iOS 5 Software Update

This update contains over 200 new features, including the following:

• Notifications
• Swipe from the top of any screen to view notifications in one place with Notification Center
• New notifications appear briefly at the top of the screen
• View notifications from lock screen
• Slide the notification app icon to the right on the lock screen to go directly to the app
• iMessage
• Send and receive unlimited text, photo, and video messages with other iOS 5 users
• Track messages with delivery and read receipts
• Group messaging and secure encryption
• Works over cellular network and Wi-Fi*
• Newsstand
• Automatically organizes magazine and newspaper subscriptions on Home Screen
• Displays the cover of the latest issue
• Background downloads of new issues 
• Reminders for managing to do lists
• Syncs with iCloud, iCal and Outlook
• Location-based reminders when you leave or arrive at a location for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4
• Built-in support for Twitter
• Sign-in once in Settings and tweet directly from Camera, Photos, Maps, Safari and YouTube
• Add location to any tweet
• View twitter profile pictures and usernames in Contacts
• Camera improvements for devices with cameras
• Double click the home button when device is asleep to bring up a camera shortcut on iPhone 4S,

iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch (4th generation)

• Volume Up button to take a picture
• Optional grid lines to line up shots
• Pinch to zoom in the preview screen
• Swipe to camera roll from preview screen
• Tap and hold to lock focus and exposure, iPad 2 and iPod touch (4th generation) only support exposure lock
• Photo improvements for devices with cameras
• Crop and rotate
• Red eye removal
• One tap enhance
• Organize photos into albums
• Mail improvements
• Format text using bold, italic, or underlined fonts
• Indentation control
• Drag to rearrange names in address fields
• Flag messages
• Mass mark messages as flagged, read or unread
• Customize mail alert sounds
• S/MIME
• Calendar improvements
• Year view on iPad and new Week view for iPhone and iPod touch
• Tap to create an event
• View and add event attachments
• Game Center improvements
• Use personal photos for your Game Center account
• Compare your overall achievement scores with your friends
• Find new Game Center friends with friend recommendations and friends of friends
• Discover new games with custom game recommendations
• AirPlay Mirroring for iPad 2 and iPhone 4S
• Multitasking Gestures for iPad
• Use four or five fingers to pinch to the Home Screen
• Swipe up to reveal the multitasking bar
• Swipe left or right to switch between apps
• On-device setup, activation and configuration with Setup Assistant
• Software updates available over the air without tethering
• iCloud support
• iTunes in the Cloud
• Photo Stream
• Documents in the Cloud
• Apps and Books automatic download and purchase history
• Backup
• Contacts, Calendar, and Mail
• Find My iPhone
• Redesigned Music app for iPad
• Hourly weather forecast
• Real-time stock quotes
• Wireless sync to iTunes
• Keyboard improvements
• Split keyboard for iPad
• Improved autocorrection accuracy
• Improved Chinese and Japanese input
• New Emoji keyboard
• Personal dictionary for autocorrection
• Optionally create keyboard short cuts for frequently used words
• Accessibility improvements
• Option to light LED flash on incoming calls and alerts for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4
• Custom vibration patterns for incoming calls on iPhone
• New interface for using iOS with mobility-impairment input devices
• Option to speak a selection of text
• Custom element labeling for VoiceOver
• Exchange ActiveSync improvements
• Wirelessly sync tasks
• Mark messages as flagged, read or unread
• Improved offline support
• Save a new contact from a GAL service
• More than 1,500 new developer APIs
• Bug fixes

Products compatible with this software update:
• iPhone 4S
• iPhone 4
• iPhone 3GS
• iPad 2
• iPad
• iPod touch (4th generation)
• iPod touch (3rd generation)

* Normal carrier data rates may apply. Messages will be sent as SMS when iMessage is unavailable, carrier messaging fees apply.

MacMedics is an Apple Authorized Value Added Reseller for Macintosh computers, iPads, iPods, and the Apple TV.

Did you know that both Lion (10.7) and Snow Leopard (10.6) will protect you from known virus and malware threats?

All you have to do is to ensure that the checkbox in System Preferences under Security & Privacy is checked.

