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I was able to confirm this after a couple of false s...
I was able to confirm this after a couple of false s...
If you're using your iPhone or iPod touch as your primary alarm clock, it might be time to reconsider. In 2010, Apple had well-publicized difficulties with the switchover to Daylight Saving Time. Alarms failed to go off at their proper times, causing thousands of people in the Southern Hemisphere to wake up an hour early and many more thousands in the Northern Hemisphere to wake up an hour late. Now yet another bug has struck Apple's Clock app in iOS: single-use, non-repeating alarms fail to go off at all after New Year's Day.
Just like the Daylight Saving Time bug, living in New Zealand has given me the opportunity to test this bug ahead of time. Strangely, a single-use alarm scheduled to go off at 7:00 A.M. today went off on time, but now single-use alarms don't work at all. Only alarms set to repeat at least once during the week will work properly. 9to5Mac suggests that the problem will clear up after January 3rd, and our testing confirms that -- in a couple of days, the alarms are back to normal.
This bug in the Clock app is somewhat less insidious than the Daylight Saving Time bug, which affected repeating alarms. With this New Year's Day bug, you'll still be safe if you've got a repeating alarm set during the work week. Only single-use alarms will fail to go off. I've tested this with alarms created in 2010 and alarms created in 2011, and it makes no difference; all single-use alarms now fail to activate until after 1/3. I've tested this on an iPhone 4 running iOS 4.2.1 -- your experience may differ if you have a different iOS device or software version.
Considering how many things Apple's managed to get right in iOS, it seems really odd that of all things it's the Clock app that keeps getting mucked up. Let us know in the comments if any third-party alarm clock apps are experiencing the same issue (though I doubt it). In the meantime, if you've been using your iPhone or iPod touch to wake you up in the morning, it might be a good idea to invest in a cheap standalone alarm clock -- or take off work until Monday.
iPhone alarms may fail to activate on New Year's Day originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
iPhone alarms may fail to activate on New Year's Day originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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A bug in the iOS alarm system seems to stop one-time alarms from working after 2011 begins.
One of our Australian forum members, TrAJik let us know that his iPhone alarm failed to wake him up this morning, January 1, 2011 (Australia time) and doing a quick look around the web it seems like he is not alone.
The iPhone had trouble with repeating alarms back during the change to Standard Time so this could be the same bug rearing its ugly head again.
UPDATE: According to comments below, this affects ONE TIME ALARMS rather than recurring ones, so the opposite fix should work:
iOS 4.2 fixed that bug. Will we have to wait for an iOS 4.3 this time? If you’re experiencing the problem and if you’ve found any other fixes, let us know in the comments below or help trouble shoot in our iPhone Forums.
UDPATE 2: Engadget confirms it’s one time alarms that are causing the problem, not repeats.
UPDATE 3: 9to5Mac says the bug fixes itself on January 3.
UPDATED! Warning! iPhone bugs: Alarms not working in 2011 is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.
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We're not exactly sure of the cause of this fancy new issue affecting Apple's super cool iPhone line of cellphones, but apparently you've got trouble come 1/1/2011. According to an explosive stream of frustration-filled tweets on the Twitter microblogging service, when the clock strikes midnight, one off alarms will cease to sing out. The issue sounds eerily similar to recent Daylight Savings Time trouble we witnessed back in November, although we saw both repeating alarm and single alarm failures, respectively.PSA: iPhone alarms not working come New Year's Day 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 21:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The votes have been cast, the results have been tallied, and as the year draws to an end the last thing left to do, the final cap we need to put on it is to announce the 2010 TiPb Readers Choice Award Winners. That’s right, your winners — your favorite news, apps, games, and accessories. And we have them for you… after the break!
Yes, our readers chose iPhone 4 over iPad and that’s saying something. Whether it was the fabulous Retina Display, the glass and stainless-steel design, the FaceTime video chat, the powerful A4 processor, or all of the above, iPhone 4 not only made us happy, it led Apple to a 14+ million devices sold quarter and that’s the ultimate proof of its popularity.
“iPhone 4 is the biggest leap since the original iPhone,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “FaceTime video calling sets a new standard for mobile communication, and our new Retina display is the highest resolution display ever in a phone, with text looking like it does on a fine printed page. We have been dreaming about both of these breakthroughs for decades.”
