Rumors about Apple’s distribution methods for both Lion and future versions of iOS are flying like recriminations at a family reunion. Meanwhile, AT&T’s got its eye on tethering abusers, and The Daily has lost some serious dough since its launch. The remainders for Thursday, May 5, 2011, however, are in the black.
Apple to release Mac OS X Lion through Mac App Store – sources (AppleInsider)
The ever vague “sources” report that Apple will distribute the forthcoming Mac OS X Lion via the Mac App Store, and that downloading via the store will be the default method of updating. However, for those that aren’t quite ready to embrace the future, Lion will also reportedly be available on a DVD or on 4389 1.4MB 3.5-inch floppy disks.
Apple and Verizon to deliver over-the-air iOS updates to Verizon iPhone (9 to 5 Mac)
Speaking of software updates, it appears that Apple may be going to an over-the-air method of pushing updates to its iOS devices. Of course, right now those updates are enormous— iOS 4.3.3 clocked in at more than 600MB for most users, and that was for an update that in theory reduced the amount of data on the device! So, clearly, in order to make the updates smaller, they’re going to have to start taking features away with every new version.
AT&T Knows You’re Using Your Jail-Broken iPhone To Tether, Asks You Nicely To Stop (Consumerist)
Been using somewhat illicit means to tether your laptop to your iPhone? AT&T IS WATCHING. As we’ve heard before, the carrier has reportedly been sending out messages to customers using unofficial tethering apps. This time, though, the company has taken a somewhat more…passive-aggressive bent, saying, “We’ve noticed that your service plan may need updating.” AT&T generously offers to update the plan in question to include tethering, unless the customer stops using the feature. At least the carrier hasn’t started sending you passive-aggressive messages about what you’re downloading: “Really, Bob? Another Katy Perry album?”
News Corp Has Lost $10 Million On The Daily This Year (paidContent)
As you may remember, News Corp invested heavily in its iPad-only magazine, The Daily—to the tune of $30 million through the end of the company’s fiscal year in June. In the last quarter, though, News Corp’s lost about $10 million, thanks to the extended free trial that The Daily offered after launch. Apparently, the app has also been download more than 800,000 times, though reportedly 700,000 of those people mistakenly thought they were downloading The Daily Show.
Hot Rumor: Apple iPad 3 to be fully 3D (RCRWireless)
A rumor—which is apparently “hot”—says that the iPad 3 will be “fully 3D.” Hey, guys my iPad’s already 3D. I think you’re still using the iPad simulator.
Product News:
Acorn 3.0.1 – Version 3.0.1 of Flying Meat’s image editor for Mac OS X adds a number of bug fixes and a few feature enhancements, such as the ability to change the levels in a layer mask and two new layer style filters. $50.
Printer Pro 1.5 – Readdle’s iOS printing utility jumps to version 1.5 with speed improvements, updated wireless printer support, better plain-text printing, printer calibration, and page-range selection when printing to Macs or PCs. iPad version, $7. iPhone version, $5.
Remember the Milk 2.0 – Version 2.0 of the iOS to-do list app adds an iPad-native interface. A free version allows manual syncing once every 24 hours; a Pro version that removes the limitation and adds other features is available as a $3-per-month or $25-per-year in-app purchase.