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Apple and Steve Jobs… Evil?
Author Tim Wu of the book "The Master Switch", in a recent interview with the New York Times, gives some sobering, yet controversial thoughts about Apple’s role in information control that prove much more interesting than Apple’s announcement today. Wu finds Apple just a little terrifying.

Paved With Good Intentions

Wu, a professor of copyright law at Columbia University, writes about business "in the way that writers have traditionally written about war," in his own words. His work focuses on the ways that power permeates commerce, sustaining some firms while destroying others.

Wu takes aim at companies like ABC, NBC, AT&T and Google, that started as firms focused on serving the public, but turned to "evil" when they began to suppress technologies that could possibly interfere with their market dominance.

When asked which company is the most threatening, Wu has a ready answer: "Right now, I'd have to say Apple… Steve Jobs has the charisma, vision, and instincts of every great information emperor. The man who helped create the personal computer 40 years ago is probably the leading candidate to help exterminate it. His vision has an undeniable appeal, but he wants too much control."

Data, Packaged and Sold

The iTunes Store, founded in April 2003, was perhaps Apple's first major foray into changing the way we receive data. Over time, it became the foremost means for acquiring digital music legally, and changed the face of the industry forever. The Beatles coming onboard is one of the final dominoes to fall in Apple's effort to provide access to the entirety of popular music.

Apple also spearheaded the rise of the app. Downloading apps is now commonplace, thanks largely to iOS. More and more, we don't go to our favorite website to view that snippet of news or buy that hot product, we instead use apps designed for the purpose that wall off access to the rest of the web, and often charge us for the privilege of doing so.

While there are many other app stores in existence with other companies, with the success of the iOS App Store and the coming Mac App Store, Apple is positioned to remain a dominating force in the arena of intermediation between information and audiences. While this serves as a great opportunity for many technology creators, how long will Apple retain its position of trust in its current curatorial role?

Rotten to the Core?

When asked about the possibility of Jobs leaving Apple before long, which could happen due to health and increasing age, Wu states, "I think it may not matter…the mark of Steve Jobs is firmly placed on that firm, that it will continue long after he passes from leadership." His core values may indeed remain, though I doubt his personality-based idiosyncrasies will carry on.

Whether or not we agree with Wu's opinions, his assertion that Apple isn't our little darling from Cupertino anymore is a reality that must be grappled with.

What do you think? Does Apple have too much control over how information is distributed? If so, what’s the best way to go about limiting its power?

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Official Google Voice App for iPhone Now Available
Updated. The official Google Voice App for iPhone is now available in the App Store, following the arrival of a number of third-party solutions. The app was originally submitted sometime in mid-2009, and starred in its own drama involving Apple, Google, AT&T and the Federal Communications Commission , but it was never officially accepted or rejected.

Apple opened the door for Google Voice apps when it revised and published its App Store review guidelines for all to read. The increased transparency gave developers the ability to see exactly what kind of software would be accepted, which meant there really weren’t grounds any longer to keep Google Voice apps out if they adhered to the rules.

The new native app is available for free from the App Store, and provides access to all major Google Voice features just like the HTML5 web app, including free text messaging to U.S. numbers, voicemail transcription and cheap international long distance rates. Also just like the HTML5 app, it automatically places calls from the iPhone’s Phone app using Google’s backend, though it will display your Google Voice number on the recipient’s call display.

The new app also brings push notifications, which a web app couldn’t provide. Those notifications alert you instantly when you receive a text message or new voicemail.

You need a Google Voice account to use the app, which at this time is available to U.S. residents only, though international expansion plans are in the works with a planned roll-out sometime in 2011. Grab it now (you know you want it) and let us know how you’re finding it in the comments.

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Apple's Announcement: The B-side of Steve Jobs

The best thing to come out of Apple’s announcement today is an end to endless cycle of speculation about when The Beatles would come to iTunes. Rumors on the subject have been turning up prior to Apple events going all the way back to the launch of the music store in 2003, and while The Beatles are the most well-known musical group in modern history, they are just one band, after all.

Admittedly, the announcement is big news for Apple Inc. The library is a guaranteed money-maker, and songs are available as individual purchases, possibly Apple’s greatest accomplishment regarding the whole deal. But it made a mistake in the way it went about promoting the news, and the Apple faithful and tech elite are expressing the disappointment resulting from that mistake across the web.