Here’s what it should look like in Lion (10.7):

Here’s what if should look like in Snow Leopard (10.6):

See this link from Apple for more info: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4651

There is a new threat that has surfaced that will try to fool you into installing the Flash Player. Read more about this from this blog. Apple has not yet included a built-in defense for this issue yet, so the best way to combat this threat is to download Flash directly from Adobe’s website, should you need it. Also, if any software you download from the Internet asks you for your password, you should be 100% certain you know what you downloaded, where you downloaded it from, and what it is.

The Mac Observer made a nice little application that checks your Mac’s Xprotect definitions status and allows for a manual update of the virus and malware definitions: http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/safe_download_version_adds_manual_definitions_update/

MacMedics will accept your working, non-working, or damaged Apple hardware as a trade in credit towards a new Apple Macintosh computer, Apple iPad, and Apple iPod. You can also apply a trade in credit towards service on your existing Mac that might be in need of repairs or data recovery.

If you have broken or outdated gear just lying around, MacMedics will even purchase some broken, liquid damaged, or outdated Apple Computers, iPads, or iPods for cash. Older equipment, or units with extreme damage can be dropped off at either Millersville or Lanham for free e-waste recycling.

Both our Millersville and Lanham offices can accept stuff for trade. Call us at 1-866-MAC-MEDICS to discuss what you have and how it can be valued.

Justin, a new MacMedics client who came to us from the Apple Store wrote the following about us on Google on 8/5/11.

The employees at Mac Medics were so helpful and polite. When me and my girlfriend went to the Apple Store they belittled her, talked down to her, and made her feel even worse about the problems she was already having with her MacBook. Mac Medics took the time to explain what the problems might be, how they may be resolved, and the different levels of pricing that may result from the work. I would recommend for any Mac owner to use the services that Mac Medics provides. I know that in the future if I have any problems or when I need to replace my old MacBook, I will be returning to Mac Medics.

This review is from Shannon L. from Silver Spring, MD, who posted this on Yelp

I agree with the previous reviewer; skip the Apple store lines and come straight to MacMedics. The fan started whirring loudly in my two year old Macbook Air. I first made an Apple Store appointment, but emailed MacMedics for a quote on the cost of repair. They replied promptly. I realized I bought Apple Care, brought it in, was helped without a wait, and had it back and fresh and fixed in 27 hours. Brilliant!

I’m utterly tickled I didn’t have to go to the mall for this, wait for a genius bar appointment, or deal with any hassle. Awesome service, thanks!

This review is from Kevin P from Greenbelt, Maryland. I included this here since the review above mentions the “previous reviewer”.

Macintosh support in Prince George’s County. Took my 2006-era MacBook Pro here after it died. They convinced me it wasn’t worth repairing. Instead, I ordered a replacement model. They added memory to my specifications and copied over the data from my old hard drive, something I couldn’t have done on my own, while charging only the base $99 for labor. We had a bit of a misunderstanding over the cost of the memory, which I’m dinging them a point for, but it was resolved to my satisfaction. I’m looking forward to dealing with them on all my future Macintosh issues rather than driving to Annapolis or Columbia. (I wish I’d known about them a lot sooner as it would have saved me a lot of mileage!)

You can read our Top 12 Reasons why MacMedics is a better choice than the Apple Store for Apple Authorized Service (both Warranty/AppleCare OR out-of-warranty service) in one of our most popular Blog posts at http://www.noappointments.com.

Were you happy with the service at MacMedics Lanham or Millersville? If so would help us spread the word about our good Apple service? Thanks in advance!

MacMedics DC Google.com http://is.gd/v2Hmf7
MacMedics DC Yelp.com http://is.gd/rhGZyL

MacMedics Baltimore Yelp.com: http://bit.ly/3dcMIM
MacMedics Baltimore Google.com: http://bit.ly/amOmj

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This is a review that was posted by our client, Ty Ford on Google on 7/28/11. You can read the review on Google here.

