashes and conflicts between apps. Which is why if you install an app you no longer plan to use - it is best to delete said app - the more jailbroken apps you have installed - the higher the probability you will have a conflict.

Note: If you have an iPad - do not - repeat - do not - install Five icon dock - it will really mess up your iPad and you will need to restore it. However that app works great on the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Category:breaking news -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

Comments[7]

Fri, 25 May 2012

Tii - iTem 0226 - iMalkovich

Tii - iTem 0226 - iMalkovich

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Today's Sponsor is Hover - tii.hover.com

Save 25% on custom email with promo code - tiimail

Apple designer 'winces' over some past product choices

At Disrupt NY It's All About Apple

IBM worries iPhone's Siri has loose lip

Sprint $100 iPhone Trade-In Offer

Alleged front panel for next iPod touch

Apple to bring 'wow factor' back to iPhone

App Review: Polaroid « iOS Stuff And Reviews

Pinball Arcade: The Twilight Zone - Kickstarter

THE KING PONG PROJECT — Kickstarter

gTar — Kickstarter

The Art Of Launching An App: A Case Study

Ohio State to provide iPads to athletes

Actor John Malkovich amused by Siri

Apps Mentioned in this Episode:

AppLocker - Cydia

Direct download: tii_0226.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:24am EDT

Comments[0]

Fri, 25 May 2012

iOS Artwork - iTem 0226 and episode transcript

Hi Rob,
I thought I would send you this artwork for possible use as cover art for an episode. It's from the iOS game 'Draw Something' which I drew the drawing here for the word "IPHONE"

This is the actual drawing from the game round. I took a screenshot and then used PhotoForge 2 and FilterStorm on iOS to alter it so it appears I was drawing this for TII.

I hope you're doing well. I plan on going to Blogworld Expo again in June. I hope to see you again there.

Cheers,
Louis

We start the news today with Apple Design God - Johny Ive or now officially Sir Johny Ive - as he was just knighted and part of being knighted these days means PR and that means talking to the Press - specifically the British press and in one of those interviews Ive said he thinks the products he is currently working on are the quote most important and the best work we've done unquote - To which we know now who wound up with the reality distortion field generator when Steve passed away. Maybe we will see Sir Johny on stage at WWDC introducing the most important hardware ever in June. Reality Distortion Field generator turned up to 11 no doubt.

At a past Blogworld Expo I was talking to a person I know that was with an App startup - his company was getting funding from well known VC Fred Willson. Fred was telling Start ups doing Apps to be on Android first. Ummm Yeah - I argued with the person that Fred was 100% completely wrong about this. This was well before Instagram did their recent sell off to Facebook. Anyway there is a great article in Fortune that talks about Techcrunches Expo called Disrupt that was going on in NY City this past week. At the event a bunch of start ups launch their products to those in attendance - and what Fortune had to say was the following. Quote a trend that has become evident over the last couple of years:Apple’s ecosystem continues to dominate the tech world. Most people sported iPhones and Mac notebooks, while start ups exhibited their products on iPads. When it comes to developing mobile apps and new software, everybody wants and needs to be in one place: Apple’s app store. The rows of tables, lined with start-ups showing off their new products, proved that despite the rising number of Android activations or the coming of Windows-powered phones, it’s all about iOS. unquote I sure hope Fred read that article.

I had a few people email in about this next story asking what I thought - this next story is about IBM banning the use of Siri on phones of those that work for it. Their reasoning is that SIRI sends the voice data to the Apple servers to be processed. So when you are using Siri to compose a message or email - That info is getting sent to Apple servers. So what do I think of IBM's decision - well long time listeners will remember when I said to stay away from Dragon Dictation for a similar reason. Granted I am not saying the average user to should not use SIRI - but if you have a company phone and the company is IBM and you use SIRI for anything work related - you just sent that info to Apple. So yes I understand 100% why IBM is concerned - and well probably rightfully so. Apple says in their Terms of Service for Siri that you agree and consent to Apple and it's subsidiaries and agents collection, processing and use of this information including your voice input and user data. Now they are not selling the data or anything like that and for every day folks - I don't see an issue of Apple collecting this info - I trust Apple to do right by their users when it comes to privacy - but in IBM's case you are talking about possibly sending private info to another tech company - and well I can 100% understand why IBM did what they did. Do I think this is or should be a big story - Heck no - Apple has always stated that SIRI does not keep the data local - but rather sends it out for processing. IE sends you data to their servers.

PLAY VOICE MAIL - Answer Cardmunch

Into the email bag we go.

Hi rob.
my answer for the person new to a city who was meeting lots of new people and wanted to store them as contacts is to use Evernote Hello.