There’s one person who unquestionably thinks The Beatles’ arrival on iTunes merits as much fanfare as it got: Steve Jobs. At the launch of the iPhone in January, 2007, the album shown to the world when demonstrating music on the revolutionary new device was Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. At the time, not only had The Beatles rebuffed Apple’s overtures for the iTunes Music Store, but litigation between Apple and Apple Corps over names and logos was still ongoing. Has any other individual or organization at odds with Apple been treated so well? Turning one of the most popular web sites in the world into a teaser for The Beatles is just a continuation of the fanboy relationship Jobs has with the band.

If that seems like a small thing, it isn’t. The larger point coming out of today’s announcement is how Steve Jobs sometimes treats Apple: like he owns it. On more than one occasion, Jobs has turned Apple’s website into a kind of personal blog. A few years ago he was ranting about music DRM, and more recently about Flash. In both situations it was more than a rant, too. Decisions were made that directly impacted consumers. With music DRM, Apple’s long fight over song pricing ensured iTunes Store customers got DRM-free music long after other competitors. With Flash, Apple customers don’t get the same experience on websites with iOS devices that Android users do.

Though perhaps personally motivated, it doesn’t mean either decision was necessarily a bad one. Bad would be the Cube. When it was launched in 2000, Steve Jobs called it “the coolest computer ever.” In 2001, Apple VP Phil Schiller was stuck with announcing its discontinuation. The Cube put too high a price tag on form over function, and it wasn’t the last time Steve Jobs would make that mistake. The iPhone 4 has problems that echo the same hierarchy of values.

If it seems unfair to blame Jobs for these missteps, he certainly gets enough credit for the company’s successes. He’s regularly named the most successful, important CEO in business today, and it’s true. That’s why Steve Jobs gets to use Apple’s website to promote a band that means a lot less to those born after 1970 than the release of iOS 4.2 would today, annoying as that might be. Will he be more hands-off in the future as a result of the negative fallout from today’s announcement? Likely not. Should he be? Apple’s track record says probably not. What do you think?

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Beatles Music Now Available in iTunes Store [Updated]
UPDATE: Yep, that’s it. Sigh.

It’s not quite time for the Apple announcement yet, so there’s no telling whether or not this is what’s going to be revealed, but a simple search finds that music by The Beatles is now available for purchase in the iTunes Store. All albums appear to be available, including the complete Beatles Box Set for $149.00.

All the albums start at $12.99, while some special editions and compilations will cost you $19.99. There’s no evidence that the Mono box set is currently available, as only one box set option appears, and it seems to be the Stereo version. All the albums also appear to be iTunes LP editions, so they come complete with additional features like mini-documentaries, liner notes and photos.

I’m sincerely hoping this isn’t the big announcement coming up this morning. Seems like too much fanfare for some new content availability. What do you think?

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How-To: Using Automator to Combine PDFs
OS X includes a great tool called Automator that makes it really easy to take the sting out of repetitive tasks. When I don’t forget it’s there waiting to help me, I put it to work so I don’t have to, which is what I did when I ran into the problem of how to take multiple PDFs and turn them into a single file.

I realize you can open a PDF, drag another PDF into the Preview window, and combine in that fashion, but in my experience, there’ve been issues with cross-platform compatibility when using this method. I turned to Automator, and within a few minutes, had a pretty simple and effective way to solve the problem.
1. I decided to create a Service rather than a standalone application or workflow, so it would be accessible from anywhere I may end up in the Finder, at any time.
2. Since PDFs were my focus, I set the service to target them while browsing from the Finder. You can obviously play around with these settings to do different things, depending on your needs.
3. The first action to drag into the editor is the heavy lifter here, and is very clearly named: “Combine PDF Pages.” I’d prefer they append to one another rather than shuffle them together.
4. At this point, I thought I was done, but when I would run the Service against a couple of PDF files, I had no idea where the resulting file ended up. For some reason, it wasn’t in the clipboard, but rather, was in some non-accessible directory of OS X. So added the “Move Finder Items” command into the editor, and the result was just what I wanted.
5. Finally, select the files in the Finder, right click, and choose your newly-created Service from the Services submenu. The resulting PDF shows up as some gibberish file name, right on the desktop.
Automator is a flexible tool, and can be made to do so many of the random tasks that we find need for on a daily basis. Hopefully, this simple solution will kickstart the process of creating your own custom workflows, as well.