Narrowly beating out Retina Display, Multitasking has been one of the most requested iOS features since the original iOS device, iPhone 2G, was released in 2007. Well it took 3 years and 4 versions — even longer than copy and paste — but iOS 4 finally brought background tasks to iPhone and iPod touch, and iOS 4.2 is poised to do the same for iPad. Sure, some may quibble that the mix of fast app switching, saved state, background audio, location, and VoIP threads, local and push notifications, etc. (see the full walkthrough for details) aren’t “true” multitasking but functionally it achieves what 90% of users need, with minimal impact on battery and management overhead.
iPhone OS 4’s new multitasking offers users a new way to quickly move between apps, and provides developers seven new multitasking services to easily add multitasking features to their apps. These services include background audio, so apps like Pandora can play music in the background, and VoIP, so VoIP apps can receive a VoIP call even when the iPhone is asleep or the user is running other apps. iPhone OS 4 provides multitasking to third party apps while preserving battery life and foreground app performance, which has until now proved elusive on mobile devices.
Apple is usually so on the ball when it comes to managing production and release of their consumer electronics — “great artists ship” is a favorite quote of Apple CEO Steve Jobs — that on the rare occasions when something like the white iPhone 4 fails to materialize it becomes a big story.
We’re sorry to disappoint customers waiting for the white iPhone yet again, but we’ve decided to delay its release until this Spring.
NAVIGON MobileNavigator has been at the forefront turn-by-turn navigation apps since Apple brought the functionality to the iPhone. Now, with iOS 4’s multitasking background location services, and the latest updates and enhancements to MobileNavigator, not only does it rival traditional dedicated GPS units, but in many ways surpasses them. [iTunes link]
“We’re honored that the TiPb.com community voted NAVIGON MobileNavigator as their favorite iPhone navigation app. This award recognizes our dedication to delivering innovation and quality products to consumers now and into the future. The iPhone has been and continues to be an extremely important platform for NAVIGON. It has allowed MobileNavigator to significantly move the category of navigation applications forward; delivering a solution that is the most feature rich navigation application available.” – Bernd Hahn, Head of iNavigation at NAVIGON
Angry Birds is one of those rare games that electrifies a platform, becomes part of every conversation, gets downloaded onto every device and gets enjoyed by every iPhone and iPad user. You load up one of a variety of lethally enraged avians in a catapult and launch them at a bunch of fortified, thieving pigs. It sounds simple until you start playing and don’t stop even when the sun goes down and the alarm sounds the next morning. That’s what made it a phenomena and with word of a multiplayer option and a sequel in the works (from the pig’s perspective no less!) it shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. [iTunes link]
We thank all readers of The iPhone Blog and every fan of Angry Birds for their continuing support,” said Ville Heijari, VP of Public Relations at Rovio. “We’ve worked hard to deliver the best possible game experience on the iPhone, and nothing is more rewarding than the positive feedback we get from our incredible fan community. We will carry on making Angry Birds an even greater game in the future, and rest assured – you have only seen a tiny glimpse of the Angry Birds world!”
Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus brought online multiplayer gaming to iOS. What, you need another reason? [iTunes link]
Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus further improves the exemplary gameplay of the first Modern Combat for an astounding immersion in a modern war experience and one of the most complete FPS multiplayer games on the iPhone.
It took the iPad to finally get media companies to start streaming to iOS, but start streaming they did, Netflix chief among them. iPhone and iPod touch, even Apple TV has Netflix now. It’s only available in the US and Canada, granted, and subject to the insanities of Hollywood release windows, but they plan on expanding throughout 2011 and not even Hollywood is immune to the force of change. [iTunes link]
“The innovation and consumer appeal of iPad make it a perfect device for instantly watching TV episodes and movies streamed from Netflix,” said Reed Hastings, Netflix co-founder and chief executive officer. “We are excited to make a Netflix App available to iPad users beginning with the iPad launch.”
In a year of great Jailbreak apps, MyWi still took the top prize. Why? It lets you turn your iPhone into a wireless hotspot. We’re not talking tethering here, we’re talking taking your 3G signal, treating it like a broadband connection, then using your iPhone like a wireless router and sharing that connectivity with several other devices (for as long as your battery life and data cap allow, at least). For functionality freaks, what could be better?
With iOS 4 Apple gave us the ability to put 12 apps into an iPhone or iPod touch Folder. With iOS 4.2, we were able to put 20 apps into an iPad folder. Know what’s more than 12 and 20? Infinity, that’s what! And that’s just (theoretically!) how many Infinifolders allows.
Note: While Infinfolders got the most votes for a specific hack, “other” actually won this category so to see what else our readers thought deserved top tweak honors, check out their comments.
