Month: April 2011

Location Services Isn’t the Only Way that Apple Tracks Your iPhone

Alex Heath ∙ April 25, 2011

If you've been keeping up with the latest iPhone news, you've most likely heard about the infamous location database. At first, everyone thought that Apple was stalking your every move through a saved database of your GPS coordinates, but then some experts weighed in and said that simply wasn't the case.

The iPhone's GPS is operated through a system called Location Services. There was reason to believe that turning off Location Services would disable Apple's location database form storing your information, but that turns out to not be true.

Apple is going to collect your location data whether you like it or not, and your location gets sent to Apple at least twice a day...

Another Patent Hints at Apple-Branded T.V. Set

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 6, 2016

It seems like every other day we are hearing rumors of the iPhone 5 and what it'll look like, but not a peep on an impending refresh of the ATV2.

I guess that's understandable considering the iPhone sold nearly 20 million units last quarter and the Apple TV is believed to have sold just under a million.

But with all the evidence mounting that Apple is looking to enter the television market, how can you not be curious as to what the folks in Cupertino are up to? They gave the mp3 player and mobile phone market a booster shot, why couldn't they do the same for T.V. sets?

The latest patent filing uncovered by Patently Apple seems to point to an innovation to improve picture quality in LED Displays. The document describes a method of reducing color shift, a problem plaguing current LED systems.

It does this by reducing chromacity variations that cause color shifting, making the LED display brighter and clearer than ever. The patent mentions that the technology could provide superior FaceTime conferencing experiences, as well as improve photo clarity on larger displays.

The filing also notes that the innovation could be used in television sets. While the mention of a T.V. set could just be to emphasize the many possible applications of the technology, it still makes one wonder. What are those Apple engineers cooking up?

Although patents are more likely to wind up in a court room these days than consumer's hands, it's not hard to gather that we are going to see Apple refresh its TV line at some point. The real question is, when?

We know we are going to hear some more things about iOS 5 in June, and possible get some information on the next iPhone. Will Apple unveil a new Apple TV then , or wait until the September iPod event?

What do you think?

Auto Location Will Automatically Turn the iPhone’s Location Services On and Off

Alex Heath ∙ April 25, 2011

Are you still a little paranoid about the iPhone location-tracking file? Are you afraid that Apple or your carrier is tracking your every move?

Lucky for you, there's a new jailbreak tweak called Auto Location that automatically toggles your iPhone's Location Services on and off. When you're not using an app that requires GPS, Auto Location will turn the iPhone's Location Services off. When you open an app that requires Location Services, Auto Location turns it back on...

‘MyApps’ Makes it Easier to Find Jailbreak Apps And Tweaks From Specific Developers

Jeff Benjamin ∙ April 25, 2011

Have you ever found a tweak so ridiculously useful, so incredible helpful, so indubitably beneficial, that you wanted to find and download every other app or tweak from that developer?

I've found myself in that boat quite a few times over the years, and usually it results in something resembling a search and rescue mission with the help of Google.

If there's one feature that Cydia needs, it needs a "more by this developer" section, so that we can find more apps from a particular developer that we've grown fond of.

Until that day comes, there is a stopgap app that has been released on the Cydia store entitled MyApps. Does it fit the bill until Saurik gives us the real thing?

G-Form Extreme Sleeve Protects iPad From Airplane Drop

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 23, 2016

So you've got yourself a nice new iPad 2, what do you do next? While some folks moan at the mention of accessories, others couldn't live with out them. I've got a protective case on both my iPad and my iPhone 4.

I've dropped either device multiple times, and can't imagine what the outcome would have been, had they not been protected. You may not need a car charger, but I always recommend some sort of case.

Some users only need light protection, like an InvisibleShield. There is a lot to be said for the thin, scratch-proof protection of the Zagg product. But what if you need more protection than just a thin layer of plastic?

While there are dozens of heavy duty cases and sleeves, none of them can take a beating like the Extreme Sleeve for the iPad. We've seen the prototype soft-shell sleeve protect an iPad from an 8lb bowling ball, but the guys over at G-Form couldn't stop there.

