Apple : iTunes in the Cloud now features TV shows

iTunes in the Cloud now features TV shows
Apple TV update allows iTunes TV show purcahses
Updated: iPhone 5 rumours: what you need to know
Updated: iPad 3 rumours: what you need to know
In Depth: 25 Mac OS X Lion tips and tricks

iTunes in the Cloud now features TV shows

Posted: 01 Aug 2011 01:23 PM PDT

Apple has added TV shows to its iTunes in the Cloud service, which will allow users to re-download TV shows they've already purchased to multiple devices.

The new update will present iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch owners with a "Purchased" tab in the iTunes app, which will highlight the previously bought shows.

Effectively, it is a cloud-based storage locker for your TV show purchases.

The service, which is a US-only update for the time being, mimics the music functionality of the service which offers users instant access to tracks they've purchased through iTunes on all of their Apple gear.

Apple TV

For Apple TV owners, who also received a software update on Monday, the new cloud service is slightly different.

The Apple TV device has no on-board storage, so previously bought TV shows can be streamed via the new "Purchased" tab in the main menu on that device.

Today's update doesn't yet feature movies, but one would have to assume that would only be a matter of time.

Hopefully a UK roll-out will arrive sooner rather than later also.

via 9to5 Mac

Apple TV update allows iTunes TV show purcahses

Posted: 01 Aug 2011 12:23 PM PDT

Apple has released a software update for its Apple TV set-top box, which allows users to buy shows from iTunes and watch them on-demand over the cloud.

The Apple TV Software Update 4.3 means that owners of the device are no longer restricted to the paltry range of TV shows available for rental.

Now Apple TV fans can choose from the full iTunes selection and buy them outright to watch again and again, rather than be limited to viewing over a certain time period.

As this generation of Apple TV does not feature a solid state drive to store downloaded shows, Apple is making the iTunes purchases available to stream at the user's convenience.

Purchased

The software update also adds a tab for "Purchased" shows, which offers access to all of the TV shows you've bought from the iTunes Store, much like the iTunes in the Cloud service for purchased music.

The new functionality is not yet available for movies, but surely that's only a matter of time.

Also included in Monday's update is access to the Vimeo video sharing service, which for those of you who aren't familiar, is a more high-end version of YouTube, featuring a host of short films.

You should receive a prompt for the Apple TV Software Update next time you use the device.

via: Daring Fireball

Updated: iPhone 5 rumours: what you need to know

Posted: 01 Aug 2011 08:20 AM PDT

iPhone 5 (or the iPhone 4S, as some are calling it) rumours are flying thick and fast already.

Let's raid the iPhone 5 rumour fridge to find the tomatoes of truth amid the stinky stilton of baseless speculation.

Check out what TechRadar is hoping makes it into the next iPhone, in our video wish list.

iPhone 5 release date

This year's WWDC was about software, not hardware, with Apple focussing on iOS and Mac OS

On 20 April 2011, it emerged that the iPhone 5 release date may be September 2011. This date was cited by three sources who spoke to Reuters.

On 6 May it was reported that Apple manufacturer Pegatron has reportedly been given a massive order by Jobs and co to produce 15 million handsets ready for the phone's autumn launch.

On 19 July Apple seemingly confirmed the presence of a new iPhone in the market by the end of Q3, leading to yet more suggestions that the iPhone 5 will be landing in September.

Apple Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer was asked during an earnings call why he was suggesting a 12 per cent drop in revenues for the Q3 financial period – a traditionally robust time thanks to the scores of people buying the latest iPhone.

He said that there is "a lot going on in the fall with iOS 5 and iCloud" but added there will be a "future product transition that we will not talk about today".

T3 says Apple is also hiring more staff for September, while it's also been reported that US network AT&T has slapped a holiday ban on staff for a possible launch. Some are even saying it could be 5 September.

The iPhone 5 will debut alongside iOS 5 in the Autumn

iOS 5 will ship in the Autumn, so it seems a safe bet that the iPhone 5 will have made its debut on or before then.

iOS 5

On 1 July, Digitimes reported that Taiwanese-based component suppliers were gearing up for production of iPad 3 and iPhone - adding weight to the theory that they will appear in September.

Could there be a curved iPhone 5?

The Wall Street Journal has previously reported that: "Apple is also developing a new iPhone model, said people briefed on the phone. One person familiar said the fifth-generation iPhone would be a different form factor than those that are currently available… it was unclear how soon that version would be available to Verizon or other carriers."

This has since been backed up by reports from Engadget, which state the design will be a 'total rethink'.