Otterbox Defender is what I’ve often referred to as the full plate armor of iPhone and iPad protection. It has layers – a hardened plastic shell and soft silicon skin along with a transparent film to to cover the screen. It’s what you use when you want to absolutely, positively keep your iPhone or iPad safe and secure. [TiPb Store link]
“Thanks TiPb readers for naming the OtterBox Defender Series the Favorite Protective Case for an iPhone or iPad! We are flattered by the recognition and appreciate the support of every single customer!”
Machined from a solid block of aircraft grade aluminum and anodized in brilliant color, Element-Case’s Vapor Case is about the only thing that can make your iPhone 4 look even more like something out of a sci-fi flick. [Element-Case Store link
Last post of 2010 folks, have a happy New Year! See you in 2011!
2010 TiPb Readers Choice Award Winners is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.
TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog
The clock is ticking toward midnight in the US, and in fact our colleague Chris Rawson has already begun 2011 (he's in New Zealand, on the other side of the International Date Line).
To count all the ways we're thankful to have spent the past 12 months with all of you would take more time than we have left in the year, but as a small token of our appreciation -- here's the last app giveaway of 2010, five promo codes for the essential iPhone and iPad calculator Digits.
In the recent 2.0 release, developer Joshua Distler added multi-tape management to the capable computation app, allowing you to share, sync, email and print your calculator tapes. It's currently on sale for US $0.99, but if you'd like to win a license, just share a comment below with your New Year's resolution (keep it clean!). We'll pick five winners next week.
Best wishes from all of us for a happy, healthy and safe 2011!
Final app giveaway of 2010: Digits for iOS originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Final app giveaway of 2010: Digits for iOS originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The Wall Street Journal is reporting that those supposed cases for iPad 2, which show off a more iPod touch 4-like design, a camera cut-out, larger speaker, and possible USB port, have been pulled from Alibaba.com by parties unidentified (but easily speculated.
9to5Mac has also pulled their case mold images after similar, albeit “not so nice” demands.
Apple has had images removed from the web before, including the infamous iPod “fatty” nano leak, but in recent years hadn’t bothered (or hadn’t wanted a legal demand to prove the veracity of the pictures), even for the iPhone 4 leak. Is the tablet market about to become competitive enough that Apple doesn’t want to take any chances, is this a third party getting involved, or is it something else?
(The image above is a concept design by TiPb.com, rendered before the latest round of rumors, coincidentally showing a more tapered, iPod touch-like design…)
Video of one of the cases after the break (unless and until YouTube is required to pull it).
[Wall Street Journal, 9to5Mac, via MacRumors]
Supposed iPad 2 case images pulled is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.
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But someone -- its unclear who -- doesnt seem to appreciate al...
Here's some more evidence that the App Store had a really amazing holiday weekend last week. OpenFeint has announced that it saw a 184% spike in new users on Christmas Day last week, the largest single day in the service's history for new users. Over the four days around the holiday, OpenFeint reportedly added more than 1.4 million new users to the service.
Downloads were also really high, with five million OpenFeint-enabled games downloaded over the holiday weekend. That includes Android games, which saw 73% growth, and iOS games, which spiked by 187% over the weekend. That's a lot of new games and new players.
We've heard other evidence already that last weekend was really busy for the App Store. Apple hasn't released any stats so far (and we've got a line in to EA to try and find out if it can share any of its download figures from the weekend), but we can tell you with some certainty that last weekend saw plenty of new traffic for the App Store and its apps.
OpenFeint sees giant spike in Christmas users and downloads originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
OpenFeint sees giant spike in Christmas users and downloads originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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What Apple announcement are you most looking forward to in 2011?customer surveys
What Apple announcements are you most looking forward to in 2011? A whole new cycle begins tomorrow, and that means a new iPad 2 in April, a new iPhone 5 in June, a new iPod touch 5… and a new Apple TV (is that on a yearly cycle now as well?!) in September. It also means iOS 5 preview in March/April, and maybe iTunes subscriptions and iTunes.com sometime as well. And oh year, maybe a little Verizon iPhone by February?
I know you want all of them (I know I do too!) but which one do you want most? Vote in the pole above and give me the details in the comments below!
TiPb asks: What Apple announcement are you most looking forward to in 2011? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.
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To all our readers, listeners, and viewers, from everyone here at TiPb, we wish you a peaceful, prosperous, healthy, and happy New Year. May 2011 bring all of us many mellow unharshening, universe denting, childlike sense of wonder restoring Apple iPhones, iPads, iPod touches, Apple TVs, and more!
