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Apple TV 3.0.1 Update, Users Urged to Update

Cory Bohon — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:25:38 -0600

Apple issued an important update for Apple TV users today that fixes a bug that could cause content to disappear.

Users were informed via e-mail that if they downloaded the 3.0 update that they should subsequently update to the new 3.0.1 update.

According to the e-mail and a support note, "There is an issue with Apple TV software version 3.0 that can possibly cause your content to disappear after a period of time. All customers running Apple TV software version 3.0 should immediately restart their Apple TV and then upgrade to Apple TV software version 3.0.1."

You can download this update by selecting Settings > General > Software Update from the Apple TV menu.

A Great Game...If You're About to Reformat Your Hard Drive

J Keirn-Swanson — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:40:14 -0600

The rules of the game are simple, as simple as the game's title Lose/Lose. Here's how creator Zach Gage describes the game: "Each alien in the game is created based on a random file on the players computer. If the player kills the alien, the file it is based on is deleted. If the players ship is destroyed, the application itself is deleted."

Posing as questioning our assumptions about our behavior when we "are given a weapon an [sic] awarded for using it, that doing so is right, " Gage's game also seeks to get users/viewers to think about what it means when we begin to prize our virtual possessions, our data, as much as if not more than actual physical possessions. Part meditation on virtual data, part philosophical tweaking on shooter game mentality, the game is considered plenty dangerous by many.

lose/lose from zach gage on Vimeo.

Even the creator reacts that way: "I'm surprised anyone has played it," Gage said. "I'm shocked."

While the game clearly spells out in multiple steps prior to installation and prior to playing what the game will do to your files and your hard drive, apparently there are people who are curious or dumb enough to install the game and play. Enough concern has been generated that the game has attracted the notice of Symantec, Sophos and Intego, who dub the game malware, each of them calling it a Trojan.

According to Kevin Haley, Symantec Security's director of product management, "We are concerned that somebody could take this and modify it in some way where users aren't aware of the consequences." While we admit that that is technically possible, at that point the file in question isn't Gage's, nor can we see how the security firms came about their classification of Trojan.

Now, having said all that, any takers? Who's up for a quick round? Anyone? Anyone?

Rumor: AT&T Getting an 8GB iPhone 3GS?

Christine Chan — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:24:23 -0600

While there have been rumors that an 8GB iPhone 3GS could be headed to Canada's Rogers network, as reported by BGR, there are now rumors that AT&T is planning to replace the $99 8GB iPhone 3G with the faster iPhone 3GS.

According to BGR's sources, AT&T customers will be able to purchase an iPhone with a faster processor, more RAM, and a better camera for the same price just in time for the holidays. This would unarguably be a great sales boost for Apple.

Also, the source claims that this could also be AT&T's way of combating the Droid madness from Verizon.

We'll see soon if this is the real deal.

iPhone Tethering on OS 3.1.2

Cory Bohon — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:58:30 -0600

Many iPhone users were dismayed when Apple released an update that killed the tethering hack for iPhone OS 3.1. Never fear, there's a new way to enable that good ol' tethering once again.

MobileCrunch has posted a series of steps that can help you get tethering on your iPhone 3G/3GS back in no time at all. It does require you to jailbreak and unlock your device (not for the feint of heart), but their post does a great job explaining exactly what to do.

Here's the basic steps:

1. Download blackra1n (Mac or Win) and jailbreak your device

2. Unlock your device with the blacksn0w application that's included on your device after the jailbreak

3. Install the custom carrier settings (IPCC) file from Mobile Safari

4. Enable tethering in the settings

MobileCrunch has the full tutorial with screenshots.

via LifeHacker

Alleged iPhone 4G Parts Appear in China

Liam Widman — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:04:28 -0600

China Ontrade says that this is the iPhone 4G Midboard. Not all that interesting in itself, but the last time they said they had parts for a new iPhone (3GS), the iPhone 3GS appeared a month later with those exact parts. This means that China Ontrade might be telling the truth about this new midboard for the iPhone 4G.

In May of 2009, China Ontrade said "This is great honor for China Ontrade (HK) chinaontrade.com to be the 1st started to supply iPhone 3gen 2009 parts directly from factory." This was treated as a rumor and nothing more. But then in June, the iPhone 3GS came out and China Ontrade's parts were confirmed to be in the iPhone. Somehow, the China wholesale comapny got the parts one month before the product hit street level.

Now China Ontrade claims they have real pieces for the upcoming iPhone 4G, which in theory, is supposed to be released next summer, as all the iPhones have before it, but this leak is against Apple's production style. Apple, like many other companies, produce everything right before they need it. This is because they don't want to have millions of parts lying around, only to discover they need to change something, and have to start over.

Some speculate that the iPhone 4G launch could be moved up to compete with Google Android 2.0, even though Apple COO Tim Cook said that Google phones, "are still just trying to catch up with the first iPhone two years ago." Not to mention that the iPhone 3GS only came out 5 months ago.

Of course, we can't ASSUME that any of this means anything about the iPhone 4GS release. The only thing we know is that China Ontrade has a history of being right about their claims, so it would make sense to assume this is an actual iPhone 4G part. But when placed against Apple's release date history and style of manufacturing, it may all be a publicity stunt.

What do you think? Are these parts the real deal?

Music Movies on iTunes

Liam Widman — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:50:24 -0600

In a bid to increase movie sales, Apple is featuring more alternative content in the iTunes store. Today, they've introduced the "Music Movies" library and added a landing page to promote releases. Music movies are music themed movies, concerts, and documentaries showing a lot of behind-the-scenes footage.

While at the moment the collection is limited, Apple does offer a few movies that are only available on the iTunes store, like the Kings of Leon concert DVD and U2's 'Rattle and Hum' and 'John Lennon Imagine'.

Apple also plans to negotiate early release of some music-themed movies for the iTunes store so people can buy them there long before they come out in stores.

100,000 Apps in App Store!

Liam Widman — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:35:03 -0600

Apple announced today that their iTunes App Store has surpassed the 100,000 apps mark, making it the largest application store in the world. iPhone and iPod touch customers in 77 different countries can go online and download from the amazing range of 100,000 apps within 20 different categories.

App Store users have downloaded over 2 billion apps making it the most popular application store as well. “The App Store has forever changed the mobile gaming industry and continues to improve,” said the Vice President of Worldwide Studios, EA mobile. “With a global reach of over 50 million iPhone and iPod touch users, the App Store has allowed us to develop high quality EA games that have been a huge success with customers.”

Apple recently updated the App Store with things like Genius for App Store Essentials selections, sub-category listings, and more valuable customer reviews. Plus, the new iTunes 9 is making it easier for users to organize and sync their apps and have them appear on your iPhone or iPod touch with the same layout. Additionally, the new in-app purchase feature allows people to buy the full version of an app, from within the free version.

Apple Corps Releases A Beatles Apple

Liam Widman — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:29:53 -0600

The Beatles' songs may have not come to the Apple iTunes store, but they will arrive in a small green apple USB device.

The new Beatles apple is selling for $279.99, and will be released on December 8, almost 3 months after the September 9 (9/9/09 because of the song "Revolution 9") release of the remastered set of Beatles albums, along with the, oh so amazing, Beatles Rock Band video game. The apple shape is a reference to Apple Corps, which was the Beatles' music publisher, who also sued Apple Computers for because of a trademark dispute in the past.

In addition to all the Beatles songs in MP3 and FLAC format, the 16 gigabyte USB drive will have "all of the remastered CDs' visual elements, including 13 mini-documentary films about the studio albums, replicated original UK album art, rare photos and expanded liner notes."