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- iPad Sprocket Pocket signals bicyclist's intentions
Filed under: iPad
I love cycling and I love the iPad, but you'll never see me using both in unison. Ever. Not so for the cycling enthusiasts at Maya. They've created the "Sprocket Pocket" -- a industrial nylon patch with integrated zipper and protective screen overlay for the iPad that can be ironed or sewn on to any garment in minutes.
The idea is that you put your $500 to $830 iPad into this patch pocket that you iron onto your clothes, and then ride around with it on your back going at speeds of up to twenty miles per hour. The pocket is to be used in conjunction with the MAYA Sprocket app, which uses the iPad's accelerometer to automatically display images on screen for drivers to see. If you stop or begin to slow down, a big stop sign is displayed. If you turn left or right, a left or right arrow appears.
The device is good in theory, but seems excessive when simple universal cycling hand signals will work just as well. And I don't really want the jerk who's already tailing me to speed up to see what that big glowing panel is on my back. Speaking of which, you get hot enough as it is cycling in the summer. Do you really want a 10-inch aluminum device with a massive heat-generating battery strapped to your spine? In this case, impracticality outweighs any actual function.
[via Engadget]TUAWiPad Sprocket Pocket signals bicyclist's intentions originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - No vacations in June for AT&T employees
Filed under: iPhone
Boy Genius has the news that AT&T has blacked out the month of June for employee vacations in their stores. In the past, they've done exactly that when, oh, say, a brand new iPhone launches. So it's possible that we could see a new iPhone out and ready to go even before it's expected in July of this year.
Of course, we know that iPhone OS 4.0 is due out sometime soon, and because the new OS features will only work on the current 3GS model so far, it's not a stretch to think that Apple is prepping a brand new iPhone. A new handset has long been rumored to work on Verizon's network, but this would suggest that even if it is spread across multiple carriers, AT&T will have it for sure.
We'll keep our eyes open as usual, but if you were planning to buy an iPhone and can wait until June for a new model, that's probably a good idea.TUAWNo vacations in June for AT&T employees originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple hiring camera expert for iPad, may include USB Audio support with connection kit
Filed under: iPad
I still haven't picked up an iPad yet, though I'm pretty convinced I will soon -- even if I don't need one myself, there's obviously a lot of great apps out there to try. But already there's rumbling that the camera train is due for a stop at iPad station. Apple is hiring a new member of the iPad team, and they're asking for a strong ability to "test still, video and audio capture and playback frameworks." We've already seen that there's room in the device for a camera, so it's a pretty good guess that whenever the next version of the iPad rolls around (hopefully later rather than sooner for you early adopters), there will be a camera included.
And in other iPad news, there are also rumors going around that the iPad's camera connection kit might support USB Audio as well. That's a bit of a surprise -- you wouldn't expect a kit for connecting a camera to also have USB Audio drivers included, but it is basically just a USB connector for the iPad's docking port, so maybe some crafty engineer at Apple has included support for another standard just for the heck of it. I'm sure plenty of audio pros will be grateful if it's true.
[via Engadget]TUAWApple hiring camera expert for iPad, may include USB Audio support with connection kit originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - TechRestore's stop-motion iPad tear-down video
Filed under: iPad
Right on launch day, iFixit totally disassembled an iPad, offering eager eyes a wealth of information on what's under the hood.
Now TechRestore has created a stop-motion video of the entire tear-down and reassembly process in just over three minutes by stitching together 1675 frames. It's fascinating to watch the iPad take itself apart, not to mention that the sound effects really make the whole thing work. Gumby would be proud.
[via 9to5mac]TUAWTechRestore's stop-motion iPad tear-down video originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple's temptation to overuse iAds
Filed under: iPhone
Dave Johnson over at Bnet has written up an interesting post about iAds; he says that Apple's new advertising program is reason enough to ditch your iPhone. Why? Because even Apple, he hints, isn't big enough to stay away from the billions of dollars that it will probably end up bringing in with iAds. The service seems made for free apps, but Johnson argues that, with a platform-level solution for advertising, there's nothing to stop these things from showing up in paid apps either. And I've even had the thought this week that, once Apple gets a taste of advertising revenue, what's to stop it from going even further? Why not include iAds in the actual OS homescreen? Heck, why not include them in OS X? The next Leopard isn't $30 -- it's free, but you'll see an "emotional and interactive" iAd on your menu bar until you activate it.
