TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog

Active Storage reportedly closing its doors

Michael Jones — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 07:30:00 EST

For those who deal with Macs in the enterprise, you may be saddened by the surfacing news that Active Storage is shutting down. Over the last four years, the company has unveiled an array (pardon the pun) of Mac-centric storage solutions, including controllers intended to bridge the gap left by Apple's discontinued Xserve line.

The news comes unexpected to many, with no official word from the company regarding the shut down. If anything, a quick browse of their website shows no indication of any problems -- as recently as two weeks ago, in fact, they announced a new storage platform offering and formed partnerships with a couple of media companies to promote the new brand.

The only hint of confirmation on the shutdown is a forum post from one of the engineers, which indicates that the employees were also taken by surprise, but that many of them have already moved on to other jobs and that details should be made public soon. It's at least some comfort to know that the employees have been able to recover from the blow, but I'm sure many customers will have questions about the future of their products and support contracts as word of the closure gets around.

Active Storage reportedly closing its doors originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 23 Jan 2013 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Valve extends Steam store beyond games

Michael Jones — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 19:00:00 EST

Adding to the growing list of companies providing storefronts for selling apps, Valve Software has announced its plans to expand the Steam distribution platform beyond selling games.

Starting September 5, users will be able to purchase apps from a growing selection of software titles, including photo editing, multimedia & productivity applications.

Similar to the App Store, the Steam platform offers functionality to app developers to enable automatic software updates & cloud-based data storage. Because of this, independent developers who have fallen out of favor with the App Store & Apple's iCloud offering may find this to be an intriguing development.

[via Joystiq]

Show full PR text

STEAM EXPANDS BEYOND GAMES

Launch Set of "Software" Titles Coming Sept 5

Aug 8, 2012 -- Valve, creators of best-selling game franchises (such as Counter-Strike, Half-Life, Left 4 Dead, Portal, and Team Fortress) and leading technologies (such as Steam and Source), today announced the first set of Software titles are heading to Steam, marking a major expansion to the platform most commonly known as a leading destination for PC and Mac games.

The Software titles coming to Steam range from creativity to productivity. Many of the launch titles will take advantage of popular Steamworks features, such as easy installation, automatic updating, and the ability to save your work to your personal Steam Cloud space so your files may travel with you.

More Software titles will be added in an ongoing fashion following the September 5th launch, and developers will be welcome to submit Software titles via Steam Greenlight.

"The 40 million gamers frequenting Steam are interested in more than playing games," said Mark Richardson at Valve. "They have told us they would like to have more of their software on Steam, so this expansion is in response to those customer requests."

For more information, please visit www.steampowered.com.

Valve extends Steam store beyond games originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Invalid Keynote document? Calm down and try this fix

Michael Jones — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 09:00:00 EST

Let's set the scene: It's Monday morning, and you've been working tirelessly all weekend, tweaking and putting finishing touches on a big Keynote presentation that you'll be using at today's board meeting. Now that it's finished, you decide to run through it one last time, just to be safe. So you fire up Keynote, and your heart sinks as you stare unbelieving at the message above.

"WHAT?! I just opened it this morning! What do you mean it's not valid?" You're practically screaming at your computer now, and repeatedly trying to open the file to no avail. After taking a few moments to calm down and avoid tossing your Mac out the window, you suddenly remember the Versions feature in Lion & Mountain Lion that automatically saves versions of your file as you work.

You jump into Finder, restore an older version, and... it doesn't work either. Keynote still tells you that the file is invalid. So you try another version, and another, but Keynote remains adamant that your attempts are futile, and now you begin to panic as the realization sets in that your presentation starts in 15 minutes and your work is gone.

But before you give in to despair, here is something you can try that just might work. It's no secret that many "files" in OS X are, underneath the surface, actually folders or other archives that themselves contain many more files. You can easily see this in action by right-clicking (control-click or two-finger-click) on an application or an archive in Finder and choosing the Show Package Contents... option.

A Keynote presentation file is really no different, and if you're working with a Keynote '08 file, you can easily see the contents of the package using that option. But starting with Keynote '09, the packages are zipped into archives to make them easier to share and upload to websites. This makes getting to their contents a little bit trickier, as Finder doesn't see the file as an archive, so it keeps trying to open the file with Keynote, rather than unzipping it for you.

So, how do you get at these files, you might ask? It's actually deceptively simple -- but before we begin, I can not stress enough to you to make a backup copy of your file. Sure, it might be "invalid" and already broken, but you still should make sure you have an untouched copy somewhere should you need it. Once you've got a copy, continue on with the instructions below.

Step 1: Rename the file to a .zip file.

Now that you've made a copy, you need to locate your file in Finder, highlight it, and then press the Enter key to rename the file. If the file name ends with .key, change it to .zip. Otherwise, just add .zip to the end of the filename, and press Enter again. When Finder asks, tell it to Use .zip.

Step 2. Open the zip archive.

Your file should now be named something like Presentation.zip. Go ahead and double click on it, and Finder should decompress the .zip archive into a folder of the same name. If you open the folder, you should see a bunch of files there, including any images you've added to your presentation, similar to the screenshot below:

Step 3. Rename the folder back to a .key file

At this point, if everything has gone well, you should be feeling somewhat relieved, as you can at least see that your work is not completely lost, just hidden. So, how do you get this back into Keynote, you might ask? No, you won't have to redo everything.

Simply highlight the name of the folder, press Enter to rename it again, and add the .key extension to the end:

Step 4. Cross your fingers and open the file with Keynote

Here's where you have to cross your fingers and hope for the best. If all went well, you should be able to just double click on the file and Keynote should fire up with your presentation, in all of its glory.

If it doesn't work, go back and double check that you didn't miss anything above. If you've checked and it's still not working, then sadly, there's a good chance that something really is wrong with the presentation. If this is the case, hopefully you still might be able to salvage some of your work out of the file by digging through the folder you get in step 2 and extracting the graphic assets.

If it did work, congratulations! Now you can relax... after you go give your presentation, of course.

Continue reading Invalid Keynote document? Calm down and try this fix

Invalid Keynote document? Calm down and try this fix originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple releases iOS 6 beta 4 to developers

Michael Jones — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:15:00 EST

We are receiving word that Apple has released beta 4 of the upcoming iOS 6 software, which is expected to be released this fall.

As with previous updates, this update is expected to deliver bug fixes for developers who are testing their applications with the new operating system. As this is the fourth beta of iOS 6, a look back at previous iOS beta runs tells us that we should be nearing a final release as Apple refines the next version of its mobile operating system.

The update is available to developers at Apple's developer site and includes Xcode 4.5 beta along with device-specific builds for supported iOS devices and the Apple TV. Developers can also update their devices over-the-air from the Settings app; however, there are reports that the update servers are not responding when attempting to check for updates, so YMMV.

Apple releases iOS 6 beta 4 to developers originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Find My Mac not working for you? You're not alone

Michael Jones — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST

If you're having trouble getting Lion to let you enable Find My Mac, you're not the only one. It seems at least a few people are running into a problem where they see the above message in the iCloud preference pane, but clicking the update button (or running System Update manually) yields no updates to install. If this describes your situation, the good news is that there is a solution -- the bad news is that it might require a little bit of patience.

Before getting too worked up over the problem, though, it's a good idea to try the simplest methods first. Go to System Preferences, go to the Security and Privacy preference pane, and click on the Privacy tab. Check to make sure that Location Services are enabled:

If that didn't do the trick, head on over to Apple's support site and download the Lion Recovery Update package manually, and install it. It's approximately 832 MB, so it may take a while to download if you're on a slower Internet connection. Once installed, reboot your Mac and go back in to the iCloud preferences (under the Internet category in System Preferences) to see if you can enable Find My Mac now. If you can check the box, you're all set!

If Find My Mac is still greyed out, however, then the problem is likely that your Mac is in need of a couple of housekeeping tasks to get things in order. This next step works best if you close any apps you have open. Open your Applications folder, then open the Utilities folder and select Disk Utility. You should be presented with a screen similar to the following:

From here, select the volume that Lion is installed on from the list on the left side of the menu as shown above. Then click the Verify Disk button on the bottom right of the window, and Disk Utility will scan the volume for any problems. The process usually takes about five minutes, but might take longer depending on the size of your hard drive.

