Apple seems to be preparing a major assault on Google TV, if Engadget’s sources are to be believed. According to them, the next-generation Apple TV will be totally different and is referred to as “an iPhone without a screen”. The reference is due to the fact that the upcoming Apple TV will be based on the iPhone OS and will have an A4 CPU with full HD playback support and 16GB internal storage. Furthermore, ATV will also bring in cloud storage support along with an option to play content from a local-based storage. There’s no word though if the new ATV will support a web browser or apps, like Google’s solution. Oh, and its claimed to go for a takeaway price of $99.

[Via Engadget]

Maintaining a fortnightly release schedule, Apple has seeded beta 4 of its iPhone OS 4 to developers. Complete changelog is missing but devs are reporting about a new option to change wallpapers. Other than that, a new configuration setting has been found for AT&T users, allowing them to tether their internet connection with other devices.

Although Internet Tethering is supported by many international carriers since iPhone OS 3.0, AT&T iPhone users will be able to do it after the new update hits summer this year.

[Via Macrumors]

Following its fortnightly schedule, Apple released a new beta of its iPhone OS 4 and SDK to developers. The devs were quick enough to unravel new features and some managed to successfully uncover couple of noteworthy features. First is the screen orientation lock in iPhone and iPod touch and the other is quick access to the iPod controls via the multitask interface.

iPad has a dedicated switch to lock the screen orientation but iPhone and iPod touch users will be able to take advantage of the feature from the software, after accessing it by swiping left from the multitask manager . The iPod controls can be used basically the same way and features simple music controls like rewind, play/pause and forward.

[Via Macrumors]

Apple’s new iPhone OS 4 has a distinct condition in their SDK agreement. The agreement only allows developers to develop on Apple’s approved programming tool. This apparently, hasn’t gone well with the government authorities, which is why according to an NYPost report, Apple might soon receive an antitrust inquiry over Apple’s new policy.

The NYPost source says that regulators are “days away from making a decision about which agency will launch the inquiry.” The inquiry will take a look into Apple’s policy to see if it really kills the competition or is the reason for developers to produce sub-standard apps, as Apple has always claimed.

However, if the inquiry turns into an investigation, the site points that Apple would be issued a subpoena seeking information about the policy.

Apple’s possible inquiry could be music to ears of companies like Adobe whose Flash has been banned on the iPhone OS and the packager solution to develop apps.

Apple has unveiled iPhone OS 4 and although the consumer release is expected in summer this year, developers will be able to get their hands on the preview from today. Developers will be able to tap in about 1500 APIs in the new firmware.

As for the consumer-centric features, users will be able to create playlists, 5x digital zoom, spell check, Bluetooth keyboard, multitasking, folders, unified inbox and more.

Users will now be able to multitask between applications by double clicking the home button. Double clicking the home button will pop up a dock-like window at the bottom that will show all the running apps.

iPhone OS 4 also adds the folder option. Now users will be able to add their apps into folders, effectively increasing the number of apps their device can store. Currently, a user can store up to 180 apps but with folders in action, users can have more than 2,000 apps (2,160 to be precise).

Next feature up is the Unified Inbox. The unified inbox brings all your email accounts (including multiple Exchange accounts) under one inbox.

Apple will also add the iBooks app on the iPhone and Enterprise features like better data protection, wireless app distribution, SSL VPN support and more.

For gamers, the new OS will have Game Center, a sort of a social network for gamers who can invite friends, earn achievements, leaderboards, matchmaking etc.

The last feature unveiled was iAd. It’s Apple’s answer to mobile advertising that tries to make in-app ads more catchy and interactive.

Developers can download the preview build right now from Apple Developer Center.

Apple is sending out invites to press to get a glimpse on the next biggest software update for iPhone. The iPhone OS 4 will be revealed in just three days where Apple is expected to show off some cool features like multitasking and much more.

[Via Gizmodo]

Developers wanting to create applications for Apple’s latest creation can do so now as Developer Center has received a new v3.2 SDK specifically meant for iPad. As like most of the time, the improved or added features are unknown at the moment but it’s confirmed to support iPad’s 1024×768 pixel display resolution.

Apple Developer Center

[Via Macrumors]

Apple has updated the iPhone OS to v3.1.3. Being an update on the same v3, this doesn’t bring drastic improvements but promises to do some things right. For instance, it will improve accuracy of reported battery level on iPhone 3GS, resolve third-party apps launch issue and fixes app crash using Japanese Kana keyboard.

For those looking to jailbreak, iPhone Dev reports that redsn0w is still compatible with the new firmware but 2G (with MC model), 3G iPod touch users and iPhone unlockers should stay away from it. More info on the jailbreak here.

The firmware is available on iTunes and is compatible with all iPod touch and iPhone models.

[Via Mobilecrunch]

Looks like we’ve got new firmware for iPhone/iPod Touch in the offing. In fact, two. Going through the site logs, BGR found traces of iPhones running OS v3.1.3 and 4.0. Chances of v4.0 being released looks unlikely for now but 3.1.3 could make its way out soon, hopefully in January. Since these were caught off the logs, there’s no word on the expected features.

Mac users waiting for the jailbreak solution can quickly head to the iPhone Dev blog to download the latest version of PwnageTool. The PwnageTool 3.1.4 for Mac OS X jailbreaks iPhone 2G/3G/3GS and iPod Touch 1G/2G running OS v3.1.2 which can also unlock by installing ultrasn0w via Cydia.

iPhone Dev Blog