Tag: iPod Touch

How To: Recalibrate iOS Device Home Button

One of the most notable issues over time with iOS device users is that after months of use the home button becomes un-responsive, it affects all iOS devices over time and can affect some more than others, generally based upon the use of the device. One way to fix it would simply to return it to Apple and get a replacement, if your device is still in warranty and they allow you to exchange it. However as it’s a mechanical part they may not replace the device itself.

A simple way that fixes the issue for most people, is something you can do yourself and all you need is your device itself. Following these simple steps will in most cases fix the problem and makes your home button a lot more responsive.

  1. Launch one of the stock iOS applications on your device, for example the settings app.
  2. When the app is open, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button at the top of the device until the ‘Slide To Power Off’ slider appears.
  3. Press and hold the iOS home button. Keep the button pressed until the slider disappears and the application quiet back to the Springboard.
  4. The home button is now re-calibrated and should be a lot more responsive.


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Apple Now Actively Taking A Stance Against Jailbreakers

For years people have been jailbreaking their iOS devices to run things that Apple won’t allow, whether it be apps or themes. They’ve never actively done a lot against the jailbreaking community, until now.

I’m due to take my iPhone into the Apple Store due to some hardware issues, but of course I was running a jailbroken iOS 4.3.2, so I spent 3 hours trying to restore it. It got stuck in a constant restore cycle. I tried using RecBoot, TinyUmbrella and iRecovery to try and get it out of it but it just wouldn’t work.

Turns out that Apple have now updated iTunes to check the hosts file on the computer and if there is an entry under ‘gs.apple.com’ it will put your device into a constant restore cycle. This is because some of the tools used for jailbreaking will add the ‘gs.apple.com’ entry to the hosts file to stop the local machine talking back to the server. Of course it’s simple to remove the entry and restore but for whose who don’t know about this will be stuck with a very expensive paperweight. It does rise some other issues, some people may have very large host files and therefore it will simply take too long and then iTunes will assume the device is jailbroken and put it into the constant recovery cycle.

FaceTime for Mac beta Released

One of the smaller announcements from todays event is FaceTime now has it’s own app for Mac and although it’s in beta it works just like you’d expect. It imports your contacts and then allows you to call either their phone number or email address of the other device and will attempt to call them. I’ve tried calling my MacBook from my iPhone 4 and vice versa and it both cases it worked flawlessly. The best thing is there is nothing to set up it’s just ready to go straight away. Hopefully we will see this technology being deployed in Windows and Linux soon but for now if your on a Mac and know someone with a FaceTime capable device then install it now and give them a surprise call.

Game Center Now Live On iOS 4.1, Sans iPhone 3G

So today when Apple released iOS 4.1 everyone thought that it’d bring the new social gaming platform, Game Center to all recent devices except the iPhone 3G and iPod Touch 2G. Turns out that Apple is supporting the second generation iPod Touch but still not the iPhone 3G. Not quite sure as to the reasoning, except to make money but I don’t think Game Center requires recent hardware as it’s just a social gaming platform.

iOS 4.1 Live For Download

Apple has pushed out the iOS 4.1 update as promised, if your running a iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod Touch 2G, iPod Touch 3G or iPod Touch 4G then the update is available for free to you now. It’s not a huge update but it fixes the iPhone 3G performance issues, Game Center is now activated and proximity sensor and bluetooth issues have been fixed for the iPhone 4.

As usual, if your a jailbreak user, or someone who relys on a hacked unlock then do not update yet until the iPhone Dev-Team give the go ahead. Make sure to backup your SHSH blobs whilst you still have the chance as well.

iPod Touch 4G Announced

One of the biggest announcments of the Apple event today was the iPod Touch 4G which brings similar features found on the iPhone 4. You now get the Retina Display, HD Video and FaceTime. This is great for those who don’t know many people who have iPhone 4’s as the iPod Touch market is a lot bigger so a lot more people to connect with.

Not only has it got the Retina Display, HD Video Recording and FaceTime but it has an Apple A4 CPU, 3-axis gyroscope and Game Center. It comes in a variety of sizes from 8GB to 64GB. Pre-orders start today and it will ship next week.

8GB £189 $229
32GB £249 $299
64GB £329 $399

Apple Announces iTunes 10

Along with the new iPod line, iTunes 10 has been announced, with something different a new logo. The major new feature is Apple’s Ping Social Network which will let you follow people, including artists, post comments, check out custom song and album charts and even find over 17,000 concert listings.

The Ping network isn’t exclusive to just iTunes 10 on Mac and PC but also works on the iPhone and iPod Touch. It’ll be avaible for download in a few hours.

Apple Announces iOS 4.1

Apple announced iOS 4.1 which fixes many of the issues that were causing major issues, fixing the issues with the proximity sensor, Bluetooth and the iPhone 3G performance along with completely new features such as HDR camera mode. Also HD video uploads over WiFi, Game Center and TV show rentals. Look for the update to hit iTunes sometime next week as a free download for your iPhone or iPod touch.