Chinese case manufacturers have been sent design briefings of the new iPhone 5 chassis and apparently feature a return to the olden days of iPhone design. But could iPhone 5 really have a curved back? We can't begin to tell you how sceptical we are over such a 'leak', given Apple's desperation to keep its forthcoming designs under wraps.

iPhone 5 voice control

Could the iPhone 5 have a new type of voice control? Know Your Mobile thinks so, Called Assistant, it could be used to play back music, send texts and make Facetime calls

iPhone 5 will be iCloud-based

Apple says it is "cutting the cable" with iOS 5 - just as well, as it claimed the iPad 2 was the first post-PC device earlier in the year. OS updates can be delivered over the air - you'll just received what's changed rather than the usual 600MB download - and devices can be activated without plugging them into iTunes.

You can also now create and delete iOS calendars and mailboxes too, so you really can devolve your device from your PC or Mac.

"You can activate on the device and you're ready to go," explained Apple's Scott Forstall.

"Software updates are now over the air. So you no longer need to plug in to update your software. And they're now Delta updates. Instead of downloading the whole OS, you only download what's changed," he continued.

Will iPhone 5 actually be an iPhone 4S?

Of course, since the iPhone 3G was followed by the 3GS it's possible the new iPhone won't be a total refresh and we'll see an iPhone 4S (or iPhone 4GS) before an iPhone 5.

An iPhone 4S looked more likely on 16 May 2011 after analyst Peter Misek wrote: "According to our industry checks, the device should be called iPhone 4S and include minor cosmetic changes, better cameras, A5 dual-core processor, and HSPA+ support."

However, earlier reports from China backed up the larger-screened, metal chassis-sporting iPhone 5 rumours, so the redesign still seems firmly on the cards.

A rumour we covered on 7 March 2011 suggests that the new iPhone will do away with the glass back and opt instead for a metal back which will act as a new iPhone antenna.

And an Apple patent that we reported on on 7 April 2011 suggests that we could see the bezel put to good use on the new iPhone. The patent describes how visual indicators and touch-sensitive buttons could be incorporated to the space around the iPhone screen.

Rumours that we covered on 3 May 2011, suggest that there may even be two versions of the new iPhone: a 'standard' iPhone 5 and an iPhone 5 'pro'. Apparently, Apple is buying in components of differing quality, and those parts wouldn't be required for a single phone.

A cheaper, smaller iPhone 5 - an iPhone nano

A prototype version of a smaller iPhone is said to exist, built to ward off competition from cheap Android handsets.

Rumours around an iPhone nano picked up again on 13 February when the Wall Street Journal claimed that the so-called 'iPhone nano' exists and may even be on sale later this year.

Those iPhone nano rumours may hold little truth, though. As we reported on 18 February, the New York Times cites an anonymous source who says there will be no smaller iPhone from Apple. "The size of the device would not vary," says the source.

A white iPhone 5

The Economic Daily News is reporting that white iPhone 5 glass is being shipped, with a supplier called Wintek being the sole touch panel vendor for the white iPhone.

iPhone 5 will support 1080p HD

It's fairly likely - given that the iPad 2 supports Full HD - that the new iPhone will do the same.

iPhone 5 specs

According to the Chinese Economic Daily News (via AppleInsider), with the exception of Qualcomm chipsets - which would replace the current Infineon chipsets in the iPhone 4 - Apple's sticking with the same suppliers for the 2011 iPhone 5G components.

We'd expect the basics of the iPhone 5 specs to get a bump - more memory, faster processor, and more storage. The A5 dual-core ARM processor from the iPad 2 is extremely likely to be included.

The specs? A new antenna, 1.2GHz processor (possibly dual-core) and a larger screen: 3.7" instead of 3.5". The iPhone 5 may also be made from a new kind of alloy, or maybe meat.

iPhone 5 screen

In other rumours which surfaced on 15 February 2011, Digitimes is reporting on information supposedly leaked from component suppliers that claim the iPhone 5 will feature a larger, 4-inch screen. Digitimes quotes the source as saying that Apple is expanding the screen size "to support the tablet PC market as the vendor only has a 9.7-inch iPad in the market."

On 22 March 2011, China Times also reported that the iPhone 5 will feature a 4-inch display.

On 23 May, we reported on rumours that the iPhone 5 could feature a curved glass screen. These rumours also came from Digitimes, which said that Apple has purchased between 200 and 300 special glass cutting machines because they're too costly for the manufacturers to invest in.

