Oct
16
2010
162
comments
 

FaceTime Group Video Chat?

Posted by at 1:15 pm

One of our forum members, 42395_skyline, has found an interesting key in FaceTime’s code. From the looks of it, future updates to FaceTime may enable multiparty conference calls with 3 or more people. This would work extremely well on the iPad’s large screen, and would give Apple the edge over competing business-centric tablets (like BlackBerry’s Playbook) for corporate use. Skype also recently updated their Windows application to support group chat for up to 5 people, so matching this would be the logical next step for Apple.

<key>AllowsMultipleConnections</key>

	<false/>




Setting the value to ‘true’ may enable this hidden feature, so if any daring members want to try it out, feel free. And let us know what happens!


The file is located at:


/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/IMCore.framework/imagent.app/PlugIns/FaceTime.imservice/ServiceProperties.plist


Awesome find skyline!
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Oct
16
2010
33
comments
 

Jailbreak Gold for Current A4 Devices

Posted by at 11:20 am

@MuscleNerd has stated that they (the dev teams) may have figured out a way to ensure an untethered jailbreak for all future firmwares on the current crop of A4 devices, such as the iPhone 4 and iPod touch 4.

This means that enthusiasts and hackers will be able to jailbreak any current device on, hopefully, and future firmware. The reason the limera1n exploit isn’t pwned4life is because it requires a userland exploit in addition to the previously mentioned exploit to make it untethered.

This is still not a certainty, but the future of jailbreaking the newer A4 devices does look very bright.

[@MuscleNerd]

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Oct
15
2010
2
comments
 

FaceTime in Middle East Works on the iPod Touch

Posted by at 11:42 pm

A few weeks back, many users in the Middle East (customers of the UAE’s du network specifically), were notified that FaceTime would not work on the iPhone 4 over 3g – or even WiFi. Since cell phones have to go through the carrier before it can be purchased by a customer, it was unknown if the iPod Touch would have the same restriction set in place.

Luckily, iRamadah is reporting that users can chat with FaceTime on the fourth generation iPod Touch. It appears that the limitation on the iPhone was put fourth by carriers due to network limitations, and not by Apple or a governing body. Since a majority of the networks in the region have disabled the feature, it’s still a possibility that there is in fact more to the story, but it is also possible that they just have a non-compete agreement with each other.

A breakdown of FaceTime’s availability on carriers in different countries can be found on Apple’s website.

[9 to 5 Mac]

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Oct
15
2010
42
comments
 

“Cut the Rope” Fastest Selling iOS Game

Posted by at 7:44 pm

Cut the Rope, a simple physics-puzzle game created by ZeptoLab, has sold over one million paid copies in just 10 short days, making it the fastest selling iOS game ever. It dethroned Angry Birds as the #1 Paid App within a few short days of its release, and now occupies the top spot in most markets worldwide.

The goal of the game is to slice a rope connected to a peppermint candy, causing it to swing into the mouth of a frog-like monster. Of course, it gets much more complicated than that, and requires you to have good timing and a basic understanding of Newton’s Laws. The developers are promising to update the app with additional levels, so it will keep you busy for quite some time.

A mysterious package has arrived, and the creature inside has only one request…CANDY! Help get the candy to Om Nom, the adorable monster, in this highly innovative and addictive puzzle game. Combining outstanding physics, devilishly tricky levels, and bright colorful visuals, Cut the Rope is one of the most original and fun-filled games on the App Store.

The game is $.99 on the iPhone, and $1.99 on the iPad.

[Mashable]

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Oct
15
2010
4
comments
 

NYTimes for iPad Free Until Early 2011

Posted by at 10:40 am

The New York Times has released a major (much needed) update to their iPad application. The revamped app offers much more than just the “Editor’s Choice” articles from version 1.0, and now includes over 25 different sections for registered users. They have made the application and all its content free until early 2011, when they will start requiring a subscription. Earlier this year, the Editor in Chief of the newspaper said that they will being a “metered pricing” structure, which would give subscribers to the print publication free access to all the newspaper’s content from the web, and unsubscribed users would only have access to a “certain number of articles” unless they pay a flat fee.

If this new pricing model works well for the Times, other publications will be sure to follow suit.

Introducing the enhanced New York Times app for the iPad –– free until early 2011. Now with all of the sections, articles, videos and photos you expect from The Times.

The NYTimes iPad app now includes over 25 Times sections, including Arts, Technology, Politics, Science, Style and more. Experience breathtaking new sections for Photos and Video. Read a selection of the latest Times blogs. Share articles, photos and video through Facebook, Twitter and e-mail.

