Apple's September Media Event 2010 Wrap Up

Apple Store, Apple TV, Events, iOS 4, iPad, iPhone, iPod, iTunes, Retail Store No Responses »
Sep 022010

Earlier today Apple held its “annual” September media event. The focus is usually on updated iPods and new iTunes releases. Today Apple also announced a major overhaul of Apple TV, some key new features coming in versions 4.1 and 4.2 of it’s Multi-Touch iOS operating system for mobile devices, and a few other details.

A few in-depth points before reading further:
Today Steve discussed iPad and during the announcement of iOS 4.2 due in November he said that 4.2 would bring all of the great features of the new iOS to iPad, and then listed the features including HDR photos. Now as we all know there is currently no camera built in to the iPad. Was this a slip? Possibly, or it could be just a mistake. Either way we’re interested.

Secondly, as the keynote took place today, we counted at least 5 of the top trending topics on Twitter which were related to the product updates and the Apple media event.

Third, when showing the demo for iTunes 10, there was a new vertical layout for the buttons in the top left to minimize, and so forth. This was later confirmed when the new iTunes page popped up on Apple’s web site. This used to be the standard format for the mini player but now appears to be standard across the board for iTunes.

Mini Player

Regular iTunes 10 Window

Now for the notes from today’s event. Take a deep breathe, there is a lot to read. Continue reading »

Posted by Phil Koury at 12:45 am Tagged with: , , , , ,

Facebook iPhone App Updated To 3.2.1, Now Allows "Checking In"

Apps, iPhone No Responses »
Aug 192010

It has been almost exactly 2 months since the last update to the iPhone App for Facebook. The newest update brings changes such as the ability to check in to places you visit with an appropriately named “Places” feature. Services like Foursquare and Gowalla have provided this service for years but it has just recently become very popular. Facebook has capitalized on this popularity “relatively early” as there is still not a mass adoption of this type of location-based service. On Facebook’s blog the new feature is shown on the iPhone and mentions that HTML5 compatible browsers and geolocation compatible devices will be able to access and use the new feature.

Two months ago we reported that the number of Facebook for iPhone users on a monthly basis was close to exceeding 55 million. Just two months later, the number is close to 100 million. A massive doubling in size. Certainly the iPhone 4, and iPad are playing a large role in the huge jump from 55 to 100 million users.

Posted by Phil Koury at 12:58 pm Tagged with: , , , ,

Top iPhone Executive No Longer With Apple

Apple Inc., iPhone, iPhone 4 No Responses »
Aug 072010

Senior Vice President of iPhone, Mark Papermaster is no longer with Apple. Papermaster’s time with Apple was a very short lived 16 months. It would seem that the recent issues surrounding the iPhone 4 antenna may be the cause behind the change in personnel. Apple’s Bob Mansfield will be taking over the roll and duties of Papermaster.

If we assume this move was made by Apple and not Papermaster himself, it would be hard to be incredibly surprised. Apple’s largest PR nightmare in quite a long time has come from the most recent iPhone design. This move would also look good from a PR point of view by showing customers that Apple is serious about the quality their products by making sure they have the best people on their team to come up with them.

John Gruber of Daring Fireball (usually a quality source) says that Papermaster was indeed let go by Apple and did not leave on his own accord.

Posted by Phil Koury at 11:13 pm Tagged with: , , ,

Apple To Fight Back Against iOS 4 Jailbreaking

iOS 4, iPhone No Responses »
Aug 052010

Apple is now investigating the iOS “vulnerability” allowing the web-based jailbreak released by the iPhone Dev Team this past week. Apple spokeswoman Natalie Harrison simply “we’re investigating”. The likely recourse will be an update to the iOS software which breaks the ability to use a web-based jiailbreak.

Apple is also now reportedly blocking WiFi access the http://www.jailbreakme.com web site from their retail locations, and redirecting that traffic to their own homepage. Honestly, we could have expected this much. As usual it will become a cat and mouse game of jailbreak vs. software update. We’ll keep you posted on this story as updates become available.

Posted by Phil Koury at 9:46 pm Tagged with: , , ,

iOS 4 Jailbreak Now Available

iOS 4, iPad, iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod No Responses »
Aug 012010

It seems that just days after I caved and sold my iPhone 3GS (for much less than I could have had it been jailbroken), Comex and company (the iPhone Dev Team) has released a jailbreak tool for iOS 4. Needless to say, I wish I had held out and turned a profit on my iPhone 4 upgrade as I have in the past. Video and all of the details after the break. Continue reading »

Posted by Phil Koury at 11:54 pm Tagged with: , , , , ,

White iPhone Held Off Until Late 2010

iPhone, iPhone 4 No Responses »
Jul 262010

Apple announced via a press release on Friday that the White iPhone 4 would not be available until late 2010. Apple still cites the issue as a more difficult than anticipated manufacturing process and says that the “more popular” black model of the phone is still readily available.

This comes just days after Apple’s announcement that the White iPhone 4 would be available late in July, during their iPhone 4 press conference discussing the signal strength issues of the phone.

