The iPad Guru

iPad 2 Smart Cover Teardown Reveals Complex 21 Magnet Construction

Matthew Panzarino — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 21:08:26 +0000

The Smart Cover is a uniquely Apple product. My review will be coming shortly so I won’t reveal all of my thoughts about it here but as a teaser I can tell you that it’s a beautifully constructed accessory for the iPad 2 with a couple of minor but annoying flaws. What you can’t argue with however is the ingenuity behind it’s function, which is why this teardown of the Smart Cover by iFixit is so interesting. It gives you a look under the hood to see the surprising amount of engineering behind this relatively simple product.
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© Matthew Panzarino for The iPad Guru, 2011. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: ifixit, ipad 2 smart cover, smart cover

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Review: ThinkGeek iPad Keyboard Case is Meg Ryan of Keyboard Cases

Matthew Panzarino — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:30:03 +0000

While I’ve gotten faster typing on the iPad’s keyboard it will most likely never feel completely comfortable. The lack of tactile feedback as my fingers strike the keys and the finger tenderness that comes from smashing the tips of them onto a hard glass surface are two of the reasons that it’s still likely that I’ll reach for a keyboard to enter any lengthy text on the iPad if I need to. That’s why I keep searching for the perfect iPad keyboard case. While I still haven’t found the one I keep finding examples that come very close to being indispensable. The ThinkGeek iPad Keyboard case is one of those and offers a comfortable, attractive option that, like Meg Ryan, is a relatively inoffensive option that will appeal to people looking for a dependable product that delivers an average experience in a dependable way.
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Post tags: case review, ipad case, ipad keyboard case, thinkgeek, thinkgeek ipad keyboard case

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Untethered iOS 4.3 Jailbreak May Come This Week

Matthew Panzarino — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:19:31 +0000

iPhone hacker i0n1c has updated a YouTube video showing a Jailbreak of iOS 4.3 using a new undiscovered exploit to indicate that his Jailbreak may become available as soon as this week. The new Jailbreak would be compatible with any device that is susceptible to the Limera1n exploit, which means pretty much all iOS 4.3 devices except for the iPad 2.

In the description of the video he explains that the Jailbreak is untethered and that he would like to see the Dev Team release a tethered Jailbreak for iOS 4.3, which they already have, before he releases it.

This video demonstrates my iPad 1 running untethered jailbroken iOS 4.3

The jailbreak uses a *UNDISCLOSED* exploit in the iOS Kernel. Installation is similar to previous iOS versions which means you require a bootrom exploit (or something else) to install it in the root partition.

Because there is no public bootrom exploit for the iPad 2 at the moment it will not work for now.

However the jailbreak can be made compatible with all devices that are vulnerable to the limer4in exploit and that are supported by iOS 4.3

Because of several changes in iOS 4.3 in comparison to iOS 4.2.1 the jailbreak is NOT READY yet. That is what the *ALPHA* means. I need some time to check what kernel patches are actually required to work 100%ly.

However I recommend the dev-team or chronic-dev to first release a *tethered* iOS 4.3 so that everyone can test if their nice feature actually work. I guess most people require Mobile Substrate to work and AFAIK it does not work due to ASLR. It would be a waste if Apple kills an untethered jailbreak before Mobile Substrate works.

That said I will release the jailbreak when a) there is no other untether by the time I am finished b) if MobileSubstrate works.

Any report that I wait for iOS 4.3.1 is just a misinterpretation of my words.
I merely think that Apple should release a iOS 4.3.1 soon, because it is in their interest to not wait for several months when everyone knows that there is a remote exploit in MobileSafari that might have leaked during the #PWN2OWN contest.

Check back in the next days for more information about when and where you can get it.

DO NOT LET YOURSELF GET SCAMMED BY ALL THE OTHERS TRYING TO SELL YOU THIS EXPLOIT. IT WILL NOT LEAVE MY HOUSE BEFORE IT IS FINISHED.

Because so many people are asking for an ETA:

I am pretty sure that the untether will be released before the next weekend. I was using older kernel patches that caused lagging on the jailbroken device. I will change that and then port it to the other devices and release.

