iPad mini will present on October 23

We have previously written about the fact that the announcement of a new tablet iPad mini could be held on October 17, however, usually prior to such events to send out invitations in advance did not happen - it took just now. Apple announced on its new presentation, October 23, and not in the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, as usual, and in San Jose, California Theatre at 10 am, the time the Pacific Coast.

Traditionally, the details of the subject event the company has not disclosed, but is expected to be announced is a mini version of the iPad with a 7.85-inch touch screen. At the invitation stated that the company "has a little more to show you" (we've got a little more to show you). Presumably, this is an allusion to a more compact tablet from Apple, though a week of it is anyone's guess.

Apple Sends Invitations for Oct. 23 Event

Apple AAPL +2.34% has just issued invitations for an event next week on Oct. 23.

The tagline for the event is, “We’ve got a little more to show you.”

Given that the event is widely expected to be an unveiling of a smaller iPad, the word “little” is probably not used lightly. Apple could, of course, unveil other products during the event as well.

It’s also worth noting that Microsoft unveiled the price of its Surface tablet today, which is priced similarly to the iPad, only to have Apple issue the invitations for its next event several hours later.

AllThingsD, a sister website to The Wall Street Journal, first reported that Apple was planning an event to unveil the smaller iPad.

Apple‘s Asian component suppliers have already started mass production of a new tablet smaller than the current iPad — the so-called iPad Mini — that’s destined to compete with Google‘s and Amazon’s new tablets, according to an earlier report in the Journal.

The event will be held in San Jose at the California Theater — a bit of an usual choice for Apple given that it has recently typically held events in San Francisco or at the company’s campus in Cupertino, Calif.

The event will be held at 1 p.m. ET.

source

Inside the Apple Lightning Cable

We couldn’t help but notice that there is a lot of speculation and discussion (and frankly, a few wild guesses) concerning the functions of the Apple’s new lightning connectors. We don’t normally give (a total of five blogs!) this much attention to a single electronics teardown, but since we haven’t seen it elsewhere yet, we figured the world needed “just one more thing” on the Apple iPhone 5. We have confirmed that the Lightning cable does have four chips embedded in it, plus some passive devices. Two of these chips are very simple (only a couple of transistors), and the third is an NXP NX20P3. However, the fourth and arguably most interesting of these is the TI chip.

The above images show the location of the TI chip on the lightning connector. Once we stripped away the cable housing (easier said than done), and took the die out of the package, we found die markings of “BQ2025”. (See our die photo below). This part number is not published by TI.

However, TI does have published datasheets on the BQ2022, BQ2023, BQ2024, and BQ2026. These four chips are cataloged on TI’s website as battery fuel gauges, but they are not identical, with three of them being serial EPROMs and one of them being a battery monitor IC.

However, all four do have some common characteristics. All use a single wire SDQ interface (TI’s proprietary serial communications protocol), and all have some basic security features such as CRC generation. So, it is certainly likely that the BQ2025 does have some security implemented on it. It would also seem likely that it includes an SDQ interface.

We continued our lab work on the BQ2025 and now have a lower metal sample to view (and purchase in the Chipworks store). On this sample, we have been able to see some further details of this chip. There is a digital logic block occupying the top left portion of the chip. This block includes about 5K gates of logic. Also on the chip is the EPROM, with likely 64 or 128 bits of storage (visual inspection only, full RE not completed). There are also some large driver transistors, quite a bit of analog circuitry, and a fair amount of capacitance. This is certainly all consistent with a serial communication chip including some simple security features.

Part of the magic going on is that the Lightning connector features fewer direct connections than the prior generation connector. This means that Apple needs to apply some intelligence to what wire is sending and receiving the signals because there are fewer connections, but just as much data. Additionally, Apple has a number of patents related to authentication and security between devices. This has useful application by allowing “handshake” access to only certain function necessary for the functioning of a peripheral (such as a speaker docking station) without allowing access to the full functionality of the phone. It has additional application in smart battery applications. Both Apple and Texas Instruments (separately) have documented this security technology in a number of related patents (applied and issued) wherein they describe the passing of information from the host through to the accessory. For those interested, here are a few patent numbers, with the last being a TI patent:  20100173973A1, US8200881, US8239605, US8086781, US8161567, US823881, US8245041.

