Hasta La Gadget!

Users won’t have to plug in a password anymore for downloading free apps once iOS 6 hits. Developers working with the latest beta have reported that Apple no longer prompts users to enter their password before a free app can be downloaded, according to Cult of Mac. It applies to both new ones and programs that are being re-downloaded.

Just after the iOS 6 beta 1 debuted in June, it was reported that users didn’t have to enter their iTunes passwords anymore when they were to download updates or purchases previously downloaded from the App Store. But since iOS 6 beta 3 became available, it was discovered that Apple has expanded this feature to free apps as well.

So when iOS 6 is fully available sometime this fall, users should only need to enter a password when they purchase and download paid apps. Most users should appreciate the new feature, but Apple’s balancing act between convenience and security still isn’t perfect. The discovery of the new feature comes just shortly after Apple found a vulnerability in iOS that allows users to receive content from in-app purchases without paying for it, and offered a temporary fix for it last week.

[via Cult of Mac]

Downloading free apps won’t require passwords in iOS 6 is written by Elise Moreau & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

One of the most anticipated features of Apple’s upcoming iOS 6 would be the ability to FaceTime over 3G – without having to jailbreak your iOS device. However, it looks like it might not be something that everybody in the US will want to do, especially after discovering that AT&T might have plans to charge customers for using such a feature. What about the other carriers? Well, the folks over at GottaBeMobile decided to ask Verizon and were given the following response:

“The timing of any pricing conversations related to future versions of iOS is premature.”

While it makes sense for a carrier to want to squeeze as much money from its consumers as possible, it doesn’t make any sense to charge for only FaceTime and not the plethora of apps available. Users have been able to make video calls over 3G via apps like Skype, Tango, Fring without incurring any additional costs beyond their initial data plans. Singling FaceTime out doesn’t make much sense – unless the carriers have been promised incentives for selling more non-iOS devices.

Let’s hope the carriers come to their senses about this issue.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: FaceTime coming to Verizon’s 3G network, iOS 6: New Maps solution ,

It was revealed yesterday that AT&T was mulling the idea of charging for FaceTime access over 3G and LTE cellular networks. The prompt in the latest iOS 6 beta was discovered by 9to5Mac, asking customers to call AT&T to use FaceTime over cellular networks, presumably so that the carrier could charge additional fees for the service. When asked about the feature at Fortune’s Brainstorm Tech conference, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson said that it was “too early” to know what the company’s final plans will be.

That doesn’t mean the CEO has completely ruled out the idea of charged FaceTime cellular access, however. Stephenson was non-committal in his answer, saying that he had heard “the same rumor.” As you may have already gathered from reactions across the internet, the idea hasn’t exactly gone down well. Users are rightly pointing out that data is already bought and paid for, so applying additional charges for services that use that data simply comes across as a way to siphon more money from customers.

Carriers in the United States and Europe have tried to build a business model around video calls in the past, although high prices and lack of phones to take advantage of the technology resulted in the service’s failure to take off. There are millions of iPhone 4S’ out there capable of using FaceTime over cellular, but we’re pretty sure that consumers will balk at the idea of paying extra for the privilege. Hopefully AT&T will get the message that charging for FaceTime over cellular will go down like a lead balloon before the company finalizes its plans.

[via TechCrunch]

AT&T: “Too early” to comment on FaceTime 3G fees is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

AT&T may charge users of FaceTime over 3G, the updated version of Apple’s video calling system which, as of iOS 6, will allow for calls over 3G connections instead of solely WiFi. Screenshots of AT&T handsets running the iOS 6 beta shared in the MacRumors forums show an error message similar to that given when users without a compatible data plan try to activate tethering.

For tethering, AT&T – like many other carriers – requires that subscribers pay for an extra data plan. It’s suggested that, given FaceTime will likely increase the amount of 3G traffic users consume, the carrier will demand they cough up another fee to cover it.

Interestingly, 9to5Mac found that Verizon handsets do not give the same error message as AT&T devices running iOS 6, though it’s not conclusive proof that the carrier will not be demanding an extra tithe for FaceTime 3G calls.

Whether AT&T’s fee is in the form of a set allowance for FaceTime 3G traffic, a pay-per-call charge, or a flat fee covering “unlimited” use each month (though likely with a “fair use” policy) remains to be seen. “We’re working closely with Apple on the new developer build of iOS 6″ AT&T said in a statement, “and we’ll share more information with our customers as it becomes available.”

It’s exact form could have a significant impact on those AT&T subscribers still clinging onto their older, now-discontinued unlimited data plans. If AT&T demands an all-new data package that covers FaceTime 3G, rather than simply adding the service as an account add-on, such users may have to choose between their grandfathered plans or the ability to make video calls over cellular data connections.

[via MacRumors]

AT&T FaceTime 3G fees tipped for iOS 6 is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Those of you out there in the land of app development should set your sights to Apple as the third beta for iOS 6 is about to hit doorsteps across the earth. This third beta update comes just 21 days after the previous release was dropped, while the first look most developers got of the software was earlier this year at Apple’s developer conference WWDC. This update comes without the usual list of changes, this likely due to the secret nature of the updates included as well as the tiny nature of the bug fixes that certainly come built-in.

The previous beta of this software expires on the 31st of July, this meaning that Apple wishes for all developers to continue pushing forward as we inch closer to the final release this Autumn. The final version of iOS 6 has what Apple notes is 200 new features when compared to iOS 5, with many of these features being boosts of previous versions of apps and inner workings. Siri will be getting sports scores and restaurant information as well as movie ticket connections and times. Apple’s Photo Streams will be updated for sharing, and FaceTime video chat will be available over 3G data connections.

For those of you looking for this update, you’ll want to head to your development console or contact your contacts – however you go about updating usually. New users can also head over to Apple’s Developer page to get more information on the iOS Developer Program – or the Mac Developer Program if you somehow came to this post looking for desktop information. Check the timeline below as well for more information on iOS 6 before it’s released in full very, very soon!

iOS 6 beta 3 release inches closer to final release is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.