He mentions that his release of the new Jailbreak method is contingent on wether the Mobile Substrate is ready to support iOS 4.3 and whether anyone else beats him to the punch with a Jailbreak. Mobile Substrate is the communication layer that many Jailbreak apps need to run properly on iDevices and if it’s not ready for iOS 4.3, which it currently is not, then many apps will not run properly on 4.3.

We would likely see this new exploit built into a new version of Redsn0w.

© Matthew Panzarino for The iPad Guru, 2011. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: ios 4.3, ios43, ios43 jailbreak, jailbreak, jailbreak ipad, redsn0w, redsnow

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How to Enable the New Multitasking Gestures on Your iPad 2

Matthew Panzarino — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 23:55:15 +0000

We’ve talked extensively about the new multitasking gestures hidden away in the iOS 4.3 firmware and we think that they’re the bees knees. You can pinch to close an app, swipe with four fingers to switch between apps and swipe up with 4 fingers to reveal the multitasking drawer. They’re really handy and end up being pretty handy once you get used to them. Unfortunately, although they are still contained in the final release of iOS 4.3, they’re not enabled by default on the iPad 2, or iPad 1 for that matter. Previously you needed an Apple developer account to enable them, but now there’s a simpler way and it will only cost you $5.
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© Matthew Panzarino for The iPad Guru, 2011. | Permalink | 9 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: ipad, ipad 2, multitasking gestures, xcode

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iPad 2 Light Leak Rears It’s Head, Possible Screen Defect. Also on Original iPad (Video)

Matthew Panzarino — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 23:39:40 +0000

I’ve been hearing a myriad of early purchasers talk about their iPad 2 screens exhibiting signs of heavy light leakage around the edges of their screens so I decided to investigate. I found that my iPad 2 did indeed have several areas that show signs of light leakage around the borders of the screen. But I did a bit more digging and guess what? So does my original iPad.

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Post tags: ipad, ipad 2, ipad 2 light leak, light leak, screen defect

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The iPad 2 Arrives Today, Here’s Everything You Need to Know About it and Where to Get one

Matthew Panzarino — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:11:15 +0000

The iPad 2 hits stores today and is in fact available online as we speak. IF you want a recap of everything you need to know about the iPad 2 then read on. We’ve also covered pretty much everywhere that you might be able to purchase one on launch day.

So the iPad 2 is going to be on sale this Friday, March 11th. If you’re wondering how and when you’ll be able to pick up yours, we’ve got a list and details of just what stores will be carrying it and when you’ll be able to make your purchase.

Apple Retail Stores starting 5pm PST

While you will be able to line up for the iPad 2 early on Friday at any Apple Retail store, you won’t be able to actually make your purchase until 5PM Pacific time.

Online at Apple.com from 12:01am PST March 11th

With the odd late afternoon retail release of the iPad 2, many were wondering when they would be able to order the new iPad online. After some various statements by online Apple representatives it seems like the iPad 2 will be available to order online at 12:01 AM Pacific on Friday March 11th. This will mean that if you order it online for shipment you won’t be able to get it delivered until the following week. From what I understand the online ordering will not include reservations for pickup, at least initially.

Other Retail Stores

The iPad 2 will also be available at a variety of other retail stores in addition to Apple’s own. That list includes Best Buy, Wal Mart, Verizon stores and AT&T stores. The Verizon and AT&T stores will most likely only have stock of the 3G models that are designed for their carrier system. There is also a currently unconfirmed rumor that Target stores will have them as well. As long as these retail stores stick to Apple’s rules, expect the iPad 2 to go on sale at 5pm just like the Apple Stores.

If we missed any methods or locations to purchase the iPad 2 in this list, please let us know!

© Matthew Panzarino for The iPad Guru, 2011. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: ipad 2, launch, where to buy

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How to Install iMovie on Your iPad 1

Matthew Panzarino — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 01:35:54 +0000

If, like me, you though that iMovie was going to be able to be used on your iPad 1 and you were severely disappointed to see that it was being limited to the upcoming iPad 2 only, then this tutorial is for you. German site Fscklog has discovered that you can bypass the install checks that determine which device you’re trying to install an app onto using the iPhone Configuration Utility provided by Apple. If you’re an iPad 1 user that wants to install iMovie now, read on for the full tutorial.

