iOS 5 Untethered JailBreak Delayed, Apple Killed Chronic DevTeam Exploits

We heard earlier from Chronic DevTeam at JailBreakCon that they have discovered five different userland based exploits which would help them to release an iOS 5 untethered JailBreak. As per the latest update on Chronic DevTeam blog , despite their countless efforts, Apple has found and killed them continuously in iOS 5 Betas and even after the release of iOS 5 final. Chronic DevTeam wants to inform us that they worked

really hard to make iOS 5 untethered JailBreak successful, but all of their efforts went in vain. 

How Did It Happen? 

Well, all the vulnerabilities which Chronic DevTeam discovered were sent back to Apple in the form of ‘Diagnostic information’ through iTunes. This is something no one can prevent right now. One of the reason why the development of iOS 5 untethered JailBreak never appeared in Beta. If they would have sent it to beta testers, probability that Apple could have found all those vulnerabilities and patched them right in the upcoming software update. So, it is very difficult to get rid of this problem. There are chances even if they attach their iPhone on someone else iTunes, all the crash reports or diagnostic information would be sent automatically.

How Can You Help? 

First of all, you shouldn’t not send any crash report information to Apple. If iTunes asks you to send anything which would help Apple to improve its software, it’s a cobweb. Apple is ultimately fixing all those vulnerabilities which would appear in the form of bug fix in the next software update. You are their biggest weapon and if you help Chronic DevTeam in finding those crash reports instead of Apple, it would help them to release an iOS 5 untethered JailBreak.

Install The Software (Mac Only) 

Considering all the above situation, Chronic DevTeam is releasing a tool which would send all those diagnostic information to them. Everyone who want to help Chronic DevTeam in finding the crashes in your iDevice should install this tool now. Currently, the tool is in beta and works only on Mac. In next 24 hours, the final version for Mac and Windows would be released. So, do you want Chronic DevTeam to release an iOS 5 untethered JailBreak for you? Install the tool now!

Download the tool from here . Let’s know in the comment section what do you think about it?

Google Launches A Slick Music Beta App For iOS — Web, Not Native

Now that Google Music Beta has been out there for a few months, it’s time to focus on how to get people to use it. One key: mobile.

While Google launched an Android app for Music Beta alongside the initial unveiling at I/O this year (it’s baked into the Music app), iOS users were SOL. Not anymore. Today, Google has rolled out an app so they

can get in on the fun as well. But it’s not a native app, it’s a mobile web one. And it’s still pretty slick.

While the app still has the Safari chrome around it, it functions smoothly. You can easily play all of your songs, search, shuffle, etc. Swiping left and right takes you between Artists, Albums, Songs, etc. The transitions are very well done.

The music even continues to play in the background when you exit Safari. And it can be controlled by the iOS music controls.

And yes, it all streams from the cloud. You can get to it simply by directing your iOS Safari browser at music.google.com.

I’ve asked Google if there are any plans for a native app as well. That will be key for travel, etc. I’ll update when I hear back.

Interestingly enough, while Amazon’s rival cloud music service works on iOS through the browser now, we hear there are plans of a native app…

Update: Says Google on the topic of a native iOS app, “we’re considering all options to bring the service to more people, but don’t have anything official to share.”

Android Hits 39% Smartphone Share, iOS at 28%: Nielsen

Apple's iOS-based iPhone is still in second place, but rose to 28 percent from 27 percent in May and 26 percent in April.

While Android leads by dint of massive exposure across multiple OEMs selling handsets in the United States

and all over the world, Apple remains the top smartphone maker in the United States with that 28 percent share.

HTC is No. 2 with 20 percent in the United States, including 14 percent of Android phones and 6 percent of Windows Mobile/Windows Phone 7 gadgets.

Motorola is No. 3 with 11 percent of all Android phones. Samsung follows at a total of 10 percent U.S. share, with 8 percent of Android phone sales and 2 percent of Windows Mobile/WP7 sales.

In other Nielsen smartphone market share updates, Research In Motion's (NASDAQ:RIMM) BlackBerry continued to lose share for June, accounting for 20 percent share. That's down from 21 percent in May and 23 percent in April.

Smartphones based on Microsoft's Windows Mobile and Windows Phone 7 accounted for 9 percent of the U.S. market as the company continues its gradual transition of replacing Windows Mobile in favor of WP7.

The company just shipped its WP7 "Mango" version, which is well regarded by reviewers, to manufacturing. Mango phones will hit the market en masse this fall.

For now, though, the smartphone market features two faster horses at the top: Android and iOS. There are two forthcoming events that could shape the future market share of both platforms this fall.