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Comcast Xfinity iPad Apps Scream "We're Still Here!"
Cord cutters are threatening the bottom line at cable companies, but cable isn’t going to go gently into that good night. Comcast today unveiled its new Xfinity TV app for the iPad, a clear attempt to get some love from the new mobile video-watching crowd.

The new Xfinity app will allow Comcast subscribers to stream TV shows and movies to the iPad, as well as act as a TV guide, remote and DVR programmer for their at-home cable setup. The app launched today, though streaming content won’t arrive until early December, at which time users will have access to a select portion of Comcast’s offerings. That content will be premium cable stuff Comcast includes in its TV Everywhere (now called Fancast Infinity) offerings, including shows from HBO, Cinemax and Showtime.

Comcast also plans to release apps for the iPhone and iPod touch, as well as BlackBerry and Android devices, though the company hasn’t divulged any other details. Apps are a good move for the U.S. cable giant, allowing it to compete with companies like Netflix, which also provides direct streaming to mobile devices. But is it enough, and is it in time to truly make a difference?

Mobile users want all the content, all the time. Comcast’s Xfinity already falls quite short of that; some content coming soon is too little. Users don’t want to see a few shows and movies available, even if those shows come from premium networks, especially when they’re paying for the whole hog with a cable subscription.

As for timing, this is something cable companies should have offered as soon as the technology was available. Device makers recognized quickly enough that users wanted the ability to carry video with them in their pockets as soon as the technology allowed it. Why did the biggest content providers take such a long time to admit the same? Whatever the reason, making minor concessions like providing extremely limited content libraries to paying customers with what seem like reluctant gradual rollout timelines isn’t going to win people back now.

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Podcast Rundown Part 2: Audio for on the Go
There are plenty of great podcasts out there to choose from, but we’ve got the best of the audio variety right here to scratch your Mac itch. While all the TWiT-centric video podcasts in part one of my podcast roundup have companion audio feeds, these radio-styled talk shows are much better choices for your iPhone or iPod touch.

Audio Podcasts for iPhone/iPod Touch

TWiT TV’s The Tech Guy. (iTunes Link) Leo Laporte is the Chuck Norris of all tech-based talk shows on any format. Leo may be trying to record every moment of his life, given the number of shows he’s involved with. With audio and video podcasts, and traditional over-the-air shows, it’s amazing he finds the time to tweet. While Leo tends to be more Mac-focused than PC, the tech discussions can go either way.

The Mac Observer’s Mac Geek Gab. (iTunes Link) Dave Hamilton and John F. Braun have been with The Mac Observer for a long time, and have been producing a quality podcast for almost as long. Their enthusiasm never seems to die out. The depth of knowledge they have regarding Mac-related technologies is proven over and over. There’s also an enhanced iTunes version with premium content, but you can only grab it through iTunes.

The MacCast. (iTunes Link) For Mac geeks by Mac geeks. With five years of history behind him, Adam Christianson is another veteran of all things Mac. The variety that each show has to offer is refreshing. Adam is very articulate, and you can easily visualize the detailed step-by-step walk-througsh typically included in each show.

Mac OS Ken. (iTunes Link) A quick podcast bringing you the latest Mac news — all of the latest Mac news. Ken Ray has a familiar format that’s often imitated. At times, you expect a full-on rant to ensue, but Ken manages to pull back and keep to the facts with just enough commentary to keep things interesting. This podcast even has its own iOS app.

For Mac Eyes Only. (iTunes Link) Beyond the quick tips, the weekly program is a collection of how-tos mixed in with news and rumors being discussed online.

Listening to Podcasts

Lately, I’ve been trying to steer clear of having to sync daily. I use MobileMe to keep my bookmarks, contacts, calendar and notes in sync when on the go. I have my favorite albums on hand and utilize services like Pandora to fulfill my other music needs. Podcasts, on the other hand, are very time-based, and it wasn’t until I found Podcaster for $1.99 in the App Store (iTunes link) that I was able to wean my iPhone completely off of its dependence on iTunes. Without having to search all over again for my favorite podcasts, I was able to export the OPML file from iTunes, upload and share the file from my MobileMe iDisk, and import the URL into Podcaster. That way, my iPhone will always grab the most current content automatically.

