Apple has just released their second minor update to their latest desktop operating system, Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.2. While there are a lot of fixes for Mac users, iPhone users may want to pay particular attention to the “general reliability improvements” for MobileMe and iDisk. (And yes, the infamous “guest account” data deletion bug looks to have been squashed.

If you’re a Mac user and go for the immediate update, let us know how it works for you.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Apple Releases Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.2 Update

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Join Chad, Matt, Leanna, and Rene to discuss Apple’s Sept. 9 music event, Mac OS X Snow Leopard and what it means for iPhone and iTablet, MMS on AT&T, and your questions live! Listen in!

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Credits

Thanks to the the iPhone Blog Store for sponsoring the podcast, and to everyone who showed up for the live chat!

Our music comes from the following sources:

• I Called You — iPhone Remix by Pete Leidy
via Sneakmove iPhone Ringtone Challenge

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb Presents: iPhone Live! #65 – It’s Snow Time!

Rumors of an iTablet continue to gain steam while Apple boasts a metric ton of refinements for their new Mac OS X Snow Leopard release, including better performance and smaller footprint, then goes and adds a new virtual keyboard that just begs to be touched…

…Ah, yeah, here come the Mac OS X Snow Leopard on iTablet stories!

9to5Mac leads this latest charge with the keyboard while Cult of Mac points also to the new Dock Expose, and all new, all-touchable Stacks grid. (See Apple’s feature overview).

So, could Apple be making a Mac OS X iTablet, or is your money still on an iPhone OS X iTablet? Or could they really be making both?

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Snow Leopard Virtual Keyboard Renews iTablet Mac Rumors

Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard does indeed have some “refinements and enhancements” for the iPhone, namely a brand spanking new iPhone logo in System Preferences > Network when you’re tethered via the iPhone.

Yeah, okay, we know — AT&T users need do nothing but raise their fists and yell out a “KAAAAAAHHHHHHNNNN!” like scream at the gaping lack of functionality they’re still enduring. But at least you can take the smallest, most infinitesimal comforts in knowing that — if you’re a Mac — you’ll get a spiffy new icon to go with your no doubt exorbitantly overcharged tethering option.

If it ever becomes available.

[Via jpcaine]

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Snow Leopard Shows iPhone Love… For Tethering!

On Friday, Apple shipped Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, their latest computer operating system (which is jailbreaker safe!), and for the first time focus wasn’t on fabulous new consumer-facing features, but on internal re-architecting, the (far too often quoted) refinements and enhancements.

Many of these advancements, as we’ve discussed before, were leveraged from work done for the iPhone version of OS X. QuickTime X, with its yellow trim bars and built-in sharing are an obvious example.

We’ve already seen Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard technology like Data Detectors cross-over to the iPhone, but with this newest, arguably greatest version of Mac OS X now on the market, what can we look forward too for the next generation(s) of iPhone OS X?

Better, faster, easier

The iPhone has already nailed the refined part, and no doubt Snow Leopard benefitted from the compression and other space-saving techniques. Likewise, the aforementioned Quicktime X (and we can’t help but notice — and crow a tad about — some iPhone inspired UI elements to go with it), as well as the touch input of Chinese characters came from the iPhone. What can we get in return?

The more nimble-finder, while we’d LOVE a way to access the iPhone file-system, doesn’t yet seem to be in Apple’s roadmap. Stacks, however — a way for a single dock icon to expand a fan or grid of enclosed apps — have already made an appearance in the Jailbreak community and given the continuing growth of apps yet confined space of the iPhone screen, it seems a logical bit of technology for Apple to move over.

Next generation technologies

It’s a bit early for 64-bit requiring RAM sizes on the iPhone (sigh), and iPhone security, with sandboxed apps and all, is fairly strong already. Likewise, Grand Central-style multi-core process packetization and dispatch may be a way off for our ARM internals (though who knows where Apple’s new PA Semi system-on-chips will take us, right?). Open CL, however, a technology that allows GPU’s to be used for general-computing, CPU-like tasks when they’re not painting pixels or flinging polygons, is something we’re definitely looking forward to. Not watching a moving or playing a game? Take that PowerVR chip and speed up everything else!

