Iphone Updates

Filed under: Apple Corporate, iTS

Apple issued a press release today saying over 200 million television episodes have been purchased through the iTunes store, one million of them in high definition.

High definition episodes have been available since Apple’s “Let’s Rock” event on September 9. That averages out to over 27,000 HD downloads per day.

The press release also said the iTunes store is offering America’s four major networks’ fall prime-time lineup in HD for the first time.

Apple was a little late to the HD download game, however. The Xbox 360 introduced HD via Xbox Live way back in November of 2006.

[Via IGM.]

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Filed under: TUAW Interview, Developer, App Store, SDK

On Tuesday, Phantom Fish released an update to Byline, its Google Reader-slash-offline browser app for iPhone and iPod touch.

Byline’s developer, Milo Bird, has been hard at work since Byline 1.0 was released, making improvements to the app based on his users’ feedback. Last week, Milo took some time out of his vacation to New York to sit down with us (virtually) and talk about Byline and the app development process.

Does Google make it easy to develop an app that interfaces with Google Reader?

Yes and no. The API for accessing Google Reader is straightforward and well-designed, so from a practical point of view it’s quite pleasant to work with. However, it’s not formally supported by Google, so there’s no official documentation. The API has been around for years now and is in use by a large number of third-party apps, so there are several sources of unofficial documentation, but working out the nuances does involve fumbling around in the dark a bit.

Continue reading TUAW Interview: Milo Bird of Phantom Fish

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Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, MacBook

For machines that have only been in users’ hands for 24 hours or so, the hits just keep on coming for the new unibody MacBooks. APC magazine has posted a “ten things you didn’t know” review, covering some surprises and some well-we-thought-so’s for the laptops.

Confirming our reporting from yesterday, APC spoke to an Apple representative in Australia who closed the door on any hope of Target Disk Mode availability via USB on the new MacBooks. Migration Assistant, which has been updated for these machines, will work over Ethernet or from a disk image of your source Mac, but not over TDM. The machines are running a new OS X build (figures); if you break the glass on the screen, you replace the whole screen (ouch!), swapping hard drives is much easier than on previous models (yay!) but if you lock your machine with a Kensington security cable, that will also block access to the bottom case (phew).

APC also notes a new internal feature on these laptops, and presumably on the MBPs as well, that MacMerc, HardMac and the Ars forums have pointed out: immersion sensors at various spots inside the case (previously seen on the iPhone). These adhesive dots change color when exposed to liquid, so the conversations at the Genius Bar where you insist “No, I’m sure that nothing was spilled on it!” just got quite a bit harder. AppleInsider has a diagram showing the locations of all eight sensors inside the machine, if you’ve got really really good aim with your spilled Dr. Pepper.

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Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Hardware, Software, MacBook

Since the new MacBooks were released earlier this week, everyone’s been talking a good bit about gaming on the thing, but our friend (and TUAW alum) C.K. Sample III decided to actually load up a game and make the new Nvidia chips put up or shut up. And as you can see above, put up they did: he loaded up XP in Boot Camp, installed Warhammer Online (not a small task, with a 13GB install and all the patching it took about two hours), and entered the Age of Reckoning with all the graphics turned up. The verdict: it worked. And pretty well — while there was a tiny bit of slowdown on the highest settings (and YouTube compression makes it look worse than it is), the game was clearly playable and actually looked really good. The trackpad wasn’t too easy to use, but you already know that for any substantial games, you’ve got to plug a mouse in anyway.

This was the 9400M running in the new MacBook, with the 2.4 GHz processor and 2GB of RAM. You have to think the MBP would run even better, too. Seems like Apple’s done it — even on the low end machines, gamers should have no problem (assuming they’re willing to load up Boot Camp and deal with a permissions error or two) running even the latest PC games. Now if we could only convince game companies to all make Mac-specific versions…

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Filed under: Switchers, TUAW Tips, Deals, Graphic Design

Like many of you, I suspect, I still have PC-using relatives that have steadfastly refused to come over to the fairer side of life (and reduce my tech support burden). One of the biggest hold-ups has been their Windows-based software investment, particularly in Adobe applications. Well, with the release of CS4 it’s time for upgrades, and I have some new ammunition in the battle to get my folks switched over: Adobe’s competitive cross-upgrades.