Regards,

Luis

Thanks luis for the heads up on Evernote Hello.

PLAY VOICE MAIL - Ben iOS Feature Request.

Hi Rob,

I'd like to see the ability to send contact list addresses automatically to Tom Tom as the "navigate to" location. The app "Around Me" does this and it is very useful.

Great podcast; thanks

Carl G

Another email on iOS features

Hello Rob,

One feature I would love to finally see in iOS 6 is the ability to filter your call log in more ways than just “All” and “Missed:”. There should at least also be options to look at all “Outgoing” and all “Incoming” calls and also the ability to delete just the group you are looking at. For example, if I select “Missed” and then go to Edit and “Clear Calls” all calls are currently deleted even if you just look at only the missed calls. So, Apple please make the Recent Calls log more user friendly by allowing for these filters and think of even more and better ways to filter like maybe by allowing to show all calls from just one number or one area code.

Also, I’d love to see more direct access to Bluetooth, WiFi etc. maybe by double tapping the appropriate indicator in the status bar and it would of course be awesome if I could just tell SIRI “Turn on Bluetooth”.

Regards,

Seeg-hard from Smithers, British Columbia, Canada

Into the Email bag - Hi Rob, Not many people know that you can put a folder as your one of your four icons on the bottom row. Regards, Valdecir.

PLAY VOICE MAIL - Kevin NJ Feedbk

Sprint is offering $100 smackers for an old iPhone from another carrier if you sign up for a new 2 year contract with Sprint for the iPhone 4S. To which I say Huh!!!

$100 bucks - really - that's all - well I guess If you have an old iPhone 3G around maybe - but big maybe. Better off unlocking your old iPhone and selling it for more money on ebay or craigs list - granted selling it is a pain that way - but if you are someone that has a little bit of time - you can get more than $100 for your old iPhone. That said if you are one that does not have the time and want to save $100 and have an old iPhone sitting around - then until July 1st you can get $100 of an iPhone 4S at sprint when you trade is said old iPhone and sign up for that new 2 year contract.

On the Rumor front is a picture of what is supposed to be the front Panel for the next iPod touch - and it would indicate the display would be 4.1 inches. And that the iPod touch would be a little longer than the current iPod touch. As with any of these rumors take with grain of salt must we.

This next one had an interesting title - which is quote Apple to Bring Wow factor back to iPhone unquote - and then the article goes into the recent rumor about the iPhone 2012 having a 4 inch screen. It then talks about speculation from Analyst Shaw Wu that Apple will shake up the over all design and aesthetics. Sadly there was no real meat here - and what I would like to say is that the next iPhone - is likely not going to be hear until late september at the earliest - so best to stop worrying about the next iPhone design until Apple gets up on a stage and introduces it. Or at least until when they send out those invites for said event.

Do you know how slow a news cycle it has been recently with regards to iOS - well there is an article that was talked about everywhere - and I guess here now to - that had to do with the design on the apple charger for the iPhone - Look - I am an electrical engineer - and an RF Engineer at that - and how Apple designs their charger - well that puts even me to sleep - so no - I will not share any details of it - other than to say in typical Apple fashion - they provide the best product for the end user. But really - multi thousand word posts on the Apple Charger ? oh my.

Here is an App Review Ben over at iOS Stuff and Reviews did for the Polaroid App. Quote Polaroid makes it easy to get great photos using filters, it has an intuitive interface for both the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. It comes with 14 different filters, but you can add custom filters if you would like, we found the 14 included to be plenty for casual use. We took this app for a “test drive”, and here is what we found:

Things we like:

1. Very easy to apply filters and create new ones.
2. Large text that is easy to read outdoors.
3. Large preview window.

Things we don’t:

1. The app looks very nice until you get into creating filters, it looks very dull compared to the rest of the app.
2. Creating filters isn’t as intuitive as we’d like.

So, overall:

We think this is a great app for people who like to take quick photos that look unique.

Rating: 4/5

Ben thanks for the review.

Into the email bag we go.

Hi Rob,

I had been looking for an app for iOS or Mac for building circuit schematics, akin to CircuitMaker for Windows, for quite a while. Finally, I came across iCircuit and must say, I'm greatly satisfied. It may seem a little pricy at $9.99, but it's worth it. It's Universal and a desktop-quality app. Building is easy, the live circuit simulation is great and making/using subcircuits is a breeze. If you're an electrical/electronics person who is interested in design, it's a must have.

Lou Valencia

Thanks lou for the review of iCircuit - link to it in the show notes over at today in iOS dot com of course.

Hi Rob,

I have a question regarding the YouTube app.

