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Apple unveils all new Maps solution ‘built from the ground up’

Avatar for Jake Smith Jun 11 2012 - 11:40 am PT
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As we told you a few weeks back, Apple just unveiled its all-new mapping solution that ditches Google Maps. Apple said the new solution was “built from the ground up,” and it covers the entire world. It features integration with Siri and turn-by-turn navigation with the ability to go multiple routes. Siri directs the way, of course. As for integration, for instance, you could ask Siri, “Are we there yet?” She will then respond in her usual sassy fashion: “Relax. You’ll be there in 14 minutes.”

Apple’s Maps solution is vector-based and has the ability to zoom and rotate. It features a 3D view called “Flyover” that allows you to see the sides and tops of buildings, which Apple said is smoothly rendered in real-time. An inline card gives information on locations, including a phone number, address, reviews, and photos.

There is also a very slick traffic feature that allows you to view estimated time of arrival or if there are accidents on the road.

Image via The Verge

You can read more about the new Maps in our liveblog.


iOS 6 adds the ability to complete a FaceTime call over cellular

Avatar for Jake Smith Jun 11 2012 - 11:29 am PT
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A FaceTime call use to only work over Wi-Fi, but Apple just unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference that users can now complete a FaceTime call over cellular networks in iOS 6. This is a highly-requested feature, because users are not always connected to a Wi-Fi signal. Another FaceTime enhancement in iOS 6 includes the unification of a user’s phone number with an Apple ID, which allows calls to be answered on an iPad and Mac. Apple said it is doing the same with iMessage too.

 

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Apple announces iOS 6 at WWDC, including 200 new features

Avatar for Jake Smith Jun 11 2012 - 11:13 am PT
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Apple’s Senior Vice President of iOS Software Scott Forstall just unveiled iOS 6 while on stage at the Worldwide Developers Conference. According to Apple, iOS 6 includes 200 new features. Apple started demoing new Siri features this morning, which includes the ability to bring in-depth sports information. Other Siri partnerships—like Rotten Tomato for movie trailers and OpenTable for making dinner reservations—allow the voice-controlled personal assistant to do some cool, new things. For instance, Siri can now launch apps. Just say “Play Temple Run,” and then the app will launch. Other features:

  • A new feature called “Eyes Free” brings deep in-car integration with a long-list of automaker partners.
  • Apple’s new Maps solution that ditches Google Maps. Features Siri integration, turn-by-turn navigation, live traffic information, and a feature called Flyover.
  • Facebook has now been integrated all the way throughout iOS 6. You can share photos to Facebook right from the Camera Roll. It’s even integrated with contacts and calendars. You can also like songs and apps in the iTunes Store with your Facebook account.
  • You can now share photo streams with select people.
  • A new app called Passbook allows you to store your keep tickets, coupons, and cards.
  • FaceTime now works over cellular.
  • You can now send a phone call to voicemail, respond with a text message, and set a reminder to call back.
  • A new Mail app, featuring VIP inbox.

iOS 6 will be available this fall, and available to developers on the Dev Center later this afternoon.

Read more on the new Siri features.
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Apple unveils dictation feature and other goodies in Mountain Lion

Avatar for Jake Smith Jun 11 2012 - 10:54 am PT
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While being scant on details, Apple just revealed Mountain Lion would sport a new dictation feature that sounds very close to what is present on iOS. The company said it works throughout the entire operating system, “even in Microsoft Word.” Apple did not unveil more information—not even showing the complete user-interface for dictation or how it works. We are sure to see more with future developer builds. Furthermore, Notification Center was given a bit of an update. It now features a new icon and more screen real estate for easier browsing through notifications.

There is also a new feature called “iCloud Tabs” that matches tabs and bookmarks. iCloud Tabs keeps them synced between iOS devices and Macs, while another new feature called “Tabview” allows you to see the tabs that are open across all of your iOS devices. Safari also received a substantial speed increase by featuring the “fastest JavaScript engine ever.” Mountain Lion now boasts AirPlay Mirroring, which brings full AirPlay support and full 1080p resolution.

Apple further unveiled a new feature called “Power Nap” that keeps your Macs up-to-date while they are in sleep mode by auto refreshing data. It works with the new MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros that unveiled today.

You can read our liveblog for more event coverage.