Adobe allows registered users of their Creative Suite applications to switch platforms at the standard upgrade price (e.g. cross-upgrading from Windows CS3 to Mac CS4 is the same price as a Windows CS3 to Windows CS4 upgrade). So if somebody you know is getting ready to plunk down the cash for the Windows CS4 upgrade anyway, now would be a great time to suggest that they make a complete upgrade and switch to Mac at the same time.

Adobe doesn’t seem to advertise the cross-upgrades that much and they’re only available when purchasing the upgrades over the phone (800-833-6687). In addition the previous Windows versions must be destroyed and certified with a Letter of Software Destruction (pdf link). Nonetheless, if you have some Windows based hold-outs now would be a great time to get them on board the Mac train.

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Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Software, Video, Odds and ends

HandBrake handles most of my DVD-ripping responsibilities just fine, but RipIt came to our attention recently, and as a simple one-touch way to get a movie off of a DVD and on to your hard drive (in order to, say, watch it on a laptop without lugging the disc itself along), it looks pretty simple. In fact, it’s about as cake as these things get: load up the app, throw a disc in your drive, and press Rip — a few minutes later (a 7.9gb rip took about 30 minutes for me), you’ve got a DVDPlayerMedia file on your hard drive to watch at your leisure.

It’s $18.99, which is pricey, especially (again) compared to HandBrake, which is conveniently open source, and provides tons more ways to rip things. But if you do a lot of movie ripping and want to have one single button rather than worrying about formats or encoding, that $19 might be well spent.

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The Cell Ranger STIX is an Intelligent Amplifier that boosts signal strength to your cellphone or laptop air card. Cell Ranger is a next-generation microprocessor-driven system that gives you reliability and performance enhancements not found with “mesh” stick-on and “repeater” antenna boosters.

Astraware has just launched its own version of the popular logic puzzle Sudoku. Let’s face it, Sudoku implementations on the iPhone are fairly common — a quick search on the App Store easily turned up around 40 versions — so can Astraware’s latest addition to the genre do the puzzle justice? Firstly, it’s worth saying that I’ve only played a couple of other Sudoku implementations on the iPhone. Secondly, everyone will have their own ideal way of entering numbers, pencil marks, getting hints, and so on. This is my own reflection based on a couple of hours play this afternoon…

Filed under: Switchers, TUAW Tips, Deals, Graphic Design

Like many of you, I suspect, I still have PC-using relatives that have steadfastly refused to come over to the fairer side of life (and reduce my tech support burden). One of the biggest hold-ups has been their Windows-based software investment, particularly in Adobe applications. Well, with the release of CS4 it’s time for upgrades, and I have some new ammunition in the battle to get my folks switched over: Adobe’s competitive cross-upgrades.

Adobe allows registered users of their Creative Suite applications to switch platforms at the standard upgrade price (e.g. cross-upgrading from Windows CS3 to Mac CS4 is the same price as a Windows CS3 to Windows CS4 upgrade). So if somebody you know is getting ready to plunk down the cash for the Windows CS4 upgrade anyway, now would be a great time to suggest that they make a complete upgrade and switch to Mac at the same time.

Adobe doesn’t seem to advertise the cross-upgrades that much and they’re only available when purchasing the upgrades over the phone (800-833-6687). In addition the previous Windows versions must be destroyed and certified with a Letter of Software Destruction (pdf link). Nonetheless, if you have some Windows based hold-outs now would be a great time to get them on board the Mac train.

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Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Software, Video, Odds and ends

HandBrake handles most of my DVD-ripping responsibilities just fine, but RipIt came to our attention recently, and as a simple one-touch way to get a movie off of a DVD and on to your hard drive (in order to, say, watch it on a laptop without lugging the disc itself along), it looks pretty simple. In fact, it’s about as cake as these things get: load up the app, throw a disc in your drive, and press Rip — a few minutes later (a 7.9gb rip took about 30 minutes for me), you’ve got a DVDPlayerMedia file on your hard drive to watch at your leisure.