Think we're missing any truly great audio podcasts? Please share in the comments.

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Survey: iPad Is Replacing Computers for Many
In a study surveying 500 iPad owners, Business Insider found some interesting data with implications for web publishers, app designers, and even other gadget makers. It’s got some handy information for those considering giving the gift of iPad this holiday, too.

Novelty or Lasting Value?

Though the researchers originally thought the iPad might be passed off as a flashy device that held little long-term value, 77.6 percent of the users found their iPad usage went up after their initial "honeymoon" period. So, the iPad probably won't end up in your return pile shortly along with oddly-colored sweaters.

PC Replacement?

When it comes to function, 28.9 percent of users say that the iPad has replaced their primary computer. In a related question, users were asked which device they used most frequently. The iPad was found to be used most often by those surveyed: 31.8 percent of the time. Laptop usage, at 31 percent, fell just under, with the desktop further back still at 22.1 percent, and smartphone usage coming in last at 15.2 percent.

Taken together, the numbers make a strong case for the iPad’s ability to meet the basic computing needs of a large group of users. As the iPad gains even more ground on its notebook competition through hardware and software upgrades, we could see that number grow significantly.

Kindle and iBooks

The iPad is also used as an e-reader; 74.5 percent of those surveyed read books on their iPad. But, though the iPad is a popular book device, 50 percent of users who read on their iPads chose the Kindle app as their preferred reading app. Only 42.4 percent chose iBooks first. Amazon is clearly winning the e-book war by being platform-agnostic.

Daily Usage

On average, around 74.8 percent of iPad users spend between one and five hours a day on their tablet device; 15.3 percent spend less than an hour; and 9.8 percent spend five or more hours per day.

Web browsing occupies 37.7 percent of the time spent on the iPad, followed by 23.6 percent of time spent on email, Facebook, and other communication apps. The lowest category, at only 10.2 percent, was spent playing games. Users clearly value the iPad for its usefulness as a web and communication tool first and foremost.

iPad App Habits

The survey found that 56.1 percent have downloaded 20 or more apps. Most have downloaded around 10 paid apps (52.3 percent having downloaded 6-20 paid apps). So while free apps account for a majority of downloads, paid apps are by no means being ignored.

Yet, of all of the downloading, whether it be paid or free, most people use 10 apps or less on a regular basis, leaving half or more of their apps ignored shortly after download. In fact, the most commonly used app is one you don’t even download: Safari. The built-in browser remains the iPad’s killer app.

Taking in the News

When viewing news on the iPad, the majority (at 37 percent) preferred the iPad's web browser, while those using news apps came in a close second at 34.7 percent. In last place, we find using a newsreader app such as Flipboard or Reeder with 28.3 percent. So, if you're ready to leave behind the newspaper, the iPad offers many viable alternatives.

iPad to MacBook Air

Only 4.2 percent of iPad users surveyed have purchased the new MacBook Air. Of that small number, 95.8 percent say it hasn't decreased their iPad usage. Also, 76.1 percent of those surveyed felt that the iPad and MacBook Air weren't competing devices. Obviously, Apple is still doing a great job of convincing us that each of its devices has a very specific purpose, even among devices that scratch the same portability itch.

All data considered, the survey reveals that the iPad is making inroads on the role traditionally filled by notebook PCs, and it’s replacing a selection of lower-tech devices, too, like print books and newspapers. Developers, take note: People seem happiest using their devices for browsing the web and connecting with one another. Combine those elements in just the right mix, and you could have a top-selling app on your hands.

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Apple Posts iTunes Announcement Teaser [Updated]
UPDATE: The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple has finally secured the right to sell Beatles music in the iTunes Store. That could be what Apple is planning to announce tomorrow, since Steve Jobs has been pursuing the Liverpool quartet’s catalogue for some time now. If this is the announcement that’s garnered so much attention, I’ll be deeply disappointed.

