streaming service from Apple… well at least for the iPod event…

Apple announced in a press release that they will be providing live streaming of the iPod event tomorrow…  Which makes me think they might be using this to let us know they will have some sort of streaming service ready to launch… With so many music providers popping up, it is only a matter of time before Cupertino decides to toss their hat in the ring… Could this be the surprise of tomorrow’s event?  We’ll see…

See the PR note here

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Apples & Oranges, iPod, iTunes, Speculation

iOS Nike+ heart rate monitor support most likely an iOS 4.2 addition later this year (Updated)

UPDATE iOS 4.2 for iPhone, iPad, and iPod confirmed for November

UPDATE 2 As execpted Nike+ HRM support did not appear in iOS 4.1 GM, but there is a strong chance it will be in iOS 4.2.

We reported a couple weeks ago that iOS heart rate monitor (HRM) support was coming this fall. Logically I assumed (or wishful thinking?) this would fit nicely with the final iOS 4.1 release. As of beta 3, released August 3, there was no support, but I was hoping to see it introduced in beta 4. It’s been almost a month since beta 3 was released and with the fall event scheduled for tomorrow, there is basically no chance we’ll see this in iOS 4.1.

If not in iOS 4.1, I thought we might be waiting till iOS 5 for support. Remember there was no iOS 3.2 release last year (not counting the special iPad only version) and this isn’t something you’d see in a small iOS 4.1.1 update. However, I did suggested there was a small chance for an iOS 4.2 release later this year, which could definitely include HRM support.

John Gurber suggest, due to the lack of iOS 4.1 iPad beta, there is a good chance for a 4.2 update later this year:

As for the iPad, no, I don’t think 4.1 is going to be released for it. iOS 4.2, coming late in the calendar year, is a more likely unification release for all iOS devices. Think about it — how can Apple release iOS 4.1 for the iPad next week if they haven’t released a single beta for developers?

This makes sense a lot of sense and backs up my hopes for a possible iOS 4.2 release for iPhone, iPod, and iPad. This update would happen before years end and still fits in with the fall prediction, which covers from early September (labor day) through late December (around the 20th).

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Featured post, iOS 4.1, iOS 4.2, iPhone, iPod, Nike+, Speculation

I’m hoping Apple drops “touch” from the iPod name tomorrow

While everyone else is excited about the new iPhone like iPod touch hardware, iTunes streaming, iTV, and whatever other crazy rumors are out there, I’m hoping Apple decides to rename the iPod touch to just iPod. The iPod touch is Apple’s premier music device so it makes perfect sense to me to call it the iPod, while calling the other music devices by their full names; iPod classic, iPod nano, etc.

Just think about it, we would never again have to hear someone call it the iTouch!

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iPod, Speculation

Skype app updated to include iPod multitasking

Skype finally released their 2.1 update, with multitasking, after only a month of coming soon (short for them) on July 21st. There was one oddity that I missed in this update, but Seth Weintraub of 9to5Mac pointed out in this follow up tweet to me:

What’s New In This Version: “… Multitasking is available only with iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS.”

That’s right, Skype thought it would be a good idea to not allow the 3rd gen iPod, which can run the new iOS 4 without issue, to run in the background.

Skype has seen the error of their ways with update 2.1.1:

- You can now disable IM alerts.
- The dialpad is now more responsive.
- The behavior of the volume, when Skype interacts with other Apps, is now much better.
- When your status is set to Do Not Disturb, notifications are not shown when Skype is in the background.

Multitasking is available only with iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod 3rd Generation running iOS 4.

Thanks Skype, now how about some video calls?

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iOS 4, iPhone, iPhone apps, iPod, Skype, Tips

Kindle and iPad screen, under the microscrope

iPad (left) vs Kindle (right) at 26x

Keith from BIT-101 compared the iPad, Kindle, Newsprint, and magazine all under the microscope for our viewing pleasure. You can really see the difference in pixel based LCDs vs the electronic paper display of the Kindle, which tries to mimic real paper. Remember this is compared to the standard screen, not the new retina display seen on the iPhone 4. Check out the BIT-101 link for all the photos, some at 375x!

(via iClarified)

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Apple vs ?, iPhone, iPhone 4, Kindle

Nike+ heart rate monitor to support iPhone and iPod touch this fall

UPDATE Didn’t make it in iOS 4.1, but hoping to see it soon in iOS 4.2 betas, slated for a public release this November

Little birdie just let us know we should see Nike+ heart rate monitor support coming to the iPhone and iPod touch this fall. Currently, it only supports the 5th generation iPod nano and Nike+ SportBand. Many Nike+ users, myself included, were disappointed after waiting (…and waiting) for the rumored feature, only to find out it wasn’t compatible with Apple’s top products. No surprise, there has been no official word from Apple or Nike on when we should expect support.

This time frame lines up nicely with the iOS 4.1 public release, which should happen after the annual fall iPod event in September. iOS 4.1 is the next logical time for inclusion of a new feature, but so far there have been no signs of HRM support in the iOS 4.1 betas. There are at least a couple more betas to go, but if it doesn’t make it into the final release I’m thinking we’ll be out of luck till iOS 5. I just don’t see an update like this, especially with all the Nike+ issues on iOS 4, coming in a small 4.1.1 update. There is a small chance it could be added later in a iOS 4.2 update, although there wasn’t an iOS 3.2 update last year (iOS 3.2 was an iPad only, stop gap measure until iOS 4.1). Hopefully next Tuesday’s beta 4 brings us a Nike+ HRM surprise!

This info is from a reliable source and I believe it to be true, but there is always the chance for delays with any software or hardware release. For example, the HRM hardware was delayed a week from the rumored release date of June 1st. You’ll also remember we were all expecting over the air syncing with iOS 4 when it appeared in the betas, only to disappear before the final release (it’s back and working on iOS 4.1 beta).

Follow me on Twitter @justin_horn

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iOS 4.1, iPhone, iPod, Nike+, Speculation