4.2

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

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

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!

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

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 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

Wondering whatever happened to iOS 4.2? Although iTunes 10.1 dropped last week, Apple's firmware update never materialized--most likely due to a Wi-Fi bug that was discovered earlier in the week.

Now, as reported by Engadget and other sources, a new iOS 4.2 gold master (build 8C134b) was just pushed out to developers. Apparently the update fixes the Wi-Fi problem, which prevented at least some iPad users from establishing or maintaining a connection.

Update: I goofed. Apparently build 8C134b first appeared last Friday, not today. My apologies for positioning this as new information!

When will Apple release … Read more

Earlier this week, rumor had it that iTunes 10.1 would drop on Wednesday, followed by iOS 4.2 today. As Lance Whitney reported this morning, iOS 4.2 appears to have been delayed by a Wi-Fi bug--but what happened to iTunes 10.1?

It's here. I just downloaded it. You can get it yourself by heading to Apple's iTunes download page, or just clicking Help > Check for Updates in your current version of iTunes.

As expected, version 10.1 adds support for syncing with iOS 4.2-equipped devices--though iOS 4.2 itself remains MIA. Also included … Read more

A Wi-Fi bug has reportedly sidelined Apple's iOS 4.2 update, which was rumored to be launching today.

MacStories, Engadget, and other blogs have pinned the cause of the delay on a Wi-Fi connectivity bug affecting the iPad. Users who've been testing the Gold Master release of the update on Apple's popular tablet reportedly have been able to establish a connection but not able to actually connect to anything, or are simply losing the connection after a few minutes.

Though Apple never announced an official release date for iOS 4.2, CEO Steve Jobs has said that … Read more