First, Samsung is expected to launch its well-regarded Galaxy S II smartphones, which sold 5 million units in a few countries, through AT&T and Verizon Wireless in the United States this August.

Second, Apple is expected to launch its iPhone 5 in September or October. The device should be faster, feature better cameras and could feature a virtual assistant and facial recognition perks.

Samsung needs to have a good U.S. launch in order for Android to continue its momentum; Apple's iPhone must do the same for iOS.  

iOS 4.3.4 Patches Jailbreak Exploit… And Is Immediately Jailbroken

On Friday, Apple released a minor update to iOS, version 4.3.4. The update patched the famous PDF exploit used by JailbreakMe 3.0, which allowed users to jailbreak any iDevice (including iPad 2) through a website. Some bloggers purported the latest update would also quell future jailbreaks- which anyone

following the cat-and-mouse game between Apple and iOS hackers should know would turn out false. Well, it did, and less than 12 hours after the release of 4.3.4, a jailbreak was released by RedmondPie.
The jailbreak comes either in the form of a custom 4.3.4 bundle to be used with PwnageTool or simply by using the newly updated redsn0w tool. It is a tethered jailbreak, meaning if your device is restarted, the jailbreak must be reinstalled. RedmondPie's jailbreak does not work on iPad 2.
While Apple has made pretty clear their opposition of jailbreaking, it is important to emphasize that 4.3.4 fixes a critical security hole- regardless of its use as a jailbreak exploit, a patch was necessary.

Game Over: Five Reasons the iPhone 5 Will Dominate

Apple reinvented the mobile phone, and revolutionized the smartphone when it introduced the iPhone. It has been surpassed in overall market share by the me-too, copycat Android OS, and Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 is a worthy challenger as well, but this fall Apple has an opportunity to set the bar for the industry once again, and leave the competition in the dust with the iPhone 5.
1. Verizon (et al). The iPhone 5 will be the first new iPhone model introduced since the exclusivity with AT&T

ended (no, the white iPhone does not count--not even a little). The Verizon iPhone 4 has been a huge success anyway, but many Verizon customers held off knowing that a new iPhone is just around the corner, and not wanting to be shackled to an iPhone 4 with 18 months left on the contract. The new unlocked iPhones will make a difference as well.
2. iOS 5. Apple has already shared with us the details of iOS 5. The new iOS will finally free the iPhone (and iPad) from the PC--syncing and updating wirelessly instead of requiring a physical connection to a USB port. The improvements in the iOS mail client, the addition of iMessage, tabbed browsing in the default Safari browser, and the behavior of the Notification Center will all contribute to the success of the iPhone 5.
3. iCloud. Along with iOS 5, Apple will also officially launch iCloud around the same time the iPhone 5 is expected. iCloud will enable effortless, seamless syncing of email, files, music, contacts, calendars, and other content between the iPhone, iPad, and Windows or Mac PCs.
4. The Specs. The iPhone 5 is expected to (or rumored depending on your perspective) to use the same dual-core A5 processor Apple uses in the iPad 2. The processor really just plays catch up to the status quo rather than blowing rival smartphones away, but Apple somehow squeezes better performance and a superior experience out of equivalent, or even inferior hardware.
5. The Camera. The smartphone is quickly replacing the point and shoot, and emerging as the camera of choice for most consumers. It has already put the nail in the coffin of the Flip video camera. But, there is more to digital photos than maxing the megapixels, and most smartphone cameras take inferior quality photos. Speculation suggests that the iPhone 5 will have an 8 megapixel camera, with dual-LED flash for better low-light photography, and that the iPhone 5 camera will set the bar for smartphone photos.
Some of this is based on speculation--we don't really know what the camera functionality or hardware specs will be just yet. But, just the things we already know for a fact are enough to make the iPhone 5 the king of the hill and leave all smartphone competitors playing catch-up.
It will be like June of 2007 all over again.

Elgan: The rise and rise (and rise) of Apple's iOS

When the first iOS gadget shipped in 2007, The New York Times' David Pogue published a list of questions about the new iPhone. The last question on the list was: "Who on earth would buy this thing?"
It's a question nobody would ask today. The phone, and Apple's other mobile devices that run the iOS are succeeding beyond anyone's predictions. Apple says the iOS is currently installed on more than 200 million devices.
Another small thing happened in 2007 that has become a big thing:

Apple filed a patent request for the capacitive touch screen used by the iPhone, iPad and, in fact, by nearly all of Apple's competitors in the market. That patent was granted this week.
One possible outcome of the inevitable court cases to come is that competitors may have to pay Apple a licensing fee for every non-Apple smartphone or tablet shipped.
Since its 2007 launch, there has always been a lot of hype around the iPhone far beyond actual market share. The many brands that run the Android OS collectively own more market share both globally and in the U.S. than the iPhone. And internationally, handsets from giants like Nokia have maintained more sales than those from Apple.
But all this appears to be changing. In the first quarter of this year, Android phone market share declined nearly 3%, while iOS's share rose by more than 12%. Android still has nearly half the smartphone market, and Apple significantly less than that (about 30%.)
These changing fortunes could represent a temporary blip caused by Apple's availability on Verizon. Or it could be a trend.
Another possible trend is the decline and fall of Nokia. That company's smartphone handset market share dropped from 24% to 16% in one year. Apple remained at 17% share while the overall pie grew significantly.
When the iPhone shipped in 2007, nobody -- and I mean nobody -- predicted that Apple would sell more handsets worldwide than Nokia within four years.
A recent survey measuring Web traffic by various devices found that some 97% of all tablet traffic in the United States comes from iPads. And if you think that's high, the number is 100% in Japan and 99% in the UK. (The global average is 89%.)
All these market share and traffic numbers mask a stark business reality: Apple makes vastly more money from mobile devices than its competitors.
Firstly, Apple makes money from handsets, which Google no longer sells. Secondly, Apple makes money from apps -- far more per app than any other platform, and far more apps. For example, last year Google earned about $102 million from apps sales, while Apple raked in $1.7 billion.
Apple's iOS is even more profitable than Microsoft Windows -- 2.3 times higher.
App developers point out that iOS is easier to develop for and monetize than the Google Android platform, and presumably other competitors as well.
The success of iOS devices thus far is nothing compared with what's coming. One report says Apple has ordered two manufacturers to build enough iPhone 5 handsets to sell 15 million in the first month of sales. The new phone is expected to launch in August or September.
A study coming from the Yankee Group next month finds that about 40% of all smartphone buyers in Europe say they intend to buy an iPhone next time they buy a phone.
A reasonably credible rumor from a blogger in China says that China's biggest carrier, China Mobile, will soon announce a deal to sell the iPhone 5.
The current iPhone is available in China only from the No. 2 carrier. Such an announcement would suggest a radical increase in iPhone sales in the world's largest country, and one with an incredible 910 million mobile phone subscribers, where the iPhone is very popular.
Apple currently dominates the tablet market, having sold 25 million iPads to date and possibly over 14 million more iPads in the third quarter. But one analyst believes Apple will sell a billion of them.
OK, OK. It's clear that Apple's iOS is beyond successful, and threatens to dominate global mobile sales in the foreseeable future.
The reason this is significant is that as Apple comes to dominate mobile computing, mobile computing increasingly dominates computing in general.
Over the next five years, we'll see more people using phones and tablets as their main computing device. And I think we can also expect to see current desktop platforms like Mac OS X, Windows and Linux replaced by touch-friendly interfaces like iOS, Android, Metro and so on.
In other words, Apple's iOS is poised to take over mainstream computing.

Future perfect: HTML5 apps that work on all platforms

HTML5 based apps can be accessed from the browser and users wouldn't miss any functionality if they are basically browsing content based apps.
There has been a spate of news in recent times when various big names on the Internet decided to work their way around Apple's app store and started developing HTML5 based web apps. The Financial Times was one of the earlier names which decided to go this route, which believed it would have to make some compromises while going for HTML5 app instead of native app. Users have

to go to the browser to access the Financial Times app, and they can access most of the features available in FT's iPhone native app. Users can even read articles offline, due to the enhancements made using HTML5. Such web apps also have the benefit of working across all platforms whereas native apps have to be reworked on if they have to be made compatible with Android or Windows Phone 7. Another similar piece of news has come from Facebook, where about 80 developers are developing a Facebook version which will open in Safari browser and bypass the iTunes app store from Apple. The project has been codenamed Project Spartan. If everything goes according to plans, whenever users point the browser to Facebook, a dropdown menu will allow them to launch the apps.
The benefit for the users?
Again, the same web app can be accessed from iOS and Android devices too. A South Korean credit card company, Lotte Card has expressed its desire to go the hybrid way - means the core app was created writing HTML5 which was then wrapped around native iOS and Android code to make them suitable for both the platforms. Probably it decided to go the hybrid way because if their app was based solely on HTML5, they would not have been able to use camera and address book of the phone. At the same time, it takes more work to make an HTML5 based app work well compared to native apps, but the users needn't worry about it, it's the headache of publishers.