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Apple announces 26M copies of Lion sold, 40 percent of total Mac users, faster adoption than Windows 7

Avatar for Jake Smith Jun 11 2012 - 10:49 am PT
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Vice President of Mac Software Craig Federighi just revealed during the Worldwide Developers Conference opening keynote that Lion is the fastest selling version of OS X for Apple by selling 26 million copies in only nine months. He was also quick to note that it has better adoption than Windows 7; with over 40 percent of Mac users currently on the new OS X. Apple also gave us a look at how many Mac users are in the wild, which now totals a whopping 66 million.

Apple unveils new accessories: Thunderbolt to Firewire 800, Thunderbolt to Ethernet

Avatar for Jake Smith Jun 11 2012 - 10:37 am PT
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Apple just announced new Thunderbolt accessories while on stage at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference keynote. They include Thunderbolt to Firewire 700 and Thunderbolt to Ethernet. It looks like Firewire lives—kinda! There is no word on pricing yet. More accessories are most likely to come.

Read our liveblog for up-to-date keynote coverage.

Developing…

Apple announces revamped MacBook Pro, with up to 2.7GHz quad-core processor and Nvidia GeForce GT 650M graphics

Avatar for Jake Smith Jun 11 2012 - 10:22 am PT
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Apple just announced two new MacBook Pros while on stage at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference. The new 13-inch MacBook Pro is priced at $1,199 and $1,499, features a 1,440-by-900 display and Ivy Bridge processor, and it comes in two versions. The first has a 2.5GHz dual-core i5, 4GB of RAM, 500GB HDD, and 7-hour battery life, while the second has a 2.9GHz dual-core i7, 8GB of RAM, Intel HD Graphics 4,000, and 750GB HDD. As for the 15-inch MacBook Pro, it comes in two versions too. The first features a 2.3GHz quad-core i7 processor, 4GB of RAM, GeForce GT 650M 512MB graphics, 500GB HDD, and seven hours of battery. The second has a 2.6GHz quad-core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, GeForce GT 650M 1GB graphics, 7500GB HDD, and seven hours of battery. They are priced at $1,799 and $2,199, respectively. The refreshed models line up nicely with our reveals pre-WWDC.

Better yet, Apple also just announced its revamped MacBook Pro featuring a Retina display.

Developing…

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Photos allegedly show logic board of new MacBook Pro, sporting NVIDIA GT 650M graphics

Avatar for Jake Smith Jun 10 2012 - 9:12 pm PT
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A user on Chinese forum WeiPhone posted (via MacRumors) photos that allegedly show off the logic board placed in the new MacBook Pro, which is to be announced tomorrow during Apple’s keynote opening at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference. According to the leak, the MacBook Pro is set to feature a NVIDIA GT 650M graphics chip with 1GB GDDR5 graphics memory.

Another forum user analyzed the new logic board and put it side-by-side with the logic board on the current 15-inch MacBook Pro. As you can see, both logic boards have very similar layouts. The position of the GPU is also the same on both units.

We were the first to report last week that Apple is set to announce a refresh to most of the Mac line tomorrow, including the Mac Pro. Our sources indicated that Apple will release two configurations of the redesigned 15-inch MacBook Pro; although, what Apple plans to do with the other screen sizes is unclear. The new MacBook Pro will sport Retina graphics, an ultra-slim design, and USB 3.0. Our source said the Retina display is “jaw dropping.”

Tonight’s leak does not indicate what type of processor speed the new MacBook Pro will have, but it is somewhere in the neighborhood of 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz, or 2.7 GHz chip variants. You can bank on the processor being Intel’s new Ivy Bridge chip that supports Retina graphics, but pricing is still up in the air.

All of our questions will be answered tomorrow when Apple’s CEO Tim Cook and his company take the stage to make things official. You can read our full wrap-up of what we expect to be announced and follow our liveblog kicking off at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST tomorrow!

Update: this morning we reported Apple will be announcing both next-generation MacBook Pros with a thinner design and Retina Display AND spec-bumped MacBook Pros with the current design.


