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Report: Next generation iPod Touch To Get 3G Option

macfunia — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 09:41:09 +0000

Where everyone is engaged in predicting the features in iPhone 4S/5, A Dutch blog called AppleSpot.nl is reporting that the next version of the iPod Touch will have 3G wireless connectivity built in which bringing the consistently-popular MP3 and media player one step closer to the more full-featured iPhone.

Translated, the report says:
It will work just like the iPad; you get a 3G enabled simcard from your provider and put that in you iPod Touch. Apple’s choice of bringing 3G to the iPod Touch isn’t all that weird, if it’s true of course. Question remains how the providers will react to this, since the use of, for example, Skype will skyrocket.

So does the rumor hold water?
9 to 5 Mac is skeptical, and Wayne Lam, a senior analyst for IHS iSuppli, told CNET that a 3G antenna would likely be cost prohibitive for Apple. Still, it’s worth pondering the existence of a 3G-capable iPod Touch, especially since Apple has forecast “cloudy” skies ahead. Witness the rise of iCloud, a service that only works with an Internet connection. 3G antennas means that the Web would extend beyond the reach of normal Wi-Fi. Plus, considering all those VoIP programs, with a 3G iPod, you could just do away with your iPhone, right?

Some other reports from 9to5Mac suggested that Apple would make the iPod touch 5G a cheaper iPhone by using the 3G/GPS Baseband chips. It could help the company to target the medium range of Android smartphones where it looses most of its shares. This could even increases the prices to a little extent. However, there is no confirmation on it yet.

If ever this rumor is true, it could have a massive impact on the iPhone sales. You see, the iPod Touch is without a doubt more affordable than the iPhone. And since the current iPod Touch already supports Skype for VoIP calls, having it work on the 3G version would be fantastic.

Leaked Photo Suggests the Next iPod Nano Feature a Camera?

macfunia — Thu, 19 May 2011 16:42:15 +0000

A recently leaked photo purported to be of Apple’s seventh-generation iPod nano surfaced revealing that the iPod nano will add a low-res 1.3 megapixel camera, eschew its clip, and retain its current small form factor and touch screen display. Citing a source called “Ray” from California, the Taiwanese site claims the iPod nano will lose the clip because it would interfere with the camera.

The larger fifth-generation nano included a video camera, widescreen display, and video playback. These features were stripped from the sixth-generation edition of the device in favor of smaller form with a belt clip on the back and a multitouch display.

The buzz that Apple will add a camera to the iPod nano again isn’t new. The camera rumors first popped up last month when a photo of the supposed seventh-gen nano showed the frame of the device with a space for a camera on the back.

The image posted by Taiwanese blog Apple.pro posted the photo but was unable to verify its authenticity. But the site is keen to remind readers that the website has correctly leaked each of the previous six-generations of iPod nanos.

If Apple’s usual habit of updating products on an annual cycle is any clue, the next iPod nano will likely debut this fall.

iOS 4.3 beta for iPhone, iPad walkthrough

macfunia — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:00:20 +0000

With iOS 4.3 set to arrive by the end of the week (perhaps in the next few hours), we know that many of you are going to be turning to iTunes to update your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices. iOS 4.3 looks to have interesting albeit far from numerous changes thus far. Since we’re only covering what’s new and improved, here’s a list of walkthroughs for those new to iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad so you can learn about all the established features.

AirPlay
While iOS 4.2 only provided video-to-Apple TV support from the YouTube and iPod/Video apps, iOS 4.3 promises to allow both apps and web content the ability to send video to Apple TV.

Home Screen
Apple has introduced 4 or 5 finger multitouch navigation gestures in the iOS 4.3 for iPad beta with language that indicates they may or may not be bound for primetime. The new gestures don’t replace the Home Button but do reduce the amount of times you need to single or double click it, which could reduce concerns of hardware wear and tear post iOS 4.

Photos
As mentioned above, you now have the ability to send recorded videos out over AirPlay to Apple TV, something which was noticeably missing when the feature was introduced in iOS 4.2.

Notes
iOS 4.2 finally let us change the Notes font from Marker Felt to something — anything — else, as long as that anything else was Helvetica or Chalkboard. Well it turns out Chalkboard wasn’t long for this world as it has been replaced in iOS 4.3 with Noteworthy.

