Tuesday, February 1, 2011

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  • My favorite Macworld Expo photo

    podcaster nighthawks

    When podcaster Victor Cajiao showed me this picture, my jaw dropped open. George Starcher captured it with the Occipital 360 Panorama app (reviewed here), catching Cajiao, Adam Christianson, and Ken Ray at Lori's Diner in an almost Hopperesque pose.

    You can find all our Macworld Expo coverage on our hub page, here.

    Photo by George Starcher, used with permission.

    My favorite Macworld Expo photo originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Macworld Expo 2011: Smart Technologies' interactive whiteboards

    One of the most interesting booths at last week's Macworld Expo was that of Smart Technologies, who were showing off their interactive touch surface systems. These aren't necessarily Mac-related, unfortunately -- the equipment Smart sells is just an interface, or rather a series of interfaces designed to work with touch-based software. But Smart has supported the Mac platform for over 15 years, we were told, and the demo units on the floor were running OS X.

    There were a few different concepts up and running (including a table-style touchscreen that used a camera in the table looking up at the touch canvas to optically detect where you were touching), but the most interesting was probably the interactive whiteboard system -- it's a traditional whiteboard with four cameras mounted on each corner facing the board itself, tracking optically on where and when the user is touching the board. The technology works great -- it can tell the difference between a finger, a paintbrush, or a full hand swipe, and while Smart's drivers do work with the normal OS X system, they're also building hooks for their technology into various apps -- ArtRage is one that works well with the tech -- and Smart Technologies has their own app called Notebook as well.

    Again, all of these things run on almost any platform, but Smart says it's committed to "the Mac customer base." Not only has Apple brought touch interfaces to the forefront with the iPhone and the iPad, but Smart told me that Apple is "now bringing the concept of touch into the [desktop] operating system" as well. Smart's solutions for touch will likely live outside of Apple's own definitions, but it was interesting to see what's possible these days in terms of these interfaces.

    We've got a video demo from the show floor, embedded in the rest of this post.

    Continue reading Macworld Expo 2011: Smart Technologies' interactive whiteboards

    Macworld Expo 2011: Smart Technologies' interactive whiteboards originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Preview of CaseGoods TypeCase for iPad

    Sometimes the most important things you see at Macworld Expo are the things that you don't like. For example, there were a lot of iPad case manufacturers who were showing off their take on case + keyboard combos. A lot of these cases use an awkward "chiclet"-type keyboard that in my opinion is worse than no keyboard at all. In an attempt to keep the cases relatively small, most of the manufacturers are using tiny keyboards that are difficult to use.

    When I returned from this year's Expo, I was curious to see what goodies I had received from vendors during the week I was in San Francisco. One of the boxes contained a review sample of a new iPad keyboard case from CaseGoods, LLC called the TypeCase. What makes this keyboard case different from the rest? Two things -- the quality of both the leather case and the keyboard.

    Leather case

    To start with, the cases are made of leather -- either standard leather or exotics. You've got a choice of black or tan in the standard leather, brown or black "croc texture" leather, a bright red "lizard texture," and black horsehair. All of the cases use a magnetic closure to keep the cover closed while in transit, and there's a leather kickstand in the back for propping the iPad in an upright position. The leather finish was quite nice, and the stiffness should protect the iPad from accidental drops and bumps.

    Continue reading Preview of CaseGoods TypeCase for iPad

    Preview of CaseGoods TypeCase for iPad originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Flash-friendly Skyfire browser for iPad gets updated
    Skyfire for iPadAfter the initial iPhone, iPad and iPod touch version earned $1 million in its first weekend in the App Store back in November, the third party iPad-specific web browser Skyfire for iPad (US$4.99) has been updated to Version 2.1.1 and is available for downloading now. Fixes in the update include auto-completing URLs, stronger privacy controls, and several performance improvements.

    Because Apple's iOS devices do not support Flash, the Skyfire browser provides a workaround which transcodes Flash video into HTML5 and thus enables iDevice owners to access most Flash-based websites and videos.

    While Skyfire for iPad version 2.1.1 requires, well, an iPad running iOS 3.2 or later, iPhone and iPod touch users can download their own version for $2.99 from the App Store as well.

    Flash-friendly Skyfire browser for iPad gets updated originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • The Engadget Show featuring Steve Wozniak's white iPhone
    You may remember when Steve Wozniak flashed his (fake) white iPhone on CNN back in December, but Engadget now has something even better -- a six minute video of Woz discussing his white iPhone and about how he bought the parts from a teenager who Apple later shut down. The video is an edited segment from the January 31, 2011 edition of The Engadget Show and is a must-see for Apple fanatics awaiting the arrival of the mystical white iPhone 4 this spring.

