Mac OS X 10.7.4 released with security fixes

Apple just released OS X Lion 10.7.4, which fixes a nasty bug that exposed FileVault passwords in plain text if Snow Leopard users upgraded to Lion but kept using their legacy FileVault settings. (FileVault 2 in Lion never had a problem, so if you bought a new Lion machine you're in the clear.)

The update also fixes an issue that kept the "reopen windows when logging back in" setting permanently enabled, fixes a couple issues with network file servers, and improves compatibility "with certain British third-party keyboards."

Creator of 'Magic: The Gathering' making new iOS game 'Map Monsters'

Richard Garfield, the creator of collectible card game Magic: The Gathering, is designing a new game for the iPhone and iPad, and he's turning to Kickstarter to fund it. Map Monsters, described as a free-to-play location-based adventure game, centers around capturing monsters and uses real-world raw map data and your device's GPS to place you in a fantasy world. The developer, BodSix, is keen to point out that location is a secondary mechanic — although users will advance in the game faster if they do, it's not absolutely necessary to physically get out of the house to play the game.

Map Monsters has already been in development for over 12 months and the game engine, art assets, and core mechanics are all completed. Garfield says the development team needs $40,000 to add additional content, secondary mechanics, and social elements to the game. He's also planning to port the title to Android and says additional funds will go towards making that happen. As the final product will be free, contributors to the project are to receive their investment back in the form of in-game cash, with the higher tiers getting more and more elaborate gifts to go along with the credit. Funding will close on May 5th, and given the size of Garfield's fanbase we're pretty certain he'll reach his target.

WWDC 2012 coming to San Fran on Jun 11th

It's time to shift around that summer vacation. Apple today announced that it will be kicking off this year'sWorld Wide Developers Conference on June 11th at San Francisco's Moscone West. The event is set to run through the 15th, focusing on developing for OS X Mountain Lion and iOS, by way of 100-plus technical sessions and hands-on labs, letting the developer community work directly with Cupertino staff -- and you can bet we'll be there as well. More info on the event -- including ticket purchasing details -- can be found in the press release after the break.

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The new iPad gets way too hot says Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports has reported today that the new iPad runs a lot hotter than its predecessor, the iPad 2.

While playing games, the new iPad runs 13 degrees hotter than the iPad 2 playing the same game. 

The firm used a thermal imaging camera to record temperatures, and the new iPad got as shockingly high as 116 degrees while playing "Infinity Blade II." Consumer Report's article follows numerous complaints around the Web of the iPad overheating when playing games, streaming movies or during heavy downloads. 

Consumer Reports say:

We ran our test while the new iPad was propped on the iPad SmartCover, plugged in, and after it had run Infinity Blade II uninterrupted for about 45 minutes. The device's 4G connection was not turned on, though its Wi-fi link was. The ambient room temperature was about 72 degrees. (Apple recommends not using the iPad in environments over 95 degrees.) 

We also ran the test with the new iPad unplugged. Then we compared the temperature of the new iPad to that of the iPad 2 using the same tests. 

When unplugged, the back of the new iPad reached temperatures as high as 113 degrees Fahrenheit. It was only when plugged in that it hit 116 degrees. The hottest areas weren't evenly distributed throughout the iPad's back, but were concentrated near one corner of the display as shown in the images taken from the rear of the device above. 

So, when plugged in, the back of the new iPad became as much as 12 degrees hotter than the iPad 2 did in the same tests; while unplugged the difference was 13 degrees.

The most important detail is that some customers say that it made using the new iPad very "uncomfortable" and it "hurt".

The New iPad: Magnets, how do they work?

A manufacturing change in the new iPad appears to have broken compatibility with certain Smart Covers, as well as some third-party cases that use the iPad's built-in magnets. From video and photo evidence posted at Mark's Hangout, it appears that the new iPad now uses a polarity-sensitive sensor to wake the device from sleep upon opening the cover, meaning that the magnet must be correctly aligned — apparently early Smart Covers were initially made with the magnet in question facing either way. Opening the cover and reversing the panel fixes the issue, though obviously somewhat hinders the cover's visual appeal.

