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- Play Rainbox Six: Vanguard (kind of) with this interactive trailer
This is a new one -- in order to promote its new iOS title, Rainbox Six: Vanguard (coming to the App Store tomorrow), Gameloft has put together this interactive trailer over on YouTube. Not only does the trailer show off some gameplay of the upcoming title, but it allows you to actually make decisions as you watch about how exactly how to play the game.
I can't say it's entirely successful (though the game looks pretty good -- Gameloft is doing well at aping most gameplay styles for the iPhone, and in this case they're doing it officially), but it's a really interesting way to market a title, and of course when it comes to the App Store, that's often one of the biggest priorities. You can see the trailer in action after the break.
[via 9to5Mac]
Continue reading Play Rainbox Six: Vanguard (kind of) with this interactive trailer
Play Rainbox Six: Vanguard (kind of) with this interactive trailer originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Doodle Jump Hop movie tie-in out now
The promised Doodle Jump movie tie-in game for Universal's movie Hop has hit the App Store, and it's completely free. The game plays just like the very popular Doodle Jump, though the graphics have been updated slightly, and of course they're all branded to fit the Hop characters. There are 25 levels to play through, but the catch is that one is unlocked every single day up to the movie's release on April 1st (in similar fashion to the Angry Birds Seasons' Advent calendar).
Originally, we were told that the Hop characters would show up in the official app as an Easter update, so that's probably still happening as well. While the plot of the promotional game is that EB, the main Hop character, is learning to jump from Doodle the Doodler, we'll have to see if Doodle himself shows up in the actual movie. Of course, you can buy movie tickets for the film straight from this promotional app as well, so there's all sorts of cross-channel branding going on.
Basically, if you've never picked up Doodle Jump, here's a way to play it for free, and if you have kids who like the Hop movie, they'll probably enjoy it, too. Great to see a classic iPhone app playing with the big licensing boys in Hollywood.
Doodle Jump Hop movie tie-in out now originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - 'iPhone 5' cases show not much will change from iPhone 4
Hardmac has released a photo from a case manufacturer who claims the case is for the forthcoming iPhone 5. In contrast to an earlier report that the iPhone 5 would see a significant external redesign, the case design shows a design nearly identical to the current iPhone 4. Hardmac claims its source is reliable, and while case manufacturers' leaks weren't necessarily an accurate barometer of possible product design in the distant past, the leaked cases for the iPad 2 were quite accurate depictions of its final form.
Taken together with supposedly leaked engineering diagrams and a video from a few months back claiming to show the iPhone 5's antenna (which was virtually identical to the Verizon iPhone's redesigned antenna, except for the inclusion of a SIM slot... hmmm), these rumors are painting a picture of an iPhone 5 that's externally similar in most respects to the current iPhone 4. In all honesty, I think this is what virtually everyone is expecting from the iPhone 5; the external design barely changed at all between the iPhone 3G and 3GS, and despite widespread FUD about the iPhone 4's antenna (later moderated via objective analysis), it's unlikely that Apple will switch up the design significantly for the next generation iPhone.
If Apple follows its yearly pattern, the iPhone 5 will debut in either June or July of this year.
[via Mac Rumors]
'iPhone 5' cases show not much will change from iPhone 4 originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Time Warner's iPad TV service cut back due to overwhelming demand
Earlier this week, Time Warner Cable released its new iPad app which allowed users to watch live TV on the device, if they met certain key conditions. The app only works when connected to residential networks connected to TWC's RoadRunner cable modem ISP service, or the parallel Earthlink service delivered by TWC, and users have to subscribe to a base tier of cable TV service as well.
Who knew live TV would be so popular? Apparently the service has already been overwhelmed with demand. Customers couldn't log in yesterday due to the drain on the authentication servers, and Time Warner has had to cut back the number of channels available to watch from 30 to just 15. Keep in mind this is a huge amount of demand from a relatively small audience covered by the restrictions above. But apparently that was enough -- even with just those users, the service was completely overrun.
That hasn't stopped Time Warner from promising improvements, however -- the company still says it plans to add even more than the 30 channels that were supposed to be available at launch, and the service is expected to turn into a Slingbox-style solution, with Time Warner subscribers able to watch television from anywhere. Those days may be a little while off yet, though. Obviously, any setup like that will clearly require a large and dedicated infrastructure to run well.
Time Warner's iPad TV service cut back due to overwhelming demand originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple re-working iPad 2 inventory shipments strategy
Apple is apparently trying to slow down the iPad 2 madness -- a new report from AppleInsider claims that the company has instituted a new policy with iPad 2 shipments, requiring stores to keep received iPad 2 units in store for up to a day before actually releasing them for sale. That actually makes plenty of sense -- just pushing them out for sale as they arrive could really mess up inventory, and this policy gives the store managers enough time to make sure shipments are received and logged-in before they start going out the door to customers.
Of course, this means that customers may be lied to when they come in the store asking for iPad 2s -- employees may be telling those asking that shipments came in the same day, when they likely were received a day before (and of course you could be told the store doesn't have any product when it actually does in the back room). But this seems reasonable -- the report says it's "utter havoc" when iPads are going out as fast as they're coming in, and I believe it.
It's worth noting that Apple hasn't made any official statements on this one, but it's unlikely that they would share information on an internal policy like this anyway. If you're still hunting an iPad 2 at your local Apple Store and are told they're "expecting a shipment tomorrow morning," you might want to show up nice and early the next day.
Apple re-working iPad 2 inventory shipments strategy originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Analysis of iPad 2 display shows performance similar to iPhone 4
The iPhone 4's Retina Display rightly gets praise for its high pixel density. Since its release, many iPad owners have longed for Apple to bump up the display resolution from 1024 x 768 in order to provide a similar viewing experience on Apple's tablet. When viewing an iPad's display next to an iPhone 4's Retina Display, the iPad appears excessively pixellated, particularly in text-heavy apps like iBooks.