    Click Read More to check out the video.

    Continue reading The Engadget Show featuring Steve Wozniak's white iPhone

    The Engadget Show featuring Steve Wozniak's white iPhone originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Intel recalls Sandy Bridge, may affect future Macs

    Intel announced on Monday that it was recalling its Intel 6 series chipset. This chipset is utilized in computers powered by the next generation Core i5 and Core i7 processor. These Sandy Bridge processors are expected to debut in the next refresh of the MacBook Pro and possibly the iMac. The flaw may result in the slow degradation of the SATA port which could potentially affect the performance of hard drives and DVDs. Intel has issued a silicon fix and is re-manufacturing this chipset. The first batch of improved chipsets will arrive in late February and manufacturing should be in full swing by April.

    The delayed availability of these Sandy Bridge processors may affect the production of Apple's upcoming MacBook pro line which was rumored to land as early as March. As it stands, Apple may not be able to begin manufacturing these second generation Core i5 and Core i7 systems until March, which means a launch in April or later is possible. Considering Apple refreshed the MacBook Pro in April 2010, this delay may not push them that far off from a yearly update. The iMac was updated in July 2010 and this delay should have minimal impact on the debut of the 2011 lineup of Apple's all-in-one computers.

    Intel recalls Sandy Bridge, may affect future Macs originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • iOS now responsible for 2 percent of all web traffic
    According to a report from NetApplications, Apple's iOS now has a 2 percent share of all web traffic. Combining for a worldwide average of 2.06 percent, the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch OS has passed the 2 percent mark for the first time ever and has even reached a whopping 10 percent market share in Singapore. The study also shows that the Mac OS kept steady at 5 percent while Windows maintained its solid lead at just under 90 percent of worldwide internet traffic.

    With the iPad claiming .03 percent of all internet traffic just ten short days after its launch last April and estimates that it will represent 2.3 percent of total traffic in 2011, we can only speculate just how high iOS' share will be next time the report is released. Anyone care to guess?

    [via electronista]

    iOS now responsible for 2 percent of all web traffic originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • USA Today sees iPad app as "real positive" for industry

    While many newspapers are struggling financially and trying to figure out how to move from paper and ink to digital content, it appears that Gannett's USA Today is doing quite well on the iPad.

    Last August, the paper was in the midst of a restructuring and cut 130 staff members. At that time, USA Today made a commitment of resources to the iPad app. Now The Telegraph is reporting that the app is turning out to be a boon to USA Today. Gracia Martore, COO of Gannett, said on Monday that "The iPad has been a real positive for USA Today," and will "translate into a much more significant improvement" in revenues.

    Over 1.4 million copies of the app have been downloaded since April, and at this time the digital newspaper is still ad-supported and free. That might change in the future as competition warms up (News Corp's The Daily is set to debut tomorrow), although the ads in the app command a price about five times that of standard web ads and appear to be fueling revenue growth at the paper.

    USA Today's happy story is in sharp contrast to reports from many magazine publishers, who are seeing rapid declines in readership for iPad editions after initial success. Tomorrow's unveiling of The Daily will usher in an in-app subscription feature, which should eliminate publisher frustrations with the current need for readers to purchase each issue separately. Whether or not USA Today and other iPad publishers will adopt the new subscription feature is unknown, but it will make it much easier for readers to purchase and renew their subscriptions to iPad newspapers and magazines. That, in turn, should help content providers gain and keep readers for the digital editions.

    [via AppleInsider]

    USA Today sees iPad app as "real positive" for industry originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • The Beatles just 'LOVE' iTunes

    The Beatles/Cirque du Soleil collaborative "LOVE" is available for pre-order through iTunes. The $12.99 album will be released on February 8 with two bonus tracks, and based on the page for the album, none of the tracks will be available for individual sale. The documentary behind the show, "All Together Now," will also be sold for $9.99. As with the previous Beatles digital releases, this appears to be exclusive to iTunes.

    [via Business Insider]

    The Beatles just 'LOVE' iTunes originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Some Toyota car audio systems not working with iPhone in Australia

    Australian newspapers are reporting today that Toyota is contacting more than 200 dealers to let them know that iPhones and iPod touch models running iOS 4.1 are locking up the audio systems of 2009 and 2010 cars. Models having problems include the Yaris, Corolla and Prius.