We’re not going to keep going on about QuickTime X, since we already have the H.264, hardware acceleration, trimming, the sharing, and the HTTP live streaming on the iPhone, along with voice recording courtesy of Voice Memo. However, the ability to record video not only off the iPhone 3GS camera, but screen recording as well would be appreciated, especially by those of us who cover iPhones and iPhone apps…

Accessibility

Yeah, we got this with the iPhone 3GS back in June as well, and while it isn’t the most widely covered of improvements, we applaud Apple for continuing to raise the bar, both for mobiles and for desktops.

Custom labels for poorly or unlabled screen elements would be a welcome update for the iPhone, however.

Exchange support

Okay, we got this first on the iPhone as well. We even have it better, as while the iPhone supports Exchange 2003, the Mac can only make do with Exchange 2007 or the the upcoming 2010. (We’re not sure why, but we feel like blaming MAPI for something and this’ll do).

And more…

We’d also like to see iPhone Spotlight beefed up to search inside apps that are developed to support the feature, and of course to remember recent searches. Also, syncing photos over from iPhoto, including the Faces and Places metadata, would be nifty to include in search criteria (so we see pictures of Steve Jobs if we search for him, for example.)

System-wide text substitutions, where (c) is replaced with © would be great.

iChat, of course, would be nice to see as a Apple-branded IM app!

Conclusion

Unlike Google or Microsoft, Apple using the same core for their desktop and mobile OS, means more band for their development buck, and more features for users. Win. Win. Since we’re still installing and getting used to Snow Leopard, we may have missed some more examples what else we just might see in future iPhone OS. If you’ve come across any others drop us a comment and let us know!

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

What Mac OS X Snow Leopard Means for the Future of the iPhone

Every week a few of us from team TiPb, bloggers and forum crew alike, will bring you our current favorite, funnest, most useful App Store apps, WebApps, jailbreak apps, even the occasional accessory, web site, or desktop app if the mood strikes us. As long as they’re iPhone (or iPod touch) related, they’re fair game.

So who’s on deck this week and what are our picks? Find out after the break!

Chad’s Pick: Alive 4-ever

Alive 4-ever is the latest zombie erradication game for the iPhone! You can choose between different characters, level them up and buy equiment and weapons. The game borrow heavily from iDracula, but really takes it to another level with its customization options. If you love blowing away zombies with added depth and customizations, check out Alive 4-ever! [$0.99 - iTunes link]

Chris’ Pick: TapDefense

This tower defender game is entertaining and FREE! Try to prevent various demons and other underworld minions from entering Heavan with well placed archer towers, canon towers, and more! With a variety of game boards, modes, and goals you can mix and match to create a wide array of game options. It is add supported (and includes two new towers that you can only get my “filling out a offer”) but even on the basic level it is still good for passing the time. [Free - iTunes link]

Jeremy’s Pick: UFC

Not home to watch the fights? The UFC app has you covered — stream live events directly from your iPhone via 3G or WiFi. (Normal ppv fee does apply) – [$0.99 - iTunes link]

Justin’s Pick: Facebook 3.0

I’m not that big of a Facebook user as Twitter consumes most of my social networking time. I think I use Twitter more because I really love social networking “on the go” vs sitting in front of my computer and the pre 3.0 app version was pretty awful. Before this version my main interaction with Facebook was via selective Twitter updates, but now the Facebook app is fun to use again and will pull some time away from Twitter. [Free - iTunes link]

Leanna’s Pick: Facebook 3.0

As you probably know, Facebook for iPhone got a huge update this week. Finally, I can visit Facebook on my iPhone without any feelings of anger! Notifications are no longer a disaster and it’s just a quick tap to “like” a post. For the past couple months, my Facebook usage (both on iPhone and computer) has gone down, but with Facebook 3.0, I’m back in business! [Free - iTunes link]

Rene’s Pick #1: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard

Had. To. Be. Picked. No, not because it’s refined or enhanced, but simply because with Snow Leopard Apple Shows that, as much as OS X helped make the iPhone (and iPod touch) OS, all the work that’s gone into optimization and UI for the iPhone is being brought back to the Mac as well. Win. Win. From the compressed files that take up less space, to QuickTime X and its trim and share features, to ActiveSync support for Exchange, the iPhone’s tiny footprints are all over this big cat and gosh darnit, that just makes us proud. [$29.99 - Apple Store link]

Rene’s Pick #2: Brushes 2.0

The original Brushes, a finger-painting wonder for the iPhone and iPod touch, gained attention when it was used to make the cover for the New Yorker. Deservedly so. Brushes 2.0, however, says “meh!” at it’s predecessor and ups the finger-painting ante with layers, a better brush panel, and more powerful zoom. If you want to let your inner iPhone artist out, give this a whirl. Or a dap. Or any stroke you feel like! [$4.99 - iTunes link]

Your Pick?

