We’re getting a lot of reports from readers that they can’t connect to the iTunes App Store from either their Mac or Windows PCs, or iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. Some readers are saying they can connect, however, so while it’s down for a lot of people, it may not be down for everyone. (And some can access from one device but not another — confusing!)
Can you access the App Store? Let us know either way!
Note: Comments must be civil, respectful, and on-topic. If a comment does not add to the conversation, if it contains spam advertising, or inappropriate language or content, it will be removed. Comments containing links may be held for moderation. Relax, enjoy, and share in the discussion.
Rumor has it that Sony is creating a “hack-proof” PS3 to combat the massive rebel hacker militia (err—one guy in his basement) that has managed to crack the console’s digital defenses. Even the mere idea of an “unhackable” device is laughable—very few electronics have managed to resist the gentle probing of curious coders. If a devices hasn’t been hacked, it’s not because it’s “unhackable” per se, but rather because nobody can be bothered to tinker with it. Apple has released many variations of the iPod Touch and iPhone (along with many iterations of iOS), but the valiant engineers have yet to keep out jailbreakers for good.
One of the flagship features of BlackBerry is the Messenger service (BBM for short). It’s a cross between text and instant messaging, and comes standard on all BlackBerrys, making it a ubiquitous, fast, and free messaging solution. Sources for BGR claim the RIM is planning to bring BBM to iOS and Android—which is either a brilliant or suicidal move. Many BlackBerry users depend on BBM as their primary means of communication, and there is nothing quite like it on any other platform. Kik Messenger made a valiant effort to create a cross-platform BBM-like service, but RIM blocked the app from the App World.
Tim Cook, Apple COO, revealed to an analyst that Cupertino’s finest are working on a cheaper iPhone that could be used with pre-paid plans. No details were given, but it’s likely that Apple is developing a nerfed iPhone with low-power guts. The New York Times confirms that Apple is not working on a physically smaller “iPhone Nano”, but rather “changing internal components of the device to bring costs down“.
To take advantage of the powerful new hardware Apple announced just a few hours ago, an updated version of iMovie is being released. The app is similar to its iPhone counterpart, but we expect that aspiring home-cinematographers will be much more productive on the iPad’s large screen. Users will be able to shoot, edit, and share entire HD home movies from a single device—nothing we haven’t seen before, but cool nonetheless.
Speck is well-known for designing quality accessories for Apple products and other portable electronics. They’ve been in the game since 2001, when that big, clunky white object that we called an iPod was first released. Oh, how far they have come. The self-proclaimed “gadget geeks” at Speck have worked diligently to turn Speck into a successful and committed company. Based out of Palo Alto, California, Speck is a mere 13 miles from Apple’s Cupertino-based headquarters.
Apple’s not one to hop on the bandwagon when it comes to new tech that isn’t fully developed (though the latest MacBooks beg to differ), but Verizon is hopeful that Apple will release an LTE-capable device at some vague point in the future. The iPhone lagged behind during the rush to 3G, but the 4G smartphone market is far from saturated. Pumping out an LTE device before it’s “old news” could boost sales for both Apple and Verizon.
The iPad 2's RAM will match the iPhone 4 with 512 MB of RAM, an updated Apple A5 processor and graphics chip, and more than likely at least a front-facing camera. Those are all pretty safe modifications to the tablet, and Engadget is reporting that major features like a ‘Retina Display’ will not be on this version. This might set up the iPad 3 for an announcement in the fall, which has been rumored for the past month or so.
Imagine a world without the iPod, iPhone, or iPad. Back in the mid-1990s, when Apple was struggling through its worst financial woes, there were plans for Sun Microsystems, the developers of Java, to buyout Apple. “Back in late 1995 early ’96, when we were at our peak, we were literally hours away from buying Apple for about $5 to $6 a share,” said Ed Zander, who had built Sun’s software business into a powerhouse and was rewarded with promotion to CEO by his mentor, Scott McNealy.
Incipio was established in 1999 by a group of gadget-obsessed designers. Continually fusing fashion with function, Incipio was founded on the premise that quality and value should go hand in hand. The company is committed to providing innovative products at the highest level of craftsmanship, while maintaining affordable prices.
The 1337™ Gaming Case retails for $34.99† on Incipio’s website. This is a fairly average or standard price for most silicone cases that are made for the iPad. The differentiating factor for the 1337™ Gaming Case may be its included Vanity Kit, which includes the previously mentioned screen protector, microfiber cloth, and applicator card. It also has the unique grippers that provide an optimal gaming experience on the iPad.
Steve Jobs made a surprise appearance at today’s event, and attendees are reporting that he looked good and was as charismatic as ever. Jobs has been battling what may be a return of his cancer, and there were rumors that he was not going to be able to make it to today’s event. While he is still technically on “medical leave”, it’s great to see him back to his old self!
Sources for BGR report that Apple has finalized the code for the latest version of iOS, 4.3 (build number 8F190). Luckily for jailbreakers, it looks like it won’t be long before it’s pwned. The release will bring the hotly debated in-app subscriptions, which will finally put an end to The Daily’s perpetual free trial, and could feature WiFi hotspots on AT&T.
According to a report by the Times of London, Apple’s lead designer, Jonathan Ive, is considering moving back to the UK with his family. In 2008, Ive received a stock option grant that allowed him to purchase stocks now worth over $30 million—which he may cash in for an early retirement. The Ives want their children to be educated in English schools, but the hands-on nature of design and prototyping would make it difficult for Ive to continue his position at Apple from across the pond.
Apple has unveiled the new line of MacBook Pros, which feature “Thunderbolt“, a lightning fast I/O interface that promises speeds up to 10Gbps, enough to transfer a full-length HD movie is less than 30 seconds. The port is backwards compatible (via adapters) with USB, ethernet, FireWire, HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI and VGA. Of course, the updated MacBooks also include USB and the standard set of ports, so there is no reason to fret about pricy adapters just yet.