5.1

Apple gets cute with rumor sites, references dozens of future products

In the latest build of iOS 5.1, now beta 2, Apple has finally decided to take steps against the popular rumor site tactic of rifling through iOS code to find references to new hardware models.

These references, typically something like iPhone3,1, were a great way for rumor sites to predict forthcoming hardware devices, accurately assuming that their inclusion in the iOS code meant they were being tested.

With Apple's release of iOS 5.1 beta 2, things have changed. Apple has now included device references for dozens of new devices including AppleTV10,3 and iPhone11,3. By … Read more

iOS 5.1 beta 2 is out, but no word yet on battery drain fix

Apple's second beta of iOS 5.1 launched yesterday with several new fixes and features, but no clue yet as to whether it's squashed the battery drain bug.

Available for registered developers, iOS 5.1 beta 2 addresses a variety of issues, according to Boy Genius Report. Included in the mix are a fix for app icons that had trouble using Game Center and a remedy to address freezes when using the shake-to-shuffle feature to bounce around different songs.

One new feature now lets you delete individual photos from Photo Stream from any of your iOS devices. Otherwise, … Read more

How to delete individual photos from Photo Stream on iOS 5.1

Update, March 8, 2012: With the official release of iOS 5.1 by Apple, deleting photos from your Photo Stream is now available to everyone running the latest update. Along with the update to iOS, Apple also released an update to iPhoto allowing for the deletion of photos from Photo Stream as well. You can read about the updates and the process to delete your photos by visiting this post.

iOS 5 didn't have the easiest approach to deleting photos from your Photo Stream, requiring you to reset your entire stream on every iCloud connected device you owned.

With … Read more

Do all Blu-ray (and DVD) players sound the same?

I get this question a lot, "Steve, what's the best-sounding Blu-ray player." Sometimes the questioner is more specific, "I have an Oppo BDP-83, but is the Oppo BDP- 95 better? What are you using at home?"

I have an Oppo BDP-95 ($999), which has a lot in common with the company's BDP-93 ($499) 3D universal Blu-ray, SACD, DVD-Audio player, but the BDP-95 is the potentially better sounding player. I say potentially because that player's upgraded digital-to-analog converter and audio circuitry won't make a nit of difference if you're using the player'… Read more

Apple's iOS 5.1 doesn't fix battery drain bug, say some early reports

The first beta of iOS 5.1 may not resolve the battery drain problem that's been plaguing many iOS 5 users, claim some initial reports.

Released to registered developers on Monday, iOS 5.1 is Apple's latest attempt to squash the battery drain bug cited by a variety of users running iOS 5.

But early reports don't sound too encouraging.

Tech enthusiast site AppAdvice said yesterday it's been hearing "that iOS 5.1 doesn't seem to really help with the iOS 5 battery issues some users have been experiencing." The site already seemed … Read more

Next-gen Apple TV gets J33 codename

The next generation of Apple TV appears to be moving closer to reality.

Hints of the much-rumored product appeared today in a new beta of iOS 5.1 given to developers. As 9to5Mac notes, as products move closer to release, Apple gives them a codename, such as N94 for the latest iPhone. In this case, the blog found notes in the string code that refer to the next version of Apple TV as J33.

Apple's current Apple TV model is a bit long in the tooth when it comes to processing power. The small set-top box sports an A4 … Read more

Apple gives developers an early taste of iOS 5.1

Apple has given developers a new version of iOS 5 to test out ahead of a release to the public.

The new version, marked 5.1 represents the first significant update to iOS 5 since its release in mid-October. A supplementary software update that went out earlier this month fixed a number of bugs and security holes, as well as promised to fix poor battery life experienced by some users.

BGR today posted the full release notes of the software, which developers must sign a nondisclosure agreement to use. The notes do not suggest any major new features in the … Read more

Will iOS 5.1 give Siri hardware access?

According to German Web site Macerkopf.de, iOS 5.1, the first major update to Apple's mobile operating system, will give Apple's voice-controlled assistant Siri the capability to access certain hardware features of the iPhone 4S.

The Web site's source is listed as an Apple developer commenting on a forthcoming iOS 5.0.2 update that will address battery issues yet again, as well as the future iOS 5.1 update that will contain the Siri updates.

If you're a power user, this news should be fairly exciting. Giving Siri the capability to adjust hardware settings … Read more

Access Windows' hidden tweaks with this free bundle.

TweakNow's WinSecret bundles a lot of system tweaks and tools into one easy-to-use interface. It helps people who don't feel comfortable editing the registry take advantage of some of the great performance and stability tweaks inside Windows without having to use RegEdit or system consoles. It also includes system cleaners, a startup manager, and an uninstaller.

WinSecret's tabbed interface is attractive, yet it avoids the overdesigned look of many similar tools. It opened on the Quick Optimizer tab, which listed a variety of quick tweaks like cleaning temporary files and compacting browser database files. We simply had … Read more

The Audiophiliac's Top 10 speakers from $40 to $400

Update, September 10, 2012: This Top 10 list was originally published on August 31, 2011.

I cover a lot of high-end, audiophile-oriented gear in this blog, but I also love finding great-sounding affordable products. Match any of the stereo speakers on this list with any amp from my post on "Top 10 great-sounding amplifiers from $40 to $450," and you'll get amazing sound value. Unless noted otherwise, the prices listed are for pairs of speakers.

Dayton B652 ($40) The price is no typo; the Dayton Audio B652 is a midsize, black vinyl-covered monitor speaker, 11.7 inches high, 7.1 inches wide, and 6.5 inches deep. Fit and finish are decent, but the rear panel's spring-clip wire connectors won't provide a tight grip on the wires, so they may fall out when you move the speakers.

I've seen clips on $100 speakers, so I can't really complain about spring clips on $40 speakers. Bass definition is fine, but deep bass is lacking. The B652's bass is reasonably flat to 70Hz, so you may not need to add a sub. The speaker earned its reputation by delivering surprisingly accurate tonal balance, exceptional detail, and transparency. The B652 speakers are available for $40 a pair from Parts Express.… Read more