iPhone OS 4.0 Beta 2 Released
iPhone OS 4.0 Beta 2 (Build 8A248c) has been released by Apple today.
My first attempt to install and restore from my last backup failed. Apparenlty the SDK is required to backup and restore when upgrading from Beta 1 to Beta 2. In other words - FML because I didn't see that and now I've lost saved Camera Roll photos and any new messages since the last time I was able to sync successfully.
Updates since Beta 1:
- New Features/Functionality
- New Multitask App Switch Animation
- Wallpaper settings now provide the original wallpaper to revert to if you change it
- New Bugs
- Screenshots are disabled/broken - perhaps in response to too many devs posting screenshots of the OS O:-)
- Camera/Video app freezes after taking a photo
- Messaging bubbles slightly distorted
- Geotag Map doesn't allow exploration of photos from Pins
- Keyboard appears when initiating an MMS from the Photos app, but subject and message fields do not align properly, causing the 'send' button to be pushed behind the keyboard
- Data connection seems to be more stable
- Fixed Bugs
- Messages now rotate to landscape view
- Messages do not sporadically scroll while sending a message anymore
- Improved overall OS response time
Any one else see anything new/improved/fixed since Beta 1? Shout out in the comments!
iPhone OS 4.0 Beta Release History:
| Release Date | Beta Build | Days since last Beta |
| 4/8/2010 | Beta 1 (Build 8A230m) | N/A |
| 4/20/2010 | Beta 2 (Build 8A248c) | 12 Days |
iPhone OS 4.0 Beta
iPhone OS 4.0
It's been just a little over a week since Apple released iPhone OS 4.0 Beta 1 (Build 8A230m) and there are a LOT of bugs! Between missing message keyboards, to stuck springboard icons, this first beta is definitely in need of some TLC. After the jump are a bunch of my screenshots; but, before that, here is a list of just a few of the bugs I've run into:
- Title bar does not rotate with the rest of the screen at all times
- Data Connection is not stable and frequently receive "Internet is not available" errors
- App Store Error: The operation couldn't be completed. (SSErrorDomain error 100.)
- Springboard icons "stuck" when swiping
- Integrated Apps (Photos, Maps, Notes, etc) crash when attempting to establish an Internet connection
- Messages no longer rotate to landscape mode (not sure if this is a bug, or intentional change?)
- Severe latency in Multitasking between Messages and other apps
- Missing text/subject & keyboard when selecting photo from Photos app to MMS
- Messages app clears any existing subject line when adding a photo to message
PS - When are they going to release a beta for iTunes? I'm getting tired of it not supporting Folders yet! Grrrr!
Enjoy the screenshots!
iCaved
Don't judge me! I couldn't resist! My friend Brian and I went to the mall to do some shopping and I'm completely blaming him for my $700 impulse buy. We played around with it for a while and while I had my doubts, I am completely enamored with it. I also chose to get the WiFi version (64 GB) instead of waiting for the 3G version for one simple reason: Everywhere I would be using it, has WiFi! Why would I pay an extra $130 for just the 'capability' for 3G and then an additional $30/month for service (no, I wouldn't get the $15/month service for 250 MB 'cuz let's be real... I'd blow that out of the water)?
As for why I decided to splurge on the $700 device... it makes sense for me. Do I need it? Certainly not. Don't I have a great laptop? Yes, I have a 15" MacBook Pro. So why did I get it? Uhhh 'cuz I wanted it! (Duh!) But besides that, I don't have to lug my entire laptop (and external drive) downstairs when I want to browse Facebook, Twitter, or just read any of the numerous blogs I visit daily. In addition, it makes blogging remotely very convenient. I'm not managing any files, or editing in Photoshop during most of that time. I'm also very excited to see what changes are in store for iPhone OS 4.0 for the iPad. I have a feeling we're going to see great things from the iPad... and not too far from now.
Now on to the good stuff! As I'm sure you've all already know, the iPad runs the same OS as the iPhone and the iPod Touch - with a few minor differences. The iPad was launched with iPhone OS 3.2 (iPhones currently are running 3.1.3). Here are a few of the differences I've noticed:
- Backgrounds!: The Home Screen now supports background images... it's about damn time! This has obviously been a user requested enhancement since day one on the iPhone and has been accomplished via jailbreaking your phone; but, not supported by Apple. It seemed to be a relatively easy enhancement that they could have included on any number of the updates we've received over the last 3 years. In any case... it's here and it'll be nice to customize my $300+ device. The iPad background must have looked mighty empty with just a black screen.
- Dock: The Dock can now support up to 6 apps/icons and also has a new image.