    The glitch is somewhere between the iOS software and radios supplied by Fujitsu Ten. When drivers plug their iOS device in, the screen gets stuck on the word 'load' and then the radio locks up and will no longer operate until the iPhone is removed. Owners can listen to their Apple device using the headphone jack, but using the custom Apple USB interface simply won't work.

    iOS 4.1 was released in September, and currently Apple is at iOS 4.2.1. It isn't clear if the bug is fixed in the later releases. In a bulletin to dealers, Toyota notes that "Investigations have revealed that iPhone or iPod operating systems introduced in September 2010 are not compatible with the audio unit and will not allow music playback via the USB interface." Toyota is working with Fujitsu Ten on a field fix.

    Some Toyota car audio systems not working with iPhone in Australia originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Lawsuit claims AT&T "systematically" overcharges iPhone, iPad owners
    A lawsuit filed in California federal court claims AT&T "systematically" overcharged iPhone and iPad owners by inflating the amount of data downloaded by each customer and tacking on "phantom traffic" to the month-long tally. The lawsuit was filed by Patrick Hendricks who asserts AT&T charged him a $15 overage fee that was the result of this artificially inflated data. Hendricks cites AT&T's alleged practice of overestimating data traffic by as much as 300% in what is described as "a rigged gas pump that charges for a full gallon when it pumps only nine-tenths of a gallon into your car's tank."

    The complaint also mentions phantom data charges that were added to his bill, but never started or experienced by Hendricks. The complainant hired a private firm to track his data usage on AT&T and they reported usage of 2.2MB during a week when the iPhone had all push notifications turned off, all location-based services turned off, no active applications running, and no email account setup on the handset. Hendricks is seeking class action status on the complaint and is asking for restitution and class damages. AT&T responded by saying it would vigorously fight the lawsuit.

    Lawsuit claims AT&T "systematically" overcharges iPhone, iPad owners originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • iOS 4.3 beta 3 and SDK beta now available

    Apple has released the iOS 4.3 beta and SDK beta 3. Both are available through the iOS Dev Center. Boy Genius Report had said earlier today that this would most likely happen.

    Beta 2, released January 19, is rumored to have iPad FaceTime, PhotoStream, PhotoBooth for iOS and more.

    iOS 4.3 beta 3 and SDK beta now available originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 15:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Hunting for open GameKit solutions

    On iOS, GameKit offers a simple way for applications to connect to each other using ad-hoc peer-to-peer communication without having to be connected to a common network. Despite its name, GameKit has been used for many non-gaming purposes as well as for games. These include contact information exchanges, media sharing, device-to-device presentations, and so forth.

    It's surprising, therefore, that Apple has not introduced a computer-based standard to allow Mac and Windows computers to participate in this information exchange (let alone Android and Blackberry devices) using the common GameKit programming frameworks.

    When you look closely at GameKit, you begin to experience the sense of top-down control and paranoia that permeates this implementation. If anything, Apple comes off as just a wee bit psychotic looking at the measures it takes to control GameKit connections, which are (after all) nothing more than Bonjour and Bluetooth handshakes.

    Continue reading Hunting for open GameKit solutions

    Hunting for open GameKit solutions originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Vintcase giveaway: Your chance to win this sexy iPad case

    Before the TUAW staff packed up to leave for Macworld Expo, I had a chance to try one of the nicest iPad cases I've seen -- the Vintcase. As you may remember from the full review, this is a lovely leather case that is based on the document pouches carried by travelers in the past. Trying out this case was a pleasure; the leather is soft and supple, it's a visual treat, the scent of the leather is wonderful, and it's something you just want to touch.

    Vintcase and TUAW want you to have a chance to win one of these beautiful handmade cases. Here are the rules for the giveaway:

    • Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.
    • To enter, leave a comment telling us the title of your favorite Indiana Jones movie (remember, there were four of them)
    • The comment must be left before Sunday, February 6, 2011 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time.
    • You may enter only once.
    • One winner will be selected and will receive a Vintcase valued at €79 ($108.66)
    • Click Here for complete Official Rules.

    Good luck.

    Vintcase giveaway: Your chance to win this sexy iPad case originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Apple's message to eBook vendors and users isn't yet clear, but points toward only in-app purchases

    It's been a busy day for App Store watchers. With a New York Times article last night citing in-app book purchasing as a key issue in the rejection of the Sony Reader app, and Apple's later non-clarifying clarification of the company's policy on parity for purchasing in and out of apps, we're all left a bit confused. Can you have a third-party ereader app on iOS at all without Apple's purchasing infrastructure? Where can you buy content? Is the Kindle app doomed?