If you're still with me at this point, I'm betting that you will probably receive a message similar to the following:

What this means is that somewhere along the line, the part of the system that keeps track of where files are stored on the hard drive recorded some information incorrectly. My guess is that this probably happened during the upgrade to Lion, and affects a specific part of the disk that is used by the recovery system. Luckily, it's not necessarily anything bad, and it's relatively easy to fix, though the process might be a bit complicated if you're unfamiliar with it, so I've outlined it below.

Power off your Mac completely. Use the Shut Down command from the Apple menu.
Power on your Mac, and immediately press and hold the Option key on your keyboard.
Once you see the boot menu appear, you can release the key.
In the boot menu, select the Recovery HD item with your mouse, or the arrow keys on your keyboard. You may need to press the Enter key to confirm the option if clicking with your mouse does not seem to work.

After a few moments, you will be presented with a screen labeled Mac OS X Utilities. This menu allows you to perform tasks like restoring a Time Machine backup or reinstalling Lion on your Mac. The option we want, however, should be the last item in the list -- Disk Utility. This will open the same screen we saw before, but this time you might notice that the Repair Disk button (in the bottom right, under the Verify Disk button we clicked last time) is now enabled. Go ahead and click the repair button, and Disk Utility will automatically find and fix any problems that are found.

Once the repair has finished, close Disk Utility, then restart your Mac by selecting Quit from the OS X Utilities menu. When your Mac is finished restarting, you'll need to head back over to the Apple support site to download the 10.7.2 Update (or download 10.7.2 Server Update if you're running Lion Server). When the download finishes, go ahead and install the update, which will require a restart when the installation has finished. Finally, you'll want to go to your Downloads folder and install the Lion Recovery HD update that we downloaded earlier.

If all went well, you should be able to go into your iCloud preferences now and enable the Find My Mac option:

Find My Mac not working for you? You're not alone originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone 4 prototype sellers charged in California, plead not guilty

Michael Jones — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST

The San Jose Mercury News is reporting that two people involved in last year's "iPhone 4 prototype found in a bar" fiasco are being charged in San Mateo County Superior Court for their respective roles in the incident, which led to numerous photos of the upcoming iPhone model being posted online months ahead of its official release.

Brian Hogan, the individual who is credited with finding the iPhone, is being charged with one count of misappropriation of lost property, a misdemeanor in the state of California. Sage Wallower, Hogan's friend who assisted him by contacting a number of tech blogs and offering to sell the device to them, is also being charged with possession of stolen property.

Neither of the two individuals appeared at the hearing regarding the charges, and the attorneys for both men entered not guilty pleas on their behalf. A second hearing on the case is expected on October 11th, and a trial date has been set for November 28th, although Hogan's attorney has indicated that his client has taken responsibility for his actions, and he plans to work with prosecutors to strike a plea bargain.

It was reported earlier this month that the blog responsible for purchasing the iPhone and releasing the pictures, Gizmodo, will not be charged in the incident. Jason Chen, the blogger who facilitated the exchange and wrote the post, will also not be charged. Chen's house was searched early in the investigation, and several items were seized, but later returned.

[via KSL News]

iPhone 4 prototype sellers charged in California, plead not guilty originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TestFlight helps developers to prepare their apps for takeoff

Michael Jones — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:45:00 EST

I remember the good old days of software distribution for mobile phones, when having an "app" on your phone meant you had to scour the depths of the internet to find and download the app that you wanted -- most of which were written in Java and built for specific groups of devices. For a developer, distributing your software meant hosting downloads and instruction guides on your own website, or partnering up with a distributor like Handango in hopes of better exposure. Fast forward to today, where the App Store has opened the doors for independent developers and installing apps on your device is as simple as tapping a button. Well, at least installing regular apps from the App Store is simple; installing beta versions of an app that is not quite ready for prime-time is usually more complex and reminiscent of the antiquated installs of yore. That is, until now.

Enter TestFlight, a very interesting project with a simple goal: to make distributing and installing beta versions of apps as simple as tapping a button. In short, and to coin a phrase that is often synonymous with Apple products in general, "it just works." TestFlight is one of those rare utilities that is able to evoke a feeling of magic when you first use it. This feeling is not just because it does exactly what it advertises, or because the process is so simple, but because it does all of this just by loading a simple web page from your device.

Sound interesting? Read on to find out how TestFlight is making the testing process better for everyone.

Continue reading TestFlight helps developers to prepare their apps for takeoff

TestFlight helps developers to prepare their apps for takeoff originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mac 101: Adjusting your mouse and trackpad speed

Michael Jones — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 11:45:00 EST

More Mac 101, our series of tips and tricks for novice Mac users.

If you've ever used the trackpad on a PC laptop connected to an external monitor and noticed how many times you have to swipe your finger across the pad to get the mouse cursor from one screen to the other, the end result can be quite frustrating and tiresome. Of course, the same thing can easily happen if you hook up an external display to your MacBook or iMac, although it usually is not as obvious thanks to the larger surface area that Apple has designed into recent trackpads. Luckily, this can be easily corrected on any Mac in just a few simple clicks.

Before we dive into the settings, though, let's talk about what is causing this to happen in the first place. Although we often take it for granted, one of the most astonishing aspects of using a mouse with a computer is the fact that you only have to move your hand by a couple of inches, while the pointer on the screen moves from one end of the screen to the other -- even if the screen is over 20" wide. This feat is accomplished by a simple mathematical conversion being done in the background that measures the distance the mouse (or your finger, if using a trackpad) moves and multiplies that by a specific factor to determine how far -- and in what direction -- to move the cursor on the screen.

Read on to find out how to give your mouse (or trackpad) a speed boost.

Continue reading Mac 101: Adjusting your mouse and trackpad speed

Mac 101: Adjusting your mouse and trackpad speed originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: AirPrint support for Mac and PCs canceled

Michael Jones — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 10:30:00 EST

Some things, as the saying goes, are not meant to last. Apparently, that is the case with the new AirPrint feature in the upcoming iOS 4.2 for the iPad that was set to allow users to print wirelessly to any printer connected to their Mac or PC.

I say "was" because it is becoming increasingly apparent that Apple has pulled some of the AirPrint functionality off the table, at least for now. Developers are reporting that references to printing via a Mac or PC have been removed from online documentation, and the downloads that Apple had provided for beta versions of OS X 10.6.5 and iTunes 10.1 -- specifically so that developers could test AirPrint from their apps -- are no longer available. Support for printing directly to a limited set of new HP network-connected printers that support AirPrint natively are unaffected, but this is of little comfort, as most end users do not have these printers yet, and the ability to print via a desktop would have allowed printing to any brand or model of printer that was connected.

Many developers have raised questions concerning the change on Apple's developer forums, and while an official response or announcement has not been publicly made by Apple as of yet, one developer reports that they contacted support via e-mail and received the following reply:

"Support for AirPrint on Windows and Mac has been canceled. We will be in contact with you if another opportunity arises in the future."

While this would not be the first time that Apple has pulled or changed a significant feature prior to release, it is frustrating for developers who have spent time, money, and other resources developing an app that relies on that feature to have it suddenly removed. Further, the lack of notice or official communication from Apple on the matter adds to the uncertainty, as developers are left not knowing whether the functionality will ever be released, leaving some very promising apps in limbo until an announcement is made.

Rumor: AirPrint support for Mac and PCs canceled originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joystiq goes mobile with new iPhone app

Michael Jones — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST

Joystiq, our sister site and favorite stop for gaming news, is celebrating the release of their long-awaited app for the iPhone and iPod touch this weekend.

The new app gives you quick and easy access to catch up on the latest news while on the go, and the category view gives you the ability to focus on reviews, interviews, contests, or updates for your favorite gaming platform. In addition to reading the site, you can use the search feature to find something specific, share your thoughts using the built-in comment feature, browse through the image and video galleries, send in news tips to the Joystiq team, and listen to recent podcasts for both the Joystiq Podcast and the Xbox Fancast.

The app is available for free on the App Store. For more information, check out the screenshots in the gallery below, or head on over to Joystiq to check it out.

Oh, and have you seen the TUAW app yet? It's not out for iPad (yet), but the iPhone version is excellent for reading and browsing your favorite TUAW posts on the go.

Gallery: Joystiq App for the iPhone and iPod touch

Joystiq goes mobile with new iPhone app originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Sun, 18 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Five little-known features in iOS 4

Michael Jones — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:15:00 EST

Whenever word gets out about a potential software update, as it did for iOS 4 back in January (then called iPhone OS 4), you don't have to look far to find speculation about features or functionality the new version will include.