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Bloomberg profiles Apple Marketing SVP Phil Schiller

Avatar for Jake Smith Jun 7 2012 - 5:48 pm PT
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Peter Burrows and Adam Satariano of Bloomberg:

Since Jobs’s death in October, perhaps no Apple executive other than CEO Tim Cook is under more pressure to fill the void. Apple declined to make Schiller available for this story, which is based on interviews with more than a dozen former Apple managers, business partners, and industry analysts, most of whom asked to remain anonymous to avoid harming their relationships with the company. Besides helping software chief Scott Forstall and hardware designer Jonathan Ive define new products, Schiller is the steward of Apple’s relationship with app developers. He has taken over all of Apple’s marketing, including a global advertising budget that hit $933 million last year. And he will increasingly be Apple’s public face, a role that should be evident at the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference starting on June 11. There, Schiller is likely to emcee much of the keynote, during which Apple is expected to unveil new Mac laptops and an upgraded operating system. This could be one of Apple’s biggest years ever for new products, starting with the new iPad in March and likely including an upgraded iPhone this fall and possibly a television.

Of course, we are excited for Monday to see what he has to show.

[twitter https://twitter.com/9to5mac/status/211156349789274112]


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Facebook officially launches its App Center with access to 600 apps

Avatar for Jake Smith Jun 7 2012 - 5:31 pm PT
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Facebook addicts, rejoice! You favorite social network has finally launched its pre-announced App Center, complete with 600 apps that feature Facebook integration of some sort. We reported this morning that Facebook’s App Center appeared in its iOS app for one user, perhaps indicating a launch this evening. Just as we predicted, the time has come. Facebook is currently holding an app-themed event to go over features. The company said it would push the App Center heavily on the left-hand sidebar on both the desktop version and mobile version of the app. A page for the App Center should launch sometime this evening. It will also appear on mobile devices soon. The best thing about Facebook App Center is that it will give you personalized recommendations based on your interests. Check out a video demo!

To download an app from the App Center, you simply click a link. It will send a prompt to your mobile device for downloading. Downloads occur through the iTunes App Store, rather than Facebook’s servers. It is important to note that this is not a store; it is just a hub to find cool apps. Check out the press release below for the full details.


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Apps and updates: Found, Sparrow, Napster, Yelp, productivity bundle, and more

Avatar for Jake Smith Jun 5 2012 - 9:19 am PT
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A few notable app updates and deals crossed our path today, and we will continue to update as the day goes on, but first a bit of news. New to-do list app Any.DO launched this weekend and hit 100,000 total downloads in only 24 hours, according to TechCrunch. The app first became popular on Android, and then it finally jumped ship to iOS. Any.DO enables you to manage tasks cross-platform by allowing you to keep them synced up for all your devices and in a number of lists. It is free on iOS, Android, and the Chrome Web Store. The number of downloads in only 24 hours is certainly a notable feat, especially considering the app did not receive any type of special promotion from Apple on iTunes.

Moving on…Every tech journalist in New York seems to be at the launch of Airtime, former Facebook president and Napster founder Sean Parker’s latest venture. Airtime is sort-of like Chatroullete and Omegle. It allows people to video chat with random strangers who have the same interests. Airtime is based on Facebook in order to find who to chat with, but an identity is not revealed until both participants add each other on the social network. Shawn Fanning, another founder of Napster and then Facebook, also assisted Parker in founding Airtime. With $33 million in venture capital, this is sure to make some rumblings in the tech community.

Update: It appears Airtime is making noise outside of the tech world, as a few celebrities were spotted taking the new video service for a spin. Check out actress Jessica Alba and Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg in the screenshots below (click to enlarge).

Go after the break for app deals and updates:


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Belkin shows off its updated Thunderbolt Express Dock rocking 9 connections for $399 in September

Avatar for Jake Smith Jun 5 2012 - 6:44 am PT
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If you are looking to get a little more out of the peripherals hooked up to your Mac, hardware manufacturer Belkin may just have the solution for you. Announced in a press release this morning (seen after the break), Belkin is showing off new upgrades to its Thunderbolt Express Dock even before it hits store shelves. The new upgrade brings three USB 3.0 ports and ditches the aging USB 2.0 ports that were shown off in the version at this year’s CES. An eSATA port was also included to bring a significant $100 price hike on the updated version, making it $399.

Overall, the Thunderbolt Express Dock features 3 USB 3.0 ports, 1 FireWire 800 port, 1 Gigabit Ethernet port, 1 eSATA port, 1 3.5mm-out port, 1 3.5mm-in port, 2 Thunderbolt ports (1 upstream, 1 downstream for daisy-chaining up to six additional Thunderbolt devices), and a MiniDP to HDMI Adapter. Additionally, Belkin announced a $44.99 Thunderbolt cable that is 3-feet long and can daisy chain up to six devices. Yesterday, Matrox announced a Thunderbolt dock priced at $249. While it does not have as many ports, it is a lot cheaper and looks more retro.