It’s $18.99, which is pricey, especially (again) compared to HandBrake, which is conveniently open source, and provides tons more ways to rip things. But if you do a lot of movie ripping and want to have one single button rather than worrying about formats or encoding, that $19 might be well spent.

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Samsung’s WEP350 Bluetooth Headset has powerful features and is one of the world’s slimmest Bluetooth headsets available today at a mere 5.9mm thin.

Free yourself up to write emails or take notes during phone calls with a BlackBerry mono headset. The headset is an indispensable tool for multi-tasking. It’s lightweight and comfortable, and comes complete with a miniature clip to keep the cord safely out of the way.

Griffin has announced its Simplifi iPod and iPhone dock, which allows charging and syncing of the devices, as well as having a media card reader and two port USB hub. Where desk space is at a premium, this makes it a useful all-in-one accessory…

Incipio has launched its Feather case for the iPhone 3G, constructed from ultra-light, ultra-strong polymer that’s light in weight but also durable and protective. It has a soft matte finish and comes with two surface protectors and a cleaning cloth. The casing is thin enough that it can be used with many iPhone-friendly docks without having to be removed…

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Macbook Pro

Having options is good; saving energy is good; improving battery life on your laptop is very good. Having to log out and back in to switch between the two video cards on the MacBook Pro? Um… not all that good. Kinda annoying, to tell you the truth.

Engadget posted a video last night of the swap process (click one button in System Preferences, log out, log back in — seems ripe for automation) and while it’s not particularly onerous, it does seem very weird considering that there aren’t any other Energy Saver changes that require a logout. Also worthy of note: the default setting on the new machines is for “Better Performance,” using the integrated card.

Why force a logout? Perhaps there are issues with having to redraw windows when flopping from card to card, or particular apps that go ‘kaboom!’ when told to move onto the other hardware? I can certainly imagine that 3D games or Core Animation-dependent apps might throw a minor freakout if the world shifted under them suddenly, but it still seems like a lot of people are going to settle on one graphics card based on their usage profile (desk-bound gamer vs. mobile maven) and stick with it.

There’s also the possibility that the real advantage of this dual-GPU config won’t be realized until the OS catches up with the gear. Adding a 2nd GPU is a fairly radical proposition if all you’re gaining is the option of better battery life (although, since the 9400M hardware is part of the system chipset, it comes along ‘for free’), but when Mac OS X 10.6 comes along it should include the capability to offload general-purpose computing tasks to the GPU, which could provide exponential performance increases for certain apps. Having an extra GPU sitting around waiting to be harnessed starts to seem like a really good idea when considered in that context.

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Filed under: Software

It got a bit lost in the hustle and bustle of yesterday’s announcements, but there was an update released for Microsoft Office 2008; the 12.1.3 update, weighing in at 154 MB, provides the usual slew of security fixes and bug repairs that you know and love. Some crashing bugs have been squashed (including one that affected documents with embedded PDF images that I’ve seen once or twice), chart performance is improved across the entire suite, PowerPoint gets a fix to address file timestamp issues, and Excel comes in with multiple fixes for file saving and corruption problems.

You can download the DMG of the update directly from Microsoft, or run an Auto Update pass in your Office application of choice. If you encounter update issues or problems after the patches are run, please advise (and, more importantly, let Microsoft know). The best way to get improvements in Mac Office, when there are definitely some management attitudes that need adjustment, is to make your needs clear.

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Sony has announced a new line of iPod and iPhone-friendly docks and audio equipment. The LBT-DJ2i hi-fi system has a dual dock and is designed for the bedroom DJ, as it allows tracks to be mixed between two devices, and includes a crossfader, Beat Blend feature, and separate twin-driver subwoofer. It can record performances to a USB stick, has FM radio and CD player…

Nokia has blown hot and cold when it comes to touchscreen mobile phones, but it would be a surprise if the world’s largest manufacturer didn’t create a few more handsets in the ilk while consumer fashion still demands them. Devinder…

The iTunes Store offers a stellar lineup of primetime programming in HD from all 4 major TV networks, Apple today announced. That includes popular shows from ABC (Grey’s Anatomy and Lost), CBS (CSI and CSI: Miami), FOX (Prison Break), and NBC Universal (Heroes and The Office). iTunes has now sold over 200 million TV episodes, including more than 1 million HD episodes since last month’s launch of HD programming.