This is especially true for major revisions of the OS, which is ironic when you consider that developers get access to beta versions of the OS for testing purposes -- most smaller updates are kept under wraps right up until they are released.

When Apple does officially announce a major update, it usually is quick to list the big changes that the update brings as a way to persuade developers to get in and start updating their apps to make use of the new features. Quite often, everyone focuses their attention on these main features, and discussion moves to whether or not the new OS will support things like dashboards and today screens or whether or not Feature X will live up to expectations. This discussion usually continues well after the OS has been released, and it tends to overshadow many of the smaller changes that have been made throughout the OS.

Whether these changes are minor tweaks in how something works or the addition of new functionality that subtly enhances the users' experience, they often go unnoticed for one of two reasons: either they "just work" so well that the user doesn't need to know they exist, or they require the user to do something extra to enable or locate the feature. Since both of these involve the user not being aware of something, we think it's safe to assume that bringing these little-known features to light will help.

Read on for a list of five little-known features in iOS 4 that we think deserve more attention.

Continue reading Five little-known features in iOS 4

Five little-known features in iOS 4 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iMovie for iPhone 4 is now available

Michael Jones — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 01:40:00 EST

iMovie for iPhone 4 arrived on the App Store tonight, just hours before the official 7:00am launch of the iPhone 4. As promised during the WWDC keynote, the iMovie app brings the ability to edit and share videos directly to the iPhone. From transitions to titles, to adding background music to your clips, iMovie promises to offer powerful editing features that you don't typically find on a mobile device.

Along with the release of the app, Apple has posted a list of frequently asked questions, as well as instructions for exporting videos from iMovie. Curiously, while the instructions detail how to export your videos in full HD (at a resolution of 720p), the summary at the top of the page suggests that your video will be scaled down to 568x320 if uploaded to YouTube, MobileMe, or sent via e-mail from the phone. A third support document posted this evening further confirms this to be the case.

Since I'm not one of the lucky customers who already have their iPhone 4 in hand, I can't directly test this, but it seems that Apple has spelled it out pretty clearly in their support pages. While this won't be a deal breaker for everyone, I'm sure that many HD aficionados out there will be longing for the ability to directly upload HD video to YouTube from their phones. As it stands now, you would have to sync the video to your computer, and then upload it from there for maximum quality. It is worth noting, however, that this limitation only applies to using the sharing functionality in the Camera Roll on your iPhone; any third-party apps that can upload video should be able to take advantage of the full resolution copy.

So aside from the resizing, iMovie for iPhone 4 looks promising. And at US$4.99, it is an inexpensive way to extend the video capabilities of your phone, allowing you to quickly create and share movies of friends, family, or special events while on the go. If you're picking up a new iPhone tomorrow, this is definitely something to check out.

iMovie for iPhone 4 is now available originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 01:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iOS 4: Updating woes with iPhone 3G

Michael Jones — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:30:00 EST

It is for you, the faithful Apple consumers whose upgrades have gone awry, that we post this little tidbit and attempt to help you maintain your sanity. While we can't help much with the activation errors that some of you have had (potentially due to overloaded communications between Apple), we can help with the infamous error 3002 that many iPhone 3G owners are seeing when attempting to update their devices.

Continue reading iOS 4: Updating woes with iPhone 3G

iOS 4: Updating woes with iPhone 3G originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Look: Byline 3.0 for iPhone

Michael Jones — Tue, 11 May 2010 11:00:00 EST

The folks over at Phantom Fish software have released version 3 of their popular Byline feed reader app for the iPhone. The update brings with it several new features, including integration with Instapaper, gesture-based navigation, and improved performance.

Byline works by fetching a list of feeds from your Google Reader subscriptions, and caching a copy of the articles on your iPhone for easy reading or viewing while offline. Now I'll admit, while Google Reader does simplify feed management by keeping all of your subscriptions and updates in one place, it's not my cup of tea. Personally, I prefer to manage feeds directly from my reader app, rather than having to go somewhere else to do it.

That aside, Byline 3 keeps the process simple by asking for your Google login, and then quickly going straight to your list of feeds without requiring any additional steps or setup. Each item is displayed right in the app, allowing quick navigation between stories and feeds. Want to view the link in Mobile Safari or send it to Instapaper? That can be done by tapping the forward menu icon on any item. Starring an item or adding notes is also simple and intuitive.

Since I'm a big fan of flexibility when it comes to iPhone apps, I was pleased to see the number of options offered in the settings panel. Viewing thresholds for several of the feed lists are easily configurable, so you can choose to limit or hide things like starred items or notes if you don't use those features. Other options include manual sync, portrait orientation locking and a few options to fine-tune the caching of stories.

Overall, the app is well done and easy to use. Ironically, the only complaint I really have had with it is sync speed, which is one of the things that were said to be improved in the new version. It's not unreasonably slow, but still slower than I'd have liked. In all fairness, though, I'm pretty sure my less-than-stellar internet connection was a contributing factor. A few posts on the developer's twitter feed suggest that a few minor bugs are already known, and will be fixed in an upcoming update.

Byline 3 is US$3.99 in the App Store, and is available now. Head on over and check it out!

Gallery: First Look: Byline 3

First Look: Byline 3.0 for iPhone originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 11 May 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Friday Flickr Find: Unboxing an iPad, LEGO style

Michael Jones — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 20:00:00 EST

For many of us Apple geeks, unboxing your new product is *almost* as much fun as actually using it. And while there are several ways to show off the event, having the box opened entirely by LEGO minifigures photography is probably one of the most creative and interesting ones I've seen.

Enter the world of "ntr23", a TUAW reader and Apple fan who has an apparent affinity for taking pictures of minifigures performing various tasks, the most recent of which was unboxing his new iPad. At 1.5 inches tall, the iPad reminds me more of an iFloor, but that doesn't stop the figures from putting on a good show. From receiving the package to syncing with iTunes, the minifigure team has you covered.

If you're thinking this looks familiar, you're probably right. This same team of LEGOs used ladders to scale the box of the original iPhone a couple of years ago, and one of the minifigures was recently spotted attempting to load OS 4 on the original iPhone. I'm thinking someone might want to let him know that's not how it's done :-)

If you like what you see, be sure to check out ntr23's Flickr page for more.

Friday Flickr Find: Unboxing an iPad, LEGO style originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mac 101: Navigating OS X with your keyboard

Michael Jones — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST

Let's face it: unless you're just casually surfing the Internet or playing a game, chances are pretty good that your hands are on the keyboard most of the time when you're at the computer. Sure, the mouse is only a few inches away, but wouldn't it just be easier if you didn't have to keep going back and forth from the mouse to the keyboard?

Enter the world of keyboard shortcuts. A keyboard shortcut is exactly what the name implies: a way of using the keys on your keyboard to quickly perform tasks that typically would require multiple steps using a mouse. Before we dive in to the magic keystrokes, let's take a quick look at how shortcuts work on the Mac.

Continue reading Mac 101: Navigating OS X with your keyboard

Mac 101: Navigating OS X with your keyboard originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Beta version of iPhone SDK with tablet simulator to be unveiled on 1/27

Michael Jones — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST

In yet another drop of information from the firehose of tablet rumors, French blog Mac 4 Ever claimed earlier this week [English translation] that a beta version of the iPhone SDK -- used by developers to create applications for the iPhone, iPod touch, and now possibly Apple's new tablet device -- could be unveiled during the upcoming event to be held on January 27th.

What I find interesting about this tidbit is the timing: most of the rumors we have heard concerning which operating system the tablet might run have generally pointed towards a newer build of the iPhone OS. So, if the tablet will be running a new build of the iPhone OS, and that build is only expected to be in beta stages by the end of this month, then it stands to reason that the tablet may not actually hit the market until later this year. I'm thinking somewhere around March, maybe?

Then again, it is possible that the device might ship with a preliminary version of the OS which doesn't make immediate use of the App Store, buying some time for developers to get their feet wet using the beta SDK and giving Apple the chance to ramp up a good selection of apps to be ready for sale when the App Store becomes available.

Either way, the idea that Apple may release a beta version of the SDK more than a month ahead of schedule serves as an indication that Apple has indeed learned from past mistakes, and hopefully developers will be able to get their hands on the SDK sooner, rather than later.

[via AppleInsider]

Rumor: Beta version of iPhone SDK with tablet simulator to be unveiled on 1/27 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hey! Lego my Apple!!