    I don't think the Kindle app is going anywhere right away; for one thing, it's always handled book sales through Safari rather than in-app (something Sony's infrastructure wasn't tuned for, as Christina Warren points out, but that it may be ready for now -- see the second half of this post). Sony says that it "submitted [the app] in accordance with the precedent set by other eBook retailers," which could mean just about anything. Jason Snell's analysis over at Macworld is intriguing.

    But there's a deeper question that needs to be asked: Can Amazon or Barnes & Noble remain on the App Store without introducing a way to send more money in Apple's direction?

    When Apple's new in-app purchase policies came to light recently, pundits wondered what it might mean to eBook developers in the App Store. Apple had initially allowed web-based commerce to provide content for App Store items, including subscriptions or individual purchases. Then, Apple began rejecting subscription-based magazines that used external channels rather than in-app purchases to make money and updated its developer agreement to make this stance clear.

    Continue reading Apple's message to eBook vendors and users isn't yet clear, but points toward only in-app purchases

    Apple's message to eBook vendors and users isn't yet clear, but points toward only in-app purchases originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Macworld 2011 Best of Show winners announced

    Now that Macworld Expo 2011 is complete, the official Best of Show winners have been selected and announced by the Macworld editors. We got to look at some of the choices. Here are a few highlights.

    BusyToDo is the latest solution from BusyMac, the folks behind BusyCal and BusySync. BusyToDo puts simple, synchronized to-do items on your iCal from your iPhone. They've pulled it off quite well and you can watch our interview with John from BusyMac here, which includes a nice demo of BusyToDo.

    The Awind McTiVia is a set top box for streaming video from your Mac to your TV. For those either without an Apple TV or looking to enhance their home media setup, it's a nice option. For US$199 the McTiVia connects to your TV via HDMI and wirelessly to your Mac. It's even got a USB port for connecting a mouse and keyboard, should your media Mac be hidden away.

    The OWC Mercury Aura Pro Express Solid State Drive that we looked at a few weeks ago also walked away with the honor. The OWC SSD kit beefs up your current-generation MacBook Air's storage, and also adds a lot of speed. OWC claims peak data rates of 275 MB/s, making them up to 22 percent faster than what's currently available.

    There are seven other winners on the list, and we'll let you find out what they are. Remember, it's never too early to start writing your holiday wish list.

    Macworld 2011 Best of Show winners announced originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Macworld Expo 2011: Marketcircle Daylite, Daylite Touch, and Billings Pro

    If there's one company that always shows off their best side at Macworld Expo, it's Marketcircle. The company's products won the Macworld Best of Show awards for the last two years, and it wouldn't surprise me to hear that they've won again.

    Marketcircle's products are designed to help small businesses grow. Daylite and the companion iOS product Daylite Touch can be used to handle customer relationship management and track projects, while Billings, Billings Touch, Billings Pro, and Billings Pro Touch are all aimed at making sure that companies get paid.

    While at Macworld Expo 2011 last week, I spent some time with Amin Rahmani of Marketcircle for a quick look at the company's product line. I was especially impressed with Daylite Touch on the iPad, which really benefits from the extra room afforded by the iPad screen.

    Listen in on Amin has he gives us a tour of Marketcircle at Macworld Expo. The video is on the next page.

    Continue reading Macworld Expo 2011: Marketcircle Daylite, Daylite Touch, and Billings Pro

    Macworld Expo 2011: Marketcircle Daylite, Daylite Touch, and Billings Pro originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Sony's Bloggie Touch software now available for Mac

    To the delight of Mac users out there who own Bloggie Touch pocket camcorders, Sony has just released a Mac version of the camera's onboard software which was previously only available for PCs. It allows you to view and edit video, as well as upload it to multiple online platforms like YouTube, Facebook, or Flickr.

    This software release is for current Bloggie Touch owners, as well as those who buy the from current line before the new models come later this spring (Psst! Wait for the new models!). Moving forward, Bloggie cameras will include the Mac software onboard, just like the PC version.

    The software can be downloaded from the Bloggie eSupport page. Just make sure you select your particular camera model, which should be written along its side as pointed out in the video below.

    Of course if you're already satisfied with your Mac's ability to handle your Bloggie's video, just continue on doing what you were doing. Nothing to see here...

