iPod Touch 2.1 Firmware Out the Door
10 September 2008 10:25 EST
Chris Barylick
Late Tuesday night, Apple released version 2.1 of its iPod touch firmware.
According to AppleInsider, the update is available through iTunes and adds many of the features found in the newly-released second generation iPod touch handsets that aren't dictated by hardware improvements.
Such changes include the "Genius" feature, which can automatically create playlists of related music, software-related optimizations to improve battery life and assorted bug fixes.
Apple has yet to post a full list of specific updates for the 2.1 version, though the software is a free upgrade for any iPod touch owner using version 2.0 or later of the firmware; those using version 1.x of the firmware will need to pay a US$9.99 fee to procure the 2.1 update.
The current readout reads as follows:
The version 2.1 update for iPhone and iPhone 3G users will be free but will appear slightly later, launching on Friday.
If you've had a chance to play with the version 2.1 firmware, let us know what you think over in the comments or forums.
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Next-Gen iPod Touch Hint Found in 2.1 SDK Firmware Beta Code
30 July 2008 09:03 EST
Chris Barylick
The iPhone/iPod touch 2.1 firmware has been seeded to the developer community and new features have been hinted at in the software including turn-by-turn GPS tracking.
According to iPhone Atlas, analysis of the iPhone OS 2.1 file structure revealed the use of a new product name. Previous to this beta release, the iPod touch was referred to with the model moniker "1,1". However, in the beta release, it is instead referenced to as the "iPod touch2,2", signifying that it is a second generation device.
Though Apple has yet to make any official comments about a refresh of the iPod touch, this serves as an interesting clue of what's to come.
If you've seen or heard anything on your end about this, let us know in the comments or forums.
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Apple Releases iPod Touch 1.1.5 Update
16 July 2008 08:01 EST
Chris Barylick
Late Tuesday, Apple quietly released version 1.1.5 of its firmware for the iPod touch. According to MacNN, the update, a 165.5 megabyte download, simply provides generic bug fixes and may offer a slight performance boost when compared to firmware version 1.1.4.
In order to apply the 1.1.5 update, connect your iPod touch to your Mac, decline the paid firmware 2.0 version update and download the 1.1.5 update from there.
If you've tried the iPod touch 1.1.5 update and noticed any changes, let us know over in the comments or forums.
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Favorite App Store Application (Update)
16 July 2008 06:00 EST
Kenn Marks
TripLog/1040 by Stevens Creek Software, a previous Palm Software provider, is the ultimate application for the Ultimate Road Warrior. If you are a person that lives on their iPhone and in and out of your vehicle for business, this application is a must.
TripLog lets one track vehicle mileages on up to three different vehicles keeping all the information in a local data container to be emailed when you desire to have them on your Laptop or Desktop. The shipping version 1.0 does not include some of the features added to version 1.1 over the weekend, like better button placement and interface redesign as well as the ability to use actual start/stop odometer readings, as opposed to the original interface where you had to do your own math and enter the distance traveled milage into the program, if you do not use the trip odometer to track trips.
Being a person who has kept a log book and pen in the car for years and faithfully enters my start and stop milage whenever I go anywhere in the car, this is a Godsend. Now no more writing the information in the log, then finding the time to transcribe all that information into a spreadsheet before filing a business tax return. Another feature that is a time saver is the "Frequent Trips" feature where you can enter a destination, purpose and an average mileage. These can be pulled up at any time when you visit that customer or location again. Even though you enter a mileage in "Frequent Trips", it can be overridden with actual mileage the day the trip is made. All reviews of this at the App Store are in reference to the initial release 1.0 not the current but non shipping version 1.1.
Now, if only Apple would update the App Store with the latest version, everyone else can benefit from these recent enhancements. Updates to this article will be made to let the readers know exactly how long it takes for the App Store to update the Application database.
UPDATE: The developer is still making improvements like the recently released Video Tutorial which walks you through every aspect of using their application. The developers are supporting the users by making timely updates to their applications but here it FIVE days since this app has seen revisions but Apple has not released it to iTunes for use by the general public. They are allowing the developer to update the descriptive content live as can be seen in the iTunes application description, but not the actual application.
Sold on the App Store for US$12.99, it's probably the best investment since purchasing my first iPhone on Day One in 2007.
Let us know what you think over in the comments and forums.