Pixel density aside, recent analysis by Dr. Raymond M. Soneira of DisplayMate Technologies shows that the iPad 2's display stacks up well against the iPhone 4 in most other measures. According to Dr. Soneira, "the display on the iPad 2 delivers almost identical performance to the impressive iPhone 4 Retina Display," for the values he measured. Dr. Soneira compares the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and iPad 2, and he analyzes values such as brightness, contrast ratio, black levels, and viewing angles to give us an idea how Apple's newest device stacks up. In most respects, the iPad 2's display does indeed perform similarly to the iPhone 4, and both devices have measurably superior display quality compared to the iPhone 3GS.
Although the iPad 2 display's 132 ppi doesn't compare favorably to the iPhone 4's 326 ppi, Dr. Soneira calls the pixel density on the Retina Display "overkill" anyway. He believes some of the iPad 2 display's shortcomings could be addressed in software; Dr. Soneira says "anti-aliasing on the iPad 2 is far from state-of-the-art and degrades the perceived sharpness of text and graphics." Indeed, comparing the anti-aliasing on an iPad display versus a notebook display with a similar pixel density shows the iPad suffers from greater pixellation.
Some iOS developers such as Firemint and Chair Entertainment have already taken advantage of the iPad 2's better graphical performance, and using techniques similar to the ones Dr. Soneira advocates, these developers have delivered superior-quality graphics in their apps even though the display resolution remains the same. With its limited RAM and less powerful A4 processor, it's possible the original iPad lacked the processing power necessary to support anti-aliasing similar to that accomplished on Mac displays, but the iPad 2 should be able to do so.
Perhaps improved anti-aliasing for the iPad 2 is something we should add to our wish list for iOS 5.
[via AppleInsider]
Analysis of iPad 2 display shows performance similar to iPhone 4 originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - TUAW TV Live: A demo-packed episode
On rare occasions, I find myself struggling to fill one hour of live streaming video. Most of the time, I end up with just enough material to make it through TUAW TV Live with no problems. Today, it's going to be a challenge to see if I can pack all of the demos into 60 short minutes.I will demonstrate, in no particular order, the iRig Mic ($59.99) and its associated software, the iPad 2 versus the original iPad (side by side!), Zite (free), Chicken Balls HD ($2.99), GarageBand for iPad ($4.99) Flare ($9.99 intro price), and Bento 4 ($49 new, $29 upgrade). Heck, who knows? There may be more!
From your Mac or PC, go to the next page by clicking the Read More link at the bottom of this post, and you'll find a livestream viewer and a chat tool. The chat tool allows you to participate by asking questions or making comments.
If you're driving somewhere and would like to watch TUAW TV Live while you're stuck in traffic, please don't -- keep your eyes on the road! However, if someone else is doing the driving, you can watch the show on your iPhone and join the chat by downloading the free Ustream Viewing Application. If you're on an iPad, you should be able to use the Skyfire Browser to watch the stream, although you will not be able to participate in the chat.
We'll start at about 5 PM ET, so if you're seeing a prerecorded show, be sure to refresh your browser until you see the live stream. For those of you who are not able to join us for the live edition, you'll be able to view it later this evening on our TUAW Video YouTube channel and as part of the new TUAW TV Live podcast viewable in iTunes or on any of your Apple devices.
Continue reading TUAW TV Live: A demo-packed episode
TUAW TV Live: A demo-packed episode originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - The Going to Bed Book: An interactive book for toddlers
Loudcrow Interactive Inc. is taking a new direction in their interactive children's books with The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton (US $2.99 for the iPad Version or $1.99 for the iPhone). Instead of their very similar PopOut takes on Peter Rabbit and The Night Before Christmas, in their third outing, they decided to do a fourteen page board book for very small children. These are small books on very thick cardboard stock, perfect for teething. The story involves a bunch of animals on a boat preparing for bed by taking baths, putting on their pajamas, brushing their teeth, exercising, and finally rocking to sleep. It's short, simple and quite well done for this type of book.What makes it different from the print version is that The Going to Bed Book gives you the option to read it yourself or have a "big guy" read it to you. There is a slider to adjust the volume of, or turn off, the very soothing music, and touching a word speaks that specific word. This stops the narration but touching a little open circle reads it again. The interactions are tailored for toddlers and are easy to find, or marked if it's something special.
Continue reading The Going to Bed Book: An interactive book for toddlers
The Going to Bed Book: An interactive book for toddlers originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Infinity Blade looks great on a 50" HDTV via iPad 2
The new iPad 2 paired with Apple's Digital AV Adapter is perfect for watching movies with your family, teaching lessons to a classroom, or presenting the latest sales figures to a board room on an HDTV. TouchGen found it's also an awesome new way to enjoy your favorite iPad games like Real Racing 2 or Epic's Infinity Blade on a much bigger screen.TouchGen reporters connected an iPad 2 to a 50-inch LG HDTV using Apple's HDMI adapter. With this setup, everything seen or heard on the iPad 2 is mirrored on the big screen. Fire up a game like Infinity Blade, powered by Epic's iPad-optimized Unreal Engine, and the iPad suddenly looks like a potent challenger in the home console market.
"I guarantee that anyone passing by would just assume you were playing an Xbox 360 or PS3 game," says Matt Dunn in his report for TouchGen. "Obviously the 4:3 aspect ratio gives it away a bit, but damn if iPad 2-optimized games don't look great on a nice TV!"
Admittedly, Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's Playstation 3 both support higher resolution 1080p video and probably still beat the iPad 2 in raw graphics performance. But the iPad's new ability to bring its library of games to the big screens in our living rooms shows the potential for tablet devices to compete directly with dedicated gaming consoles. Perhaps in a year or two, we'll be writing about how a future iPad stacks up against the PS4 and third-generation Xbox.
Today, we can enjoy Epic's gorgeously crafted Infinity Blade on a 50-inch HDTV! That's a bit drool-worthy in itself. Right?Keep reading to see videos from TouchGen of Real Racing 2 and Epic's Infinity Blade being played on an HDTV.
[via Dvice]
Continue reading Infinity Blade looks great on a 50" HDTV via iPad 2
Infinity Blade looks great on a 50" HDTV via iPad 2 originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Due for iPad brings reminders to the big screen
Due, the simple and almost supernaturally useful reminder app for the iPhone (our review) has finally gone universal. Due on the iPad (US$4.99) offers the same great look and functionality as its iPhone-exclusive predecessor, and introduces over-the-air sync of reminders thanks to the magic of Dropbox.I've been using it for a couple of weeks now and I can say that it's just as great on the iPad as it's been on the iPhone. Here's my review of Due version 1.4 on the iPad.