Michael Jones — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

No, I'm not talking about any of these Lego Mac mods, A relatively new startup called MacSlaps brings us some personalization goodness in the form of custom vinyl stickers for your MacBook and MacBook Pro.

Using stickers (or even laser engraving) to customize your MacBook is nothing new, but what I think sets MacSlaps apart from some of the others I have seen is the designs are simple and creative. In addition to the Lego design pictured here, their site showcases a few other interesting designs, such as Mario, PacMacMan, and my favorite, Tic-Mac-Toe.

The stickers come on a square sheet of vinyl, ranging from about 4 to 8 inches, so most of them will even fit on the 13-inch MacBook. I know they say these are custom made for MacBooks, but I'm tempted to order one and try it on the back of my 24-inch aluminum iMac, since I'm guessing the effect would be about the same. They also offer custom designs, so if you've got a crazy idea in mind, they can probably help you get it onto your Mac.

Although the selection is pretty sparse, their designs are original and interesting. Plus, it looks like they've just recently started up, as their Etsy store opened in October, and some of their designs haven't shown up on the store yet, so I hope this means we will be seeing more from them in the near future.

All in all, these stickers would make a great stocking stuffer for your favorite Mac geek. Not to mention, if you're picking up a new MacBook for the Holidays, they are a great way to add a personal touch, especially with the custom design offer.

[via iPhoneSavior]

Hey! Lego my Apple!! originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Snow Leopard quirk prevents opening groups of recently downloaded files

Michael Jones — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST

Reports of an odd bug affecting downloaded files in Snow Leopard have been circulating Apple's discussion boards recently. As reported by TidBITS, the issue appears to be affecting all computers running Snow Leopard.

While different users have reported varying symptoms and differing circumstances, it essentially boils down to this: if you download a group of files, and then attempt to open the entire group of files at once (rather than opening each file individually), chances are either some or all of the selected files will not open.

My initial response to this was that it could possibly be one of those "it's not a bug, it's a feature" ordeals. We have already seen some indications that Apple is working on enhanced security and virus protection in Snow Leopard, so it stands to reason that the operating system may be simply trying to prevent what it thinks is malicious activity by imposing restrictions on what you can and can't do with a newly downloaded file.

Of course, that's just my theory, but I'm apparently not the only one who has explored that possibility -- a reader on the Mac OS X Hints forum discovered some hard evidence supporting that theory. In OS X, newly downloaded files are flagged with a "quarantine" attribute, which remains until the file is opened. If this attribute is set when the file is launched, and the file is an application, you would receive the typical "This application was downloaded from the Internet" confirmation before the application is allowed to continue launching. This is nothing new in Snow Leopard, but it would seem that the additional protections and scanning that were added to Snow Leopard most likely prevent opening multiple files so that each file can be individually checked before it is launched.

Whether or not this is a serious bug or a minor inconvenience depends entirely on your workflow. Personally, I find that I don't often open multiple files from Finder, as most of the applications I use have the ability to select multiple files from their Open dialog. I can easily see where this might pose significant problems, however. For example, if you do a lot of work with graphics, you might download a several photos from a client, highlight them and open them with a custom tool that automatically resizes and processes for you. With this bug in play, that task would become much more difficult if you had to open each file individually.

So what about you? Is this bug bugging you, or is it a non-issue? If you are affected, feel free to chime in with your experiences on the discussion boards, and be sure to let us know in the comments!

Snow Leopard quirk prevents opening groups of recently downloaded files originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dropbox the iPhone app has dropped

Michael Jones — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:30:00 EST

If you've been waiting patiently for the Dropbox app [iTunes link] to hit the App Store, your wait is over. The app has arrived, and brings with it the simplicity that Dropbox users have come to know and love.

Since Dropbox itself is a free service, it's a pleasant surprise to see a simple, easy method for creating a new Dropbox account right off the bat if you don't happen to already have one. The app just asks for a name, e-mail address and password, prompts you to accept the terms of service, and creates the account. During my testing, I did encounter a problem where I would receive a nondescript "Account creation failed (null). Please try again." message, which I'm guessing may be due to high load on their servers. Still, this is not an encouraging encounter for new users.

Once logged in, everything worked pretty smoothly. On first login, You are presented with a brief welcome document that highlights some of the features of the app. Backing out of the document will take you to your Dropbox, which quickly lists any of the files and folders you may have in there. The app features built-in document preview for several types of files, including PDFs, text documents, spreadsheets, pictures and videos. You can also tag files as a favorite by tapping the star at the bottom of the file viewer, which adds the item to the favorites panel and caches a copy locally on the device so that it's immediately available.

An unexpected feature is the ability to take pictures, video, or use existing media and upload them directly to the Dropbox. This could definitely be handy if you need to take a quick video and have it available on another machine without having to plug in your phone and wait for it to sync. Also unexpected, but incredibly welcome, is the massive amount of documentation that is available from inside the app's settings panel. In addition to giving you general details about your account, the settings panel offers a link to watch a video about how Dropbox works, take a tour of the features, or browse their complete online help library, without having to leave the app. As many apps fall short in this area, it's refreshing to see such detailed documention available, let alone right from the app.

A couple of side notes: As I mentioned above, the new user signup does not appear to work properly sometimes. I'm guessing this will be fixed in short order, though. You can log out of your Dropbox account by tapping the Unlink iPhone from Dropbox button on the settings panel, but beware that you will loose any favorites you have stored (the app does warn you of this). And finally, when you do logout of your account, the app just disappears from the screen, as if it crashed, although you are successfully logged out. In my eyes, these are minor issues (well, aside from the signup problem), and will likely be addressed with future updates, but still good to watch out for.

All in all, this is a very well done, simple app that connects you with an already great (and free) service. It's available now in the App Store for free.

Gallery: Dropbox for iPhone

Dropbox the iPhone app has dropped originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple sets out to prove that there is an app for just about everything

Michael Jones — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST

Since the birth of the App Store, Apple has oft stated "there is an app for just about everything." Now, it seems they have come up with a great way to prove their claim.

Apple has added an "Apps for Everything" section to their website, complete with a wide range of selections from Apps for Cooks, to Apps for Managing Money, to Apps for Moms and Dads. Each section is then broken down into different tasks or activities that are associated with the group, and highlighting a particular app for that item, complete with screenshots and a link to the App Store.

Based on recent trends, including our own "5 Apps" series, it's easy to see that breaking down the massive list of apps available in the App Store and grouping them by different occupations or activities is a great way to bring otherwise hard-to-find apps to the spotlight. It's good to see that Apple has come up with a nice, clean way to do this on their own website, and I'm sure it will serve as a great resource to users who are looking for the perfect app.

[via LoopInsight]

Apple sets out to prove that there is an app for just about everything originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's a bird! No, it's an app! No, it's Tweetie 2 for iPhone!

Michael Jones — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

Users of Tweetie, the popular Twitter client for both Mac and iPhone, have reason to be excited: a new version of the iPhone app, Tweetie 2 (aptly codenamed "Bigbird"), is confirmed to be on the way.

In a preview of the new version, Scott Kleinberg of ChicagoNow detailed his experiences with beta builds of the upcoming release. From the screenshots provided, it's clear that several interface improvements have been made, including a quick menu that provides easy access to several new features while posting a tweet. Other improvements include the ability to send video tweets, persistent session handling that restores the app to its previous state, conversation threading, draft management, and geotagging.

While Scott's review suggests that the changes and improvements make Tweetie 2 feel like a whole new app, Tweetie developer Loren Brichter indicates that it really is -- it's a complete rewrite from the original app. In addition to the major features, the new version also boasts integration with several 3rd party services, and a host of configuration options, from new gesture options to custom Twitter API settings.

Of course, not everyone will be happy with the update. There is already a stir among beta testers over the app's use of pinstripe backgrounds on the profile and single tweet views. Also, there is the issue of cost: Tweetie 2 will set you back $2.99, as it is being offered as a new app instead of a free upgrade to existing users. When it comes to upgrades, most desktop applications follow a pattern where minor updates (such as upgrading from version 1.0 to 1.1 or 1.1.2 -- often refered to as "point releases") are provided free of charge, and major updates (from version 1.0 to 2.0) usually require the user to purchase the new version of the software.

With iPhone apps, however, Apple does not provide a system to allow developers to do this. Developers can release upgrades and bug fixes as free updates to their applications, but if they invest a lot of time into a major update to their app, they have to submit it as a new, different version of the application rather than an upgrade to the old version, and there is no option to allow users who have perviously purchased the original app to receive a discount on the new version. So users are faced with having to pay full price for the upgrade, which in this case, is another $2.99.