It is actually very interesting that we may have found a chip with (likely) some modest security in this cable. In this case not only related to securing their revenue stream for cables or ensuring reliable and high quality (licensed) peripherals, but in delivering useful product features that are not necessarily in the consumers top of mind. We are planning a full systems analysis on this device to further understand what exactly is going on.

Previously, we have analyzed security devices regarding medical printer media (armbands), printer cartridges, flash drive memory, batteries, and smart cards, but this is the first secure cable we have seen. The security does not come close to the herculean approaches that are used in (for example) today’s printer cartridges, but resembles the level of effort that cartridge manufacturers used to implement in the olden days. In other words, at this time the security is “just enough.” With future generations of Apple and non-Apple products, we may begin to see even stronger security and control if the market forces merit it.

To complete the story, let’s look at the other three chips on the lightning connector board. The NXP NX20P3 includes one huge transistor occupying over 75% of the die area. It also has a fair amount of analog circuitry, as would be consistent with their line of charging devices for peripherals – from our last trip to the Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC) we know that this is a market that NXP is very strong in. The last two dies appear to be simple power transistors.Good design wins again for TI and NXP!

http://www.chipworks.com/blog/recentteardowns/2012/10/15/inside-the-apple-lightning-cable/

Samsung and Apple are about to break the contract to supply parts?

A senior company Samsung, on condition of anonymity, told The Korea Times that the South Korean manufacturer of components and the American company Apple are on the verge of breaking commercial relations. According to him, the problem is that Apple representatives have indicated that they do not intend to re-use technology of its main competitor. One of these steps to get rid of the influence of the competitor study was transferring production chipset A7 at the facilities of TSMC. At the moment, this processor has not yet developed, but it is expected that TSMC is not worse Samsung cope with production quad chip for 20-nm process technology. At the same time, the current 32nm A6 is Samsung, although it was entirely developed inside Apple. About that Samsung and Apple d present the main competitors in the market says a lot of facts. Including not only direct market competition, but also a great number of trials around the world, which are regularly covered by media. At the same time, Samsung is one of the largest semiconductor manufacturers and a major supplier of components for Apple. In the case of termination of contracts real hit both companies: Samsung will lose billions of dollars of contracts for the supply of its products, and Apple will have to find new producers, solving the issue of control of quality and production of sufficient production in a short time.

Some details about the tablet iPad Mini

Despite the well-protected by Apple confidential information on future devices, it is still occasionally falls into the net. Thus it became the tablet and iPad Mini, which has not been officially announced, but the fact that it is a model with a 7.85-inch screen is already known. Now it became known, and other details concerning its battery and cost of the device, depending on its characteristics. lithium-ion battery iPad Mini will have a capacity of 4490 mAh or 16.7 watt-hours, and to give them a voltage 3.72 V. Thus it is intermediate between the battery iPhone 5 (5.45 Wh) and third-generation iPad (42.5 Wh). tablet iPad Mini will be available in 16 different variants, half of which will be designed as a black and half - white. Most of the budget will be a version of the device with 8 GB of internal memory and without the module 3G - its price is 250 euros (or dollars for the U.S. market). 350 conventional units will cost 8 GB version with 3G or 16GB without that module. A further step adds 100 dollars or euros for a doubling of internal memory module or radio. In this case is a top version with 64 GB of internal memory and 3G antenna, which will cost 650 euros or dollars. 

Apple iPad mini shows up with prices in the system of Media Markt

No official announcement, no official date -. Yet the iPad emerges mini now already with prices in the internal system of the Media Markt chain caschy his day spent a few years in metro stores, including both Media Markt and Saturn are, he can therefore confirm that it is indeed the internal system. This information is due to Florian, who on his blog published the following screenshot :

In this system, we now have both the iPad mini even listed, but also the different memory sizes, and more importantly, the prices. We should perhaps be confirmed only with caution, because it is not out yet if this is now truly the "real deal" is, or whether it is here only once is only a placeholder that will be replaced later by the actual prices . In addition, I've just in the post by friend caschy learned that in each local market, such data can be entered. Surely we can be so only if we know that this data has been entered centrally and be available in all markets in the system.