I know that you can set a volume limit on the device for the music/video player but is there a work around to lower the max volume on the YouTube app?

Also, is there a way to lower the video quality in YouTube because sometimes it takes so long to stream a video (good quality) but I just want to watch it quicker streaming at a lower rate.
Regards,

Jason

Hi Rob,
I bought the Verizon model new iPad and when I used the Speed Test app from the AppStore my LTE speed was consistently in the range of 5 Mbps - 8.70 Mbps. The upload was 17 Mbps. I find it really odd because my friend has a Verizon 4G phone and he is getting 25 Mbps in the same area. So I literally drove down the road about one mile and tested again and my download is 38.77Mbps with upload at 18.09Mbps. What a difference that one mile made!

Regards,
John S

Springfield, MO

Hi Rob,

I performed a speed test on my new iPad while on vacation in the Washington DC area.

I measured 31.24 MBps down and 15.84 MBPS up.

Sadly I do not get the same speeds in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Regards,

Tom Woodside

Hi Rob - on the last episode you mentioned the Slingshot kickstarter project. Well I'm getting 5 for Christmas stocking stuffers , I have two teenage daughters that are always taking photos and videos with there phones and it looks small enough that I could go in a purse and I think it would be a great little tool for them to take pictures , and If just get one for myself I'll never get to use it. Regards David.

David - Please make sure to call / write in after you get them to say how they work. And that of course goes to anyone that funds a kickstarter project that is at all iOS related - please let me know about your experience and also the product you received.

Hi Rob, After listening to the most recent podcast in which you read out a few kickstarter projects I would like to draw your attention to the one I am interested in, that is Farsight Studios “ The Pinball Arcade – The Twighlight Zone “ project. The Pinball Arcade is an awesome app that attempts to preserve real life pinball tables in digital form, its available on a few platforms but I play it on my new ipad. There are 8 tables available so far but the kickstarter goal is to raise money to pay $55,000 for the licence to create the highest rated pinball table of all time, The Twilight Zone. Donations have reached $37,000. A $10 donation gets you a copy of the table on the platform of your choice, except Xbox 360 due to Microsofts restrictions. Anything raised over $55k will go towards licencing other expensive tables, most likely Start Trek The Next Generation. I encourage anyone interested in pinball to support this project, lets make it happen.
Regards,
Kevin in the UK

Hi Kevin thanks for the heads up - Folks search for Pinball Arcade two words at kickstarter dot com or just look for the link in the show notes at today in iOS dot com.

Hello rob

We would like to ask you to mention "THE KING PONG PROJECT" on your podcast.

It is a very unique app, as it is tied to a Kickstarter project to create a community-based app development website. We are looking for members to take part in user-designed iOS app creation via crowdsourcing.

You can find the project by searching for King Pong two words at kickstarter dot com.

And you can find the app by also search for King Pong in iTunes.

The app is free for the duration of the Kickstarter project.

Highlights include multiplayer via bluetooth, and even better: Optimized for console play via Apple TV.

Game play itself is currently basic, but that is intentional.
Once we open the new website, the community will work together to improve graphics, add levels, etc.,
Other apps will also be developed with the community.
Regards,
Dan Shapley
Owner, App-Different

Hi Dan - thanks for the heads up on your kickstarter project - folks again search for king Pong at kickstarter dot com - this project runs until Jun 19th at 2:00 AM ET. Currently they have about $1,000 pledged toward a goal of $35k.

Another Kickstarter Project that a few of you emailed me about is the project called gtar - G T A R - it is a $399 or $450 Kickstarter project that has already raised over $210k. With 30 days to go - it is over double their funding goal so if you sign up you will get it. There are just 298 left at the $399 price - after that it will be $450. They already sold out of the $350 allocation. So what is said device it is a guitar that you plug your iPhone into and then use their app to help teach you to play the guitar. It includes lights that light up on the neck to show you where to hold to get the right note - and has three levels to help ease you into learning how to play. If you are interested in learning how to play the guitar or know someone that is and you have an extra $399 or $450 - check out g t a r in kickstarter - of course please send in feedback if you get this.

What I am looking for is U K L L Y - where you can plug your iPhone into a ukalaly and learn how to play it. Maybe that will be their next Kickstarter project - just sayin

For Devs out there - I came across an interesting article with regards to launching slash promoting your app. The title is The art of launching an App a case study - you can find links to the article in the show notes for ep 226 over at today in iOS dot com. So if you are getting ready to launch your app or need to relaunch it - take a look at this article.

Into the email bag

Hi Rob,

I just noticed some apps such as as Numbers are requiring 5.1. Do you think they are doing this so that users that want to use these apps won't be able to jailbreak or will have to remove their jailbreak?