- Home Screen Rotation: Also a highly requested update to the iPhone is the rotation of the home screen icons when the device is turned into a landscape position. Apple looks to have brought this to the iPad in 3.2. It remains to be seen if it will also translate to the iPhone.
- Spell Check: Spell check is introduced in iPhone OS 3.2. While typing, the iPad will still auto-correct just like the iPhone; however, in some cases, it will not auto-correct a misspelled/unknown word and underline it in red. At this point, a simply tap to the word will provide suggested corrections to allow you to choose from.
- Hold to Mute: Since there is no "Mute Switch" as there is on the iPhone (this is replaced with a Screen Lock switch to prevent the screen from rotating), you can mute the audio on the iPad by just holding the Volume Down button and the volume will immediately jump to mute.
- Picture Frame: While locked, you can launch a digital slideshow that is configured in settings. Glad this one is built in and I don't have to pay for a silly app to do it.
- iBooks: I mentioned previously that I'm not completely sold on this feature just yet... and while the screen is stunning, reading might be a bit weary on the eyes. I'll update after I download and read a large novel... that is, if I can still see after.
- Battery Life: On a day to day basis, it holds its own. Supposedly up to 10 hours of use... but on standby it's lasted a few days.
A great review of the iPad is at Daring Fireball and I'm pretty much in sync with their points.
Most of the other differences are just enhancements to existing apps which take advantage of the larger screen. All in all, I rescind most of my negative comments about the iPad and am looking forward to the Fall to see what iPhone OS 4.0 has in store for the iPad.
Anything you want to know about the iPad or want my opinion on? Just ask in the comments!
iPass on the iPad (for now at least…)
So far... I am not that impressed with the iPad. For one... the name... really Apple? We couldn't come up with something a little more creative? I doubt I'm not the only one who thinks this, but isn't it just a overgrown iPod Touch at this point??
Here are my thoughts on some main points:
- Operating System & Processor: The iPad runs on the iPhone OS and based on the SDK that was released today, will start running on iPhone OS 3.2, which is not currently out to iPhone users. The power behind the iPad is Apple's hefty 1GHz A4 processor... the demos show it to be preforming pretty well... although in my opinion, the OS seems to be pretty... lacking. I'm hoping that future releases will reveal more functionality and capitalize on the potential that this product has.
- No multitasking: Really Apple??? Now, this may just be because it's an early preview/release of the device... also, I believe this may be because they don't want to steal too much thunder from the iPhone OS 4.0 update which is expected to be announced in Apple's March event. The 1st Gen iPhone was missing a lot that we take for granted now and was complained about for months, even years for a few features: MMS, Copy/Paste, iTunes, App Store, Push Notifications... so I'd expect multitasking, as well as potentially Flash support (not holding my breath on that one), somewhere down the line. New ways to run "background" apps was touched on in the leaked features of 4.0 last week so hopefully it'll blow us away!
- Connectivity: Obviously, I expected Wi-Fi, and it makes perfect sense to offer a 3G Cellular model as well (allows them to compete with Integrated Laptops and Netbooks); but what I am surprised by is the plan pricing... $14.99/month for 250 MB, and $29.99/month for unlimited data. This goes against AT&T's 5GB cap on the existing DataConnect Plans. Apple totes the iPhone, iPod Touch, and now the iPad's ability to access the web and e-mail... over and over again, there is a huge focus on the Internet and e-mail. These are the main drivers for the amount of data used on these devices... half the price of the current pricing and really unlimited? I'm a little skeptical... but we'll see. With that being said... I have to boast a bit... all you cynics can suck it... Apple chose AT&T - AGAIN! Get over your delusions of Verizon supporting an Apple product until LTE is in place... and even then, stable. CDMA is an archaic technology and their network couldn't support either of these products. As for their LTE network... talk to me in 2 years when they actually have it working (and again, stable).
- Applications: I am curious to see how current and new applications for the iPhone/iPod Touch will be redesigned to take advantage of a full multi-touch screen. While I expected Apple to release their iWork suite, iTunes, etc... it's interesting to see how they adapt the application to focus almost completely on finger gestures with minimal input from a keyboard even.
- iBooks: This one I'm not completely sold on just yet. One of the main reasons eBooks haven't quite taken off yet on computers/laptops is due to the screen! Staring at a monitor or laptop screen for hours is not really good for your eyes. The Kindle uses electronic "paper" displays which actually uses ink just like books, but displays the ink particles electronically... no glare, sharp text and images... I don't know how it works but all I know is it looks great and doesn't hurt your eyes! We'll see how well Apple does on this one.
- Customization: I won't lie... the first thing I noticed was the background image. Please tell me this is a sign that Apple is finally cluing into our need to customize our iPhones beyond the lock screen wallpaper!
