Crosshairs: App Measuring the Dimensions of Anything on your Mac screen

Crosshairs is a lightweight app for getting the dimensions of anything on your screen. You can drag a transparent overlay overtop of any app and adjust the box as much as you need. No more taking a screenshot just to get the size of something.

 

iTunes' 90-Second Song Previews Started to Roll Out !

We've been waiting for this a long time: Apple has, as promised, started offering 90-second song previews of songs in the iTunes store. All songs that are at least 2 minutes and 30 seconds long will now have a 90-second preview. Shorter ones will continue the 30-seconds samples.

 

iOS Software Update is Down; Will we Get iOS 4.2?

One of our readers has reported us that Apple's iOS Software update is down. Users who trying to update to update their iOS devices with iTunes gets the following message.

The iPhone software update server could not be contacted.

Make sure your network settings are correct and your network connection is active, or try again later.

So, could this be claiming that iOS 4.2 will be released today as rumored? Also there were some rumors have pegged the public release date of iOS 4.2 to be 24th November ahead of the Thanksgiving in the United States. Leave us a comment if you got this message we'll be covering these all.

[Thanks Mark for hat tip]

UPDATE 1: It seems like the iOS software updater is operating sporadically at the moment. iOS 4.1 still the latest version.

 

Official Google Voice App Finally Hits the App Store

Google Voice app for iPhone has just arrived the app store, With this native app, you’ll continue to have access to all the major Google Voice features on your iPhone. let's check out them.

Google Voice app features:

• Cheap rates for international calls
• Free text messaging to U.S. numbers
• Voicemail transcription
• Display your Google Voice number as caller ID when making calls
• With push notifications, the app will alert you instantly when you receive a new voicemail or text message
• Most of your calls will be placed via Direct Access Numbers, making them connect just as quickly as regular phone calls

Download Google Voice app (for free) for iPhone [iTunes link]

 

The Beatles Now on iTunes

Apple has announced its "Tomorrow is just another day. That you'll never forget" surprise which is the Beatles music library, Apple has replaced the campaign logo with the Beatles one. The songs is now available to download through iTunes.

Here is what Apple says:

We’re really excited to bring the Beatles’ music to iTunes,” said Sir Paul McCartney. “It’s fantastic to see the songs we originally released on vinyl receive as much love in the digital world as they did the first time around.”

“I am particularly glad to no longer be asked when the Beatles are coming to iTunes,” said Ringo Starr. “At last, if you want it—you can get it now—The Beatles from Liverpool to now! Peace and Love, Ringo.”

“We love the Beatles and are honored and thrilled to welcome them to iTunes,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “It has been a long and winding road to get here. Thanks to the Beatles and EMI, we are now realizing a dream we’ve had since we launched iTunes ten years ago.”

“In the joyful spirit of Give Peace A Chance, I think it is so appropriate that we are doing this on John’s 70th birthday year,” said Yoko Ono Lennon.

“The Beatles on iTunes—Bravo!” said Olivia Harrison.

“The Beatles and iTunes have both been true innovators in their fields,” said EMI Group CEO Roger Faxon. “It’s a privilege for everybody at EMI to work with Steve Jobs and with Apple Corps’ Jeff Jones and their teams in marking a great milestone in the development of digital music.

Albums are now available for download at $ 149.00. but I wonder, is this all your expectations from this campaign?

 

Here Comes “iTunes Live Stream” Tomorrow

So, is iTunes Live Stream is the announcement that we'll never forget? An Italian blog has found a code inside the newly released iTunes 10.1 files which references to “iTunes Live Stream” event tomorrow. We're still not sure as it might be just a feature.

MacRumors suggesting that it might be a video-related feature as Apple recently deployed its own HTTP streaming solution for Apple devices by live streaming the latest Steve Jobs’ keynotes. For myself, I hope it's iOS 4.2 tomorrow. Anyway, we'll be back tomorrow, stay tuned !

 

Apple to Announce Something “You'll Never Forget” Tomorrow

Apple has just updated the status over Apple's official website with a very interesting message.

Tomorrow is just another day.

That you’ll never forget.

Check back here tomorrow for an exciting announcement from iTunes.

So, what should we expect Apple? the much waited iTunes cloud? iOS 4.2 release? App Store of the new Apple TV? or just text and screenshots? Anyway, we’ll check back tomorrow at 7 AM PST (check your local time here).

