Girls In Tech

Apple has just release the iOS 4.3 software update for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. Download the update by connecting your Apple device to your computer. You will need iTunes 10.2.1, released by Apple on Tuesday, to sync and update.

Here’s a simple summary of what’s new in iOS 4.3:

• Faster browsing: Apple claims that Safari browsing is now double in speed due to the implementation of “Nitro,” the JavaScript engine that drives the desktop version of Safari. Let us know if you notice a perceptible improvement.
• Personal hotspots via 3G: This feature allows you to share your 3G connection with other gadgets you have with you and/or other people within your vicinity (according to Apple, up to five devices can be connected). This may be useful if you are not within easy access of a Wi-Fi connection. But beware: most cellular data plans have megabyte limits, so you stand the risk of using up your allotted limit when you share your 3G connection. A really unwelcome outcome might have you paying mega bucks on mega overage. Also, sharing a 3G connection can slow the connection speed, especially if all the connected devices are running multimedia applications such as streaming video. Bottom line: Great feature in a pinch when there’s no Wi-Fi available, but can get really expensive really quickly if you use it a lot.
• Improved AirPlay: AirPlay is a media streaming protocol that allows you to connect your Apple mobile devices to an AppleTV and watch videos from your device on television. Additionally, AirPlay also allows you to connect your device to a stereo, so you can listen to music in any room where you have speakers. iOS 4.3 improves AirPlay because it allows third-party apps to connect to your television or stereo via Apple TV. In addition, videos recorded on an iOS device can be streamed to the Apple TV.
• iPad Toggle Switch: You can now change the hardware rotation lock switch into a mute switch via iPad settings. This was a popular request from users.

Note: the iOS 4.3 update is not available for the iPhone 3G nor the first and second-generation iPod Touch.

If you’ve updated to iOS 4.3, have you noticed any additional new features? If so, let us know.

Sources:

• Gizmodo
• CNET
• GigaOm

Tags: 3G, AirPlay, Apple iOS, ipad, iphone, iPod Touch, personal hotspot, Wi-Fi
Posted in All Chapters, Girls In Tech | 2 Comments »

As a big fan of Kiva.org, I wanted to share a great new campaign that LimeLife just launched called “Apps for Good”.  LimeLife, which is a women’s cross-platform digital media company, is contributing 10% of profits from its Hollywood Hangman iPhone game within a one-month period from May 21st to June 21st to Kiva.org.

Giving back to non-profits is so important and Kiva is a great organization because it gives women in developing countries the opportunity to achieve economic independence. By encouraging people to participate in Apps For Good, LimeLife will pave the way for people like Amavi Akoete, a Togoan 35 year-old mother of six to launch her jewelry-making business or Dulia Huanca, a Peruvian 23 year-old mother to launch her fruit stand.

If you’d like to participate in the Apps for Good Campaign, follow these steps:
1.)  Between today and June 21st, click on the following link to purchase and download Hollywood Hangman for your iPhone or iPod Touch:
http://itunes.com/apps/hollywoodhangman
2.)  You are encouraged to email, tweet, and update your social networking status to let your friends know how they can download Hollywood Hangman on their iPhone or iPod Touch
3.)  You can use the Facebook Connect feature within the game to ping your friends to join them in playing Hollywood Hangman to support Kiva
4.)  You can track the progress of LimeLife’s Apps for Good Campaign by following the LimeLife iPhone Twitter feed at http://twitter.com/LimeLifeiPhone

Tags: "Lucia Giacomantonio", Apps for Good, Hollywood Hangman, iphone, iPod Touch, Kiva, LimeLife
Posted in San Francisco | No Comments »