    Continue reading Sony's Bloggie Touch software now available for Mac

    Sony's Bloggie Touch software now available for Mac originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Ask TUAW Video Edition: working with Stacks

    ask tuaw videoThis week Matt asks how to have a dock stack with specific applications in it. In the video we show the three easy steps to make it happen. Remember, you can leave us questions in the comments! The video is on the next page.

    Update: as Brian pointed out - you can use Command and Option-Key (⌘⌥) together when dragging the application to your newly-made folder - it will automatically make the alias without the word "alias" in the title.

    Continue reading Ask TUAW Video Edition: working with Stacks

    Ask TUAW Video Edition: working with Stacks originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Apple rumored to release iOS 4.3 beta 3 today

    Boy Genius Report suggests that Apple will be releasing iOS 4.3 beta 3 today to developers. According to their sources, the release will be build number 8F5166b and, as BGR mentions, will be the third release in so many weeks if it appears today. Apple must be keen to get this update out the door.

    Beta 2 was released on January 19 and is rumored to have a PhotoStream service, iPad FaceTime support, PhotoBooth apps for iOS. Here's hoping Apple's rapid development gets this OS into out hot little hands soon.

    Apple rumored to release iOS 4.3 beta 3 today originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Snippets: A cheaper text macro option for the Mac

    Snippets by Conceited Software is a US$5 text macro application for the Mac. Define a shortcut such as "mas" to have it automatically expand to "Mac App Store" or other words, phrases and even entire paragraphs of text. You can even include rich text, such as bold, italics and images.

    I've been using Snippets for the past few days instead of my usual macros program, TextExpander, and I have to say I'm impressed. The interface is clean, replacements are fast, and a recent update added "placeholder" text so that you can have Snippets pause during expansion for you to enter in some text, such as someone's name. It's a great utility that does what it says it will.

    Coming from TextExpander, there are some features that I definitely miss, such as Dropbox syncing, the ability to automatically add the current date or time and, yes, even the little sound that TextExpander plays when it expands a shortcut (full disclosure: my wife hates the sound and hopes to never hear it again). Then again, TextExpander (previously Textpander) has been around since 2005, whereas Snippets is only a few months old. I fully expect it will get better and add these features, but remember my rule for buying software: buy it only for what it does today, not for what you hope (or developers say) it will do tomorrow.

    If you already own TextExpander, TypeItForMe or Typinator, you don't need Snippets. However, if you have been in the market for a text macros app but have been put off by the cost -- $35 for TextExpander, €19.99 (about $27 as of this writing) for Typinator or $20 for TypeItForMe -- Snippets might be just what you are looking for. Its biggest shortcoming right now is that there is no way to export your shortcuts, so if you use more than one Mac, you'll have to enter them separately on each Mac.

    Snippets is available exclusively through the Mac App Store.

    Snippets: A cheaper text macro option for the Mac originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • TUAW's Daily App: Legendary Wars

    I got to see Legendary Wars at Macworld last week, and it's a fun title. It has a good mix of many different game genres and a lot of solid game content to explore. At its core, Legendary Wars is a fantasy-based real-time strategy game, but there's a Plants vs. Zombies feel to it as you summon various fantasy creatures and send them off to fight against the bad guys. That's the core gameplay, but there are lots and lots of different variants on it, from a tower defense spin-off to some more action-based levels, and even a Canabalt-style running level.

    This is developer Orian Livnat's first game; he and his family and friends are responsible for the Liv Games company. Legendary Wars shows that he and his fellow developers took a lot of pride in what they did, because the title is bursting with polish and care. With no shortage of things to do and a lot of fun to be had through a few different game modes (and an update with Game Center integration on the way), Legendary Wars is an excellent title on the iPhone for US$2.99.

    TUAW's Daily App: Legendary Wars originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Apple's softened "water damage" policy gains notice

    Quite a buzz has appeared recently about Apple's updated water damage policies. These policies actually came to light several months ago due to some clever sleuthing on the part of Boy Genius Report, which we posted on at the time. The same policies may even have gone into effect in Europe several months earlier than that.

    iPhone and iPod immersion sensors have long been notoriously unreliable. Despite insider claims that the indicators will not change color unless a device has been submerged for 90 seconds, consumers have encountered triggered sensors due to ambient moisture, sweaty palms, temperature extremes and (our favorite) using your iOS device as an ocarina.