You’re part of team TiPb too, so what’s your pick? What app was your absolute fav last week? Let us — and everyone — know in the comments!

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Alive 4-ever, TapDefense, UFC, Facebook 3.0, Snow Leopard, Brushes 2.0 – TiPb Picks of the Week!

On Friday, Apple launched their new Mac operating system, OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, and whenever that happens, Mac iPhone Jailbreakers everyone wonder if, on purpose or by accident (oh, hi DFU bug!) Apple will somehow break the Jailbreak. Well, good news this time around — Snow Leopard looks to be Jailbreak safe according to the Dev-Team:

Snow Leopard, the OS released for Mac on Friday, poses no new wrinkles for the redsn0w jailbreak or ultrsn0w unlock. [...] We’re glad to see Apple joining in on the “snow” theme. If only Apple had called their new OS “Sn0w Leopard”!

Indeed!

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Dev-Team: Snow Leopard Safe for Jailbreak or Unlock

UPDATE: Official press release from Apple: Apple to Ship Mac OS X Snow Leopard on August 28

The Apple Store is back up, and as expected it’s brought the next generation of Mac OS X, 10.6 Snow Leopard, with it! Pre-ordering is now available for delivery by this Friday, August 28 in the US (international stores may only ship by 8/28).

At $29 for single user and $49 for a 5-user family pack, for Mac users, this is likely a no-brainer. We’re not sure what, if any, goodies will be in there specific to the iPhone of iPod touch, but with OpenCL (use GPU as CPU), Grand Central Dispatch (packetize processor tasks like network traffic), built-in Exchange ActiveSync support, QuickTime X, and a whole heap of refinements under the hood (hello, Cocoa Finder!), it’ll be worth it anyway. Find out more at Apple.com.

For everyone else, worry not, Windows 7 is still on track for October 22, Ubuntu Karmic Koala is set for October 29, and if you rock a different distro… well, you’ll likely have an update at some point too!

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

UPDATED: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Ships Friday, Aug. 28!

Looks like the latest version of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard might just have gone Gold Master according to Apple Insider, leading to expectation — and anticipation — of a shipping date as soon as a few weeks from now.

Now, TiPb covers Apple news in general only so far as Apple’s 360 degree business model tightly integrates all their offerings and what happens in one product generally either involves or at least touches on many others, including the iPhone. However, following Snow Leopard as we have, it’s interesting to see how Mac OS X was originally stripped down to create the core of iPhone OS X, and now many of the iPhone’s innovations, like QuickTime X and built-in Exchange ActiveSync support are being leveraged back into the Mac — not to mention the whole OS being smaller and tighter. Likewise, iPhone 3.0 has benefitted from data detectors, while Mobile Safari is out pacing it’s big desktop brother in HTML 5 support.

Win. Win.

Snow Leopard promises some great new technologies we likely won’t need on the iPhone for a while, like Grand Central’s packetizing of processes to hit multiple cores, but OpenCL, which lets GPU’s be used like CPU’s for general purpose computing could really leverage that new PowerVR SGX chip in the iPhone…

Mac doesn’t get free OS updates like the iPhone, but at $29 for a single user and $49 for a 5-user family pack, Apple is putting on the pricing pressure.

And hopefully there’ll be some more iPhone-involved surprises in the roadmap. (64-bit Cocoa iTunes anyone? And dare we ask again for Mobile iChat?!)

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Goes Gold Master

Apple Insider has been putting two and two together, based on web content and WWDC 2009 session info and coming up with:

Apple will leverage the popularity of the iPhone to deliver business users new Mobile Access services in Snow Leopard Server to securely deliver corporate email, contact, calendar, and intranet web services to iPhone and iPod touch users far more cost effectively than Microsoft Windows Server.

If you don’t mind Mac-centric geekery, check out the full article. Bottom line, however, is that anything that makes Apple invest more heavily in secure business-focused iPhone features, the better for everyone on all platforms.

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and iPhone to Take Aim at Microsoft Server Empire?