Wednesday, January 12, 2011

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  • Get ready for Macworld and save on Expo passes or conference registration with TUAW
    macworld 2011

    As we've done for a few years now, TUAW will be in force at Macworld. And as we did last year, we'll have a booth on the show floor. Stop by booth #1012 and say hello, because we'll be livestreaming from the show during the three-day exposition.

    This year we're doing something special for our readers, and with the help of IDG we're offering a $15 Expo-only pass or 10% off the price of the conference registration. Just follow this link to register and you're set!

    What are you looking forward to at Macworld 2011? Let us know in the comments below.

    Get ready for Macworld and save on Expo passes or conference registration with TUAW originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • TiVo says iPad app due by end of January
    In what could only loosely be called a formal announcement, The Mac Observer is reporting that TiVo took to the Twitter airwaves today to let us know that the TiVo-branded iPad app should be out before the end of January 2011. Back in November 2010 was the first time we had heard about an upcoming TiVo app, and a video posted on its Facebook page finally gives us a glimpse into its capabilities. Users can browse their program guide, schedule recordings, remotely control the TiVo box, and check out cast and crew information for any show -- all without interrupting whatever is on the TV itself. The app even offers the ability to schedule recordings on your TiVo when you are away from home.

    With DISH releasing its iPad app just last month and DIRECTV offering its own app compatible with the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, it's no surprise that TiVo is out with its own version. I prefer the TiVo DVR over the ones offered by cable or satellite companies, so once the app is released we'll be sure to get our hands on it and give it a solid run-through.

    Click Read More to watch the promo video for the TiVo iPad app.

    [via The Mac Observer]

    Continue reading TiVo says iPad app due by end of January

    TiVo says iPad app due by end of January originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Tom Tom: Smartphones and nav devices are complementary

    As one of our last appointments on the floor of CES, we went out to a meeting room way back in the back of the South Hall to talk to Tom Murray, Senior Vice President of Market Development for Tom Tom, one of the leading companies selling navigation devices and software. We've covered Tom Tom and its products many times here on TUAW before, so it was great to finally sit down with the company and talk about their business.

    Perhaps the most interesting thing Murray told me last week was that the company doesn't see the iPhone (and other smartphone devices) as competitors to its portable navigation device (PND) business. Instead, Murray sees Apple's platform and others like it as "complementary" to the traditional GPS devices that Tom Tom makes and sells. Murray did admit that the rise of smartphones has "had an impact on our core PND category," but given that Tom Tom has found success with a number of regional apps on the iOS Store, Murray says that "the iPhone has been accretive to our business."

    The biggest device for Tom Tom at the show was the Go 2505m Live unit. It will arrive in April, and will bring a number of improvements, including a service called HD Traffic, which not only pulls in information on roads all over the US generated by Tom Tom's own devices, but connects to "partner vehicles" like delivery and fleet vehicles to convey real-time information and accurate routing as you drive around. That service isn't on the iPhone app yet (in the US, anyway -- it is up and running in Europe, we were told), but Murray says it would be "reasonable to assume" that kind of information will eventually find its way into the company's iPhone app.

    Continue reading Tom Tom: Smartphones and nav devices are complementary

    Tom Tom: Smartphones and nav devices are complementary originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Official Playstation app for iPhone now available in select countries
    Sony announced its official Playstation app was coming to iOS last month, and now it has landed in the App Store. The PlayStation App hooks into Sony's PlayStation network by requiring you to login using your network ID. The gaming-oriented application lets you follow your friends, find the games they own and read their status updates. You can also monitor the trophies that you have earned and keep track of current happenings via the PlayStation blog. While the PlayStation app lets you digest gaming-related information and browse your friends' info, it does not let you play actual games.

    Version 1.0 of the app is free and can be downloaded from the App Store. The app will launch initially in select countries such as France, UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands with expansion to other countries expected soon. It is compatible with the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch running iOS 4.0 or later.

    [Via Macstories]

    Official Playstation app for iPhone now available in select countries originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Gear4's Pocket Loops keyboard creates music with your iPhone or iPod touch
    Gear4, maker of the Unity Remote we saw at CES last week, also designed the Pocket Loops keyboard, which represents something I think we'll see a lot more of: devices designed to work only when paired with a smartphone or tablet device. iPhones and iPads are leading the way into a new era of mobile devices, and many future toys and products will do what the Pocket Loops keyboard does: offload the heavy lifting of processing to a mobile device, and instead focus on bringing an interface into play.

    As you can see above, the keyboard has a dock that an iPhone or iPod touch can plug right into. From there, the device works with a free app that will be released in about three months, which is basically a MIDI recorder and sampler with up to 16 loops running from 29 different keyboard sounds. The app will also enable you to record, remix, and even share tracks through the device's email system. Choosing a set of voices gives you various sounds to play on the keyboard; you can play and record loops as you wish, even editing in echo and chorus effects with the touchscreen interface.