Add you Happy New year wishes to the comments, and lets get 2011 started!
Happy New Year from TiPb! is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.
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N.O.V.A. 2 is not as groundbreaking as its predecessor, but still offers top-notch gameplay for hardcore first-person shooter fans.
There are times when you would love to get some reading done, but are not in a position to stop what you are doing, sit down, and read the old fashioned way. No worries,if you have an iPhone or iPad it already knows how to read for you.
[Special Thanks to dandbj13 from the forums for this tip! ]
To have your iPhone or iPad read to you:
If you find yourself using it often you can set up Triple-click Home as a shortcut:
Now, when you are out and about and want to have something read to you, like a long forum thread, or a few pages of your latest iBooks purchase, just triple-click the home button and your iPhone or iPad will start reading to you in a surprisingly clear voice. Triple-click again to exit VoiceOver.
To get the most out of this option, you should take a few minutes to read up on our VoiceOver tutorial.
Tips of the day will range from beginner-level 101 to advanced-level ninjary. If you already know this tip, keep the link handy as a quick way to help a friend. If you have a tip of your own you’d like to suggest, add them to the comments or send them in to dailytips@tipb.com. (If it’s especially awesome and previously unknown to us, we’ll even give ya a reward…)
Daily Tip: How to have your iPhone, iPad read to you with VoiceOver is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.
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The Western Wall Heritage Foundation has released iKotel, an iOS app that lets iPhone owners make a virtual visit to the Western Wall, one of Judaism's most sacred sites. According to Western Wall Heritage Foundation president Joseph Loshinsky, the app was developed to address the age-old problem of "people dreaming of Jerusalem but not being able to get there." In Hebrew, the word "Kotel" means "wall," and the Western Wall is known as HaKotel, "The Wall."
The app features a live video feed of the Kotel (except for the Sabbath, Friday night through Saturday night, when traditionally observant Jews do not use electronics). The app can also be used to send a personalized prayer to the Western Wall, which will be recorded by the Kotel's rabbinic staff and placed within a crevice of the ancient stones. The app leverages the GPS and gyroscope of the iPhone to help users point themselves towards the Western Wall for a time of prayer.
While it won't replace an actual visit to the Western Wall, it is a handy and portable connection to this ancient and intriguing place. The iKotel app made its debut in the App Store earlier this week and is available for free in English, Hebrew and Russian.
Comments are inactive. To send questions to TUAW regarding this app or this post, please use our feedback form.
Visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem with iKotel on your iPhone originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem with iKotel on your iPhone originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The developers behind Canabalt confirmed that the game's source code will be made available as part of an open source project. The game will be licensed under the MIT Open Source license, which will let other developers use the engine source code in its entirety for both personal and commercial projects. While the code powering the game is available for the world to use, the game art, sounds, animations and Canabalt game-specific code is still proprietary. Basically, you cannot re-package their game and claim it as your own, but you can use the underlying engine code to power your own game.
The developers warn prospective parties that the code behind the game may not be "ideal or optimal." The game was self-admittedly ported to the iPhone in a rush and was done so before the iPhone 4 and iPad were even released. Only two developers have worked on the game and they have managed to keep the game updated as best they can. As part of this effort, the app was optimized for 60 FPS performance on the iPhone 4 and the iPad and this new code will be included in the open source release. The duo behind Canabalt hopes the code base will be helpful for developers who have some experience with the Flixel game development library, Flash or Objective C.
As an aside, Canabalt is part of the Indie iPhone Holiday Sale and the devs confirmed the charitable program has raised over US$25,000 for Child's Play, an organization that provides hospitals with toys and games for their younger patients. The holiday sale lasts until January 2, so you have a few more days to buy a game and give to a good cause.
Popular indie game Canabalt goes open source originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Popular indie game Canabalt goes open source originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The TiPb forums are naturally a great place to talk, commiserate, celebrate, get help, and offer advice to your fellow iPhone users. In order to create a new thread of your own or reply to any of the existing threads, you must be a registered member. Becoming a member is easy and free so if you haven’t already, head on over and register now!
Skype recently released an update to support video calls via 3G. Have you used this feature and do you think it spells doom for Apple’s FaceTime?
There are so many good IM clients for the iOS platform, which one is your favorite?
Apple’s App Store is filled with some truly amazing games compatible with Game Center, what are some of your current must-have games?
How many of you take advantage of the security features in iOS? Do you prefer to use a PIN or password?
See you in the forums!
Skype video calls, iOS IM clients, Game Center games, iOS security, – From the Forums is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.
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