But here the most important thing - the prices! The Go Go at 249 euros, confirming that Apple has of course the competitors Amazon and Google in mind. Next we learn from this information that will support UMTS, LTE, but apparently not. Here are the prices from the media market system:

249 euros: Apple iPad Mini 8 GB Wi-Fi
349 Euro: Apple iPad Mini 8 GB Wi-Fi and UMTS

349 euros: Apple iPad 16 GB Wi-Fi Mini
449 Euro: Apple iPad 16 GB Wi-Fi Mini and UMTS

449 euros: Apple iPad 32 GB Wi-Fi Mini
549 Euro: Apple iPad 32 GB Wi-Fi Mini and UMTS

549 euros: Apple iPad 64 GB Wi-Fi Mini
649 Euro: Apple iPad 64 GB Wi-Fi Mini and UMTS

Personally, I still can not accept the fact that a reamed memory doubles the price of a device over, but realistically these prices sound anyway. As you can see, the entire bandwidth of between 8 and 64 GB of memory size will be covered. Now, let's wait first time that we got confirmed that this data really nationwide in the system and then we hope to the fact that Apple itself wishes to speak - in the form of an invitation to the launch event!

http://mobilegeeks.de

13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display confirmed for Apple event

Alongside the smaller iPad, Apple will debut a 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display, according to a consistently reliable source at a high-profile U.S. retailer.

This new 13-inch MacBook Pro with a Retina Display is said to pick up the thinner and lighter enclosure of the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display that was released in June.

The new 13-inch MacBook Pro will be sold in two configurations, with differing processors and storage, and will be available for purchase soon after introduction.

Like with the 15-inch MacBook Pro lines, the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display will be sold (at a higher price) in addition to the current non-Retina display model. That computer was updated with faster processors and USB 3.0 in June.

The current 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display is codenamed D2, and its smaller sibling is in fact, as predicted this morning, dubbed D1 internally.

http://9to5mac.com

Photos of 'iPad Mini' Battery Reveal 16.7 Watt-Hour Capacity

MacRumors has received a pair of photos showing what is claimed to be the battery from Apple's forthcoming "iPad mini". The photos show a battery carrying a model number of A1445 and an Apple part number of 616-0641. The battery runs at 3.72 volts, offering 16.7 Whr of energy on 4490 mAh of charge. 


While we can not confirm the authenticity of the part, the markings are consistent with those seen on batteries from other Apple products. The battery's proportions also seem to fit fairly well with what is expected for the iPad mini, although the exact dimensions of the part are unknown. 


The 16.7 watt-hour capacity for the iPad mini battery unsurprisingly places the device between the iPhone 5 at 5.45 watt-hours and the third-generation full-size iPad at 42.5 watt-hours. Given that the iPad mini has been said to be based more on the iPad 2 and lack a Retina display, the iPad mini's battery may be more appropriately compared to the 25 watt-hour battery of the iPad 2. 

The battery is clearly not yet an official part ready for shipping, as it contains placeholders for several portions of regulatory text and blank rectangular placeholders for a number of regulatory logos. It seems likely, however, that this is the final design simply awaiting final certification. 

Apple is expected to introduce the iPad mini at a media event all but confirmed to bescheduled for October 23.

http://www.macrumors.com/2012/10/14/photos-of-ipad-mini-battery-reveal-16-7-watt-hour-capacity/

4490 mAh iPad Mini battery is almost exactly 3X size of iPhone and 1/3 of the iPad

If the 16.7 Whr/4490 mAhiPad Mini battery images that MacRumors reported last night are authentic, it would place the power at almost exactly three times more than the iPhone 5′s 5.45Whrs and one third of the massive 42.5Whr battery of the third generation iPad. Seems pretty logical.

The battery runs at 3.72 volts and shows a model number of A1445 and an Apple part number of 616-0641.

http://9to5mac.com

Apple to host October 23 event, iPad mini expected

Apple Inc will host an event on October 23 where it is expected to unveil a smaller iPad that will take on the less expensive devices offered by Amazon.com Inc and Google Inc, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday.

Wall Street analysts have predicted for months that Apple was planning a smaller, less costly version of its popular iPad to take on cheaper competing devices, a move that analysts say might hurt its margins, but prevent its rivals from dominating an increasingly important computing segment.

The source did not specify what the product would be and an Apple spokesman declined to comment, but tech blog AllThingsD reported earlier on Friday that Apple would launch the mini iPad at the event. The device is expected by many experts to have a screen between 7 and 8 inches.

A smaller iPad will directly compete with e-commerce company Amazon's Kindle Fire HD tablet and Google's Nexus 7. Both devices have 7-inch screens and sell for $199. The first Kindle Fire, launched last year, grabbed about a fifth of the U.S. tablet market.

