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- MobileMe: A First look
Filed under: Internet, Internet Tools, MobileMe
We've all awaited the .Mac to MobileMe switch for a while now (some more than others). However, Apple's 6 hour time table for upgrading to MobileMe turned awry and led into an almost 24 hour up, down, up, up, down cycle.
If you're like most users experiencing the 24 outage, then you haven't been able to login and experience MobileMe first hand. So why not take a look at our gallery? We've got pictures of the entire MobileMe suite of web applications and user preferences: from the login screen to storage partitioning.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Found Footage: Engadget hands-on with the iPhone 3G
Filed under: iPhone
We here at TUAW thought we were crazy about Apple, that is until we heard Engadget's Ryan Block actually flew to New Zealand to be amongst the first in the world to buy an iPhone. He has posted a first look at the phone itself, as well as some of the new features in the 2.0 firmware. There aren't too many surprises to be found in the firmware, but the 'blue orb of GPS' is kinda neat.
Head on over to Engadget to check out the video.Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - MobileMe now really, truly up? No.
Filed under: MobileMe
As Robert mentioned earlier today, the launch of Mob
Looks like we made it, though -- as of 7 pm ET it seems that most Me.com services are up and running from the web side (sync status TBD). Enjoy the cloudy goodness, if you will.... ulp, now it's down again. Y'know, if the idea behind your new service offering is "Exchange for the rest of us," perhaps the first order of business ought to be ensuring some sort of baseline SLA, or an uptime expectation? The last thing Apple needs is the reliability reputation of some other popular communications service...Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Big Bang Sudoku
Filed under: iPod Family, iPhone, App Store
Many months ago, I posted about the free web-based iPhone Sudoku. Today, Freeverse released its native iPhone port of this game. Part of their popular Big Bang series, iPhone Sudoku retails for $4.99, offering expanded game-play and multiple language support (English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese).
It's a big step up from the web based version. You don't have to struggle with screen scrolling. The game items fit nicely on the screen. There many new features available. You can save and resume games. You can disable the "Show incorrect moves" cheat. You can enable and disable the onboard timer, and so forth.
Unfortunately, I was unable to test the software on an actual iPhone so I don't know if the same touch location issues I experienced with the web version have translated to the native version. It's easy to use the mouse and cursor to play the game with its 9-by-9 grid. I can't tell if this will translate to fingers and the touch screen, but you'd sort of assume that it would--otherwise Freeverse would look pretty silly selling an unusable game.
Another thing I couldn't judge directly was audio. Freeverse has added some spiffy sound effects to the game but there was no way to test that out. I listened to them in QuickTime after hacking my way down into the application bundle and they included reasonably non-annoying feedback snippets. You can disable sounds in the in-game options if that kind of thing bothers you.
All in all, it felt like the equal of any other game currently retailing for $4.99 in the iTunes store. It promises a lot of satisfying game play for Sudoku enthusiasts with a well-designed interface.
Freeverse's Big Bang Sudoku is available from AppStore for $4.99. It runs on both the iPhone and iPod touch.
Here is the QuickTime version of the above video.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - First Look: Typepad for the iPhone
Filed under: Blogging, iPhone, App Store
I've been blogging for way too long, and for a good chunk of that time my personal blog has been hosted on Six Apart's TypePad. I'm a big fan of the service (though some might recall it was a little flakey in the early days, I'm happy to report I can recall no major downtime in the last 2 years) and that's why I was very excited to see TypePad was coming out with an iPhone native blogging app.
Typepad Mobile, as it is called within the program itself, is available now on the App Store for the low, low price of free (of course, Typepad isn't a free service). It is a blogging client that lets you post directly to your TypePad blog from your iPhone as you might have guessed from the name. You can also snap a picture with your iPhone's camera and post that to your blog, or you can post a photo from your iPhone's photo roll in just a few clicks.
During the course of my testing this app was very zippy, and it did everything I would expect from a 1.0 release. I hope to see some more blog management features in future updates (being able to approve/delete comments would be very cool).
Check out this gallery for a a quick tour of this neat little app.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Japan to abandon iPod copyright fee
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iPod Family
For years, legislators in Japan have wanted a portion of the price of a digital recording device (up to 3%) to go to recording companies, songwriters and artists. The so-called "iPod tax" has met opposition from electronics manufacturers, as you could imagine.