PCalc updated

PCalc for the iPhone has just been upgraded to version 1.1, offering new features including:

• Choose from many different horizontal and vertical layouts, some inspired by classic RPN calculators
• Improvement of default layouts to make them easier to use
• Optional colour-coded buttons
• Emailing of complete stack

$9.99 (£5.99)

Nokia has blown hot and cold when it comes to touchscreen mobile phones, but it would be a surprise if the world’s largest manufacturer didn’t create a few more handsets in the ilk while consumer fashion still demands them. Devinder…

The touchscreen phone that started it all, though far less hyped than the iPhone, was the LG Prada, launched in early 2007. Now, LG has partnered with Prada to bring a second version of the one-million selling handset to the world…

Sweet! Even the MacBook Air got a boost, 9 months after the first release in January. As with the rest of the MacBook line, the new Air features the Nvidia GeForce 9400M GPU and the Mini Display Port. The MacBook Air now supports DVI, dual-link DVI, and VGA video output. It will connect to the new Apple LED Cinema Display and can drive other displays up to 30 inches in size. Unlike many of the other MacBooks, it doesn’t have the new glass trackpad.

The big deal from today’s announcement? The top level MacBook Air now has a slightly faster CPU, faster memory, and a 128 GB solid state drive. The details are below, more to follow as we get a chance to play with one.

Entry level MacBook Air

Price: $1,799

Specs:13.3″ LED-backlit display, Nvidia GeForce 9400M GPU, 1.6 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo / 6 MB L2 Cache, 2 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 Memory, 120 GB SATA hard drive.

Form Factor: Same as existing model

Top level MacBook Air

Price: $2,499

Specs:13.3″ LED-backlit display, Nvidia GeForce 9400M GPU, 1.86 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo / 6 MB L2 Cache, 2 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 Memory, 128 GB solid state drive.

Form Factor: Same as existing model

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Filed under: Hardware, Peripherals, Other Events

In a move that surprised everybody and nobody simultaneously, Apple has released a brand-new 24-inch LED Cinema Display to spruce up the languishing product line.

In addition to a new form factor that brings their look in line with newer iMacs (and now the new MacBook and MacBook Pro models announced today), the displays have an iSight camera, speakers, and a MagSafe power connector to charge your laptop. They have a native resolution of 1920 by 1200 pixels.

Also, the displays are more environmentally friendly, moving away from the mercury-vapor backlights to newer LED backlights now available throughout Apple’s line of laptops. The surface of the display is glass, with a glossy finish.

The display includes three USB ports, but no FireWire ports featured on older Cinema Displays.

The new 24-inch display will be available in November for $899.

Update: “Old” Cinema Displays still appear to be on Apple’s website, so it looks like other screen sizes in the older form factor will continue to be available. For how long, we don’t know.

[Via Engadget.]

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According to reports, T-Mobile has taken in excess of one-and-a-half million pre-orders for the G1 phone. Though it’s not anywhere near the hype that surrounded the iPhone 3G’s launch, it’s a significant number. If the increased interest is sustained, it…

Latest iPhone News: Tuesday 14th October 2008

More retailers to sell iPhone?

