iOS 5.1.1

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

iOS 5.1.1, which arrives as Build 9B206, is available for the following devices via iTunes, Apple's site, and over-the-air download directly from the devices:

Third-generation iPad: Wi-Fi, AT&T/GSM, Verizon
iPad 2: Original Wi-Fi, New Wi-Fi, AT&T/GSM, Verizon/CDMA
Original iPad

iPhone 4S
iPhone 4: GSM, CDMA
iPhone 3GS

iPod touch: fourth-generation, third-generation

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

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

via Engadget

Spotify Premium is available through the app as a free 48-hour trial, with users able to extend the trial to 30 days by signing up through Spotify's website. Continued Premium service is priced at $9.99 per month.

Download Spotify

via MacRumors

Apple will take on carriers like AT&T and Verizon Wireless by becoming a direct mobile service provider. Veteran wireless industry strategist Whitey Bluestein, who has managed strategic deals for the likes of AT&T, Intel, T-Mobile, Verizon, Microsoft, Nokia and Best Buy, says Apple will soon begin to offer wireless service directly to iPhone and iPad users. Apple has the distribution channels, digital content portfolio and customer base to make the move, Bluestein says, and it also has more than 250 million credit cards on file for iTunes users who could be billed directly for wireless service.

The key to Apple's plan is to not take on the carriers directly but to offer a companion service that allows iPhones and iPads to use Apple's network for data. Apple's network will first be offered in Apple stores and then in select cities. Apple will need time to build out their network so they will still offer the iPhone on the major carriers.

Once Apple has completed the Apple wireless network, they will begin to offer iPhones and iPads to consumers that no longer require a contract with the big three wireless companies. All voice, text, and data will be run from Apple's wireless network for a flat monthly fee that will be billed through iTunes accounts. No word on price or date of release.

via BGR

Instragram started in October 2010 when Stanford University graduates Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger launched a new iPhone application, Instagram into an already crowded field of hopefuls. On Monday, the two twenty-somethings said they sold their photo-sharing service, which has about a dozen employees and no revenue, to Facebook for $1 billion in cash and stock.

In a short year and a half, Kevin and Mike went from nothing to $1 billion.

People who have worked with them say they benefit from a winning combination of technology and people skills. "You could see how passionate they were," said Rob Abbott, a former advisor at San Francisco start-up accelerator. That's where Systrom in early 2010 launched a location-sharing service called Burbn, and Abbott remembers being struck by the hours the young Stanford alum put in long after his peers had gone home. As for Mike Krieger, "It was quickly apparent that he was more talented than anybody, even with zero experience. He's the kind of person who thinks deeply, and he's always thinking about product."

Instagram lets users snap photos with an iPhone or Android phone, add visual effects and share with friends on Instagram's network or through Facebook, Twitter or other social networks. Instagram has more than 31 million members, up from about 1 million at the start of 2011. The service currently has about 7.3 million regular users who post photos at least once a month.

The Secrets:

1. If you are building your own iPhone app start-up, you will need passion so choose something that you really enjoy and believe in. Furthermore, if you are passionate about it, you will need to put in long hours to see it become a reality.

2. Gaining users is key. Facebook didn't buy Instagram for the technology, they could have recreated it themselves, but Instagram already has over 30 million users and is still growing. It is these users, who share photos, that Facebook was after.

3. Create a simple app that people enjoy using. Complicated apps with a myriad of features will turn a lot of user off so it is best to keep everything simple and focus on your one simple concept.

Background on the founders:

Kevin Systrom: Graduated from Stanford University in 2006 with a bacherlors of science degree in management science and engineering. Interned at Odeo, which later morphed into Twitter. Spent two years at Google, working on Gmail and in corporate development. Co-founded Instagram in March 2010.

Mike Krieger: Graduated from Stanford in 2008 with bachelor's and master's degrees in human-computer interaction. Interned at Microsoft. Worked at Mountain View start up Meebo for 17 months before co-founding Instagram.

via Mercury News
via The Wall Street Journal

Facebook has agreed to buy the extremely popular photography app-make Instagram for $1 billion in a combination of cash and stock.

