iPhone 4 and iOS 4 announced at WWDC

Steve Jobs introduced the next generation iPhone today. iPhone 4 features a front facing camera, 5 mega-pixel rear camera with LED flash, higher resolution screen, improved battery life and many other features. It is expected to be available in New Zealand and Australia in July.

Check out the iPhone 4 features here.

At the same time the mobile operating system that runs on Apple’s portable devices has been updated and renamed to iOS 4. This update will be available for the iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch from June 21st, however some features wont work on the older hardware.

Check out the iOS 4 features here.

Apple, iOS 4, iPhone, WWDC

WWDC Keynote – 7th June

Get ready, Apple’s Steve Jobs takes the stage once again to show us what the company has been up to. This year it looks like the iPhone and iPad will be the highlight – but the Mac faithful are holding out for something “Mac” in the keynote.

If you are interested in finding out more, check out this site.

Or check back here on the morning of 8th June (US 7th June) for details of the Apple announcements.

Apple, iPhone, WWDC

Which iPad?

The iPad pre-order for New Zealand will probably start soon – so before you dive in and get the first one that comes to mind, lets have a look at what the options are (and mean).

First thing to know about the iPad. Without internet of some kind, it is just a big note taker and games machine. It comes into its own with internet. A lot of people in the US ended up buying twice because they thought the wifi only model would be fine.

So, there are two models – the wifi-only and the wifi+3G model. Both come in 16, 32 or 64GB storage versions – so you have 6 models to choose from!

If you have wifi everywhere you go – then the iPad wifi is all you will need. It is then just a matter of choosing the storage you think you need and you are done! Remember that iPad apps are bigger than the iPhone versions in most cases. We think the 32GB version represents the best value/feature balance.

If you think you may venture away from your wifi occasionally – then the iPad wifi+3G would be for you. First, lets dispell a few myths.

• The microSIM is just a cut down SIM and can be easily fabricated. However, both Telecom and Vodafone will have the microSIM on hand soon.
• You don’t need another contract for the iPad. Both telcos have a simple data prepay SIM available – and if your data use is small, you can use a 2degrees prepay SIM. It is only 2.5G – but it is fine for email and the occasional Google search!
• The iPad auto switches between wifi and 3G data – it is just like the iPhone and is seamless.

The iPad cannot be tethered to the iPhone and use the iPhone data contract without hacking. It is best to stay away from hacking your iPhone and take a look at the prepay data options.

If you are the ultimate geek – then the iPad 64GB wifi+3G probably has you shaking at the knees. All your music, games, email, movies, books, browsing and more in one slab of glass. Why not??

Once the iPad is officially released into New Zealand we will have more information about the iPad data plans.

3g, iPad, Wi-Fi

Speed up Bluetooth reconnections

If you have a Mac which is sporting a Bluetooth Mouse or Keyboard, you can speed up the reconnection speed of the device in System Preferences->Bluetooth.

Open the Bluetooth Panel and highlight your Mouse (or Keyboard). From the small Sprocket-like menu, choose “Show More info” and then reselect the menu again and you will see “Add to Favorites”. You can do this for both your Keyboard and Mouse.

Bluetooth, Keyboard, Mouse, Tip

Flash CS5 development for iPhone off

Following on from the Adobe CS5 presentations by Digital Arena – we learned today that Adobe Flash CS5′s packager for iPhone will not be developed further by Adobe. They have turned their focus (and asked Flash developers also) toward the Android OS.

So while we were not sure during the launch presentations – here is the final word.

If you want to develop ideas for the iPhone, get in touch with a local iPhone development company – or learn Xcode yourself!

Creative Suite, CS5, Flash

iPad Delayed!

Apple have sold more than 500,000 iPads in the US so far and the demand is still strong. Because of this, they are delaying the international launch until the end of May 2010.

The good news is that the wifi and wifi/3G model will be shipped internationally at the same time.

Interesting to note that a lot of iPad owners who have the wifi only model are already looking to sell – and get the wifi/3G model. As one industry leader put it: “Once you get an iPad – and actually use it – you realise that to be useful it has to be connected all the time.”

And we agree.

If you are keen to get an iPad, then wait for the wifi/3G model as in a country like New Zealand where wifi isn’t everywhere, the 3G will be important!

iPad, iPad 3G

Apple Macbook Pro Update

They are finally here – the next iteration of the intel core processor technology inside the MacBook Pro family. The intel i5 and i7 processors have been on the market for a little while and Apple has just refreshed the MacBook Pro range to include these options. The i5 and i7 are fast – no doubt – but it is also the new battery (8-10 hours) and graphics technology that these new laptops bring which makes them a very cool update.

So, the sweet spot is the MacBook Pro 15″ 2.53GHz model loaded up with 8GB of RAM. It gives the best value vs performance for graphics work. Our testing with Adobe CS4 and the newly released Adobe CS5 shows that 8GB or more is required to run Creative Suite Premium at its best – so this fits the bill.

If you would like more information, please contact Neil McGowan or John Hutchinson on (09) 477 0396 or check out the MacBook Pro website.

i5, i7, Intel, MacBook Pro

Apple iPhone OS 4.0 preview

The iPhone OS version 4.0 beta is now up for developers (like us) to work with and test. The public version will be out in a few months and runs on 3G hardware and up. (Sorry original iPhone owners!)

There are over 100 new features, but the main ones are:

• 3rd party application multi-tasking (3GS hardware or better)
• Folders to organise your screens full of apps
• Mail gets a single unified inbox
• The iAd platform for developers to put sponsored advertising into apps
• Access to iBooks (same as the iPad)
• Enhanced enterprise features

These are great new features for you to look forward to – especially the Multitasking and Unified Inbox. About time!

UPDATE: For more detailed information, follow this link…

iPhone

iPad Review

While you are sitting with your cup of tea and a hot cross bun (or even a choc egg or two) – here is a nice early review from the Wall Street Journal to pass the time. This weekend is the weekend the US gets their hands on the iPad – so we are sure there will be some exciting activity around it. Have a good long weekend!

iPad

Our iPad has arrived!

We received our iPad first thing this morning, much earlier than expected! Because we are registered Apple Developers, we have been signed up to get a Developer iPad since the announcement. We believe this could be the first iPad to enter New Zealand.

We have tested a number of iPad Apps and we are blown away by the potential of this device. We will look at replacing our MacBooks with iPads for our highly mobile staff in the near future. Should be perfect for Adobe CS5 and MS Office.

If anyone is interested in getting some hands-on time with the iPad, give us a call at the Digital Arena office.

Here is Digital Arena’s Darrin McLeod proudly displaying the Apple device.

iPad