[Thanks Joguego for hat tip via Twitter]

 

iREB 4.1, iTunes Restore Errors Bypasser, is Out to Support all Devices

iREB is a must have tool for iOS users works under Windows machines which lets you put your device into a pwned state so that you will be able to upload custom firmware to it. iH8sn0w has just released iREB 4.1, the iTunes restore error bypasser to support all new & old devices.

Supported Devices:

• iPhone 2G
• iPhone 3G
• iPhone 3G[S] (old & new bootrom)
• iPhone 4
• iPod Touch 1G
• iPod Touch 2G (MB & MC)
• iPod Touch 3G
• iPod Touch 4
• iPad
• Apple TV 2

Just download iREB from the link at the end of the page, and follow our guide posted here to cook your custom firmware with Sn0wbreeze for Windows and follow our guide posted here to do the same with PwnageTool for Mac. Then use iREB to put your device into DFU mode and install your cooked firmware (you'll not get iTunes errors with iREB). Also keep in mind that iREB only works on iTunes 10 or above.

Download iREB 4.1
Download iTunes 10.1

 

iTunes 10.1 Safe for Jailbreak [CONFIRMED]

We are answering all the wonders now. The popular iPhone hacker Sherif Hashim has just posted on his Twitter account that iTunes 10.1 is safe for already jailbroken devices with PwnageTool, Redsn0w, and almost all tools but don't ever update your carrier.

iTunes 10.1 appears to be safe for already jb devices, also plays well with latest versions of redsn0w, pwnage tool and tinyUmbrella :)

So, go ahead and update your iTunes version or download iTunes 10.1 from here and now let's wait for iOS 4.2 public release (may be on November 24th?), Stay tuned for this big news.

 

Download iTunes 10.1 for Windows and Mac OS X

Apple today has released iTunes 10.1 for both Windows and Mac OS X. This is a major release which brings or may not lots of new feature and bug fixes to one of the most popular software around.

This release indicates that iOS 4.2 public release is very soon as you need iTunes 10.1 to upgrade to the latest iOS 4.2 and also to activate AirPlay. You can grab this new version either through the Apple Software Update utility, or directly via the link below.

Download iTunes 10.1 for Windows and Mac OS X

UPDATE 1: Here's the full changelog below:

- Use AirPlay to instantly and wirelessly stream videos from iTunes to the all-new Apple TV.
- Sync with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 4.2.
- Provides a number of important stability and performance improvements.

 

iTunes's Ping Feature Gains Twitter Support

Twitter has just announced it's support with Apple's iTunes Ping feature! You can link your Ping profile to your Twitter account and find the people you know on Twitter on Ping.

Starting today Ping, iTunes' new social network for music, and Twitter are making it even easier for people to share music discoveries with their friends by putting Ping activity, song previews and links to purchase and download music from the iTunes Store right in their Tweets on Twitter.com.

Also thanks to New Twitter’s embed panel, you’ll be able to see song previews and iTunes links directly in the Twitter home page.

On Ping you can easily link to your Twitter account to instantly find Ping users among the people you already follow on Twitter.

Once you’ve linked the accounts, whenever you Post, Like, Review, or tell your friends why you purchased a song or album on Ping, this activity will also be tweeted to your Twitter followers – complete with playable song previews and links to purchase and download music from iTunes.

 

iTunes 10.1 Coming Today, iOS 4.2 on Friday?

A trusted source inside AT&T told MacStories that Apple is planning to release iOS 4.2 on Friday as a major update for all iPhones, iPads and iPod touches at 10:00 AM PST. Lots of people expected that iOS 4.2 would be released yesterday but actually, iOS 4.2 needs iTunes 10.1 and Mac OS 10.6.5.

iOS 4.2 depends on iTunes 10.1 and Mac OS X 10.6.5 for its AirPlay and AirPrint functionalities, respectively. So, the reports about iOS 4.2 on November 12th should be believed now. We'll keep you updated as soon as iTunes is available followed by iOS 4.2.

 

Apple to Extend iTunes Song Previews to 90 Seconds

We're just in, great news for our artists! Apple has informed music labels that it's preparing to extend the duration of songs previews in iTunes to 90 seconds that are at least 2 minutes and 30 seconds long. Shorter ones will continue the 30-seconds samples.

Actually, there's no official word if this is for the entire iTunes world wide, but at least for USA it is coming soon, according to the report over Symphonic Distribution. There was some reports from CNET just two days before Apple's media event on September 1st indicating that iTunes song previews would extend to 30 seconds happening in the event, but it failed to materialize in the event as the change had been held up by licensing issues, which seems now everything is well! [via Mac Rumors]

 

Create Free iPhone Ringtones with iTunes [How to Guide]

After we enjoyed the Greenpois0n and Limera1n jailbreaks with our idevices, I will add another flavor to your iPhone as I asked a lot about how to create personalized ringtone (e.g. a part of your favorite song) by the latest version of iTunes throw a simple few steps.