In my opinion, this is not an unreasonable amount to pay for a major upgrade to an already great application, but there are users who feel they shouldn't have to pay for the upgrade. My advice to them? If you can't spare $3 for the amount of time and effort that was put into making a decent, feature-rich upgrade, don't bother using it. Stick with the original Tweetie or find another app that you're willing to pay for.

So, controversy aside, Tweetie 2 looks very promising. The latest beta build that was provided to developers is expected to be the final build, and if things go well, we should see it hit the App Store in the coming weeks. An update to the desktop version of Tweetie is also in the works, and will probably surface after the iPhone app is released.

Update: TUAW reader Ahmed drew our attention to this tweet, indicating that Tweetie 2 has been submitted to Apple! Assuming there are no hold-ups, we can probably expect to see it hit the App Store in a few weeks.

What do you think of the new version? Will you be upgrading when it's released? Let us know in the comments!

It's a bird! No, it's an app! No, it's Tweetie 2 for iPhone! originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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USB-IF to Palm: "Oh really? You've got some explaining to do."

Michael Jones — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:45:00 EST

Didn't you hate it when you were a kid, and you would complain to an adult about something one of your siblings was doing, just to end up getting yourself in more trouble than they ended up in?

Well, you might say that's exactly what is happening to Palm and the ongoing dispute with Apple over the Pre's ability to sync with iTunes. The company has landed itself in some hot water after drawing the attention of the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) by filing a complaint against Apple for violating "the letter and spirit of the USB-IF Membership Agreement," which is "intended to facilitate interoperability between USB devices."

What that's referring to, of course, are Apple's repeated attempts to block the Palm Pre from syncing with iTunes. The whole question of whether or not Apple is in the wrong by doing so is entirely debatable, but the USB-IF seems to be of the opinion that Apple is following the letter of the law:

"In the view of the USB-IF, Palm's allegation (if true) does not establish that Apple is using its Vendor ID (VID) contrary to the USB-IF's policies... Therefore, under present USB-IF policies, the USB-IF does not consider the alleged use, without more, to be 'improper.'"

To summarize, the USB-IF does not believe that Apple is in violation of the agreement, based on the information provided in Palm's complaint. What is interesting with this chain of events is how Palm continues to shoot itself in the foot trying to find a resolution. Rather than work out a deal with Apple or write a custom application to legitimately communicate with iTunes, Palm has chosen the sly path of attempting to trick iTunes into working with the Pre, first by simply identifying the device as an iPod that was made by Palm, to actually using Apple's assigned USB vendor identifiers to completely masquerade as a true Apple iPod.

Perhaps even more startling, however, is that Palm is completely open about the whole process, even going as far as detailing the workaround in the complaint to the USB-IF, saying "Palm will shortly issue an update of its WebOS operating system that uses Apple's Vendor ID number for the sole purpose of restoring the Palm media sync functionality." Although openness is usually a good thing, it seems that Palm may have encountered too much of a good thing: the USB-IF turned the tables, and hinted that Palm itself may be in violation of its own agreement (emphasis added):

I attach for your information the USB-IF's adopted and published policy regarding Vendor Identification Numbers (VIDs). Under the Policy, Palm may only use the single Vendor ID issued to Palm for Palm's usage. Usage of any other company's Vendor ID is specifically precluded. Palm's expressed intent to use Apple's VID appears to violate the attached policy.
Please clarify Palm's intent and respond to this potential violation within seven days.

What's next for Palm? Will the company finally decide to work something out with Apple? Will Palm start embedding USB chips out of refurbished iPhones so that it isn't technically misreporting the device's identity? Only time will tell, and in the meantime, at least we can look back and say "Palm, we told you so."

USB-IF to Palm: "Oh really? You've got some explaining to do." originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Push for Gmail: it's here, it works, and it's limited

Michael Jones — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST

If you use Gmail, you have something to be excited about today, because you can finally have new email messages pushed directly to your iPhone when they arrive.

For many users, however, their first response is "it's about time!" and others have even gone as far as saying "it's finally here, no thanks to Apple." This new feature, unveiled this morning by Google, has even been called a "workaround" to Apple's alleged refusal to support push email, but in reality this isn't the case.

Push: What is it, and how does it work?

To understand why push services have not been available before, let's first discuss what exactly push is. When a client (be it a mail program, Twitter client, or web browser) needs to notify a user when new content or information is available, it has to periodically connect to the server and check for changes.

This is the way email clients have worked for years: the client checks with the server at a defined interval (usually every 5-15 minutes), downloads any new messages, and notifies the user that new mail has arrived. Many other services, such as RSS feeds, Twitter, Facebook, and even the Gmail website work the same way; they just check the server more often, which gives the appearance of real-time notifications.

Other services, such as instant messaging clients, maintain a constant, active connection to the server at all times. When new information is available for the client, the server sends, or "pushes" the information directly to the client as soon as it is available. In corporate environments, mail services such as Microsoft Exchange have paved the way for push email, by having the mail client (usually Outlook, Entourage, or other clients that support Exchange) maintain an active connection to the mail server, which allows the server to notify the client immediately when new mail arrives.

Read on to find out how Gmail push works, and what you need to know to get it set up on your phone.

Continue reading Push for Gmail: it's here, it works, and it's limited

Push for Gmail: it's here, it works, and it's limited originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T & MMS: So close, some of us can taste it

Michael Jones — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:30:00 EST

Well, it looks like they were telling the truth, for once. Last weekend, a friend of mine just happened to forget that my iPhone couldn't receive MMS messages, and sent me a picture he had taken. So needless to say, I was surprised when I saw the MMS notification, complete with picture, show up on my phone.

I was fully prepared to hop on to TUAW and write up a post, letting everyone know that MMS was turned on a full three weeks ahead of schedule. To be on the safe side, I decided to check with others to see if MMS was working for them. Unfortunately, everyone I asked said MMS was still not working on their phones.

Here at TUAW, we have received several tips over the past few months from individuals who have indicated MMS had suddenly started working for them. Many of these were from people who had also installed an updated carrier settings profile to their phones, which has produced mixed results across the board, ranging from MMS actually working to accidentally removing Visual Voicemail and even the basic ability to make phone calls. Even with these profiles installed, however, most people were still unable to use MMS due to settings on their AT&T account which prevent iPhones from sending media messages and filter incoming messages through their web-based "Multimedia Messaging" platform.

For the record, I was running the iPhone 3.0 software, and I had previously modified my carrier settings, although that hadn't really made much of a difference until now. I had been lucky, in that I had found a profile that did not break anything, and had even temporarily enabled tethering on my phone, which I successfully used for about five minutes to try it out (although when I later tried to use the tethering during a recent power outage, the option mysteriously disappeared from the settings panel after I turned it on). So I had to draw the conclusion that my newfound ability to send and receive MMS messages was probably related to the carrier settings I had previously tinkered with, and I was doubtful that it would last.

Now here we are a week later, and MMS is still working for me. But what's even better: reports are flowing in from around the country that MMS has started working in different markets. There are still quite a number of people out there that don't have it yet, but it looks like AT&T is actually serious about meeting the September 25th deadline. Yeah, it's definitely not "later this summer" as promised, but at least we are finally seeing some progress instead of just vapor dates and promises.

For those who are wondering where MMS has landed, HowardForums has a thread running with many people reporting which locations are up and running. Also, it's worth mentioning that the majority of users who have reported MMS as working have the "AT&T 5.0" carrier profile installed, which is included as part of the iPhone 3.1 update. So be sure to update if you haven't already!

Thanks to everyone who has sent tips in regarding MMS in their area.

AT&T & MMS: So close, some of us can taste it originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple Store is currently down

Michael Jones — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 01:00:00 EST

Yes folks, it looks like the online Apple Store is currently down. Given that it is 10:00 PM on a Saturday night over in Cupertino, I'd say chances are pretty good that it could just be some simple maintenance, but you never know.

We'll keep an eye out for any changes and post an update if anything exciting happens!

Apple Store is currently down originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Sun, 30 Aug 2009 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple Remote Desktop 3.3 now available

Michael Jones — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:15:00 EST

Apple has released version 3.3 of its remote administration tool, Apple Remote Desktop (ARD). The update is available both via Software Update, and from the Apple website.