    The revised policies added a visual inspection for physical signs of water damage to the existing sensor color change, likely because of class action lawsuits that state, in part, that "As a result of Apple's improper application of the Liquid-Damage Exclusion, Apple sells [devices] with the intent to exclude them from the warranty coverage Apple promises consumers it will provide -- even when consumers pay extra for Extended Warranty coverage -- simply because their Liquid Submersion Indicator has been triggered, without any attempt by Apple to verify whether the Class Devices actually have been damaged as a result of submersion or immersion in liquid." The policy revision may also have come about because Apple has begun to mistrust the reliability of the sensors.

    So while this isn't exactly news (despite recent wide coverage), it's a good thing for consumers to know about. If a technician suggests your unit suffers from water damage, and you know that it has not been submerged, caught in the rain, sent through the wash or similar, make sure you insist on that secondary inspection. Have them check the internal device indicators as well as the external ones, for units where that makes sense.

    There's a big difference between a drop of sweat and a dunk in the swimming pool. It's good to see that Apple now recognizes that difference.

    Apple's softened "water damage" policy gains notice originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Put a Windows Phone 7 theme on your iPhone

    Been trying to think of a way to try out a new Windows phone without crossing over to the dark side switching sides? If that's the case and you have been looking for a way to recreate the Windows Phone 7 interactive theme on your iPhone or iPod touch, Wyndwarrior's "OS7" is available in public beta for anyone with a hankering for Windows on their jailbroken iOS device. Here are the instructions from modmyi.com on how you can try it out if you are so inclined:

    1. Install Backboard from Cydia.
    2. Make sure you have created a "Default" backup; if not, press the add button in Backboard and give it a name.
    3. Go on your device and click on this link: backboard://http://wyndrepo.googleco...es/OS7Beta.zip
    4. Press "Yes" and wait for it to download. This may take a few minutes depending on your internet connection.
    5. Select OS7 from Backboard. Press Install. Respring.

    Voting is going on right now to set the as-yet-unknown price for OS7, so if you want in on the action, you may want to get your voice heard. Click Read More to check out video of the OS7 demo.

    [via Engadget]

    Continue reading Put a Windows Phone 7 theme on your iPhone

    Put a Windows Phone 7 theme on your iPhone originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Apple rejects Sony Reader from App Store

    According to the New York Times, Apple has rejected Sony's Reader app from the App Store, and the Times speculates Amazon's popular Kindle app may also get the axe in the near future. The supposed reasoning behind this move is that Apple has decided apps can no longer sell content or allow access to content sold outside the App Store or via Apple's in-app purchasing mechanism.

    If true, this is a highly questionable move on Apple's part, and one that seems pretty difficult to justify. Apple could potentially paint this as protecting consumers from malicious content (i.e., viruses) or unscrupulous app developers looking to bilk users out of money, then say that it's just applying the same rules to everyone by disallowing "outside content" apps like Sony Reader. But that's not the explanation the Times goes for, and it's not one I would swallow, either. Instead, if Apple really is seeking to exert this level of control over App Store content, it seems geared more toward protecting Apple's bottom line (30 percent of in-app purchase prices), and in a manner that frankly seems very shady.

    Alternatively, Sony's Reader app may have been rejected because Apple is reportedly close to unveiling its own subscription-based content service. We'll be monitoring the situation very closely over the coming weeks; if Amazon's Kindle app or Barnes & Noble's NOOK app disappear from the App Store, it may be indicative of a very unpleasant sea change in Apple's policies that will (perhaps deservedly) give Apple a very black eye in the eyes of both users and content providers.

    There's another possibility: the whole scenario could be a misinterpretation on Sony's part. From the sounds of things, Sony's app supported content purchasing from right within Reader, which everyone (Amazon included) knows is an App Store No-No. If rejected on that basis, Sony may have interpreted Apple's rejection to mean "Apple doesn't want our content on its devices." That interpretation then has everyone (including us) asking what this means for other content providers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, simultaneously poo-pooing Apple's ham-fisted policies and sympathizing with Sony. However, until Apple chooses to comment on the matter we won't really know for sure what's behind the rejection of Reader, or the implication for other e-book readers on the App Store.

    [via Mac Rumors]

    Apple rejects Sony Reader from App Store originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Macworld Expo 2011: Runmeter runs on

    There are a lot of running apps available on the App Store, but Runmeter is a favorite of ours. It's incredibly full featured, and at US$4.99, it's also one of the most generously priced apps of this type. We got to meet up with Abvio CEO Steve Kusmer, a former executive who's translated his business knowledge and passion for running into a strong fitness app business, to talk about version 5 of Runmeter (already submitted and due out soon) and what's in store for Runmeter and the other Abvio titles.