Newer Smart Covers don't exhibit the problem, suggesting that Apple has changed the design specification at some point — possibly last October, when the line got a color refresh. Reports on the Apple support forums say that the company will exchange defective covers for new ones at the Apple store, and third-party manufacturers including Targus and Maroo are also offering replacements.

iTunes 10.6 rolls out same day as iOS 5.1

It's not just iOS device users getting a software update today. Apple has also now made iTunes 10.6 available for download, which includes support for 1080p movies and TV shows to match those available on the new Apple TV. The update also brings with it a number of improvements to iTunes Match, including better song matching, and improvements to the way album artwork is downloaded and displayed. You can find it at the link below or download it via Apple's Software Update tool.

iOS 5.1 rolls out today for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch UPDATE: Adds 4G symbol to AT&T connected devices

Well, it looks like we didn't have to wait long for that iOS 5.1 update promised for today. The update is already rolling out to iPhones, iPads and compatible iPod touches. That brings with it a number of improvements and bug fixes, including the previously-announced Japanese language support for Siri, a redesigned camera app for iPad, the ability to delete individual photos from Photo Stream and, somewhat curiously, an "updated AT&T network indicator." What's more, as previously rumored, the camera shortcut is now also always visible on the lock screen for iPhone and iPod touch users.

Update: As a number of commenters have pointed out, it turns out that update to the AT&T network indicator is a change to display "4G" in the status bar, even though the device's connectivity of course remains the same speed as ever.

New iPad is official. Retina display, Siri, A5X chip, LTE

Apple told us they had something to show us that was "Resolutionary" and we had to see it to believe it.  This new piece of hardware is definitely a step above its predecessor, but not as crazy as some would have prophesized.  The device is available for pre-order right now and will be released in the United States on March 16th. The features of the new iOS device are as follows:

• 1080p Retina Display
• Siri Dictation
• The new A5X Dual-Core CPU, Quad-Core GPU
• 4G LTE attennas with 3G "world" connectivity
• 5 Megapixel iSight cameras

Photos and more information to come, so stay tuned.

Official: Apple iPad 3 event to be held on March 7th in San Fransisco

The date has been booked, the invitations have been sent, and the cake has been prepared.  Apple has officially sent out their invitation for their upcoming iPad 3 event.  In just one week, on March 7th, Apple will hold an event at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater in San Fransisco.  Apple, as always, is keeping the details hush hush, but they are telling us they have "something you really need to see. And touch." We will be covering that live to find out what that "something" might be.

Apple Acquires Chomp, spends a lot in the process

So for those of you that don't know, Chomp is an app discovery search engine that helps you find app for your mobile device by a keyword search.  A very cool piece of tech if you ask me.  Apparently Apple thinks they are pretty cool as well since they have decided to purchase the app searching company for a large amount. The exact details of the deal are not known at this time.  

Chomp uses technology that is far above that of the current keyword search in the Apple app store, but was used on many of Verizon's Android market searches.  I think it is safe to say that Chomp will no longer be used on Android handhelds, so Google will have to find a new way to help out customers that have no idea what they want.

Apple OS X Mountain Lion Pre-Release Available to Developers

So it turns out we can get OS X Mountain Lion, so we will be diving straight into it because Apple is releasing the preview version of its latest OS X to the members-only Developer Program. If you're up to date on those $99/year dues as we are, you can head on over to the Member Center to get your OS 10.8 fix, and start checking out those shiny new Messages, Reminders, Notes and Notification Center apps. Or kick up your feet and bring your desktop to the big screen with AirPlay Mirroring. If you have the Apple-approved credentials to proceed, you can find all that and more by making your way over to our reference link just below.                     

Apple previews OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion

Many of us thought that 10.7 Lion would have been the final step before OS 11, but we were very wrong.  Apple has announced a pre-dev build of theit latest OS slated to be released later this year (summer most likely). With more and more iOS like applications and overall feel, this looks like a very cool OS.  We here at The Geek Domain were not one of the lucky ones to get our hands on a build. But, our friends over at The Verge were so hit that source link to see their full run down of the new OS from Cupertino.

iPad 3 announcement to be first week of March

 Is the long, treacherous wait for the iPad 3 nearly at an end? That's what anonymous sources tell All Things D. The site caught wind that an Apple event next month will host the announcement of the company's latest tablet. The event is said to be slated for the first week of March at that popular Apple haunt, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco -- and seeing as how last year's event was held on March 2nd, that timing doesn't seem all that crazy to us. As for an actual release date, said sources are not so sure.

iPad 3 to have LTE on both Verizon and AT&T says the WSJ

Citing sources "familiar with the matter," The Wall Street Journal is now stating rather unequivocally that both AT&T and Verizon Wireless are set to begin selling LTE versions of Apple's iPad. The latest revelation is hardly a leap of faith, as rumors to this effect have been swirling for a month now. Still, it coincides rather nicely with the recent chatter surrounding the launch of Apple's next iPad, which is currently thought to launch during the first week of March. It remains unknown whether Sprint will be stocking a 4G version of the iPad to call its own. Perhaps Sprint will be forced to sit this one out. 