Continue reading Due for iPad brings reminders to the big screen
Due for iPad brings reminders to the big screen originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Report: Apple king of the tablet market until 2013
One of the stories making the blog rounds today is a new report from research firm DisplaySearch, which claims that Apple will stave off emerging iPad competitors. The iPad will be king of the tablets until 2013 when they'll be overtaken by competitors.
A lot depends on not just how well competitors will do, but the access to supplies. As we reported last month, Apple is making sure the majority of touch screens currently being produced are being earmarked for the iPad.
While DisplaySearch thinks that iPad sales will mirror the iPhone, GigaOM believes that iPads will follow the iPod. Both the iPad and the iPod are category-defining devices, while the iPhone entered a market that's been around for years.
[via MacStories]
Report: Apple king of the tablet market until 2013 originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - algoriddim's djay now on iPhone / iPod touch, iPad version updated
Algoriddim, maker of the djay app, has got in touch to let us know that it's updated djay for iPad to version 1.1 -- introducing some exciting new features -- as well as announcing an all-new version of djay for the iPhone and iPod touch.
djay is a virtual DJ setup with a realistic turntable and mixer interface that lets you mix, spin, cue and scratch your tracks straight from your iPod music library. We took a closer look at djay for the iPad and the Mac late last year and were very impressed with the results and, according to the specs, it looks like those results will transition nicely over to the iPhone version of the app.
Algoriddim has also updated the iPad version of the app with stability fixes and some new features including looping, multiple cue points and BPM library browsing. There's also added compatibility for bluetooth audio devices and extended support for AIFF and WAV files, but this requires iOS 4.3
For the full list of improvements and features click here or if you already own the app head on over to the Updates section of the iOS App Store on your iPad -- the new version will be waiting for you to download.
djay is available now on the iOS App Store at US$9.99 for the iPhone version and US$19.99 for the iPad version.
Click past the break for a promo video of djay for the iPhone.
Continue reading algoriddim's djay now on iPhone / iPod touch, iPad version updated
algoriddim's djay now on iPhone / iPod touch, iPad version updated originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - TUAW TV Live at 5 PM ET: iPad 2 and Mac for youThere once was a blogger named Steve
Who had nothing new up his sleeve
Till a fresh north wind blew
And he got iPad 2
Now a bad limerick he will weaveSorry about that. The title of this post rhymed, so it was impossible for me to continue writing my TUAW TV Live promo post without adding at least one little piece of doggerel. As you can tell from my awe-inspiring poetry, the iPad 2 will be one of the topics of today's show, along with several new apps that will have you hitting the App Store.
The iPhone and Mac aren't going to be left out of the show; I have a sweet little iOS peripheral to tempt you with and two major new Mac OS X applications to demo. To top it off, there are some other products that have made their way to me for demonstration purposes, so it should be a full and fun hour.
If you haven't joined me and the regular TUAW TV Live chat room crowd for this midweek madness, you ought to try to make it today. To watch the livestream and take part in the live chat, just drop by TUAW a little before 5 PM ET / 2 PM PT / 10 PM GMT, and I'll have full instructions on how to join in.
For those of you who may be at work, asleep or otherwise too tied up to participate in the live show, we now offer re-runs in the form of a video podcast. To subscribe to the podcast and automatically receive the latest video in iTunes, click here. New episodes will appear weekly.
Should you need a bit of a TUAW TV Live fix in between Wednesdays, be sure to visit the brand new TUAW TV Live Facebook page to discuss potential show topics and Apple.
Thanks to TUAW TV Live viewer Uri Lev Kelman for the great logo!
TUAW TV Live at 5 PM ET: iPad 2 and Mac for you originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Photoshop Express for iOS enhances camera features
Adobe updated its Photoshop Express application for iOS to version 2.0. Photoshop Express is a basic photo editing and sharing application for Apple's suite of iOS 4.2-compatible devices. The updated application now includes support for the retina display of the iPhone 4 and the iPod touch as well as the multi-tasking features of the latest version of iOS.
For budding photographers, Photoshop Express 2.0 includes a new "Camera Pack" feature. Available as a $3.99 in-app purchase, the camera workflow add-in lets you take pictures from within the application and preview these photos before you press the shutter button. You can also set up a self-timer and apply a noise reduction filter to the image before it is saved. The new Photoshop Express 2.0 is available from the App Store for free and is compatible with the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad running iOS 4.2.
Photoshop Express for iOS enhances camera features originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - David Letterman's top 10 reasons to buy an iPad 2
The iPad 2 has been getting a lot of attention since it arrived in U.S. stores on March 11. The lines at Apple Stores around the country were top news on many local TV stations, and the sleek new device has been popping up on shows in the five days since the introduction.
Last night, Late Show host David Letterman used the iPad 2 as fodder for his nightly "Top 10 List." While some of the "Top 10 Reasons to Buy an iPad 2" fall flat, there are several that are actually pretty humorous, including #7 which describes the three cameras that come with every iPad 2.
I'm just hoping that Letterman decides to start using an iPad 2 to display his script so we don't have to keep looking at his bald spot when he bends over to peer at the Top 10 list...
Click the read more link to watch Dave in action.
[via BusinessInsider]
Continue reading David Letterman's top 10 reasons to buy an iPad 2
David Letterman's top 10 reasons to buy an iPad 2 originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - New Wi-Fi Diagnostics tool a part of Mac OS X 10.7 Lion
When Mac OS X 10.7 Lion leaps onto our Macs later this year, Apple's support specialists will have a new tool to use to troubleshoot those pesky Wi-Fi problems.
AppleInsider reports that a new Wi-Fi Diagnostics tool can be found in Lion's /System/Library/CoreServices folder, along with a number of other utilities and apps that are part of Mac OS X. To launch the tool in the developer beta of Lion, users Option-Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the Menu Bar, then select the Open Wi-Fi Diagnostics item from the menu.
