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- Apple confirms some WebKit optimizations unavailable to iOS Apps
The web performance enhancements included in Apple's latest mobile operating system, iOS 4.3, are exclusively available to the mobile Safari web browser, an Apple spokesperson has confirmed. The optimizations, which double JavaScript performance in Mobile Safari, are not available to the underlying web view framework that powers the embedded browsers in other apps.
"The embedded web viewer does not take advantage of Safari's web performance optimizations," Trudy Muller, a spokesperson for Apple, told The Register.
Apple's statement comes as a response to controversy started earlier this week when developers first recognized the notable performance gap between mobile Safari and the embedded web views in their own applications. The debate deepened yesterday when Blaze Software released the results of a study that implied Android loaded web pages 52% faster than the iPhone 4. Apple refuted Blaze's results, citing the differences between Safari and the embedded web viewer.
Many developers voiced concerns about Apple's decision to exclude third party apps from taking advantage of the Nitro JavaScript engine included in iOS 4.3. One anonymous developer suggested Apple purposefully omitted the enhancements to subtly degrade the web experience in non-Apple browsers and web apps launched from the home screen. "Apple is basically using subtle defects to make web apps appear to be low quality - even when they claim HTML5 is a fully supported platform," the developer claimed in The Register.
Matt Asay, vice president of business development for Strobe, indicated that Apple filed the performance gap as a bug but marked it "not to be fixed by exec order." On Twitter, Asay called the scenario "slimy" and suggested it's partly a tactic for convincing developers to focus on the development of native apps.
The real reasons for the performance gap may not be so sordid. Ars Technica observes the Nitro JavaScript engine uses a technique called "just-in-time [JIT] compilation" to transform dynamic JavaScript code into machine code optimized for the ARM processor architecture. Nitro's ability to dynamically generate and execute code enables it to process JavaScript much faster than its predecessors. Unfortunately, for security reasons, other applications developed for iOS aren't typically granted permission to execute dynamically generated native code. Miguel de Icaza, a lead developer for both GNOME and Mono, said he suspects the issues are legitimate technical problems and not a conspiracy.
"It seems that people are attributing to malice what can easily be explained by history - iOS has never allowed user code to generate code on demand, and this has for years prevented JIT compilation from taking place," Icaza told Ars Technica. "Third parties have never been able to get access to this - not Mono, not Java, not Lua, not JavaScript, or any other runtime, compiler, or library that generates native code dynamically."As a result, applications that use the UIWebView framework, including web apps launched from the home screen, will not enjoy the performance optimizations available to Apple's mobile Safari web browser. Despite the technical challenges in adapting Nitro to work safely within the UIWebView framework , developers like Icaza are optimistic Apple will enable the new JavaScript engine for apps with embedded web views. "Since this is the first OS release with Nitro on the Mobile Safari browser, it is probably safe to assume that this is merely a bug or limitation," he said.
Is this a conspiracy worth dubbing "browser-gate," or simply a small speed bump in this tale of two JavaScript rendering engines? Please use the comments below to discuss.
[via The Mac Observer]
Apple confirms some WebKit optimizations unavailable to iOS Apps originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - AT&T slashes prices of first-gen 3G iPads
Pricey iPad 2s may be showing up in online auctions, but for those of you who just want to get an iPad for web surfing or downloading apps, original iPad Wi-Fi+3G models just had their prices slashed at AT&T. Original iPad Wi-Fi+3G models sold through AT&T have now dropped to $429 for the 16 GB model and only $529 for the 64 GB model (the 32 GB 3G model is sold out).
For those of you keeping track, the 16 GB iPad Wi-Fi+3G through AT&T is now only $30 more than the 16 GB iPad Wi-Fi model through Apple (same goes for the other iPad 3G models). Apple discounted all iPad models by $100 a few weeks ago to move out older inventory ahead of the iPad 2 launch. If the iPad 2's redesigned body and cameras aren't important to you, a total of $200-$300 off the original iPad Wi-Fi+3G's asking price is a heck of a deal.