Apple just posted a new teaser image on its home page, promising an iTunes announcement for tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. PST, or 10:00 AM EST. The official tagline for the event is “Tomorrow is just another day. That you’ll never forget.” No other information about the nature of the announcement is available, but a few interesting possibilities come to mind.

We’ve heard that the iOS 4.2 update could arrive then, but that doesn’t seem to merit the pomp and circumstance Apple’s using here. A day that we’ll “never forget?” Not likely to be the arrival of a software update that’s been teased for months now, and that we’ve seen beta previews of for almost as long.

I suspect a couple other possibilities are more likely. First, Apple’s been doing a lot of work with Ping lately, so we could finally see an agreement between Facebook and Apple to bring the networks together. The recent Twitter integration has helped its friend discovery weaknesses, but a Facebook partnership would shore that up.

Second, there’s a slight chance that we could finally see all those rumors of a streaming iTunes service come to fruition. Talks have reportedly been going on for months, or even years, between Apple and record labels about such a service, and it’s possible Apple only now managed to reach an agreement that would allow a big enough library for a launch. With Spotify and others breathing down its neck, the timing couldn’t be better.

Finally, I think a third possibility could be the introduction of a web-based iTunes Store. Apple has introduced web page previews for iTunes links in the last year, and a great deal could be gained by taking the whole store online. It would save a lot of work on the development end, since iTunes would be platform-independent, and it would provide store access to more users, including casual buyers who don’t want to have to install software to purchase music. It would also help bring Ping to the browser, something I think would really help user adoption of the service.

What do you think Apple has in store for tomorrow?

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InstaGone: Using Filters with Tweetie for Mac
If, like me, you're still using Tweetie for Mac despite it being terribly out of date and if, like me, you're growing increasingly weary of the never ending flow of orange-tinted hipster Instagrams showing up in your timeline, here's something that might help. In one of the last releases of Tweetie for Mac, before the company behind it was bought out by Twitter, the beginnings of a filtering system was added. No user interface to the functionality was ever built so it's kind of a hidden feature, but with a little Terminal magic we can still use it to block what seems to be an ever increasing volume of noise in the Twitter stream.

Since there's no way to set the filter terms from within the Tweetie preference pane we have to fire up the Terminal app and add them directly. What we'll be doing is simply using the "defaults write" command to build an array of terms that Tweetie will use to filter out tweets that should otherwise be showing up in the timeline. There are four basic commands for managing the filter. All quoted terms are merely examples, so feel free to change them to whatever you’d like to hide in your Twitter stream:
- Add a term to be filtered out: defaults write com.atebits.tweetie-mac filterTerms -array-add "http://instagr.am"
- Review the terms you have in place: defaults read com.atebits.tweetie-mac filterTerms
- Delete all terms you’re using: delete com.atebits.tweetie-mac filterTerms
- Define many terms at once: defaults write com.atebits.tweetie-mac filterTerms -array "http://gowal.la" "http://instagr.am" "http://4sq.com"
Once you've defined the filter terms you want, just restart Tweetie for the changes to be implemented. Now, any posts that would normally show up in your timeline which contain those terms will instead be hidden from view. No more Foursquare, Gowalla, or Instagram. They're all fine services I’m sure, but not everyone wants to see their links all the time.

This will also come in handy for blocking the latest #QuirkyMovieTitleMeme or for what I'm sure will become a deluge of links from the new Ping Twitter integration. Looking at the URLs used for the Ping links it seems like just adding "itunes.apple.com" to the array of terms should keep those Tweets at bay. Use that with some caution though, as that will also remove any non-shortened App Store links as well.

It's a shame to have to jump through these hoops just to get a filter working. I suppose I could pick up one of the more up to date twitter clients for Mac but there's just something about the usability of Tweetie that keeps me coming back. Hopefully we'll see a Tweetie 2 for Mac come out soon that will make this kind of workaround unnecessary, but I won't be holding my breath.

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Apps Cannibalise Newspaper Sales: Surprise to Anyone?
News Corp head of European and Asian operations James Murdoch said (via Reuter’s) that iOS apps cannibalize print sales, much more so than newspaper websites do. Such a claim begs the question: Isn’t that what everyone expected would happen?