    It works fairly well so far. There were a few software bugs while we demoed the device, but I was told those would be ironed out by release. The whole idea is interesting, because the keyboard doesn't have its own screen or even a battery. Instead, everything comes from the iPhone. Gear4's rep said the device would have been over US$200 if the iPhone hadn't been utilized to do most of the work. Instead, the Pocket Loops keyboard is due in a few months for a retail price of $69.99.

    Gear4's Pocket Loops keyboard creates music with your iPhone or iPod touch originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Apple hoping to open Brooklyn store in Atlantic Yards development

    Sure, Apple's Fifth Avenue retail store may be New York City's fifth most-photographed location, but Brooklynites need their Apple fix too -- and it seems that Apple wants to be sure to take care of them. While not confirmed yet as of this writing, The New York Observer reports that Apple is looking at putting its fifth sixth NYC store near the proposed Atlantic Yards arena, a mixed-use commercial and residential development and future home to the New Jersey Nets basketball team in the Prospect Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn.

    According to the report, Apple has been in discussions with developer Forest City Ratner about moving into a retail slot, with an anonymous source saying that "they're focusing on the arena area right now, but there's no space. But it's the only place in Brooklyn that's super visible, close to trains and about as close as you can get to a 24-hour community in the borough."

    Apple currently has over 300 retail stores, but continues to open new locations both in the United States and abroad in places like Paris and Australia. With retail store sales still climbing, we can probably expect to see many more stores popping up in unrepresented corners of the world.

    [Corrected to note that the Staten Island store is officially a New York City store, meaning NYC already has five stores.]

    Apple hoping to open Brooklyn store in Atlantic Yards development originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Apple awarded 563 patents in 2010, double that of 2009

    Breaking onto the list of the top 50 companies with approved patents in a year for the first time ever, Apple was awarded 563 patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its inventions in 2010, double the 289 approvals from 2009. AppleInsider reports that IFI Claims Patent Services has listed Apple as No. 46 on the list for the year, with most of its approvals coming from patent applications which were filed five or six years ago.

    While 563 patents is nothing to sneeze at, Apple would still need another 5,334 patent awards to surpass the 2010 first place finisher, IBM. Microsoft, Apple's biggest competitor in the OS market, came in third place with 3,094 patent approvals.

    While the end of 2010 saw Apple awarded several patents for different multi-touch devices, just last week Apple was granted a storm of new patents with approvals for multi-touch gestures on electronic documents, an advanced set-top box, a design patent for the Cinema Display, two iChat patents, and for something called "solidifying amorphous alloy" -- i.e., liquid metal.. If the current rate of approvals keeps up at that pace, Apple should have no problem ranking even higher on next year's IFI Claims Patent Services list.

    [via AppleInsider]

    Apple awarded 563 patents in 2010, double that of 2009 originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • BodyMedia introduces the Armband BW at CES, body monitoring for iPhone
    BodyMedia had quite a presence at CES last week, with one of their employees running around town and even jumping out of planes to show off the company's new product, the BodyMedia FIT Armband BW. I stopped by their booth to talk to company founder Ivo Stivoric about the product, and how it connects up to an iPhone app to help you monitor not only your body's activity level, but even steps taken and calories burned.

    The band itself is nicely designed, just a little device that straps around your upper arm comfortably. It's designed to be worn as much as possibly -- Stivoric said that some users just wear it during workouts, but many wear it more often than that. It's got a three-axis accelerometer on board, as well as equipment for monitoring your body's skin temperature and conductivity, as well as a few other measures of health and activity.

    The "BW" in the product's name marks the fact that it's Bluetooth-enabled. That means it can hook directly up to the company's free app, which it will do after being paired whenever the two are in proximity. What you get is a solid record of your body's activity throughout the day, and by inputting your calorie intake and even sleep records into the app, BodyMedia can help you work steadily toward your own fitness goals.

    Continue reading BodyMedia introduces the Armband BW at CES, body monitoring for iPhone

    BodyMedia introduces the Armband BW at CES, body monitoring for iPhone originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Nike talks iPhone, running, and its connected devices
    Nike was at CES last week to premiere its new Nike+ SportWatch GPS, a sports watch hooked up to GPS via TomTom-based technology, designed to work with the popular Nike+ system. While the idea of the watch is cool (it will track all of your runs, even if not hooked up to the GPS system right away), the interface is nowhere near as a nice as any given Apple product. It would have been better to bring the same functionality to an iPod nano app which you could then strap on to your wrist.