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Category: Review/Software/iPhone/iPod touch
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iPod Touch Supplies Running Low in Some Areas
18 June 2008 11:20 EST
Chris Barylick
In a move that dovetails with recent promotional advertisements, stocks of some iPod touch models are beginning to run low according to one Wall Street analyst who noted that the announcement of the US$199 iPhone 3G will pressure Apple to alter its pricing on high-end media players in the next few months.
According to AppleInsider, Lehman Brothers analyst Ben Reitzes has observered that the 8GB iPod touch is now showing a small but significant delay of one to two business days for orders made from Apple's online store, while chain retailer Best Buy has seen reduced supplies of 16GB models at its own locations.
The slight shortages of the 8GB model are likely due to Apple's recent back-to-school promotion which offers a free iPod touch to students when purchased with a new Mac. As a result, demand may be surging ahead of supply.
Without the benefit of educational sales, though, Best Buy's stock changes are more difficult to explain. Reitzes offered no immediate prediction in his report but noted that Apple is under pressure to take action on the iPod to realign its prices in the wake of the iPhone 3G.
Click the jump for the full story...
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Leaked Photos Point to Possible New iPod Touch Screen
05 June 2008 12:47 EST
Chris Barylick
It's leaked, but it's interesting.
The guys at iLounge have gotten hold of a picture of two possible new displays for the iPod touch - one a 2.8" version, the other a 3.2" version. Both sizes would be a reduction from the 3.5" screen found in the current model.
The manufacturer, Host Optical, has shown what it describes as a "projected capacitance touch panel" along with a collection of features that would point towards the displays being superior to those used in the original iPhone. Per the company, the displays have "no significant" aging effect in which they become progressively less sensitive over time and are claimed to be waterproof, more durable over time and resistant to high humidities and temperatures.
Since one of the major concerns over current-generation iPhones is the continued touch sensitivity of their screens, Host’s version could be a nice step up.
The article states that there's little to no change that the 2.8" screen will be found in Apple's anticipated 3G iPhone but could act as a component for an iPhone mini, an iPod nano or a fourth generation iPod nano. The schematics for the display place two sensors to the right of the ear speaker, a detail which doesn't track with what's been heard about the 3G iPhone and the black frame would include significantly more space between the screen and the Home button than the current iPhone faceplate.
It's speculation at this point, but it could lead to some cool announcements come WWDC next week. Let us know what you think over in the comments or forums.
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Apple Launches iPod Touch Promotion for Qualifying Mac Purchases
03 June 2008 09:06 EST
Chris Barylick
Per MacRumors , Apple launched its latest back-to-school promotion in which the company is offering a "ree 8GB iPod touch ($299) to college students who buy a qualifying Mac (MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac Pro)."
An article over on VentureBeat contends that by putting Apple's mobile platform in the hands of students, it can help assure its dominance in the newer handset market.
Students can opt for an 8 gigabyte iPod nano if that's more to their taste and the promotion ends on September 15th.
If you've seen the promotion or have some thoughts on it, let us know over in the comments or forums.
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SIP-VOIP Allows iPod Touch to Make Phone Calls
16 April 2008 08:30 EST
Chris Barylick
It's not entirely kosher according to Apple (you'll need a jailbroken iPod touch to pull it off), but it could be interesting.
The guys at Lifehacker have posted an outstanding full guide as to how to install a freeware application called SIP-VOIP in order to make the occasional VoIP-based phone call from your iPod touch handset.
What you'll need:
1.) A jailbroken iPod touch.2.) A Touchpod microphone (retails between US$50 and US$60.
3.) The freeware SIP-VOIP application (full information available here. Users can install the program via the Installer.app component found on many jailbroken iPhones and iPod touches.
Full setup instructions are available here, so take a gander and let us know how it works in the comments or forums.
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iWash Revisited
04 April 2008 08:00 EST
Kenn Marks
Just after the iPhone appeared in France on December 5th, 2007, iPhone.fr introduced us to an automatic screen washer that was made available to automatically remove fingerprints from the screen. Well, the folks over at Big Brain Studios have expanded their offerings to provide some screen washers that are not as sexist as their original offering.
The quality and content have greatly improved over their first attempt and there are some cool party tricks in the library as well.
Double Click to View - Demo
Link to Big Brain Studios
To see additional samples, click the jump . . .
Let us know what you think over in the comments and forums.