The iPhone 5 or iPhone 4S will also get a massive graphical boost as it moves to a dual-core GPU - this could herald true 1080p output from the new device, according to our news story on 18 January.

iPhone 5 digital wallet

There's been some speculation that Apple might include Near Field Communication (NFC) technology in the iPhone 5G, turning it into a kind of credit/debit card. However, as Techeye.net notes, "Apple has looked into NFC before" so this might not be imminent.

However, with the tech being inside the Google Nexus S, the time for NFC may finally be here.

On 24 February 2011, we reported that an Apple patent has revealed an e-wallet icon on the iPhone homescreen. This adds credence to the rumour that iPhone 5 will feature NFC. However, on 14 March 2011, reports in The Independent cited sources from 'several of the largest mobile operators in the UK', who said that Apple told them not to expect NFC in the iPhone 5. So perhaps we'll have to wait for iPhone 6 for that.

On 24 June it was reported that the Google Wallet mobile payment platform could feature on the new iPhone. Eric Schmidt admitted that Google is looking to port the software to other manufacturers.

LTE support

At least one analyst thinks the iPhone 5 will support LTE, super-fast mobile broadband, in the US. That would make the iPhone 5G a 4G phone, which won't be confusing at all. LTE is certainly coming - AT&T plans to roll out its LTE service in 2011 - but an LTE iPhone has been rumoured for a while. USA Today floated the idea of an LTE iPhone on Verizon last year.

iPhone 5 camera

Speaking at a live Wall Street Journal event, Sony's Sir Howard Stringer was talking about the company's camera image sensor facility in Sendai, a town that was recently ravaged by the recent Japanese earthquake and tsunami.

According to 9to5Mac, he said something along the lines of, "Our best sensor technology is built in one of the [tsunami] affected factories. Those go to Apple for their iPhones… or iPads. Isn't that something? They buy our best sensors from us."

Other sources have also said that the new iPhone could have an 8MP camera.

iPhone 5 price

If the iPhone 5 is an evolutionary step like the move from the iPhone 3G to the iPhone 3GS then we'd expect the price to stay more or less the same, although in the UK higher VAT rates may well mean a higher price tag.

What do you want to see in the next iPhone? Hit the comments and share your thoughts.

Updated: iPad 3 rumours: what you need to know

Posted: 01 Aug 2011 04:20 AM PDT

The iPad 2 is out, and the rumour factory has already moved on: it's predicting iPad 3 specifications including chips, cameras and retina displays - with a little bit of help from mysterious, unnamed people who can't possibly be identified.

How very convenient. So what's the word on the street about the next iPad?

iPad 3 release date

This is the biggest rumour of all: an iPad 3 mere months after the iPad 2. An unnamed Apple employee says that the iPad 2 was a bit of a rush job, and "the third generation iPad is the one to make a song and dance about."

Respected Apple watcher John Gruber added fuel to that particular fire by strongly hinting that the iPad 3 release date will be in September 2011.

If Gruber is right about this and the iPad 3 features in an Apple autumn line-up, then it looks like Apple is going to start offering a new iPad every six months.

Indeed, Reuters reported that the new iPad 3 is due in the fourth quarter of the year but it could well be November with the iPhone 5 taking the September release date.

On 1 July, Digitimes reported that Taiwanese-based component suppliers were gearing up for production of iPad 3 and iPhone 5.

The iPad 3 UK release date is a mystery

With Apple unable to meet initial demand for iPad 2, we'd expect a staggered release date for the iPad 3 too: However, Apple could always follow the pattern it has with the previous two iPad launches and do it all in the new year.

The iPad 3 specs include a dual-core processor...

It's possible that the iPad 3 will have a brand spanking new processor, Apple's A6, but if the rumoured release date is correct then time is awfully tight: we'd certainly expect to see an A5, not an A6, in the iPhone 5 when it turns up this summer.

Apple may well surprise us, of course, but we'd expect to see the same processor and graphics as the iPad 2 in the iPad 3: an A5 processor with PowerVR SGX543MP2 graphics. This one comes down to the iPad 3 release date: if it's 2011, expect an A5. If it's 2012, see below.

...unless iPad 3 has a quad-core processor

If the A6 is the next stage in the line - and we don't see a new iPad until 2012 - we could also be looking at a quad-core chip from Apple. Quad-core designs will be coming from all ARM partners late this year.

iPad 3 display

A retina display was widely predicted for the iPad 2, but of course the current iPad doesn't have a double-resolution display: for now, that's something you'll only get in the iPhone 4. Could an iPad 3 Retina Display be on the way? It's the very first thing on our iPad 3 wish list.