Apple may be looking to add Walmart to its list of retail partners for the iPhone. Last month it allowed Best Buy to sell the handset, alongside AT&T and Apple Stores. Speculators suggest that iPhones could be Walmart stores by the middle of November. (Via iPhone Atlas)

Google testing iPhone-friendly ads

The concept of ads on the iPhone isn’t new, and Google could be bringing advertising a step closer to the handset as it beta tests marketing aimed directly at iPhone users. Worrying from a security standpoint is the potential development of ads that introduce “click to call” or similar options. I’m always rather wary of calling a number directly from a web page on my iPhone…

It’s been a while since we’ve featured a protective case for the iPhone, so here comes ezGear with its latest offering for the iPhone 3G. The ezView Leather Case has been designed as a result of months of market research and testing, according to the company web site. Form Factor, Utility, Protection and Useful Extra Features were all taken into consideration…

Filed under: Portables, Rumors, Macbook Pro

Maybe this is a coincidence, coming as it does on the eve of a big Apple announcement… it could be meaningless, just regularly scheduled inventory maintenance, the BB version of the yellow sticky note. Sure, that’s probably it — nothing to see here. Yeah. No reason at all to think that Best Buy’s website downtime could have anything, really, to do with the anticipated introduction of new Apple laptops tomorrow… right?

As if our conspiracy generators weren’t already in full gear: suppose it is related. Could Best Buy be getting an exclusive deal on the $900 laptop outside of Apple’s own stores? [Note that many sites are now reporting the "$899 MacBook" may in fact be a Cinema Display.]

Thanks to Horza for the tip

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Filed under: Retail, Other Events, Macbook Pro, MacBook, MacBook Air

According to posts appearing on MacRumors and BoyGeniusReport tonight, Best Buy has been receiving new part numbers and pricing for unknown devices that are shipping to stores right now. MacRumors took the part numbers and price list and came up with the following assumption for what’s going to be announced during tomorrow’s notebook event:

• K29, MB382LL/A $899.00 – MacBook?
• M97, MB466LL/A $1,299.00 – MacBook
• M97, MB467LL/A $1,599.00 – MacBook
• M96, MB543LL/A $1,799.00 – MacBook Air
• M96, MB940LL/A $2,499.00 – MacBook Air
• M98, MB470LL/A $1,999.00 – 15″ MacBook Pro
• M98, MB471LL/A $2,499.00 – 15″ MacBook Pro
• M88, MB766LL/A $2,799.00 – 17″ MacBook Pro

While the entry-level MacBook isn’t as inexpensive as some rumors had forecast, a Fortune / CNN analysis today noted that an $899 price point could expand Apple’s notebook market by 50% in terms of revenue.

What do you think about this pricing rumor? My personal feeling is that the numbers are valid, considering they’re appearing this close to a major event. Leave your comments below.

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The touchscreen phone that started it all, though far less hyped than the iPhone, was the LG Prada, launched in early 2007. Now, LG has partnered with Prada to bring a second version of the one-million selling handset to the world…

It’s been a while since we’ve featured a protective case for the iPhone, so here comes ezGear with its latest offering for the iPhone 3G. The ezView Leather Case has been designed as a result of months of market research and testing, according to the company web site. Form Factor, Utility, Protection and Useful Extra Features were all taken into consideration…

This handsome case from Seidio is made from quality leather with classic black stitching which will let you to carry your device securely and in style.

The Seidio Innotraveler car kit has everything you need to stay productive and keep your hands on the wheel.

Latest iPhone News: Tuesday 14th October 2008

More retailers to sell iPhone?

Apple may be looking to add Walmart to its list of retail partners for the iPhone. Last month it allowed Best Buy to sell the handset, alongside AT&T and Apple Stores. Speculators suggest that iPhones could be Walmart stores by the middle of November. (Via iPhone Atlas)

Google testing iPhone-friendly ads

The concept of ads on the iPhone isn’t new, and Google could be bringing advertising a step closer to the handset as it beta tests marketing aimed directly at iPhone users. Worrying from a security standpoint is the potential development of ads that introduce “click to call” or similar options. I’m always rather wary of calling a number directly from a web page on my iPhone…

According to reports, T-Mobile has taken in excess of one-and-a-half million pre-orders for the G1 phone. Though it’s not anywhere near the hype that surrounded the iPhone 3G’s launch, it’s a significant number. If the increased interest is sustained, it…

The new MacBook family redefines notebook design while dramatically lowering the entry price for advanced notebook features, including all-metal enclosures, pro-performance notebook graphics, brilliant instant-on LED-backlit displays, and new large, glass Multi-Touch trackpads. The industry’s greenest notebooks, the entire MacBook family meets stringent Energy Star 4.0, EPEAT Gold, and RoHS environmental standards. Starting at $1,200, the new MacBook and 15-inch MacBook Pro are shipping now.