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Category: Humor/iPhone/iPod touch
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Control Your Mac From Your iPhone
08 February 2008 10:45 EST
Kenn Marks
The French have done it again.
Thanks to Laurent from iPhon.fr for introducing me to this little program that is still in it's early stages of development. iSofa is a FREE application that runs on your host Mac (No Jailbreak required) and then lets the iPhone/iPod Touch act as a remote control for the Mac through port 9999 over your wireless network.
At this point, you can only control iTunes, Front Row, DVD Player, Quicktime, VLC, and it gives you the ability to Wake your Display, Turn on the Screen Saver and Sleep the Display. The program is brought to you by Ben & Mat through iPhon.fr,
-Works under Tiger and Leopard (Mac OS X 10.4 & 10.5).
-Administration: Available from your computer at http://(Your Macs I/P Address):9999/admin/ The Skin can be changed and a password set.
-Normal Access: At http:// (Your Macs I/P address):9999/ ie. http://10.0.0.1:9999/
-Browser: All files on you Mac can be read on the iPhone/ iPod Touch
-iTunes: Lets you browse your libraries and then uses the same controls as on your iPod to advance through the onscreen menus.
-Quicktime & DVD Player: Uses the same controller as iTunes with the added ability of changing window size up or down.
Download iSofa v1.2:
iSofa_v1.2.dmg
This is currently an Apple Macintosh only application and according to the comments over at iPhon.fr the Windows people are up in arms that Ben and Mat have made this for Macintosh only.
Let us know what you think over in the comments and forums.
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Free VoIP/SIP Solution En Route for iPod Touch
31 December 2007 12:38 EST
Chris Barylick
This might be worth looking into when it hits.
An open-source effort via TouchMods will bring a VoIP/SIP program to the iPod touch come New Year's Day. Right now, the program looks to be functional but still in a relatively early stage as the people involved are essentially rigging up their own microphone appendage and letting the software handle the task.
The video isn't the most exciting thing in the world, but they've got something that works and happily demo it:
Now if they can make it work under the iPhone firmware 1.1.3 when it's released...
As always, your two cents are appreciated over in the comments and forums.
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Apple Releases iPod Touch 1.1.2 Firmware for U.S. Customers
13 November 2007 08:04 EST
Chris Barylick
Following close on the heels of the long-awaited iPhone 1.1.2 firmware update, Apple yesterday released the iPod touch 1.1.2 firmware update.
Like the iPhone update, the iPod touch update is available through iTunes and should appear once the iPod touch has been connected to the computer (otherwise, hit the "Check for Update" button).
The update, a 157 megabyte download, briefly cites "bug fixes" as the firmware update's purpose, although more specific fixes include a new battery icon next to the iPod touch's listing in iTunes' Source menu as well as a display of the current charge level.
Perhaps the most notable change is the iPod touch's new ability to directly edit and enter iCal events on the device. When Apple initially released the iPod touch, it was met with favorable reviews, albeit the lack of this feature was seen as a disappointment to many users.
Finally, the 1.1.2 update removes the TIFF exploit, a mixed blessing which allowed users to install third-party applications on the iPod touch but stood as an open security hole.
If you've tried the firmware update or have anything to say about it, let us know in the comments or forums.
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Group Reports Gaining Root Access to iPod Touch Units
09 October 2007 08:30 EST
Chris Barylick
Apple may have tightened security of its iPhone and iPod touch devices during its most recent update, but that doesn't stop the efforts to get in.
A user going by the name of Toc2rta has stated that he and several others have managed to gain root access to the iPod touch running version 1.1.1 of the unit's firmware.
The statement is as follows:
Using the tiff exploit, we have managed to expose the root parition via the symlink hack. We have verified the exploit with an iphone 1.0.2,1.1.1 and itouch 1.1.1
We are currently working on remounting the / parition rw and we will be hosting the exploit on this site SOON.
Stay tuned for more details as they emerge and if you or anyone you know is trying to crack the updated iPod touch, let us know in the comments or forums.
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Apple Releases iPod Touch Version 1.1.1 Updater
28 September 2007 11:44 EST
Chris Barylick
Yesterday was one of Apple's mighty days of updates and in the midst of things, an update was made available for the iPod touch media player. Delivered through iTunes, the update, a 150 megabyte download, is vaguely described as containing "bug fixes".
