Absinthe’s “so-easy-your-grandma-could-do-it” jailbreak tool just got an update to version 2.0, enabling support for a handful of Apple portables running iOS 5.1.1. Absinthe 2.0, which was developed by the “Jailbreak Dream Team” (Chronic-Dev and iPhone Dev) joins Redsn0w’s tool, and will support all iPhone and iPad versions, with the exception of iPad2,4 — the most recent iPad 2 variant, shipping with a 32nm A5 chip. The jailbreak tool can also be installed on iPod3,1 and 4,1 models. Assuming your iOS device is up and running with firmware 5.1.1, you can hit up the source link after the break to get your download on. AppleTV (second gen) users can get in on the fun too, with the latest version of Seas0npass for 5.0.1.

SOURCE via greenpois0n

Gallic storage outfit LaCie is nonchalantly unveiling its 2big double-bay NAS that’s purportedly capable of pumping data around your network at 100MB/s. Designed for small businesses, it’ll remind any passers-by of HAL or GLaDOS, depending on their age. Sporting a 2GHz processor and the company’s NAS OS2, it’ll also happily interact with Windows 7 Backup or Time Machine and you can access your files on the go with the company’s iOS app. It’s available from today, prices starting from $299 (£187 in the UK) with a three year warranty.

Adobe’s famous desktop browser plugin may be looking forward to a 2013 overhaul, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t out to improve itself in the here and now. Flash Player’s 11.3 beta, for instance, rolls in low latency audio support through NetStream, designed specifically to cut back audio lag in cloud gaming. The beta also introduces support for complete keyboard control when in full-screen mode, background Flash updating on Macs, and a Protected Mode for Firefox that keeps rogue Flash files from compromising Windows PCs using Vista or later.

The AIR 3.3 beta, on the other hand, smooths the runtime’s iOS experience, allowing compiled apps to run in the background more like their natively-compiled siblings. It’s also friendlier to developers, with new USB debugging and simulator support that now doesn’t require a physical device. Android 4.0 users aren’t entirely left out, getting stylus support for AIR apps on their platform. Adobe hasn’t said when the finished versions of Flash 11.3 and AIR 3.3 will reach its servers, but if you’re willing to live life on the bleeding edge, you can find the download links below.

SOURCE via Adobe

It’s taken a bit longer than we expected, but following Apple’s acquisition of app search engine Chomp, the Android option has now been cut out from its homepage. We’re now left with the choice between iPhone and iPad categories, alongside existing shortcuts for popular freebies and apps on sale, in a few efforts to cut through Cupertino’s 600,000-strong app selection. Hit up the source to give it a run for yourself.

SOURCE via TUAW

You can only skim through so many iPad/iPod/iPhone docks before things start to get predictable, and when a speaker dock stands out, it’s usually for a retro design or a little mood lighting. Sony’s two newest iOS docks, the CMT-V50iP and the CMT-V75BTiP, may look like your standard options, but they aim to break the mold by using magnetic fluid instead of speaker dampers to move sound. Sony says this technology provides clearer audio with less distortion, and no dampers means a slimmer design. If your music collection extends beyond your iDevice, you can take advantage of the CD player and built-in DAB and DAB+ radio, or — if you’ve migrated to the digital age — stream over Bluetooth on the CMT-V75BTiP or connect via USB on the CMT-V50iP. Sony just announced these yesterday, and pricing info remains MIA, though The Verge reports that both models will drop in the next few months.

SOURCE via Sony

How do you follow up a stunning Q1 where you set record quarterly earnings and issue a sizable dividend to investors? Well, if you’re Apple, you just keep on keepin’ on, shattering even the wildest expectations with “a record March quarter.”

Leading up to today’s earnings, the outfit’s stock was down around two percent, mostly on reports that iPhone activations were something other than mind-blowing. That said, shares have already started to creep back into positive territory in after-hours trading. Wall Street was hoping for around $36.88 billion in revenue (despite lower guidance from Apple itself), with upwards of 30 million iPhones sold and 12 million iPads sold — galling numbers, no matter how you slice it.