    We did get to chat with Nike about its iPhone app, Nike+ GPS, which is consistently seen at number one in the Health and Fitness category on the App Store, and has earned over a half million downloads around the world. Nike says it plans to continue supporting the app, and a recently released version added some interesting social functionality called "Cheer Me On," allowing Facebook friends to send you motivational messages during a run, and last week the app got versions for non-English speakers. Nike says its goal with the app is motivation -- Nike+ started because it discovered that "music is motivating to athletes," and it's since learned that having feedback on your location while running is motivating as well.

    As for what's next with the app, Nike was tight-lipped, only saying "we've nailed it with what we have." Over the five years since it's been live, Nike+ has picked up four million members, and users have run 320 million miles so far. It looks like Nike's plan to motivate users is working.

    Nike talks iPhone, running, and its connected devices originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Panorama Sheets for Mac: A first look

    Back in the first days of the Mac (in the days when I still had a full head of hair) a developer by the name of Jim Rea created one of the first database apps for the platform, Overvue. That application became Panorama (US$299), which is still around and has evolved through the years to remain a powerful and incredibly fast relational database for Mac.

    Sometimes, though, Mac owners need a database management system that isn't as powerful as Panorama but can handle operations that would choke Excel or Numbers. On January 6, Jim Rea's company -- ProVUE Development -- released a new product into the wild via the Mac App Store. That product is called Panorama Sheets (US$39.99) and it uses a spreadsheet-like interface for all data entry, searching, sorting, and data analysis and manipulation.

    The app has a feature called Total Recall that can protect your data through system crashes and power outages, and uses the same RAM-based database engine as Panorama for blinding speed in sorts and other operations. One feature that's sure to be popular with Mac users who need to manipulate large address list databases is support for many Avery mailing labels. If a database has standard address fields (first name, last name, street address, etc...), Panorama Sheets will automatically configure the fields on a label. If a field is missing (like the ever-popular "address2" field), the app automatically slides label fields up and to the left so there are no blank areas on the mailing label.

    Panorama Sheets also converts raw data into an interactive summary outline with subtotals, averages, and other calculations. Searches can be done phonetically with a "soundslike" operator, combined, and saved for future reference.

    If you're interested in trying Panorama Sheets to see if it's right for you, ProVUE has a 15-day free trial version available for download.

    Panorama Sheets for Mac: A first look originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • iPad will also go Verizon for 3G, says Bloomberg

    In a brief article today, Bloomberg cites Verizon CFO Francis Shammo as saying that the iPad will be offered in a 3G version designed to work on the company's CDMA network. No timeframe was cited for the new model.

    The existing iPad 3G only works with GSM networks, so this would necessarily be a different hardware config. Verizon already sells the WiFi-only iPad bundled with a MiFi portable hotspot. Customers leaning toward the iPhone on Verizon's network will also be able to share the phone's 3G connection with their WiFi iPad or other devices, unlike AT&T's setup where only a single computer can tether to the iPhone at a time.

    iPad will also go Verizon for 3G, says Bloomberg originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Simultaneous voice and data: there was an ad for that

    Who remembers the great carrier wars of 2009? Yes, back before Apple and Verizon became best buddies who worked together for years to create the ideal iPhone experience for VZW customers, Verizon was aiming for the jugular with the "There's a Map For That" and "Misfit Toys" ads poo-poohing AT&T's network coverage. In fact, things got so tense that AT&T and Verizon sued each other over the claims in those blue and red ads.

    Now that everyone's friends again, we've pointed out the fact that Verizon's version of the iPhone, like all the other phones on its CDMA network, will not support simultaneous voice and data; this despite the rumors from last summer that the carrier would roll out VoRA technology to do exactly that. More than a few readers and Twitter followers have said "Who cares? I don't use simultaneous voice and data, and I can't see why it matters."

    The answer to "who cares," at least if you go back to late 2009 and the VZW/AT&T caterwauling, is Apple's marketing team. Let's set the Wayback Machine to this delightful iPhone ad, visible in the continuation of this post, and think about sending email while we chat and ordering flowers during a call. Yes, apparently those who cannot remember the past actually are doomed to repeat it.

    Continue reading Simultaneous voice and data: there was an ad for that

    Simultaneous voice and data: there was an ad for that originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • On migrating from AT&T to Verizon
    Now that the Verizon iPhone is really, truly, officially official, some AT&T customers may consider migration. But at what cost? If you're mid-contract, it won't be free. Of course, the cost depends on when you signed up. Here are some things to keep in mind.

    Like most smartphones, iPhones are sold with a 2-year contract here in the States, the cost of which is used, in part, as a subsidy to reduce the initial price of the phone. Those wishing to escape their ongoing contract must pay an early termination fee, which starts at a certain price and decreases monthly. AT&T's starts $325 and drops by $10 per month.

    Dislike math? Me, too. Fortunately, there's a great Wolfram Alpha widget that works it out for you. Still, here are some quick numbers for reference. Those who received a shiny iPhone 4 for Christmas ought to keep it, as they'll pay $315 at this point. If you stood in line last June as I did, you'll pay around $256 to switch.