However, it looks like it's not going to happen. A group failed to create an agreement yet again this week, prompting official Masafumi Kiyota to say that "...there is virtually no hope for getting the legislation passed." Certainly good news for consumers.
Other electronic devices like minidisk players and DVD recorders have a copyright tax built into the price tag in Japan. The logic (if you want to call it that) is that consumers will use these devices to illegally acquire copyrighted material, so why not have them pay for it before hand, as a preemptive strike? Sounds to me like someone has contempt for their customers.Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - PinchMedia: Most iPhone apps less than five bucks
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, App Store
About 70 percent of the apps available today through the App Store are either free or less than $5, according to an analysis of 552 applications performed by PinchMedia.
Of the 552 total, they counted 135 free apps. Apps for sale ranged in price from 99 cents to $69.99. The most common price points were:
- 99 cents (85 apps)
- $9.99 (82 apps)
- $4.99 (62 apps)
They have a nice bar graph at their site, and plan to keep the data fresh as new apps are added to the App Store.
[Via Craig Hockenberry]
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Livestream of iPhone launch in the Netherlands
Filed under: Cult of Mac, iPhone
I have no idea why, but T-Mobile has livestreaming video of the iPhone 3G launch in the Netherlands (outside a T-Mobile shop in Rotterdam to be precise). If you're in a timezone where the iPhone isn't on sale yet, this might help you pass the time.
Thanks, Edwin.Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Here's to the crazy ones: thanks to the unofficial iPhone developers
Filed under: iPhone
Back at the introduction of the iPhone (was it only just over a year ago? How the time flies) we all cast a jaundiced eye at Apple's "develop for the Web" philosophy for extending the platform, while simultaneously wondering if Apple might provide a true SDK for the device of the future; I seem to recall a conversation back on an early talkcast where a couple of people (yours truly included) stated for the record that a Apple SDK was an inevitability, with the only question being exactly when.
Now, on the cusp of the official App Store and 2.0 firmware launch and ensuing flood of iPhone/iPod touch native applications, we owe a moment of acknowledgment to the folks who refused to take "Safari" for an answer when it came to making iPhone applications: the jailbreakers and community toolchain developers.
Not to take anything away from the diligent work of the Mobile Safari application developers -- many of their results, including TUAW fave Hahlo, stand up well against desktop apps -- but it's hard not to feel some degree of astonishment when a few (sometimes fractious) loosely-affiliated bands of hackers, with some help from our friends, start from the barest hints of access to the iPhone's system and create castles floating on air.
Scores of applications (some great, some not-so) including music, games, dictionaries, utilities and not one but two complete or nearly-so ports of the BSD subsystem, complete with sophisticated software deployment capabilities, are currently available for jailbroken iPhones and iPod touch handhelds. This is a notable body of work, and what makes it more surprising is that it's been done over the course of one year, absent any support from the device manufacturer (to say nothing of active discouragement) and with no particular financial incentive to proceed. This is hacking in the original, non-pejorative sense: diving into the innards of the coolest gadget under the sun to figure out how it works and how far you can take it.
As exciting as the App Store is, there's a bit of wistfullness amidst the hype and enthusiasm; we are replacing the grimy, rough-edged and self-sustaining Times Square of iPhone application development with the sanitized, "Disney/Apple" reworking of the original. Knowing that a substantial fraction of the jailbreak app developers are under 18 and cannot legitimately join the authorized development program until they come of age, we can only hope that the energy and enthusiasm they brought to the iPhone will not be lost to another mobile platform.Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Shazam for the iPhone
Filed under: App Store
Song Identification is very near to my heart. For a while, I tried resurrecting my "Listen.app" iPhone utility but a GraceNote license was out of reach (about the price of a typical condo) and early talks with Shazam (via Tapulous) never went anywhere. So I was absolutely gobsmacked when today I found that Shazam had gone ahead and released a version of its Music Identification Software for the iPhone.
You hold it up to record a few seconds and Shazam identifies the music. The software is beautifully designed and a joy to use. You can save your tag history and buy music you like directly from iTunes as well as share the music info with friends via email.
Kudos to Shazam for releasing such a beautiful application. Although it's currently free, it will require a service plan with a monthly cost. Going by other countries, expect the service to run about $5 to $10 per month.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Apple TV 2.1 walkthrough
Filed under: iPod Family, Software Update, iPhone, Apple TV, MobileMe
Today Apple released the 2.1 update for the Apple TV. The main new features of this update are MobileMe and support for Remote.app (Apple's Remote application for iPhone/iPod touch users).
