Facebook Integration, Siri Improvements for iOS, and More!

Apple has always been a company built around secrecy. This is a policy that has always been alive in well in the heart of Apple and it seems that this policy is even more alive and well then ever before. Tim Cook took the stage at the D10 conference taking part in the first interview session that was a non-Apple event. 

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, sits down with AllThingsD at the 2012 D10 conference and discusses everything Apple.

As usual the interviewers were Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher and were drilling new CEO Tim Cook all about Apple with questions ranging from how he (Tim) learned from Steve Jobs to who was his hero. Beyond the stupid, pointless, and utter trash coming from Kara Swisher, responses to questions on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and rumored iTV gave many Apple fans like myself a glimpse and a tease into the future. 

One of the things we learned from the D10 conference was that Apple has no plans of axing off Macs. Yes, consolidation will eventually come and less and less Macs will be available to choose from, but don’t worry one bit, the Mac is here to stay. According to Tim Cook, “The tablet wouldn’t replace all needs for PC’s and Macs. What I see is that the tablet, for some people, takes over what their PC was about. And it may extend the purchasing cycle for others. ‘I want both, but I’ve got a budget, so I’ll buy tablets more often than I buy PC’s.’” When reading into this quote in combination with the interview itself, clearly the goal of Apple isnt to force customers to tablets and try and make the tablet the one computer for everyone, but a great option for those who need a computer for less strenuous reasons as Tim goes on to say “you have people trying to converge laptops and tablets. You’re lugging this clamshell and tablet and the industrial design isn’t optimized for this. People want tablets to be incredibly thin.”

Although rumors have been swirling for quite sometime about Facebook integration and Siri upgrades for the latest iOS update that will be unvieled this June at the Worldwide Developers Conference. When asked about Apple’s relationship with Facebook, Cook suggests that there will be news in the near future, “for us, we want to provide customers simple and elegant ways to do the things they want to do. Facebook has hundreds of millions of customers. So, anyone that has an iPhone or iPad, we want them to have the best experience with Facebook on those platforms. So stay tuned.” Next, when questioned about Siri, Cook reports that customers love the voice assistant feature on the iPhone 4S, and that its one of the most popular features on the device. He goes on to report that they have a lot more coming, “but, there’s more that it can do. We have a lot of people working on this. You’ll be really pleased with the things you’ll see over the coming months. The breadth that you’re talking about — we’ve got some cool ideas about what Siri can do. We have a lot going on on this.” Cook goes on to say that he thinks they’ll be “really happy” with where it’s going.

Jailbreak Available for All iOS Devices Now

Absinthe 2.0 is the software to help jailbreak all iOS devices thanks to Pod2g and others.

The original release of Absinthe brought a jailbreak to all devices ranging from the the iPhone 3GS to the iPhone 4S earlier this year. After the release of iOS 5.1 and iOS 5.1.1, jailbreaking once again on A5 and A5X core processing devices couldn’t jailbreak any longer. Well that time has come and gone, once again Pod2g and other amazing jailbreaking Developers have banded together to create another jailbreak for your iOS device.

“After copious amounts of work and many sleepless nights Absinthe 2.0 is finally here to jailbreak your device,” the group announced in a Friday blog post.

The developers said the jailbreak, dubbed Absinthe 2.0, was a “large collaborative effort between Chronic-Dev Team and iPhone Dev Teams (Jailbreak Dream Team).”

Why jailbreak a device? As most people are aware, Apple is very particular about the apps that it allows in its App Store. Only Apple-approved apps will run on iOS devices, but there are some apps that tech-savvy iPhone users still want. By jailbreaking your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you can get around Apple’s restrictions and install whatever app you like. Beware, however. 

Most jailbreaks void any warranties you might have on your device, so Apple won’t help you if you turn your phone or tablet into a brick.

That being said, the dev team said Absinthe 2.0 will work on all iOS devices running 5.1.1, except for the handful of iPad 2s running the 32nm A5 processor. They insisted that it’s one of the “easiest jailbreaks to use (so easy your grandma could do it).”

The download links are available in the blog post, and here are the directions for installation, according to the dev team:

• Make a backup of your device in iTunes by right clicking on your device name under the “Devices” menu and click “Back Up.”
• Settings > General > Reset > Erase all Content and Settings.
• Open Absinthe and be sure you are still connected via USB cable to your computer.
• Click “Jailbreak” and wait.
• Return to iTunes and restore your backup from earlier. Right click on your device name under the Devices menu in the left panel of iTunes and click Restore from Back Up, then select the latest backup you created before.