    Those of you still using an iPhone 3GS can switch for just $85. Not too bad.

    Is it time to switch? Hold your horses, Texas Pete. This announcement is only a few hours old. Let's wait and see how AT&T responds. Remember, they haven't had to compete for sales of the super-popular iPhone within the U.S. before, and many geeks are beside themselves at the thought of their Precious on Big Red. AT&T may offer incentives to stay on its network. In the meantime, your termination fee is only going to go down, and you'll give case manufacturers time to design something that will fit your Verizon phone. Unless your local AT&T coverage is absolutely abysmal, we say exercise a little patience.

    Finally, try to cover the cost. In this case, a new carrier also means a new iPhone (and probably a new case). Consider selling your current model to help offset the dollars flying from you wallet. Sell Your Mac and NextWorth are two good resources. At the very least, you might make up for that pesky termination fee. For our complete guide on how to sell your iPhone, look here.

    On migrating from AT&T to Verizon originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Why I'm staying with AT&T

    With all the excitement over the Verizon iPhone announcement, I'm not sufficiently moved to make the break. I admit, AT&T has been sloppy and at times downright incompetent. Who can forget the massive foul up when the first iPhone came out and literally millions of customers couldn't get AT&T servers to sign them up? It happened again with the 3G iPhone and the iPhone 4.

    There's the really nasty rate of dropped calls, lousy or inconsistent reception, and how AT&T always seemed to put endless roadblocks before developers who wanted to use the iPhone in the way it was designed. Months of delays on the SlingPlayer app, no Wi-FI tethering, and more delays delivering a 3G tethering plan that was overpriced and forced you to give up your unlimited data plan. Oh yes, AT&T dropped unlimited data so it could start enabling some of those features that might force you to go over AT&T's newly imposed limits. Nice. The list goes on and on.

    Still, I'm staying. Here are my reasons:

    • Big Fee to drop my AT&T plan. Way too much. $325 for those who purchased after June 1, 2010, and $10 off of that for every month of completed contract.
    • Coverage. We all know that AT&T coverage is generally worse than Verizon, but AT&T ponied up and let me have a MicroCell device for free. It solves the 'no coverage at home' problem, and after some initial growing pains it works well
    • Competition is good. I expect AT&T to step up and compete, not because they want to, but because they have to. Maybe there will be a reinstatement of unlimited data plans. Maybe FaceTime will finally work on 3G.
    • Simultaneous voice and data are huge. I often fire off an email or web link when I'm on the phone. Going to Verizon means I kiss all that goodbye.
    • Speed. At least here in Arizona, I get really fast data on the iPhone. Yes, the Verizon voice network is more reliable, but in local side by side tests on the data side, my AT&T phone really is faster than a Verizon smartphone.
    • New iPhones. There will likely be a new iPhone this summer. I expect it will be a lot easier to talk AT&T into an upgrade than Verizon.

    Continue reading Why I'm staying with AT&T

    Why I'm staying with AT&T originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Talking with MyWi's Mario Ciabarra about VZW's hotspot announcement

    Verizon was widely lauded this morning when it announced that its new CDMA iPhone would provide built-in hotspot support. Hotspots allow users to connect to a phone and share that phone's data service to connect to the Internet. This feature, which is also known as "tethering" provides a way to share a single data connection among several devices including phones, laptops, and so forth.

    AT&T, which introduced tethering after many delays, has been charging customers a premium on top of their normal data service to tether. Based on Verizon's other smart phone plans, the VZW tethering feature will sell for a $20 per month, as it is on Android phones, on top of its $30 per month unlimited data plan. There will be a 5GB monthly limit for mobile hot spot usage.

    AT&T's tethering is limited to recent data-rationed plans and is not an option for customers who still use AT&T's original iPhone unlimited plan. As well, the iPad 3G's data plans do not offer a tethering option. What's more, you cannot tether your iPad to your iPhone's data with AT&T as the iPad's bluetooth tethering profile is disabled. You can, however, tether to your iPhone using a third party product called MyWi.

    Continue reading Talking with MyWi's Mario Ciabarra about VZW's hotspot announcement

    Talking with MyWi's Mario Ciabarra about VZW's hotspot announcement originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Why Verizon needs a copy editor


    Dig a bit deeper into Verizon's iPhone announcement and you see something that was overlooked from this morning's announcement -- namely a white iPhone. Apple has made it perfectly clear that the Holy Grail of iPhones won't be available until some time this spring. So, is this the real thing? Most likely not, I don't see anyone other than Apple announcing the white iPhone, and certainly not by burying it in a subsection of Verizon's site. Steve Jobs is most likely frothing at the mouth over this slip-up by Verizon -- but as of a little while later, it's fixed, so maybe nobody noticed.