Apple iPod touch 4th generation review

macfunia — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 10:21:20 +0000

Apple’s fourth-generation iPod touch takes everything we loved about the last version and makes it better. The screen is prettier, the processor faster, the design slimmer and new features, such as an HD camcorder and Face Time video calls, But despite all of the plusses, we still have to ask: is the little do-everything box still worth the premium price tag? Is there any reason to buy an iPod touch? Read on to find out.

iFunia Updates Video Converter for Mac with iPod touch Support

macfunia — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 14:18:01 +0000

we are pleased to update our time-proved product, iFunia Video Converter Pro for Mac with straightforward presets for the new iPod touch 4. Designed as a user-friendly video converter, iFunia Video Converter Pro for Mac is the fast and easy way for users to transfer videos to play on today’s new breed of portable entertainment devices. It accepts almost any video file format as a source and outputs in most popular video formats including AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4/DivX, 3GP, H264.

Free iPod Touch Games for download

macfunia — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:19:36 +0000

At the unveiling of the new iPod touch, Apple said that the 4th gen iPod touch has surpassed both Nintendo and Sony as the highest selling mobile gaming platform, and with the new hardware improvements like the A4 processor, retina display, and gyroscope, the latest model is uniquely prepared to take on richer, more complex games. For game lovers here is our collection of the top 8 best free ipod touch games.

6th gen Apple iPod nano review

macfunia — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:12:37 +0000

The new 8GB 6th gen iPod nano with a small 1.54 inch multitouch screen comes at a price of around £129. It’s certainly a significant departure from the previous model, an extreme makeover with the candy bar form factor and the click wheel now a thing of the past. Gone are also the video camera, microphone, speaker and gaming capability from the 5th gen unit.

On the top of the nano you will find Sleep/Wake buttons for turning on the screen. The stylish square shaped diagonal LCD display of the revised gadget has a resolution of 240×240 pixels. The Multi-Touch functionality lets you control most of the features by touching the screen. Rolling over a long list of tracks with your fingers looks very familiar to an iPhone or iPod Touch.

Photo viewing has been made simpler on this touchscreen version of the nano as compared to the earlier ones. To go on to some another picture, you just need to roll your finger on the screen and pat it twice for a zoom-in or zoom-out view. Tuning the FM radio is no more a daunting task .Just stroking the “dial” left or right, keeping in mind the toughness would let you change stations across the platform.

The Nano has a built-in pedometer and built-in Nike + iPod app and continues to include a built-in accelerometer to be used only for the pedometer and the Shake To Shuffle feature. The accessibility features include Mono audio and VoiceOver.

However, this nano version does not let you sync videos. Neither can you play games on the tiny screen. It even lacks physical playback controls making it a difficult all-time choice. Doesn’t this leave you with a doubt that where are you going to use the 24 hours of it’s battery life?

Apple’s fall event: iTunes 10, new iPod Nano, and Apple TV

macfunia — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:35:37 +0000

From time to time, Apple’s special events hosted by Steve Jobs have been less than thrilling. As expected, Apple refreshed its iPod lineup Wednesday, unveiling redesigned versions of its iPod touch, iPod nano, and iPod shuffle music players. But the company didn’t stop there, using its annual fall music event to also announce an update to its iTunes software and an overhaul of its Apple TV set-top box.

New iPods
After rolling out multitasking and printing features for the iPad and a new video game service for all iOS devices, Apple CEO Steve Jobs dived into the company’s new lineup. First up was a refreshed iPod Shuffle. The iPod shuffle is both regressing and progressing as Apple is bringing back the click-wheel from the second generation shuffle, but keeping the VoiceOver playlists that everyone loved about the third generation shuffle. It’s teeny, holds 15 hours of battery and it comes in five colors. Available next week, it’s got 2GB of storage and it costs $49.

The iPod nano also got a major redesign. Apple ditched the video camera that they added just recently, completely took away the scrollwheel, made the screen smaller and added multitouch. This has 24 hours of battery and comes in seven different colors. It sells for $149 for the 8GB version, $179 for the 16GB. Again, it’ll be available from next week.