Regards,

Randy

Hi Randy - you think? Yeah - I hate when apple updates one of their apps to require you to be at the latest version of iOS. I am sure they would deny up and down it has anything to do with jail breaking.

Into the email bag.

Hi Rob,

Heard on your show you been looking for iOS 6 to allow you to lock individual Apps. As you know this is available with via jail breaking - and the App I like is AppLocker which is in Cydia of course.

With AppLocker you can Lock individual Apps, Folders. Set up Wifi place to ignore. Ignore from App Switcher. Toggle on off. Loads of options.

Regards,

Chris in London.

Hi Rob,

I ended up upgrading to 5.1.1 due to poor preformance from my jailbroken 5.01 iPhone 4. My iPhone is off contract so now that I'm "official" I'm thinking about starting the process to get the phone unlocked from AT&T.

If I do if I plan to jailbreak in the future will the jailbreak wipe out the unlock?

Thanks,

John

Hi John - It should in theory not do anything to the unlock when the tethered jailbreak is available - but just to be safe when the next jailbreak is announced - don't be the first or any close to the first when it comes to doing that jailbreak - wait at least until I put an episode out after the jailbreak is announced to see if there are any issues.

Ohio State announced they plan to loan iPads to all of their 1,100 student athletes. They will give out 500 this year and the remainder next year. This will come from the Athletics budget - which would be in the $300 to $350k range per year depending on unit specs and student discount. Which really is chump change considering what Ohio States Athletic budget is. Which is 128 Million this past year. The reason for the iPads - is nobel - to help students with their studies and to help them participate online when they are away from campus for sporting events.

Apples latest iPhone commercials star John Malkovich - He has two - one he asks it weather, then evening and then joke. In the Other he asks it life and compliments it on its answer. Then everyone watching is thrown out into a ditch on the side of the new jersey turn pike. And to see it again you need to get the elevator to stop at the 7 and 1/2 floor. If you did not get that joke go to netflix and search for Being John Malkovich and watch that movie tonight.

A Quick note on the state of the un-tethered jailbreak for iOS 5.1.1 - It is close - really close as in maybe it will be released by the time you hear this. Let me say this - do not - repeat do not be the first to update and jailbreak to the new jailbreak. Wait until there is some feedback and updates to the jailbreak - I will do my best to get a tutorial up on the site showing how to do it step by step. Every time there is one - some of you don't listen and go and do it - for those of you - please send in your feedback - so others can benefit from your reckless abandon. As always either email your experiences in to today in iOS at gmail dot com or give us a call - 206 - 666 - 6364 - that is 206 - moon - dog

Hi Rob,

I was wondering if there is a way or an app to create a wireless hotspot without an Internet connection. Example: I want to connect an iPad and apple tv together at my cabin that has no Internet. Just for iPad mirroring. Any ideas or suggestions without paying for Internet on iPad monthly. Note I also have an iPhone 4S and the new iPad.
Regards,

Lance in (Wisconsin)

Hi Rob,

I'm Saviour from the Faroe Islands. A friend of mine was in the US and bought me an iPad 3rd gen 64 GB WIFI and an Apple TV 3rd gen. Now bought of the devices are running on firmware 5.1 and there is the update of 5.1.1. My question is if I upgrade the firmware, Am I going to lock the iPad and Apple TV? I don't have a US iTunes account.
Looking forward to hear from you! Thanks so much for doing this show because it is so helpful:)

Best Regards

Saviour

Hi Saviour,

What may happen when you upgrade is that your local region code would be applied - and that may mean some items may not be available content wise. But it would not lock up the devices - or at least it should not lock up the devices.

Hi Rob:

I want to give you feedback regarding my consumer experience with AT&T per unlocking an iPhone 3GS after I upgraded to the 4S model. I had feared running into issues based on some comments I read from other users. To my surprise it was a very easy process. I called AT&T, told them I wanted to have my phone unlocked and in less than 7 minutes from picking up the phone the request was accepted and AT&T gave me a case # along with a resolution date of May 31 (7 days from my call).

I was happy that the customer service rep. understood immediately what I wanted done and she could take care of it on the spot. Even more pleasant was the fact that I got an email the same day (about 6hrs later) informing me that I can now complete the unlock process by connecting my iPhone to iTunes and following the instructions. My 3GS is now running iOS 5.1.1. I tested it with a non-ATT sim card and everything's working just fine.
Maybe I was lucky but AT&T provided great service and a a fast speed.

