Complete feature guide to Apple's iOS 4.2 update for iPad
iOS 4.2 is the grand unification update, the software that brings iPhone, iPod touch, and for the first time, iPad all onto the same version number and at the same time. Yes, it's the one firmware to rule them all.
Announced during Apple's 2010 special music event, for iPad's that have been running iOS 3.2 since launch back in April, the change is nothing short of a revelation. Multitasking, folders, and unified inbox from iOS 4.0 join Game Center and TV show rentals from iOS 4.1, and add in AirPlay video sharing and AirPrint wireless printing fresh to iOS 4.2.
Huge.
And we're going to take you through it, after the break!
Complete feature guide to Apple's iOS 4.2 update for iPhone and iPod touch
iOS 4.2 for iPhone is small update to iOS 4 and iOS 4.1 that adds marquee new features like AirVideo and AirPlay, fixes some bugs, but most importantly brings the iOS platform into grand unification, with iPhone, iPod touch, and -- finally -- iPad all on the same version number.
Apple TV (2010) is a bold-ish relaunch of Apple's Macworld 2007 co-headliner and since-then hobby, the Apple TV. Mac OS X has been ditched in favor of iOS, Intel in favor of Apple A4 (ARM), matt black in favor of aluminum, syncing in favor of streaming, buying in favor of renting, and Netflix has joined what was once an almost exclusively Apple, entirely iTunes affair. Oh, and they've ditched the triple-digit price tag in favor of $99.
A step rather than a leap towards the clouded future ahead, is the new Apple TV enough to hold us over until we get there? Is it competitive with other TV streaming hardware and services? Will I ever stop asking questions and start answering them? You bet, after the break.
Apple TV (2010) is small. When you consider how much space the internal power brick takes up, it's positively tiny. Here's a look at it compared to the original Apple TV, the iPad, iPhone 4, iPod touch 4, and iPod nano (2010). Did we say it's tiny yet?
We've also included a bunch of shots of the interface so you can how similar, and yet different it is from the original Apple TV, and from the other iOS devices.
iOS 4.2 will bring Game Center to iPad and yes, it will take advantage of the full screen. You'll get a double column-view instead of single like on iPad, and that means your lists (like friends) will on the left and the detail view (like stats) will be on the right.
What's interesting is that beta 1 currently shows a number of icon-shaped outlines "dealt" card-like across Game Center's game table like UI. They don't show any apps yet, but tapping them does indeed take you to the App Store, and each one to a different game.
UPDATE: The outlines are now icons. Looks like they it just took a while to fully populate them.
Everything else looks to be there and be fully operational, from achievements to leaderboards to games.
iPod touch (2010), the fourth generation of Apple's app-enabled, phone-disabled iOS platform brings with it everything we've been waiting for in a mini tablet, but nowhere near enough of it. But that's often the ecstasy and the agony of Apple.
Since we've already posted both our iPhone 4 review, which has similar hardware, and iOS 4.1 walkthrough, which covers much of the same software, we're going to encourage you to check both those articles for more on what's the same and focus here on what's different.
So is it a worthwhile upgrade from last year's iPod touch? A realistic alternative to iPhone 4 for those who prefer other phones? A more pocketable option to iPad?
Check out the iPod touch in 10 minutes video for the quick answer up top and keep on reading for the full review.
iPod nano fashion? I was more than excited when Steve Jobs announced the new iPod nano. Not because I am a huge music lover but because of the multitude of different ways that I could use it. This new iPod nano is a tech geek girls fashion dream come true.
Follow along after the break to see just some of the ways I've been accessorizing with the new iPod nano, and how well it's been working out.
He may be little, but the 2010 iPod nano 6 still looks like iOS and still acts like iOS so I'm going to show him off like he's iOS -- up against the iPhone 4 and iPod touch 4.
I'll be working on the review this weekend, so if you have any questions, leave them in the comments.
Just got my hands on an iPod touch 4 here at TiPb actual, and immediately I pulled out the iPhone 4 and iPad for a little versus action.
If form will be a factor in your deciding which iOS device is right for you, or if you just love your gadget porn, check out the full gallery, after the break!
After a few hiccups, Ping, Apple's new social music network, is up and running on iOS 4 devices.
Yesterday we took a quick look at how Ping worked in iTunes 10 and while computers have some advantages, I think I'm preferring it on iPhone right now.
Putting it in the iOS iTunes app is strange of course, until you realize Ping exists primarily to encourage people to buy more iTunes music, so having all those shopping carts handy is in Apple's best interests. I'm not convinced it's in mine, especially since load times in iTunes have never been as snappy as they feel in the dedicated Twitter or Facebook apps. And since the outer chrome has to include ways of moving to different iTunes store content, they can't be used to make navigating Ping any easier (not that there's much to navigate yet).
Lastly, while it still doesn't look like anyone but recording artists can share real status or post pics or video, we dull normals can share music, like activities, and comment on likes.