Apple released iOS 5.1.1 on May 7 with five fixes, including a bug that could prevent the new iPad from switching between 2G and 3G networks. It also improved the reliability of using the camera’s HDR option from the Lock Screen shortcut, as well as synching Safari bookmarks and Reading Lists.

The release comes about six months after the Chronic Dev Team and pod2g released the first untethered jailbreak for the iPhone 4S and iPad 2.

Facebook Drops "Facebook Camera"

Facebook today released a standalone “Camera” app that allows users to add Instagram-esque filters and post multiple pics from a phone at one time, among other things.

Facebook Camera, coming to the Apple App Store today, “makes using Facebook photos faster and easier,” Facebook said in statement.

The app has a newsfeed just like the full Facebook app, but its focus will be your friends’ photos. You can like and comment on pics just like you would on full Facebook. Click the “Me” tab to see photos in which you are tagged.

To access photos stored on your phone, tap the filmstrip-like row of photos along the top bar. That will expand to show you all available pics. Tap one to create a Facebook post with that image, or tap the shaded arrow to add multiple pics to a single post. To take a new photo, select the camera icon on the top left. You can also comment on and tag photos before posting.

If you want to alter your pic, open it up and tap the edit tool, which will let you crop the photo. The wand-like tool, meanwhile, will add special filters to a photo – from copper or neon to black and white and light.

Those filters are reminiscent of those found on Instagram, the app that Facebook just purchased for a reported $1 billion. Oddly, Facebook made no mention of Instagram or the filter option in its announcement, but on Twitter, the phrase “Facebook releases Instagram clone” soon started trending.

Earlier this month, there were reports that the Facebook-Instagram deal was getting the once-over from the Federal Trade Commission, which is apparently common for deals over $68.2 million.


You can download the app on iTunes App Store here at Facebook Camera. Peace Apple Nation!!!

Google Chrome on iOS Will Be a Flop

Options for web browsing isn’t something exactly new. For computers and most smartphones alike, the options for web browsing are abundant. Even for the exclusive App Store for Apple’s iOS devices one can find several options for web browsing including web browsers with Flash Player built in. For the most part these apps work great and are in a certain light, “Successful,” despite Apple making it difficult to choose another web browser completely. However, if the long anticipated Google Chrome does eventually make it to Apple’s iOS App Store, the web browser will be no different than the average app, maybe even worse, here’s two reason’s why:

Google Chrome on iOS.

1. Although different Web browsers do different tasks and have different features on Desktops, Laptops, and even Tablets. On iOS, the whole OS is so restricted specific and unique features for a web browser are instantly nullified, making Chrome just another face in the crowd browser. Because of this, the highly anticipated Google Chrome would make a big splash initially, but fade extremely quickly, much like good ol’ Google+.
2. Poking fun at a someone is never right, but in this case it actually is. Think back to Google’s latest iOS apps such as Google+ and Gmail, think long and hard if you can’t recall your experience. If you had a great and positive experience, then you my friend are one lucky person because many of us including myself had one issue after another just attempting to use Google’s iOS apps. These apps were so bad, both were eventually pulled “temporarily” to fix issues because they were so awful. Actually, the crappy apps reminded me of Android…..hahaha jk. In all seriousness, if they can’t even make Gmail work on a consistant basis, what makes you think they could make a web browser on iOS work? Even if Chrome did work, more than likely I would still use the much snappier Safari.

Although it sounds like I’m bashing and hating on Google and Google Chrome. While it looks like it, I really am not, I use Chrome on my MacBook Pro everyday including while I write this post. However, I have serious doubts to the quality and functionality to the potential Chrome app. But if this App does drop, you can find the whole review right here when and if it does drop. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @AppleGuesser and Facebook @Guessing The Apple. Peace Apple Nation!

A Logical iPhone 5 Design, Honestly!

Ok, so after my long and depressing rant about how the iPhone 5 will not be released this summer, I thought I would lighten the mood just a tad with a little bit of optimism with my eyes focused in on October. So today all over the net, rumored part leaks for the iPod Touch 5th generation surfaced giving hope to those Apple fans that really want a 4 inch display upgrade. While there where some disappointed fans over the rumored part leak that could potentially appear on the next iPhone, many were completely satisfied with the rumor. For me personally, first glimpse was not love at first sight. In fact, I HATED the new look, so much so I almost posted an article ranting about how upset I was at Apple. But after some serious thought, I think I am actually excited. Or…..it could be this awesome video of a realistic mock up of the iPhone 5. Its not perfect, its not 100% sexy, but just picture it in your hands, enjoy!