Mac Medics RULES! Back in the day, you could call Apple and ask a question (or more) and get a nice person to answer that question. It used to be that way at XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXX in Baltimore, but the last time I called (a few years back) and asked for a little help figuring out a kink in my wireless network, they were ready to send out a person and charge me a $250.00 minimum. So when I started the G5 up this morning and all the folder icons were gone, (files were there, just no folder icons) I searched the web, found no solution. Ran Disk Utility and Disk Warrior. They found things, fixed them, but didn’t solve the problem. I finally called Mac Medics, whom I had dealt with before. Matthew suggested doing an archive and install. I had never done one, even after all these years. In five sentences he gave me what I needed to know to safely get on with my repairs. It took a little time to get some of my apps reinstalled, but I was back on the road. And he didn’t charge me a dime. THANK YOU MAC MEDICS.

Were you happy with the service at MacMedics Lanham or Millersville? If so would help us spread the word about our good Apple service? Thanks in advance!

MacMedics DC Google.com http://is.gd/v2Hmf7
MacMedics DC Yelp.com http://is.gd/rhGZyL

MacMedics Baltimore Yelp.com: http://bit.ly/3dcMIM
MacMedics Baltimore Google.com: http://bit.ly/amOmj

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The MacMedics office in Millersville has the following used Macintosh computers available for sale.

If either of these two units are of interest to you, please get in touch with us, as these units never stick around for long.

Apple iMac 24″ (w/ box and install DVDs)
2.8 GHz Core 2 Duo
2 GBs RAM
320 GB Hard Drive
SuperDrive
Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard
Bluetooth Mighty Mouse
Snow Leopard 10.6.3
1-Year MacMedics Warranty
$1000

Apple MacBook Air 13″
1.8 GHz
2 GBs RAM
80 GB Hard Drive
Speck MacBook Air shell/case
MacBook Air 45 watt power adapter
Snow Leopard 10.6.3
1-Year MacMedics Warranty
$700

MacMedics still has a selection of used MacBooks in both White & Black for around $600. See this post for some of the items we have available.

Today Apple announced updates to the iMac line. Key features include:

-Intel Core i5 quad-core processors standard in all configurations for up to 1.7 times the performance of the previous generation iMac

-All-new AMD Radeon HD graphics and GDDR5 memory across the line deliver up to 3 times the graphics performance of the previous generation iMac

-Thunderbolt I/O technology on all models supports high-speed peripherals as well as high-resolution displays with Mini DisplayPort compatibility

-FaceTime HD camera enables full-screen HD video calls and supports the new widescreen format and wider viewing angle to allow more people to be seen in a call

If you’re a former macUpgrades client and you had a hard drive replacement or upgrade performed there anytime in 2010, and that hard drive has now failed, MacMedics will honor the warranty on the parts and service for that repair.

If macUpgrades repaired your hard drive in 2010, MacMedics will cover that repair under our warranty until the end of 2011. Just present a copy of your invoice from macUpgrades that shows you paid for a new hard drive and installation in 2010, and we’ll take care if the issue for you.

What’s covered? We’ll replace your hard drive in your Macintosh laptop or desktop with an equivalent size hard drive, and install a fresh copy of the Apple operating system that came with the computer or a more recent version with appropriate proof of purchase.

If your hard drive has failed and you also need our professional data recovery services, we can help! Our data recovery fee is $199 for any size drive.

If you haven’t heard about the purchase of macUpgrades of Bethesda, Maryalnd by MacMedics, you can read about that at: http://www.macmedics.com/macupgrades

We have a limited quantity of refurbished Apple Macintosh MacBook laptop computers for sale at MacMedics. These never last long, so please get in touch with us if you’d like to purchase one of the units we have for sale.

MacBook 2.2 GHz Core 2 Duo White (MacMedics ID# L-8)
80 GB Hard Drive
2 GB of RAM
SuperDrive
New Power Adapter
Snow Leopard 10.6 (Installed)
Battery has 73 cycles on it so it’s in very good condition
This unit has a new LCD bezel as well as a new top case, keyboard, and trackpad installed.
1-Year warranty
Price $649

MacBook 2.0 GHz Core Duo Black (MacMedics ID# L-34)
100 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive
1.5 GB of RAM
SuperDrive
New Power Adapter
Snow Leopard 10.6 (Installed)
New battery (never used before)
This unit has a new LCD bezel as well as a new top case, keyboard, and trackpad installed.
1-Year warranty
Price $619