iOS 5 was released a few weeks ago as one of the most stable beta releases that I have seen in recent years and the improvements over previous software were significant. The notifications functionality is outstanding and well worth the price of admission – which n the iPhone 4 was what appeared to be a slight lag from time to time. This afternoon, Apple released iOS 5 beta 2 (9A5248d) to developers, and an updated version of iTunes 10.5 beta 2.

While I’m sure Apple is doing the best they can to make this an easy upgrade process for developers, it’s frustrating, to say the least that after installing the new release of iTunes you will be unable to sync your beta 1 iOS 5 device until you have upgraded it to iOS beta 2. As those are ~750+MB downloads, it’s a bit frustrating. To resume syncing, connect you idevice and follow the upgrade process as you did when originally installing iOS 5; it will work successfully.

Some other highlights culled from notes and the internet:

• iTunes 10.5b2 can’t sync iOS 5 Beta 1 devices
• iOS5 Beta 1 devices can’t iMessage iOS5 Beta 2 devices and vice-versa
• WiFI Sync works with OSX Computers only (has to be enabled in iTunes 10.5 beta 2) – Sorry Windows users
• Over-the-Air (OTA) updates have been released – none current available
• General speed improvements (thank goodness) and bug fixes

That’s it for now – I will add more as I get it.

~geek

As if all the exciting iPad 2 announcements weren’t enough Apple for the day, Apple has released iOS 4.3.1. Fire up iTunes and download the hefty 666.0 MB upgrade.

Some of the highlights:

• Fixes an occasional graphics glitch on the iPod Touch (4th generation)
• Resolves bugs related to connecting and activating on some cellular networks
• Fixes image flickering with Apple’s new Digital AV Adapter
• Resolves an issue authenticating with some enterprise web services

Curious to hear if you find anything else, but there you have it for today’s excitement.

geek

I am totally amazed at how many different reviews of the iPad 2 there are – and so quickly, too – and every one of these seems to have a different take on how great Apple’s second iPad (the iPad 2) really is. Having finally received mine I’m agreeing across the board, but believe that most are missing the importance of a feature that will revolutionize how people can use their iPad – video mirroring.

Video mirroring is the ability to show the iPad 2 screen on an external display – regardless of application. The first generation iPad had the ability to output some things (presentations and video), but for the most part if you wanted to play Angry Birds you were relegated to the relatively compact iPad screen. Not so with the new iPad. When connecting your new iPad 2 to an external display using the Apple VGA Adapter or the Apple DIgital AV Adapter it is possible to completely mirror all functionality on the iPad 2, including the home screen itself. This works equally well with projectors, big screens, and, to that end, everything I’ve tried to this point. Interesting, though that there isn’t currently a way to connect the iPad to Apple’s own 27″ monitor.

I made the trek – not too far mind you – to MacWorld 2011 and found myself wondering whether MacWorld can survive another year and more importantly, after so many came back from CES disappointed, whether the technology trade-show itself can survive. Seriously, how many different iPhone cases does that average trade-show attendee really want to see? Considering how many Blackberry and Droid phones I saw, my inclination would be far fewer then were really there.

Of the products that were there, many seemed to be “coming soon,” and far less than ever before was really available to buy at the show. Overall, I walked away most of the cash that I came with, a couple of stickers, and a feeling of disappointment. I told my wife via text message that MacWorld was a lot like going to Fry’s, same size as the store, a lot of stuff that you would never buy, and shelf space showing stickers for stuff that you really wish you could buy.

Not that it matters with the amount that I haven’t [sic] been posting lately, but I’m off to MacWorld for the opening day. I won’t be taking in anything but the Expos, but I am still really excited to see what’s coming out for the iPad and how mature the iPhone market has become. Hopefully there will be some good products out there and maybe even a few fun ones, too.

If there’s enough good stuff, I will even add more to this post later on.

~geek

With Apple set to release their iPad 3G on Friday it’s about time that AT&T got in on some of the action and for those eagerly awaiting their iPad the news is actually pretty good.

When I originally ordered my 64GB WiFi + 3G iPad from Apple’s online store, I wasn’t too worried about the “late April” ship date, assuming incorrectly that the release of the WiFi only models meant that those with 3G couldn’t be all that far behind. My mistake was assuming that late april meant sometime after the 15 – not the last day of the month as Apple has just announced.

I’ve been thinking for some time now that the biggest changes for the iPhone are going to come from iPad developers, simply because there are things that users will want/need to do on the iPad that I am hopeful will trickle-down to the iPhone – take printing, for example. With Apple’s announcement that they are now accepting iPad apps, I am hopeful that some of these hopes will come to fruition.

Based on what Apple is leaking, applications submitted now will have a shot at being reviewed and approved before the iPad launch next month, but I would expect, since almost all apps have been developed with only the simulator, that many apps will experience problems on day/week one. Only time will tell, but I am hopeful that some good will come out of this and not a new round of fart and beer guzzling parodies.

~geek

Apple’s iPad is on the tip of many tongues – good and bad – and the only remaining question is what market is this serving or is the iPad still looking for a market?