The tool provides four major functions: Monitor Performance, Record Events, Capture Raw Frames, or Turn on Debug Logs. Monitor Performance captures detailed signal and noise data over time, and the captured info can be sent to Apple for troubleshooting. Other diagnostics options will log specific events, or can capture raw data to a temporary .pcap (packet capture) file, which can also be uploaded for the benefit of Apple support professionals.
Another change discovered by AppleInsider is the addition of network configuration profiles that can be produced and delivered by network administrators. This is another iOS feature that is migrating to Mac OS X, since Apple had previously created config profiles so admins could roll out settings and updates to iOS users. Lion Server uses the same infrastructure to deliver network config files for automating Mac management.
New Wi-Fi Diagnostics tool a part of Mac OS X 10.7 Lion originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - "Notable" slowdown at Foxconn manufacturing concerns Apple
A slowdown in Foxconn's manufacturing may have a negative impact on its future supply of Apple products. According to JMP Securities, "(Foxconn) growth decelerated from 84% (year over year) in the month of December to 37% in January and then again to 26% in February."
The reasons for this deceleration are not known, but the slowdown is concerning enough that JMP has downgraded its outlook on Apple from "Market Outperform" to "Market Perform." This unfavorable assessment is not based on the quality of Apple's products, but on Foxconn's ability to deliver an increasing number of Apple products in a timely manner.
For the past year, Apple has struggled to meet demand for its popular smartphone and tablet. Both the original iPad and the iPhone 4 were plagued by shortages that forced the Cupertino company to delay the international launch of the iPad and rollout the iPhone 4 slowly to new carriers worldwide.
Apple's recent earnings conference call confirmed iPhone 4 supplies are still constrained and a slowdown by Foxconn may exacerbate this problem. It is worthy to note that this report does consider the negative impact of the Japanese earthquake on the global supply of NAND flash and other electronics components. Until production levels in Japan can be restored, the next few months may be rough for Apple and its fans.
"Notable" slowdown at Foxconn manufacturing concerns Apple originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Who's behind those spammy video converter apps
There's an interesting article from last year over on Macworld about how spammers try to use comment systems on discussion forums to promote their wares.
Christopher Breen, one of their moderators, dug into the world of Chinese companies promoting dodgy (as in "don't work very well") video converters. "The software is advertised through forum spam -- usually in the form of tutorials that show you how to use it -- but there's sock puppeting going on as well," he says. "These companies will often first pose a question along the lines of 'How do I convert my videos for the iPad?' and then, under a different identity (but using the same IP address), answer their own question with a recommendation for one of these tools. Additionally, they create shareware sites that, coincidentally enough, rave about these products in fake reviews."
Breen managed to confront some of these spammers when they contacted Macworld asking them to review their software. "I was contacted by a PR representative from one of these companies asking for a review. I replied that we don't review software from spammers but if they were willing to forego this sleazy practice, we might consider a review, just as we'd consider a review of any legitimate product."
He goes on to detail how the spammers offered to pay for advertising and offer special deals and prizes to readers in return for a review, and he always replied, "We don't support spammers."
Breen lists the names of many of the video converters to avoid and offers advice to those running discussion forums on how to recognize and remove their spam.
Good stuff.
Who's behind those spammy video converter apps originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Bento for Mac 4.0 arrives with label printing and location features
The "database for the rest of us," FileMaker's Bento for Mac, has hit version 4 today along with revised builds of the iPhone and iPad editions. It's a little bit surprising to realize that Bento has actually been on the market for three years now; in this edition, the product team has added some key features to the personal data manager, and for the first time it will be sold via the Mac App Store in addition to boxed/download sales.
The biggest improvement in 4.0 is a feature so obvious that I mistakenly thought it was already part of the product: full label printing support. Bento now includes print templates for more than 250 label sheets from Avery and DYMO, and allows you to selectively include per-record images (like photos or QR codes for inventory stickers or conference badges). You can create custom label formats, and include your label setups in a template for easy export. Overall printing controls are also souped up in the new version.
Speaking of templates, Bento 4 makes it easier to share your database layouts with friends and colleagues or with the entire world. A new export feature (Template with Data) gives you a way to easily share a template pre-populated with your content; very handy for workgroups or family use. You can also do a one-button upload of your prized template (sans data) to the Bento Template Exchange if you think it's worthy/useful.
For data entry on the go, Bento 4 includes a location field type that can be applied to any record. Once it's there, it can automatically populate your latitude and longitude at the time the record is modified, based on your WiFi or GPS coordinates; this syncs/tracks with the iOS versions of Bento as well, so for mobile professionals (insurance/legal, real estate, civil engineering, etc.) who have a need to geotag their content, this seems like a winner.
Another data type that's syncing with the iOS Bento versions is voice memos. These can be captured on the Mac or on iPhone/iPad, letting you easily associate short audio snippets with a record for future reference. I could see the combination of an iPad 2 and Bento working very well for a recruiter or casting director who might need to keep a picture, resume and voiceover sample in one record.
There are more new features to explore, so check them out. Bento 4 is available immediately at a $29 upgrade price for existing users; it's $49 for a new single license, $99 for a family pack. The iPhone and iPad versions are $4.99 each, and they are indeed separate apps for the two device families.
Bento for Mac 4.0 arrives with label printing and location features originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - iPad 2 sells out in USA, March 25th international launch in doubt
Less than a week after its launch in the United States, the iPad 2 is simply gone. If you don't have one already, you're not likely to get one anytime soon unless you have equal measures of patience and perseverance. Apple's retail stores are occasionally (and sporadically) getting new shipments, but the lines outside stores in key markets like New York City and San Francisco are still huge. Shipping time for online iPad 2 orders has increased to 4-5 weeks. The picture is clear: demand for the iPad 2 is vastly outstripping supply.
All of this has led at least one analyst to question whether Apple's scheduled March 25 international launch of the iPad 2 will still take place. After examining the current state of affairs in the U.S., Brian White of Ticonderoga Securities doubts Apple will have enough supply of the iPad 2 for an international launch. Unfortunately for Apple fans outside the States, he's most likely right.
Considering how the supply/demand scenario has played out in the U.S. so far, a couple things could happen with the iPad 2's international launch. Unfortunately, neither of them are likely to satisfy international customers or do much for Apple's image. First, Apple may cite supply issues and simply move the international launch date back. I think this is the most likely scenario, mostly because there's precedent for it: the same thing happened last year with the first iPad.
