The latest iPhone / iPad system update overhauls the notification system to something much less obtrusive. iCloud gives the power to sync photos, contacts, and even your iTunes collection. Everything you need to know is right here!
iOS 5 and iCloud: everything you need to know
Apple confirms iOS 5 battery problems, fix coming in iOS 5.0.1
We've been wondering if the iOS 5 battery issues people have been reporting would get a clearer explanation and unfortunately that explanation isn't quite here yet. What we do have is confirmation from Apple that there are, in fact, confirmed battery life problems that need to be addressed in the new operating system:
"A small number of customers have reported lower than expected battery life on iOS 5 devices," Apple said in a statement to AllThingsD. "We have found a few bugs that are...
Siri hacked to work on iPhone 4 and iPod touch (video)
Siri, the voice-based personal assistant software that Apple would only let us run on the iPhone 4S has this weekend seen itself ported to the more modestly specced iPhone 4 and fourth-gen iPod touch. Performance is identical on the older devices to what it is on the 4S, inviting the conclusion that considerations outside of pure hardware capabilities — such as the cost and scale of supporting Siri server requests from the millions of compatible devices — led to the decision to limit the...
iTunes Match beta accounts purged in preparation for full public launch
The launch of Apple's iTunes Match should be coming any time now — yesterday, Apple deleted all iTunes Match Beta accounts that developers have been testing, in an effort to "improve the overall quality and reliability" of the service. Apple claimed at its October 4th "Let's Talk iPhone" event that iTunes Match would launch by the end of this month, and time's getting short if it is going to deliver on that promise. Fortunately for those interested in trying this new service, evidence has...
iTunes Match settings pop up in iOS 5
When Apple unveiled iPhone 4S early this month, it took the opportunity to let people know that iTunes Match would launch soon after iCloud — to be a little more precise, by the end of October. As of today, it looks like anyone with an iOS 5 device now has an "iTunes Match" toggle at the top of the Settings > Music window. (If it doesn't show up immediately, just give it a few minutes.) Though you can toggle Match on (and subsequently receive a new option, "Show All Music"), a pop-up...
Mac OS X 10.7.2 adds iCloud support, iPhoto 9.2 includes Photo Stream
Obviously iTunes and iOS updates alone won’t make iCloud sing: Apple’s building iCloud features straight into OS X, with a new 10.7.2 version of Lion rolling out today. In addition to new features like iCloud email, calendar, bookmarks, and Reading List sync, iCloud is taking over existing MobileMe features like Back to My Mac and Find My Mac.
The new version of iPhoto, 9.2, adds Photo Stream support for backing up your iPhone and iPad captures over iCloud, along with some usability...
iOS 5 updates failing for many, Apple server issues to blame?
It looked for a moment like Apple's massive new data center in North Carolina would withstand the deluge of traffic caused by people updating to iOS 5, iCloud, and everything in between without incident, but it's apparently not meant to be: we're now getting errors trying to update various iPhones and iPads to iOS 5, and we're seeing similar reports across Twitter. Although the error message that pops up just says "internal error," the real issue seems to be that Apple's iOS validation...
AirPort Utility maps your network, lets you tweak settings from iOS
It's tough to get excited about a new a network management tool, but Apple has taken a run at it with the new AirPort Utility for configuring and managing your AirPort devices. Available today, the iOS app lets you set up your AirPort Express, Extreme, or TimeCapsule from the comfort of your iOS device, and greets you with a simple diagram of your network and devices. You can tweak everything from file sharing and disk settings to NAT service and passwords, so there's enough here to keep any...
Apple debuts alert and ringtone mini-store in iOS iTunes app
On top of today's big iOS 5 update, Apple just launched a new store with the iTunes store full of musical ringtones and custom alert tones. While you were formerly able to buy ringtones in the desktop version of iTunes, the iOS app now lets you purchase and install without a computer. The new alert tones can be used to customize your phone's blips and beeps into a veritable pop culture soundboard. For alert tones, you'll find a medley of Star Wars quotes, classical music excerpts, stock...
Apple TV software update 4.4 brings AirPlay mirroring, iCloud, NHL app
Apple's products are getting updated left and right today alongside the launch of iOS 5 and iCloud, and few products have been left out. Apple TV's upgrade is to version 4.4 of its software, which brings AirPlay mirroring of your iPhone 4S or iPad 2 -- the new feature has some seriously cool gaming implications in particular, like the ability to use your device as a gaming controller and play on the TV over AirPlay. Also new are Photo Stream, which lets you view photos you've taken on your...
Keynote, Pages, and Numbers suite gets an iCloud upgrade
The iWork suite for iOS, composed of Keynote, Pages, and Numbers, just got a big iCloud functionality update today from Apple. Once installed, you'll be able to login to icloud.com, and find your documents in the iWork section. Similarly, simply drag and drop any iWork document to iCloud.com to sync it to all of your iOS devices. If you pick up an iPhone 4S later this week, you'll also be able to add text to your documents with the phone's voice dictation. All apps are free upgrades for...
Apple releases iCloud Control Panel for Windows
Apple might be releasing a ton of new software for Mac and iOS devices today, but Windows users aren't being totally left out: the company just released iCloud Control Panel for Windows, which replaces the former MobileMe software. The new control panel requires Vista SP2 or Windows 7, and it allows syncing with Photo Stream, contacts, and calendars — although you'll need Outlook 2007 or later for the latter. It's available now, so get to it.
iTunes Movie Trailers app brings film previews, showtimes, and more to iOS
Apple continued its flood of software updates today with the release of the new iTunes Movie Trailers app. It's no surprise that the app brings you the latest trailers, but you'll also find additional official trailers (in SD and HD), clips from films, and behind-the-scene images, as well as the ability to save movies as favorites. Edging into Flixster and Fandango's territory, the app also offers local showtimes and ticket purchasing, Rotten Tomatoes scores, and a calendar of upcoming...
iOS 5 now available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch
As anticipated, Apple has released its major update to iOS, iOS 5, to the masses today. New features include the Android-style Notification Center, BBM-style iMessage, iCloud, Reminders, Wi-Fi Sync, and Twitter integration. Sadly, Apple's all-new Siri personal assistant is limited to the iPhone 4S. The rest of the features are available on the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod touch 3rd / 4th generations, and both iPads.
iTunes in the Cloud rolling out internationally
The iOS 5 / iCloud rollout continues undeterred. Reports from 9to5Mac indicate that iTunes in the Cloud is now available in Canada, UK, France, Australia, Ireland, Spain, elsewhere around the world. Those in the iTunes app should be able to spot the purchased icon in the main bottom row; additionally, you can now turn on automatic downloads for music via the Settings menu under Store. If it's not showing up yet, give it a little time — public release is today.
Apple Find My Friends app now available via iCloud.com
While iOS 5 is slated to land later today, it appears Apple has just rolled out access Find My Friends, its new location-based people-finding app touting a sumptuous sewn leather UI. Fire up iCloud.com on Mobile Safari on your iOS 5 device, and you'll be presented with the option to download the app—it's not currently available in the App Store. Users of Game Center will be familiar with the friending system. Each person you want to share your location with needs to get a separate...
Apple releases iTunes 10.5 with iTunes Match and iCloud support
Apple has finally released iTunes 10.5 — a prerequisite for iOS 5 which is set to rollout tomorrow. You can now sync your iPhone and iPad over Wi-Fi, as well as take advantage of related services like iTunes Match and iCloud. We've got a full changelog below, so feel free to read it repeatedly until the necessary iOS 5 downloads are released too.