The consumer device company is gearing up to unveil a new product at a major October 23 event, said the source, who declined to be named, only days before Microsoft Corp unveils Windows 8 and its new Surface tablet on October 26.

The Nexus 7, manufactured by Asustek Computer Inc, has also seen a successful start, with the tablet selling out soon after launch.

One Wall Street analyst said he had seen the smaller tablet, dubbed iPad mini by the media, while visiting component suppliers in Asia.

"We actually had the opportunity to play with a pilot iPad Mini used by one of the vendors," Topeka Capital analyst Brian White said. "This 7.85-inch iPad Mini fit our hands like a glove and we were easily able to tuck the device in our sport coat, offering consumers a more mobile iPad experience for certain use cases."

Apple events are typically among the most-watched items on the industry calendar, monitored by consumers and technology investors alike. The event in two weeks, however, comes at a time of volatility for the popular technology stock.

Apple shares closed up 0.25 percent at $629.714 on the Nasdaq market, barely recouping significant losses suffered over the past three weeks as investors cashed out after it touched an all-time high of $705.07 on September 21.

While the stock is up 55 percent this year, it is currently down 10 percent from its record high. Wall Street analysts have cited concerns about disruptions of iPhone supplies after a riot in September at one of the plants operated by its main contract manufacturer, Foxconn Technology, and sharp criticism from consumers about errors in its Maps service.

MARGIN RISK?

Apple's fiscal fourth quarter financial results are scheduled to be released on October 25, two days after the event, offering analysts a rare opportunity to grill executives about a new product just after details are made public.

A smaller iPad could be a risk to Apple's industry-leading margins, given that neither Amazon nor Google has been known to make much money from the smaller tablets.

Amazon's first Kindle Fire just about breaks even, according to IHS iSupply estimates. But the internet retailer sells a lot of content - music, books - through the Kindle line.

Google has said that its $199 Nexus 7 is being sold at cost and has no profit margin.

Apple earned gross margins of 23 percent to 32 percent on its U.S. iPad sales between October 2010 and the end of March 2012, a court filing by Apple in a recent patent trial against Samsung Electronics Co Ltd revealed in July. The company's margins on U.S. iPhone sales are almost double those of the iPad, averaging between 49 percent and 58 percent.

Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu said that, if Apple prices the smaller tablet between $299 to $349, it could maintain the current margins.

"The biggest cost in a tablet is the display," he said. "On a mini, the display will be a bit cheaper.

If the tablet is priced below $299, Apple could still maintain a decent margin if it offers 8 GB of storage instead of the minimum 16 GB storage it has in the current iPad, Wu added.

A mini version of the iPad marks a departure for the company that now has just one 9.7-inch iPad, although it does come with various storage options and starts at $499.

Late Apple founder Steve Jobs famously derided the 7-inch screen as unwieldy for tablet applications, saying the devices should come with sandpaper so that users can file down their fingers to use them.

But an internal email revealed during the patent trial showed that Internet chief Eddy Cue argued there was a market for a 7-inch tablet and that Apple should have one. The email, sent in early 2011 to top Apple executives, said Jobs had warmed up to the idea.

Struggling Silicon Valley technology icon Hewlett Packard Co was among the first to show, albeit unwittingly, that there was indeed a healthy market for cheap tablets. Sales of the TouchPad took off after the company slashed the price to $99 from $399 and $499 after deciding to kill the product.

source

Prince of Persia Classic - iPhone - HD Gameplay Trailer

Prince of Persia® Classic by Ubisoft

It is a time of darkness. While the Sultan is off fighting a foreign war, his Grand Vizier Jaffar has seized the reins of power. Throughout the land, the people suffer under the yoke of tyranny. All that remains is for Jaffar to seize the throne and seal his dominion.
Even in these dark times, love still blooms. An adventurer from a foreign land, innocent of palace intrigues, won the heart of the Sultan's lovely young daughter and in so doing, unwittingly made a powerful enemy. You are that adventurer, cast in the deepest dungeons of the Palace, stripped bare of all that defined you.
You are all that stands between Jaffar and his malicious design for the throne. The Princess has been given an evil choice: Marry the Vizier and accept whatever he desires... or die.
You are the Princess's last hope. Will she be rescued from a doom that awaits her? Will her love win this race against the sands of time? That is up to you.
Answer the call of Destiny, Prince. But make haste. You have only 60 minutes.