Top 10 all time favorite iOS apps

Apple, over time, has introduced different apps for different uses and some of them have stayed on top forever. Here is a list of the top 10 iOS apps:

Pocket God: The app places you as the God to a small set of worshippers in an isolated land. The game has additional mini-levels with new storylines. The graphics of the game is enhanced and has a gripping gameplay. It costs $0.99. 

Angry Birds: Angry Birds is a must in any list, be it iOS or Android or Maemo. The gripping and addictive gameplay the app offers has seen enormous popularity since its launch. The graphics is simple yet enhanced with challenging levels. When the game became popular, the developers brought out plush toys and costumes. The best thing about the app is that you get regular updates of levels and additional versions. The app costs $0.99.

Movies By Flixster: This free app gives you access to local movie times and movie theatre locations and has seen great popularity with iPhone users. The app is also popular with iPad users.

AppBox Pro: One app which brings all other gadgetry app under one section for just $1.99. It has a flash light, a currency converter, calculators, alarm clock and a wide list of other useful features in one single pack which is just under 20MB.

Skype: Skype, initially, started off slow but reached popularity soon. In the beginning the app did not allow calls over 3G in the US, but still became a favorite with its web audio and video calling options. Later this free app introduced the feature over Wi-fi and 3G.

Paper Toss: One of the silliest games, but still gripping and challenging where your aim is to toss a piece of paper into a waste bin. The game was made free because in-game advertisements were introduced on the top of the screen.

Shazam: A free app for identifying songs that you liked on the radio. Shazam was one of the first few apps to introduce such a feature. It has been one of the most downloaded apps since its launch.

Tap Tap Revenge 3: The app was available for $1.99. The game integrated great tunes with rhythm tapping. The app has introduced a new top chart song every week from Coldplay, Lady Gaga or Taio Cruz. Tap Tap Revenge 4 was later introduced and made free for download.

Pandora Radio: a customized Web radio was an instant success with iPhone users. The free app made its presence felt when Apple introduced multitasking for iOS.

Facebook: One of the most popular free apps ever downloaded from the App Store. Over a 100 million use the app from their phones to stay connected and socialize. The app evolved over time with improved additions and features.

Apple, Sanofi, Teva, Nordstrom, SinoHub: Intellectual Property

Apple Inc. said it will defend seven iPhone application developers that were accused of patent infringement by Lodsys LLC. The lawsuit and “threats to other Apple developers adversely affect the value of Apple’s license and its business with the developers,” the company said in a June 9 filing to a federal court in Marshall, Texas. Apple asked the court for permission to intervene, saying the developers may not be able to “effectively represent Apple’s interests in this case.” Closely held Lodsys on May 31 accused the