Of course, this is the slippery slope argument, which is a fallacy. Just because Apple has implemented an official advertising system doesn't mean it will one day be using advertising to supplement its OS sales. Moreover, I definitely don't agree with Johnson that it's time to get rid of your phone. However, there's certainly going to be a temptation for Apple here. Google makes $23 billion from advertising already, and even with all its money in the bank, Apple might be surprised at just how popular iAds becomes.
[via DF]
Update: The original headline on this post expressed an image that was not intentional. Our apologies for any misunderstandings.TUAWApple's temptation to overuse iAds originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Review: Joule iPad stand by ElementCase
Filed under: iPad
The iPhone cases from ElementCase have always impressed me. Made to last from sturdy materials, they are beautifully designed and a joy to use. I've used a lot of iPhone cases and after so many wound up treating my phone badly, I felt the case we covered a while ago did possibly the best job of protecting the iPhone and providing a functional purpose as well (bigger handles for your phone when gaming). They also sell a car and boat mount for the iPhone cases... But then Apple introduced the iPad. ElementCase got right to work, building a gorgeous stand for the thing. As we reported last week, the stand is called the Joule.
Hit the link below to read about the stand itself and find a discount code for your own purchase, and be sure to stay tuned -- we'll be giving some of these away on Monday of next week.
TUAWReview: Joule iPad stand by ElementCase originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - iPad claiming .03% of all 'net traffic already
Filed under: iPad
I must say, my iPad has become my primary way to access the Web when I'm at home, and it looks like Apple's latest device is getting a lot of exercise from other iPad users too.
In a report from NetApplications, the iPad averaged 0.03 percent, per day, of all Web traffic for the ten days after its launch. Launch weekend had particularly high numbers, and then the numbers trended down as people went back to work, presumably without their iPads. The numbers actually approach the number of users for Blackberry and Google Android phones.
That doesn't seem like a large percentage necessarily (it's less than half of one percent), but when you consider that it's .03% of all Web traffic, for a device less than a week old, it is worth noting. NetApplications' numbers are based on a selective sampling of Web sites whose logs they have access to and can analyze. Of course, the iPhone and iPod touch have higher numbers, 0.51 and 0.11 respectively. But even after just a week of sale, the iPad is challenging other browsing devices.
It's likely that the iPad numbers will climb even higher, both when the 3G model comes out later this month, and when the iPad has an international release. We'll be on the lookout for other data and keep you posted. For our iPad users out there, is your experience similar to mine? Has the iPad become a preferred device for dealing with mail and the Web when you are home, or even at work?
[Via Ars Technica]TUAWiPad claiming .03% of all 'net traffic already originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - C64 to stay free, KaleidoVid also free
Filed under: App Store
A little while back, the C64 app in the App Store (a C64 emulator with officially licensed code from some old Commodore 64 games) announced that it was going free for a day with the Free App a Day promotion. That was a few weeks ago, and you might have noticed that the app is still free in the store. We contacted Manomio's CTO Stuart Carnie to ask him if the app was still free, and he confirmed that yes, C64 is staying a free download.
The reasoning is pretty interesting -- the way the app works is that you do get some games for free, and then you can buy more using in-app purchases. Carnie tells us that when the app went free, they saw a spike in games being bought -- twenty times what they were selling previously. Making the app free also vastly increased their user base, and since they're constantly trying to get the licenses for older C64 games, going to code owners and saying that they've got almost 1.5 million downloads of the title gives them a lot more attention. In fact, because of the free promotion, Carnie says they've secured rights for International Karate, all the Last Ninja games, and Myth -- those should all be out on the store soon.
Very interesting. C64 isn't the only app to go free lately -- David Barnard, the creator of KaleidoVid, an app that our own Dave Caolo enjoyed, has made that app free as well today for "a limited time," though we don't know how long yet. Barnard tells us that sales on the title weren't spectacular, it was designed more for fun than anything else, and that maybe sending the app free for a while will help it pick up some extra attention. Certainly there are apps that work better at different prices, but even if the goal is to make money, selling an app for free sometimes is actually the way to go.TUAWC64 to stay free, KaleidoVid also free originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Doing Good Works: works, but not so good
Filed under: iPhone, App Review
Of the thousands of iPhone apps available, we all know there are varying levels of usefulness, interactivity and quality. Of course, that's why you come to sites like TUAW, to help sort through the good and the bad and hopefully make an informed decision before hitting that "Buy" button.