Why The "iPhone 5" Won’t Be Available This Summer

People keep asking me, hey AppleGuesser, when is the new iPhone coming out? Is it coming out this June? The simple and most accurate statement is a flat out NO, the new iPhone is not coming out in June, July, or August. I realize that this is a heated debate and what I’m saying is just a mere opinion, but mark my words, the new iPhone is not coming out summer and here is why.

• The iPhone 4S would be just 8 months old in June. If Apple did decide to release the newest iPhone to the masses this June following the Worldwide Developers Conference, this would ostracize millions of very new iPhone users. By releasing a new iPhone in June, they would be taking the best selling smartphone on the market, a phone that millions of people use and turning their phone into an inferior device not even one year after being released. By doing this, Apple would be practicing the very tactic Apple bashes consistently and that is bashing the idea of making a phone only to make it inferior only a short time later. This isn’t Apple like and will not happen, no matter how bad you may want that new iPhone.

• If the new iPhone were in fact in production, where are all the part leaks? With every new iPhone release, some part from a manufactuorer in China leaks a part of an iPhone to the internet whether it is a battery, antenna, a sim card tray, or a docking connector. Whatever part you care to get excited over, almost nothing has been leaked as of yet. I realize a home button MAY have been leaked, but other than that, nothing really yet. With just a few short weeks to go to the WWDC with few part leaks and no prototype iPhone mishaps (cough. cough), the odds are incredibly likely that Apple will not in fact release the new iPhone this summer.

Although the latest iPhone will not be releasing this summer, there are many great things to look forward to this summer and beyond for Apple enthusiasts like myself. Apple seems to have a huge summer in store for the Mac which may help lift your spirit. With the addition of Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion this summer, updates to the Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, and iMac lines have been rumored to be coming as well. This would like up right as Apple would look to soften the news of a Fall release of the new iPhone with the news of updated Mac’s for OS X 10.8. 

So there you have it all you crazy Apple fans, that is why the new iPhone will not be coming out this summer. But don’t get to upset, if you have a Mac, this is an exciting time as OS X 10.8 looks likely it will roar (excuse the pun haha). Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @AppleGuesser or on Facebook @Guessing The Apple. Have an awesome early Tuesday Morning!!!! 🙂

What an iPhone Really Can Do!!!

One of the best things about my iPhone 4S is that the camera on it is phenomenal. Since the release of the iPhone 4, all of my vacations have been both filmed and photographed exclusively on my iPhone. What makes my iPhone so remarkable is that 3 years ago I would have laughed at you if you would have told me I would prefer a cell phone over a stand only camera to complete the task of documenting my vacations. With the Addition of iMovie for iPad and iPhone, taking beautiful pictures and videos and making a home movie to post to youtube, facebook, twitter or whatever social networking site you use is really easy. So yeah, I realize most of this you either 100% agree with or write off as me being a fanboy of Apple. Yes, it is true that I am a huge fanboy of Apple, but the camera is remarkable. 

Here is a video I made using my iPhone’s camera and the app iMovie for it as well. All done on a mobile device and uploaded to youtube. The video is all about Roller Coaster Day 2012 (RCDay2012), a holiday created and sponsored by Freddie Wong for a day of fun and relaxation. This video documents myself and a friend of mine’s RCday 2012 at Walt Disney World in Orlando. Enjoy!

What Does iOS 5.1.1 Have to do With iOS 6?

Apple today released iOS 5.1.1 (build 9B206, 54.4 MB) for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. According to the release notes iOS 5.1.1 addresses the following:

• Improves reliability of using HDR option for photos taken using the Lock Screen shortcut
• Addresses bugs that could prevent the new iPad from switching between 2G and 3G networks
• Fixes bugs that affected AirPlay video playback in some circumstances
• Improved reliability for syncing Safari bookmarks and Reading List
• Fixes an issue where ‘Unable to purchase’ alert could be displayed after successful purchase

Perhaps more importantly, iOS 5.1.1 also contains a number of security fixes according to Apple knowledgebase article HT5278, including Safari vulnerabilities that allow maliciously crafted websites to be able to spoof the address in the location bar, execute cross-site scripting attacks and cause unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution.