STEP 1: Download iTunes 10 from here.

STEP 2: Setup iTunes 10 then launch it.

STEP 3: Choose your favorite song which you want to make it as a ringtone.


STEP 4: Right-click on the selected song, then select "Get Info", and then select "Options" tab.

STEP 5: Now you have to choose your favorite 30 seconds segment then click "Ok" (max. 30 seconds).

STEP 6: Right-click again on your favorite song and select "Create AAC version", now iTunes will create your 30 seconds segment.


STEP 7: Now choose the new 30 seconds song you created then right-click on it and select "Show in Windows Explorer" if you are Windows user or "Show in Finder" if you are Mac user.


STEP 8: Change the extension of the new 30 seconds song your created from .m4a to m4r. , you will promoted with this message, click "Yes".




STEP 9: Double click on the song, it will be opened automatically on iTunes ringtones.


STEP 10: Now simply sync your iPhone with iTunes to add your new favorite ringtone. Enjoy !


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• Replace iTunes 10 Blue Icon With 10 Beautiful Icons
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iTunes 10.1 Beta Released for Windows and Mac [Developers Only]

Following the release of iOS 4.2 beta 2 minutes ago, now iTunes 10.1 beta has been pushed by Apple for developers only running both Windows and Mac OS. Only members enrolled in the iPhone Developer Standard or Enterprise Program can access these bits of by signing into Apple Developer Connection. It seems there's nothing new except supporting of the new wireless printing feature in iOS.

This is a pre-release version of iTunes 10.1 beta to support testing of printing from your iOS app. Be sure to backup your iTunes content prior to installing iTunes 10.1 beta.

Of course if there's anything new, we will report it here as usual, so stay tuned !

Download iTunes 10.1 Beta for Windows & Mac [Developers]

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Remove Ping Drop Down Menu From iTunes 10.0.1 [How to Guide]

Few day ago, Apple has updated iTunes to version 10.0.1 with the support of Ping side bar which allows you to share your favorite music with your friends, you can enjoy Ping new features throw the Ping drop-down menu, It is possible that this feature is annoying to some of you, so after the break you can see how to disable this feature from iTunes 10.0.1

Here is how to do this:
Step 1: Quit iTunes, then open Terminal.

Step 2: Copy and paste this into a single line.

defaults write com.apple.iTunes hide-ping-dropdown -bool TRUE

Step 3: Hit return.

Step 4: Restart iTunes. It's now done, the Ping drop-down menu has been removed.

Step 5: If you want to bring it back, simply repeat the same steps but replace the code in step 2 with this:

defaults write com.apple.iTunes hide-ping-dropdown -bool FALSE

[via CultofMac]

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• iTunes 10.0.1 Confirmed Safe for Jailbreak and Unlock.
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iTunes 10.0.1 Confirmed Safe for Jailbreak and Unlock

Yesterday we reported you about the arrival of the new version of iTunes, which updated to version 10.0.1, with the support of Ping side bar which allows you to share music with your friends, along fixing big amount of bugs. Many asked if it is safe for jailbroken and unlocked devices to synchronize with the newly iTunes 10.0.1 or not?

Now we can confirm that synchronization for jailbroken and unlocked devices is safe, as Musclenerd the well-known dev-team member, has just confirmed that via his twitter.

 iTunes 10.0.1 confirmed safe for JB and unlock...doesn't break DFU mode, syncing, or loading of custom IPSWs

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Apple Releases iTunes 10.0.1 with Ping SideBar

Apple has just released a new iTunes version comes precisely to 10.0.1. iTunes 10.0.1 brings Ping Sidebar to life along with some critical bug fixes. Ping Sidebar is a new feature for Ping that allows you to see recent activity for your friends and the artists you follow on Ping.

iTunes 10.0.1 provides a number of bug fixes, such as:

• Addresses an issue in which iTunes may unexpectedly stop when interacting with the album artwork displayed in a separate window.
• Addresses an issue in which the image quality of a video depends on the visibility of the onscreen controls.
• Corrects a problem that affects the performance of some third-party viewers.
• Fixes a problem that caused the playlist and your iTunes library appears empty.
• Fixes an issue that created incompatibilities with some third-party shared libraries.