    The app has been really popular so far, and the new version makes an already impressive list of features even longer. Voices is probably one of the biggest new features; the app now has a number of different text-to-speech voices that will read out almost anything to you as you run, from your times to average speed or distance. There are even social "cheers" -- if you post your run to Facebook or Twitter and get a comment back, the app will read it out to you live. The app will also connect up to DailyMile; while Kusmer says he wants to keep all of your running data on the phone, users who want a more cloud-based experience will be able to do so with that service.

    You can also email your runs out in real time now. Kusmer said the feature was often used to keep friends and family updated on your run as you go, but the email has another use: each email sent out contains a .GPX file that has a map and even timing data that can be imported back into Runmeter, meaning you can send and share any of your runs with anyone else. While you're running, you can not only see that file data (and race against that run), you are also tracked against your best, average and worst runs for a course.

    Continue reading Macworld Expo 2011: Runmeter runs on

    Macworld Expo 2011: Runmeter runs on originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Macworld Expo 2011: Vito Technology updates the Walk apps

    Russian company Vito Technology was in one of the booths around the Mobile App Showcase at Macworld 2011 last week, and they kindly sat down to show off new versions of their apps, all coming up in the next month or so as free updates on the App Store. Popular astronomy app Star Walk was first. It's getting a visual enhancement in the next version, with a brand new sky and a new look to the stars that's more visually interesting than the current setup. The other feature that will be added is a "calendar of celestial events," where things like meteor showers or lunar eclipses will be tracked (per your location) so that you can see when something interesting is coming up.

    Later on, Vito wants to add other cultural displays to the app, including constellation charts and other star maps from Hawaiian, Arabic and Native American viewpoints. Star Walk is also going to be integrated into some of Macmillan's science textbooks, so students will be able to work directly with the app as they learn.

    We also got to see updates for the other Vito apps, including Solar Walk and a very different Geo Walk.

    Continue reading Macworld Expo 2011: Vito Technology updates the Walk apps

    Macworld Expo 2011: Vito Technology updates the Walk apps originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Macworld Expo 2011: SuperSync sticks with what it knows

    SuperSync had a nice booth at last week's Macworld Expo 2011 conference. In addition to a demo of the software on our livestream, we also chatted with the developer about how SuperSync (which allows you to share and view multiple iTunes libraries across PCs and platforms) was doing lately. The most recent version is 4.01, a bug fix release that also added the ability to browse video across libraries and support for multiple formats.

    SuperSync is not a cloud service; it's designed to control and view actual files across multiple computers rather than keep them up to date with a cloud server elsewhere. You can listen to music stored on other iTunes libraries with the app, but its main job is to keep everything current in all of the places it's installed on a network. Cloud syncing is something SuperSync is looking at, and backup storage is "one area we're going to keep looking at," according to the dev. For now, the purpose of SuperSync is to sync, not store. If Apple does announce a cloud-based iTunes solution this year, SuperSync will likely find a way to work outside of it.

    Finally, I asked if the developer was looking at releasing SuperSync in the Mac App Store. It's being considered, though there are a few obstacles. Licensing is one; SuperSync sells two-license packs for US$25, and those are meant to be installed on multiple computers, possibly including a Windows PC. It's unclear how that would work on Apple's Mac App Store platform. Plus, the app "uses a lot of Java, so I'm not sure if we would qualify" for approval in the store in the current build. Still, getting featured by Apple would give the app a big advantage (a statement we heard from multiple developers last week), so it's a possibility, remote as it may be.

    Macworld Expo 2011: SuperSync sticks with what it knows originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Netgear CEO apologizes for part of anti-Apple rant

    According to Macgasm, Netgear CEO Patrick Lo has clarified his earlier statement about Steve Jobs' ego. On Monday, Lo made reference to Steve Jobs "going away" soon, which most commentators (including us) found to be a fairly unsavory remark given the Apple CEO's health issues. "I deeply regret the choice of words I used in relation to business decisions Apple must grapple with in the future in relation to open vs. closed systems, which have been construed by some to be references to Steve Jobs' health and which was never my intention," Lo said. "I sincerely apologize that what I said was interpreted this way, and I wish Steve only the very best."

    Lo did not, however, take back the other questionable things he said, including the idea that Apple including Flash was in support of "openness." Flash is a proprietary format, and Apple has done more to push the adoption of the far-more-open H.264 codec. Lo characterized Apple's blocking of Flash from iOS as nothing but ego, but research done by Ars Technica proves that having Flash installed reduces a Mac's battery life by 33 percent -- we can only guess how an iPhone or iPad would fare. Steve Jobs also reported that Flash was responsible for a large number of all reported crashes in Safari, and security experts -- again, not Apple itself -- said when dealing with browser security the main thing is to not install Flash.