Posted by Phil Koury at 4:47 pm Tagged with: ,

iPhone 4 Press Conference Wrap Up

Events, iPhone 4 1 Response »
Jul 172010

Yesterday Apple held a press conference detailing the issues some consumers have been having with their iPhone 4 (myself included). Steve Jobs responded by covering all of the bases. The press conference focused on iPhone 4 sales to date, educating consumers on the antenna issues, providing a solution to the antenna issues, and informing customers that Apple is not perfect.

3 Million iPhone 4′s Sold
In the first 3 weeks of the iPhone 4′s existence, Apple has garnered 3 million unit sales despite widespread discussion of antenna issues.

The iPhone 4 is perhaps the best product we’ve ever made at Apple, and we have sold well over three million since we launched it three weeks ago. Just three weeks ago.

Antenna Issues Belong to a Vocal Minority
Unfortuantely for Apple, their following is very loyal, and relatively savvy. The majority of any potential issues with a product will show up online, and be thoroughly discussed. Most new age news media cover Apple extensively because of the response and traffic it produces.

Jobs said on Friday that the antenna issues reported for the iPhone 4 to AppleCare were minimal and that he received many emails saying the iPhone 4 worked perfect.

Our engineers see there’s a problem, but it’s affecting only a small number of people. I’ve received over 5000 emails from customers who are having no problems and don’t understand the fuss. But we care about every user, and we’re not going to stop until everyone is happy.

Free iPhone 4 Cases
After discussing antenna issues with a few other popular cell phones and showing examples of signal attenuation due to how the phone is held, Jobs said that no cell phone is perfect. He followed by saying Apple is certainly not perfect – but dedicated to satisfying their customers. Apple will be providing free iPhone 4 cases to new iPhone 4 customers until September 30th, and refunding customers who purchased Apple’s Bumper case prior to the press conference.

White iPhone 4 Due End of July
Jobs also announced that the White iPhone 4 will be available by the end of July. I have to speculate that the release of the White iPhone 4 was held off until the air was cleared about the antenna issues some were having with the device. The late launch could potentially take focus off of the issues some were having and turn it to a “new product release”.

Proximity Sensor Issues Tracked by Apple
During the Friday announcements, Steve Jobs also mentioned that Apple was tracking a proximity sensor issue and would provide a software fix for the iPhone 4. I have personally experienced occasional issues where holding the iPhone 4 up to my ear does not disable the screen as in all other iPhone models. This will result in muting the call, putting the call on speaker, or ending the call completely.

Posted by Phil Koury at 12:14 pm Tagged with: , ,

7/16/10 Apple iPhone 4 Press Conference

Events, iPhone 4 No Responses »
Jul 162010

Today Apple will hold an iPhone 4 press conference for 7/16/10 @ 1PM EST. It is highly unusual for Apple to have back to back events for the same product. Here are the potential needs for Apple to have a press conference for iPhone 4 so close to it’s release (in order of likelihood):

iPhone 4 Antenna Issue Resolution / Recall
Although many sources are reporting that Apple will not be recalling the iPhone 4, it seems likely that the press release will revolve around the antenna issues with Apple’s newest phone. A new report hit the surface from the NY Times this morning that the issue actually lies within the software of the iPhone 4.

White iPhone 4 Release
Apple could potentially announce the exact shipping date of the white iPhone during the press conference. This may (unlikely) turn some of the heat from their antenna issues down a notch by garnering some excitement for the exclusive white model’s release.

Verizon iPhone
However unlikely, there is potential that Apple could hold a special press conference directly after the iPhone 4 announcement for a significant change in their carrier plans, and to extend the iPhone to multiple carriers such as Verizon.

The antenna resolution and White iPhone 4 are more likely than a Verizon announcement, as many sources report Verizon will not see the iPhone 4 until next year. Time will tell as we are now less than 1 hour away from the iPhone 4 Press Conference.

Posted by Phil Koury at 12:13 pm Tagged with: , , ,

Pictures Of White iPhone 4 Pop Up

iPhone, iPhone 4 No Responses »
Jul 072010

The long awaited launch of the iPhone 4 seems to be approaching quickly. Photos have started popping up online showing the box, iPhone itself, and the white iPhone sitting on a dock. Apple says that the White iPhone is due to be released sometime in July. Here are some more images: Continue reading »

Posted by Phil Koury at 6:09 pm Tagged with: , ,

An Update From Apple On iPhone 4 Signal Loss

iPhone, iPhone 4 No Responses »
Jul 052010

Apple released an update last week that addressed the complaints of many customers claiming signal loss on their iPhone 4. Personally, I think the press release is really meant to take away from the fact that the phone still drops calls when held near it’s base. Regardless of the fact that the bars may not be properly displayed, the phone is dropping calls it should not be due to the way it is held.

Here is Apple’s take on the situation: Continue reading »

Posted by Phil Koury at 6:00 pm Tagged with: , ,
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