[via The Loop]
AT&T slashes prices of first-gen 3G iPads originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Google TV remote out now for iOS
Google has released its Google TV remote app for iOS, and it's available on the App Store right now. Before you run to pick it up and start flipping channels, however, keep in mind that this is meant only for Google TV-enabled devices, so unless you have the right box on your network already, it's not going to do anything for you.
If you do have a Google TV box set up, however, the app will do a whole lot of fun things for you, from switching channels to accessing your favorite shows with voice control and even using the iPhone's screen as an interface to drive the onscreen pointer for Google TV.
Good on Google for bringing this app to iOS.
[via MacStories]
Google TV remote out now for iOS originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 22:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Ads in Angry Birds cause some squawking
Rovio's Peter Vesterbacka was pretty outgoing at GDC a few weeks ago, claiming that "it all works" when it comes to ad-driven business models on the App Store. But he might be relearning that lesson the hard way right now -- after an update to Angry Birds HD on the iPad added a "News" section in the replay screen that advertises other Angry Birds products, some users have gotten their feathers ruffled. That "News" section takes a while to load, and it must come up every time a level needs to be restarted, which means some players have raised their voices and voting fingers on the official iTunes listing.
There's a few issues here -- first, we've seen in the past that most users don't actually mind ads in iPhone apps, as long as they don't mess up the flow of the app. It sounds like Rovio didn't quite plan this one correctly: Users who need to replay levels a lot (like those trying to max out their star totals) are seeing the ads quite a bit, and losing that loading time every time, which creates frustration. Second, this is a free update to a paid app, and users who had already paid the $4.99 for it are now frustrated that they're seeing ads, even if they are just for other Angry Birds products.
So what's Rovio to do? The company has had success already with ads on the Android version of the app, but that was originally a free download. Given that the iTunes ratings are definitely suffering (the latest version only has 2.5 stars, as opposed to all versions' 4.5 stars), Rovio will probably have to put its ads elsewhere, either in the main menu of the app, or out of the paid app completely. It seems like Vesterbacka and company have finally found a model for Angry Birds that doesn't work that well.
Ads in Angry Birds cause some squawking originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - AT&T uses COWs to boost SXSW coverage
Three years ago AT&T took a hit at SXSW with terrible coverage due to unanticipated demand on their service from the then-new iPhone. I was there, and while I didn't have an iPhone at the time (I was still rocking a BlackBerry on Sprint) I did see the slow-to-nonexistent coverage iPhone users suffered. But AT&T learned from the experience and began boosting their coverage by using portable cell towers called "Cell On Wheels," or COWs. I got to tour one of these, parked right next to the Austin Convention Center, and spoke with a network engineer and AT&T's Seth Bloom about how AT&T uses COWs not only for events (they'll set them up for Austin City Lights once the SXSW music festival is over) but also when natural disasters wreak havoc on towers and power in an area.
For SXSW specifically, AT&T worked with event organizers to install permanent cell towers, doubled the number of COWs, and installed a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) inside the Austin Convention Center to provide more coverage (both inside and out) and more network capacity. Inside one of the COWs I was told they were, in this case, connected to fiber-optic Ethernet backhaul connections which carried mobile broadband traffic to the core network. These improvements, plus several AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots in the Convention Center, Auditorium Shores and along Austin's famous 6th Street helped ease bandwidth issues.
Did it make a difference? While there were times when my phone's data connection seemed to slow down at peak hours as people made dinner plans, I have to say there was a marked improvement from last year, and a remarkable difference from three years ago. The tech inside a COW is quite impressive, as it is a fully-functional cell tower which can connect via ethernet or relay to another tower -- and can be powered by local utility or generator as needed. AT&T's response to what has been an 8,000% increase in mobile data on its network from 2007-2010 (according to Seth Bloom) is nice to see as well. While there are certainly times when I'm frustrated with coverage (inside Austin airport I had issues, but outside there were none), it's great the company realizes how important the iPhone experience is to its users at SXSW.
AT&T uses COWs to boost SXSW coverage originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - iPad 2 supply line affected by Japan disaster
As Japan suffers under the weight of a major tsunami and a continuing crisis with the Fukushima nuclear power plants, it's becoming clear that the ripple effects from the combined tragedies are impacting Japan's consumer electronics industry, and of course the iPad 2.