With the WWDC just a few short weeks away and the introduction to iOS 6 more than likely, odds are, iOS 5 is just about as mature as the OS is going to be. Here is a list of some features I really hope will be included in the next version of iOS:

• A better locksceen with weather widgets and other things much similar to Lockinfo in the Cydia app store.
• A few more notification center widgets like the ability to see the song title, skip a song, and the ability to select repeat and shuffle as well. Just a few more options would be nice.
• Have the contact pictures next to iMessage and Text Message contacts in the messages app. Maybe a whole update to it.
• An ability to add up to 16 apps in a folder instead of 12, that would be incredibly helpful to me .
• Have the weather show the current temperature on the default weather app and show the time on the default clock app (a jailbreak app does this, come on apple, do it too)

In addition convenience fixes, iOS 5.1.1 patches three critical vulnerabilities in Safari that can spoof the address in the location bar, execute arbitrary code and XSS attacks. Beyond just that, some of the suggestions ive made here are not out of the stretch of the imagination. Most of what i want i can find in the jail breaking community, only I’d rather pass on jailbreaking my iPhone. Now if iOS 5 is any indication how serious Apple takes jailbreakers, we will see a heavy influence from the jailbreaking world on iOS 6. Which if Apple does this, then iOS 6 is poised to be amazing just like iOS 5 was and still is.

Former Apple Employee "Explains" Keyboard Discussions!

Ok so this video is really cool. Former Apple Tony Fadell working at the time of the creation of the original iPhone discusses what Apple was debating to create. Some of the prototypes just make me laugh, but when I think back to the times before an iPhone they really do make some sense. Thanks to the great people of MacRumors for uploading this video. Leave your comments of what you thought below 🙂

What Apple did Wrong!

Steve Jobs presenting Keynote for iTunes Ping November of 2009.

Well Ive been gone for a long time, but today i want to talk about something that Apple totally did wrong. What Apple did was so bad, an absolute blunder that it is reminds me of mobileme, another monumental failure by Apple. Now dont get me wrong, i am a huge supporter of Apple and have far more good things to say about them, but in this case they have left me scratchin’ the ol’ noggin.

What I’ve been getting at is iTunes Ping, or in Apple World simply known as Ping. The other day I was on iTunes and I saw ping. For a minute, I had to remember what it was and the last time I used it. What it is supposed to be is Apple’s version of a music social media, something MySpace did right in its hayday and still does a nice job at today. However, there are several shortcomings that make me shake my head and leave me wondering what the heck Apple was thinking when they released it. Here are a few bulleted points of things that 100% suck about ping.

• No actual website. This is bad because to get someone to find and add me, the process is slow, confusing, and annoying and is not as simple as just giving them the url, so I dont bother. Not the adjectives I usually use to describe a company that pushes the slogan “It just works.”
• The profiles themselves are terrible. For the most part, I can upload one picture of myself, and share just 3 genres of music i like (which i like FAR more than that) and I can list some music I bought. Yeah, nothing that is overwhelming and rather actually underwhelming
• You cant send messages, chat, or start groups. After saying all that, why would i want to use this social media? Its isolated, primative, ugly, boring, and pointless. By far, this is the worst attempt to create something in Apples long and historic run of success.

After all this negativity AppleGuesser, surely there is something Ping does right. Yeah, sure it does SOMETHING right, what is it? I sure dont know. Honestly, I have used Ping for all of 10 minutes, and that was mostly used to set the profile up. Now if Apple wants to make this thing really fly, they could and can do it, here is how:

1. Add the Find My Friends to Ping, almost like a check in for Facebook. Make it intuitive for finding friends.
2. Ok Apple, I know you may cringe at the thought of incorporating Facebook to your Social Network. But please, do it. That way I can find friends, post music ive been listening to or bought to my news feed, much like instagram works. 
3. Make it a website I can access easily from anywhere, not just iTunes. By having it in iTunes, you isolate the Social Network. By having it on the net, I can add friends more easily VIA a simple url and vise versa. 
4. And lastly, make this a dedicated default app and built it through iOS 6. Stop using twitter as your cover up Social Networking creator. You have your own, use it man!

Ok, so those are somethings that have been gnawing at me for quite sometime. What do you guys think? Do you actually use Ping at all? Am I just trying to make a tin can fly in the air? Who knows, but i do know that if Apple tried even a little bit to make this work, they could make it work. Anyways, Peace people, take it easy, enjoy that last day of April, and Happy Monday! AppleGuesser OUT!!!!