Features:

• Old tale, new skin
Replay the epic adventure of the original Prince of Persia in a complete new skin as you battle your way through the dungeon to rescue the Princess.

• Amazing Levels
Battle your way through fiendish traps and daunting enemy and uncover deep seated secrets that will challenge your determination!

• Multiple Game modes
Test your ability with different game modes, each more difficult that the last!

• Facebook and Game Center

Unlock Game Center ACHIEVEMENTS and earn a place on the LEADERBOARDS to challenge your friends to perform better than you.

Share your achievements and score with your friends via FACEBOOK and MAIL.

iTunes Store Page:

http://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/prince-of-persia-classic/id464308703

Homepage:

http://www.ubi.com/

Download Redsnow 0.9.15b1 To Jailbreak iOS 6 For iPhone 4/3GS, iPod Touch

We finally have some good news for you who had been waiting for a jailbreak for iOS 6! Redsnow has received a major update. You can now download redsnow 0.9.15b1 to jailbreak iOS 6 for iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPod touch 4 and iPad 1. So folks go ahead and download redsnow 0.9.15b1 to jailbreak iOS 6!

Download Redsnow 0.9.15b1 To Jailbreak iOS 6

Redsnow 0.9.15b1 now official jailbreaks iOS 6 and with it, it also brings a tons of new features including upgrades for re-restoring, fetching SHSH blobs, restoring for iOS 5 to iOS 5 for A5+ devices and much more.

This is the first official redsnow update for iOS 6, so it might have some bugs present. But the best thing about this is, it installs Cydia directly on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch running on iOS 6.

Jailbreak iOS 6 Using Redsnow

Important Notes:

This is a tethered jailbreak but unlike before it will automatically “Just boot” when qualified A4 devices are connected in DFU mood.

This is a untethered jailbreak for old bootrom iPhone 3GS.

Supports Untethered hackativation for iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 4

Ability to directly restore to iOS 5 without the previous long method (only for pre-A5 devices)

Fetches new signed blobs for iOS 5 automatically by going to Extras->SHSH Blobs->New.

Redsnow 0.9.15b1 Jailbreak Guide

Supported devices for jailbreak

iPhone 4 (tethered)

iPhone 3GS new bootrom (tethered)

iPhone 3GS old bootrom (untethered)

iPod touch 4 (tethered)

iPad 1 (tethered)

Requirements:

Download redsnow 0.9.15b1 Windows

Download Redsnow 0.9.15b1 Mac

Download iOS 6

Procedure To Jailbreak iOS 6

STEP 1: Download redsnow 0.9.15b1 to jailbreak iOS 6 from the above links.

STEP 2: Run redsnow 0.9.15b1.

STEP 3: Now click on jailbreak followed by Cydia.

STEP 4: Now you will need to enter DFU mood. IF you know how to do it, enter DFU mood now. If you don’t simply follow the on screen instructions

• Hold down power button and home button both at the same time for 10 seconds

• After the 10 seconds release the power button and still keep pressing on the home button for another 10 seconds

 STEP 5: redsnow 0.9.15b1 will jailbreak your device running on iOS 6. Once it is done simply click “Autoboot this device when it connects in DFU mode”.

That is it folks. Your iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPod touch or iPad will be jailbroken and Cydia installed on it runningiOS 6.

As you know, this is a tethered jailbreak which means you will need to “Just boot” every time you turn off/on your iDevice. To do that simply connect to this latest version of redsnow and click on Extras followed by Just boot.

http://maypalo.com/2012/10/14/download-redsnow-0-9-15b1-to-jailbreak-ios-6/

Restoration reinvigoration

Today we’re pleased to release redsn0w version 0.9.15b1, with significant new features supporting restoring to older firmware no longer being signed by Apple.  For brevity, we’ll list most of the new features in bullet form.  For more details, please feel free to drop by our comments section, or check out any upcoming guides on tutorial sites like http://iclarified.com

First, the high-level new feature list:

• restore from any 5.x iOS to any other (up, down or the same) 5.x iOS on all devices as long as you have the correct blobs (see more below)
• Cydia now included in the tethered 6.0 jailbreak on A4 devices
• automatically “Just Boot” tethered when qualifying A4 device connects in DFU mode
• untethered 6.0 jailbreak on old-bootrom 3GS
• untethered 6.0 hactivation on any 3GS or iPhone4
• directly restore pre-A5 devices to earlier firmware — no more complicated 15-step how-to’s with stitching, iTunes errors, and “hosts file” concerns
• fetch new signed blobs for any IPSW (present or future — no redsn0w update required) using Extras->SHSH Blobs->New
• block the BB update for any 3GS or iPhone4 restore (past, present, or future — no redsn0w update required) using Extras->Even More->Restore
• deactivate any iPhone, useful for testing your “official” unlock status through iTunes.  (Please only deactivate your own iPhone!)
• activation status shown on “Even more” page
• significantly more (very nerdy) info returned by “Identify” button when device is in Normal mode
• tethered jailbreak of ATV2 supported (but the only thing available for it is the SSH2 custom bundle available here — no Cydia yet.  Must use “Select IPSW” for tethered boot of ATV2 for now).
• auto-exit WTF mode for older devices with broken buttons
• any time a set of blobs is fetched remotely (from Apple or Cydia), redsn0w also saves them locally (and will check there first if you click “Local”)
• for your future restoring convenience, you should also submit all of your past and present TinyUmbrella blobs to Cydia if you haven’t done so yet.  Resubmitting is okay and won’t cause conflicts.

Here are more details on the iOS5-to-iOS5 restores for A5+ devices.  (Note: pre-A5 devices don’t have these restrictions — just follow the redsn0w prompts during the restore).

1. redsn0w now lets you restore an A5+ device from any iOS5 to any other iOS5 as long as you have correct 5.x blobs for the starting (current) and ending points of the restore

• APtickets eliminated “higher-version only” comparison of firmware restores (just like BBtickets did for the baseband)
• example restores supported by redsn0w if you have the correct blobs: 5.1.1-to-5.0.1, 5.0.1-to-5.1.1, 5.1.1-to-5.1.1, 5.0.1-to-5.0.1
• if you don’t have the blobs locally, let redsn0w try to fetch them remotely (redsn0w always tries both Apple and Cydia).  Any succesful remote fetch also saves a local copy too.

2. You DO NOT QUALIFY for iOS5-to-iOS5 restores if you got to your current 5.x via an OTA update

• the tickets saved by Cydia, redsn0w, and TinyUmbrella do not cover OTA update ramdisk images 
• even if they did, it’s the “wrong kind” of ramdisk (you’d need to start at that earlier pre-OTA FW)
• devices fresh from factory or refurb may fall in the “does not qualify” category (your results will vary)
• it’s okay if you previously got to 5.x via an OTA update, as long as your current 5.x was installed via a normal iTunes restore.  All that matters is how you got to your current 5.x most recently
• redsn0w detects an OTA/normal-restore APticket mismatch very early, so if you don’t know your status there should be no harm in trying.  Any device in recovery mode after such a mismatch can boot normally again just by going back to “Even More” screen from the “Restore” screen (or use “Recovery Fix” if you quit redsn0w before doing that).

3. Unlike the A4 devices, redsn0w can’t (usefully) prevent the baseband updates of A5+ iPhones and iPads.

• and so, redsn0w automatically flashes the currently signed baseband when it does A5+ restores, even if those basebands didn’t come with the original firmware
• stay away from this if you have an unofficial unlock that isn’t supported by the newest baseband
• the least-tested baseband update code in redsn0w is for iPad2,3 and iPad3,2.  Please give any feedback on those iOS5 restores in the comments section below.

4. iPad2 owners (all three models) with saved 4.x blobs can use those instead, even from 6.x

• if you have both 4.x and 5.x iPad2 blobs, you can always get to 5.x via the 4.x blobs, even if you’re currently on 6.x
• you cannot get to 5.x from 6.x without the 4.x blobs (but you may still qualify for the iOS5-to-iOS5 restore described above)
• if somehow you have 4.x blobs but no 5.x blobs, you can still go down to 4.x from 6.x
• this only applies to iPad2 owners (they’re the only A5+ devices that ever had a public 4.x FW)
• redsn0w still supports (but doesn’t require) jailbreaking A5+ devices at 5.0.1 and 5.1.1.  Just head back to the first page after re-restoring to 5.x.  It’s always much faster to jailbreak those FW versions with a freshly-restored device, before letting iTunes restore from a saved userland backup.