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp is getting a lot of attention because of its decision to put a huge chunk of its online news content behind a paywall, an experiment which Mathew Ingram thinks is a total bust. Titles behind the paywall, including The Times of London, the Sunday Times and News of the World lost as much as 90 percent of their online readership since the paywall went up, though the remaining readership pays News Corp directly via subscription.

The elder Murdoch, News Corp’s CEO and James’ father, has publicly praised the iPad as a device that could potentially turn things around for news media. James Murdoch agrees, saying “We go to the iTunes store because it’s frictionless. They charge a percentage, but the guy on the newsstand and the newsagent charge a percentage, and they don’t even merchandise it properly.”

But apps, says James Murdoch, also have a problem: They steal readers away from print editions, more so than even websites with the exact same content. Of course they do. People like apps because they provide similar formatting to print editions, with greater interactivity, but without sacrificing portability and readability.

I may have missed something, but I thought the whole point of digital formats is to stop the overall subscriber hemorrhage many magazines and newspapers are experiencing by moving readers to a paid digital edition (as opposed to a free digital edition or another source entirely). Subscriber bleed from print to apps and digital editions isn’t a “problem.” It’s a sign that things are headed in the right direction. In the next few years, audiences will continue to abandon print media, that much is certain. Better that efforts to bring those publications into the age of mobile computing recapture portions of that audience then that they disappear altogether.

What do you think? Do you maintain subscriptions to both print and online editions of newspapers and other periodicals, and if so, why?

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Apple Releases iTunes 10.1 [Updated: Remove Ping!]
Apple just pushed out iTunes version 10.1 via Software Update. The update brings the ability to use AirPlay to stream video from iTunes to the new Apple TV, the ability to sync with iPhone, iPad or iPod touch devices running iOS 4.2 (yet to be released), and a number of stability improvements.

Many expected version 10.1 of Apple’s Mac audio/video management software to arrive this Wednesday, in advance of a Friday release of the iOS 4.2 update. New rumors suggest that the 4.2 release was delayed until next Tuesday, however, and today’s release of the iTunes update is in keeping with that updated timeline.

To update your copy of iTunes, just run “Software Update” from the OS X Menu Bar and it should appear. Let us know if you have any problems with the new version in the comments.

UPDATE: Checking out the new version reveals another, unadvertised feature. You can now remove Ping from your source menu via iTunes>Preferences. Simply uncheck the box next to it as shown in the screenshot below. Great addition, Apple!

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Apple and Oracle Partner for OpenJDK for Mac OS X
Apple and Oracle are working together to bring the OpenJDK project to Mac OS X. This will ensure the continued presence of Java on the Mac platform. The news comes on the heels of a revelation last month that Apple will no longer be providing its own line of custom Java packages, which many, us included, took to indicate the end of Java support in OS X altogether.

According to a press release issued today by Apple and Oracle, the OpenJDK project will see the two companies work together to ensure continued support of Java on OS X, which is great news for developers working in the programming language. The role of the two partners is described as follows:

Apple will contribute most of the key components, tools and technology required for a Java SE 7 implementation on Mac OS X, including a 32-bit and 64-bit HotSpot-based Java virtual machine, class libraries, a networking stack and the foundation for a new graphical client. OpenJDK will make Apple's Java technology available to open source developers so they can access and contribute to the effort.

Apple went on to confirm that Java SE 6 will indeed continue to be available from Apple for Snow Leopard and the upcoming OS X Lion 10.7, but Java SE 7 and beyond for OS X will instead be available direct from Oracle. Bertrand Serlet, Apple’s senior VP of software engineering, claims that’s “[t]he best way for our users to always have the most up to date and secure version of Java.”

Steve Jobs hinted at a switch to this kind of distribution method in an email response to a concerned Java developer back in October of this year. He noted that since Apple’s release schedule is always a version behind Oracle’s, a new method might be a better option. The new partnership introduces that new method, with Oracle stepping in to provide the most current version to Mac users.

