New iTV?

AppleInsider has found evidence of an unknown device lurking in the USB configuration files of iOS 4.1.

“According to people familiar with the matter, the latest beta of iOS 4.1, due to ship in the coming weeks, includes three new “Configuration Descriptors” within its USB configuration files — all of which pertain to devices that list “Apple, Inc.” as their “manufacturer” — as can be seen in the screenshot below.”

“Finally, and most intriguing, is a previously undiscovered mention of a mysterious device listed only as “unknownHardware.” Although the configuration files tag this device with a unique Apple product ID of 20547, it’s textual descriptor is similarly listed as “Unknown- Add device descriptor info for this device.”

The unknown device has an Apple product ID in the 20,000s, suggesting that will be the reincarnation of the Apple TV, which is rumored to be compatible with the App Store. (Making this theory even more likely.)

As rumored, the IDs point to the iPod Touch getting a major overhaul, as well as the iPad. (Cameras, anyone?) For a closer look at when these Apple product IDs actually mean, check out this post at the Boy Genius Report.

[AppleInsider]

Sprint iPod Touch Case

Remember the Yosion Apple Peel case from yesterday? It seems that Sprint has the same idea, and is planning to release a 3G case for the iPod Touch. (This wouldn’t be the first time they stuck it to Apple and AT&T either.)

It’s unknown what the initial or monthly cost will be, but it would need to be dirt cheap to keep it competitive. It would also be nice if you could just buy a data plan and only use Skype to make calls, making it even less expensive.

Stay tuned for more updates.

[FCC]

Apple Makes Giant Multi-Touch Trackpad

Apple has just released a multitouch trackpad for desktop computers, and it has full multitouch support for quickly navigating through windows. If you’ve always wanted the Macbook’s glorious multitouch trackpad on your desktop, then this is the accessory for you.

The largest Multi-Touch trackpad ever.

Magic Trackpad is just like the trackpad on the MacBook Pro — but bigger. It’s made with the same advanced touch-friendly and wear-resistant glass surface. But with nearly 80 percent more area, it’s the largest Multi-Touch trackpad made by Apple. So there’s even more room for you to scroll, swipe, pinch, and rotate to your fingers’ content. And since the entire surface is a button that clicks, you can use it in place of a mouse.

I absolutely love my Macbook’s trackpad, and would drop $69 for one of these in an instant if I had a desktop. It’s available now for Macs running the lastest version of Snow Leopard. There is no word on Windows support yet.

[Apple]

Engadget has found an interesting accessory from a Chinese company called Yosion that turns your iPod Touch into the phone it has always wanted to be.

Powered by an Infineon baseband chip, this adapter not only offers voice calling and text messaging (presumably requiring a jailbroken iPod Touch for the apps; GPRS not possible yet), but it also doubles up as an 800mAh battery and provides 4.5 hours of call time or 120 hours of standby juice.

It’s unknown whether or not it will ever be available stateside, but it could potentially allow users to buy cheaper cell plans without a two year contract or carrier lock-in. Hit the source for a video of it in action.

Update: I dug around a little, and found the Yosion forums, which have a bit of chatter about the accessory if you’re looking for more info. (Google translate is a must-have, unless you speak Chinese.)

[Engadget]

Does Apple Learn From Jailbroken Developers?

Many of the features that are new to iOS4 seem to have originated from jailbroken applications and utilities. Has Apple been adopting the ideas of jailbroken developers and implementing them into firmware updates? Or, are these features that were likely to be implemented at some point anyways? It’s your call.

1. Folders

Folders, which allows you to group similar applications together, is a non-jailbroken copy-cat of Categories, which is available on Cydia for jailbroken devices.

2. Rotation Lock

Double-tap the home button and you’ll find a new Orientation Lock button. By tapping this button, your device is now locked in portrait mode. No more awkward positions when you’re lying in bed — you weren’t the only one. Nevertheless, jailbroken users have had this utility for quite some time through SBSettings/Rotation Inhibitor.

3. Home Screen Wallpapers

You’re 3 years late on this one, Apple.
—

4. Battery Percentage

iOS4 allows you to see the exact percentage of battery life remaining on your device. While this is much more accurate than the battery icon next to it, it’s something jailbroken users have been able to do for years.

via [iPodTouchFans]

iOS4 App Section in iTunes

iTunes now has an iOS4 section for featured apps that take advantage of iOS4’s new capabilities. Check it out! Apps include Canabalt, Instapaper, Articles, and a ton more.

[iTunes]

iPhone 4 Features

iPhone 4 Features

• Retina display
• Thinner design
• FaceTime video chat
• Forward facing camera
• LED flash on rear facing camera
• Multitasking (iOS 4 feature)
• HD video recording
• iMovie
• 5.0 MP Camera
• Wallpapers
• Folders
• Faster processor
• 512 MB RAM

The iPhone 4 is available in black and white like the previous iPhone models have been, but this time the front of the iPhone is also changed depending on the color.

iPhone may be coming to Sprint

An anonymous Best Buy employee has confirmed that the iPhone will be moving to other carriers, most notably that of Sprint. The employee noted that there has been no news of an iPhone built to use Verizon’s network, though Apple’s revolutionary smart phone may very well be moving away from AT&T. While there is no hard evidence that the claim is valid, the amount of information (and products) leaking out of the typically locked down Apple may be an indicator that this is true.

A formal announcement of the migration to other carriers could come at the upcoming WWDC 2010, the developers conference from the 7th to 11th of June. Steve Jobs has been confirmed to be keynote presenter.

Next-gen iPod Touch photos leaked

Once again, an iDevice prototype has been leaked. This time, an iPod touch – with a camera. It’s not known how it was acquired, but it’s clear that Apple needs to do something about all these leaks.

Tinh Tế, to whom we owe thanks for the second iPhone 4G leak, have gotten hold of a prototype next-generation iPod touch, now sporting the long-awaited camera.

The serial number of the Camera part indicates 2.0 megapixels, but this could easily change as newer models are developed. Running a diagnostic mode, no internal specs are known as of yet.

It’s fairly safe to say that we’ll be seeing Camera-equipped iPod touches in the near future! As before, we’ve got a video in action, and more images after the jump.

The back, showing some hardware details.

via iPodTouchFans

Android on iPhone

A member of the iPhone Dev Team (the hackers who jailbreak the iPad and iPhone) has successfully installed Google’s Android OS on an iPhone. It’s an early version of the hack, so it’s a little buggy, but it’s definitely working as you can see in the video below. Currently, it only runs on the original iPhone but it’s just a matter of time before it’s running on the 3G and 3Gs.

Oh, and did we mention that you can dual boot the iPhone OS and Android? You can! That means you’ll be able to use all of the 38,000 Android apps (some of which are banned from the iPhone) as well as your old iPhone apps.