Regards,

Johann O

Westminster, CO

Category:vip_Artwork -- posted at: 12:30am EDT

Comments[0]

Sat, 19 May 2012

Tii - iTem 0225 - Verizon has no Business Acumen

Tii - iTem 0225 - Verizon has no Business Acumen

Links Mentioned on this Episode:

Today's Sponsor is Hover - tii.hover.com

Save 25% on custom email with promo code - tiimail

Apple Moves Toward Larger iPhone Screens - WSJ.com

Apple rebrands 4G LTE iPad

iPhone 5 release imminent as 4 stock drops

iPhone 4S lands Pioneer Cellular

Apple Wins Dispute Over iPhone5.com

Verizon Just Made Things Worse

Verizon: You can have unlimited data... just no device subsidies

The iPhone App Your Boss May Be Using To Take Upskirt Photo

Etcher: Etch A Sketch for iPad - Kickstarter

Day Maker — Kickstarter

SLINGSHOT — Kickstarter

Pebble

Instacast pricing raises hackles

Blogworld Expo - My Sessions

Lazy Harp Seal Song - Youtube

Apps Mentioned on this Episode:

Ask2Call - Cydia

SwipeSelection - Cydia

Direct download: tii_0225.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:31am EDT

Comments[0]

Sat, 19 May 2012

iOS Artwork - iTem 0225 and episode transcript

Hi Rob,

This logo was created using just one app called tweak - I Love Logos

Regards
Jon P

First just a quick reminder I will be speaking at Blogworld June 5 and 6th at the javitz center in NYC - go to blogworld expo dot com for more info. Of course if you are going - please let me know. Hope to meet up with you are the show.

More and more articles about the next iPhone and it having a larger screen - I know I talked about some of this speculation in the past. My feeling is the next iPhone is likely going to have a larger screen - but not because of reaction to larger screen smartphones from others - but simply because they need to have a larger size battery to support LTE. And the larger battery leads to a larger enclosure for the battery and that leads to more surface area for a larger screen. The Wall Street Journal had what is a shaky at best article claiming Apple has -- quote --ordered screens from its Asian suppliers that are bigger than the ones used in iPhones since they debuted in 2007, people familiar with the situation said. unquote. Now they don't site sources - for all we know they are just regurgitating something Digitimes pulled from their nether regions. Or maybe the sources in the now are just stating that the screens on the iPhone have not changed since 2007. Either way the article which will be sourced by many as proof of a larger iPhone is as I said shaky at best. I actually reached out to the authors of the article for additional info on the article and sources - but they have not at time of this show responded. That was over 36 hours ago I contacted them.

The new iPad has a new description for the LTE version - it is no longer Wifi + 4G - it is now Wifi + Cellular - which well is finally accurate. Because depending on your perspective in LTE is not really 4G. But really that was not the issue as people are accepting LTE as 4G - problem in australia is their LTE is not compatible with the new iPad's LTE - so until Australia updates their LTE infrastructure - the new iPad is just HSPA+ in Australia - which they don't consider 4G. In other countries outside the north america - they for the most part don't have LTE or a 4G network - so the new iPad is at best Wifi + 3G - or as Apple now calls it just Wifi + Cellular. Anyway a long way to go to say Apple has changed the name to reduce the legal actions being initiated in other countries.

Lots reports popping up about discounted pricing on the 8 GB iPhone 4 from the likes of Radio shack, target and best buy - as always I don't recommend the iPhone 4 for anyone - just the iPhone 4S - so a savings of $50 off the regular price of the iPhone 4 - is still not worth it. The iPhone 3GS is still quote unquote free - when you sign up for a two year contract with AT&T - with the two year contract not being free. Looks like Apple and resellers are starting early on the inventory reduction of the iPhone 4 - with some places already reporting stock outages.

When last we talked about additional carriers in Kansas, Kentucky and CA getting the iPhone - I said that brought to 13 the number of carriers in the US with the iPhone - but actually we had a lost 13 colony umm I mean carrier. Seems that carrier has been located - it is Oklahoma bases Pioneer Cellular. Looks like some of their stores had the iPhone today May 18th - with others getting it May 29th or June 4th or June 11th or June 18th - Guess it takes a while to drive around Oklahoma. Anyway if Pioneer is your carrier of choice - you can now or sometime before the end of june depending on your local store - get the iPhone 4S. As always if anyone gets an iPhone on a regional carrier - please let me know about your experience. Send that email to today in iOS at gmail dot com.

PLAY VOICE MAIL Laura Answer

Into the email bag we go.

Hi Rob,

Per Lauras question on the last episode:

Have her make note of the song that's playing and check her recording. I had something like that to happen and found I had bad songs recorded. They were old and not downloaded from iTunes. Hence the bad recordings.