The problem comes when we consider an app like Doing Good Works. It has a few really good things going for it: it's free, it's free of ads, and it's informative. What it lacks comes under the areas I mentioned at the start: usefulness, interactivity and quality.
Doing Good Works (Think Big Press) has a very simple purpose, and that's to tell you how to have a positive outlook on life and the world around you; to try to make a difference -- in helping yourself and others -- one step at a time. Sounds good so far, right? Well, where this app falls short immediately is in its delivery.
Essentially, DGW is a 144-page book in app form; nothing more. Oh, we've seen plenty of book apps before, but how it is executed here is neither revolutionary nor practical. Selecting from the nine chapters is done via a basic scrolling list, though actually selecting the chapter you want can actually be a bit confusing. Instead of simply selecting the chapter from the list and having it appear, you have to touch a difficult-to-read image of text above the list once your selection is made.TUAWDoing Good Works: works, but not so good originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Reminder: Apple 2nd quarter results due next week
Filed under: Apple Financial
Apple has released a media alert announcing its FY10 second quarter results conference call -- which we already knew was on 4/20, but it's nice that they've made it official, again. The conference call will take place on Tuesday at 2 pm PDT/5 pm EDT. Those interested can listen to the call starting at 2 pm by tuning into the webcast of the event. The quarterly results themselves will be announced shortly after the markets close in the US at 4 pm EDT.
Apple had issued guidance of $2.06-$2.18 profit per share on $11-$11.4 billion of revenue. As usual, this is well below the $2.43 per share most analysts expect Apple to report. For those hoping to hear iPad numbers, don't hold your breath. Though the iPad was announced in January, it did not ship until April 3rd, which means its sales numbers will not factor into Apple's Q2 earnings. TUAW will have analysis of the earnings during the call in our regular quarterly earnings liveblog.TUAWReminder: Apple 2nd quarter results due next week originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - App of the Day: Subatomic for iPhone and iPad
Filed under: Gaming
App of the Day is TUAW's new App Store spotlight. One great app, every single day.
Subatomic is a game that's available for the iPhone and the iPad. The premise is that you push molecules of different colors around a field with gravity. Portals sit on the gamefield full of molecules, and as they slowly fade away, it's your job to pull more in and match them up. By touching near a molecule, you can push it in a certain direction with a gravity vortex (the game has a cool blurred graphical feature whenever you touch the screen). The game ramps up pretty quickly; eventually you're trying to push molecules toward multiple portals while trying to keep different-colored molecules from reaching the wrong portals.
Unfortunately, the difficulty curve can be a little high. It's sometimes hard to control the incoming molecules, and when you accidentally touch a little too close, you'll find yourself flinging molecules off into the distance instead of getting them where they want to go. At a basic level, though, it's an interesting control scheme that I haven't seen before. The game contains a full tutorial as part of its 31 levels, and the music and backgrounds (some of which contain actual electron microscope imagery from real-life scientists) add to the experience. The social features of the game are managed by OpenFeint.
Subatomic is US$1.99 on the App Store, and a free version (with seven levels to try) is available as well.TUAWApp of the Day: Subatomic for iPhone and iPad originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - 360iDev: Hands-on with Freeverse's Warpgate HD and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Filed under: iPad
We got to play two of Freeverse's current and future offerings this past week at 360iDev. Warpgate HD was the first -- it's out now on the App Store, and is due out for the iPhone and iPod touch. It was originally designed for the iPhone, but it ended up being a good fit for the larger device, so they readied it for a launch release. It's a fun title, although it doesn't quite take full advantage of the bigger hardware yet; as you play the space trading simulation, you get the feeling that there could probably be a little more to it on the iPad. It's still a fun title, though.
We also got to play their upcoming Pride and Prejudice and Zombies iPhone game adaptation, and being that we've been buddies with Freeverse ever since they were developing games for the Mac, we talked a little bit with them about their heritage and how their recent merger with Ngmoco has affected their outlook. Read on for more.TUAW360iDev: Hands-on with Freeverse's Warpgate HD and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Guy uses iPad to pop the question
Filed under: iPad
We've seen other geeky marriage proposals in the past, but it's always nice to be the first before the schtick gets old.