And finally, some random details:

5. ultrasn0w isn’t yet updated for 6.x

• by now you probably should be taking advantage of the extremely cheap IMEI-based unlocks of iPhones sold by established online retailers like http:://cutyoursim.com
• still, IMEI-based unlocks don’t work in all cases.  We’ll announce when ultrasn0w is ported up to 6.x
• redsn0w will still hactivate your 3GS or iPhone4 if you run it before the device is activated.  Due to the current tethered 6.x JB status, redsn0w now hactivates 6.x without requiring subsequent tethered boots.  If you accidentally hactivate with redsn0w, use the “Deactivate” checkbox available from the Jailbreak screen, not the normal one in “Even more”

6. As always, redsn0w lets you “Fetch” the SHSH blobs currently flashed onto your pre-A5 device

• use this if you’re at 5.x or 4.x but without having saved your blobs when the window was open
• this is only useful when Apple is no longer signing the firmware, otherwise Cydia/redsn0w “New”/TinyUmbrella blobs are superior (but you’re welcome to fetch your 6.0 blobs this way anyway)
• fetching blobs in this fashion will automatically forward them up to Cydia, as well as save a local copy

We realize there’s a lot of info in this post.  If you’re at all confused about things remember to visit our comments section, with our very helpful user base and moderators like dhlizard, Frank55, 41willys, and slavakulikoff.

If you’re in the Melbourne, Australia area, MuscleNerd (and another anonymous long-time Dev Team member) will be giving some talks at the Breakpoint conference http://www.ruxconbreakpoint.com this week.  And @mdowd’s iOS talk at the same conference should be quite interesting too!  We’ll also all be attending Ruxcon a few days later, so say hi if you see us!

Here are the download links.  Enjoy!

• redsn0w 0.9.15b1 (OS X — use Ctrl-Click->Open if on Mountain Lion for now)
• redsn0w 0.9.15b1 (Windows — run in Adminstrator Mode)

Apple iPhone 5 hands-on

This is a brief unboxing and hands on of the Apple iPhone 5. We've also included a side-by-side comparison with the iPhone 4S.

iPhone 5 Box Prank - Randomness

watch what happens when you drop boxes of brand new iPhone 5's in front of hundreds of customers camped out for days to be the first to get a new iPhone.

iOS, Not Android, Users More Adventurous in Browser Choice

It’s no secret that mobile devices are growing more and more valuable to Web developers, manufacturers, and marketers alike. This mass-movement that shifted the importance from desktops to mobile devices was dictated overwhelmingly by the popularity of Apple and Android products.

This summer has marked Google and Mozilla’s full commitment to the mobile platform. In late June, Google introduced Chrome to the iOS market (which even spent a few weeks as the top free app on iTunes). Mozilla’s focused much of their attention this summer to Apple’s rival, releasing two updates in two months that improved the usability of Firefox on Android devices. As a result, both Apple and Android users now have a variety of high-profile choices when it comes to replacement Web browsers – but are they actually making the switch? Chitika Insights’ latest study aimed to quantify the answer to this question.

The Insights team analyzed a week’s sample of U.S and Canadian Web traffic, which encompassed hundreds of millions of online impressions from our ad network between August 28th and September 4th, 2012. This gave us a large enough sample size to accurately represent the Web browser share distribution among Apple (iOS) and Android devices.

We found that, while the vast majority of users from both mobile operating systems stick with their default browsers, Apple users are more active at downloading replacements than Android users. Additionally, Apple users were found to be more adventurous with their selections.

Over 91% of Android impressions were referred from the default Android Browser, while about 85% of iOS traffic was from Safari. One point of interest – on Android devices, the mainstream alternative browsers (Chrome, Firefox, and Opera/Opera Mini) make up all statistically significant non-native Browser usage. Compare that to iOS, where 14% of impressions are referred from a variety of smaller, exclusively mobile browsers (Dolphin, Atomic, Mercury, etc).

Despite the mixed numbers, Google and Mozilla’s venture into the mobile browser realm has likely been as effective as they’d have hoped. While both Chrome and Firefox’s share of iOS and Android Web traffic are meager, their modest performances shouldn’t be taken as a statement about poor usability – both browsers received mostly positive reviews from critics. These figures are more a testament to mobile users’ complacency. The vast majority are fine with the performance of the default browsers on their phones and tablets, and don’t see the need to commit to an alternative.

http://insights.chitika.com

Apple A6 Teardown

Geeks rejoice! We have partnered with Chipworks for a double-the-geeks, double-the-fun teardown of Apple's new A6 Processor. The A6 is rumored to make use of two custom 1 GHz CPUs running the ARMv7s instruction set. Along our journey into the A6, we'll also give you a sneak peak at some of the fun toys instruments at Chipworks.