Today they uploaded a video of their Extreme Sleeve's latest feat, which involves a 500 ft. drop out of an airplane. You've got to watch the video for yourself, I can't believe the iPad survives the drop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKNdknJI53Q

The company most known for their line of extreme sports protective gear, is venturing into the consumer electronics accessory game with this soft-shell sleeve for the iPad. Although not currently available, they are accepting pre-orders and expect to start shipping May 2nd.

What do you think? What's your heavy-duty case of choice?

Steve Jobs: Apple Doesn’t Track iPhone Users

Alex Heath ∙ April 25, 2011

The media has been firing on all cylinders about the public uncovering of the iPhone's shady location database file. Speculation has been that Apple and/or network carriers are intentionally tracking the coordinates of iPhone users through the device's Location Services.

Experts on the issue have deemed the location database non-threatening, legal, and most likely a simple mistake on Apple's end. If you want anymore clarification, Steve Jobs himself has shed some light on this issue, calling it "false."

The State of Mobile Apps [Infographic]

Alex Heath ∙ April 25, 2011

Ever since Apple introduced the App Store in 2008, the world of mobile applications has never been the same. The App Store created the status quo for other mobile app marketplaces to replicate.

Years later, it's interesting to see The State of the Mobile App World. What are the top app platforms? Top mobile devices? How does the iPhone and the App Store play into these numbers?

Check out this infographic...

Leaked T-Mobile iPhone Could Be iPhone 4S with A5 Chip

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 3, 2018

The white iPhone 4 certainly seems to be coming this week. Mounds of evidence point to an April 27th launch date for the infamous Apple smartphone, including Best Buy inventory screenshots and even leaked photos of a T-Mobile branded white iPhone 4.

Or was it an iPhone 4? More details have come to light about the mysterious device that appeared on BGR's website yesterday. The phone looked very similar to a white iPhone 4, but appeared to be running on T-Mobile's network. Apparently its color and carrier weren't the only things that made this device unique...

The State of the iOS 4.3.2 Jailbreak

Alex Heath ∙ April 25, 2011

There are now several ways to jailbreak your iPhone running iOS 4.3.2. RedSn0w, PwnageTool, and Sn0wBreeze will all jailbreak the iPhone on 4.3.2.

4.3.2 hasn't been out for that long, but i0n1c's untethered exploit has already been implemented into three of the most popular jailbreak tools.

Cydia Finally Back Online

Guest Author ∙ April 24, 2011

Cydia is finally back online! Literally, after 86 hours of downtime due to Amazon's EC2 outage, Cydia is up and running.

Cydia's founder, saurik (aka Jay Freeman), announced the good news via Twitter. You will now be able to proceed with regular Cydia operations, such as purchasing packages, use of the Theme Center, and managing your Cydia accounts...

Cydia Operating “Below Capacity,” Saurik Updates Homepage with News about Amazon EC2 Outage

Alex Heath ∙ April 24, 2011

Cydia's backend has been extensively affected by Amazon's EC2 outage. Towards the end of last week, Amazon's popular EC2 cloud computing service went offline and affected many heavily-trafficked services across the internet.

When EC2 went under, Cydia's store and account infrastructure went with it. Any type of account activity remained unavailable until EC2 slowly started kicking back in over the weekend.

Cydia's creator and admin, saurik, has posted an update to Cydia's homepage explaining the issues that Cydia has been experiencing for the past 84+ hours.

White iPhone 4 Shipping to U.S. Stores, Launching April 27 on AT&T and Verizon

Alex Heath ∙ Updated November 26, 2016

It appears that the white iPhone 4 will be made available as soon as this Wednesday. Reports from across the pond have set the device's European launch date for April 27th, and a leaked inventory screenshot from Best Buy confirms an American launch on the same date.

It's been 10 months of white iPhone 4 delays, and, starting this week, the device is supposed to be offered on both AT&T and Verizon. It's finally coming, folks!