    That's not the only error Verizon's announcement had. There's no mention of CDMA at all -- the specs listed are GSM/EDGE. Maybe you have to roam onto AT&T to actually use the data plan. It's pretty much last summer's iPhone 4 announcement plopped onto a Verizon server. You'd think that with Verizon and Apple having this under wraps for the past two years, someone would have bothered coming up with a better site -- or at least making sure the AT&T-specific information was changed to Verizon. Or, better yet, hire a copy editor.

    [Yes, we know we made an 'a/an' error in this post and a typo in a headline earlier, thanks to all you clever wags for pointing them out; they are fixed now. Of course we make mistakes too -- however our mistakes are not on the same scale as Verizon inadvertently advertising a color that isn't available, on a network they don't support. -Ed.]

    Why Verizon needs a copy editor originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Verizon iPhone: Hardware is still the iPhone 4

    Sure, it would have been more exciting if Verizon launched its version of the iPhone with an incremented version number and splashy new hardware capabilites -- LTE! Super-Retina display! Downward-facing camera! -- but as expected, the new beastie is essentially the same as the existing iPhone 4 model.

    The primary difference is that Verizon's iPhone 4 is a CDMA unit, not GSM. This of course means that users cannot migrate their handsets between AT&T and Verizon; they have different radios and will only work on their respective network flavor. (Worthy of note, though, the Verizon agreement is non-exclusive, so a Sprint-centric CDMA iPhone is not an impossibility.)

    The CDMA phone is also far more limited for international roaming, so if you plan to travel overseas with your phone please think ahead. As Steve notes, CDMA is still not capable of simultaneous voice and data, so phone calls will interrupt your data sessions; you might consider letting the calls go to your voicemail, and using a Google Voice mailbox so you can get those messages while you're surfing (although it's possible Visual Voicemail will work when a data-only session is active; we'll have to try it out and see).

    Along with the different radio config comes a slightly different antenna arrangement, with another infamous air gap associated with the 'grip of death.' It's not clear yet whether this will have any bearing on the phone's connectivity, but since the working assumption is that Verizon's network > AT&T's network, dropped calls and dead spots are theoretically going to be less of a problem on Big Red than on Big Blue.

    The new VZW phone also sports the ability to behave as a MiFi hotspot, giving WiFi connectivity at 3G speeds for up to five devices. Although this isn't available on AT&T's plans as an official capability, the $10 $19.99 Cydia app MyWi for jailbroken phones already enables it, so it's reasonable to think that there's not a hardware-specific change in play; Verizon already offers the capability on several Android phones. Be aware, though, it will chew through battery like a gopher in a cabbage patch.

    That's another reason to be happy the VZW iPhone isn't shifting form factor at all; existing cases, battery packs and audio accessories should all continue to work unmodified. If only that were true! Laptop Mag and Slashgear both confirm that the mute switch and volume buttons have moved, meaning many (but not all) existing cases won't fit (see here). D'oh.

    Developing story: stay with TUAW today for all the Verizon iPhone news.

    Verizon iPhone: Hardware is still the iPhone 4 originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • TUAW Poll: Will you buy the Verizon iPhone?

    Now that the cat's out of the bag, here at TUAW we're wondering how AT&T will answer to Verizon's iPhone announcement -- specifically the part where the iPhone 4 will be a mobile hotspot that supports up to 5 devices. It's definitely an extra incentive to lure AT&T customers, already unhappy with tiered data plans and extra costs for tethering.

    When the Verizon iPhone makes its debut on February 10, will you be among those in line to get it?

    View Poll

    TUAW Poll: Will you buy the Verizon iPhone? originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Verizon iPhone can't handle data and voice simultaneously

    For those who are interested in the Verizon iPhone, one of the most pressing questions was whether or not the phone would be able to allow simultaneous use of data and voice. This is currently not possible on Verizon's CDMA network, and is sure to be one of the big points in future AT&T advertising. Since the Verizon iPhone operates on the CDMA network, it will not be able to handle voice and data at the same time.

    When you get a phone call while using data on a CDMA phone right now, that phone call goes directly to voice mail. that phone call interrupts the data connection. Likewise, you need to hang up voice calls before trying to bring up websites or capture other data. Want to use that built-in tethering app to send a 3G signal to five devices? Just don't try to talk on the phone at the same time.

    This will not happen if and when Verizon and Apple create an LTE-based iPhone. LTE can handle both data and voice at the same time, as it is based on the current iPhone's GSM technology.

    Verizon iPhone can't handle data and voice simultaneously originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 11:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Verizon confirms the iPhone with personal hotspot
    Verizon Wireless

    Verizon announced the CDMA iPhone today and put some pressure on AT&T by offering the smartphone with a personal hotspot feature (like the MiFi, but built-in) that supports up to 5 devices. Pricing for the mobile hotspot was not announced, but select Android smartphones include this feature for an additional $20 per month. This charge is on top of the unlimited data plan which is available for $30 per month. Presumably, the mobile hotspot will be a Verizon-exclusive app or preference setting that enables this functionality. [Techcrunch showed the interface for this, it is enabled through the Settings app.]

