iOS 5.1.1 released: Do not upgrade if you jailbreak your device

Apple has just released a new version of iOS for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Don’ t update if you jailbreak your device.

Changes are as follows:

This update contains improvements and bug fixes, including:

• Improves reliability of using HDR option for photos taken using the Lock Screen shortcut
• Addresses bugs that could prevent the new iPad from switching between 2G and 3G networks
• Fixes bugs that affected AirPlay video playback in some circumstances
• Improved reliability for syncing Safari bookmarks and Reading List
• Fixes an issue where ‘Unable to purchase’ alert could be displayed after successful purchase

Hackstore: Is it Cydia for the Mac?

When you hear the Hackstore; the first thing that comes to mind i s well…Hacks. That however is not the case with this off the grid store.  HackStore is one  a centralized place  for third-party developers of  OS X applications to showcase applications that Apple will not approve. This of it as  Cydia but for software. Cydia is the alternative to app store on your jailbroken iDevice. Apple may not approve of jailbreaking or the Cydia store but that has not stopped them from blatantly stealing ideas from its developers. The most recent example is Wifi Sync for the iPhone. It was such a good idea that Apple incorporated it into iOS 5. They even kept the same logo that the developer came up with.

The point is that alternative app stores are where developers can get their apps out into the world. Its a way around the wall garden that Apple has setup. Also known as Apple’s approval process. The developers of Hackstore say that piracy will not be tolerated in their app store. Although just like Cydia, there are a lot of “crack” repos. If you want to give the  Hackstore a try. You can Download it for the Mac OS X.

Facebook buys Instagram: This is how to transfer your pictures out.

When I heard that Facebook had brought my beloved Instagram; I was shocked, angry, sad, and finally at peace. Someone told me those are similar emotions felt when you lose a loved one. It was enough to open the floodgates to Android. I was happy for that move but to sell out to Facebook is taking a big plunge into the unknown. Everyone is aware of the privacy issues Facebook has. That is the reason I hardly use the social network.

Instagram is a model of what all programs hope to be. Loved and valuable. Instagram managed to attract not only a loyal but dare I say rabid fan base. The side effect of that success was the release of a plethora of clones on the AppStore harping for some of the spotlight. None however could manage to shine brighter than the original.

What I noticed right away was that Instagram had no advertisement. No pop-ups, not so much as a in app upgrade feature. The app it’s self was free to download. So, that’s millions of users on a nonmonetized app. Surely there must be a plan to cash in. It seems there was a plan brewing behind the curtain. One wonders how many meetings Instagram had with Facebook before papers were signed. Was the release of an Android app a stipulation of the deal or was it a show of good will? Did millions of downloads overnight jack up the asking price?

1 billion dollars!? That’s $1,000,000,000 for what can best be described as Flickr with filters mixed with Twitter. To be fair, to Facebook that’s pocket change. Never the less, Facebook does not spend money without a plan. Look for tight integration between Instagram and Facebook. Further integration means full out control by Zuck and company. That is a red flag for me. I’m one of those people that like to get into things before they become trends and ruined; I mean part of pop culture.

Instagram has lost that hip and exclusive feel for me. Not to mention my concerns with how Facebook will analyze my pictures. If you’re like me and want to jump ship but need a lifeboat for your pictures; rejoice for there is hope. Like the Holy Trinity there are 3. Three options to take your pictures with you. Copygr.am, InstaBackup and Instaport. The latter has gone down due to high traffic. I tried all three and Copygr.me had all my pictures, over 400 of them in my inbox within 5 minutes. Don’t frank out, you get a zip file. Even if you don’t leave Instagram, it’s good practice to backup your pictures before Facebook closes the API.

What will Apple do with $100 Billion? Today we all find out on the conference call

WHAT: Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, and Peter Oppenheimer, Apple’s CFO, will host a conference call to announce the outcome of the Company’s discussions concerning its cash balance. Well over $90 Billion Apple® will not be providing an update on the current quarter nor will any topics be discussed other than cash.

WHERE: Via conference call. The dial-in number for press is (877) 616-0063 (toll-free) or (719) 219-0041. Please enter confirmation code 592016.WHEN: Monday, March 19, 2012 at 6:00 a.m. PDT/9:00 a.m. EDT

REBROADCAST: The conference call will be available as a continuous rebroadcast beginning Monday, March 19 at 9:00 a.m. PDT/12:00 p.m. EDT through Monday, April 2 at 9:00 a.m. PDT/12:00 p.m. EDT. The dial-in number for the rebroadcast is (888) 203-1112 (toll-free) or (719) 457-0820. Please enter confirmation code 6274937.