Apple going after Android 4.0 and the Galaxy Nexus

Apple has moved its attack on Samsung back to the U.S., after spending a year trying to take the company down in Germany and other European nations. The latest complaint directly targets the Galaxy Nexus, the first Android 4.0 device to be released. The company is looking for an injunction on sales of the device in the U.S. 

Four patents are in focus, including one for Siri, one for unified search, one for slide-to-unlock technology and word completion for touch screens. 

All of the patents are very new, and were issued in the last few months. Patent specialist Florian Mueller says the patents "are the patent equivalent of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse." Because Apple already won its ITC suit for the "data tapping" patent, the company will almost certainly win again this time, adds Mueller. 

iPad 3 debug photos confirm some key details

BGR is claiming that one of its sources has access to an iPad 3 prototype which, at this stage of development, it may be true. According to them, these debug screenshots confirm some of the speculation about the next Apple tablet:

• Confirmation of the presence of the faster A6 processor, "model number S5L8945X." The A4 is the S5L8930X and the A5 is S5L8940X.
• There model numbers are J1 and J2. BGR claims this is the same iPad available in Wi-Fi and GSM/CDMA/LTE flavors.

Like always, take all rumors for what they are worth: nothing until proved right. What I really want to see is data about the final resolution of that screen. Pop over after the break to see the debug photos.

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App Watch: Steam app now available for Android and iOS

Here at The Geek Domain, we're all PC gamers to the core. So, naturally, we're on Steam all the time. Happily for folks like us -- and, I suppose, you,  our awesome reader -- Valve's now made the whole process mobile. No, you can't actually play games, but you can do just about everything else.

Using one of those newfangled Apple-cations on your texting/Facebook machine that also (but rarely) makes calls, you can chat with friends, look at groups and user profiles, ogle screenshots, and -- of course -- achieve Zen-like one-ness with the undulating pulse of each and every Steam sale.

For now, it's in closed beta, so you can download the app, but attempting to login merely adds you to the pool of potential beta invitees. So at the moment, you can look, but not touch.

Still though, this looks fairly promising. Also, Valve's known for kicking off its experiments on a small scale and then growing them until they've taken over the world and we're all living in fear of masked, electro-stick-wielding not-men. Could Steam's iron fist eventually add mobile gaming to its grasp? We shall see.

Appstore App Review: Cards; Apple Goes Hallmark

Now that the holiday season is over, and it’s about that time to send those thank you cards, you may want to consider taking a close look at an app first introduced back in October: Cards.

The app allows you to create a custom made card, (complete with pictures and envelope) and send it anywhere in the whole wide world.

Fees start at $2.99 for anywhere in the U.S and $4.99 for outside the U.S.  You’ll even get a push notification the day it’s scheduled to arrive.

Full app review after the break.

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Apple sells 350,000 Textbooks in the first three days of launching iBooks 2.0

Well it would appear that Josh and I were correct in thinking Apple may have just revolutionized textbooks.  Apple has not released official numbers, but according to Global Equities Research, more than 350,000 textbooks were downloaded within three days of the store's debut, along with some 90,000 downloads of the iBooks Author platform. As All Things D explains, Global Equities Research used a proprietary system to compile these numbers and hasn't revealed much about its methodology, but its figures, if accurate, would certainly mark an auspicious beginning to Cupertino's latest "reinvention."

Apple adds a dedicated app for iTunes U

A facelift for iBooks wasn't the only change on Apple's agenda today, as the company's SVP Eddy Cue has just announced an overhaul of iTunes U. The service, mostly used as a means of delivering lectures to college students, has seen over 700 million downloads since its launch and is now gearing up to offer full online courses from the likes of Duke University, Yale, MIT, amongst others.

As an example of this new remote method of learning, the company demoed a Chemistry course at its event, showing an overview, syllabus, credits and even the professor's office hours. Tabs are placed along the right side of page with options for Info, Posts, Notes and Materials, allowing teachers to send updates direct to the app and students the ability to jot down important highlights. Wondering about integration? A simple tap on these pushed assignments will transport students direct to iBooks, where their specific coursework lies in wait and, once completed, can be crossed off on the provided task list.

The app can even be used for course registration, eliminating the frenzied rush typically associated with such events. It's all available to download on the App Store right now at no cost in 123 countries. So, if you're on Apple's participating list of schools and you're rocking an iPad, go ahead and get to virtually cracking those books.