developers of infringing two patents for ways to interact with customers through the apps. Apple said it has a licensing agreement with the Texas company that also covers the app makers. Apple, based in Cupertino, California, said it wants the chance to argue that Lodsys had already been paid once for the technology and wasn’t entitled to a second payment for the same use of the inventions. The infringement claims “are based substantially or entirely on the developers’ use of products and services that Apple is authorized to provide under the license and which Lodsys claims embody the patents in suit,” Apple said. Apple said it needs to be able to protect agreements it has covering more than 425,000 apps. “This litigation has fundamentally disrupted Apple’s relationships with the developers and with other developers, and places in jeopardy the revenue that Apple derives from those relationships,” the company said. Lodsys, which had sent letters to the developers last month demanding licensing fees, said in a posting on its website that it sued faster than it planned after Apple General Counsel Bruce Sewell demanded Lodsys stop sending such letters. “Apple appeared to give the developer community what they wanted,” Lodsys said on its website. “Unfortunately for developers, Apple’s claim of infallibility has no discernible basis in law or fact.” The companies targeted in the complaint are Combay Inc., maker of Mega Poker Online Texas Holdem; Iconfactory Inc., maker of Twitterrific for the iPhone, iPad and Mac; Shovelmate, developer of 69 Positions; Quickoffice Inc., maker of Quickoffice Connect; Richard Shinderman, who made Hearts and Daggers; Wulven Game Studios, maker of Shadow Era; and Illusion Labs. The case is Lodsys LLC v. Combay Inc., 11cv272, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas (Marshall). Sanofi’s Viehbacher Says Canada’s Patent System Behind U.S. Sanofi Chief Executive Christopher A. Viehbacher said Canada’s patent system is inadequate for pharmaceutical companies, the Montreal Gazette reported. Viehbacher, interviewed at the International Economic Forum of the Americas conference in Montreal, told the Gazette that Canada’s patent system “isn’t anywhere near being equivalent to Europe or the U.S.” He said, and the Gazette reported, that what he perceives as the inadequacies of the Canadian patent system sends the world a signal about whether Canada “is really a country that’s dedicated to research or not?” Sanofi-Aventis lost Canadian patent protection for Altace, a cardiac drug, in 2006, causing a decline in revenue, the Gazette reported. AstraZeneca Loses Ruling Over Nexium-Related European Patent Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and 12 other generic- drug makers won a challenge at the European Patent Office to invalidate one of the patents on AstraZeneca Plc’s ulcer treatment Nexium. The European patent agency’s opposition division overturned the patent June 9 after a three-day hearing due to a “lack of inventiveness,” Danielle Wagner, a spokeswoman for the Munich, Germany-based EPO said in an interview. The setback for AstraZeneca comes as it defends some of its European patents for Nexium at a U.K. trial against Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. and two years after it settled related litigation in the U.S. Generics makers are vying for a share of Nexium’s $4.97 billion in annual sales, which made it AstraZeneca’s second-best selling drug last year. AstraZeneca will decide about its next steps once it has reviewed the decision, said Isabelle Jouin, a spokeswoman for the London-based company. She declined to comment on how the decision affects Nexium’s protection against generics. The EPO will publish its written decision within the next two months. AstraZeneca then has the right to appeal. Other opponents of the patent, which was granted in 2009, include Novartis AG’s Hexal and Sanofi’s Zentiva. In dispute is European patent EP1020461. For more patent news, click here. Trademark Nordstrom, Dillard’s Sued Over Magnetic Snap Trademark Nordstrom Inc. of Seattle, Dillard’s Inc. of Little Rock, Arkansas, and three other retail chains were sued for trademark infringement by a maker of snap fasteners. Romag Fasteners Inc. of Milford, Connecticut, said the retailers are selling handbags with magnetic snap fasteners that are falsely labeled Romag products. According to the complaint filed June 9 in federal court in New Haven, Connecticut, among the products that infringe are handbags made by Fossil Inc. Romag sued Richardson, Texas-based Fossil in the same court last November, claiming their products infringed the Romag trademarks and also patent 5,722,126, which covers the magnetic snap fasteners. U.S. District Judge Christopher F. Droney issued an order Nov. 20 in that case, temporarily barring Fossil from selling any bags with the counterfeit Romag snaps. That case is set for trial some time after April 30, 2012, according to Bloomberg data. That case is Romag Fasteners Inc., v. Fossik Inc., 3:10-cv- 01827-CFD, U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut (New Haven). In the case against the retailers, Romag asked the court for an order barring the sale of infringing items, and for their destruction. Additionally, the company seeks money damages, including extra damages to punish them for their actions, and awards of attorney fees and litigation costs. Romag doesn’t allege they infringed the patent in dispute in the other case. Romag is represented by David R. Schaefer and Sean M. Fisher of Brenner, Saltzman & Wallman LLP of New Haven, and Norman H. Zivin of New York’s Cooper & Dunham LLP. The case is Romag Fasteners Inc., v. Dillard’s Inc, 3:11- cv-00929, U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut (New Haven). SinoHub Applies to Register ‘Topolo’ as Chinese Mark for Phones SinoHub Inc., a Shenzhen, China-based developer of software, said in a statement that its application to register “Topolo” as a trademark was accepted by government authorities. The company plans to use the mark as a brand for mobile phones to be sold in China, the company said. Under Chinese IP rules, SinoHub can use “Topolo” as an unregistered mark for one year, after which it will be eligible for final approval as a protected registered trademark. In the same statement, SinoHub said it’s submitted an application to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to sell phones under that brand. Government approval for the sale license may take as long as two months, according to the statement. For more trademark news, click here. Copyright Apple EULA Gets Dramatic Reading by Actor Richard Dreyfuss Apple Inc., maker of the iPad and iPhone, received a tweaking on the CNET.com website for its software licensing. CNET asked actor Richard Dreyfuss to do a dramatic reading of Apple’s end-user license agreement. Four different sound files are posted on the website, including one about the duration of the license that is done in a Dr. Strangelove-like German accent. In his own voice, Dreyfuss reads the section of the license warning against the use of the software “in the operation of nuclear facilities, aircraft navigation or communication systems, or air traffic control systems, or life support machines or other equipment in which the failure of the Apple software could lead to death, personal injury or severe physical or environmental damage.” CNET said that with Dreyfuss’ blessing it’s releasing the recordings under the Creative Commons Attribution License so that users can remix them if desired. Google, WIPO Team up for Web-Based Rights-Management System Google Inc., creator of the most used Internet search engine, is partnering with the World Intellectual Property Organization to set up a music-registration program for 11 West African countries. WIPO, a United Nations agency, said in a statement that a new Web-based system for the collective management of copyright and related rights would be developed and expanded. The system would help rights societies in the relevant countries identify works and interested parties, to make cross-border licensing easier. The countries involved in the project are Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo. WIPO Director Francis Gurry said in the statement that the new system will enable a rights holder to register a work one time and have that information stored across all the member countries. Diabe Siby, who heads Senegal’s copyright office, said the project “has the potential to enable developing countries to participate more fully and effectively in the benefits of the global music industry.” Participation in the system is voluntary, according to the WIPO statement. Google is the technology partner in the Web- based system. For more copyright news, click here. IP Moves Foley Adds Former USPTO Official to Its IP Practice Group Foley & Lardner LLP hired Tony Y. Hickey for its IP practice, the Milwaukee-based firm said in a statement. Hickey joins from the U.S. patent and Trademark Office where she was deputy chief of staff. There she was a senior adviser on executive policy, legislative and USPTO operational issues. She has also served as an intellectual property attache for the USPTO in Mexico City where she advises embassy officials and U.S. companies doing business in Mexico on IP protection. During her time at the USPTO, Hickey also worked as a trademark examining attorney, and argued before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. She has an undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado and a law degree from Southern Methodist University.