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© Matthew Panzarino for The iPad Guru, 2011. | Permalink | 57 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: imovie, install imovie on ipad 1, ipad

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Apple Releases iMovie and Garage Band for iPad

Matthew Panzarino — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 20:45:59 +0000

Apple has released an update for iMovie that brings all of the new features they talked about at the iPad 2 event. They’ve also released GarageBand for iPad, but you can’t use that one yet because only the iPad 2 will run it. UPDATE: Sorry, incorrect. iMovie will only run on iPad 2. GarageBand is good to go on either model.

The new version of iMovie will appear as an update to the already universal iMovie app if you have it installed on your iPhone. It will set you back $4.99 if you haven’t purchased it before. iMovie will not work on the first gen iPad however. This is likely due to the fact that it requires both the larger amount of RAM (512mb) that the new iPad uses and the faster a5 Dual Core processor to work properly. That means that we won’t see iMovie on the iPad 1.

GarageBand however will run on either the iPad 1st Gen or iPad 2.

The new version of iMovie adds a host of features that make it an even more attractive option for editing your movies on the go without a laptop. The precision editor, which is an iPad only feature, is probably the biggest draw for me as I’ve always found the iPhone version of iMovie to be fiddly and nearly impossible to use to accurately trim a clip. Multitrack audio including a voiceover recording feature and AirPlay support round out the list of additions.

GarageBand is by far the more interesting and robust release as it encompasses much more than a simple audio editing app. Apple have thrown their hand into the simulated instrument ring in a big way with tons of drum, guitar and piano related instruments to choose from. Not only can you play on them simply and easily but you can customize, tweak and massage the instruments to sound and feel the way you’d like. You can record your sessions and mix them together right in the app with up to 8 discreet tracks, then export the song to iTunes, open it in GarageBand for Mac or email it. They even shoved in a voice effects generator, similar to Voices.

These are two marquee releases for the iPad 2 and should show off the capabilities of the faster and beefier new tablet in a big way just in time for it’s release friday.

GarageBand [iTunes] $4.99
iMovie [iTunes] $4.99

© Matthew Panzarino for The iPad Guru, 2011. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: garageband, imovie, ipad, ipad 2

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Flipboard Updated to Support Instagram and Social Search (Video)

Matthew Panzarino — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:37:25 +0000

Flipboard is a gorgeous iPad app that presents your social streams in a magazine format for you to flip through at your leisure. I love it for it’s simplicity and beauty and it’s hands down one of my favorite ways to browse news for the day. Even though they still have one of the best ‘digest format’ apps on the App Store, they’re not sitting still. They just updated the app to improve performance, add a cross-platform social search and best of all, add Instagram support!

Instagram support is an especially welcome addition to Flipboard as the digest format is perfect for consuming the toy camera shots of your Instagram friends. The presentation of Flipboard works especially well with visual content and a stream of Instagram photos is perfect fuel for a progressively generated magazine like this. The social search function is also pretty cool and is a result of Flipboard’s acquisition of Ellerdale, a company whose resources Flipboard is using to create a smart algorithm for aggregating and displaying personalized content that is hopefully more relevant to you because it relies on parsing the content of a post or update and not just keywords. While the full power of this intelligent system has yet to be leveraged, the social search is a first step towards a smarter, more personalized Flipboard.

If you’re into this sort of thing, you can also check out this video with Instagram CEO Mike Mcue conducted by Robert Scoble. In it he talks about Instagram and the new social search function and what it means for the future of Flipboard and social stream consumption. Good watch.

Macstories

© Matthew Panzarino for The iPad Guru, 2011. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: flipboard, instagram, ipad

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MLB.TV and NBA Deals Prove That Subscription Services are Alive and Well on iOS

Matthew Panzarino — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:21:48 +0000

The iOS 4.3 update yesterday brought along with it an unexpected bonus in the form of MLB.TV and NBA League pass subscriptions coming to the AppleTV 2G. This addition does a lot to quell the rumors that subscription services would avoid deals with Apple in the future because of the high cost to the content provider that came along with offering their products inside the iOS ecosystem. In fact, it proves that we may not know all there is to know about the way that Apple makes deals with these companies at all.