According to the release notes, the update comes with a number of improvements, including the long-desired ability to send function keys and system shortcuts (Force Quit, cmd-Tab for application switching, cmd-shift-Q to log out) to the remote Mac; previously those commands would execute on the administrator's machine, which could cause undesired behavior. Also included are support for wide-area Bonjour connections and improved performance when using a shared screen.

If you're just starting out with ARD, be sure to check out some of the great tutorials Apple has posted online. From getting set up, to providing remote assistance to users, to automating routine tasks; as Apple might say, "there's a tutorial for that."

Thanks to TUAW reader Jim for giving us the heads up!

Apple Remote Desktop 3.3 now available originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Clarification on the iPhone Spotlight email issue

Michael Jones — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:30:00 EST

Earlier today, I posted about the ability to find previously deleted emails using the Spotlight search on the iPhone, adding to the already intense swarm of news surrounding this issue. My findings were that, by ensuring your trash folder was emptied and refreshed, the problem appeared to be solved.

However, many of you responded indicating that this did not work for you, and that you were still seeing cached messages. Then Cult of Mac posted an update to their original piece, suggesting that the problem was more specific to POP accounts. Although I had tested both POP and IMAP accounts with similar results, I decided to investigate further.

First, to clarify: The problem here is *not* with Spotlight caching the contents of your email, as many have suggested. Spotlight simply indexes the available content on your phone, and logs a pointer to it. When you tap a search result, it opens the associated application and tells that app to view the content. In this case, it sees an email message and asks Mail.app to open it, which it does, because Mail.app still has the message content stored locally. Secondly, this appears to be specific to POP accounts. On IMAP or Exchange accounts, deleted email messages do appear in Spotlight results until the trash folder is emptied, as described in my earlier post.

I created a fresh account and configured it for POP access, then downloaded the mail. Searching spotlight, I could see the message I was looking for. I then went back to the message and deleted it, and that's where the fun starts. I conducted this same test multiple times, and found that sometimes, the message would now show up in Spotlight twice, one result opened the message, intact, with the Inbox listed as the folder to return to; the other displaying a message in the trash folder, but with an error displaying the body of the message. Other times, I would only see one result, pointed directly to the trash.

Continue reading Clarification on the iPhone Spotlight email issue

Clarification on the iPhone Spotlight email issue originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prevent Spotlight from resurrecting your deleted emails on iPhone

Michael Jones — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:30:00 EST

Note: The problem discussed below behaves differently depending on the type of email account being used. Users of POP mail accounts are indeed noticing a problem with deleted email messages appearing in Spotlight search results. Please see this post for updated information.

Our friends over at Engadget have highlighted a Cult of Mac post that, at first glance, appears to have found a bug in Spotlight's caching of email search results on the iPhone. The idea is that after you delete an email from your inbox in the iPhone's Mail.app client, you can still locate and open the e-mail using Spotlight search, if you know the subject of the message.

What's really happening, though, is what Apple might otherwise call "user confusion." When you delete an e-mail message in most mail clients, the message isn't magically deleted, but instead moved to a "trash" or "deleted messages" folder. Being a folder, it is indexed by Mail to provide an unread count, as well as by Spotlight so that you can easily find messages in the folder. When you search for the email, it shows up in Spotlight and opens in Mail because the message still exists in your trash folder.

All right, so what can you do to avoid this? Well, you need to empty the trash folder from your email. With many providers, you can just go to the trash folder, and delete the message from there to permanently remove it. The problem there is that, if you use a service like Gmail, the message doesn't really get deleted when you do this because of the way Gmail translates its labels into folders. Gmail's Trash folder is also set to purge itself after 30 days by default.

Your options? You either have to use the Gmail web interface in Safari, or if you don't mind tweaking your Gmail settings, you can enable the Advanced IMAP Controls Lab and then change your Gmail settings to immediately delete messages instead of using the trash folder. (Note that if you have your "All Mail" label configured to show up in IMAP, you will need to either disable it, or delete the message from that folder on the iPhone as well. See this thread for more information.) Once you've deleted the message, go in to the Trash folder and hit the refresh button to ensure that the message is no longer listed, which will remove it from the local mail cache. This should also clear up Spotlight's index so that the message no longer appears.

By now, you're probably wondering if this is really something to worry about. In my opinion, it really depends on how you manage your email. If you rarely delete messages, or you just delete things that are not of interest to you, they will most likely disappear from your trash folder after a specified time period that is set by your email provider (usually somewhere between 7 and 30 days.) However, if you intentionally delete messages with the idea that the message is unretreivable, then you should probably consider testing this out for yourself to see if it affects you. Again, with many providers, just periodically deleting the contents of the trash folder will do the trick. If you use Gmail, or your company's email services are hosted by Google, then you may need to log in to the web interface periodically to empty the trash, or you can look into the available configuration options, if you feel comfortable doing so.

So in reality, this isn't really a bug as much as it is what I would call "intended, but unexpected behavior." Many people simply forget that the trash folder exists, particularly on the iPhone where you don't always see it sitting off to the left hand side of your inbox. Checking your trash folder for any unintentionally deleted items, and cleaning out the old messages periodically, isn't really a bad habit to get into. With that said, however, I do think that Apple could improve this behavior by implementing some simple changes like adding an "Empty Trash" button to the trash folder, showing the count of all messages in the trash instead of just unread messages (so that it's easier to notice there are messages in there), and having Spotlight either ignore deleted messages like Leopard's Spotlight does, or at least indicate that they were found in the trash.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you consider this to be a bug, or do you think it's just a place that Apple could improve the experience on? Let us know in the comments!

Update: Leander Kahney has posted an update to the original Cult of Mac post that clarifies this issue a bit more. It seems that accounts using POP are configured by default to remove messages after one day or one week, thus causing them to continue to appear in Spotlight search results. Unfortunately, there isn't an option to remove them immediately, however, only after a day, one week, one month, or never. Because of this, Spotlight still sees them in the index, and Mail still contains a cached copy of the message until the time limit configured in the settings is reached.

If you'd like to check out this setting for yourself, go to the Settings app, tap on Mail, Contacts & Calendars, and choose the POP mail account you want to modify. Scroll down and choose Advanced, and the retention settings will be at the top of that page under Deleted Messages. It appears the default for a new account is to retain messages up to one week. So this is still the OS doing what it's configured to do, but there really should be an option to remove messages immediately here. If Apple were to add an option there, and/or remove Spotlight's ability to index deleted messages, the problem would be solved.

Update 2: After further investigation, it appears that some messages deleted on POP accounts do disappear from Spotlight, while others show up long after the message is deleted. I have conducted several tests on this situation, including on different versions of the iPhone OS, and have posted an update with details.

Prevent Spotlight from resurrecting your deleted emails on iPhone originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yeah, there's an app for that. But for how long, and at what cost?

Michael Jones — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST

With the recent kerfuffle surrounding the removal and rejection of Google Voice apps from the App Store, many developers are beginning to question the trust they have placed in Apple to provide them with a reliable system for developing and distributing applications.

Generally, the major hurdle associated with iPhone development is getting approved by Apple. It's no secret that this process is often quite frustrating, and sometimes downright arduous. Developers often wait several weeks without any response before they are suddenly rejected, and then they must make the requested changes (if possible), resubmit their application, and again wait for a response.

But once they have put your app through the paces, and presumably have double and triple checked to ensure that you have complied with the terms, you're safe, right? Your hard work has paid off, Apple has accepted your app, and now you can move on.

Wrong.

As the developers of GV Mobile and VoiceCentral recently discovered, Apple can take an app that was previously given the all-clear, decide that it now duplicates native functionality of the iPhone, and yank it from the App Store in a matter of minutes. Needless to say, there are some serious flaws in this process. First, the functionality provided by both of these apps isn't actually provided by the iPhone, so there's really nothing to duplicate, unless Apple is going to start expecting developers to predict future features and avoid duplicating those too. Then you have the fact that the feature sets provided by the apps and the iPhone itself have not changed since Apple approved them in the first place, so if they truly are duplicating native functionality, they should have been rejected from the start, not months after they were approved.

Now one might also argue that some features offered by Google Voice do overlap with the iPhone, such as the SMS and voicemail functions, although contrary to popular belief, Google Voice is not a VoIP service and doesn't really compete against AT&T. But even if you concede that point to Apple, couldn't they just ask the developers to remove those features and resubmit? What about the other apps -- like Skype, TextFree, or iCall -- that offer similar feature sets, are they going to disappear too? And if AT&T is really responsible for this, as has been suggested previously, why was the app pulled from the App Stores of other countries? Why not just honestly tell the developer that the app is being pulled at the request of the carrier?