    Currently, AT&T offers the iPhone with the 2 GB DataPro and tethering plan for $45 per month. This is a one to one tethering option that lets you connect one phone to one device. The Verizon option lets you add up to five devices that are WiFi-capable. The next question is, how will AT&T respond?

    Verizon confirms the iPhone with personal hotspot originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • iPhone 4 will be available through Verizon starting in February
    Verizon has acquired the right to sell the iPhone starting February 10 with pre-orders beginning on February 3, the company announced this morning in one of the worst-kept secrets since the Beatles appeared on iTunes. The iPhone will connect to the CDMA network and will be $199 for the 16GB model and $299 for the 32GB model (with a 2-year contract and required data plan, of course). The big news? A mobile hotspot is included, allowing you to connect up to five devices through the iPhone.

    The talks began in 2008, when the two companies began to discuss bringing over the iPhone over for the CDMA network, and indeed the release of the iPad on the carrier last year was proof of the iPhone's imminent arrival.

    iPhone 4 will be available through Verizon starting in February originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • TUAW metaliveblogs the Verizon event. Here's hoping for iPhones
    On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the (11-10)th month in the 2000+11th year, Verizon finally gets its iPhone. Maybe. (After all, they may just be having service upgrades or something boring like that.) And TUAW is there.

    Greatest thing ever? Or--if this really goes down--simply another small accomplishment on the marketing behemoth that is iPhone. You tell us. Our comments are open and you're welcome to join in the discussion.

    Today, we're meta-liveblogging the event, updating this post with info, facts, and opinion as this event rolls out. Keep refreshing the post, as we'll regularly be updating it with newer updates towards the top.

    11:33 If you enjoyed this live coverage and want to see more of the same, please pop by our feedback page and let our producers know. As always, we thank you for taking time out of your busy day to spend with TUAW. We are nothing without our readers and we appreciate every one of you!

    11:32 Okay TUAWians, we're going to wrap up the coverage now. This was short, sweet and a lovely surprise for us all.

    11:31 Megs: But, I think enough people may jump ship to where it'll ease the capacity. Erica: Hardly a win for AT&T then

    11:31 RichG: I think AT&T are in a bind -- I doubt they introduced those data caps lightly, IO think they really were sttuggling with network capacity

    11:31 I wonder if this will impact sales of MyWi

    11:30 TJ Luoma: They're talking now about a tethering app. Will it be available to AT&T customers?

    Follow the Read More jump for the rest of this transcript...

    Continue reading TUAW metaliveblogs the Verizon event. Here's hoping for iPhones

    TUAW metaliveblogs the Verizon event. Here's hoping for iPhones originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • The Verizon iPhone: A rumor roundup

    As the minutes tick by to what looks like the imminent release of the iPhone on Verizon, here's a roundup of what could be expected during the next hour and what's happened during the past few months:

    As soon as the iPad made its Verizon debut, every announcement out of Verizon began looking like it would be the iPhone's turn and that 2011 would be the year of the Verizon iPhone. A couple weeks before Christmas, the rumors began circulating that a 4G LTE Verizon iPhone would be introduced right after Christmas.

    Apple put the freeze on employee vacations beginning the last week of this month until the third week of February while there were reports of Verizon snatching up iPhone-related domains.

    Our friends over at the Wall Street Journal confirmed the rumor, and given their history on predicting such matters, we have little reason to doubt that Verizon is announcing the real deal here.

    Meanwhile, AT&T is already lobbing shots at potential leapers, warning them that they too are destined for "life in the slow lane.". In what looks like a pre-emptive move, AT&T, Apple and other retailers like Target have slashed the official price of the iPhone 3GS to $49 -- plus two-year contract, of course.

    All will be revealed in about 20 minutes (as of this writing). Stay tuned.

    The Verizon iPhone: A rumor roundup originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Verizon wonders if it's "backwards day" at AT&T


    Can't we all just get along? The competition between Verizon and AT&T is about to reach a new level as the behemoths prepare to battle for the same iPhone customers (supposedly). The tension has led to what can be described as schoolyard jabs.

    Just yesterday, AT&T's head of PR Larry Solomon asked if Verizon customers are ready for "...life in the slow lane," referring to Verizon's legacy CDMA technology. Today, Verizon fired back as spokesperson Jeffrey Nelson questioned AT&T's network integrity and reputation.

    "AT&T is known for a lot of things," he told The New York Times, "but network quality is not one of them. Typically companies try to call attention to their strongest suit." Nelson then tossed out a zinger: "It must be backwards day at AT&T."

