iOS

Things iOS 4.2 still can't do on the iPad (but we wish it did)

I had been looking forward to multitasking on the iPad for a long, long time.

Back when iOS 4 was first detailed, the potential for iPad users was clear. However, while iPhone and iPod Touch owners got to flaunt multitasking, the delay until the final release of iOS 4.2 on the iPad was agonizing. Now the day has come and gone, and for an iPad owner such as myself, the rewards of the iOS update have been somewhat worth the wait.

Having folders to organize the endless grids of apps is a long overdue welcome addition. Background streaming of Internet radio on an iPad is a great add for anyone, and I've found it great for simultaneous radio news and newspaper browsing. AirPlay is intriguing, although you'd need an Apple TV to take advantage of its potential. Threaded, unified mail inboxes are, needless to say, time-saving.

And yet, there's a lot I wish the iPad version of iOS still had.

For one, the whole OS feels entirely too similar to the iPhone edition. The multitasking bar, folder system, and functionality are nearly identical. Most features translate well, but for anyone hoping an iPad can transform into something a little more like a computer, most of these features don't cut it.

My wish list from months ago has only been halfway met. Here's what I'd like to see...in iOS 5.… Read more

iWork for iPad adds iOS 4.2 support: Multitasking, AirPrint, more

Coinciding with Apple's release of iOS 4.2, iWork for iPad gets an update, adding support for iOS 4.2 features such as multitasking, AirPrint, and several other enhancements.

iOS 4.2 fixes a font compatibility issue when exporting PDF formatted documents from Numbers, Keynote, or Pages for iPad which should help when sharing documents to Windows-based systems.

Keynote 1.3 now includes a Presenter Display option, allowing presenters to display the current or next slide or their presenter notes on the iPad when it is connected to an external display or television. Keynote also received performance updates when … Read more

The 404 714: Where we're going stream-only (podcast)

Justin Yu is taking an extended Thanksgiving holiday this year, which is probably a good thing because the man needs to pack on at least 30 pounds to be considered healthy by most medical professionals. His replacement? None other than one of the regular 404 alternate captains, Mr. Scott Stein.

On today's show we'll talk about the launch of Netflix's stream-only plan, something our Canadian neighbors have been enjoying for quite some time. We'll weigh the pros and cons of said plan, ultimately trying to figure out whether $7.99 a month for unlimited episodes of "Grey's Anatomy" is really worth it.

Next it's on to iPad OS 4.2, the software update that brings with it multitasking to the iPad! Just think, you'll finally be able to print those photos off your iPad that took 6 hours to get on the damn thing in the first place because it doesn't have any USB ports. Cool!

All this plus the never-ending debate over whether Angry Birds should be counted as much of a video game as Call of Duty: Black Ops. It's all here on today's episode of The 404!

Episode 714 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Apple releasing iOS 4.2 today

Apple is launching iOS 4.2 today.

The company announced that its latest operating system update for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad users will be available today, though the software was not yet available for download at 7:00 a.m. PT on Apple's site or directly through iTunes. MacStories and MacWorld are reporting that iOS 4.2 will debut by 10:00 a.m. PT.

The eagerly awaited update will bring to the iPad new features that already hit the iPhone and iPod Touch through last summer's iOS 4.0 release.

iPad users will now be able … Read more

iOS 4.2 for iPad, hands-on video

Apple's iOS 4.2 update for the iPad is coming, and unless you're inconsolable over the decision to change the screen rotation lock switch into a mute switch, this free update is nothing but win.

We've already run though the nuts and bolts of the update in last week's 4.2 Gold Master blog post and gallery. This week, we figured we'd sweeten the deal with a brief hands-on video overview, as well.

One thing to clarify from the video is that the new AirPrint feature is accessible in apps beyond the iWork suite, including Safari, Photos, and Email. Compatible printers include HP's latest ePrint machines.

We'll have more in-depth coverage of iOS 4.2 throughout the day.

New iPhone games: Lego Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Rage, and more!

It's been a huge week for iOS gaming. Yesterday witnessed the arrival of a dazzling new Star Wars title, and today I've got quick takes on five more noteworthy new games--starting with a just-in-time movie tie-in.

Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 A near-perfect replica of the outstanding console game, Lego Harry Potter (which I previewed last week) loses almost nothing in its transition to the small screen. (And for now, it's only for small screens: the game requires iOS 4.1 or later, which leaves iPads out.)

Alas, there's no option for cooperative play, and … Read more

Android catches up with Apple on ad network

Android is now running neck and neck with Apple's iOS as the largest U.S. smartphone platform on the Millennial Media mobile ad network.

The number of mobile ad impressions (how often an ad appears) in the U.S. for Android jumped 8 percent in October over September, according to Millennial Media's "October Mobile Mix Report." That increase means both operating systems accounted for a 37 percent share of all impressions tracked by the ad network.

Ad requests (the number of times a mobile ad is clicked on) rose for both operating systems last month but … Read more

Hands-on with iOS 4.2 Gold Master

Over the past two weeks iPhone and iPad users alike have been waiting for the promised iOS 4.2 update. After a false alarm last Friday, Apple pushed out Gold Master developer versions of the update today and Wednesday. So as we wait for the real deal--which could come as early as tomorrow--we downloaded the Gold Master to give the update a trial run.

Apple won't release an official list of new features until iOS 4.2 becomes available to the general public, but we scanned through the additions that have been observed so far. Nothing will blow your … Read more

Apple still seeding: iOS 4.2.1 Gold Master now available

Apple has just released a new version of the highly anticipated iOS 4.2 update for developers, iOS 4.2.1 Gold Master. Though the first Gold Master of iOS 4.2 was released weeks ago, Apple has yet to initiate a public release.

This version of iOS has build number 8C134 and instructions from Apple for developers to retest their iOS 4.2 applications using the 4.2.1 build.

Apple says only minor fixes are included in this build. iOS 4.2 will bring a vast array of features to iPhones, iPod Touches, and iPads including AirPlay, AirPrint, … Read more

Angry Birds spotlights Android fragmentation

The good news for Android is that it's flexible enough to reach many corners of the smartphone market. The bad news is that this can mean headaches for programmers--as the top-ranked game Angry Birds illustrated today.

Angry Birds developer Rovio Mobile has announced that it's going to create a second version of its flagship game for lower-end Android devices after finding "severe performance issues."

"With our latest update, we worked hard to bring Angry Birds to even more Android devices. Despite our efforts, we were unsuccessful in delivering optimal performance," the Angry Birds developer … Read more