Telling readers what the update did is one thing, but showing is a completely different story, that's why we went the extra mile to bring you a walkthrough of the new features in the 2.1 update. So check out our gallery of Apple TV 2.1 screenshots.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - First Look: Exposure for the iPhone
Filed under: iPhone, App Store
It seems like only yesterday I was writing about Exposure, the iPhone native Flickr browser, in a rather circumspect manner. Now that the App Store is out I took Exposure (available in a free version and a premium version) for a spin and I really liked what I saw.
Before we go any further I should point out that I love browsing Flickr and have always found Flickr's mobile site to be a bit lacking (that's a nice way of saying it sucks). Exposure lets you do everything you can do on Flickr's website and more. The neatest feature, and the creepiest, is the 'Near Me' button. Press it, and through the magic of Core Location, Exposure will show you all the photos on Flickr that were taken near your current location.
Check out the gallery for a full tour of this great iPhone app.
Exposure comes in a free ad supported version, and a premium version sans ads is available for $9.99.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Mac 101: spell check errors
Filed under: OS, Tips and tricks, Mac 101
There's a funny post at The Apple Blog today that points out a few typos that give Mac OS X Leopard's built-in spell checker a bit of trouble.
For instance, the error "instrucitons" suggests "isntrucitons" as well as "instructions", and "applicaticataion" when "applicatication" is typed instead of "application." There are a few more in their list.
I've noticed that my iPhone always suggests "he'll" when I want to type "hell" (yes, I type "hell" enough to have noticed this).
Of course, this is simple to fix. You can correct these errors for good by right-clicking (or Control-click) on the correct spelling and select "Learn spelling" from the contextual menu. Use this same method to add uncommon words, like surnames, etc.Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - The MobileMe rollercoaster
Filed under: MobileMe
I was briefly able to log in and explore Contacts and iDisk, but was shut out when the site went back down. What I saw was pretty nifty, but without the larger context of app integration, I can't really form an educated opinion on it yet.
I am planning, however, on writing a full-scale review for this weekend. Hopefully the problems will clear up by then -- or at least long enough for me to write the story.
We'll keep you posted on the continuing ups and downs of MobileMe as we get more information. I'm hoping the act of writing this post will provide just enough schadenfreude to get the service running for good.
Thanks to everyone for the uninterrupted updates on this one!
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - App Store now officially available
The App Store has been accessible for awhile now, but it is now official. Fire up your copy of iTunes and you'll be greeted with a new addition to the left hand navigation: App Store. As with the other sections of the iTunes Store you'll find a number of sections: New Apps, Top Apps, Top Free Apps, and more.
The iPhone 2.0 firmware hasn't been released as of yet, but browsing the App Store should keep your mind off that for a little while.
What is the first app you're going to download?
Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Found Footage: iTunes goes even more international
Filed under: iTS, iTunes, App Store
With the introduction of the App Store, iTunes has taken an international leap. It's more internationaler than ever before with new, exciting internationality that ranges from Mexico to Qatar to Israel to Russia. It's internationalpalooza!
If you've been waiting for iTunes to come to your country, if you've been saying "Hmmmm. Could iTunes be even more international?", then it's time to celebrate. Because if Apple has gone through the trouble of setting up marketing in Peru, Poland and Pakistan, likely as not there will be even more store avenues heading down the road to follow the initial App Store launch.
Did App Store make it to your country? Let us know in the comments.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Taking the Plunge: Updating to iPhone 2.0 Software Early
Filed under: iTunes, Software Update, iPhone, App Store
As was previously pointed out here at TUAW, the 2.0 firmware update for current iPhoneand iPod Touchusers has leaked out a bit early. Some have already taken the plunge and installed it. Still others are waiting for the "official" version from Apple to be released before going ahead and installing it. I'm not one of those people.
In the interest of doing something so readers of TUAW won't have to take the chance of a bricked iPhone, I downloaded and installed the new firmware this morning as soon as it was available. The update process went smoothly and, as expected, all of the media was erased from my iPhone. Fortunately, once the iPhone restarted and began its first sync after the update, all of my previous media (music, podcasts, video) was restored and able to be used again.