What will Apple announce at WWDC 2011? We round up rumors in the wild

Apple is gearing up to kick off its Worldwide Developers Conference Monday morning, so it’s no surprise that the Apple rumor mill has been in full effect this weekend. We already know that Apple will discuss iOS 5, Max OS X Lion, and iCloud at WWDC, but the specifics have so far eluded the tech community. So far, we have what may be an early glimpse at the new notifications system in iOS 5, as well as word that Apple’s Time Capsule may get a major upgrade to work with iCloud.

The purported iOS 5 notification screenshot (right) comes from TechCrunch’s MG Siegler, who’s definitely hedging his bets on the image’s accuracy. It features a Twitter notification showing up on the top of the iPhone’s screen, instead of in a garish message in the middle of the screen. Siegler notes that this particular design would already fit in well with the current iOS workflow that puts tethering and mid-call notifications at the top of the screen. His sources say that the image has the “right idea.” Last week, we reported that Apple hired a jailbreak app developer who developed a replacement notification system for iOS, and last year Apple poached WebOS developer Rich Dellinger, who spearheaded that platform’s gorgeous notification system. At this point, it’s a given that Apple has been working on revamping its iOS notifications for some time, so you can rest certain that something new will be shown off tomorrow. Apple may also announce extensive integration between its Time Machine backups and iCloud, CultofMac’s Leander Kahney reports. An Apple source tells him that the company has developed a way to access files from its Time Capsule router and backup device (which is set up on a home network) through iCloud — potentially allowing users to access their files anywhere on iOS and Mac OS X devices (and presumably any computer with a web browser). Time Capsule will then be positioned as a network attached storage device (NAS) instead of just a simple way to backup files. Kahney says that a new version of Time Capsule, potentially powered with iOS and running Apple’s A4 or A5 chips, could be announced tomorrow as well. Kahney writes: “This service will also allow you to upload photos and videos from your iPhone or iPad to your Time Capsule. The media will be stored on the device and be made available for other devices to sync. iCloud is the “conduit” through which everything moves, the source said.” Meanwhile, John Gruber over at Daring Fireball adds a bit of clarity to the relationship between iCloud and Apple’s not-quite-secret cloud music streaming service (which is rumored to cost $25 a year). “Music storage is a feature of iCloud; iCloud is not a music service,” Gruber writes. He later notes, based on “fourth-hand information”, that we should think of iCloud as a replacement to iTunes, instead of just a replacement to Apple’s MobileMe service. Specifically, Gruber says that iCloud could erase the need to sync your iOS device with iTunes on your computer for media, apps, contacts, calendars, files and more. That certainly would cover some of MobileMe’s territory, and Apple could potentially just give up on MobileMe altogether.