- The Name: Who thought of this... so not kidding... who thought "iPad" would be a good idea? Don't you guys bounce these things around the office? Or better yet... GOOGLE IT?! Immediately after they announced it, I couldn't count how many links to MadTV's iPad skit popped up on Twitter and Facebook. I mean, I get it... Notepad... iPad... got it... but what about iTablet, or iSlate, or ANY of the other names floating around the Internet. If anything... you couldn't see "iTampon" coming from a mile away??? Advertising fail for sure.
- iPhone OS 3.2 SDK: Available today, the iPhone OS 3.2 SDK has been released and includes a few promising features. Two that popped out at me were the iPad's external display support via the Dock connector, and File Sharing. Hopefully these two features will translate to the iPhone as well. SDK documentation states 3.2 will not run on the iPhone though, so we may have to wait a little bit longer for some of these features (if any)... most likely in 4.0.
I think the iPad, despite the name, has great potential. I'm excited to see what's in store for future updates and generations.
Sources:
iPhone OS 4.0 Features Leaked
Can't wait for next Wednesday's Apple Event!!!!
Here are some iPhone OS 4.0 features, according to our guy:
• There will be multi-touch gestures OS-wide. (Would make sense for that as the rumored OS for the iTablet is close if not the same as the iPhone)
• "A few new ways" to run applications in the background - multitasking.
• Many graphical and UI changes to make navigating through the OS easier and more efficient. We haven't had this broken down, but we can only hope for improved notifications, a refreshed homescreen, etc.
• The update will supposedly be available for only the iPhone 3G and 3GS, but will "put them ahead in the smartphone market because it will make them more like full-fledged computers" more than any other phone to date. Everyone is "really excited."
• The last piece of information is the most vague, but apparently there will be some brand new syncing ability for the contacts and calendar applications./via Gizmodo
iPhone MMS Update Available
Since the original iPhone was first launched on June 29, 2007. Since that day, iPhone owners have been waiting with baited breath to get MMS on the iPhone. It made sense that Apple pushed a few items to the side in order to make their launch date. The list of desired features and functionality for the iPhone is quite long; but MMS was always near, if not at, the top. Today, AT&T has finally launched MMS for the iPhone in the US after Apple announced the iPhone 3GS on June 8, 2009. Since then, AT&T has been working to make the experience the best possible and no doubt will have to continue to work hard to keep it up and running since wireless usage triples every year. Regardless, it's finally here! This morning, a Carrier Update was made available via iTunes. To enable MMS on your iPhone, simply connect to iTunes and click "Check for Update". A message will appear* advising you that an update is available and prompts you to install it:
The update will take only a few seconds. Once completed, restart your iPhone and ta-da!, you've got MMS!
*Note: The MMS Update is only available to those running iPhone OS 3.1.
As a coworker said... Welcome to 2003!
AT&T iPhone MMS Launches 9/25/2009
I just got an e-mail bulletin (which is also available publicly) that announces MMS for the iPhone! Now you all have a damn date and can stop complaining! :-) Here are the bullet points:
- Today, AT&T announced that it will offer MMS functionality for iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS on September 25, 2009.
- At launch, Apple will support MMS for iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS through the iPhone 3.0 software update. MMS will not be supported on original iPhone. If customers desire more info they may contact Apple.
- The MMS functionality will be enabled with a software update on the launch date. Customers can obtain the update from iTunes, just like all other iPhone updates.
- While MMS cannot be provisioned until the launch date, AT&T and Apple will be prepared to help customers with any questions.
Below is the Public Announcement from AT&T:
AT&T’s Public Announcement: http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=1574
An Update on iPhone MMS for our Mobility Customers
We know many of our iPhone customers are eager for an update on our rollout schedule for Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS). We’ve been working for the past several months to prepare our systems and network to ensure the best possible experience with MMS when it launches – and today we can announce that launch date: September 25 for iPhone 3G and 3GS customers. MMS will be enabled through a software update on that day.
We know that iPhone users will embrace MMS. The unique capabilities and high usage of the iPhone’s multimedia capabilities required us to work on our network MMS architecture to carry the expected record volumes of MMS traffic and ensure an excellent experience from Day One. We appreciate your patience as we work toward that end.
We’re riding the leading edge of smartphone growth that’s resulted in an explosion of traffic over the AT&T network. Wireless use on our network has grown an average of 350 percent year-over-year for the past two years, and is projected to continue at a rapid pace in 2009 and beyond. The volume of smartphone data traffic the AT&T network is handling is unmatched in the wireless industry. We want you to know that we’re working relentlessly to innovate and invest in our network to anticipate this growth in usage and to stay ahead of the anticipated growth in data demand, new devices and applications for years to come.
We thank you for your business and look forward to keeping you updated on our initiatives.
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