The new LED Cinema Display features a stunning 24-inch LED-backlit widescreen display with built-in iSight video camera, mic, and speakers in an elegant, thin aluminum and glass enclosure. Available in November for $899, the LED Cinema Display includes an integrated MagSafe charger, three USB 2.0 ports and a new Mini DisplayPort.

Filed under: Rumors, Other Events, Macbook Pro, MacBook

Our sister site Engadget received an invitation for a town-hall event in San Francisco about new Apple notebooks, featuring an image of what could be hinting at possible new aluminum enclosures for 13-inch MacBooks.

tw.apple.pro purports to have images of new aluminum cases for the MacBooks. Judging from the height of the ports (and if the photos are authentic) the new MacBooks could be significantly thinner than their predecessors.

In related news, AppleInsider claims to have confirmed that a widely-circulated spy-shot is indeed one from Apple’s next generation of MacBook Pro, but is not fabricated from a single “brick” of aluminum, as 9-to-5Mac said.

The top case, however, appears now to include the ports, rather than having them integrated into the bottom case. (This could make case disassembly easier.) The port arrangement appears to include many more ports on the left side of the bottom case, much like the current MacBook.

Combined with earlier images of the back of the LCD and bottom case, the design retains much of the same look that MacBook Pros (and PowerBook G4s before them) have had since January 2001.

Apple’s notebook event is scheduled for next Tuesday at 10 a.m. Pacific time (1 p.m. Eastern).

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Filed under: Software

We may have mentioned it one or two (dozen) times, but 1Password is a great solution for securely managing passwords, credit cards and notes on a Mac (and recently the iPhone). If you’re a 1Password fan, be sure to check out the 2.9 release from last weekend; it has a pretty huge new feature. For quite a while now there have been grumblings about the OS X Keychain being a bit of a beast, especially when handling large amounts of data. Rather than waiting out Apple for new improvements to the Keychain system, the stalwart coders at Agile Web Solutions decided to write their own.

If you dig into the Keychain section of the preferences in 1Password 2.9, you’ll find an option to “Switch to Agile Keychain Format.” What’s the difference? First, it allows easy file-based synchronization, making possible non-MobileMe solutions for syncing up multiple Macs. Further, it maintains speedy access even when it contains gigs of data, as well as supporting much higher levels of encryption. Sounds good to me.

If you’re ready to switch your keychain format, head over to the developer’s blog for detailed instructions, and read up on the various options for automatic sync between Macs. 1Password 2.9 is a free upgrade for existing users, and new users can grab a free trial. A single license runs $39.95USD with a family pack available for $59.95USD. For the full changelog for this release, check the version history page.

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Parrot’s latest product reproduces conversations in hands-free mode with listening quality is worthy of a fully fitted kit. Parrot has also equipped the Parrot MINIKIT with voice recognition.

Filed under: Hardware, Portables, Hacks, How-tos, Odds and ends, Leopard

I can always tell when I’m bored, because that’s when I think up some challenge for myself. The initial spark for this challenge came when I wrote a post a few months ago about how Paul O’Brien at Modaco had successfully installed Leopard on a Windows-based “netbook”. TUAW’s Mike Schramm further fueled the fire with this post about an Eee PC running OS X.

Netbooks are tiny laptops with a mini price tag to match. Many netbooks sell for less than $500, with 1 GB of RAM, either a 16 – 20 GB solid state disk drive or 160 GB hard disk drive, Wi-Fi, and a built-in webcam. When you consider that these little machines also weigh about the same or less than a MacBook Air, they’re a bargain. However, they usually run Windows XP or Ubuntu Netbook Remix, and frankly I’d rather have good old Leopard.

