Available for  iPad, iPhone (GSM), and iPod Touch, this update provides AirPlay and Home Sharing Enhancements for better streaming as well as a faster web browsing experience with a Safari capable of running javascript more efficiently.   The iPad switch which I was upset that they changed the function from screen rotation lock to mute switch is now customizable where the user can choose which function they would like.  (Why did they not think of that before?)  In any case, I’m glad it’s back.  Finally, with the new Personal Hotspot feature, you’ll be able to connect up to five devices over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB.  Just be sure to mind your data limits or suffer an extended bill.  I still look forward to the day where data limits are removed once again and not just for promotional periods.  Let’s face it…data is a necessity but can easily still break the bank when flurries of email come in and woah..this one came with a 3MB attachment?  Ow.  There goes a chunk of my allotted bandwidth.

Updating should be easy, you’ll first update your iTunes software.  After plugging in your iDevice, it will ask if you’d like to update.  It’ll take a bit of time to download but with the great new features it will be worth the time.

As to AppleTV, with 4.2 comes the ability to:

• AirPlay for apps and websites—Wirelessly stream video from AirPlay-enabled iOS apps and websites on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch (running iOS 4.3).
• MLB.TV—Watch live and on-demand Major League Baseball games, access stats, scores, and standings.*
• NBA Game Time—Watch live and on-demand National Basketball Association games, access stats, scores, standings, and video highlights.**
• Netflix Dolby Digital 5.1—Enjoy Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound when watching Netflix movies and TV shows.***
• New slideshow themes—View photos with the new Scrapbook, Photo Mobile, and Holiday Mobile slideshow themes.
• Improved on-screen keyboard—Enter search terms, user names, and passwords more easily with the redesigned on-screen keyboard.

I’ve had only the oppurtunity to set up AppleTV for customers and have not had the time to extensively try it out.  I’m interested about the improved on-screen keyboard as it took some tap dancing to properly setup accounts for HomeSharing as well as NetFlix – so that’s something I’d like to check out.

Keep up with the cool new features Apple….and yes, I still want Flash…can’t you make a Safari that’s Flash enabled but still sandboxed?

$14,000 later, Google Chrome received the research and has patched up the holes.  13 high priority bugs were squashed and the world can Google with peace of mind.  Now only if other software companies could adopt a similar strategy…

You can update Chrome by going to the wrench and selecting “About Google Chrome”.  Then click on the update button.  A restart of the browser will be needed to complete the update.

There’s a certain buzz going through the networks that Apple is almost ready to give iPad users the version 4 treatment.  Amongst which include multi-tasking, folders, and the game center.  Some say the launch would be today.  But according to macnn.com, iOS 4.2 was delayed due to a Wi-Fi bug found in the Gold Master.  Further news from macnn is tha iOS 4.2 is expected around November 16.  Right before Thanksgiving!  There sure is much to be thankful for this year.  Family, friends, health, opportunities, and of course all the worldly possessions (like my iPad) which are great to use as both tool and toy.  Well, as soon as we get more info on the new iOS, you can be sure that you’ll find out about it here on JAMM.

I have to admit, when the HP-Palm merger was announced earlier this year, I was not optimistic.  Frankly, I have long thought that the card metaphor developed by Palm and used by the WebOS interface is pretty much the best thing to happen to mobile devices.  It just makes sense.  It may not be the best supported platform, but it was the most well designed and most user accessible mobile platform.  So, I was quite dismayed when HP and Palm merged, as I saw the end of the line for WebOS approaching like a speeding train.  I was, therefore, stunned yesterday, to learn that not only will HP continue to support WebOS devices, but that they have even been developing a major upgrade for all WebOS devices, the WebOS 2.0 firmware, which is expected to be available for over the air download by the end of this year.

Not a lot of consumer-level details are available right now, but there is quite a bit of developer information, which gives you a glimpse into what you might expect from the new WebOS.  Here is what we know:

• Stacks: Not only will you be able to create cards in the new interface, but you will also be able to stack or group related cards together, making it easier and more convenient to scroll through your open cards.
• Synergey: Palm’s Synergy Sync is one of my favorite features of WebOS.  It takes contacts from numerous accounts and merges them into a single list.  Now, developers will be able to access this Synergy information as well, allowing far more powerful synergy apps to be made available.
• Exhibition: This will allow information, including streaming stock tips, weather, or even RSS feeds to be displayed on the screen while the device is docked with the Touchstone charger.
• HTML 5 tools
• Node.js support, allowing enhanced Java-based apps
• and plenty more developer tools.

Frankly, I am really looking forward to this update, especially the stacked cards and integrated Synergy Sync.  If you are excited about this as I appear to be, head on over to Palm’s website for all the latest information. 

Apparently, Sprint has changed its strategy regarding firmware updates for its line of Android-based phones.  In the past, Sprint has typically been among the last to get around to the Android firmware updates, often waiting until its message board reaches the breaking point, before dangling the merest hint of an upgrade.  From that point, it is usually another couple of months before that highly sought update hits your actual device.  Which is why I was so shocked to learn today that Sprint was officially releasing Google’s newest Android release, Froyo (Android OS 2.2), for the HTC EVO 4G, Sprint’s new flagship phone.  With this release, Sprint has become the first carrier to offer a mass market Froyo device, earning it slings and arrows from the jealous eyes of HTC Hero owners, who only recently received an update to Android 2.1.   In addition to Android 2.2, the new update also includes numerous enhancements to HTC Sense, as well as the highly anticipated support for  Flash 10.1 support.  Here is the complete list of improvements from the new maintenance release:

The software upgrade available for your HTC EVO 4G provides several key enhancements: 

• Android 2.2 FroYo OS, including:
  • Ability to install applications to external storage
  • Improved Bluetooth device support
  • Bluetooth Voice Dialing
  • Flash Player 10.1
  • Improved OS performance
• New version of HTC Sense, including:
  • Ability to view and add comments to Facebook images in the Gallery
  • New Dialer which includes the caller’s Facebook updates and upcoming events
  • Improved Facebook calendar integration
  • More pre-loaded HTC Widgets
  • App Sharing
  • Flashlight application
  • Improved keyboard and text entry options
  • LED flash can be enabled while video recording
• Various minor bug fixes

HTC EVO owners can download the maintenance release immediately from HTC’s website.