Rumours of an HD screen on the iPad 3 gathered pace on 12 April 2011 when Digitimes reported that Apple is asking panel makers to provide screens that are capable of displaying higher image quality than the iPad 2.

On 26 May 2011, we reported that the iPad 3 could launch with a Samsung-made AMOLED screen, following rumours that Apple has been in talks on the matter with Samsung execs. There have also been more LG and Samsung rumours, too.

On 15 June we reported that the iOS 5 code hinted at a Retina Display for iPad 3.

The iPad 3 hardware could include an NFC chip

Apple's very interested in Near Field Communications, and one particularly tasty rumour at Cult of Mac suggests that the iPhone 5 will use NFC to take over nearby Macs, enabling you to use your data and settings with a flick of the wrist. Since the iPad 3 will follow the iPhone 5, if NFC's in one it'll probably be in the other too.

The iPad 3 specifications will include more storage

The iPad 2 has the familiar 16/32/64GB storage options, but as flash storage comes down in price a 128GB option for the iPad 3 isn't impossible - although that might depend on the current horrible situation in Asia, where the tsunami has caused chaos in parts of the electronics industry.

The iPad 3 features could include a Thunderbolt port

Two generations of USB-free iPads suggest that Apple just isn't interested in adding one, but the new Thunderbolt port found in the 2011 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air could be another story: it's a combined accessory/display connector with astonishingly fast performance.

There could be more than one iPad 3

TUAW says the iOS 5 code features new code files for USB devices in the iOS 5 firmware, Through this, TUAW found references to an iPad3,1 and an iPad 3,2.

The iPad 3 could be made by someone other than Foxconn

Apple was said to be in talks with another Far Eastern manufacturer as the release of the iPad 3 nears. Digitimes says that as there was a fire at usual supplier Foxconn in May, Quanta Computer and Pegatron Technology could benefit.

On 1 August it was reported that a contract had definitely gone to Pegatron rather than Foxconn.

The iPad 3 specs might include an SD card slot

This was widely predicted for iPad 2 and, like the retina display, didn't materialise. One for version 3, perhaps? Using a separate adapter to read camera cards is rather inelegant and clunky.

The iPad 3 specification should include a better camera

The rear-facing camera on the iPad 2 isn't brilliant: an iPhone 4 camera and flash would do nicely.

The iPad 3 could feature a carbon fibre case

Apple has hired a carbon fibre expert, senior composites engineer Kevin Kenney, fuelling speculation that the next iPad could be encased in the lightweight material.

The iPad 3 price might be higher than the iPad 2...

The iPad 2 didn't herald a price hike, but if the iPad 3's coming in September we don't think a massive iPad 2 price cut is very likely - which suggests that if the iPad 3 does appear then, it might be more of an iPad Pro - with a price to match.

...or maybe lower?

It has also been suggested that the pricing of the iPad 3 could be lower. As it's already cheaper than most other new tablets, we call trash on this one.

Could the iPad 3 actually be an iPad 2 Plus?

An analyst has suggested that we could see an iPad 2 Plus on our Christmas wishlists. The so-called iPad 2 Plus isn't set to be a radical departure from the current iPad 2, with supply chain sources tipping an improved display (250-300 ppi as opposed to the current 132 ppi).

In Depth: 25 Mac OS X Lion tips and tricks

Posted: 01 Aug 2011 03:50 AM PDT

The latest version of Apple's OS X is easier to use than ever before, but not all of its joys are obvious - and some of the more obvious changes can be rather annoying.

But there's also a lot to love about Lion.

So to help you master the new OS, we've rounded up our favourite new Mac tips, features and workarounds to help you become a Lion tamer.

1. Get normal scrolling back

If you think Lion's new natural scrolling mode is strange (and inconsistent: arrow keys work as they always have), it's easy enough to revert: go to System Preferences > Mouse and uncheck the "move content..." option.

2. Tell Finder to start with a different folder

By default, opening a new Finder window opens the new All My Files smart folder. You can change this in Finder > Preferences > New Finder Windows Show.

Mac tips and tricks for lion

A bit of a weird one, this: to change the size of the Sidebar in Finder or Mail, you don't do it in the programs' Preferences. You need to open System Preferences > General and use the Sidebar Icon Size drop-down.

4. Permanently remove a Sidebar item

Don't want All My Files - or any other folder - in the Finder Sidebar? Hold down the Command key and drag it out of the sidebar to get shot of it.

5. Paste rather than move an item

By default OS X's copy and paste duplicates a file, so if you copy a file from Documents to the Desktop you'll end up with one copy in the source folder and one in the destination. To override that, press Command-Option-V to move rather than copy the file or folder.

