Appletell

According to a recent patent filing from Apple, it appears as if Apple wants to incorporate some sort of dual backlight system into their devices like the iPhone and iPod Touch in order to show the user the status of their phone without killing battery life. The technology would consist of a secondary lower power backlight behind the primary backlight system that would be able to project through one or more layers of transparent material. This material would be able to change its shape and size in order to create the appropriate alert. And not only would this dimmer light technology save on battery, it could incorporate color and a blinking effect into it to alert users of new texts, low battery, or anything. With this, instead of having to turn the whole LCD on to see an alert, the user could simply look at it and see the alert at all times.

This sounds like a pretty interesting idea to me. If it can be done cheaply and efficiently, I don’t see why Apple wouldn’t incorporate this into the next version of the iPhone. With battery issues being one of the main concerns with the iPhone, this could drastically improve the life of the phone. Not only that, but it would make it easier for users to check their alerts without having to turn on the entire, bright LCD screen.

Via [AppleInsider]

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According to two of CNet’s music industry sources, Apple is currently in negotiations with three major music labels about getting more DRM free content onto their iTunes Plus Store. It was a long year ago that Apple signed a deal with EMI to get their content onto iTunes Plus. Although Apple and the music label spokespeople refused to comment, the sources have told CNet that the deals are very close to being finalized. What does this mean for users? Well, if this deal goes through, a lot more of your music will be available DRM free, which means it will be able to be played anywhere, not just on your iPod.

If Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony BMG were all to agree on a deal with Apple, this would not only be a major step forward for the music industry as a whole, it would make iTunes even more of a powerhouse in the digital music market. If Apple could get DRM music from the four major labels, they would have even more of an edge over stores like Amazon and any other competitor. We don’t know about you, but we sure hope that this rumor is true. DRM music FTW!

Via [CNet]

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There has been a lot of speculation in the Mac community recently that Mac OS X 10.5.6 would be released in the next few weeks. Apple has recently been releasing quite a few builds of Mac OS X 10.5.6 to developers, with the most recent, build 9G38, being released last week.

The latest build appears to address some minor issues, and it has been reported that there are no known issues with the build.

This build is said to come just three days after build 9G35. The release notes say this one focuses on MobileMe, Mail and AFP. The build also fixes a number of MobileMe related issues.

The last official update, 10.5.5 was released on September 15. The builds stopped arriving roughly a week before the update, which points to Friday as a potential release date.

Via [TUAW]

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Black Friday is right around the corner, and Barclays Capital experts believe that Apple won’t be fooling around this year. According to their analysts, they are predicting that Apple will launch a very aggressive one-day sale the Friday after Thanksgiving of this year on a lot of their Mac models. What do they mean by aggressive? Analyst Ben Reitzes says, “We have not seen any Apple Black Friday ads yet (as is customary), but expect the company to be more aggressive than usual in its one-day sale, perhaps with $100 off a few Mac models and discounts on several iPods.“

With companies like Wal-mart, Dell, and Best Buy all offering notebooks in the $299 range, Apple will definitely have to offer a nice sale this time around if they want to take advantage of this holiday season. Apple has offered $100 discounts on their online retail store in the past, so this year should only bring more sales as Apple has lower priced “netbooks” to compete with. Furthermore, Ben also wonders if this year AT&T will follow French iPhone carrier Orange’s lead and offer a sizable discount on the iPhone. It’s still up in the air, though, as to what will happen for sure. As usual, we haven’t heard anything from Apple yet.

Via [AppleInsider]

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With a top speed of 4.8 Gbps and a perfectly hideous logo, USB 3.0 is expected to be unveiled next week. Gizmodo spells out what that means:

Ten times faster than the old USB spec, USB 3.0 can transfer a 27GB file in just 70 seconds. Plus, with more “lanes” of data within the connector, new USB will be able to simultaneously send and receive information—that might not sound like much, but the old USB couldn’t do so.

There’s also a rumor that Windows 7 won’t support it natively, due to “time constraints,“ (cue Nelson Muntz laugh here). No mention of Apple at all, but then, Apple isn’t a member of the group that’s fleshed out the specs for the new high-speed port, even though they were invited to do join.