    Oh, you two. Go to the time out chair! What's unknown, of course, is if or when the iPhone will take advantage of Verizon's 4G network. We'll find out soon enough.

    Verizon wonders if it's "backwards day" at AT&T originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Swap out your iPhone 4's rear glass with a replacement panel from voBack

    A few days ago, one of our readers emailed us to ask, "Is this a photo of the Verizon iPhone, or a Chinese knockoff?" It only took me a couple seconds to realize it was neither; it was a voBack replacement iPhone 4 rear panel from Fixxed, a company based out of Christchurch, New Zealand. I'd seen a review of the voBack panel on iPhonewzealand, and based on that review and the images on voBack's site, I decided to give one of them a try.

    I've always thought that Apple's decision to make the rear plate of the iPhone 4 out of glass was a bit odd, especially since the antennas are on the outside of the iPhone and shouldn't have experienced any interference from a more robust material, like metal. Considering that people drop their mobile phones all the time, it seemed like a recipe for disaster. "Use a case" is the usual answer, but aside from Apple's own bumper case (which does nothing to protect the rear glass), I haven't found a case that looks anywhere near as good as a caseless iPhone.

    Fortunately, Apple designed the iPhone 4 in a way that makes it atypically easy to dismantle. In the video below, you'll see that even though I fumbled around a bit with the Philips #00 screwdriver I used, it only took about three and a half minutes for me to swap the iPhone 4's standard glass plate with the metal replacement from voBack. (Note that newer iPhone 4 units have five-point Torx screws, a much rarer screw type that's more difficult to remove.) Because I chose a black replacement, from a distance my iPhone looks almost no different than it did before, but I've got more peace of mind now that the backside is made out of something more durable than glass.

    About the only complaint I have about the voBack panel is it holds onto smudges a lot more readily than the standard oleophobic glass. Other than that minor issue, I'm quite pleased with it. The best part is that, unlike most cases, the voBack plate doesn't change the shape of the iPhone 4 at all, so anything that would have fit a standard-issue iPhone will still fit. My bumper case slid right on with no issues, and my camera, LED flash and wireless reception haven't been affected at all. Worried about voiding your warranty by swapping out the rear plate? voBack itself isn't sure if this procedure will void your warranty or not, but if you keep the original backside in a safe place, you can always swap it back in later. If you've already broken the rear glass on your iPhone 4 anyway, you've really got nothing to lose by replacing it.

    There are plenty of different colors, styles and materials to choose from on voBack's site, and the prices range from US$24 to $29. Shipping to the US from New Zealand is very reasonable too, though Fixxed says it's looking for international distributors for the voBack panels. Check out a gallery of the voBack panel below, and I've also made a video showing how easy it is for even a clumsy guy like me to swap out the iPhone's rear casing.

    Continue reading Swap out your iPhone 4's rear glass with a replacement panel from voBack

    Swap out your iPhone 4's rear glass with a replacement panel from voBack originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • ThinkGeek's iCade gaming cabinet for iPad moves closer to reality
    ThinkGeek iCade gaming cabinetSince 2001, ThinkGeek has been compiling gag products for April Fool's Day. Some products are silly, some outrageous, and some are conceptually cool and show promise as a real product. The iCade gaming cabinet, one star of April Fool's 2010, falls into this latter category. The iCade is a retro gaming cabinet that hearkens back to the 80s and its arcade gaming craze. The table-top unit lets you mount your iPad as the display, while the cabinet itself includes a joystick, arcade buttons and Bluetooth to connect to your iPad.

    After a few copycat versions hit the scene, ThinkGeek realized there is genuine interest in such a product and is working with Atari and ION to bring this concept to fruition. Atari is planning to release iCade-friendly versions of its classic arcade games, like Asteroids. These games will run on the iPad, and the action will be controlled by the BT-connected joystick and gaming buttons. An API will also be released so that current game developers can create iCade-compatible versions of their games.

    The unit will start shipping April 2011 and will retail for US$99.99. Are any of you gamers out there interested in scooping one up when it becomes available?

    [Via the gadgeteer]

    ThinkGeek's iCade gaming cabinet for iPad moves closer to reality originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • eBay's mobile app strategy shared at CES

    When I went to meet up with eBay at last week's CES conference, I went to a booth run not by that company, but by a company called RedLaser. Started by two U of Michigan grads, RedLaser is an eBay acquisition that has released a barcode scanning app for the iPhone that will scan your products and give you back consumer information about them. Rob Veres is the Senior Director of eBay Mobile and General Manager of RedLaser, and he kindly sat down to tell us about the trading site's current apps and future in the mobile space.

    "We try new things all the time," Veres told me. "In the case of mobile, we had a pretty strong conviction early that mobile was going to be big." And indeed it is -- the eBay app has gone through a few changes and updates since it was released a while ago, but there have been 15 million total downloads of eBay's mobile apps so far. Last year, the company saw a whopping $2 billion in sales come through mobile devices alone. Back in November, the company merged what were two separate buying and selling apps, and that's when the RedLaser technology was added to the main app.