Asia Times today is reporting that the iPad 2 battery and memory are made in Japan, and with electrical shutdowns, disrupted transportation system and employees understandably staying home, supplies of these parts just aren't available.
AppleInsider quotes iSuppli as saying Apple will also have difficulty getting the iPad 2 internal compass provided by AKM Semiconductor and touch screen components likely sourced from Asahi Glass Company. At present, Apple appears to be able to build the iPad 2 for 2-3 weeks before the parts shortages impact the company.
The iPad 2 went on sale in the US on the day the tsumami struck Japan, and Apple has recently announced that initial sales of the iPad 2 in Japan will be delayed.
It may be frustrating to not have the latest and greatest piece of Apple tech, but those frustrations are small compared to the very real crises unfolding in Japan. Our hearts (and funds) go out to the people of Japan who are struggling with the many challenges they face.
[via AppleInsider]
iPad 2 supply line affected by Japan disaster originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Geek Squad founder reports breaking news with iPad, iMovie
According to TwinCities.com, Robert Stephens, resident of Minneapolis and co-founder of Geek Squad (now owned by Best Buy), was driving to work when he witnessed a rather large gas explosion. Without hesitation, Stephens grabbed his iPhone 4 and started recording the event whilst driving towards it, "...to see if anyone had dialed 911 yet."
Once Stephens had captured the source of the explosion, he drove to a nearby parking lot, transferred the footage from his iPhone to his iPad 2 (we recently covered how to do this using Apple's USB Camera Connection Kit), edited the footage, added a map, subtitle and voiceover describing the incident and finally uploaded the film to YouTube and iReport. Stephens then tweeted (with a few stills) permission for others (including the media) to use the footage and before long his breaking news was getting coverage on CNN and MSNBC.
Stephens says, "It was iPhone to connection kit to iPad to iMovie to CNN," apparently all within around four minutes.
According to Stephens, had this all occurred prior to the release of the iPad 2 he would simply have uploaded the raw footage from his iPhone, but since he had the iPad 2 he was able to do all the editing using Apple's new iMovie app for the iPad.
Stephens admits he's no journalist, but thanks to the the iPhone and iPad (and iMovie) he was able to make a rather slick "citizen-journalism" report with a professionalism akin to the pros.
Check out the full video after the break.
Continue reading Geek Squad founder reports breaking news with iPad, iMovie
Geek Squad founder reports breaking news with iPad, iMovie originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Does iPhone 4 Personal Hotspot add GPS to Wi-Fi-only iPads?
There's a bit of a discussion floating around these days regarding the ability of the iPhone 4 Personal Hotspot to add GPS geolocation data to a Wi-Fi only iPad. This got started with an Urbanape post by blogger Zachary Bir in which he described being able to put his iPhone 4 in Personal Hotspot mode, make a connection to the phone with his original Wi-Fi iPad, and then watch on Google Maps on the iPad as the "blue dot" followed his car precisely on the road.
Some bloggers have been saying that they believe this is just the iPad using the standard Wi-Fi geolocation that's available on laptops and other devices, but I agree with Bir that he's getting true GPS information transferred to the iPad from his iPhone 4. WIRED seems to agree. The reason? Most of the standard 3G "mobile hotspots" such as the Novatel MiFi send GPS information to connected devices as well.
Many of the providers of mobile hotspots, including Sprint and Verizon, make a big deal out of the fact that these hotspots provide accurate location information. Sprint, for example, provides Mac OS X and Windows software with the MiFi that can be used to find local services based on your current location.
I was able to test the GPS capability on an original iPad using the iPhone 4 Personal Hotspot, and found the locations to be quite accurate on Google Maps. I tried testing the location service on the Geocaching.com website, and found that not only were my coordinates listed very accurately, but I was also able to use the site's search function to look for nearby caches. The only way the iPad could be getting the GPS coordinates was by using the iPhone 4 Personal Hotspot, since I had the device in a greenbelt away from any Wi-Fi signals.
Bir notes that he has decided to forego the 3G version of the iPad this time as a result of his tests. For many people, that extra $130 can go for more storage in a new iPad 2.