Apple rumored to add system-wide Twitter integration to iOS 5

As rumors swirl of an upcoming image service from Twitter, a new report alleges that Apple will participate as a major launch partner with system-wide support in iOS 5. Various sources have confirmed that Twitter plans to announce a photo-sharing service, reportedly called Twitter Pictures, at the D9 conference later this week. TechCrunch now reports that Twitter has lined up Apple as a key partner for the upcoming service. Though a number of popular third-party image services already cater to Twitter users,

the company is reportedly moving to take more control of its product in hopes of creating a more consistent user experience. Of course, money could also be an issue, as sites like Yfrog make millions by selling advertising next to images uploaded by Twitter users. According to the report, multiple sources have said that Apple's iOS 5 will have Twitter's image service "baked into the OS" with a "Send to Twitter" option similar to the current integration of YouTube in iOS. "A tipster informs us that one trigger happy Apple iOS designer has already released a test link into the wild," Alexia Tsotsis said in a separate report for TechCrunch, though she declined to provide the link. John Gruber of Daring Fireball took things one step further, hinting at possible deeper integration. "So close to the bigger story, but yet so far," Gruber said of the report. "Imagine what else the system could provide if your Twitter account was a system-level service." Apple confirmed Tuesday that CEO Steve Jobs will unveil iOS 5 next Monday at the Worldwide Developers Conference keynote. iOS 5 is also rumored to include "deep" voice command integration. Last week, reports emerged that Apple will revamp notifications and widgets in iOS 5. WWDC kicks off Monday, June 6 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. In addition to iOS 5, Apple will present Mac OS X 10.7 Lion and introduce its new iCloud service. Last month, sources told AppleInsider that the iCloud service, which is expected to replace the existing MobileMe product, will store more than just music. Apple is rumored to be pursuing licensing deals with movie and TV studios for the forthcoming service.

Apple's 'Retail 2.0' overhaul launches with interactive iPad displays(Photo-Gallery

Apple retail stores have taken the wraps off Apple's new retail upgrade, which makes use of interactive iPad displays to provide product information, pricing and features.

Apple launched "Retail 2.0" on Sunday morning in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Apple retail stores, as noted by Mac Prices Australia. The Cupertino, Calif., company opened its first retail stores on May 19, 2001, in McLean, Virginia and Glendale, Calif.

According to the report, the main change is the addition of stationary iPads placed next to other Apple products in order to display product prices, information and features. The touchscreen tablets can also be used to compare models and ask for help from a specialist. Photos of the new iPad display units reveal that the devices are placed in plexiglass.

The iPads appear to be running a custom software, as customers report that pressing the home button on the tablets does nothing. Though the power cable for the device does not appear to connect to the dock, one person familiar with the matter said the cable is indeed connected to the dock connector, but is "very well hidden." Also, detaching the cable will reportedly activate an alarm.

Some reports also suggested that Apple retail employees were wearing party hats to celebrate the occasion. Customers reported via Twitter that the Apple store updates created a "totally new experience."

AppleInsider revealed on Wednesday that Apple was stockpiling iPads in preparation for a retail overhaul. The new in-house iPads were due to be rolled out alongside an updated version of RetailMe, Apple's proprietary retail software.

Apple reportedly scheduled overnight shifts for retail employees in preparation for the updates to the Apple store. AppleInsider was first to report in April that Apple was blocking employees from taking vacation from May 20 to May 22. Mandatory meetings have been scheduled on Sunday morning and evening for Apple retail staff.

Apple has also taken offline the Order Status page from its website until Sunday, May 22 in order to perform a system update.

A recent report claimed Apple will update its "Apple Store" retail app for iOS this weekend, adding full build-to-order purchasing options to the application. Apple first released the retail app last year with support for stock configuration orders.

Next iPhone Might Have Over-the-Air Updates [REPORT]

The day where you don’t have to plug your iPhone, iPad or iPod into your computer to update its operating system might be close at hand. There’s a report that iOS 5 will be capable of over-the-air updates.

According to 9to5 Mac‘s multiple sources, Apple has been negotiating with Verizon Wireless to provide the over-the-air updates, but the sources wouldn’t comment on whether the same negotiations were taking place with AT&T.

For iOS updates to be delivered over-the-air, Apple will need to make fundamental changes in the way its updates work. For one thing, Apple will need to stop requiring a download of the entire operating system for a simple update.

My take: Today, I updated my iPhone to iOS 4.3.3 (fixing that location tracking problem that caused such an uproar lately), and as it always does, the phone’s data was backed up onto my laptop, and then the entire iOS 4.3.3 was downloaded, all 662.3 MB of it. That’s not going to be easy to do over the air, especially if you’re using 3G or 4G.

Perhaps Apple will let these updates take place only over Wi-Fi connections, as it does for some large app downloads. Even if that’s the case, just for the sake of efficiency it would be a good idea to send incremental updates, similar to the way Microsoft has been updating its operating systems for years, in small pieces as they become available.

This would be a long-awaited and welcome capability — a feature that’s commonplace in the Android operating system. So how much longer must we wait? Of course, Apple’s not saying, but general consensus is that iOS 5 will launch when the iPhone 5 ships, and now the latest iPhone rumor is that it won’t be happening in June or July, as many had hoped. Another recent report said the next iPhone would be shipping in September.