Once you download the app, you’ll instantly get free access to four sections: Top News, Most E-Mailed, Business Day and Video. To get unlimited access to all sections, simply log in with an existing NYTimes.com account or register for free within the app.

[iTunes]

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Oct
14
2010
14
comments
 

An Inside Look at iOS App Development Costs

Posted by at 9:00 pm

One of the developers of the Twitterrific iOS application has posted an insightful reply on StackOverflow (a programming Q&A site) about the potential development costs of a mobile application. He estimates that a high quality app can run well over $200k during the course of two months, with two developers working 60 hours a week. Of course, if you’re developing an application in your free time, hourly rates can’t be calculated as expressly; just as if you were building a new deck, you wouldn’t charge yourself for the labor.

Twitterrific is an extremely polished application, so many apps would be cheaper to develop – but on the other end of the scale, full-blown games or complex applications could cost much, much more. It’s interesting that despite the massive development costs, applications can still manage to be wildly profitable, even if they sell for just a few dollars. The App Store shows how selling in volume to millions of users can win over a high price tag.

Read on for Craig Hockenberry’s full explanation.

[Twitter] [StackOverflow]

(more…)

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Oct
14
2010
58
comments
 

Limera1n Now Available for Mac

Posted by at 2:06 pm

Despite Geohot saying that a Mac version of Limera1n would be “7 years away”, the OS X build of the jailbreaking tool just went live on his website. Get it while it’s hot!

via @MuscleNerd

Hacker resonance! @wizdaz & geohot both got Mac code working 4 hours ago. limera1n now out for Mac

[Limera1n]

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Oct
14
2010
22
comments
 

Verizon to Sell iPad – But Not Like That

Posted by at 8:31 am

Starting October 28th, Big Red will begin selling the iPad at over 2,000 stores nationwide, to be used with their 3G network. But – there’s a catch. Verizon will only carry the WiFi iPad, and bundle it with their MiFi 2200 Mobile Hotspot for wireless tethering. Not exactly an elegant solution, but if AT&T has poor service in your area, the added bulk could be worth it. The bundle will cost $630, $730, and $830 for the 16, 32, and 64 gigabyte models respectively. Additionally, the MiFi service will cost users $20 per month for 1 GB of data, and like AT&T’s current offering, will not require a contract.

AT&T will also begin to sell the iPad at their stores on October 28th, for the same price. Of course, theirs will be the standard 3G model.

It’s interesting that Apple has allowed AT&T’s main competitor to sell the tablet, and it may hint at a newfound partnership between the two companies.

[Gizmodo]

Read on for the full press release.

(more…)

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Oct
13
2010
26
comments
 

Wi-Fi Sync 2.0 Beta Invites

Posted by at 8:00 pm

The guys behind the brilliant Cydia app Wi-Fi Sync are overhauling the app with a ton of new features, including support for the latest iDevices and “direct integration with iTunes”. They plan to release version 2.0 this December, but have opened up an invite request page so you can test it out before the official release.

  • Sync your iPhone over Wi-Fi, 3G, EDGE and/or VPN
  • Major stability and speed improvements
  • Native support for iPad & iPod touch 4G
  • Direct integration with iTunes

It’s unknown how many invites will be sent out, but if it’s “first come, first serve”, you should probably head over to the sign-up page. Also, if you purchase the current version, the update to 2.0 will be free.

Thanks Appman!

[All Tech Related]

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Oct
13
2010
28
comments
 

Apple Nabs #3 Spot in US Computer Sales

Posted by at 4:59 pm

The International Data Corporation has released this quarter’s market share numbers for computer vendors worldwide, and it’s looking good for Apple. In the United States, Apple has surpassed Acer as the 3rd largest vendor, and now accounts for 10.6% of the US market share, a 24% relative increase over last year. The growth for other vendors remained stagnant, which shows that more and more people are choosing Macs over PCs. HP and Dell remain the number 1 & 2 sellers, both with nearly a quarter of the total market share.

As noted by CNet, Apple is selling Macs at a rate eight times faster than PCs. Incredible, considering that they are up against an army of PC vendors. As a whole, the US only saw a meager 3.8% increase in computer sales over last year, 7% less than projected. If the current trend continues, Apple will gain a healthy lead over Acer, but will need to more than double their sales in order to catch up with the top two. Keep it up, Apple!

[Business Wire]

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