Wednesday July 30, 2008
- So Cracking iPhone 3G... - Lionel - 14:19:28
On Macrumors forum, several iPhone 3G owners report cracked back cases:
All photos features a White iPhone 3G model, but it might well be because it is easier to spot the defect than on a Black model. If you look carefully it looks like the plastic case broke under pressure along a more solid compartment located inside the device. This is typically something that can happen when carrying its iPhone in a pocket, especially in the back pocket of trousers. However, considering the number of reports, one can conclude that the case seems to be relatively fragile. So be careful.
Les nombreuses photos sont toutes faites sur des appareils blancs, les craquelures étant
[translation by Linathael]
- A new iPod Touch around the Corner - Lionel - 10:30:59
When digging into the code of the beta version of Firmware 2.1, some users identified a reference, aka iPod 2,1, corresponding to a non existing product which could well be the future revision of the iPod Touch. Indeed, the first generation iPhone is coded 1,1, the 3G model 1,2 while the current iPod Touch is assigned to 1,1.
So it could be a new iPod Touch featuring a GPS function with potentially pre-loaded maps, either from Google or third-parties. One could even imagine that Apple will offer a true navigation application benefiting from the embedded GPS. Especially if one considers that the coming firmware 2.1 is mostly dealing with the GPS function, aiming to improve it further.
[translation by Linathael]
- Good News for MobileMe Users - Lionel - 10:15:38
Apple announced to have solved one of the issue affecting iPhone and iPod Touch synchronization
So MobileMe should soon be fully functional and should not be considered by some as a beta version.
Apple identified and resolved an issue with MobileMe Sync on iPhone and iPod touch. Although no action is required for most members, some may need to reset their data from MobileMe to sync normally again. To do so, follow the steps outlined in this article.
[translation by Linathael]
- Something Special in our Future Macs? - Lionel - 09:05:35
According to Apple Insider our future Macs could feature something special on the motherboard which will make them different than other PC, not being 100% Intel-based anymore.
This would be based on a chipset but the website does not provide any details. If we look at the opportunity, Apple could either get a specific chipset from NVidia or any other chipset manufacturers (SiS, etc.), or developed its own solution, an expensive and potentially dangerous way. The latest option has advantages and disadvantages:
Pro:
- Improved performance thanks to new technologies potentially derived from P.A. Semi.
- Making Hackintosh history, as the hardware would not be 100% Intel anymore. With a Mac-specific chipset, Mac OS X will not boot on any standard PC hardware anymore (till a hack is found)
Cons:
- We will be back to the Power PC period, with specific hardware and potential incompatibility issues
- As in the past we might experience issues with standard component such as HD and memory modules
- Apple will have to add further work on BootCamp to maintain the compatibility with Windows.
- Financial risk, as it will be difficult for Apple to support heavy R&D on hardware for dozen of millions of shipped units, where Intel does it for hundreds of millions.
Frankly speaking, we do not think that Apple will take such decision. If Apple is indeed looking for a solution to prevent the Hackintosh, it will most likely achieve it with solutions from Intel, or via other tricks, which will at the end still be a temporary solution till a hack is found. Shipment of Macintosh units is rocketing, and this is the consequence of both iPod/iPhone halo effect as well as the transition to Intel allowing many users to have a dual boot machine, and be able to enjoy Mac OS X while maintaining a compatibility with Windows applications.
[translation by Linathael]