It's Facebook's biggest acquisition ever, in both price and reach. With around 30 million active users, Instagram has the largest audience of any startup Facebook has purchased, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a blog post.

"We don't plan on doing many more of these, if any at all," Zuckerberg wrote. "But providing the best photo sharing experience is one reason why so many people love Facebook and we knew it would be worth bringing these two companies together."

Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the acquisition in a blog post today:

For years, we've focused on building the best experience for sharing photos with your friends and family. Now, we'll be able to work even more closely with the Instagram team to also offer the best experiences for sharing beautiful mobile photos with people based on your interests.

We believe these are different experiences that complement each other. But in order to do this well, we need to be mindful about keeping and building on Instagram's strengths and features rather than just trying to integrate everything into Facebook.

That's why we're committed to building and growing Instagram independently. Millions of people around the world love the Instagram app and the brand associated with it, and our goal is to help spread this app and brand to even more people.

Facebook, which is in the process of going public, ended 2011 with a cash stash just shy of $4 billion.

Instagram is a free download on the App Store. [iTunes Link]

via facebook

Image courtesy of electricpig.co.uk

The iPhone 5, which will also transition to the new naming scheme and just be called "the new iPhone", will be a complete revamp of the current iPhone 4S. Apart from the release date, sources also say that the new iPhone is will have a number of key features including a larger screen, a revamped design and the highly-anticipated 4G LTE technology that will offer faster download speeds. Given that the new iPad had 4G LTE support, there is an even higher chance that LTE may be incorporated in Apple's next iPhone as well.

Here are the previous release dates for comparison:
The iPhone 4S was announced on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 and released on Friday, October 14, 2011.
The iPhone 4 was announced on Monday, June 7, 2010 and released on Thursday, June 24, 2010.
The new iPad was announced on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 and released on Friday, March 16, 2012.
The iPad 2 was announced on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 and released on Thursday, March 11, 2011.

via Mac Rumors

iLounge found unusual, non-linear reported battery drain during our numerous battery tests, with the third-generation iPad sometimes reporting a battery loss of just two percent over the first hour of testing, then averaging 10% of loss each hour afterwards while performing the same tasks. It is unclear at this point whether Apple has taken certain liberties when reporting battery levels to give the impression of faster charging and slower loss or if there is some other explanation for the observed battery charging and discharging behavior.

In a segment for CNBC, Apple countered findings from Dr. Raymond Soneira of DisplayMate Technologies which indicate the iPad 3 continues to draw 10 watts of power for about an hour, even after iOS claims the battery is done charging — meaning when the battery indicator says 100 percent, it is actually only 90 percent charged and you would get 1.2 hours less running time. Apple reportedly said that when the new iPad charge indicator reads 100 percent, it's actually full enough to give you the 10-hour performance that they promise in their marketing. Apple also warned that if you charge it more than that, you could harm the longevity of the battery.

via iLounge

• Apple iPad 3 User Guide for iOS 5.1

For the 4G iPad, Apple has released separate product information documentation.

• iPad Wi-Fi + 4G - Important Product Information Guide
• iPad Wi-Fi - Important Product Information Guide

If you like to download the User Guide of Apple iPad 2 for iOS 4.3 and the iPad for iOS 4.2 Software you can download from the following links below.

• User Guide of iPad 2 for iOS 4.3 Software
• User Guide of iPad for iOS 4.2 Software

Social game-maker Zynga has agreed to acquire OMGPOP, the development house behind the incredibly popular Draw Something. The acquisition price is reported to be $180 million plus $30 million in employee retention payments, according to Peter Kafka at All Things D, though Zynga isn't confirming that number.

Draw Something is available as a universal app, in a free ad-supported edition and a $0.99 ad-free version. [iTunes Link]

Draw Something has shot to the top of the App Store charts since it was released six weeks ago, logging 35 million downloads. Last week alone, Draw Something recorded more than 1 billion drawings.

via Zynga blog

Here is Apple's statement, via Apple PR’s Trudy Muller:

“The new iPad delivers a stunning Retina display, A5X chip, support for 4G LTE plus 10 hours of battery life, all while operating well within our thermal specifications. If customers have any concerns they should contact AppleCare.”

via tweakers.net