Continue reading Yeah, there's an app for that. But for how long, and at what cost?

Yeah, there's an app for that. But for how long, and at what cost? originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iDisk iPhone app arrives, there is much rejoicing

Michael Jones — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST

You have waited with varying degrees of patience, but your wait is over: the MobileMe iDisk app, in all its officialness, is now available on the App Store.

The iDisk app allows you to view the contents of your MobileMe iDisk straight from your iPhone, and offers some nice options, such as adjusting the amount of local storage used on the phone for recently viewed files.

Does it live up to your expectations? Check it out, and be sure to tell us in the comments what you think about it!

[H/T AppAdvice.com]

iDisk iPhone app arrives, there is much rejoicing originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Update: Promo codes again allowed for 17+ apps

Michael Jones — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 18:15:00 EST

Recently, we reported that developers were not able to request promo codes for their iPhone apps if the app had received a 17+ rating due to having an embedded web browser, unfiltered 3rd party content, or contained excessive violence or sexual content. This restriction severely limited the ability of the developers to distribute promotional copies of their software to generate publicity and awareness of the app.

Several other outlets picked up on the story, and developers sounded off as well. Luckily, it seems that Apple has been listening: over the past few days, we have received word from a number of developers stating that they are now able to request promo codes for their 17+ apps. While Apple has not made any official comment on the issue, it appears that they have quietly conceded this battle to the developers, once again enabling them to distribute promo codes as needed for all of their apps.

Considering the many other issues developers have faced with the App Store, it's obvious that the process is far from perfect. And given the sheer volume of apps and developers that Apple has to deal with, even the smallest of hiccups can become quite frustrating for those developers out there who invest significant amounts of time and money into their apps and then hit a roadblock at full speed. There are still a number of issues with -- as well as improvements to -- the development process that need to be addressed, however, I believe it is an good sign to see that Apple is indeed listening and willing to make some changes to the process. It may only be one small step in the long road ahead, but I think many of the affected developers will agree that it was a step in the right direction.

Thanks to the developers who sent this in!

Update: Promo codes again allowed for 17+ apps originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Sun, 26 Jul 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Pre in iPod's clothing

Michael Jones — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:45:00 EST

Palm has quite a checkered history when it comes to syncing your Pre with iTunes, going as far as to make the device report itself as an iPod, and leaving lingering speculation that Apple would block the device with future iTunes updates -- which is exactly what has happened. But many Pre owners were surprised (and relieved) to hear that Palm had already fixed the issue, only a week after the problem surfaced.

So, how did Palm manage to get sync working again? Well, the good folks over at PreCentral have discovered that they pulled it off by making the Pre report that its USB chipset is developed by Apple. This change effectively makes the device appear even more like an iPod, as well as further ensnares Palm into what could potentially be a nasty web of legal issues.

While it may not seem like such a bad thing to let iTunes recognize the Pre as an iPod, the problem lies in how Palm is going about doing it. All USB devices report a plethora of information back to the operating system when they are plugged in, including a device ID, a vendor ID that usually identifies the chipset manufacturer, a manufacturer string to identify the name of the company that built the device, as well as other information that identifies various capabilities that the device might have.

USB device information as shown in System Profiler

Typically, a combination of the vendor ID and device ID can be easily used to identify a specific device, which is how most applications and drivers communicate with USB devices. When you plug in your iPhone, for example, the system sees a device with a vendor ID of 0x05ac (which identifies it as an Apple device), and a product ID like 0x1294. The system then checks to see if any drivers have registered to be notified when this device combination is plugged in, and it continues from there. In the case of the Pre, however, Palm is identifying the vendor ID as 0x05ac, tricking the operating system into thinking it sees an Apple USB device.

As you can see, this process relies on the IDs provided to be correct in order for things to work properly. Because of this, the USB Implementers Forum (commonly called USB-IF) oversees the assignment and handling of these IDs to ensure that things go smoothly. Companies who wish to manufacture USB chipsets have to apply for a vendor ID number, as well as pay annual membership or licensing fees to the USB-IF to be an authorized vendor. So not only is Palm causing technical problems by misrepresenting the device to the computer, but it is doing so by using an ID that Apple has paid for and has the sole legal right to use. Palm, on the other hand, is likely in violation of their own agreement with the USB-IF, which clearly states that "Unauthorized use of assigned or unassigned USB Vendor ID Numbers and associated Product ID Numbers are strictly prohibited." And yes, they do have their own ID for use on their other hardware.

So what does Palm have to say about all of this? They have turned the tables back on Apple, saying that they believe Apple is improperly using the vendor ID to limit the devices that consumers are able to use with iTunes. Wait, what? Isn't that *exactly* what the ID is there for? Most programs that communicate with any USB device check the vendor and device IDs to ensure that they are talking to the right device. If you've ever used the tools that came with your scanner, you've seen this before. HP's Scan Pro checks the USB devices to see if any of them are supported scanners. This is the sole reason these IDs exist, so that the software can identify a connected piece of hardware, and determine whether or not it is compatible. You wouldn't expect HP's Scan Pro to be able to download pictures from your Fujitsu ScanSnap, so why expect iTunes to show the Pre some love?

Don't take this the wrong way, I do think that iTunes and the Pre should get along, but Palm needs to go about it the proper way. Disguising the Pre as an iPod is just like a wolf dressing in sheep's clothing, but things won't go well for the wolf when the shepherd catches up with it.

The Pre in iPod's clothing originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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App Store Lessons: No promo codes for apps rated 17+

Michael Jones — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:15:00 EST

Developers whose apps meet the criteria for a 17+ rating in the App Store are now running into yet another roadblock, but this time it's not about getting their apps approved, it's about distributing them. Or, more specifically, distributing promo codes for them.

Typically, when a developer uploads a new version of an application to the App Store, they have the ability to create up to 50 promo codes, which they can then provide to media outlets for reviewing the application, give away to users in a contest, etc. Aside from some reasonable restrictions on their usage (you can't sell them, they expire after 28 days and are one-time use only), promo codes provide quite a bit of flexibility to developers of paid apps who wish to freely distribute their app to select individuals without having to worry about the hassles of exchanging device information and doing special ad-hoc builds.

So where is the problem? It's in the new app rating system that was released a few weeks ago. As it stands, neither the 3.0 software nor iTunes display parental warnings when using a promo code to purchase apps with a mature (17+) rating, so Apple has made the promo code functionality unavailable for apps that fall into that category. We were informed of this condition by a developer who prefers to remain anonymous.

This obviously puts developers of these apps in a bit of a bind, as well as eliminates the potential amount of sales that could come from being able to distribute promo copies. Developers in this position may be stuck doing ad-hoc builds or going back to the questionable practice of sending iTunes gift cards to reviewers.

And if you're thinking this just applies to the massive number of adult-oriented apps that have recently poured into the App Store, you're wrong. Apple specifies that any application that may contain high levels of offensive language, violence, sexual content, or references to drugs or alcohol receive a rating of 17+. But, according to Apple, apps that feature an embedded web browser or provide access to 3rd party content also automatically require the 17+ rating, regardless of the application's content or intended audience.

Here's hoping that Apple is already working on a solution to this, as the lost potential sales caused by this not only affect the developers of the individual apps, but the overall success of the App Store as well.

Update: Several developers have reported that they are now able to request promo codes for their 17+ rated apps. We have an updated post with details here.

App Store Lessons: No promo codes for apps rated 17+ originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iTunes Store & App Store problems

Michael Jones — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:17:00 EST

With the App Store celebrating its first birthday, there is a fair amount of news coverage, and with Michael Jackson's memorial service being broadcast, his fans are sure to be hitting iTunes up for some of their favorite songs. So it stands to reason that today is probably not a good day for the iTunes store to be having problems. Don't you just love Murphy's Law?

Reports have been steadily coming in for the past few hours that users are unable to download songs, searches are timing out, and the App Store is not working properly from the iPhone. Several users have also posted threads on the iTunes discussion board with connection problems.

I myself had troubles with searching for music from iTunes earlier today, but things seemed to be working better a short while later, so I figured things were fixed. Since then, however, we have received several other reports of troubles, yet things are working fine for me still. So it seems that this could be chalked up to routing troubles depending on your location, or it may just be intermittent and I've been lucky.