While all of Apple’s current computers have USB 2.0 ports, the company has been reducing support for their own Firewire technology, which used to be the fastest kid on the block. The Firewire 400 port is dying a slow death, and both the current Firewire 800 port (which caps out at 800 Mbps (note the “M” and not a “G” there), and the forthcoming update (3200 Mbps) will be outclassed by USB 3.0.

Via [Gizmodo]

According to sources from the MacBlogz site, we now have some more detailed information about the iPhone tethering plan on which AT&T said they were working. The first of these details is the 5GB bandwidth cap. The rumor says this cap may be introduced to all AT&T tethering plans to accommodate for all the new plans they are expecting, and adds that AT&T will cut off your tethering plan for that month once the cap is reached. It also states the connection for this tethering might be through Apple’s own iTunes, so you won’t need to install any additional software on the desktop side of things.

The rumor has “no idea on a launch date,“ but believes AT&T will roll out new plans for the iPhone that include tethering for additional $30 or so a month. It also states there will be no unlimited option, as AT&T will simply tell you to buy a wireless PC card. Nonetheless, this is a very interesting rumor. My only request would be a lesser monthly charge, as the iPhone plans are pretty expensive here in the US already. Now, only one question remains’ will it be coming out with the iPhone 2.2 Software?

Via [MacBlogz]

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iPhone Hellas claims they have reliable information pointing to the scheduled release date for iPhone firmware 2.2.

Once we received the following information from the insider and convey to each subject:

“The iPhone OS v2.2 will be given in circulation on 21 November’08.“

I love Google translate, it adds that special touch that only a machine can.

There are a bunch of features and updates to look forward to in iPhone Firmware 2.2…

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Mobile Crunch has some information straight from AT&T regarding the iPhone’s current lack of tethering capabilities.

In an interview with Michael Arrington at the Web 2.0 Summit, AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph De La Vega let it be known that an official, AT&T sanctioned method of using the iPhone as a 3G modem for a laptop is on the way “soon.“

Tethering has been possible with the iPhone for some time with apps like NetShare (which was quickly pulled from the App Store as you might remember) and with a jailbroken iPhone. But this is the first significant news of an official not-going-to-get-you-in-trouble tethering option.

Tethering allows you to share your cell phone’s data plan with another computer, such as a laptop. This is perfect for on-the-go when you need an internet connection on your notebook but don’t want to buy a separate data plan specifically for it.

MacRumors adds to this news with a rumor…

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AppleInsider has some good news for those of us jonesing for a new Mac Mini. An interested customer e-mailed Bob Mansfield—Mac hardware engineering chief—to inquire about the future of the product. While this customer didn’t get a direct reply from Mansfield, there was an interesting message from another Apple executive about the Mac Mini.

I got a prompt reply by phone from an Apple executive care person essentially giving me no new information but assuring me that Apple knew the mini was a popular machine and to be patient.

Proof of a new Mac Mini? I wouldn’t go as far as to call it proof, but I think Apple would be crazy not to update everyone’s favorite TV and kitchen Mac.

I’ve written before about my opinion of the future of the Mac Mini, so I won’t regurgitate that. We know they won’t update the Mini before the end of the year, but I do think it’s quite possible we could see an update as soon as Macworld in January. Macworld takes place January 5-9th, 2009. But, if you’re anything like me, your calendar is already marked.

Via [AppleInsider]

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Everyone who was holding their breath for a new Mac Mini, iMac, Mac Pro or Apple TV (myself included), can stop. Bill Evans, an Apple spokesman, killed the rumors, and possibly our hopes and dreams along with them.

“Our holiday line-up is set,” Apple spokesman Bill Evans told Macworld.

And just like that, all the rumors are smashed. No November 10th/11th event, no new desktops, no secret netbooks, no nothing. But I’m not discouraged, and I don’t plan on wasting any time as far as rumors are concerned. All this means is that no new products or refreshes can happen earlier than 2009. So, now I ask the obvious question. What does Apple have in store for January?

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