TechCrunch reader Zach used his iPad to ask his girlfriend to marry him. Zach sat his girlfriend down on a bench, where he had asked her out two and a half years earlier, and whipped out his iPad. He told her to put the earbuds on, and then he played a slideshow with music and photos of the two of them together. There was laughter, there were tears; then there was the last slide. Does anyone have a guess as to what it said? That's right! "Will you marry me?"
From the photo, you can see what the answer was.
For those of you keeping track, we've seen:- A proposal outside an Apple Store
- An iPod proposal
- An Apple Store wedding
- and even a girl marrying her MacBook Pro
TUAWGuy uses iPad to pop the question originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - When you're good enough for a Pulitzer, but not the App Store
Filed under: App Store
Mark Fiore made history on Monday when he won the Pulitzer Prize for editorial cartooning. Though Pulitzers for political cartoons have been around since the 1920s, Fiore's award was historic because it's the first time the Pulitzer has been awarded to a political cartoonist whose cartoons don't appear in print. That's right -- all of Fiore's cartoons appear on the web.
I love political cartoons and think it's really cool that internet-only cartoonists are getting the professional respect they deserve. Who knows, maybe the new Pulitzer will be given to a political cartoon that only appears on the iPhone? Hey, maybe Fiore should make an iPhone app so you can enjoy all his toons in one place? Oh, wait -- he has. And Apple rejected it.
Yes, it's a weird world when you're good enough for a Pulitzer, but not the App Store. The Nieman Journalism Lab reports that Fiore submitted his iPhone app, NewsToons, to Apple in December. Apple then proceeded to reject it because his satire "ridicules public figures." This isn't the first time that political caricature has run afoul of App Store rules; Tom Richmond's app featuring a cartoon Congress was vetoed in November, then almost immediately cleared for sale.
UPDATE: NYT is reporting Mr. Fiore has been "encouraged" by Apple to re-submit. So the lesson here? Win a Pulitzer, get a 2nd chance at the App Store.
Look Apple, I supported some of your bans in the past -- like your ban on sexy junk apps -- but political cartooning is slightly different. It's one of the few disciplines that blend art, current events, and humor in such a way that they can convey the entirety of a relevant and complex issue into in a simple picture (or in Fiore's case, a simple Flash animation). So how about you rethink your decision and allow his app into the store? It'd be a shame to see the first Pulitzer for political cartooning going to a cartoonist with an Android phone.TUAWWhen you're good enough for a Pulitzer, but not the App Store originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Chloe the Corgi, meet iPad
Filed under: iPad
Well, we've already introduced a cat to the iPad, so a dog would naturally follow, right? Tested.com tried their best to bring their corgi Chloe (I really love corgis, ever since Cowboy Bebop) to the iPad, but as you can see in the video above, she doesn't take to it quite as well as Iggy the cat did. After a little sniffing and experimentation, things go south fast. Poor puppy! Just not muscially-inclined, I guess.
Maybe she'd rather wait for the gPad. In the meantime, tell Jobs to get Ive on the line -- there's at least one canine demographic out there for which the iPad's interface isn't quite so intuitive.
[via The Daily What, who also posted this fun music video featuring iPhones]TUAWChloe the Corgi, meet iPad originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - 360iDev: Game Jam creations
Filed under: Developer
Tuesday night at the 360iDev conference in San Jose, around 60 developers gathered in a room on the eBay campus around 8pm as security locked them in for the night (one developer joined the group via Skype -- that's him on the big screen above). Their goal? A game jam. Before 8am the next day, they would put together working prototypes of games, either based on their own ideas, or revolving around the night's theme of "Tiny." Not all developers were there to make new games -- a few were there to work on current projects or offer up their help to others. But up until 2am and beyond (that's about when I chickened out and let them work), the room was full of developers punching away on their keyboards, writing code, designing art, and, well, developing.
I originally thought that it was just a lark; a fun project that gave everyone an excuse to spend the night on the eBay campus. But no, this was serious stuff -- apparently at least one App Store game has its origins in past game jams at these conferences. So while developers were just testing their skills at putting their ideas into motion, it's possible that we may see some of these prototypes show up on the App Store eventually as working products.
After the break, we'll provide a look at what a few developers were up to at Tuesday's game jam.TUAW360iDev: Game Jam creations originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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