[via Cnet]
Does iPhone 4 Personal Hotspot add GPS to Wi-Fi-only iPads? originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Pricey iPad 2s showing up in online auctions
The "amazing" demand for the iPad 2 is creating a booming resellers market for those looking to flip their iPad 2. While iPad 2 units are impossible to find in stores, the internet is teeming with iPad 2s for those willing to pay any price. The 64 GB WiFi + 3G model is the top of the line iPad 2 model and retails for US$829 online and in stores. A quick search of eBay uncovers auctions selling this model with a price tag as high as $4,000. While $4K may be on the high end of the scale, many units have sold for as much as $2000. This same model is also selling for between $1000 to $1500 on Craigslist in major metropolitan areas such as New York City.
Even the low-end 16 GB WiFi iPad 2 model is available at over-inflated prices with some sellers asking $2000 for the $499 tablet device on eBay and up to $1000 on Craigslist. If you did not score an iPad 2 on day one and still want one, what are you doing to secure your tablet device? Would you pay $1000 plus for the iPad 2 or do you prefer to stalk your local Apple store waiting for that elusive shipment of new iPad 2 inventory?
Pricey iPad 2s showing up in online auctions originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Flickr gets iPad-friendly with slideshows
Flickr has announced some improvements to its photo-browsing/sharing website for iPad users. The new light box photo viewer (aka slideshow) enables you to view photos from Flickr's website in a larger format on a black background, similar to what happens when you click on a photo on Flickr's website from your desktop browser.
To enter light box mode on your iPad, simply tap on a supported photo on Flickr's website. In light box mode you can move between photos with the swipe of your finger, perfect for showcasing your latest antics to your buddies gathered around you and your iPad.
If you're looking for something a little more feature-fancy when viewing your Flickr snaps on your iOS device, it might be worth checking out a third-party app like Flickr HD or Flickit Pro.
Flickr gets iPad-friendly with slideshows originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - iPhone 5 again rumored to have NFC
It's a game of rumor volleying when it comes to the iPhone 5 and Near Field Communication. Early rumors suggested the iPhone 5 would include NFC technology, but recent information from UK-based The Independent hinted Apple would launch its own NFC-based payment system with the iPhone 6. Now that we have adapted to the idea of an NFC-less iPhone 5, Forbes has charged in with another rumor that places NFC back in the upcoming smartphone.
The source of this rumor is a friend of an entrepreneur who is working with Apple on a "top secret" NFC product. The unnamed individual believes the fruits of the friend's labor will debut in the iPhone 5. The source also claims manufacturers of NFC readers are preparing for a deluge of business when the iPhone 5 hits this summer.
While the possibility of NFC is exciting, the Forbes report is based on second-hand information and cannot be corroborated. Yes, it is possible the iPhone 5 will include an NFC mobile payment system, but it is not a guarantee by any stretch of the imagination. Sit tight and wait for the iPhone 5 rumor mill to kick into overdrive in the next few months before you start investing in VeriFone and other NFC makers.
iPhone 5 again rumored to have NFC originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Use a Smart Cover to stick your iPad to the fridge
OK, so this one definitely comes under the heading "Don't try this at home," with the sub-heading "Unless you're completely crazy ... and even then maybe not."
That's right, that's what the picture shows: someone's worked out that the bevy of magnets in an iPad 2 Smart Cover are strong enough to hold the iPad to a refrigerator door.
This raises at least two questions: first, what kind of mind do you need to wonder if your five hundred dollar (or more) chunk of magic can be held to a refrigerator door by the magnets in its cover -- and then actually try it? Also, will AppleCare cover this when it all turns to tears?
[Via Gizmodo]
Use a Smart Cover to stick your iPad to the fridge originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - AT&T aggressively moving against unauthorized tethering
AT&T is ruining a lot of people's days with a customer mailshot explaining that its "records show that you use [tethering] but are not subscribed to our tethering plan." iOS, of course, will disable the built-in tethering facility if you do not have an appropriate carrier plan.
There are a few jailbreak apps, the most popular of which is MyWi (previous TUAW coverage), that bypass the plan check and enable tethering independently. When you run MyWi or similar apps, your iPhone creates a wireless hotspot that allows you to connect other devices without the explicit permission of your carrier. Until now, people have assumed that AT&T either doesn't care or cannot determine that the traffic comes from a connected device rather than the iPhone itself. Clearly, those assumptions are incorrect.