Perhaps most important: Belkin also offers another Thunderbolt port, so you can daisy chain up-to six more overpriced Thunderbolt parts to your rig. The Dock launches in September, while the cable launches in July.


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Liquidmetal Technologies CEO confirms upcoming parts in Apple consumer products [video]

Avatar for Jake Smith Jun 4 2012 - 7:07 pm PT
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Apple has been said to use the oh-so shiny Liquidmetal technology ever since the Cupertino, Calif.-based Company obtained a patent to use Liquidmetal in its products in 2o1o. Apple ran a test using Liquidmetal in its SIM card ejector tool, and it is further rumored to be investigating uses in batteries. Some even said that Liquidmetal would be used in the next iPhone. However, it is unlikely that the casing will be made of the material.

In what looks to be a video aimed toward potential investors, Liquidmetal Technologies’ CEO Tom Steipp confirmed his company’s involvement by announcing it is supplying Liquidmetal to Apple. In the video seen below, the CEO said (55 seconds): “Our technology has been commercialized in a number of accounts,most recently by Apple computer, which took a license on the product in August of 2010. [Apple] along with us are commercializing [Liquidmetal] in the consumer electronic space.”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNPOMRgcnHY&feature=youtube_gdata_player]

We do not believe Steipp is confirming Liquidmetal as a feature in the next iPhone, iPad, or computer on a large-scale. Although, it appears he is confirming that Apple will/has used Liquidmetal for more expensive parts—perhaps dealing with dense batteries. It makes sense for Apple to use the best materials out there.

This is not the first time we have heard from Steipp:


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Judge rules Steve Jobs’ thermonuclear comments can be used in Motorola trial

Avatar for Jake Smith Jun 2 2012 - 3:49 pm PT
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Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs was known for being vocal when it came to talking about Google’s Android. Comments from Jobs referring to Android as a stolen product and vowing to destroy it even made it into Walter Isaacson’s official biography about the chief. Now, a judge presiding in a patent case with Motorola ruled that he would allow the comments to be referenced in trial, which goes against requests from Apple’s lawyers. Reuters reported (via GigaOM):

Steve Jobs gave a lot of juicy quotes before he died, and Apple Inc has failed to keep some of them out of an upcoming patent trial against Google’s Motorola Mobility unit, according to a court ruling.

A couple of examples:

  • “I will spend my last dying breath if I need to, and I will spend every penny of Apple’s $40 billion in the bank, to right this wrong.”
  • “I’m going to destroy Android, because it’s a stolen product. I’m willing to go thermonuclear war on this.”

Larry Ellison talks about his first encounter with Steve Jobs, Jobs videos from D available on iTunes

Avatar for Jake Smith May 30 2012 - 5:53 pm PT
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AllThingsD has made available all the interviews with Apple co-founder Steve Jobs that have taken place at the D10 Conference since 2003 to 2010. The co-founder made six appearances at the conference to sit down with Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg and discuss many controversies, or how products should be built, and there was even one time he sat down with Microsoft’s Bill Gates for a lengthy interview— what a memory. These really are awesome video pieces, and you can check them out free on iTunes. Last night, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook followed Jobs’ footsteps and sat down for his first interview with Swisher and Mossberg as chief. Check out the videos and our live blog.

Furthermore, Oracle’s CEO Larry Ellison talked about his first time meeting Jobs during a reflection on the late CEO that took place on-stage with Mossberg and Ed Catmull, the president of Pixar, at the conference this evening. As explained by Ellison, the two met when he went over to Jobs’ house to complain about the peacock that his girlfriend just gave him for his birthday. Ellison thought it was noisy and emphasized that he was a programmer and did not like to be awakened early. Jobs responded with something like:”You don’t like it either?”

Speaking about people trying to be like Jobs, Catmull said, “[If you’re trying to mimic] Steve clothes, superficial things, then that’s the wrong thing. Steve wore the same thing every day because he didn’t want to think about what he was wearing” (via TechCrunch). The panel went on to discuss how Jobs did not have a focus on money, but rather the influential co-founder focus on making great products at Apple. Catmull said that Apple’s astonishingly huge market cap was not on Jobs’ goal list. From the gist of it, the panel really tried to emphasize how Jobs was passionate at the core and believed in his team at Apple. That is something I do not think you can just mimic.


