LaserTron Laser Harp App for iOS … Buy an iPad NOW!!!! *Another Update*

The sex starts at 2:39!

I’m trying it on iPhone 4 running iOS6 Beta.  It’s a bit slow on the uptake, but if you’ve got a new iPad with iOS5, it should be lovely.

*Update*

The chaps at Beats n Bobs have just told me an update has been sent to Apple, which should fix a few things.  Nice.  You can download the app HERE.

*Another Update*

The app has just been updated – there are now more sounds, more accurate tuning and improved finger tracking and response.

I’ve just updated my version for iPhone 4 and it’s much more responsive.  A few extra sounds are a nice bonus, but that extra responsiveness from the capacitance screen is a Godsend.  Cheers guys!  That Elka Synthex sound for the Jarre ‘Rendez-vous’ preset is superb.

New Apple USB Mini Dock Connector “Leaked”

A new picture is doing the round, purporting to be the new 8 or 9-pin Apple mini Dock connector for new iPhone, iPad Mini, another new iPad and new range of iPods.

MacFixer – UK Mac and iOS Device Repairs

If you’re in the UK and have found your beloved Mac or iOS device has gone to pot, you can do a heck of a lot worse than visit MacFixer.  Check out their website HERE.

And if you’ve always wondered why your Mac feels slightly “tingly” on the metal chassis, there’s an answer to that too!

WWDC 2012

Just a reminder that WWDC 2012 happens this coming Monday at 6pm BST.  I’ll give you live-as-remotely-possible updates on the day.  Please remember to bookmark this site, and around 6pm on Monday, refresh your browsers like hell as I reckon there’s gonna be a lot of stuff to talk about!

And of course, we can never forget last year …

WWDC 2012 *Update*

Apple have set up a new page on their developer site with more info about WWDC, which the company will kick off at 6pm BST (10am PT) on 11 June 2012.  Tim Cook will probably get it all going, although no official announcements have been made as yet.

My last attempt at live blogging failed miserably when the whole internet died in a lather of excitement at the prospect of the new iPad.  I will be doing my usual blogging bit and bring you updates as soon as I get them, with associated images from any new hardware.

In other news, casing for a prospective new iPhone have appeared online.  iFixYouri leaked (via 9to5Mac) the two-tone case, complete with the much rumoured smaller dock connector, which one wag said earlier could be a Thunderbolt port.  The back plate of the phone is made of an aluminium alloy, and someone even said that (quelle horreur) the headphone port is on the bottom.

All credits to 9to5Mac for the pictures.

BGR are reported to have come across the new bespoke Mapping system for iOS6.  And here’s a 3D view:

Cheers to BGR for the Image.

*Update*

Some more pics of the alleged new iPhone:

*Update 30 May*

CydiaBlog say they’re received blueprints of the purported new iPhone 5, with larger screen and camera positioned above the speaker:

iOS 5.1.1

iOS 5.1.1 available now

This update contains improvements and bug fixes, including:

• Improves reliability of using HDR option for photos taken using the Lock Screen shortcut
• Addresses bugs that could prevent the new iPad from switching between 2G and 3G networks
• Fixes bugs that affected AirPlay video playback in some circumstances
• Improved reliability for syncing Safari bookmarks and Reading List
• Fixes an issue where ‘Unable to purchase’ alert could be displayed after successful purchase

For information on the security content of this update, please visit this website:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

Thursday News Roundup

A few snippets of the latest news for you:

• A new Apple Patent released today shows “gifting” of iTunes content via email or Near-Field Chip.  This could point to Near-Field technology being incorporated into new iPhones, iPads and even the iPod Touch;
• As you may have read here, Jony Ive has been awarded the British Visionary Innovator Award;
• A funny little story coming out about Steve Jobs wanting to put a “golden ticket” inside the box of the millionth iMac, and then inviting the finder of the ticket to Cupertino for a tour of Apple.  It was claimed that Jobs was even gonna dress up in top hat and tails to greet the winner.  It fell apart after scrutiny of California’s gambling laws wouldn’t allow them to do it very easily;
• Apple have been given permission to build a cafeteria in Cupertino just for Apple employees.  It would be somewhere for staff to go to relax without fear of being overheard or having their prototype iPhone 5 picked up by some unscrupulous hack at the bar;
• WWDC is more likely to be about iOS 6 than iPhone 5;
• Some “analyst” says that Apple will decline without Steve Jobs.  Yeah, that was evident from the recent Apple earnings wasn’t it?
• Apple stores are replacing the iMacs in the Kids’ Section with iPads.  Presumably because some kids were seek poking the iMac screens believing it was a touch screen.

Latest Apple Figures – Just the Facts, Ma’am.

Here are the basic facts from the latest Apple Financial Results:

• Best ever second fiscal quarter;
• Earnings rose 94% to $11.6 billion;
• $12.30 per diluted share;
• Quarterly revenue of $39.19 billion;
• This compares with $24.7 billion and net profit of $6.0 billion, or $6.40 per diluted share in the year-ago quarter;
• Gross margin was 47.4% compared to 41.4% in the year ago quarter;
• International sales accounted for 64% of the quarters revenue;

• 35.1 million iPhones sold last quarter, which is 88% unit growth over year-ago quarter;
• 11.8 million iPads sold last quarter, 151% unit increase over year-ago quarter;
• 4 million Macs sold last quarter, a 7% increase over year-ago quarter;
• 7.7 million iPods sold, a drop of 15% from the year-ago quarter.

You can listen back to the Conference Call HERE.

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And if you’re not interested in words, the chaps over at MacRumors have made a chart for you to look at:

Sunday News Roundup

A little bit of weekend Tech News for you:

• The new AppleTV has the same 8GB of flash storage, but the RAM appears to be increased to 512MB;
• The beta of OSX 10.8 shows location-based reminders, such as those seen in iOS;
• Profit margins for Apple in the new iPad have been reduced, as it was said to cost $316 to build each unit, a substantial increase over its predecessor;
• There are delays in shipping the new iPad because of the glut of orders placed for the device;
• First beta of Lion 10.7.4 has been released to developers;
• Slimmer 13″ and 15″ MacBook Pros are still thought to be in production;
• Harrods Store in London have opened an Apple Store within its confines.  9to5Mac managed to get a sneaky pic (below).

iOS 5.1, iTunes 10.6, GarageBand 6.0.5, iPhoto 9.2.2

Available now from iTunes

There are updates for iTunes, GarageBand for Mac and iPhoto for Mac, too.

Here are two images from iOS 5.1, showing the Camera icon in the lock screen.  You hold and flick upwards on this icon and the camera app comes into play (as you can begin to see in the second image).

iPhone 4 with the new Camera icon on the lock screen.

Hold and flick the icon upwards and the Camera app starts to appear.