Either way, it's safe to say that there is definitely something going on, although exactly what it is remains a question. Searching seems to be working, albeit a bit slowly, and downloads are working fine for me, but others have reported not being able to download at all. As they say, YMMV (your mileage may vary).

Are you having troubles with either of the stores? Let us know in the comments.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

iTunes Store & App Store problems originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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App Store Rejections: Apple rejects iKaraoke app, patent filed published for a karaoke player

Michael Jones — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST

As if the waters surrounding the App Store approval process weren't murky enough, one developer has just hit an unprecedented wall. Apple rejected his app, iKaraoke, citing that it duplicated functionality of the iPod application. Of course, the "duplicate functionality" reason is nothing new, but Apple's next step is: just a few weeks after rejecting the application, they have filed a patent for including karaoke functionality into the iPod app.

A brief look at the demo iKaraoke's website will quickly tell you that, while the app does bear a light resemblance to some of the menus found in the iPod application, the actual interface that the user interacts with to select and download a song is far from duplicating the iPod's polished interface. Another key point is that the file format used by iKaraoke is known as the .kar format -- an unofficial extension of the MIDI specification that enables lyrics to appear in time with music. The lyrics are then displayed on the screen, and highlighted as the song is played. Does any of this sound like functionality found in the iPod app? We didn't think so.

So what exactly was duplicated then? According to apple, iKaraoke "duplicates the functionality of the built-in iPhone application, iPod, without providing sufficient differentiation or added functionality." But they didn't just stop there. The reviewer went on to say that the application "downloads media files that are not managed by the iTunes application, which also manages media files, we believe this would be confusing to the user." Now, hold on a minute here... it's fine for several other apps to stream and download media files that are supported by the iPod without being managed by iTunes, but it's not OK for an app to download media that isn't natively supported, and provide functionality that isn't natively provided by the iPod?

This wouldn't be much different from your typical app rejection if the story stopped there, but it doesn't. This morning, Apple filed a patent [application here] which details built-in Karaoke functionality being added as part of the iPod application, with some additional bells and whistles such as monitoring the pitch of the user's voice. So it seems the functionality that was duplicated is functionality that Apple has not yet released, and possibly not yet even begun to develop. Maybe the $99 iPhone Developer Program fee should include a crystal ball for testing apps before submitting them.

As with the many other patents Apple has filed, this feature may never see the light of day. But is it really acceptable to reject an application, based solely on what appears to be a duplication of a feature that may or may not even be released in the future? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Update: As a few of you have pointed out in the comments, although the patent application was published today, it actually was originally filed back in April of 2008. While this does indicate that the patent was indeed filed long before the SDK was even released, questions still remain about whether or not Apple may choose to reject applications based on functionality found in unreleased features.

Similar rejections have occurred with apps that offered podcast downloads prior to the inclusion of podcasting functionality in iTunes, for example. Essentially, what needs to happen is that Apple needs to clear the air on what exactly is considered a duplication of functionality, and to be clear with the developer on exactly what aspects of their application are in violation of this requirement, rather than sending a vague form letter and ignoring inquiries for additional information from the developer.

App Store Rejections: Apple rejects iKaraoke app, patent ~~filed~~ published for a karaoke player originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Psystar emerges from Chapter 11, and still making applesauce

Michael Jones — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:20:00 EST

The infamous Mac-clone maker Psystar is apparently set to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and it seems that they are planning on getting right back into their previous routine with a new hardware offering to boot.

In an e-mail newsletter that went out to subscribers today, the company states that the Chapter 11 protection was "critical" to their daily operations, and that they are now ready to "emerge and again battle Goliath." More information is expected to be available "in the coming days" when they are formally discharged by the Bankruptcy court.

Along with the announcement, the newsletter also introduces Psystar's newest hardware offering, the Open(7), which "brings together OS X and Intel Nehalem Xeon technology" in what they are calling their "fastest and most quiet computing configuration." In addition, they are stating that all new systems will feature a new bootloader, called the Darwin Universal Boot Loader (DUBL), and mentioned plans of an open source release in the near future.

The e-mail was wrapped up with a simple anecdote: When life gives you apples, make applesauce. So this begs the question, are they referring to the fruit, or the company?

Thanks to Sean Wightman for the tip!

Psystar emerges from Chapter 11, and still making applesauce originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Staying Safe: securing your wireless connection

Michael Jones — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:00:00 EST

Recently, we reported on AT&T's push to make it easier for iPhone & iPod touch users to connect to their Wi-Fi Hot Spots. One of our readers, Jamie Phelps, pointed out on his blog that AT&T's Wi-Fi service is not actually a "secure connection," as is advertised in various places on their website; we had overlooked this, and mistakenly reinforced the company's shaky claim in our post.

This brings to light an important point about wireless networks and security, however. It's really easy (and sadly all too common) to hop on to an available wireless signal in your office, at the hotel, or your favorite coffee spot and not even think twice about logging in to your e-mail or checking your bank balance.

What many users don't realize is even though the server you are connecting to (i.e. your bank's website) may employ several layers of security, the connection between your computer and the wireless access point is very likely to be unsecured. Anyone who is within range of your computer can trivially monitor the traffic being sent between your computer and the access point, allowing them to see what websites you may be visiting or capture details about other services that you may be connected to. This isn't because of some gaping vulnerability or software bug, it's just an inherent part of how wireless networks work.

So, what can you do to protect yourself? Read on for a list of simple steps you can take to ensure that your wireless connection is safe and secure.

Continue reading Staying Safe: securing your wireless connection

Staying Safe: securing your wireless connection originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple TV software update adds gesture support via Remote

Michael Jones — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:30:00 EST

Apple has quietly pushed out software updates for both the Apple TV and the Remote application for the iPhone and iPod touch. The update, identified as version 2.4 for the Apple TV, and version 1.3 (24) for the Remote app, adds gesture support for controlling Apple TV from your iPhone or iPod.

Our in-house Apple TV geeks, Megan Lavey and Christina Warren, both installed the updates and gave them a try. Megan indicated the gestures were quick and responsive, and coupled with the ability to use the iPhone/iPod keyboard to search for shows, the new versions made it much less tedious to navigate through your shows.

Boxee users may wish to hold off on updating, however, as it seems that you may not be able to reinstall Boxee after completing the update. Also worth noting is that the new Remote app requires the 3.0 software update to be installed on your iPhone or iPod touch.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Gallery: Apple TV Remote Gestures

Apple TV software update adds gesture support via Remote originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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5 things you need to know about the iPhone 3G S

Michael Jones — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST

With only two more days to go until the launch of the iPhone 3G S, we have been getting a lot of questions from readers about things like cases, new features, and of course, upgrading from another iPhone.

Can I use my 3G case with the 3G S?

Yes! While there are a few manufacturers that are now advertising cases for the 3G S, there are no physical differences from the 3G. So any existing cases or accessories you may have should work with the 3G S just fine.

Well then, what exactly is different about the 3G S?

Although the physical appearance didn't change, there are a few significant changes to the hardware in the 3G S. Most notably, the CPU, video chipset, and memory have all been upgraded, as well as the addition of a digital compass, faster 3G radio, and improved camera lens. There are also some software enhancements to allow voice control, video editing, and more.

Can't I just install 3.0 and get the same features?

Not quite. Installing the 3.0 update will get you several of the new features, such as copy and paste, voice notes, MMS, and tethering (if your carrier supports it, anyways), but some of the features will only be available on the 3G S. Things like voice control, video editing and sharing, compass navigation and accessibility improvements take advantage of the new hardware found in the 3G S to provide a better user experience, so Apple doesn't offer those features to users of older iPhones.

Can I upgrade from my iPhone or iPhone 3G?

Yes! From the hardware side of things, upgrading is as easy as plugging in your new iPhone to iTunes, then selecting that you want to restore your backup to the new phone. Alternatively, you can set it up as a new phone, and just sync the apps, music and other items that you want without restoring the full backup.

From the cell phone carrier side of things, upgrading is a bit more complicated, depending on when you purchased your phone, and the terms of your individual contract. Luckily, some providers are offering special terms to encourage customers to upgrade.

Where can I find out more about the iPhone 3G S?

If you're starving for details, our friends over at Engadget have a full review of the new iPhone, including an unboxing gallery and sample videos. If you're looking for a side-by-side comparison to the 3G, Walt Mossberg chimes in with his take on the All Things DIgital blog. And, as always, you can check out our iPhone 3G S articles here on TUAW.

5 things you need to know about the iPhone 3G S originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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