iOS 6 IPSW [Direct Download Links]

iOS 6 is now available for everyone to download. Most users are best served updating to iOS 6 through OTA or iTunes, but advanced users can upgrade manually with firmware files. This has several advantages, particularly for those upgrading multiple devices in a household or institution, or for those updating from older versions of iOS.

The following firmware links are hosted directly by Apple, using IPSW files requires iTunes. You will want to have the latest version of iTunes installed before attempting a direct firmware update with IPSW.

• iPhone 5 GSM
• iPhone 5 CDMA
• iPhone 4S
• iPhone 4 GSM
• iPhone 4 CDMA
• iPhone 4 (3,2)
• iPhone 3GS
• iPad 3 LTE GSM
• iPad 3 LTE CDMA
• iPad 3 Wi-Fi
• iPad 2 3G GSM
• iPad 2 3G CDMA
• iPad 2 Wi-Fi
• iPad 2 (2,4)
• iPod touch 4th gen
• iPod touch 5th gen

Regardless of how you decide to upgrade to iOS 6, just remember to back up first. The likelihood of something going wrong is slim but it’s better safe than sorry.

Apple quietly stops touting the fact that it has a virus-free platform

The half-a-trillion dollar company finally admits that its software isn't bulletproof

It's been one of the key selling points of Macs for years: Computers made by Apple simply don't get viruses, right? Well, unfortunately, recent computer virus outbreaks (yes, that's outbreaks with an "S") have proven Macs to be vulnerable, and as a result, Apple is quietly scrubbing its site of its anti-viral claims.

Formerly, the Apple website featured a section entitled "It doesn't get PC viruses," that included the line, "A Mac isn't susceptible to the thousands of viruses plaguing Windows-based computers." Now, however, the site section has been changed to simply read "It's built to be safe," and touts the built-in defenses the Mac has against viruses.

It seems somewhat obvious that the Flashback virus that targeted the OS X operating system was the final straw for the Apple marketing department, but certainly, it isn't the only problem facing Macs and Mac users. According to computer security company Sophos, nearly one in five Macs are infected with Windows malware, even if the unwanted code has no effect on the computers' performances.

iOS 6: Everything You Need to Know

If you were looking for new mobile features, then iOS 6, which Apple unveiled on Monday at WWDC, does not disappoint.

At WWDC 2012, Scott Forstall took the stage to unveil iOS 6 to developers. iOS 6 features more than 200 updates and improvements when compared to iOS 5. iOS 5 already boasts more than 80% adoption rate across devices and Apple boasted figures about iMessage, Twitter stats, Game Center and push notifications.

So what’s new in iOS 6?

---

Siri

---

• Siri can now launch apps
• Siri can now Tweet (no hacks required!)
• Siri is smart about sports. It can pull in scores, game summaries and player stats.
• Siri integrates with Yelp and OpenTable for restaurant reviews and reservations
• Siri in iOS 6 will also integrate with Rotten Tomatoes for movie times and reviews.
• Siri is also available in a slew of new languages.
• Siri will get hands-free integration in lots of in-car systems.
• Siri is coming to the new iPad.

---

Facebook Integration

---

This is a big one. Just as Twitter received a big boost with its deep integration with iOS 5, Facebook will get the same treatment in iOS 6.

Users can login to their Facebook account in iOS 6 and have instant access to Facebook in apps, the web browser and Siri. Developers can also easily add access within their apps.

Facebook contacts will get integrated in iOS 6, but for us, the bigger news is that events and birthdays can also sync with the calendar.

---

New Phone App Enhancements

---

In the phone app, Apple has added a new mode that will make it easy for users to remind themselves to call or text-back later, if they can’t take a call right now.

There is also a “Do Not Disturb” mode. Messages will still come to your phone, but the screen won’t light up or make any noise. There are also new ways to group contacts and control how their calls are handled.

FaceTime Over Cellular

Look out Skype, FaceTime will now work over cellular connections. Even better, if someone calls your phone, you can choose to answer on your iPad or Mac.

---

Safari

---

Safari is getting offline reading lists, making the feature more Instapaper-like. These lists will also sync with the Reading List in Safari for OS X.

Another new feature is the ability to add “App Banners” to a website. This allows developers to easily show-off their native app. Users can touch the banner to get the app — and if, the app is installed, they can go directly to the app and open it up in the right place.

---

Photos

---

Users can now share groups of photos to their friends over iCloud. Think of this as a cross between Glassboard and Path, but just for your photos.

Users can comment on photos too.

---

Mail

---

There is a new VIP feature that will highlight mail from people you really want to hear from. I get way too much email, so I love this feature.

Apple is also adding the ability to open password-locked documents in mail and pull-to-refresh for messages.

---

Passbook

---

Think of this as an app that replicates the loyalty card tracker from Google Wallet. It collects all of your loyalty cards, ticket information and other info into one neat place for easy access. Even better, it’s location-enabled so it knows what to show based on where you are (so you can get your movie tickets at the theater or your plane ticket at the airport).

Passbook looks great.

---

Maps

---

Another big one. Apple is making good on some of its mapping acquisitions and launching its own mapping app.

The new Apple Maps integrates with Yelp. Apple is also building its own traffic service that can offer anonymous, crowd-sourced and real-time incident reports.

Moreover, Apple is bringing turn-by-turn navigation to the iPhone. It’s vector-based and voiced by Siri. Say goodbye to your TomTom and just use your iPhone!