According to Macworld News, the update appears to correct a video display problem that's affecting some iPod touch units. The bug has gained a reputation for displaying darker images improperly, somewhat inverting the darker tones.
The update, which brings the iPod touch software to version 1.1.1, can be downloaded through iTunes by clicking the "Check for Update" button in iTunes' source list to begin the download and installation process.
If you've tried the updater or have feedback about it, let us know in the comments or forums.
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Media Folder, iPhuc Utilities Allow for Disk Mode with iPod Touch Units
24 September 2007 07:58 EST
Chris Barylick
As cool as the iPod touch may be, the device differs from other iPods in that it seems to lack an accessible mode for disk use in iTunes.
The Unofficial Apple Weblog seems to have found a way around this via the command line, in which the user can use the Media Folder utilities developed by Nathan True to copy files to and from the iPod touch.
These programs, which are based around a modded version of iPhuc, also allow iPhone users to copy files to and from the device via the Media/Documents folder.
In the case of PowerPC-based Macs, these users can download a copy of iPhuc, rename it to "util" and place it in the Media Utilities folder. The software won't perform quite as cleanly, but will remain functional on these machines.
If anyone out there feels like tinkering or has suggestions of their own, let us know in the comments or forums.
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Apple Cites "Small Number" of Defective iPod Touch Displays
20 September 2007 08:00 EST
Chris Barylick
On Wednesday, Apple confirmed widespread reports regarding iPod touch displays containing deep black areas. The defective components can be found on some early units and, according to Wall Street Journal columnist Wal Mossberg, the company has said that this problem has affected "a small number of units and is being remedied."
According to Macworld UK, the issue centers around reports that video playback on the iPod touch unit is appreciably darker than on the iPhone. This discrepancy points to an inferior display component that seems to be in place which reduces the video playback experience.
Though critical of a defective unit that wound up in his possession, Mossberg's review of the device is otherwise complimentary; " "my two test units displayed beautiful images," he observed.
Apple has yet to cite how widespread the problem is or what remedial action the company will perform to correct the problem for owners of defective units.
If you've seen this on your own iPod touch or experienced a similar issue, let us know in the comments or .
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iTunes Account Required to Register and Use iPod Touch
14 September 2007 09:27 EST
Chris Barylick
Despite the sheer coolness of the recently-released iPod touch, there's apparently a few caveats to worry about:
The guys over at Deep Thought have found an iPod touch manual on Apple's web site that mentions that the device's battery may actually drain rather than charge if connected to your computer.
Other oddities include the fact that if the user purchases content from the iTunes Store via the iPod touch, they won't have to enter their password for additional purchases made within the next 15 minutes.
Unsanity has discovered that users must set up and register the device via iTunes, then create an iTunes Store account to use the iPod touch.
Not the most private thing in the world and if you've noticed this or something similar on yours, let us know in the comments or forums.
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iPod Touch Begins to Arrive in U.S. - Slated for U.K. on the 28th
14 September 2007 08:09 EST
Chris Barylick
Keeping it short and sweet on this one, reports of the first iPod touch units have begun to arrive as the device was shipped to retail locations around the United States yesterday after Apple had stated it would ship before the end of September.
According to Macworld UK, British market customers can now pre-order the newest iPod online, but shouldn't expect immediate availability.
In keeping with Apple's general retail introduction patten, the iPod touch will hit U.S. markets first while U.K. customers are being told the product will ship by September 28th.
I'm not planning to wander into an Apple Store for a bit, so if anyone out there has managed to get their hands on one or bring it home and play with it, let us know your impressions (good or bad) of the iPod touch in the comments or forums.
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Lack of Calendar Event Entry on iPod touch Confirmed
11 September 2007 09:32 EST
Chris Barylick
Out of all of Apple's announcements last week, the one that really seemed to catch people's eye was the iPod touch (essentially the iPhone without the phone features).
Over at Engadget, some sharp-eyed readers noticed disparities in Apple's international web sites, some claiming that the iPod touch would be able to add calendar appointments via its own calendar application, other sites saying otherwise.
The site, having discussed the feature with Apple representatives, has confirmed the following: "Like current iPods, the touch can only view calendar entries created on your computer".
Apple has yet to cite whether this feature will be added to the iPod touch in a future version of its software or whether adding an appointment to its calendar will remain permanently disabled.
If you have any thoughts or feedback on this, let us know in the comments or forums.
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