Asus has been making netbooks for a while under the Eee PC moniker, while MSI (Wind), Acer (Aspire One), and even HP have jumped into this growing market recently. It wasn’t until I received a direct mail catalog from Dell featuring the new Inspiron Mini 9 that I started thinking seriously about trying to load Leopard on it.

Despite the fact that I’m sure that Apple will announce a low-cost netbook soon, I ended up buying a Dell Inspiron Mini 9 netbook to install Leopard onto. The rest of this post describes how I did it using instructions and files found at various Web sites.

Continue reading The little Leopard laptop

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Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iPhone, App Store

Here are ten apps that won’t annoy you (OK, Alarm Free might) and are either clever diversions or simply fun toys. All links take you to the App Store. Check out the gallery for a preview of everything I’ve mentioned. All of these were free when I first downloaded them, as I’m a terrible cheapskate, but several now cost between $.99 and $1.99, which isn’t bad.

Ancient Wisdom
Basically just a database of quotes from three philosophers: Lao Tzu, Miyamoto Musashi and Sun Tzu. To make it a little more fun the developers make the quotes come from cute cartoon monkeys. Not exactly genius, but fun and the quotes are, of course, pure gold. Better than a Magic 8-Ball, I think.

Newtonica Player
This simple app has you spin a mesh ball to generate a “beat” that times the pace of the electronica music. There is a surprising amount of depth to the song, simple as it is. I was able to modify the tune a bit depending on my spinning, direction and how long I kept spinning. Terribly simple but fun because of those little tonal surprises.

Fireworks
Wherever you tap your finger a firework is launched to that spot and explodes. Nice little animations, plus it works in landscape mode and offers several backgrounds. The sounds could go further, and the fireworks aren’t all that varied, but again, kids love it. Put it in “fireworks show” mode and keep it in your dock for a little fun. Note: at the time I originally wrote this Fireworks was free, but it is only $.99 now, which isn’t too much to ask, I think.

xCube
This is just a Rubik’s cube in iPhone/iPod touch form. But it is really easy to use, provides several customization options and has an undo feature. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to solve the cube but didn’t want a big cubic bulge in your back pocket, here’s your answer. Note: again, here’s an app that was free for a while, but is now $1.99 — still cheaper than a new Rubik’s cube, but more expensive than one at a garage sale. You make the call.

Continue reading Ten fun and mostly-free iPhone apps

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Filed under: Software

It’s been a while since we heard from the developers at Magnetk, but they’ve just released version 1.3 of Expandrive with some new functionality. They’re calling it a beta to be safe, but it seems to just be cautious labeling; 1.3 has been very stable for me thus far. As a quick review, Expandrive allows remote SFTP volumes to be mounted in the local filesystem (similar to what’s possible with MacFUSE, but with several stability and speed improvements). The biggest change in version 1.3 is probably the inclusion of FTP and FTPS as an addition to the SFTP capabilities. While it may seem strange to some, there are certainly still circumstances where this could prove very useful.

UPDATE: the developers have clarified for me that the 1.3 release is not in beta, only the FTP/FTPS capability.

Among the other features the developers are excited about is a new system for testing network state. One of the things I like about Expandrive is its ability to seamlessly maintain a connection on my laptop when I shut it, move it and change wireless networks. Well, that capability has been improved at the system level to better detect network availability, IP address and sleep state, and I’m seeing really stable performance with it.

A second appcast has been added to support beta releases (Magnetk says they have a lot of new stuff coming up), and users can switch to it in the Updates section of the preferences. Version 1.3 resets the 30 day trial period, so if you’ve previously tried it and passed, you’ll be able to take the new version for a 30-day spin. The trial version is available for download ($29USD to register), and the upgrade is free for current users. Release notes are available here.

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Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Software, Flickr Find, iPhone, App Store

Having been a connoisseur of fine design since the first Mac hit the streets in ’84, I’m always attracted to apps that have that certain polish that is associated with Apple products. That’s why I was impressed when I went out and looked at the Flickr pool for Weightbot, an upcoming iPhone app that does one simple thing elegantly — it tracks your weight.

