Apple has released its iPhone Software 2.2.1 Update for the iPhone, iPhone 3G, first-, and second-generation iPod touch. According to Apple, the iPhone update offers “bug fixes and improvements,” including improved stability for Safari, and a fix for an issue where some images saved from Mail didn’t display correctly in the Camera Roll. The iPod touch update also fixes an issue that caused some Apple Lossless files to skip during playback. iPhone Software 2.2.1 is available now through the Update feature in iTunes.
Archive for the ‘iPod touch News’ Category
Apple Releases Software 2.2.1 For iPhone, iPod Touch
Tuesday, January 27th, 2009iPod-Ready Video Downloads Offered On You Tube
Monday, January 19th, 2009YouTube has begun to offer a click to download option on select videos. The downloaded mp4 videos are encoded in the iTunes-friendly H.264 format, and are sized with a maximum width of 480 pixels to maintain compatibility with most portable media players, such as the iPod and iPhone. The feature mirrors a prior download feature offered on Google Video, which had not been brought over to YouTube.
iPod Touch 2.2 Update Omits Google Maps Improvements
Thursday, November 27th, 2008The iPod touch version of the iPhone Software 2.2 is available now from iTunes 8.0.2 by selecting your iPod touch under devices and clicking on the check for update/update button. It is free for users with earlier 2.x iPhone Software. Along with the release of the iPhone 2.2 firmware, Apple has published the iPod touch 2.2 update, a separate download through iTunes. The software contains most of the upgrades of its iPhone equivalent, such as autocorrection toggle, mobile podcast downloads, and improvements to mail. Also present are a variety of security and stability foixes, for components like Safari, Office Viewer and Wi-Fi connrctivity, particularly when dealing with WPA protected networks.
The update appears however to exclude any of the iPhone’s upgrades to Google Maps, such as Street View, public transit navigation or sharing information via e-mail.
The iPod touch version of the iPhone Software 2.2 is available now from iTunes 8.0.2 by selecting your iPod touch under devices and clicking on the check for update/update button. It is free for users with earlier 2.x iPhone Software.
iPod Chief Papermaster Countersues IBM
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008Mark Papermaster, the ex-IBM executive recruited by Apple to succeed iPod creator Tony Fadell and lead the company’s devices engineering unit, has filed a countersuit against his former employer, Court documents reveal that Papermaster is challenging his non-compete agreement as being unjust since it blocks him from working for any tech company in the world for one year. The surprising move comes on the heels of a bond set earlier this week, which would allow the executive to seek financial compensation from IBM if the court determines that he was unjustly barred from his position at Apple.
Papermaster argues that the problem with his broadly phrased non-compete agreement with IBM prevents him from working any tech company for one year, not just Apple. H e also noted that his previous work on blade servers at IBM had nothing to do with the work he would do at Apple.
iPod Triggers Chinese Patent Infringement Case
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008Apple and two affiliated companies have been sued in China for patent infringement, according to People’s Daily Online. Two Beijing residents, Cai Yaohua and Chen Shaohua, are said to hold a patent for an intelligent audio server; the individuals believe that their technology is being used illegally in iPods, as well as a number of other players. The case will bring Apple, Apple Computer Trading, and Whuan COODOO before the Wuan Intermediate People’s Court. The patent in question was applied for in 1996, and finally granted in 2002.
Apple has had to defend the itself against several similar claims in the past, including a suit filed by Creative in 2006 that accused the iPod-maker of knowingly infringing on a Zen patent relating to user interfaces. Another suit filed this year, on behalf of inventor Henry Milan, argued that Apple violated a connecting mechanism patent.
Apple Releases 2.0.1 Update For iPod Classic
Friday, November 14th, 2008Apple has released Software Version 2.0.1 for the iPod classic (120GB). According to the release notes, Software 2.0.1 adds support for Apple’s upcoming In-Ear Headphones and Earphones with Remote and Mic, and fixes a bug with saving Genius playlists, along with other minor bug fixes. Software Version 2.0.1 for iPod classic (120GB) is available now via the update feature in iTunes, and does not work with 80GB or 160GB iPod classic models.
Apple Releases Software 1.0.3 For iPod Nano 4G
Friday, November 14th, 2008Apple has released Software Version 1.0.3 for the fourth-generation iPod nano. According to the company, the update adds support for Apple’s new In-Ear Headphones and Earphones with Remote and Mic, a setting to turn off Cover Flow when rotating, and a Cover Flow menu item in the Music menu. Other changes include fixes for instability issues with the Nike + iPod Sport Kit, problems with album art and photos distorting after playing a slideshow and waking from sleep, respectively, and other general bug fixes. Software Version 1.0.3 for the fourth-generation iPod nano is available now via the Update feature in iTunes.
Fourth-gen iPod nano owners can obtain the update by connecting their iPod to their computer, selecting the iPod from the left-side device list in iTunes, and then selecting the ‘Check for update’ option.
Court Blocks Apple’s New iPod Chief From Working
Tuesday, November 11th, 2008The drama between Apple and IBM continues. Under a federal court order Mark Papermaster, Apple’s new iPod chief has been ordered to immediately cease his employment with Apple Inc. until further notice.
Papermaster is a 25-year veteran of IBM, who recently left the company to accept the position of SVP of Hardware Engineering, replacing Tony Fadell who will be now be Special Advisor to the CEO.
IBM’s lawsuit alleges that by joining Apple, Papermaster has violated a noncompete agreement he signed in which he agreed not to work for a competitor for one year if he left the company.
Papermaster claims in a counter-filing that Apple and IBM are in two totally different businesses: The former a consumer products company, the latter a high-end server manufacturer.
Lawyers for both sides have to submit papers by Nov. 11, and the court will hear the case on Nov. 18. Apple said they will comply with the court’s order but are confident that Mark Papermaster will be able to ultimately join Apple when the dust settles.”
Update On Norway’s Push For Open iTunes Store
Tuesday, November 11th, 2008Bjoern Erik Thon, the country’s Consumer Ombudsman had given Apple until November 3rd to comply with his country’s demand that Apple open up iTunes downloads to all players.
The deadline, which seems to have meant either getting rid of FairPlay DRM on the Norwegian iTunes Store or providing a justification for why the DRM is still there. The deadline came and went with FairPlay still in place.
While Apple has since changed its user conditions, and included detailed instructions on how to burn iTunes downloads to a CD and then convert them to DRM-free MP3s usable on any device, those moves weren’t seen as enough of a solution for Norway’s Consumer Ombudsman.
A clear timeline for the case hasn’t been provided just yet, but preparations would probably kick off in either December or January, to be followed by a trial in the spring or early summer of 2009.
Apple Continues to Benefit From Low Flash RAM Prices
Wednesday, November 5th, 2008Analysts report that one reason Apple has been able to keep profits high is because of the constantly dropping price of NAND flash memory, the kind used in iPhones and iPod touches. The trend also looks as though it will continue, despite growing demand for the product in all sectors of the IT industry. Apple also uses this type of memory in it’s solid state drive equipped laptops, such as the MacBook Air.