At first glance, some of the changes included in the new iPhone interface in iTunes 7.7 include an 'Applications' tab and a button to set up your iPhone to work with Apple's new MobileMe service which, as of this moment, isn't actually up and running yet. Also, after downloading several apps from the new App Store including AIM, Facebook, Google and Twitterific Premium, the iPhone was able to use those new applications without issue.
I also downloaded and installed other applications such as Salesforce Mobile, Net News Wire and Remote but so far, have not tested those. Also, and this particular change in the iPhone 2.0 interface made me very happy, there is now a dedicated 'Contacts' button allowing you to reach your contacts without having to go through the 'Phone' button first.
So, it appears that, at least in my case, the iPhone 2.0 firmware is a success. As the day progresses I'll let you know what else I find. Meantime, if you have questions, feel free to drop them in the comments.
Update: As pointed out by commenters, this update is for the iPhone only. The iPod touch update will be a paid download from the iTunes store for $9.95 and will include the January Update apps, as Robert noted earlier today.Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - iPhone 101: Taking screenshots
Filed under: TUAW Tips, iPhone, iPhone 101
With the advent of the new iPhone firmware 2.0, users who have installed it report that you are now able to easily take and share screenshots of your iPhone -- all without downloading any additional software. To take a screenshot, just hold down the home button while quickly pressing the sleep/wake button at the top of the phone. The screen will flash and an image will be saved in your Camera Roll.
You can easily share your screenshot by e-mailing it using the share option in the Photos app.
For more iPhone tips and tricks like this, check out the iPhone 101 section here on TUAW.Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Some early free gems in the App Store
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Productivity, Freeware, iPhone, App Store
Like Erica, I've been poking around the App Store all morning. Unlike Erica, I'm not brave enough to install the firmware without the official word from Apple, but in the meantime, here's a few free apps in there that are definitely worth a download right away.
Advent: A free version of Colossal Cave Adventure, on the iPhone day one.
Phonesaber: Yes. This is exactly what you think it is. And it's free.
Light: Don't spend money on one of those other flashlight programs -- get Erica's original for completely free. (In fact, you might as well go ahead and get all of her apps, they're all great.)
MixMeister Scratch: Free vinyl scratching over your iPod touch or iPhone's background music. Silly, but fun for aspiring (or, more specifically) wannabe DJs.
Zenbe Lists: A pretty good-looking free alternative to all the other To-Do applications out there.
???: I have no idea what this is (looks like some kind of Memory-type game), but it's free and it's hilariously beautiful. Update: Actually, this looks like the non-English version of Jirbo Match. But still, it looks like amazing and colorful fun.
NetNewsWire: This and AIM aren't really hidden, but they're must-haves, of course.
Have more that you've seen? Link us in the comments. I may not have the ability to install apps on the phone yet, but when I get it, I'll be ready.Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать - Playing with AppStore
Filed under: iPod Family, iPhone, App Store
So I've downloaded the new 2.0 firmware, upgraded iTunes to 7.7 and went wild downloading free apps to my iPhone. Here's how the first batch stacked up.
iFob Social organizer sort of thing, that lets you beam your info to other iFob-enabled users. It's not a bad idea but it's eerily reminiscent of using the Zune. Sure you can connect to others but there are no others yet to connect to. In a Facebook/Twitter world, I don't see this one catching on.
Jared Jared is the same Freeverse app that they've previously released for OS X, but now Jared sings badly on the iPhone as well. I am completely unable to talk about this objectively because it's a love it or hate it app. Me? I love it. It's perfectly and addictively moronic and I just love me some Jared. Your mileage may vary.
Cube Runner Cube Runner by Andy Qua is exactly what a free iPhone app should be. It's simple, fun to play and has no unneeded bells and whistles. It's a simple accelerometer based game. You guide yourself through a minefield of cubes by tilting the phone. Nice.
Remote Apple's free remote tool lets you use your iPhone to control iTunes and Apple TV playback. Perfect and free.
Rotary Dialer Joshua Minor's Rotary Dialer is a great idea whose delivery falls short. It's not very usable (I tried) and it provides no retro click-click sounds as you dial. I guess it's a cute thing to show off to friends once or twice but it won't be making a home on my iPhone.
T4Two free If you're looking for a cute free pong game, you could do worse than T4Two. It offers a basic pong interface with a touch-draggable paddle and accelerometer awareness. Developer Masayuki Akamatsu did a nice job with this and offers several other free AppStore apps including a beat-tapping utility and a calculator.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsПереслать
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