iPhone in Canada Blog - Canada's #1 iPhone Resource » Apple Software

iTunes 10.5.3 Released With iBooks 2 Textbook Syncing Support

Usman — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:57:03 +0000

Apple has released iTunes 10.5.3 with support for the new iBooks 2 app allowing iOS users to sync their textbook purchases as well as support for the updated iTunes U program. The new version of iTunes is available for Mac OS (102.15MB) and Windows (66.11MB -32Bit , 67.98MB-64Bit) from Apple’s website. Read the full release notes after the break.

What’s new in iTunes 10.5.3

iTunes 10.5.3 allows you to sync interactive iBooks textbooks to your iPad. These multi-touch textbooks are available for purchase from the iTunes Store on your Mac or from the iBookstore included with iBooks 2 on your iPad.

iBooks textbooks are created with “iBooks Author” — now available as a free download on the Mac App Store

For information on the security content of this update, please visit: support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

iTunes 10.5.3 Released With iBooks 2 Textbook Syncing Support is a post from: iPhone in Canada Blog - Canada's #1 iPhone Resource

Apple Quietly Adds New Viewing Option To iTunes Store

Matt Watterworth — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 01:56:16 +0000

Apple has added a new way of viewing items available for download through iTunes, Reports Italian language Apple blog Ispazio Genius.

The latest option is a slick looking pop-up that allows you to view all of the details of an App or Album you might like to purchase, on top of the search screen that brings you to the item in the first place.

Downloadable content icons now have a clickable “i” in the bottom right corner allowing the popup to make its appearance.

Apple made the addition without much fanfare and it seems that it may have happened as far back as December 8th, though few sources have reported on it.

Just a fun, handy addition we thought we’d share!

Apple Quietly Adds New Viewing Option To iTunes Store is a post from: iPhone in Canada Blog - Canada's #1 iPhone Resource

Why The Label Under iOS Apps Sometimes Say “Cleaning…”

Stephen Cleary — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:32:55 +0000

With iOS 5, iPhone and iPad users began reporting a new curious behaviour: the label under some apps would occasionally change to read “Cleaning…” Facebook does it; Instapaper does it; Twitter too. It’s a feature of iOS 5 that, to my knowledge, has not been explained.

Rene Ritchie has the details:

Since adding iCloud and Wi-Fi sync options, it’s become important to keep app data as clean as possible, so backups are as efficient as possible, so we’re not left waiting around for minutes or hours getting as frustrated as possible.

And yes, this is the same reason that, under the original iOS 5.0, apps like Instapaper would sometimes lose all your locally cached articles. (Since fixed with the addition of a third storage option between documents and cache, one that’s not cleaned but also not backed up.)

There you have it; iOS 5 is just ensuring your iOS device is as lean and efficient as possible.

Why The Label Under iOS Apps Sometimes Say “Cleaning…” is a post from: iPhone in Canada Blog - Canada's #1 iPhone Resource

Apple Releases Apple TV 4.4.4 Firmware Update with Bug Fixes

Stephen Cleary — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:57:25 +0000

Today Apple has released an incremental software update to their second-generation Apple TV, bringing the set-top box to version 4.4.4. MacRumors notes that the update arrives as Build 9A406a, without any clear indication of what improvements the release includes.

First reports indicated that it’s only a minor update that improves performance and stability as well as fixes “an issue that displayed an error when playing some video content.”

Stability and performance: Apple TV software version 4.4.4 includes general performance and stability improvements, including a fix for an issue that displayed an error when playing some video content.

The update has already begun rolling out and should be available on your Apple TV now.

Apple Releases Apple TV 4.4.4 Firmware Update with Bug Fixes is a post from: iPhone in Canada Blog - Canada's #1 iPhone Resource

iTunes Match Rolling Out In Canada Today [Updated]

Stephen Cleary — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:30:06 +0000

Update 2: Click here on how to fix error 5002.

Update 1: iTunes Match shows in my iTunes sidebar, but when I attempt to purchase I get error ’5002′. -Gary

Yesterday, we noted that iTunes Match appeared to go live in Canada with users being able to sign up for the service (within Account Settings) and see updated ‘Cloud Status’ icons appearing next to their content located in there library. Many users where reporting that the feature was not yet functioning properly.

Yesterday’s rollout appears to have been premature, as Apple has been refunding customers and notifying them that the service is currently available only in the United States and Brazil.

This morning a new iTunes Match rollout is happening with a link going live on the front page of the Canadian iTunes Store. It is also appearing in the left rail of iTunes.

We’re getting some sign-in errors while trying to use the service, so maybe not quite everything is in place for its launch, but it’s there and should be live and fully functional very soon.

To give it a try yourself, launch the latest version of iTunes (10.5.2) and follow the onscreen instructions. Let us know in the comments how it’s working for you.

iTunes Match debuted in the United States in mid-November and expanded to Brazil earlier this week. The services will cost Canadians $27.99 CDN per year.

iTunes Match Rolling Out In Canada Today [Updated] is a post from: iPhone in Canada Blog - Canada's #1 iPhone Resource

Apple Releases iTunes 10.5.2 for Download

Gary Ng — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 01:17:42 +0000

Apple has released iTunes 10.5.2 for download. The minor fixes involve iTunes Match (US only, but coming to Canada soon) and audio problems when dealing with certain CDs:

What’s new in iTunes 10.5.2

iTunes 10.5.2 includes several improvements for iTunes Match and fixes an audio distortion problem when playing or importing certain CDs.