The other possibility is that Apple will go forward with the international launch on schedule, but with extremely limited stock. While discussing this scenario with fellow overseas TUAW colleague Richard Gaywood, I guessed that on launch day Apple might have perhaps 50,000 iPad 2 units available in the UK, where he lives. As for New Zealand, where I live, I estimated about 500 iPad 2s would make it down here -- and I was being optimistic. Given the state of affairs the last time Apple launched a major product where I live, even if the iPad 2 does make it to NZ on March 25, the launch is likely to be a debacle. Note that in both countries' cases these numbers were pulled out of the ether and formed from no evidence at all, so please don't go pitching a tent outside your local Apple Store based on my guesswork.
There is of course a third possibility: the U.S. iPad 2 supply may be limited because Apple has deliberately held units back to assure a smooth(ish) international launch. Based on Apple's history of preferential treatment for the U.S. market when it comes to product launches, I find this highly unlikely.
I saw this coming, so I planned accordingly: my iPad 2 is currently somewhere over the North Atlantic on its way to me, far on the other side of Earth. Unfortunately, whether the international launch happens on schedule or not, it's unlikely most would-be iPad 2 owners outside of the U.S. will be so lucky.
iPad 2 sells out in USA, March 25th international launch in doubt originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - RoboTouch brings NES controller to iPad
Mix a handful of micro servos, an old Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) controller, a pinch of open-source Arduino magic, an iPad running Reckless Racing, a few pounds of ingenuity and elbow grease, and what do you get? Most of us would probably end up with an iPad and a small yard sale. But avid technology tinkerer Joven of ProtoDojo used these ingredients to build a contraption that let him play his favorite iPad game using a classic Nintendo controller."I hacked my old NES controller to control micro servos with custom conductive arms that simulate touches to the screen of my iPad," writes Joven. "The servos are attached to the screen with mini suction cups and can be easily positioned for any game."
The RoboTouch appears impressively responsive in the video demo below, allowing its builder to play Reckless Racing, a game fittingly reminiscent of R.C. Pro-Am for the NES.
Joven hasn't provided the complete recipe for cooking your own Nintendo-controlled iPad, but he does briefly explain how to convert a classic NES gamepad into a USB flash drive secured by the Konami Code. He also suggests this article as a reference for adapting your old NES controllers for use with Arduino.
Keep reading to see the video demo.
Continue reading RoboTouch brings NES controller to iPad
RoboTouch brings NES controller to iPad originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - TUAW's Daily App: Liqua Pop
EA's latest game on the App Store is called Liqua Pop. It's an original puzzle game that has you popping liquid bubbles of the same color in order to send a little toad on the side of the screen to the top. The presentation in this one is very well done -- the music is cool and clear, and the graphics are shiny and very (wait for it...) fluid. The bubbles show up quickly, and eventually bugs appear in the bubbles and add a little complication to the mix. But overall, the gameplay is pretty simple, and you get into a nice rhythm of building up bubbles and shaking the device to pop them.
Unfortunately, the game's thin on content -- there's just one mode, and while there are plenty of levels to play through, it'd be nice to see a little variety to the gameplay. More of an issue is that there's no Game Center integration at all. You can share scores via Facebook, but really, especially with EA publishing, developers iChromo should have taken the time to include Game Center. Hopefully that and the other omissions will be fixed in a future update.
Liqua Pop is US$1.99 on the App Store right now, and I can recommend you check it out at that price, though I wouldn't blame you for waiting for the next EA sale to see if it drops down to a buck. If you're good on games for now, that might be your best bet.
TUAW's Daily App: Liqua Pop originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - iPod touch owners report graphics issues under iOS 4.3
Reports are coming in of iPod touch users having graphics glitches after updating to iOS 4.3. As you can see in the picture here and in this video, the problem looks like overlapping icons and "interference" on the screen.
There's a growing thread on the Apple message boards of fourth-generation iPod touch users who aren't happy. Resets and factory restores don't solve the problem, it seems, and users are looking to Apple to fix the problem with an update soon.
"I've noticed in the lock screen, certain notifications seem to have some sort of flash thing (almost looks like it's blinking in some cases)," says one user. "Similar to other posters in this thread. After rebooting it many times, the same issue is happening."
"The graphics for some reason have a snowy and animated outline," says another. "This iPod is not hacked or dropped or anything I don't understand why this is happening. I've turned it off and turned it back on and still having the issue. It is NOT a major issue, it is odd though and having issues with the display on this type of device still can't be a good sign right?"
No, it's certainly not a good sign, since the display is pretty much the only way to interact with an iPod touch in the first place. Here's hoping Apple figures out what's causing this and issues a fix.
[via Engadget]
iPod touch owners report graphics issues under iOS 4.3 originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - More iAds appearing on iPad
CNET reports that more iAds are starting to appear on the iPad platform. Apple released an iAd for the magical and revolutionary tablet last year featuring the Tron movie, but since then, we haven't seen a lot of traffic in iAd impressions on the platform. That's now changed; a new ad for Unilever features NCAA branding and offers video of basketball stars, daily March Madness schedules and even a trivia game to play. Apple has reportedly promised more iAds to come.It may seem silly to be so excited about an ad, but given the troubles that the iAd program has had lately, it's good to see Apple making some headway in providing its "premium mobile advertising platform." Looks like the recent changes to minimum buy, along with the rising popularity of the iPad and its second version, have seen business pick up a bit.
[via MacStories]
More iAds appearing on iPad originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - RIM called the iPhone 'badly flawed' before launch
If you were one of the iPhone's early adopters way back in 2007, you were the proud owner of a "badly flawed" device. Well, you were according to BlackBerry manufacturer RIM, anyway (see image for RIM's advice on how to best use your iPhone).A Reuters report on RIM's future (PDF) quotes an anonymous former employee as saying RIM thought the iPhone was "so badly flawed from day one. [...] Users wanted great battery life, great security, great mail handling, minimal network use, and a great keyboard experience."