Are you hoping for over-the-air update capability, and do you think it’s on the way?

Why You Should Not Buy An iPad 2: iOS(Gallery Foto)

Like many tech enthusiasts, I followed last week’s Apple event closely. Steve Jobs unexpectedly took the stage, but the company announced an expected product: the iPad 2. Although not nearly as revolutionary as the original, the second generation model brings refined hardware improvements. Extras such as cameras are also a great addition, however there is one major flaw: iOS.
Do Hardware Specs Matter?
This questions comes up quite often and the answer is not simple. Apple’s original iPad was a game changer since there was nothing else like it on the market. Tablet PCs had been around for ages, but they still ran a desktop operating system. While I adore Windows 7 and use it primarily for all my work, it is far from being ideal for tablets. With the introduction of iOS, hardware specs for tablets became more along the lines of a smart phone rather than a laptop computer.
Although 2010 was definitely the year of the iPad, 2011 has an entirely new landscape. Competition such as the BlackBerry PlayBook, HP TouchPad, Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10, and LG G-Slate each offer a very similar set of features. There are some benefits and drawbacks to each which we highlighted in our series of infographics, but the specifications are roughly the same. They are so close in some regards that it truly does not make a difference to consumers.
Software Matters Too

While hardware specifications were all the rage for ages, easy to use and intuitive software has pushed for consumer friendly devices. Apple made a great decision when they chose to run iOS on the iPad instead of Mac OS X last year. The interface was efficient, familiar, and simple. The iPhone was already a hit and the iPad was a perfectly complement to the family.
Although I do not own an iPad, I spent some time using and reviewing it last year. There were many missing features at the time, however iOS ran incredibly smoothly. Fast forward a year later, not much has changed aside from the addition of multitasking. The new iPad 2 makes things faster with a dual-core processor, but the operating system is nearly identical.
This creates a major issue for Apple as we head into the flooded market of tablets in 2011. The current iOS for the iPad is essentially an enlarged version of the operating system for the iPhone and iPod touch. The platform was a great start, but the original design does not take advantage of the tablet form factor. Although I was hoping for a new refreshing interface, Apple did not announce a major software revamp for the iPad 2 aside from a few minor enhancements.
The Competition Has Caught Up

There are many amazing iPad apps that take advantage of 9.7 inch screen, but the operating system does not go far enough. Google, HP, and RIM have started from the ground up with new tablet operating systems that take the slate form factor into consideration from the OS level. BlackBerry Tablet OS, webOS 3, and Android 3.0 Honeycomb each offer many user interface improvements which are more innovative and intuitive than iOS.
For instance, HP’s latest webOS 3 lets users stack sets of applications together for organized multitasking. Google’s Android 3.0 Honeycomb has an impressive notifications panel for keeping up to date with the latest information without letting pop ups disrupt work flow. It is not just about multitasking and notifications either, these new breed of tablets offer creative home screens with widgets and improved navigation for getting things done fast.
It’s Also About The Apps

In addition to beyond impressive sales, Apple’s App Store count is far ahead of competition. Steve Jobs proudly noted that there are over 65,000 iPad optimized apps while less than 100 are available Android tablets. It is also important not to forget that the quality of apps also matter. Apple’s out of the box apps are amazing and many third-party apps are even better.
However, you will probably change your mind once you try Android 3.0 Honeycomb. The default bundled apps truly highlight the true potential for Google’s new operating system. Everything from the Browser, Calendar, Chat, Contacts, Email, Maps, and Music apps are incredibly innovative. They look gorgeous, have more features, and actually very easy to use. This is a small indicator of the likely nature of upcoming third-party Android tablet apps.
Keep in mind that the Motorola Xoom is the only Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablet on the market so far and it is than a month old. Apple iOS for the iPad is about a year a more mature than all the others. Competitors, including Google, are still far behind Apple when it comes to tablet sales, but they are move up the ladder faster with better technology.
To Buy Or Not To Buy
If you are ready for a tablet, you may want to think a moment before dropping cash for the iPad 2. It is a great product, but it is only a slight advancement to the previous iteration. Apple has yet to announce or make any mention of iOS 5. It is unclear what the next generation operating system will offer or if every feature would even carry over to the iPad 2. Other tablets already have a head start with features such as 4G connectivity, integrated mobile hotspots, flash player, video chat over a cellular network, and expandable storage. While the iPad 2 will by no means disappoint if you know what you are getting, consider the available options if you are open to unique alternatives.