Designer Mark Jardine and developer Paul Haddad expect Weightbot to be released in the next couple of weeks, and it’s an app I’d consider buying just for the looks! From the bathroom scale-like Weightbot mascot (at right) to the custom controls for entering your weight, it’s apparent that Mark spent some time thinking about the look and user interface of the app, and that Paul was able to implement Mark’s vision.

The custom date scroller is especially attractive and functional, making it easy to see at a glance when you entered your weight as you flick through the days. I look forward to seeing Weightbot and future iPhone apps from this team at Tapbots.

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Filed under: Multimedia, Software

For capturing screenshots or video of Mac screens, Sequence takes advantage of multithreaded code and 64-bit support for compression. Capturing DVD playback and audio is easy, and it’s possible to record from your iSight and screen at the same time. With the voice recording function, you can narrate the screen capture for easy creation of screencasts.

Documentation for Sequence is now built into the application, which can be used to develop training videos, product demos, tutorials, and archiving streaming video. Mac OS X 10.5 or later is required.

Sequence is available from App4Mac for $29. Localized versions are available in French and simplified Chinese.

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Filed under: iTS, Internet

YouTube has added links from promotional and music videos to the iTunes store and AmazonMP3, where you can buy the song featured. The links appear on its website, beneath videos like this one.

Currently, EMI appears to be the only major music label participating in the deal. Electronic Arts has links related to its Spore game to Amazon.com, where you can purchase a copy.

Google (whose CEO, Eric Schmidt, is on Apple’s board of directors) has been looking for ways to earn money from YouTube, its $1.6 billion purchase from 2006. YouTube probably already earns some revenue from Apple via a partnership that includes a YouTube player on the iPhone and Apple TV, but the financial details are unknown.

[Via Macworld.]

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O’Reilly has announced its latest publication for the iPhone. “iPhone Forensics”, written by well-known hacker Jonathan Zdziarski, lets anyone find out what’s hiding in underneath the iPhone’s bonnet, even if it’s supposedly been deleted. “Any given iPhone is likely to contain sensitive information belonging to its owner, and some types of information that may belong to others: corporate email, documents, and photos, to name a few,” says Zdziarski. “As the dark side of such a versatile device becomes more evident, so does the need to recover personal information from it.”…

Stay where you are. We’re coming to you. That’s the message coming from Apple: “Apple technology evangelists will soon be travelling the globe to bring iPhone application development expertise to a city near you. Learn about the tools and technologies you’ll use to create great iPhone applications, then work with the experts to optimize your code, refine your user interface, and apply the knowledge you gain from the sessions.” Sessions include an Introduction to Objective-C and Cocoa Touch, Developing iPhone Applications with UIKit, Submitting to the App Store using iTunes Connect, Advanced UIKit and Device Features, Maximizing Your Application’s Performance on iPhone, Using Advanced Web Technologies on iPhone, and In-house Application Development for iPhone…

Filed under: Multimedia, Software

For capturing screenshots or video of Mac screens, Sequence takes advantage of multithreaded code and 64-bit support for compression. Capturing DVD playback and audio is easy, and it’s possible to record from your iSight and screen at the same time. With the voice recording function, you can narrate the screen capture for easy creation of screencasts.

Documentation for Sequence is now built into the application, which can be used to develop training videos, product demos, tutorials, and archiving streaming video. Mac OS X 10.5 or later is required.

Sequence is available from App4Mac for $29. Localized versions are available in French and simplified Chinese.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: iTS, Internet

YouTube has added links from promotional and music videos to the iTunes store and AmazonMP3, where you can buy the song featured. The links appear on its website, beneath videos like this one.

Currently, EMI appears to be the only major music label participating in the deal. Electronic Arts has links related to its Spore game to Amazon.com, where you can purchase a copy.

Google (whose CEO, Eric Schmidt, is on Apple’s board of directors) has been looking for ways to earn money from YouTube, its $1.6 billion purchase from 2006. YouTube probably already earns some revenue from Apple via a partnership that includes a YouTube player on the iPhone and Apple TV, but the financial details are unknown.

[Via Macworld.]

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