Whether you enjoy getting all science-y with us, or just like to see the insides of the latest products, be sure to follow us @iFixit on Twitter and check out our page on The Book to be updated on the newest iFixit goings-on!

http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Apple-A6-Teardown/10528/1

Dictionaries ABBYY Lingvo 3.0 for iOS - now with the ability to memorize words

ABBYY has announced the release of ABBYY Lingvo 3.0 for iOS, universal mobile application for fast and accurate translation of words and phrases. As the developers, at the request of users of the program adds features for learning words of 30 languages ​​- the ability to create cards for learning foreign languages ​​and interactive exercises.

In the new version of the application is sufficient to add cards with words that must learn to memorize the list and select one of the exercises. Exercise "Introduction" the user sequentially through all the selected vocabulary cards, and in the exercise "Lesson" - recalls the translation of foreign words from the cards selected for the exercise. To add a word to the list for the study, just click on the "Create a card" when browsing the dictionary article in the dictionary and select one or several translations and examples of usage. Alternatively, you can manually create their cards on the same list of words to memorize. To do this, open the editor on the button "Create a Card", to enter the word to store and transfer. cards in the list can be grouped according to language areas, which allows to study the words in several languages. The user can also edit the card, and add new information, such as other translations, include or exclude the card from the lesson when they learned by heart, and listen to the pronunciation and usage examples glances. For your convenience, the program also adds the ability to work with dictionaries and cards to study in landscape mode. purchasing app for $ 4.99, users get access to 56 basic dictionaries for 27 languages. This version also includes a handy feature fotoperevoda and various opportunities to memorize words and phrases. addition, from the application you can buy more than 200 dictionaries, including dictionaries of general vocabulary, explanatory, idiomatic and specialized dictionaries from such prestigious publishers like HarperCollins Publishers, Compact Verlag, «Russian language - Media," "Rousseau", etc.

Nokia Maps vs Apple Maps

Let's ave it!

In the black corner we have the iPhone 5 armed with Apple maps. And in the Cyan corner (oh yeah) we have the Nokia Lumia 900, of course sporting its muscle in the form of Nokia Maps!

Now, both applications have been put head-to-head by the man himself, Nirave on UK mobile review.

Me, myself, personally, I’m not going to sit here and chirp on about this detailed, blow by blow encounter, I’m just going to say one thing; read the post.

iPhone 5 First Weekend Sales Top Five Million

Apple® announced it has sold over five million of its new iPhone® 5, just three days after its launch on September 21, and more than 100 million iOS devices have been updated with iOS 6, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system. iPhone 5 is available in the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the UK, and will be available in 22 more countries on September 28 and more than 100 countries by the end of the year. Demand for iPhone 5 exceeded the initial supply and while the majority of pre-orders have been shipped to customers, many are scheduled to be shipped in October.

“Demand for iPhone 5 has been incredible and we are working hard to get an iPhone 5 into the hands of every customer who wants one as quickly as possible,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “While we have sold out of our initial supply, stores continue to receive iPhone 5 shipments regularly and customers can continue to order online and receive an estimated delivery date. We appreciate everyone’s patience and are working hard to build enough iPhone 5s for everyone.”

iPhone 5 is the thinnest and lightest iPhone ever, completely redesigned to feature a stunning new 4-inch Retina™ display; an Apple-designed A6 chip for blazing fast performance; and ultrafast wireless technology*—all while delivering even better battery life.**

Pricing & Availability
iPhone 5 comes in either white & silver or black & slate, and is available in the US for a suggested retail price of $199 (US) for the 16GB model and $299 (US) for the 32GB model and $399 (US) for the 64GB model. iPhone 5 is available from the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores, and through AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, select Best Buy, RadioShack, Target and Walmart stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. iPhone 4S is also available for just $99 (US) and iPhone 4 is available for free with a two-year contract.***

iPhone 5 will be available on September 28 in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

* LTE is available through select carriers. Network speeds are dependent on carrier networks, check with your carrier for details.
** Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.
*** Qualified customers only. Requires a new two year rate plan, sold separately.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.