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iOS 4.2 Release for iPad, iPhone Delayed to Nov. 16?
The iOS 4.2 update could be delayed until at least next Tuesday, Nov. 16, according to a new report by iPhoneHellas. The new date contradicts earlier rumors that we would see the update arrive today, Nov. 12. References found in iOS 4.2 carrier bundles pointing to a Nov. 12 launch have been removed, further supporting the change of date.

iPhoneHellas has accurately predicted the arrival of Apple’s iOS updates in the past, so it seems a fairly reliable source. It’s also careful to say that Nov. 16 is now the “most likely” release date, so there’s no guarantee it’ll arrive next Tuesday, either. It could depend on what Apple needs to fix. As is most often the case with software updates, Apple hasn’t yet made any comment about a specific iOS 4.2 release date, beyond Steve Jobs’ assertion that it would arrive in November.

There seems to be at least one likely culprit behind the delay. Many developers are saying there’s a serious Wi-Fi issue for iPads running the iOS 4.2 Golden Master (GM) candidate, which is supposed to be the final pre-release version before public launch. Affected iPads seems to have trouble maintaining a solid Wi-Fi connection, and some even can’t seem to use Safari at all.

The report that originally pegged the release of 4.2 for today also stated that it would be preceded by an OS X and iTunes update on Wednesday. We did see the arrival of OS X 10.6.5, but not updated iTunes software, which would be required to support the new iOS version. AirPlay also requires an update to Apple TV to enable video streaming from from an iOS source.

iOS 4.2 brings a number of new features to iOS devices, including multitasking and the ability to print directly from the iPad via AirPrint. AirPrint may have lost some of its functionality in recent builds, however, since it no longer seems able to print to a connected network printer, but only directly to select HP models.

Long story short, if you’re up early this Friday in anticipation of iOS 4.2′s release, it’s probably safe for you to go back to bed. We’ll let you know more as details emerge.

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Podcast Rundown Part 1: HD Video for Your Apple TV
My original love when it comes to tech video programming was “The Screen Savers.” Not only was I a regular viewer, but I was also a live audience member whenever I was in San Francisco, where it was first shot. Following the buyout of TechTV by rival company G4, nothing has been up to par on broadcast, cable or satellite television. However, the original and extended cast members from “The Screen Savers” and other TechTV classics have blossomed online. Here are some of the best Apple-related video selections from that bumper crop.

HD Video Podcasts for Apple TV

TWiT TV’s This Week in Tech (TWiT). (iTunes Link) Leo Laporte was at the core of The Screen Savers, and TWiT is what is left of of the old classic, in podcast form. While not as polished as a it’s studio production of times past, the video is more like a visual of a radio talk show. The technologies covered are not specifically or exclusively Apple related, but conversations seem to always come around to Apple in one way or another. The only fault Leo has is that he has remained friends with John C. Dvorak, a well-established Mac critic. Coincidently, John’s awesome show, Cranky Geeks would have made the list, if it had not been canceled. (Show Notes)

Revision3′s Tekzilla. (iTunes Link) Patrick Norton co-hosted Screen Savers for a long time and now works at Revision3. Veronica Belmont co-hosts the longer weekly version and seems to take the lead on many of the shorter daily episodes. Again while not centered on solely Apple content, the show does tend to feature Apple related technology more than not. Patrick is a straight shooter that gets right to the point. More than just the facts, the opinions and reviews of technology expressed on the show are are well worth considering. (Show Notes)

Revision3′s diggNation. (iTunes Link) Despite the fact that the Digg website is in trouble due to a failed upgrade earlier this year, Kevin “Mac” Rose and Alex “PC” Albrecht were the original PC vs. Mac odd couple. Kevin was once featured on The Screen Savers, and Alex co-hosted the G4 version of the program as Kevin’s comic relief sidekick just before G4 decided to cancel it. At times, the show can seem to lack any focus at all, but it’s still an icon of the Mac vs. PC battle. (Show Notes)

Revison3′s GeekBeat.TV. (iTunes Link) Cali Lewis, once a co-host on Call for Help with Leo Laporte, is at it again with a new show, GeekBeat. It covers a wide variety of gadgets and technology. While Cali has in the past been a very devoted Mac lover, recently she has been straying away from Apple by using various “other” smart phones. Truly a gadget lover, Cali was featured as one of the ShowGirls in 2007 as well as being part of a GoDaddy Superbowl commercial. I highly recommend trying to keep up with this almost daily podcast. (Show Notes)