Last in the line of iPods is the iPod touch. This generation comes with the iPhone’s Retina display, offering 4X the number of pixels, the Apple A4 chip, 3-axis Gyro, iOS 4.1 and two cameras. The front-facing camera is for FaceTime, which allows users to video call with other iPhone and iPod touch owners. The back camera is capable of shooting HD video. Again, just like with the iPhone, you can edit and upload these videos directly from the iPod. It’s got a 40 hour battery life and it’s retailing for $229, $299, and $399 for the 8GB, 32GB and 64GB, respectively. Like the other two, it’s also available next week.

iTunes 10
Steve Jobs also revealed some details about iTunes 10, which is available for download starting today. The biggest change in iTunes 10 is Ping, a new social networking service that allows you to follow updates from friends and favorite musicians. Also added in to iTunes 10 is a space-saver that makes list-view look a little more colorful. If you have more than five songs from the same album, Apple will take the space from the repeated album name listing and use it to display that albums art work instead. For songs where you don’t have the complete album, iTunes will still display the name of the album where it always has.

Apple TV
This is the one a lot of people have been waiting for: A streaming TV service from Apple. Rumored to be called iTV, Apple has instead kept the Apple TV moniker and reinvented the old version. The company reduced the size of the device, so it’s now 75 percent smaller, and a cool graphite color instead of the old brushed silver.

Rumor: iPod Touch In Few Weeks, Will Have Retina Display, Dual Cameras

macfunia — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 14:24:59 +0000

There is a lot in the air regarding iPod Touch 4, as recently you might have noticed a number of websites claiming to get hold of vital hardware peripherals of the alleged device. Apple is always full of surprises and one can’t really be sure of the reality of a new launch until Jobs decides to announce it. However we just came across an interesting story that claims the iPod Touch 4 will come studded with Retina display and dual cameras.

If these rumors prove themselves to be true and Apple goes ahead and releases an iPod touch with dual cameras and a retina display, there will be even less of a reason to purchase an iPhone. If Apple were to make the device virtually the same as the iPhone 4 minus the 3G radio and other cellphone related hardware you would, well, virtually have an iPhone minus the phone.

The rumor regarding Retina display and dual cameras is backed by John Gruber from Daring Fireball, who has a solid reputation when it comes to insider information regarding Apple. while talking about the Dell Streak John Gruber comments:“That’s almost twice as much as a good iPod Touch, and if you wait a few weeks to buy the Touch, you’ll get one with a Retina Display and dual cameras. If Dell can’t make an iPod Touch competitor, who can?”

Does “a few weeks” mean September? I think so. So let’s keep our fingers crossed and see if this rumor turns into a reality within “few weeks” as claimed by Gruber.

The Apps Updated for iOS 4

macfunia — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 10:30:17 +0000

Apple’s iOS 4 has arrived, bringing multitasking and more to iPhones and iPod Touches everywhere (iTunes willing). Here are the apps that already take advantage of the new OS, and some that should be hitting the App Store soon.

In the App Store NOW:
• Dropbox – Sync your Dropbox files in the background.
• Evernote – Download and upload notes in the background, and continue recording voice notes while you’re messing around in other apps.
• Zagat
• LinkedIN
• How To Cook Everything
• Trapster – Background locations
• Bejeweled 2
• DocsAnywhere
• Motion X GPS – Record tracks in the background; hear background voice coaching.
• TuneIn Radio
• OffMaps
• WeightBot
• WordPress – Fast app switching, Retina Display optimized
• TomTom – Background navigation directions
• DiveLog
• textPlus
• Plants vs Zombies – Fast app switching
• Radio Box
• NYTimes
• Last.FM
• Tripit
• ESPN ScoreCenter
• Colloquy – Multitask ready and optimized for the Retina Display.
• FlightTrack Pro – In-app SMS flight sharing
• Pandora – Play your Pandora music, WHILE DOING OTHER STUFF! Essential.
• Pastebot
• ooTunes Radio
• RunKeeper
• Promodoro
• Tap Tap Revenge 3
• Twitter for iPhone
• Rooms for IRC
• Ustream Viewing Application
• TomTom US & Canada

Hitting the App Store with iOS4 updates soon:
• Navigon – Navigon will keep shouting directions at you while you’re working in other apps.
• Skype – Will soon let you multitask while talking to grandma.
• MyPhoneDesktop
• Nap App
• Occasions – Local notifications
• MotionMeter
• Batting Goggles
• Amp Music Player
• Slacker Radio – Slacker Radio recently got caching, and soon it’ll get multitasking support as well.
• PlaceTagger
• Rockola.FM
• Task Aware