Two years before the iPhone launched, Mike Lazaridis, RIM founder, refused to develop a web-enabled smartphone with a larger screen. Instead, he insisted on concentrating on the BlackBerry's main strengths, its keyboard and email capability. Luckily for us, Apple struggled on with its badly flawed device, and for quite some time afterward, RIM still failed to see the desire users had for getting the full web experience on their smartphones.
You can take your iPhone back out of the wastebasket now, by the way.
[via Boy Genius Report]
RIM called the iPhone 'badly flawed' before launch originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Fox affiliate in Texas shoots news story on iPad
With St. Patrick's Day just around the corner, Fox affiliate KBTV's Mike McNeill stopped by Spec's Liquor Store in Beaumont, Texas, to discuss the various alcoholic options available for properly (and responsibly) celebrating the holiday. In the video, McNeill claims he shot the entire report using only the camera in his new iPad 2.
"All the experts who know how to shoot these kind of stories are out on real stories," says McNeill in his report. "So, I just grabbed my iPad 2 and decided hey, you know what, we're Fox 4, we're innovators." Moments later, McNeill points the camera at his iPad 2 box as evidence that he's using Apple's new tablet to shoot the story.
This is the first known broadcast created using an iPad 2. Keep reading to see the video.
Continue reading Fox affiliate in Texas shoots news story on iPad
Fox affiliate in Texas shoots news story on iPad originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Street Fighter IV on sale for Japan, ChatTime offering free calls
We've already written a little bit about how Apple is helping out with the disaster in Japan, and a few iPhone app developers are doing their part as well. In a nice gesture, Sega has put some of its apps, including Street Fighter IV, on sale for just 99 cents. All proceeds from the sale will go to relief for earthquake victims via the Red Cross. Gaming may be the last thing on most people's minds at a time like this (you certainly don't need a free game to donate), but it's a nice gesture in addition to what's been done so far.
ChatTime is an iPhone app that allows you to make
VoIP calls(we're told they're actually carrier calls, though it's routed through local wires) straight from your iDevice, and while we can't vouch for the quality of the phone calls, the company has announced that for the rest of the month, all calls to Japan from the app are completely free. Both AT&T and Verizon have already offered free calls to Japan during the disaster, we're told, but ChatTime allows you to call internationally from anywhere, and during this period the fee is waived. If you need to reach someone in Japan, maybe that information will help.Street Fighter IV on sale for Japan, ChatTime offering free calls originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Doodle Jump celebrates two years, 10m downloads, heading to Kinect
Doodle Jump was one of the first really big hits on the App Store, and two years after release, it's still rolling right along. Lima Sky has announced that the app just hit 10 million paid app downloads, and it's about to get featured in a Universal film as well. Angry Birds has gotten a lot of headlines lately, but Doodle Jump seems to share almost as much awareness among the massive iOS audience.
Plus, Lima Sky is pushing the franchise forward -- an iPad app is still being created and set to be released soon, and the game is coming to Microsoft's Kinect system for the Xbox 360. There's no information on how that will work just yet, but presumably players will be able to use their body to control the little guy, perhaps by leaning left or right on camera to make their way up the various platforms. The iPhone app will get a multiplayer update as well. Doodle Jump is already quite popular, and in the short time frame that iOS has been around, it's already one of the classic apps. It'll be interesting to see how the property grows as developers push forward this year.
Doodle Jump celebrates two years, 10m downloads, heading to Kinect originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Companies to watch, from the SXSW trade show floor
After a tour of the SXSW trade show floor, here are some of the companies we'll be profiling in the coming weeks. Of course, there's always a mix of companies at SXSW: some film, some music, many web services -- but far fewer social media companies than last year.
We've covered RedLaser and LaCie in the past, and while LaCie has new products (more hard drives, surprise!) and RedLaser has gone local, I'm going to focus on a few mobile apps and accessories you might not have heard of yet.
On the hardware front, there's a portable second monitor solution called CINQ on display. The CINQ attaches to your laptop screen with a sort of clamp, and it only needs a USB port to get video and power. It supports 1280x720 resolution and weighs a mere 15 oz. For a 10.1" secondary screen, that's not bad. I felt the backlight was a bit weak, but as someone who often enjoys working with two screens, it might be a portable solution for frequent travelers. Then again, at US$249 (and not available until a few months from now), it won't be cheap.
Perhaps the most intriguing and useful product I saw was from a company launched a couple of weeks ago. LifeProof enters a shockingly small market of durable, water-and-dirt-proof iPhone cases. Nowhere near as bulky as similar offerings from OtterBox and Griffin, the LifeProof case is shockproof (tested to 2 meters), waterproof down to 6 feet and keeps sand, mud and grit away. Based on the demo units sealed in with various elements, and my examination of the case, I would say this is an excellent "every day" use case for people who work outside. It also looks ideal if you climb, mountain bike or swim regularly. Shipping in a few weeks, the LifeProof case will cost $69.95.
I also had a quick chat with one of the three indie developers of TapCity, what looks to be a fun game
coming soonavailable now on the App Store. You're able to "take over" locations, earn "rent" as people check in, or conduct battles for locations -- all with cute cartoon graphics of real places around you. No word on how many cities will be supported at launch, but we'll try to get a look at it soon.Continue reading Companies to watch, from the SXSW trade show floor
Companies to watch, from the SXSW trade show floor originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Metacritic now charting iOS games
Gaming review aggregation site Metacritic has posted that it is now charting for iOS games through its service. The site has long charted movies, music and video games as an overall average of all the scores found online (out of 100), and now it's going to do the same thing for iOS games. Metacritic will do this by aggregating all of the scores found online with a weighted average and assigning a score out of 100 to each title in the system. You can see the main iPhone page right there -- Tiny Wings is highly rated as a new title, and on the overall list, World of Goo leads the way, with iBlast Moki right behind and a good mix of games on down the list.
As you'd expect from a list of iOS games, the titles are all over the place, from bigger studio releases to tiny indie downloads. The game reviews are also coming from a number of sites of all sizes, from more traditional gaming sites to iOS-specific review sites. Metacritic has become something of a lightning rod in the industry. While it does provide an interesting list of quality titles for each game system, both developers and review publishers are often frustrated that it averages out scores -- and some great games have been brought down in the past by a relatively bad Metacritic score -- for a number of reasons.