The debate regarding subscriptions began when the Sony Reader app was rejected by Apple and followed up with a note by Sony explaining that the app was rejected because it didn’t follow the rules regarding subscriptions in place in the App Store guidelines. Sony CEO Steve Haber was quoted in a NYT article shortly thereafter as saying that ‘all purchases would now need to go through Apple’. This was in fact a reference to a long standing and previously minor clause in the app guidelines that states that if you’re going to offer a purchase of a product on your website or elsewhere then you need to make sure that that same product is available in your app for the same price as well.

The side effects of the newly strict adherence to this clause was what got people up in arms. Apple takes a 30% cut of every in-app purchase on the App Store, which many app developers are currently circumventing by offering their purchases in Mobile Safari instead. The biggest example of this is Amazon, whose app still pushes you out to the browser to make purchases and then allows you to download those purchases inside the app. The ‘new rules’ application of this clause would mean that Amazon, along with Sony and any other subscribers, would be forced to send a 30% chunk of their profits along to Apple, effectively removing their ability to do business on iOS as that’s pretty much every penny someone like Amazon makes on a sale.

This new view of the rules also affected subscriptions in addition to one-time purchases and came just as News Corp’s The Daily, a fully staffed iPad only newspaper, was launching on the iOS platform. Understandably intense debate was sparked about whether subscribers could afford to make that deal and continue to offer products on iOS at all. Doom and gloom were prophesied for the future of subscription platforms like Netflix and Hulu, with many saying that the iOS platforms media consumption options would be heavily limited by the reluctance of those companies to hand over 30% of all new subscriptions gained on the devices themselves.

I have long been of the mind that there is another layer of negotiation and perhaps concession here. Netflix for instance has a nice deep integration into the AppleTV platform as well as recently improved iOS applications and the deal that they made with Apple, and whatever they’re ending up paying them, has had to have been set long before the AppleTV 2G was released. Either they felt that the cost, basically a 30% tax on the first month’s income from a subscriber, was worth it or Apple has negotiated individual deals with some of their closer partners. This is all speculation of course but yesterday’s announcement proves that at the very least, providers are still willing and eager to have their offerings on the iOS platform, regardless of the new harsher application of Apple’s guidelines.

The addition of MLB.TV and NBA programming on the AppleTV is a huge step forward for the media platform that I think the little black box will become in the next few years. It also portends the arrival of content that is more like on-demand and pay-per-view offerings that currently only exist through cable, or satellite, providers. This is a huge coup for Apple and a nice cherry on top of the release of iOS 4.3 for AppleTV, a glorified bug fix that adds Airplay for Apps support and not a whole lot else.

The 30% cut, or whatever the negotiated amount, that Apple is snagging from these providers proves a couple of things. First, we know that Apple is in open talks with companies looking to bring products to iOS. You don’t make deeply integrated apps and streaming offerings like MLB.TV available on the AppleTV on a whim. You can bet that there has been some intense work on the look and feel of the app and on the backend, likely via Apple’s new data center, to make streaming of live games possible in the AppleTV environment. This had to have been done hand-in-hand with the MLB and would never have taken place if they felt that the cost of entry was too high for the iOS platform.

Next we’ve got a window into the thoughts of providers looking to offer subscriptions on iOS as far as it’s importance in the consumption ecosystem. MLB.TV for instance is offered on just about every conceivable set top box already from Roku to your cable box and is in fact already available on the iPhone and iPad and has been for some time. Any sort of barrier to entry would have to have been considered even more closely because the service is so ubiquitous. They simply had to feel that the AppleTV was a necessary platform for them to make an appearance on. It’s most definitely not an exclusive way to watch the programming, but it is one of the best implemented and most popularized new avenues for people to partake of the MLB content. The coverage alone was probably worth the cost of admission, can you remember the last time hundreds of blogs wrote multiple articles that considered so closely the import of MLB content coming to any other set top box?

Lastly I think that this proves that we have little to worry about with regard to the future of subscription services like Netflix, Hulu and the like on the iOS platform. While the future of pure product services like Amazon are still very much up in the air, with little or no clarifications made public as to how Apple will handle those who literally cannot subsist on a 30% cut in profit, I think that the arrival of MLB and the NBA on AppleTV means that we have much more subscription goodness on the way.

© Matthew Panzarino for The iPad Guru, 2011. | Permalink | 9 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: appletv, ios43, mlb, nba, subscriptions

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