From the on-stage demo, it looks like the level of detail on the maps and places is intense — and the rendering happens super-fast.

iOS 6′s Maps app will also highlight developer mapping apps inside the app, pointing out the best transit apps in the app store.

---

When Can I Get It?

---

Developers will have access to the first beta on iOS 6 later this afternoon. Customers can expect to see iOS 6 on their devices in the fall.

It will support the iPhone 3GS and later, the second and third generation iPads and the fourth generation iPod touch.

All-in-all, this looks like a fantastic release!

Apple Patents the MacBook Air’s Wedge Design — Bad News for Ultrabook Makers

The Macbook Air design patent targets ultrabook market. Illustration: USPTO

The ultrabook landscape is littered with notebooks that look suspiciously like the MacBook Air. Apple’s thin, wedge-like form factor has become a staple of the PC notebook sector. And it’s a design that was just patented by Apple.

That’s right: Apple was granted a design patent for the MacBook Air’s wedge form factor on Tuesday. The design patent titled “Electronic device” is one the of the least descriptive patent names to come out of Cupertino. And, in fact, the patent is light on text but heavy on drawings of the Macbook Air.

Apple's "Electronic device" Illustration: USPTO

The drawings reference not only the physical lines of the notebook, but also the metal casing of the design. In the United States, a design patent prohibits the creation of a product whose design is not only identical to that of the patent, but also merely similar. Design similarity is ultimately decided by judges, and could lead to extended litigation between Apple and its competitors.

Like all design patents, the patent for “Electronic device” has a lifespan of 14 years. After that, anyone could make a Macbook Air clone. Of course, by then we’ll all be wearing computer contacts lenses and we’ll laugh about the intense weight of the current crop of ultrabooks.

Why IDC Predicts Windows Phone Will Surpass iOS by 2016

In four years, Windows Phones will be more popular than iPhones, according to IDC. 

Not only will Windows Phone outshine BlackBerry in the worldwide smartphone market, it will surpass Apple’s iOS and become the second-most popular smartphone platform by 2016, states a forecasting report released by IDC on Wednesday.

It’s a lofty prediction considering that Windows Phone had a mere 2.2 percent market share in Q1 2012 smartphone shipments. That’s significantly behind BlackBerry’s 9.7 percent share, let alone the 23 percent owned by iPhones. But despite a slow start, IDC analysts maintain that Windows Phone will see huge growth in the coming four years. And it has a lot to do with pricing and emerging markets.

IDC’s report forecasts that Windows Phone market share will grow from its current total market share of 5.2 percent to a whopping 19.2 percent in 2016. iOS, however, will maintain relatively unchanged, with its total 20.5 percent market share dropping to 19 percent. As for other platforms, Android will remain the leader, though it will see a drop from its current 61 percent lead to a more modest 52.9 percent market share.

What factors will make Windows Phone a breakout success? IDC analysts peg a lot of Windows Phone success to Nokia’s strength in emerging markets. Because Nokia is championing Windows Phone devices, emerging markets like Asia, Latin America, and Africa will more likely gravitate to Windows Phones.

“It really comes down to this: We can easily point to Nokia being one of the biggest leaders over there [in emerging markets],” Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC’s Mobile Phone Technology and Trends team, told Wired. “Apple is making hay in China and Europe, but there are still other markets out there. I look at it and see that Apple is not shipping as much volume there.”

Llamas pointed out that in price-conscious markets like Africa, the iPhone has limited appeal. Only the “urban elite” can afford Apple’s smartphone. Windows Phone devices, however, come at various price points and will gain traction with cost-conscious consumers.

“What I see from Windows Phone so far is that they’re starting to roll out entry-level mass market smartphones,” Llamas said. “What’s iOS doing? They’re going to bring you an older iPhone for less expensive. Which one would you rather have: This year’s model or last year’s model?”

On the stateside, Windows Phone will get most of its boost from carriers and the release of Windows 8. Since Microsoft has such a vast lead in the PC market, with more than 84 percent of PCs running some form of Windows, Windows 8 could have a huge impact on Windows Phone adoption. (That is, if people actually like the Metro UI in Windows 8.)

And the fact that major carriers like AT&T and Verizon are standing behind Windows Phone is a good sign, too.

“The name of the game is going to be distribution,” Llamas said. “Windows Phone is still a couple paces behind, but it’s getting some rather critical winds to ensure its growth. AT&T and Verizon are very publicly saying that Windows Phone is for us.”

But even with all of these factors, can Windows Phone really surpass the iPhone? Aren’t these numbers a bit too optimistic?

IDC thinks not. Well i agree, The smartphone market is one where anything can happen, even Windows Phone going from a little-used platform to second in line.

“We’re still in the embryonic stages of the smartphone market,” Llamas said. “We’re seeing some players coming in and out. This market is very fluid. Anything could just about happen, that could put a dent in any player.”

iPhone and iPad Get Military Upgrade

If you've ever wanted geotagging or any kind of military style lens for your iPhone or iPad, you may be getting it soon.

A new hardware system aims to combine the best of consumer smartphones and tablets with military-grade optical systems.  In short, the Special Operations Apps / System for Optical Attachments or [SOA]2 is a set of adapters and apps that allows soldiers and such to connect infrared, night vision or long-range cameras to the iPhone 4S or the new iPad.

Once the lens is connected, the phone or iPad acts as an external display, with the ability to record video and mark the location on where the video was shot.  Future versions could possibly include facial recognition and/or tracking.