We'll have to see what effect Metacritic will have on iOS. I'd think that most iOS users take a lot of their feedback from the iTunes store itself, and when you combine that with the generally low prices of most iOS games, it seems to me that reviews aren't as big a deal as traditional gaming retail. But we'll see -- if nothing else, it'll provide a good list of iOS games for newcomers to the scene.
Metacritic now charting iOS games originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Sparrow chirps out feature list for version 1.1
Several of the bloggers here at TUAW, including myself, are big fans of Sparrow. It's a very Twitter-like Mac email app that is fast, feature filled and has a clean user interface -- and it doesn't have a Quick Bar. Today the Sparrow team announced that Sparrow 1.1 will be submitted to the Mac App Store within a few days, and that the app should be available by the end of March.
The big change for Sparrow is that the new version will support most IMAP accounts, not just Gmail IMAP accounts. Any MobileMe, Yahoo or AOL account can now be added to Sparrow, and custom IMAP providers like Rackspace, Fastmail, Zimbra and Dreamhost are also supported.
At the present time, signatures are customizable by account. Version 1.1 adds "per alias" signatures, so that if you have multiple aliases for a single account, each alias can have a custom signature. There's a new formatting bar for helping you compose more beautiful emails. It provides flexibility in selecting fonts, font size, text color, quote levels, links and list formatting.
To retain the clean inbox that Sparrow is well known for, busy users will have a new "minimal mode" to hide the message preview in the list of messages. That'll be helpful when we do giveaways here at TUAW and get tons of comment emails.
Sparrow will also gain a bunch of multi-touch gestures, including a pinch to open or close a message and three-finger swipes to open and close the panel, navigate the message list or switch accounts. Contact groups will be supported as well.
All in all, Sparrow 1.1 looks like it will be a winner. Goodbye, Mail.app!
Sparrow chirps out feature list for version 1.1 originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Zite is a pretty cool way to follow the news
As a news junkie, I just can't get enough information. I adore Pulse, and I think Flipboard is interesting and useful. Like most of you, I spend a lot of time checking out news sites and using apps like the New York Times and the NPR app.
Enter Zite. Zite is a just released free iPad app that constructs a magazine around your interests on the fly. When you first launch it, you suggest topics you like (Photography, Science, Technology, etc.), and then the magazine is created using RSS feeds and links to news and other sources. Some of the sources are well known, others are not (at least to me). You can also enter your Twitter name and Google Reader account info to further tune the personalization, although neither is required, and I didn't do it for my evaluation.
The result is that you get a lot of content by discovery that you might not ever see. You can tell the app that you like a particular news source or author and click on some automatically generated key words. Over time, the content of your magazine shifts to reflect what you are reading and liking. You can also tell Zite what you don't like to further shape the future content.
Continue reading Zite is a pretty cool way to follow the news
Zite is a pretty cool way to follow the news originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Google Mobile app for iOS gets major revamp, new name
Google has released a major update to the Google Mobile app for iOS, with new features and a new name -- Google Search for iPhone (free).
The app has a completely redesigned user interface, and according to the developers, they've improved fast app-switching support. Multi-touch gestures have been added -- to make a search more specific, you swipe right on the results that appear, and a vertical toolbar appears allowing you to focus on places, images, news, shopping (both in stores and online), videos, Twitter and Facebook updates, blogs or discussions. A downward swipe lets you access settings and log into your Google account.
Even the help system is different in Google Search for iOS. When you tap on the question mark icon to display help, a transparent window with glowing blue spots overlaying areas of the user interface appears. Touching any of the blue spots displays an explanation of what function the appropriate icon or area performs.
The previous app did not support the Google Goggles feature on the iPod touch and iPhone 3G. That has now been remedied, and it's possible to search for items by picture on all of the platforms (note: we have not checked that on the iPad 2).
Be sure to take a look at some screenshots from Google Search for iOS in the gallery below.
[via MacStories]
Google Mobile app for iOS gets major revamp, new name originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - ScreenFloat, a great productivity booster for Mac
ScreenFloat, now available on the Mac App Store, is a small utility that does one simple thing: float screenshots above all your other windows. Seems silly at first, right? It's not. I've been beta testing this app for over a year, and every time I open it, I'm amazed at how useful this functionality is.Take, for example, InDesign. There's plenty of data that can't be quickly copied and pasted into a document, and InDesign tends to obscure everything but what you're working on with its interface elements. With ScreenFloat, I just hit Command+Shift+2 and snap a quick shot of the information I need to reference. When I switch back to InDesign, that screenshot is right there, floating wherever I move it to. InDesign stays focused as I enter what I need. It's great for writing, too. Right now I have a snap of the Mac App Store details for ScreenFlow floating next to the TextMate window where I'm writing this up. Price, release date, how to spell developer Matthias Gansrigler's name ... all instantly available for reference without a single Command+Tab.
I could give you a dozen more examples, but I think that if ScreenFloat is going to be of use to you, you've probably already thought of a few times you could live without a bunch of app switching. ScreenFloat also catalogs previous screenshots, and it has "Open In" functionality for sending them to any other application. It's US$7.99 in the Mac App Store, and in this blogger's opinion, it's an essential tool for anyone doing real work on a Mac.
By the way, Eternal Storms Software (Matthias Gansrigler) is also responsible for Flickery, my favorite Flickr browser. If you haven't checked it out, it's on the Mac App Store as well.
ScreenFloat, a great productivity booster for Mac originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Yahoo! fixes iPhone IMAP data leak
Earlier this year, a report surfaced that suggested Yahoo! Mail was the cause of spurious data usage by Windows Phone and iPhone owners. The root cause was the Yahoo! IMAP mail servers, which were transmitting more data than was necessary for each email request. Occasional email checking was not problematic, but individuals who checked their email frequently could easily accrue enough data to push them over their plan's limit. Yahoo! confirmed this problem, told affected users to check email manually and promised to work on a solution.
A month after this discovery, Yahoo! has reportedly pushed out an update that fixes this issue. Rafael Rivera, who initially identified the culprit as Yahoo! Mail, now reports that Yahoo! sends back the appropriate information during an email fetch request. Instead of sending the full message header, the Yahoo! mail servers now send back only the message ID. All you iPhone users with a Yahoo! mail account and a limited data plan can now check your email freely.