The actuals? Well, we’re seeing $12.30 earnings per share, compared to an estimated $10.04 earnings per share. It all adds up to $39.2 billion in revenue and $11.6 billion in pure, unadulterated profit with 35.1 million iPhone units sold alongside 11.8 million iPads. (Of note, the new iPad was only on sale for around a fortnight in this quarter, making that figure even more impressive.) The former represents an 88 percent unit growth over the year-ago quarter, while the latter shows a 151 percent unit increase over the year-ago quarter.

Though Mac sales weren’t equally astonishing, the four million units sold in the past three months indicates a seven percent uptick compared to Q2 2011. The iPod department, which has been sinking in recent years as iPads and iPhones become the primary music players of consumers, still saw 7.7 million units sold, representing a 15 percent decline from the same quarter last year.

Just to put things in perspective, Apple nearly doubled its profits in Q2 2012 compared to Q2 2011, and practically quadrupled it compared to Q2 2010. As for CEO Tim Cook’s reaction? Aside from grinning from ear-to-ear looking at his growing stash of loot, he stated: “We’re thrilled with sales of over 35 million iPhones and almost 12 million iPads in the March quarter. The new iPad is off to a great start, and across the year you’re going to see a lot more of the kind of innovation that only Apple can deliver.” Keep on telling us that, Tim, and we’ll keep waiting.

Voxx International (formerly known as Audiovox) has a habit of making a splash at CES, and this year has been no different. Today, the company’s Acoustic Research subsidiary announced a pair of audio docks: the AirPlay Audio System (ARAP50) and the Bluetooth Wireless Audio System (ARS70). With the former, users will be able to wirelessly stream playlists from their iDevices simply by plugging the system into any old 12-volt outlet and linking it up to a wireless network. The Bluetooth variety, meanwhile, offers essentially the same capabilities for the rest of the smartphone universe, including owners of Bluetooth-equipped Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry devices. Details on specs remain frustratingly vague, but we’ll probably find out more this Spring, when both systems are slated to hit the market. The AirPlay Audio System will retail for $200, while the Bluetooth Wireless Audio System will cost you $130.

LG wasn’t very forthcoming with details when it announced its new AirpPlay speaker dock back in November, so here at CES 2012 they had decided to prove deeper info for the public.

It looks like a foot square black rubik’s cube, with glossy and matte exterior squares alternating around the outside, along with two mesh speaker grilles on the front corners. Up top is a dock that fits any iDevice and the power button, while a Smart Square screen resides on the front that’ll have touch controls when the dock ships in Q2 or Q3 of this year.

A 3.5mm input jack and a USB port are on the back, and we’re pretty sure that the dongle plugged there is where the AirPlay chip currently resides, though it’ll be baked in before it gets to market. It was hard to evaluate the thing’s sound on the show floor, but with an 8-inch subwoofer inside, the low end came through loud and clear and overall it sounded good.

Find yourself something Apple-flavored underneath the Christmas tree yesterday? Need some gentle coaxing into using iTunes? Well, you’re in luck; Cupertino’s annual download giveaway starts today and runs through January 6th. The free gifts kick off with some Coldplay tracks and videos from the band’s latest Apple-sponsored festival appearance. But don’t let that put you off; we expect to see more music, some apps and even books over the next few days. Each one’s available for just 24 hours, so it could be worth checking the dedicated app daily. It’s up for grabs at the link below.

SOURCE via Apple

Apple is purportedly readying a new certification chip for accessory makers that will allow wireless access and connectivity to that pile of iOS devices you’re hoarding. Announced during an accessory manufacturer’s conference in China, the new chip would allow connections across AirPlay, Bluetooth and WiFi. The Cupertino crew hope that this will encourage even more iOS-friendly add-ons and docks to market. Apple apparently added that it’s working on support for AirPlay over Bluetooth, presumably bringing with it some improved battery longevitiy, and tying into the new low-powered Bluetooth 4.0 found on the iPhone 4S.

SOURCE via Macotakara