Apple’s iPhone 4 antenna troubles dominated the news this week, and Jeff Carlson did yeoman’s duty in covering both the iOS 4.0.1 update that fixes the iPhone’s signal strength algorithm and Apple’s press conference about the issue. Also, Rich Mogull delves into his past in the rescue and emergency services community to explain why the iPhone 4 antenna has two separate problems, one common to all mobile phones and the other unique to the iPhone. Changing gears, Adam warns about how the iOS caches iTunes account passwords, which could result in inadvertent purchases, and also relays news of the upcoming MacTech Conference for IT professionals and developers – register soon while there’s still space! Lastly, we’re giving away copies of Apago’s PDF Shrink in DealBITS this week, so be sure to enter if you need to compress PDFs for more efficient transmission. Notable software releases this week include ChronoSync 4.1 and ChronoAgent 1.1, Panorama 6.0.0 build 92277, and AppleJack 1.6.
iOS 4.0.1 for iPhone changes how the cellular signal strength indicator appears, while iOS 3.2.1 for iPad fixes a handful of glitches.
If you're pining for the days of MacHack, C4, and the IT track at WWDC, the new MacTech Conference in November in Los Angeles should have the IT- and developer-focused sessions and networking you want.
If you create and distribute PDF files regularly, you've no doubt noticed that some of them can be monstrously large. You can make life easier for everyone and reduce bandwidth costs by putting your PDFs on a diet with Apago's PDF Shrink. Enter to win a copy in this week's DealBITS drawing!
Since the iOS caches your iTunes account password after you make a purchase or download a free app, other purchases can be made - unintentionally and without requiring the password again - within the next 15 minutes, which can be a problem with iOS devices shared with children.
In a press conference, Apple laid out facts about how widespread the problems with the iPhone 4 antenna are, promised free cases for all iPhone 4 purchasers, and made its case that the issue was blown out of proportion.
Although Apple is now giving out iPhone 4 cases to help resolve the antenna issues, few sources explain how a simple piece of tape or a case can make a difference. Rich Mogull digs into his radio geek past for an explanation.
Notable software releases this week include ChronoSync 4.1 and ChronoAgent 1.1, Panorama 6.0.0 build 92277, and AppleJack 1.6.
The iPhone 4 antenna problems dominated the news this week, and along with a number of articles in this week's issue, we wanted to point you to an engineer's dismissal of the Consumer Reports testing methodology and Jason Snell's tour of Apple's previously secret wireless testing lab. Also, if you're thinking of going to Macworld Expo next January, you can get a free show floor pass through next week.