OSXDaily.com has the full text of the letter. It goes on to state that users can either terminate their unauthorized tethering usage before March 27, or they will be automatically moved to AT&T's DataPro plan. DataPro includes tethering and doubles the data cap from 2 GB to 4 GB, but also costs an extra $20 per month compared to the normal smartphone data plan. Any customers on the grandfathered unlimited data plans from older iPhone plans would also lose that facility if they moved to DataPro. (Update: reworded this paragraph for clarity based on feedback from @GlennF and @Chartier; thanks guys!)
Continue reading AT&T aggressively moving against unauthorized tethering
AT&T aggressively moving against unauthorized tethering originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - TUAW's Daily App: Lane Splitter
You may never have actually experienced this, but here in Los Angeles, every time we head out on the freeways, we face a dreaded threat: the motorcyclist. Not that I actually have anything against these guys (I'm sure they're very nice), but in LA, I've found that they tend to have a set of rules outside of the normal traffic -- even when you're parked on the 405 at a standstill thanks to a traffic jam, the guys on motorcycles are somehow able to split lanes, flying down the dotted line in between two long backups of cars.
And that's what Lane Splitter is all about -- you play a motorcyclist rushing down a freeway, cutting in between various cars as you speed on. It's generally a Canabalt-style running game, but using the accelerometer to steer provides a fun driving twist to the game, and pulling a wheelie on your motorcycle can add up some extra points as well.
Unfortunately, there's no Game Center integration, though there are global leaderboards, and an update is promised in the future (though it hasn't shown up since December). But Lane Splitter has another bonus going for it on this Friday: it's currently completely free for both iPad and iPhone. If you're down to do some traffic weaving this weekend, give it a look.
TUAW's Daily App: Lane Splitter originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - US Army developing mobile apps for soldiers in the field
According to Computerworld, US soldiers may soon be carrying some familiar devices into battle: iPhones and iPads. Two military contractors, Harris and Intelligent Software Solutions (ISS), are building applications for the iPhone, iPad and the Android platform that will assist soldiers deployed to the battlefield.
Harris' forthcoming app for the iPad and other tablet devices enables a soldier on the ground to remotely control the video cameras on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in order to gather intelligence on enemy movements. Soldiers would use multi-touch gestures to transmit commands from the iPad to the aircraft without putting themselves in harm's way. Video from the UAV, along with time and location data, would be sent to the app and transmitted to military decision-makers located anywhere in the world.
ISS is close to field testing apps for iPhone and Android phones that keep soldiers -- especially those first arriving in a war zone -- informed about nearby fighting, bombings and arrests. The app keeps troops on the ground well prepared by superimposing battlefield data, sent wirelessly from a command center, onto a map of each soldier's surroundings.
According to both developers, the new apps promise to drive down equipment and training costs for the military. For example, many soldiers are already veteran iOS or Android users and will likely understand the new software with less training than would be required for custom-built gear. Additionally, the new software runs on comparatively inexpensive, off-the-shelf devices priced at US$300 to $800 each.
"They [the military] are using $10,000 wireless receivers today, but with mobile devices costing $400, those can be ruggedized [with cases and other gear] and the costs are minimal," said John Delay, director of architectures for emerging business at Harris, which will demonstrate its new app at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) conference in Las Vegas next month.
Unfortunately, even an encased iPad or iPhone may more frequently succumb to the rigors of battle. But Rob Rogers, vice president of national systems for ISS, is optimistic that the Army will still be able to save money.
"We've seen first-hand what happens to a laptop used in the desert [in combat], so there's going to be some problem with ... these [mobile consumer] devices that are fairly inexpensive and almost disposable," said Rogers. "But if they break or get dust in them, you don't have to shell out a lot to replace them."
He adds, "It's a trade-off. I would anticipate a lot of broken Androids and iPhones."
The loss of a few good iDevices is a small price to pay for solutions that safely provide soldiers with the intelligence they need to make life-saving decisions.
[via Engadget]
US Army developing mobile apps for soldiers in the field originally appeared on TUAW on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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