Tech Blog

When (competitor) announced that its new Kindle would have free 3G access for users to be able to buy ebooks wherever they could, it started to make me think that Apple could very well do the same thing with one of its iPods. After all, giving users an open door to the iTunes Store can’t be bad for business, can it?

The iPod classic is probably a thing of the past as of this year, but it’s also time for Apple to cut the cord on one of the remaining three lines. The touch is too useful and multifaceted to give up on, so that leaves the nano and the shuffle. Why not just merge these two and make it easier on consumers?

Apple has announced the release of iOS 4.0.2 and 3.2.2 for iOS-driven iPod touch and iPhone units. This update seals a PDF security hole that could enable the hijacking of either type of device. The only practical application in the field at the time of writing was disrupting Apple's device security through a process commonly known as "jailbreaking". By sealing this security breach, Apple has effectively cut off the ability jailbreak for owners to their handsets should they upgrade.

The process of jailbreaking has been under much scrutiny of late, with the US legal system ruling that jailbreaking specifically does not violate the DMCA. Canada's currently proposed Bill C-62 would still make this process illegal, should it pass. Jailbreaking is a grey zone for hardware owners; while it opens the door to applications that Apple could not or would not permit on the App Store, it can also leave users more vulnerable to malicious attack, and is also seen as an avenue to application piracy.

Earlier today, Apple kicked off their World Wide Developers Conference with the traditional keynote presentation by Steve Jobs. Tris did an excellent job of live blogging the event and I posted my initial (and somewhat personally oriented) perspective of the announcement of iOS4 on my own blog. But then, a bit of time passed... But after a bit of thought, I realized that in my earlier post, I tended to dwell on what I, with a 2nd generation iPod Touch, wouldn’t be able to realize out of this free update because my hardware simply couldn’t take advantage of the features that newer hardware could. Things like Multitasking, Bluetooth keyboards, etc. Read more...

There are many iPhone and iPod touch games out there and working out which are worth the money is a challenge, so here I am again with another round-up of reviews, weighing in on Puzzlebreaker, Ghosts 'N Goblins Gold Knights, Eliminate Pro, and Let's Golf. Read more...

There are many iPhone and iPod touch games out there and working out which are worth the money is a challenge, so here I am again with another round-up of reviews, weighing in on Rat on the Run, Sniper vs. Sniper: Online, Hook Champ, and Wolfenstein RPG. Read more...

There are many iPhone and iPod touch games out there and working out which are worth the money is a challenge, so here I am again with another round-up of reviews, weighing in on Cows in Space, Ramp Champ, Annie's Wild Shot, and Chronicles of Inotia: Legend of Feanor. Read more...

For a while now the Toronto-based design team Superbrothers has been trailing an upcoming, er, "thing". They really didn't describe what it was, only that it would signify "a time of miracles" and (eventually) dribbled out the information that not only would it feature their work, but the input of Toronto superstar indie game developers Capybara Games (of Critter Crunch, and the just released Nintendo DS puzzler Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes, which I'm overdue covering) and Toronto superstar musician Jim Guthrie. They've now announced it's a project called the Sword & Sworcery EP. Read more...

There are many iPhone and iPod touch games out there and working out which are worth the money is a challenge, so here I am again with another round-up of reviews, weighing in on Spider: The Secret of Bryce Manor, Sweep Man, Canabalt and Topple 2. Read more...

There are many iPhone and iPod touch games out there and working out which are worth the money is a challenge, so here I am again with another round-up of reviews, weighing in on Minigore, Peggle, Pinball Fantasies and Resident Evil: Degeneration. Read more...

When I received my first iPod a few years back, I cursed Apple. iTunes didn't work as I expected, it kept wanting to 'fix' my library by rearranging my carefully crafted file structure, and essential features were either missing or I couldn't find them. At that time, in my mind, iTunes was broken, and one of the worst pieces of media managing software on the planet. I came from a PC background and couldn't understand how Apple couldn't simply take a look at Winamp and 'do the Apple thing' to it. I was not pleased. Read more...

There are many iPhone and iPod touch games out there and working out which are worth the money is a challenge, so here I am again with another round-up of reviews, weighing in on Car Jack Streets, Flight Control, i Love Katamari and Karmastar. Read more...

I buy a lot of games for my iPod Touch. Some are good, some aren't, most are reasonably priced, so I tend not to mind. However, there are titles out there that are especially worth trying, and titles out there which are especially worth avoiding, so rather than just playing and forgetting about the games I've been buying, I've decided to start reviewing them here! Read more...

There is no argument, the new iPod Nano is gorgeous. However, you have to wonder if you really need one, especially if you already have an iPhone, iPod Touch or current Nano, Shuffle etc? Read more...

With the latest launch of sexy new iPods and iTunes software announced from Apple, many headlines trumpeting the innovation and features will ring across websites, newscasts and newspapers around the world. But in the midst of this screaming chorus it's important to take a step back and realize that Apple really doesn't invent things. They innovate things. They take existing products and make them better. Read more...