6. Use accented characters

Lion no longer repeats letters when you hold down a key; instead, it displays an iOS-style character picker and you can choose the appropriate character by clicking on it or pressing the appropriate number key. If the lack of repeat drives you nuts, open Terminal and type defaults write -g ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool false. Logout and log back in again for the change to take effect.

7. Talk to iCal in plain English

Forget fiddling with on-screen options: to give iCal a plain English command, click on the icon with a plus sign or press Command-N. You can now type something like "meeting with fred and sarah 4pm Tuesday" and iCal will automagically add it. If you specify a day but no time, iCal makes it an all-day event.

8. Use Emoji characters

Lion now has Emoji characters for adding smiley faces and cute animals to chat sessions, corporate reports and so on. In iChat or TextEdit, bring up the Special Characters menu (Command-Option-T) and select Emoji from the sidebar.

9. Arrange your files in Finder

Did you spot the new button in Finder's toolbar? The Arrange button enables you to group files and folders by name, by size, by label or by date: date last opened, date created, date modified and date added.

10. Sort your files in Finder

If you use the Arrange icon but hold down the Option key as you select a criterion, Finder will sort rather than group - so for example if you sort by date you'll see files in date order rather than grouped.

11. Stop apps from re-opening everything

Lion's Resume feature is handy, but not everyone wants applications to re-open all the documents you closed when you hit Quit. You can disable Resume on an ad-hoc basis by pressing Option before you head for the Quit menu, which changes Quit to Quit And Discard Windows, or you can disable it globally in System Preferences > General.

12. Customise System Preferences

Don't want System Preferences to display unwanted icons? Zap them by selecting View > Customize and unchecking the ones you don't want to see. You can still access them by typing the hidden icon's name in the search box.

13. Enable Conversation View

Mail can now organise messages into Gmail-style conversations, which goes beyond just grouping messages: it also includes your replies. To enable it, go to Mail > Preferences > Viewing and tick Include Related Messages.

14. Get your old Mail back

Don't like Mail's new interface? Mail > Preferences > Use Classic Layout returns to the old way of doing things.

15. Find out how much RAM you can add

The redesigned About This Mac screen provides some useful information: click on Memory to see how many free slots you have and what you can stick in them.

16. Lock your docs

Lion automatically locks documents after a certain period so you don't accidentally autosave them. You can adjust the time period in System Preferences > Time Machine.

17. Preview Spotlight results

When you search using Spotlight, hovering the mouse over it displays a pop-up window showing the file contents. Hold down Command and a status bar appears at the foot of the preview; wait a moment and the bar toggles between the item's name and its location. You can even preview video files: move your mouse over the video preview and a play icon appears.

18. Drag Spotlight results and Safari downloads

You can drag items from Spotlight search results, which is handy if you want to drag a file to the desktop or to an open application. You can also drag downloaded files from Safari's Downloads list.

19. Move multiple files to a new folder

Finder now has an iPhoto-style New Folder option that creates a folder and puts your selected files in it. To use it, select a bunch of files, right-click or Ctrl-click and select New Folder With Selection.

20. Use your fingers

Lion's gesture controls are very handy: swipe down to see the recently opened files for the current app, do a thumb and three fingers pinch to display LaunchPad; swipe left or right to move between Spaces and so on. You can choose between three- and four-fingered swipes and disable gestures you don't want in System Preferences > Trackpad.

21. Swipe between full screen apps

Programs that support Lion's full screen mode get their own Space when you hit the Full Screen button. As with other Spaces, you can then swipe your trackpad to move between them

22. Bore the entire internet with your home videos

QuickTime Player's export features have been beefed up, and you can now export to Facebook, Mail, Flickr and Vimeo as well as iTunes and YouTube.

23. Tame LaunchPad

If you like LaunchPad but don't want every application to appear, bring up LaunchPad and press the option key. If a program came from the App Store it'll have an iOS-style X in the corner, which you can click to uninstall it; alternatively you can organise icons into folders and move them from screen to screen just like you would on an iOS device.

24. Add or Delete a Space in Mission Control

If you're using Spaces to keep multiple desktops on the go, pressing the Option key adds an X to the open space and a plus to the far right corner. The former closes the current Space and the latter adds a new one.

25. Sign PDFs in Preview

Fancy adding your autograph to PDFs but don't have a scanner? No problem: in Preview, Preferences > Signatures enables you to store your signature by holding a signed bit of paper in front of your FaceTime camera. You can then sign PDFs by selecting the Signatures option from the Annotations toolbar.

Yahuui Blog

Monday, August 1, 2011