iOS 4.1

iOS 4.1 jailbreak arrives, but do you want it?

Almost a month ago to the day, I reported that hackers had found a way to jailbreak iOS 4.1--and asked if it was worth the hassle anymore. That question generated lots of great discussion, and now is the perfect time to revisit it.

That's because an iOS 4.1 jailbreak, Limera1n, is now in the wild. Unlike the JailbreakMe hack that made jailbreaking iOS 4.0 as simple as loading a URL in your iPhone's browser, Limera1n requires a PC and a download--one that's currently available for Windows only.

To use the hack, start by … Read more

Create iPhoto Smart Albums for iPhone 4 camera organization

If you have a Mac and an iPhone 4, this trick is for you. iOS currently provides no way to tell if the photos you've taken were from the front camera or the rear camera on your iPhone 4. Using iPhoto Smart Albums, you easily keep them organized.

This hint is fairly basic, but you will need a Mac running iPhoto '09 and an iPhone 4 running iOS 4.1. For those of us who use both of the iPhone 4's cameras prolifically, this hint is an easy way to sort your photos based on which camera you … Read more

Apple adds Game Center section to App Store

As soon as iOS 4.1 was available for download, I, as did many gamers, immediately opened the Game Center App and created an account. Now, Apple has provided us with a dedicated section of the App Store that lists Game Center-compatible Apps.

The social network for games, Game Center gives developers the opportunity to add leader boards and achievements to their titles while providing users a way to connect and share their prowess with friends. Though iOS 4.1 has only been public for a day, several games have already included Game Center connectivity:

Real Racing Flight Control FarmVille … Read more

Game Center for the iPhone: An early hands-on

Apple's iOS 4.1 update brought many tweaks to the operating system, but none higher-profile than the long-awaited Game Center. Touted as a feature of iOS 4.0, Apple's attempt to create a hub for iOS gaming could be seen as a way to take on Sony and Nintendo, or to demonstrate gaming legitimacy over Android. In reality, it's really an idea born of convenience: there are thousands of games in the App Store, and no great way to tie them all together via a single launch pad.

Does the iPhone even need a Game Center? Not … Read more

iOS 4.1 jailbreak imminent, but do you want it?

News of the inevitable: less than a day after Apple released iOS 4.1 into the wild, hackers have found a way to jailbreak it.

According to The Unofficial Apple Weblog, "Chronic Dev Team member pod2g has discovered yet another bootrom-based exploit that would supposedly work across all iOS devices running the latest firmware."

Although the jailbreak isn't available to the general public just yet, there's little doubt it will be soon. Whether or not it's as simple as the browser-based iPhone 4 jailbreak from earlier this summer remains to be seen.

My question: do … Read more

iOS 4.1: Positive early reviews from iPhone 3G users

After Apple's investigation into iPhone 3G users complaints related to slowness and poor battery life after updating to iOS 4, early reports make it clear that iOS 4.1 has turned the tide for most people.

Distraught iPhone 3G owners have been doing everything from frequent resets and restores to downgrading the iPhone firmware to version 3 all summer. Today's iOS 4.1 release has brought relief (and a lot of functionality) back to those users. Apple Support Discussions forum users as well as users commenting on CNET's article about the update have left several positive comments:… Read more

Dialed In 142: Nice try, Dell

Look out Dell, Bonnie is not happy. Your Android smartphone, the Aero, recently passed through her hands and all she can say is that it's "unintuitive, slow, and limited in functionality." And don't forget that it only runs on Android 1.5. Fortunately, Samsung fared better with its Fascinate Galaxy S handset for Verizon Wireless, but plenty of people are miffed that Verizon replaced Google's search with Microsoft's Bing.

Outside of reviews, cell phone news is a little slow this week. Apple's iOS 4.1 update went live today, a few Android rumors … Read more

iOS 4.1 hands-on look

Just as promised, Apple's iOS 4.1 went live today for iPhone and iPod Touch users. As iOS updates go, this one is pretty small, but it offers a new camera feature and it finally brings the promised Game Center feature. I posted my initial take last week shortly after Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced the update during Apple's music event, but now that it's live I've had a chance to poke around.

As a review, here are the update's highlights. For a closer look at these additions, check out the slideshow below.

High dynamic … Read more

iOS 4.1 for iPhone, iPod Touch released

The latest software for the iPhone and iPod Touch is available starting Wednesday for download from Apple.

The company foreshadowed the arrival of iOS 4.1 at its annual fall press event last week and included an overview of the latest features. The download is free via iTunes for iPhone and iPod Touch owners.

Besides upgrades to new features for games, photos, and high-definition videos, Apple is using this software update to zap several bugs at once.

Among the issues Apple CEO Steve Jobs promised would be fixed with the installation of 4.1 are: proximity sensor problems that were … Read more

CNET TV Apple Byte: New iPods, new iOS, and a thing called Ping

CNET TV's Brian Tong takes a look at the latest in Apple news, notes, tips, tricks, and rumors. This week Apple shows off its latest iPod lineup, including redesigned iPod shuffles, iPod nanos, and iPod touches, the new Apple TV (not iTV), and iOS 4.1. Check out the iOS 4.1 walk-through, including HDR photos, Game Center, and Ping.