WEBCAST: Apple will provide live audio streaming of its conference call using Apple’s industry-leading QuickTime® multimedia software. The live webcast will begin at 6:00 a.m. PDT on March 19, 2012 at www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/call31912 and will also be available for replay for approximately two weeks thereafter. The webcast is available on any iPhone®, iPad®, iPod touch® or any Mac® or PC running QuickTime 6 or later. If you do not have QuickTime installed on your Windows PC, it is available at www.apple.com/quicktime.

How to install Apps that require you to have 5.1 without updating your iOS to 5.1

Apps that require iOS 5.1 tend to be Apple’s way of fighting the Jailbreak community. It’s not like the iPad 2 or iPhone 4S are not compatible with the new updated apps. If only there was a way around this limitation. Glad you asked. There is a way around it and it is pretty simple. The work around works for  iPhoto, iMovie and so far all apps that have asked me to update to 5.1 Please note this method only works on iPhone 4S, iPhone 4 and iPad 2.

The steps to install 5.1 apps on your 5.0.1 device is as follows:

1. Close AppStore if you have it opened. Don’t forget to check the multitask bar as well for it.
2. Start up iFile (It’s a jailbreak app in Cydia)
3. Once in iFile go to /System/Library/CoreServices
4. Click SystemVersion.plist file
5. Click Property List Viewer
6. Click ProductVersion
7. Change 5.0.1 to 5.1
8. Click back and and then click Done
9. Respring your iOS device
10. Go to App Store and install your desired app.
11. After it is successfully installed put ProductVersion back to iOS 5.0.1
12. Click Cydia
13. Search for iPhoto501Fix and install it
14. Respring your device
15. Enjoy

iPad 3 or iPad HD: Here is what to expect

 

Apple + press conference in San Francisco tomorrow. This means only one thing. Apple will have an announcement that will change the landscape of the world once more.  As always supply chains have leaked all kinds of info. As a result we have a pretty clear picture of what the iPad 3 will look like. We will find out tomorrow.  Here is what we can expect.

•  Retina display that should have  (2,048 x 1,536)
• 4G LTE connectivity
• Quad-core thanks to the Apple A6.
•  Thicker case thanks to the bigger battery and LTE chip
• Same battery life
• 8-megapixel camera just like the iPhone 4S.
• iOS 5.1
• Same prices at $499, $599 and $699, and cellular connectivity available for each at a $130 premium.

Will we be right? Tune in at 1PM

iPad 3 already on the way to stores?

WeiPhone seems to think that Foxconn is sending iPad 3′s to the U.S. Funny thing is that the iPad 3 has not even been announced to the world yet. The rumors are  flying all over the place but when is a rumor about an Apple product not.

The translation of the document says: “Our company started undertake a load of top-secured cargo. The owner has extreme requirements for the security. In order to prevent the cargo from being dragged on the airport ramp for too long, as well as shortening the time the cargo stay on the airport ramp, we hereby require XXXX to schedule all the XXX cargo planes from Feb. 26 to Mar. 9. to XXX slot.”

If the document is to be believed then shipments should hit  stores by March 9th.  The wonderful blog site 9 to 5 Mac  said that Apple would take pre-orders of the iPad 3 this year and the entire iPad 2 line would be discontinued. If the rumors are true, iPad 3 will have Retina display, a Quad Core processor, a real cameras, same battery life and 4G.

iPad 3: Seems to be real and coming real soon

There are  images of the iPad 3′s new case design. These are always are early clues to how the new designs will look. Although they are not perfect; they are close enough to get an idea of what is to come.  Apple’s next  tablet should be released just next month. The iPad 3 should have Retina Display, an 8-megapixel camera,  4G LTE and a larger battery but the same battery life.  Word is that Apple will unveil the iPad 3 at a press conference on March 7th.

Apple iPad just keeps eating Blackberrys

 

Apple’s iPad pretty much owns the tablet mar­ket. It’s competitors really can not compare. Sorry competitors I have more bad news. iPad’s enterprise market share is growing. One wonders does more tablets mean less windows machines?

Good Tech­nol­o­gy a enter­prise mobile ser­vices ven­dor reports that Apple’s iPad account­ed for 96% of tablets acti­vat­ed at the com­pa­nies that use the com­pa­ny’s ser­vices. The iPhone accounted for 53% of new phone activations. That is a very big percentage. It comes out to be about 71% of  mobile enter­prise devices  iOS. That does not sound very good for Blackberry, Android  and Windows device.

Tweet from Siri

It is looking very good for the world of Siri. I can not wait to see what comes out next for it.