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- TUAW's Daily iOS App: Holy Moly Dragons
Holy Moly Dragons is a fun and colorful tower defense game in which you place down dragons (actually their eggs, but they quickly grow up into attacking dragons) to try to defeat waves of incoming enemies. It's a pretty standard tower defense game, but the stages are very open, so it's up to you to figure out how to guide the enemy waves around and where you want to strategically place your dragons. Additionally, you have access to various dragon types and special abilities, which can be used to take down the 15 levels and three various challenge modes.
Holy Moly Dragons doesn't do a lot of new things with the tower defense genre, but it benefits from a solid presentation and an excellent and fun premise. Game Center integration rounds out the feature list. It's currently on sale for US$0.99 (there is a lite version out as well), so if you're a fan of the genre, definitely check it out.
TUAW's Daily iOS App: Holy Moly Dragons originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 03 May 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - HBO GO for iOS lets you play over 1400 programs from just about anywhere
HBO GO allows an HBO subscriber to stream over 1400 programs on a computer with a Flash-enabled browser, but just last week, a few days ahead of the scheduled May 2nd release, HBO released the HBO GO iOS app. This free universal app is pretty amazing.
If you are an HBO subscriber and your provider is among the favored ones (AT&T U-verse, Xfinity, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Suddenlink, Verizon FIOS or some flavors of Comcast), you now have the ability to stream a world of HBO content to your iPad, iPhone (3GS or iPhone 4) or iPod Touch (4th generation) away from your home, as long as a WiFi or 3G connection is available.
Given the size of the iPad screen and the design of the app, the experience of navigation and viewing is far more enjoyable on an iPad than other iOS devices when using HBO GO. On the iPad, the app works in both landscape and portrait mode, but on anything else navigation can only be done in portrait mode, while programming plays in landscape mode.Continue reading HBO GO for iOS lets you play over 1400 programs from just about anywhere
HBO GO for iOS lets you play over 1400 programs from just about anywhere originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 03 May 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Hands-on: HipstaCase for iPhone
I'm not a big fan of iPhone cases. I got my free bumper because my iPhone showed attenuation when I bought it, and I'm a sucker for free stuff. The Apple bumper worked brilliantly when I dropped my iPhone on the pavement once -- it saved the iPhone from being shattered. But I use cases for specific purposes, like a bumper when I'll be walking around the city or a Mophie when I may be away from power for an extended period. So I bought the HipstaCase when we wrote it up because I wanted a stylish "case" that allowed me to mount my iPhone on a tripod. Following are my thoughts on the case after a few hours of use, plus some pictures of it in action.
Materials and Design
The case was designed by Agent 18, who do good work. That said, it's a simple thing, really -- just a plastic case with a faux camera molded onto the back. It won't offer the shock absorption you'd get from an Apple bumper, but the slot in what is molded to look like a lens is designed to help mount the iPhone onto a small U-bracket which you can add to any tripod.
It comes with a lanyard/wrist strap already installed (but removable). There's an adjustable clasp on the loop, so you can tighten it and really secure the iPhone on your wrist (for whatever reason). In my attempts to shake the iPhone out of the case, I found it was quite securely jammed in; I don't think it should worry anyone to "carry" it in such a way, but I don't know that I'd carry my iPhone on my wrist on a regular basis anyway.
After some time with the lanyard, I have to say it's one of the more compelling reasons to use this case. If you wear jeans and find it annoying to fish your iPhone out of your pocket, the strap is useful. Even in the little storage pocket in my car I found it handy to grab the strap. That's a plus, but I'm not sure it makes it worth the price.
Continue reading Hands-on: HipstaCase for iPhone
Hands-on: HipstaCase for iPhone originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 03 May 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - The Apple Store is down, updated iMacs coming?
Deck the hall with boughs of iMacs[1], fa la la la la la la la la.
'Tis the season for hardware refreshes, fa la la la la la la la la.
Don we now our Apple apparel, fa la la la la la la la la.
For this jolly update carol , fa la la la la la la la la.
[1] At least we hope so. What do you think?Thanks to everyone who tipped us.