I also funded several Kickstarter projects. The first was Laura's ilatch. Loved it. Until someone loved it more than me and stole it. Thank goodness my iPad was not inside.
Regards,
Robin

Hey Rob,

On Ep 224 you were talking about an app that easily gets your UDID of your device because it is normally difficult to manually copy the UDID. There is in fact a very easy way to get it from iTunes, all you do is select the device in iTunes and select the Summary screen which displays the Name, Capacity, Software Version and Serial Number (among other things). Click the Serial Number to display the UDID and then on Mac press Command+C or on Windows Crtl+C and this will copy the UDID to clipboard (you can also select Edit->Copy UDID).
Regards,
Andrew

Hi andrew thanks for that tip and thanks to the other that sent that tip in - seems that is something new or at least I think it is - because in the past I don't believe that worked - but really glad to hear about it working now. Of course now a days I would say over half the pre-release apps I am asked to look at are using Test flight. Which does away with the need for the UDID. Any devs out there have any bad experiences with test flight? So far it seems to work well for the apps I have looked at.

Hi Rob,

I've been listening to your most recent podcast and have a question regarding throttling. It was mentioned by one of your listeners that he was being throttled back by AT&T.

How do you know if you're being throttled back? I have a 4S with AT&T. What kind of speed should I expect when I'm in the 4G areas?

Bob

Hi Bob - Please note the "4G" logo on the iPhone 4S is only for HSPA+ and only with AT&T in the states. Typically 3G speeds for AT&T run in the 1.5 mbps to 3 mbps on the download. If you are seeing the 4G logo - you should see in the >5 MBPS range - typically - but it will vary.

Per knowing when you are being throttled - not tough to tell you go from >1.5 MBPS to <0.1 MBPS

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the promo Key for iOMG.

Just a short app review, you should check out the app PhoneDrive. I recommend it to just about everyone who has an iPhone or iPad. It is a brilliant app and enables you to transfer any file over to your iOS device in seconds through a wifi network. Although there are a number of these apps available, this one has, by far, the best UI I've encountered for this type of app. It even opens zip folders. I use it all the time to transfer photos, video files and pdfs over to my iPhone or iPad. Much faster and easier than using the mail app.

Thanks again for the promo key,

Regards,

Joseph O.

A quick follow up to a previous story. www.iphone5.com - which used to be a forum / fan site - not officially affiliated with Apple - which Apple lawyers then took issue with and went to the World intellectual Property Organization or simply known as WIPO - Well it seems as I said - the site used to be a forum site - and is now apparently in the hands of Apple - actually iphone5.com just goes to a blank white page - which is probably pretty poetic - as the 6th generation iPhone - the iPhone 2012 - at this point has probably a snow balls chance in hell of being called the iPhone 5. So yes a blank white page works for me.

Sometimes I feel like I we spend too much time beating up AT&T and forget that Verizon is out there ready to give us reasons to beat them up as well. And if you are one of those that have an unlimited data plan with Verizon. Yeah - that is not going to cary over to LTE - not if you want Verizon to pony up any of the subscidity that is on your next phone. So essentially what verizon is saying is that the next time you renew your contract AND purchase a subsidized phone you will loose the option to keep your unlimited plan.

So come this fall - if you want to upgrade to the LTE iPhone on Verizon and keep your unlimited plan - you will have to pay full price for the iPhone 2012 - assuming they even allow you to do that.

I recently read that AT&T customer service ratings were getting close to Verizons. My question now is that because AT&T was seeing a rise in their Customer service ratings or because Verizon was dropping to get closer to AT&T.

This next one is filed under - So strange you can't possible make this crap up category. We have the story of a Lawyer in Olathe KS - A MR - well tell you what I will not say his name because he is only 5 miles away. But let me tell you what -- lets call him Mr Perv did. Mr Perv - supposedly used an app on his iPhone called Cam-u-Flage - which takes pictures at a timed setting. He then allegedly placed the camera under the desks of his female employees. How did they find out - well one of them noticed the camera sitting on the floor - see Mr. Perv - the app does not actually you know camouflage the iPhone. Just Sayin - The employee then opened up the iPhone and allegedly found up skirt pictures of her and other female employees. At this point the story is just kind of wow - but it gets better. The women then of course sued the lawyer - being they work for a lawyer - not surprising. Mr Perv the lawyer that allegedly took the up skirt photos - well he is counter suing the women - what is he suing them over - well apparently when the women saw the photos of their lower tursos - they deleted some of the photos - so yup you guessed it Mr Perv is counter suing the women he allegedly took up skirt photos of for violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act by deleting data from his iPhone without authorization. Some sanity did prevail when the judge through out Mr Pervs counter suit as Mr Perv failed to identify which data exactly was deleted.

