streaming service from Apple… well at least for the iPod event…
by Chiyin on Aug 31st, 2010 @ 7:23 pmApple 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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iOS Nike+ heart rate monitor support most likely an iOS 4.2 addition later this year (Updated)
by Justin Horn on Aug 31st, 2010 @ 1:58 pmUPDATE 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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Nike+, Speculation, iOS 4.1, iOS 4.2, iPhone, iPod
I’m hoping Apple drops “touch” from the iPod name tomorrow
by Justin Horn on Aug 31st, 2010 @ 12:29 pmWhile 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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Nike+ heart rate monitor to support iPhone and iPod touch this fall
by Justin Horn on Aug 13th, 2010 @ 4:31 pmLittle 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).
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John Gruber on the Verizon iPhone: Yes.
by Justin Horn on Aug 11th, 2010 @ 7:19 pmIf there are going to be millions of CDMA iPhones in January, we’re going to start hearing about signs of production.
[...]
But I do know that engineering-wise, the wheels are turning on N92, the CDMA variant of the iPhone 4. It’s certainly not in production yet, and hasn’t reached DVT status (device verification test — like Gray Powell’s infamous stolen unit), but it is, a few little birdies claim, at EVT (engineering verification test). That’s one step below DVT, which is one step below production. So it’s right about where you’d think it would be if it were scheduled to go on sale in January. The CDMA iPhone is no longer a cold storage, keep-it-alive-just-in-case-we-need-it project.
Gruber takes the CDMA chip orders, mixes that in with a few of his little birdies, and he has himself a solid argument. I’ve been on the side saying it won’t happen, at least not until LTE. I argued Apple would stick to making one phone per year, to keep cost down, in my post Economy of Scale. I thought, why would they go to all the trouble to make a special phone just to support Verizon? Maybe, as Gruber suggest, they’re not just making it for Verizon, but Sprint and lots of other CDMA markets throughout the world. Also, not sure if it’s technically feasible, but what about a single iPhone that supports CDMA and GSM networks. If either of these is true, this argument holds no water.
What about other issues, like a CDMA iPhone owner wondering why they can’t talk on the phone and look up movie times like they just saw in that commercial? With this one iPhone per year model so entrenched in everyone’s mind, it will be hard for people to understand why the Verizon iPhone works differently than the AT&T iPhone. I’m not sure of other noticeable GSM/CDMA differences, so this could be a non-issue.
I offer a third argument, Verizon and Apple themselves. I ignored this before because I was so caught up with technical side of it, but I think this is the strongest reason for no Verizon iPhone. We know how stubborn Apple has been with the iPhone control already, letting AT&T know who is running the show. The issue here is Verizon is just as stubborn and powerful. Great example of this is Verizon, not the handset manufactures, owns the Droid name. Gruber joked today on The Talk Show: Episode 3, that a Verizon iPhone deal could fall apart because Apple says no to the Verizon logo on the back of the iPhone…it’s funny because it could be true. Also, don’t forget that Verizon has publicly bashed the iPhone with their Droid Does campaign and have very strong ties to Google (net neutrality anyone?). Remember this is the “the summer of Droid”.
Gruber goes on to point out:
The key bit: “At the critical juncture […], when they should have gone for market share, they went for profits.” I think this encapsulates Jobs’s philosophy since taking over Apple in 1997. Take the high end of the market first, establish a brand and presence, then steadily start to expand.
If they’re at that juncture with the iPhone now, expansion means CDMA. And in the U.S., it means Verizon.
I agree that Apple wants to expand the iPhone to more markets and now is a great time. The iPhone has a well established name and filled out most of the must have features (still waiting on a better notification system). The timing, CDMA chip orders, and especially Gruber’s little birdies have now convinced me that the N92 CDMA compatible iPhone is just around the corner. To be clear, I would love nothing more than a Verizon iPhone to help spread the load to more towers, but ask me whether I think we’re going to see it happen and I still have to say no.
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White iPhone delayed until the very end of the year?
by Justin Horn on Aug 10th, 2010 @ 2:03 pmTiPb got there hands on a letter from Orange in the UK on the white iPhone:
We wanted to let you know that there won’t be any white iPhone 4’s in the UK until the end of the year.
If you’re happy to wait another few months we’ll let you know as soon as they’re back in stock. want an iPhone 4 now?
Alternatively, if you want it now, click here or visit your local Orange shop to get the iPhone 4 Black 16GB or 32GB today. Best wishes
Orange
It’s possible the US will get it first and earlier, but doesn’t look good if you are still waiting.
Related Poll: when will white iPhone 4 be released?
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