    Click on to read more about what eBay's up to on the iPhone, as well as see a video of the "See it On" augmented reality feature seen above.

    Continue reading eBay's mobile app strategy shared at CES

    eBay's mobile app strategy shared at CES originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • TUAW's Daily App: World Series of Poker Hold 'em Legend
    While in Las Vegas at CES last week, I didn't have a lot of time to gamble, but I did get to play a few hands of video poker, and that combined with my preview of Full House Poker for the Xbox had me looking for a poker game to scratch the itch when I got back home on Sunday. I poked around the App Store for a few ideas, and while Pokerbot is a nice simulation, this official World Series of Poker app seems like the best version around. It's made by Glu Mobile (the same company behind the great Gun Bros), and it's a solid experience, offering up not just Texas Hold'em, but a persistent career, a nice online multiplayer mode and even Game Center integration with leaderboards and achievements.

    For a quick game of Hold 'em on the iPhone, it's been perfect for me. The full iPhone app is available for US 99 cents, but if you're not sold, there is a free version with some annoying interstitial ads. And unfortunately, the app's not universal -- the iPad version will set you back $4.99. Still, that's pretty cheap compared to what I'd have ended up losing at the tables in Vegas anyway.

    TUAW's Daily App: World Series of Poker Hold 'em Legend originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • iRig Mic brings a vocal microphone to the iPhone and iPad
    The iRig Mic was one of the last products we saw at CES last week. It's a full-featured vocal microphone made by IK Multimedia (the folks behind Amplitube and the iRig kit that our own Matt Tinsley reviewed a while back) that plugs directly into your iPhone or iPad. I went ahead and sent a few sweet vocal sounds through the mic, and they sounded great. It's not a super premium microphone, but it'll do the job, and a few different condenser settings allow for some nice remote recording possibilities as well. The mic comes with a dual-jack connector to plug into your iDevice, so you can also wear headphones as you record.

    The mic works best hooked up to an official app called Vocalive, which you can see on the iPad's screen in the pic above. In addition to recording and playing back audio tracks, the app can also throw in some vocal effects, from reverb to frequency modulation, and a metronome for getting your timing just right. The iRig Mic will be available for just US$59 in the first week of March. IK Multimedia told us that they'd be at Macworld later this month, so we'll be sure to get them on video there.

    In case you're wondering, that iPad is being held onto the mic stand by an IK product called the iKlip, which became available last December; for $40, it will clip your iPad onto a mic stand for use during a show. That way, iPad bands can keep both hands free for jamming.

    iRig Mic brings a vocal microphone to the iPhone and iPad originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Oldboy director Chan-wook Park shoots new movie on iPhone 4

    Last year, I caught a top 10 list somewhere that listed the top movies ever with twist endings. All but one of them I'd already seen, that one being the critically acclaimed Korean film Oldboy, directed by Chan-wook Park. Seeing as it was available for streaming on Netflix, I pulled it up that night. Suffice to say, it has one hell of a twist ending, and I'll warn you now that it's... uncomfortable.

    Oldboy isn't the only movie on Park's resume, though it's arguably his most recognized. The director is adding yet another film to his IMDb page, and this one has a different sort of twist involved: it was filmed entirely on an iPhone 4. The film, titled Paranmanjang ("life full of ups and downs" in Korean) clocks in at about 30 minutes and was made on a budget of only US$133,000. Park says he took advantage of the iPhone 4's small size and low price (relative to the project) to easily utilize multiple iPhones for many different camera angles.

    I wonder what iPhone apps Park made use of in the recording of his film, other than the native Camera app. Would there be any reason he'd want to not shoot natively and do the full post-processing later on larger gear?

    Paranmanjang is set to hit theaters on January 27 in South Korea.

    Oldboy director Chan-wook Park shoots new movie on iPhone 4 originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Seen at CES: Blinged-out iPhone and iPad cases

    This intriguing (and shiny!) M.C. Escher case was seen in the CES booth of one Lux Mobile last week. The custom case was made with over 18,000 Swarovski crystals and was apparently made in the good old US of A, "one crystal at a time." Pretty snazzy, no? Lux Mobile does carry this case in a standard non-crystal form (and we're told it's a popular model), but that's not nearly as fun.

    One more note here: the custom-made crystal case on display above costs a whopping $3000 -- just about six times the value of the iPad it's actually supposed to hold. Check out a few more of Lux's blinged-out iDevice cases after the break, including a pink Ed Hardy monstrosity that would keep Jonathan Ive up at night.

    Continue reading Seen at CES: Blinged-out iPhone and iPad cases

    Seen at CES: Blinged-out iPhone and iPad cases originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 04:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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