[Via BGR]
Yahoo! fixes iPhone IMAP data leak originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Dwolla Spots location-based payment app arrives tomorrow
There has been a lot of talk of future iPhones using Near Field Communications (NFC) for payments, but if Dwolla has their way, Apple won't need to add that capability to upcoming hardware.
On Wednesday, March 16, Dwolla Spots will be added to the App Store. As seen in the video accompanying this post, the app provides a list of locations near you that take Dwolla payments. When you arrive at a location, you simply enter your PIN number and the amount you want to pay to the merchant, and you're done. A receipt is sent to you, and the merchant receives notification of the payment.
What's great about Dwolla Spots is that it totally eliminates the need for special hardware. There's no need for a merchant to have a way to swipe a credit card (like a Square dongle or one of the many "sleds" made for credit card apps), nor does the iPhone need to have NFC built in. Online merchants can also use the service through what are called HUB pages, or through an API that connects the service to most shopping cart solutions.
Dwolla charges a flat US$0.25 fee per transaction no matter how large the transaction is, which is excellent for merchants. According to Jordan Lampe, Director of Communications for Dwolla, the company already has a big following in the Midwestern US, and with the app becoming available, it's likely that adoption of Dwolla will increase rapidly.
Continue reading Dwolla Spots location-based payment app arrives tomorrow
Dwolla Spots location-based payment app arrives tomorrow originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple takes 4 percent of US digital video market, Netflix reigns
The NPD Group crowned Netflix the heavyweight champion of digital, video-on-demand services in a statement released earlier today. Between January 2011 and February 2011, Netflix accounted for 61 percent of all movies downloaded or streamed over the internet or offered on-demand through a cable or satellite television service.
Cable giant Comcast took second place with about 8 percent of the market. Apple, with a share of 4 percent, found itself in a three way tie for third place with DirecTV and Time Warner Cable. NPD used its new VideoWatch Digital tracking service to calculate its latest numbers, which also found digital video now makes up one quarter of all home video volume.
"Sales of DVDs and Blu-ray Discs still drive most home-video revenue, but VOD and other digital options are now beginning to make inroads with consumers," said Russ Crupnick, entertainment industry analyst for NPD.
VideoWatch Digital's results were based on 10,618 surveys completed by US consumers age 13 and older. In the survey, respondents recognized electronic sell-through (EST) services like iTunes had the most "current releases available," but Netflix won the titles for "overall shopping experience" and "value for price paid."
[Via AppleInsider]
Continue reading Apple takes 4 percent of US digital video market, Netflix reigns
Apple takes 4 percent of US digital video market, Netflix reigns originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Dear Aunt TUAW: Can I use my iPhone 4 videos in the iPad 2's iMovie app?
Dear Aunt TUAW,I just bought the awesome iMovie for my new iPad 2. Now I want to be able to import videos that I captured on my iPhone 4 into iMovie on the iPad and edit them there.
How can I do this?
Love,
Your niece Nixie
Continue reading Dear Aunt TUAW: Can I use my iPhone 4 videos in the iPad 2's iMovie app?
Dear Aunt TUAW: Can I use my iPhone 4 videos in the iPad 2's iMovie app? originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - iMovie on iPad 2 beats most Macs in benchmarks
Benchmark information from AppAdvice.com
If the results of benchmarks run by Tim Chaten at AppAdvice are any indication, anyone looking for a good, fast iMovie workstation for doing editing in the field should take a close look at the app running on an iPad 2.
Chaten wanted to see how iMovie for iOS running on the dual-core A5 iPad 2 would stack up to the Mac OS X edition of the app running on a variety of Macs, so he took a set of files to an Apple Store to run three tests on all of the stock Macs in the store with the exception of the Mac mini. The results were astonishing.
In the first test, copying a two-minute test video shot on a fourth-generation iPod touch to an iPad or Mac, the iPad 2 was the hands-down winner. It copied the files in just 25.5 seconds compared to 56.5 seconds on the fastest Mac -- a Mac Pro.
The second benchmark encoded an unedited movie to 720p. Once again, the iPad 2 bested the rest of the Apple family by speedily encoding the file in 1 minute and 56 seconds. The fastest Mac in the bunch (hardly a portable machine) was a Mac Pro at 2 minutes and 15 seconds, while the fastest laptop was the 17" MacBook Pro; it timed in at 2 minutes and 20 seconds.
Continue reading iMovie on iPad 2 beats most Macs in benchmarks
iMovie on iPad 2 beats most Macs in benchmarks originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Confirmed: FaceTime for iPad 2 works with video out
This morning, fellow TUAW blogger Erica Sadun and I both played with the video out features of the new iPad 2. While Erica discovered that something is preventing her iPad 2 from working properly with the video mirroring function that is supposed to work with all of the various video adapters (HDMI, Composite, Component and VGA) for the device, I was able to get mirroring of everything on my iPad just by plugging in the VGA Adapter. TiPb's Rene Ritchie verified that video mirroring was plug and play for him with all of the adapters as well.
While that means a lot for all of us who demonstrate apps on the iPad, it means even more for people who use FaceTime or other video conferencing apps. We were able to confirm that FaceTime on the iPad 2 can be mirrored to another display. By pushing the video out to a big screen HDTV, for example, you can now share a FaceTime session with a group or the family.
This is going to kill the market for Cisco's $500 "ūmi telepresence" device, which turns a big screen TV into a home teleconferencing tool. Sure, the ūmi is about the same price as an entry-level iPad 2, but the ūmi also requires a $99 annual service fee. FaceTime on an iPad 2? Free. ūmi has better resolution than FaceTime does, providing full 1080p video calling over the somewhat lo-res FaceTime image on the iPad, but the iPad can do so much more than just do teleconferencing. It may be time for Cisco spokesperson Ellen Page to get a new gig.
Erica and I also discussed the fact that by feeding the iPad 2's video mirror into a capture device, such as an Elgato Video Capture, it would be possible to grab fairly high quality movies of an iPad screen for training or demonstration purposes. Video mirroring FTW!
Confirmed: FaceTime for iPad 2 works with video out originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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