    There are many reasons Apple doesn't like Flash, and the company has backed those reasons up with facts and data. Many organizations have independently verified those reasons, so "ego" has nothing to do with keeping Flash away from iOS. More than a year after it became clear the iPad wouldn't support Flash, the fact that "ego" is still being thrown around as the primary motivating factor in the Flash vs. iOS debate says a lot more about Apple's detractors, Lo included, than it does about Apple itself.

    Netgear CEO apologizes for part of anti-Apple rant originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 23:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Macworld Expo 2011: IK Multimedia's iRig Mic, iRig and iKlip

    It's not often that we actually get to use a product to create a video of an interview, but that's exactly what happened last Friday when I interviewed Starr Ackerman of IK Multimedia about the company's products for musicians. I had neglected to put the SDHC card back into my video camera before the interview, so we were forced to record it using my iPhone 4 and the new iRig Mic.

    While it's not shipping yet, the iRig Mic (US$59) features a high-quality condenser mic along with a special adapter that plugs into the headphone jack on any iOS device. The adapter has an output port so that you can monitor the recording that's going on. That's not all you get; the mic will also ship with a copy of VocaLive, a real-time effects processor suite for vocalists, as well as AmpliTube for songwriters and guitarists. The iRig Mic works just fine with most other recording apps, including the iPhone's built-in camera app.

    Starr also discussed iRig, which is designed as a musical instrument interface for guitarists and bass players, and the cool iKlip ($39.99), a microphone stand adapter for iPad. You can check out the video (which I unfortunately filmed in portrait mode on the iPhone) on the next page.

    Continue reading Macworld Expo 2011: IK Multimedia's iRig Mic, iRig and iKlip

    Macworld Expo 2011: IK Multimedia's iRig Mic, iRig and iKlip originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Macworld 2011: BulletTrain offers unique accessories for keyboard, iPad

    Some of the more interesting folks we saw at Macworld Expo weren't standing behind booths. Take for example the exclusive peek we got of a future release of Boxhead. We also ran into the guys from BulletTrain who had two interesting pieces of hardware.

    First, the Express Keyboard Platform holds Apple's Bluetooth keyboard and Magic Trackpad in a portable and supremely useful configuration, while the MagicStand for iPad offers multiple viewing angles, durability and good looks. Here's a quick look at each.

    The Express Keyboard Platform is for anyone who has a Mac connected to a TV or large LCD display, as well as those who'd rather not sit at a desk to work. It's a big piece of machined aluminum (see above) that first locks the Magic Trackpad into place and then holds the keyboard just above it. In fact, it looks like the bottom half of a 17" MacBook Pro, only with a larger trackpad. The two units are held snugly in place and can't be dislodged by your legs. It's a heck of a lot better than the keyboard balancing act that so many of us endure, and it feels just right.

    The guys also showed us the MagicStand for iPad, which again is a piece of aluminum that adheres to the back of the iPad with the help of a removable adhesive. What's nice about the MagicStand is that, thanks to some Velcro and a cleverly-placed kickstand, it offers a huge number of viewing angles. Plus, you can easily hang it on a wall or move from portrait to landscape orientation without having to remove your iPad or reseat anything.

    Both devices are made in San Francisco and can be had for US$129 each. You can watch a demo video after the break.

    Continue reading Macworld 2011: BulletTrain offers unique accessories for keyboard, iPad

    Macworld 2011: BulletTrain offers unique accessories for keyboard, iPad originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 21:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • iOS Safari receiving Google Instant Previews support
    Formerly only for desktop browser searches, 9 to 5 Mac is reporting that Google "Instant Previews" is being rolled out for mobile Safari users as well. This new service allows iOS Safari users to get a quick visual preview of sites within their search results without having to actually click through and wait for the pages to load. Previews of search results are displayed like a slideshow, allowing users to flick through the different pages in typical iOS fashion. Google has not formally announced the new feature yet and not every device has it as of this writing -- my own iPhone included.

    We first saw Google's Instant search service for iOS devices back in November, but this new "Instant Previews" version is definitely a step up from simply seeing textual search results appear as you type your queries. I am sure there will be fans and detractors of this new search preview, but do tell us -- is it live for you yet on your iOS device?

    [via Gizmodo]

    iOS Safari receiving Google Instant Previews support originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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