ios posts

Our friends at Engadget have heard from a trusted source that Apple is indeed remaking the Apple TV, as was previously guessed based on its past trajectory. But the final product may surprise you: it won't have 1080p output, according to Engadget (which refutes earlier rumors), but it will keep that US$99 price, and bring apps from the App Store to the table. It's not yet known whether it will simply use iPhone or iPad apps (or get a brand new entry of its own), but Engadget says some connection to both the App Store and streaming services is going to happen. Internally, the box is supposed to be comparable to the hardware found in an iPhone 4, including one of Apple's own A4 chips running the show.

And with all of these other changes, the device is reportedly getting a new name, the iTV. That makes a lot of sense, actually -- not only does it distinguish this new unit from the "AppleTV" hobby, but it brings the device in line with the iPhone, iPad, and Apple's other iOS devices. Engadget also notes that the iTV isn't a new name so much as it is a return to the old one, so if all of this turns out to be true, it would seem like Apple has a much more directed strategy for its set-top box this time around.

Engadget says we'll see all revealed by sometime this Fall. It all sounds very interesting -- if Apple can squeeze all of that into a box that costs only $99, who wouldn't plug that into their television?

Apple has expanded its iAds advertising platform a bit to allow for in-app downloads. According to 9to5, the ads resemble a page in the App Store. When tapped, users are given a description of the app being advertised, as if they were browsing the App Store. If they choose to buy, they can do so and even download that app without leaving the host app.

We assume this could provide another way for companies and developers to promote their own apps.

Apple introduced iAds, its targeted, integrated iOS advertising network at WWDC 2010. The only iAd I've seen so far was a nice interactive for the Nissan Leaf. It offered an overview of the car and an option to join an email list. The reception has been largely positive with a few questions.

We'll see how this continues to grow.

[Via iPodNN]

I'm curious: why do people jailbreak?

Ever since the Library of Congress ruled in favor of jailbreaking although it may void your warranty and now there is a browser-based jailbreak, I've started to pay attention to jailbreaking, at least a little.

My friend Jeff Barszcz posted some of his reasons, and I found some of them really compelling.

The last time I really paid attention was before Apple opened the App Store, and I'm guessing a lot has changed since then.

Here is what I know about jailbreaking: 1) there's a program that lets you run any program in the background, 2) there's an app to turn your iPhone into a Wi-Fi hotspot, 3) there's a program that gives you quick access to turn things like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Data on and off quickly, as well as adjust settings, 4) there's an app that lets you access your iOS device via SSH and you ought to change the default passwords if you turn on SSH.

Let me be clear: I'm asking for specific examples of applications and uses that people find with jailbreaking which aren't available otherwise. I'm less interested in philosophical reasons involving the words such as "freedom" and "open" although I understand those are compelling reasons for some people.

So, dear readers, tell me: what jailbreak apps you think are "must haves" that might convince someone to become a jailbreaker?

Image via FHKE on Flickr.