Download iTunes 10.0.1 for Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7
Download iTunes 10.0.1 for Windows (64-bit)
Download iTunes 10.0.1 for Mac OS X

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All You Need to Know before Updating to iOS 4.1

iOS 4.1 should be released sometime this week (may be Wednesday?) and we will inform you whenever iOS 4.1 is released. Before you rush and click on the update button in iTunes, read this article carefully, we are covering a few steps you want to go through to get ready for upgrading to iOS 4.1. We are showing Compatible devices, What's new, Notes for jailbrokers, and more!

Well, I will start with a 10 minutes video from TiPb showing a quick walkthrough for all features in iOS 4.1 including Game Center, HDR Photos, HD Video upload via Wi-Fi, Bug fixes as proximity sensor and how to use this features. check it below

Now after you watched the video, You have to know that it's not confirmed yet that iOS 4.1 will be released tomorrow, but also remember that Steve Jobs announced with iOS 4.1 coming Next Week from last Wedensday, The official software update page was scheduled to be launched September 8th but pulled back to Coming Soon.

Jailbroken? Think again!
Well, If your device is jailbroken and unlock on iOS 4.0.1 / 4.0, then you have to think again and again! If you upgraded to iOS 4.1 you will totally lose this jailbreak and unlock until Comex released his userland jailbreak for iOS 4.1.

Also iOS 4.1 updates the baseband, and remember that the baseband can't be downgraded for all devices except iPhone 4 as Notcom protected iPhone 4's baseband (more details posted here)

Now, all what you can do is to Save SHSH blobs of iOS 4.0.2 by following the guide posted here and don't upgrade except you don't need the unlock provided but Ultrasn0w or you are on iPhone 4.

Update to iTunes 10 NOW
To be able to get all the features of iOS 4.1, you will need iTunes 10 to use Ping social networking features which was announced last week by Jobs in his annual musical event. You can get iTunes 10 from here.

If you didn't like iTunes 10 icon, you can use the guide posted here to change iTunes 10 icon to iTunes 9 icon. Also if you got some crashes with iTunes 10, follow the guide posted here to downgrade back to iTunes 9.2.1.

Check your Device Compatibility
iPhone 4 gets all the features and full update. iPhone 3GS and iPod touch 3G can upgrade to iOS 4.1 without HDR Photos and HD Youtube uploads. But Will Scratch made HDR Photos possible for jailbroken iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G (more details posted here)

iPhone 3G and iPod touch 2G only gets bug fixes and better performance for iPhone 3G (details posted here), No Game Center, No HDR Photos, No HD video uploads.

Backup Your Data
Once you have installed iTunes 10 on your Computer, connect you device (iPhone / iPod) and sync it even it's jailbroken (it's safe). After synchronization completed, Back up your data to your Windows/Mac library by right clicking on the iPhone icon and click "Backup". Backing up your data saves anything on your device including contacts, photos, videos, purchased apps and everything.

Before You Leave
It seems like we covered all the you need to know! But if we missed something or you got any tips hope you jump to the comment section below and share it with us! Now, if you have done all the steps above and you are ready for the update, Stay tuned with us either on Twitter or on Facebook and we will post it in the minute it's released.

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Replace iTunes 10 Blue Icon With 10 Beautiful Icons

After releasing the iTunes 10 in the last Apple Special Event, with its new undesirable icon, it had widespread objection by most of users. In an earlier post I showed you how to change your iTunes 10 blue icon with old iTunes icon. but today I collected the best 10 replacement icons for the iTunes 10. Let's check!
-Download Toffenut’s iTunes 10 replacement icon, [via toffeenutdesign]

-Download Chris Carlozzi’s iTunes 10 replacement icon 1, [via dribbble]

-Download Chris Carlozzi’s iTunes replacement icon 2, [via dribbble]

-Download TMNT iTunes 10 Replacement, [via dribbble]

-Download MattiasEkstrom’s iTunes 10 revised, [via divantart]

-Download Javier Ocasio’s iTunes X Replacement, [via dribbble]

-Download Dan Wiersema’s iTunes 10 icon, [via dribbble]

-Download Nobtaka’s iTunes 10 icon, [via dribbble]

-Download Andrew Ramos’ New iTunes Icon, [via andrewarmos]

-Download David Lanham’s Flurry iTunes, [via dlanham]

You have to check out, how to change iTunes 10 icon here, then you only have to replace any icon above with the iTunes 10 icon, you have to do this in "Step 4".
[via macstories]

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