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Sean Parker: Apple attempted to stop Spotify from entering the US

Avatar for Jake Smith May 30 2012 - 2:56 pm PT
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As noted by TechCrunch, the oh-so vocal Napster founder Sean Parker had a few things to say about Apple today while on stage at AllThingsD’s D10 Conference. In an interview with Spotify’s CEO Daniel Ek, Parker quickly answered a question that made Ek hesitant. He said there was “some indication” (emails from other people in the industry) that Apple tried to block Spotify from entering the United States, and he noted “Apple was threatened by what [Spotify] was doing.” In October 2010, we heard similar rumblings that Apple attempted to sway execs in the U.S. music industry from signing with Spotify.

As many likely know, it took Spotify a long time to land in the U.S. Founded in Sweden, Spotify has been available in Europe since 2008, but it did not come to the U.S. until mid-summer of 2011. The stateside launch was highly-anticipated and actually boosted Spotify’s userbase astronomically, along with the help of a Facebook partnership.


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Live blog: Tim Cook interview with Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg at D10

Avatar for Jake Smith May 29 2012 - 5:46 pm PT
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We are about 30 minutes away from Apple CEO Tim Cook’s first major public interview, which takes place at AllThingsD’s D10 Conference in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. If I were a betting man, I would say this talk will focus on Apple after Steve Jobs, current issues at Apple’s manufacturing partners, and the latest Apple products. Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher will sit down with the chief to hammer out the information we all want to here. It should be a doozie.

That’s a wrap! The full archive is below:
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Tim Cook met with lawmakers in Washington last week to strengthen relationship and ‘open up a line of communication’

Avatar for Jake Smith May 28 2012 - 3:32 pm PT
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Tim Cook with U.S. Speaker of the House John Boehner—taken on May 15.

According to CNN Money, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook met with a number of U.S. Congressional leaders last Tuesday to strengthen Apple’s relationship with the government and develop an open line of communication between the two parties. The meetings were not exactly on legal issues, such as Apple’s current eBook battle with the U.S. Department of Justice, but rather a brief and “low key” introduction. One aide told CNN Money: “It was an act of opening up a line of communication, but it was a first step in what hopefully will be a growing relationship. They didn’t become best buds in one meeting.“

Apple’s late co-founder and once-CEO Steve Jobs did not really have an open relationship with the U.S. government and chose to stay away from political and law issues. However, there was one time he actually had dinner with President Obama and other key figures. The President supposedly looked to Jobs for economical advice, and he even said the U.S. should support peoples’ aspirations to become like Jobs.

Last week’s meetings may indicate Cook is looking to change a few things at Apple when it comes to dealing with the government. Of course, Cook will not be quick to change pressing issues as rapidly as he and others at Apple might like, but things could change soon with a new relationship.
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Apple Stores begin receiving the Nest Learning Thermostat, to go on sale soon

Avatar for Jake Smith May 26 2012 - 3:34 pm PT
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News broke yesterday that former Apple Senior Vice President Tony Fadell’s Nest Learning Thermostat will soon go on sale at Apple Stores. iLounge reported it first, but 9to5Mac immediately confirmed the claim.

A trusted source provided a first-hand look at the Nest packaged at an Apple Store today—complete with the part number. Priced at $249.99 (the same as Nest’s price through its online store), the Nest has a part number of H9279ll/a in Apple’s systems.

Our source was not able to say when the Nest will go on sale at Apple Stores, but the source indicated it will be soon. Deliveries of the Nest are now being made at multiple Apple Stores. However, we are hearing whispers that the thermostat may not go on sale at all stores simultaneously.

For those unfamiliar, the Nest is a revolutionary new digital thermostat with an intuitive temperature dial. It is controllable by iOS devices such as the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. A photo of the back of the box (complete with Apple’s price tag) is after the break.


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iOS 5.1.1 untethered Absinthe 2.0 jailbreak just announced

Avatar for Jake Smith May 25 2012 - 5:25 am PT
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Ever since the release of iOS 5.1.1, many in the jailbreak community have anxiously waited for the destined release of an untethered jailbreak for the new software. For those who have been waiting, the day has finally come. The Chronic Dev Team just released Absinthe 2.0, which is the tool to jailbreak iOS 5.1.1—untethered style. It was announced on-stage at Hack in the Box 2012 in Amsterdam today as a “one more thing.”

[tweet https://twitter.com/chronic/status/205997419178110976]

A full list of supported devices is below:

DOWNLOAD IT HERE!


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