Into the email bag we go.

Hi Rob,

Per your request for network speed test - these are averages for three runs of iNetwork app speed test.

Area: Hotel near Miami Airport

New iPad AT&T LTE showing LTE

Average Download speed: 14.155 Mbps

Average Upload speed: 3.176 Mbps

Also I tested my iPhone 4s with AT&T showing 4G on the screen.

Average Download speed: 2.322 Mbps

Average Upload speed: .453 Mbps

Regards,

Thomas

Tuscaloosa, AL

Thanks Thomas for the feedback on the speed tests - again if anyone has an LTE iPad and runs some speed tests - let me know your results, where you were and what carrier you were on. Send that info to today in iOS at gmail dot com

Back to the email bag.

Hi Rob,

Just to let you know that yesterday I updated to ios 5.1.1 on an iPhone 4S and two iPads (3rd and 1st generations). The update broke bluetooth audio connections to a Bose Soundlink speaker I use in the house from all three products. The iOS devices showed that the speaker was not in range despite it being very close by.

I was able to fix the problem by going into iOS Settings, General, Reset, Reset Network Settings on each device. I then "forgot the device" (the Bose speaker) and setup the pairing again between the devices. This solved the problem.

Cheers,

Chris.

Hi Chris - thanks for the tip - hopefully that will help someone also seeing that issue with iOS 5.1.1

Into the email bag.

Hello Rob,

Regional carrier Cellcom now has visual voice mail, seems to work exactly as expected.

I recently took a trip to the central northwoods in Wisconsin, here is a screenshot of my old AT&T iPhone 3Gs with no signal, right next to my Cellcom iPhone 4s with 3 bars.

Regards,

Phil.

Thanks Phil for the feedbk.

Into the email bag we go again.

Hi Rob.

I just wanted to let you know about a kickstarter project I backed. I received an email from the developers of the iPhone juice tank charging case on may 13, that it has been fully funded and I should expect to receive my juice tank case in July.
Regards,
Greg

St. Louis

This next one is kind of a special one from Kickstarter - special in that it will bring you back to your childhood and maybe the first time you ever felt true frustration. I am talking about trying to draw anything with the etcher sketch. Well now there is a kickstarter project that will help your relive your youth - or at least get frustrated again. The project is called Etcher - and for a $60 pledge you can get an etcher sketch cover for your iPad that works with the iPad to create drawings just like when you were younger. And yes if you shake it it does erase the drawing. I wonder if you through it against the wall if it does the same. Now if you were one of those really annoying people that could actually draw more than a box with a busted corner - you can check out this project by searching for etcher - e t c h e r in kickstarter. They have raised $18k so far with a goal of $75k and they are running this until Saturday June 9th at 1:38 PM ET.

A quick update on the Kickstart project Brydge - spelled b r y d g e - which is the case and keyboard the iPad pops into that looks like a Mac Book Air - but with a touch screen - you know the toaster and the refrigerator - they have over 2,600 backers with a pledge total of over $625k - Which is well above their $90k goal. You have until June 4th at 11:18 AM ET to become a backer for this project.

Another kickstarter project for the iPhone is call Day Maker - it is a charging device that works like a toaster I guess - you push down the iPhone in it - and when it is done charging and time for you to get up - the iPhone pops up. The price is not cheap - at $125. But what I found most interesting on this one was the goal - at a hefty $275k - Currently they are at $35k with 37 days to go. It just seems the funding goals are getting much higher as of late - since well the Pebble did what they did in raising over 10 Million dollars - but even they only had a goal of $100k. I am sure I will mention the Day maker again - but if you want to learn more - search for day maker - two words at kickstarter dot com.

Hi Rob,

Not sure if this is too late for the next episode but its an awesome and inexpensive gadget for the iPhone:

Its the Slingshot, you put your iphone in the holder so you can take pictures or videos that aren't all shaky. Its only $14. It funds for sure on May 20th.

Regards,

Margaret S

Hi Margaret - Thanks for the email - I had a few people email about this one as well. The project did meet its funding goal which was $20k - they have almost $60k now. As you mentioned it will close down funding on May 20th at 8:00 PM ET and what it is a cradel for your iPhone that helps dampen movement / vibrations. Like a shock mount for a condenser mic. The handle breaks open into a little tripod which is nice. So if you shot lots of video and want to stabilize that video even more - for just $14 you can try this out. Look for slingshot - one word in kickstarter - prior to 8:00 PM ET on May 20th.