The update can be found via Apple’s iTunes software download page or via Software Update. Earlier today, Apple released iOS 5.1 beta 2 to developers.

Apple Releases iTunes 10.5.2 for Download is a post from: iPhone in Canada Blog - Canada's #1 iPhone Resource

Siri Stumbles Over Abortion Questions [Updated]

Stephen Cleary — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:25:25 +0000

Siri is being accused of having an antiabortion agenda — at least in New York City and Washington, D.C.. When asked where to get an abortion, the beta personal assistant only produces results for pro-life centres or tells users that it has no knowledge of abortion clinics.

Megan Carpentier, executive editor of The Raw Story, reports that Siri users in the Washington area are directed toward antiabortion pregnancy centers in Virginia and Pennsylvania instead of the nearby Planned Parenthood. Ask in New York City, and Siri will respond: “I didn’t find any abortion clinics.”

The Raw Story also reports that when a reader asked, “Why are you anti-abortion, Siri?” the app answered, “I just am.” There is no corresponding screenshot to substantiate this claim.

So far, Apple hasn’t responded to media inquires, so it’s unknown if it’s just a technical glitch or a deliberate omission on Apple’s part.

Norman Winarsky, one of the founders of Siri, told the New York Times that Apple is likely not to blame. “Those answers would be coming from the Web services that Siri is connecting to, not necessarily Apple,” he said. Having said that, Winarsky was quick to point out that he had no knowledge of what modifications Apple might have made to Siri after acquiring it in 2010.

In Canada, Siri is unable to perform geography-based searches, so I’m unable to duplicate results.

Update: The NYT has received a response from Apple. Quoting from the source:

The company attributed the problem to kinks in the product that are still being ironed out. Siri is officially still a beta or test product.

“Our customers want to use Siri to find out all types of information, and while it can find a lot, it doesn’t always find what you want,” said Natalie Kerris, a spokeswoman for Apple, in a phone interview late Wednesday. “These are not intentional omissions meant to offend anyone, it simply means that as we bring Siri from beta to a final product, we find places where we can do better and we will in the coming weeks.”

Siri Stumbles Over Abortion Questions [Updated] is a post from: iPhone in Canada Blog - Canada's #1 iPhone Resource

iMessage Coming to Mac OS X?

Stephen Cleary — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:40:04 +0000

iMessage on OS X Lion is back in the news. We had previously reported that iMessage might be integrated into the Mac OS iChat application based on strings of code found in Lion’s iChat. However a report from last night indicates that the decision to integrate iMessage into iChat or create a standalone client not been finalized. Both are reported possibilities that are being simultaneous development.

iMessage is Apple’s new messaging solution for devices running iOS 5. It allows user to send SMS-like messages using data, rather than a text messaging plan. The service is similar to Blackberry’s BBM. Integrating OS X Lion with iMessage would allow users to send iMessages to iOS 5 devices from a Mac.

Back in June, Jan-Michael Cart created a concept video demonstrating how iMessage could be integrated into Lion. Check it out here.

[9to5Mac]

iMessage Coming to Mac OS X? is a post from: iPhone in Canada Blog - Canada's #1 iPhone Resource

The iPhone Podcast 44 – Last Call For iPhone Rumors, Kindle Fire

Justin Luey — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:15:34 +0000

Episode 44 of The iPhone Podcast is now available in iTunes. Topics include: last minute iPhone 5 rumors, Amazon’s Kindle tablet, Steve Jobs impersonators, third-party Apple stores, TV on the iPad, and all the latest app news.

Subscribe with iTunes | Subscribe with other RSS Readers

You can follow and comment on all the news we discuss at our blog.

Justin’s Picks:
Elements
Play By AOL
Marathon

Gary’s Picks:

Evri
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12
The Oregon Trail

Other Apps Discussed:
magicJack
Quora
WordPress
Feedly
Skype
Google+

Episode 44 is brought to you by Audible
You can support the podcast by downloading a free audiobook at Audible, the free book is yours to keep even if you cancel your subscription.

The iPhone Podcast 44 – Last Call For iPhone Rumors, Kindle Fire is a post from: iPhone in Canada Blog - Canada's #1 iPhone Resource

CBC Threatens to Sue Developer of Canadian Radio Player

Gary Ng — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 04:23:19 +0000

An interesting development has ensued between the CBC and Canadian developer, Cory Alder of Vancouver. He developed an app titled Canadian Radio Player, available in the Mac App Store for $2.99, to enable CBC radio streams on your Mac, from anywhere.

Originally, the app contained a reference to the CBC and use of its logo, but was soon changed. The CBC isn’t happy about this app, and has fired off a cease and decist letter, citing copyright infringement:

“Again, your unauthorized use of CBC’s marks and content (i.e. re-distribution of CBC’s radio content) infringes on CBC’s intellectual property. To be clear, CBC objects to your use, repackaging, and sale of CBC’s marks and radio content without authority.” [letter]

Dave has since given his side of the story on his blog and is bewildered, noting the irony of his own tax dollars are being used to pay for the CBC lawyer being used against him.

“They are citing copyright infringement but they can’t actually point to anything specific…this story is of concern to all Canadians, because it’s about our public broadcaster trying to control how we listen to their broadcasts…I believe this exemplifies that, at least their legal department, has a hostile attitude towards openness and access to content.”

What do you think? Does CBC have a case here or is this developer being treated unfairly by the CBC?

[via Toronto Sun]

CBC Threatens to Sue Developer of Canadian Radio Player is a post from: iPhone in Canada Blog - Canada's #1 iPhone Resource