iPhone and iPad to Drop Home Button In Next Generation Models?

by Alex Jordan on January 12th, 2011 on iSource

BoyGeniusReport is claiming to have information from a source inside Apple that stating that the next generation iPad and iPhone will lack it’s iconic home button. This is purportedly the reason Apple just added new multitouch gestures allowing users to switch between multitasking apps, and close an app and return to the home screen.

The report goes on to make other smaller claims the famous Mac app, Photo Booth, will make it’s way onto the next-generation iPad. They also claim that the iLife suite of applications is also making it’s way to the iPad.

I don’t buy this. Think about it. If you hand an iPad or an iPhone to someone that has never touched one before, they nearly immediately understand the Home button. Well, what happens when you take that away? How would an average user know how to close out an application without first reading, or being show this feature. Also, think about a five finger swipe on iPhone. The screen is nearly too small, and you can’t do it one handed, and being able to do things with one hand is critical on a mobile phone.

Now, I will hear the argument that Apple is getting rid of a physical, clicking Home button, and replacing it with a softkey or a touch sensitive spot on the bezel. This seems more likely, but if I had to bet, Apple keeps the home button, and this report is a bunch of hot air.

Below is a video demonstrating the new gestures:

‘Google Places’ With Hotpot Reviews Debuts for iOS

posted by Eric Slivka on Wednesday January 12, 2011 11:46 AM on MacRumours

Google today announced the launch of a new Google Places application for iOS devices, offering users the ability to search for nearby places and incorporating the users’ own ratings in the results algorithm.

In case you aren’t familiar with Google Places, it lets you quickly search for places nearby and personalizes the results based on places you’ve rated. We get you started with a few popular search categories, but you can also tailor the list by adding your own favorite searches. This makes it fast and easy to find the best places for you with little fuss.

The new Google Places app also integrates the company’s “Hotpot” social ratings and reviews functionality, allowing users to easily rate restaurants and other places right from the iPhone app while they are at the locations. These ratings and recommendations over time are used to inform Google’s own recommendations for users.

Just fire up the app and hit “Rate now.” It will use your location to guess your current place and let you post a Hotpot review right from your phone. But it’s not just about getting to say what you think – the more you rate places, the more you’re sharing about your tastes and the more we can give you personally tailored recommendations.

Google Places is currently English-only, but new localizations and features are coming “soon”.

Apple Seeds iOS 4.3 Beta to Developers: Personal Hotspot, AirPlay Video Streaming, New iPad Gestures

posted by Eric Slivka on Wednesday January 12, 2011 04:09 PM on MacRumours

MacStories reports that Apple has seeded the first beta version of iOS 4.3 to developers. The iOS 4.3 beta is available in versions for iPad, iPhone 4 and 3GS, and third- and fourth-generation iPod touch, as well as a separate download for the new Apple TV. Consequently, it appears that Apple will no longer be supporting the iPhone 3G and second-generation iPod touch with operating system updates.

Details of changes included in the new version are unknown at this time, although Apple has been said to be building in support for personal hotspot functionality as seen on the Verizon iPhone, as well as possible support for recurring billing for App Store content subscriptions such as News Corp.’s forthcoming tablet-focused news publication, The Daily.

Update: We’ve heard that the new version now allows developers to stream video to compatible devices via AirPlay.

MacStories also notes that Apple has implemented new multi-touch gestures for the iPad, including four- and five-finger pinch gestures to take users to the home screen, swipe for multitasking tray, and swipe to switch apps.

Update 2: Configuration settings for personal hotspot functionality are indeed present in the iOS 4.3 beta.

Personal hotspot settings in iOS 4.3 beta

Update 3: A new FaceTime icon and support for full-screen banner format iAds for the iPad have also been spotted.

Next Generation iPhones Referenced in iOS 4.2

posted by arn on Thursday January 13, 2011 12:52 AM on MacRumours

As first noted by Engadget, the latest iOS 4.3 developer build contains model references to as-yet unreleased iPhone and iPad models. The new designations include:

iPad2,1
iPad2,2
iPad2,3
iPhone4,1
iPhone4,2

For reference, the first generation iPad carries a model number of “iPad1,1” while the AT&T iPhone 4 carries the “iPhone3,1” model number. These new designations likely represent the next generation iPad and iPhone. It seems likely the second digit represents hardware differences between models — such as a Verizon iPhone and AT&T iPhone. The iPad is also believed to be coming to both Verizon and AT&T, so that may explain at least a few of the different model numbers.

The iPad 2 is believed to be coming out in the next month or so, while the iPhone is traditionally refreshed in the summer during WWDC.

Apple released iOS 4.3 beta for iPod/iPhone/iPad & Apple TV to Developers

Apple has released the 1st beta of iOS 4.3 to developers for testing.

Currently there are beta images available for iPod/iPhone/iPad and Apple TV.

Apparently the beta release of Apple TV iOS is so that you can AirPlay from your iOS devices running beta iOS 4.3 so there must be a fair bit of change for Apple TV.

Due to Non Disclosure Agreements I’ve agreed to I cannot paste too much info on this but I’m about to load up the betas and will report back when I’ve seen what’s new.