Pixel Corps’ MacBreak. (iTunes Link) There’s a series of Mac-specific podcasts produced under the Pixel Corps umbrella. One of the more famous podcasts is MacBreak Weekly, which Leo Laporte co-hosts. Also in the series are Dev, Studio, Tech, and Work-specific versions of the show. Founded by Alex Lindsay, the crew at Pixel Corps are dedicated to digital production. It should therefore be no surprise that MacBreak was the first podcast shot in 1080p. If the earlier four recommendations did not have enough Mac content, this one won’t leave you wanting. (Show Notes)

Viewing Podcasts

If you’re like me, and are now subscribing to the video podcasts on your Apple TV as favorites, simply take the list above and search for the podcasts in the internet section of Apple TV. Be sure to add them as a favorite so you don’t have to keep searching for them again and again. Otherwise, find them in iTunes and subscribe to keep them synced to your iOS device. Think we’re missing any truly great ones? Please share in the comments.

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Please Fix This, Apple
My closet is so overfull with boxes from Apple that I hardly have room for anything else. I love my Macs, iOS devices, and Apple software, but there are some things about Apple products that just leave me wondering: why don’t they fix this?

Apple has oodles of cash, and the love of millions of adoring fans. In general, the company also have a very good reputation for quality of design and build, and usability, but there are a few places where that sterling reputation isn’t backed up by experience. These are the things I’d most like Apple to fix:

Lame Headphones

I now own so many pairs of white earbuds I could probably outfit an entire NBA team with the things. Of course, NBA players would never use them, and neither would I. The in-ear headphones Apple released in 2008 were a bit better, but just a bit, and after less than a year, mine failed. Instead of opting for another pair, I went with a third-party solution.

According to a new patent found by Patently Apple, we might soon see better headphones from Apple, with much-improved noise cancellation for making calls. The materials Apple uses in its headset construction do make them pretty much tangle-proof. But if Apple doesn’t pay more attention to actually increasing sound quality, I’ll still leave the things in the box.

Custom Sounds for Text Message and Email

This is just cruel. Apple provides all iPhone users with the option to select whatever ringtone they want, though you have to convert your audio file of choice first. It’s still not hard to do, though.

But what if you want incoming texts or emails to make a noise that isn’t in the stock set? It sure would come in handy when you’re at tech trade shows or special product announcements to avoid confusion. In order to do that, you have to jailbreak your device. All I want is for my phone to make an R2D2 noise when I get a new text. Is that modest level of customization really too much to ask from Apple’s wunderphone?

A Better Mail Program

Mail.app is okay, but it’s just okay. The problem is, there’s scant competition out there, beyond Postbox, which is probably a little too feature-heavy for most users, and Outlook, which is a Microsoft product, so it feels like a betrayal. Plus Outlook is apparently quite buggy at the moment.

Apple’s built-in mail client has remained relatively unchanged for quite a while. Most frustrating of all, none of the changes it did receive with the Snow Leopard upgrade fixed its most annoying problem: a chronic failure to actually make the “New Mail” sound when new mail arrives. I’ve searched far and wide for fixes, and there doesn’t seem to be a permanent one. At least my iPhone can consistently notify me when I get new mail, even if I can’t change the sound.

Multi-Format Video Support in iOS

iOS devices support at least a few different audio formats, including .MP3, the most widely available variety. But video support is limited only to specially formatted .M4V, .MP4 and .MOV formats. Just give us some DivX love, Apple.

Obviously, Apple wants to make piracy more difficult for users by limiting the video formats its devices can play, but people who really want to use pirated media will be the ones who find the converters that let them do so anyway. All that’s achieved by preventing average users from loading their own videos is device owner frustration.

Yes, apps like VLC have made this less of an issue, but broader native codec support would make things far easier for everyone.

Just Fix It

Like I said, generally speaking, I love what Apple’s doing. Life without my iPhone 4 and iPad and at least one Mac computer is pretty hard to imagine these days, which is why I become really annoyed when I think about these relatively minor things that would be so easy to fix for a company with $50 billion in cash on hand.

There have to be more things like this that I’m missing. If you can think of any, please share in the comments, or on Twitter followed by the hashtag #pleasefixthisapple. We’ll be watching, and your suggestions might make their way into future posts.

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