Ok - probably the last mention of the Pebble E-paper watch for some time.
I just received an email from them saying you can no pre-order the pebble for an early 2013 delivery. At the non-kickstarter price of $150.
Go to getpebble dot com if you are one of those that procrastinated ordering one before they cut off pledges.

Into the email bag we go.

Hey Rob,

I just moved to Washington D.C. for the summer and I am meeting a lot of people, doing a lot of networking. I am wondering if you or any of your listeners know of a good business card scanning app, or a good contacts app that would let you make groups of people and keep notes on how you met them and what they do.

Regards,

Ben

Hi Rob,

What may be future for iPod touch....
I find it invaluable

Do you think it will be upgraded.

Regards,

Alexander

Well Alexander - the number of sales of the iPod touch seem to drop each quarter when compared to the year ago quarter. So that is not a good sign for a lot of or even many more major updates. That said maybe the iPod touch becomes the go between device at around a 5 inch screen. So something Apple positions between an iPhone and an iPad. But do I think there will be updates to the iPod touch - Yes. It is still selling - albeit at a lower rate - but there is demand for the device - I have a few nieces and nephews that love their iPod touch - and it is a nice gate way device for younger kids to get them ready for their own iPhone or iPad.

Hi Rob,

A guy at work has a PC, iPhone, iPad

Using Microsoft exchange

he has multiple calendars 4

He asked me how to merge all his calendars so He would only have just one calendar.

On the PC it is running Outlook with exchange

Any help would be appreciated.

Regards,

David

Hi Rob,

I just wrote this review for the upgraded ESPN app. After paying for the previous version they now expect you to pay for a newer version. Here's my review.

E$PN = Extra $ Pinching Network. Why wait 14 days? Delete it now! (Rated *)

Talk about unsportsmanlike conduct! Apparently E$PN expects us to periodically repurchase their app by discontinuing support for the previous version. This would be acceptable if they just sold it as an annual subscription. But to sell an app, then discontinue it by producing a new version and expecting us to repeatedly ante up is deceptive and unacceptable. If you download this "upgrade" it will go inactive after 14 days unless you pay $4.99. After you pay, all the shows and podcasts will be "free" but you can surely expect them to continuously reach into your pocket with more "upgrades." Count me out. Why wait 14 days? Throw this app out of the game! I've already deleted it from all my iOS devices. Good bye E$PN! Boooo! Booooo!

Regards,

John

Into the email bag

Hi Rob,

-Do you think iOS 6 will finally give us a non-jail broken way to lock down/secure certain apps on the iPhone?

-In other news, I'm very concerned about these rumors that Apple will ditch Google Maps (and maybe all Google services) in iOS 6. This just sounds like something that could really blow up in Apple's face. Would Apple replace Google with Bing?
Regards,
Brent

Chicago, IL

Hi Brent - First per iOS 6 - and getting individual lock option for the Apps - that is something I have been hoping for since before iOS 3 was released - so it is still something I am hoping for but not overly hopeful on it happening.

Per Google maps and apple dumping them - google charges money to be the map provider - so do I see Apple dumping them - yes - that is why they acquired a mapping company in the past. It is not a question of if - just when - and I tend to think that rumor is true. I don't see Apple getting rid of the Youtube app or support for gmail. But the google maps - yeah they are on borrowed time. Per apple replacing google with bing - You can already go into your iOS device and change the default search to be Bing or Yahoo or the default - Google.

Per apple changing who the default is - that has to do with who pays the most money. Right now that is Google. If MS steps up and offers more to make Bing the default than Google is willing to pay - then Bing would be the default. But Google would still be an option.

Back to the email bag

Hi Rob,

I found a Cydia tweak that is one of those tweaks I hope will find its way into iOS 6 or so. It's called swipeselection. And it makes typing so much easier and if your good at typing one handed it will be just the thing you've been looking for. It allows you to move the cursor back on forth by just a tap and hold on the keyboard then slide left or right to make the cursor do the same. Also if you hold down the shift key and do the same it will the highlight the text. It seems so simple that I can't even begin to think of why this hasn't been a part of iOS from the start.

Regards,

Brian in West Virginia

Category:vip_Artwork -- posted at: 12:30am EDT

Comments[0]

Sat, 12 May 2012

Tii - iTem 0224 - Your TV, My TV, iTV

Tii - iTem 0224 - Your TV, My TV, iTV

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Today's Sponsor is Hover - tii.hover.com

Save 25% on custom email with promo code - tiimail

iPhone also surfaces on Kansas, California regional carriers | Macworld

T-Mobile $4 Billion 4G Network Evolution Plan