The Apple Store is down, updated iMacs coming? originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 03 May 2011 05:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - New Sky Products Bluetooth receiver brings GPS navigation to Wi-Fi iPad and iPod touch
The iPad and iPad 2 don't come with a GPS receiver if you have the Wi-Fi versions. I have a Wi-Fi iPad 2 and have longed for the ability to use the larger format maps on apps like Navigon while traveling. There have been some solutions if you jailbreak, but that's not something I want to do.
Now there's a solution from New Sky Products, which is offering a small (2.25" x 2.25" x 0.75") unit that will pair with your iPad or iPod touch and give you the navigation functionality you crave. The device is US$99.99 and can run off an included car charger, or it will work for more than 8 hours using its rechargeable battery. Of course, any map that needs data connectivity (like Google Maps) won't work, but if the app you have has on-board maps, you're in business. Maps like the Navigon, TomTom and Magellan apps should work nicely. Note that any functions of those apps that require a data connection, like Google searches, won't work without Wi-Fi.
There is also a free app that will show you the status of the Bluetooth GPS device, including the number of satellites you are seeing, your latitude and longitude, altitude and battery status. There are quite a few threads on the Apple support boards complaining about the inability of older portable GPS units to link to the iPad, and in fact, I tried it myself without success. That makes this new unit extra welcome if it works as advertised. We're being sent a unit to review, and as soon as I get it, I'll pair it to my Wi-Fi iPad 2 and report here on the results.
New Sky Products Bluetooth receiver brings GPS navigation to Wi-Fi iPad and iPod touch originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 03 May 2011 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Peel iOS remote raises $16 million in funding
We've posted about the Peel universal IR remote before. It's an interesting setup using a third-party unit that looks almost like a pear, designed to fit right into your living room wirelessly. It connects to an iOS app and turns your iDevice into a universal remote for any other units you might happen to have. In addition to the slick design, there's a nice bit of TV browsing functionality included. It's a remote designed not only to help you control your TV, but also give you an idea of what you actually want to do with it.
It's that kind of overall thinking that got the unit into Apple Stores, and now the hard work has paid off. Peel has picked up a round of funding to the tune of over US$16 million. There have been a few other ways to connect the iPhone up to IR remotes (the Redeye has been another popular solution), but this is the biggest vote of confidence we've seen in such a device yet. Peel certainly isn't quite a mainstream device, but this funding is definitely a leg up. There's been a trend toward using smartphones to interact with and control other devices, and Peel looks to be in exactly the right place to take advantage.
If nothing else, hopefully this will help Peel get some units out the door; Amazon currently lists the product as shipping "within 1 to 2 months." $16 million should help out with that.
Peel iOS remote raises $16 million in funding originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 03 May 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - MLB introduces mobile-phone-only subscription
Major League Baseball has switched up the pricing on its streaming MLB.tv service, and while most of the changes lately have been sending prices upwards (the iOS apps went up in price again this year), these changes are somewhat of a discount. The premium and regular packages have dropped in price by $10 each (which isn't really that big a deal, especially since we're a month into the season already). But more importantly, MLB is now offering a "smartphone-only" streaming service, allowing you to watch live baseball games on your iDevice or other approved smartphones for only $49.99 a year.
That's not a bad deal, especially if you took advantage of that free trial they had going last month. And if your team heats up (though it doesn't look like my Cubs will), you can upgrade to the other packages for the rest of their prices.
Unfortunately, the iPad isn't listed on the mobile phone device plan, so I'd assume that still requires a full subscription (likely since it can be connected to a TV). As before, there may be blackout issues with the app -- if the game is available in your market already, MLB may keep you from watching due to licensing issues.
But if you're on the road a lot and looking for a cheaper way to watch these games on your phone without subscribing to the whole package, the new plan is interesting. And it shows just how much mobile phones mean to the league and its viewers so far.
MLB introduces mobile-phone-only subscription originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Kinect plus iPhone used to create gaming prototype
Rockmoon is a developer in Singapore that built this rig above -- it's an iPhone hooked up to Microsoft's Kinect motion controller, used to work with a game prototype similar to the old Sewer Shark Sega CD title. Basically, it's a two player affair, with one player using the Kinect to actually steer the in-game vehicle, and another using the iPhone to control the on-board guns.
As you can see in the YouTube video after the break, it all works quite well, though given all of the various forces at play here, there's likely no way this can be a viable commercial solution. Still, it's a fun idea, and it does show just how versatile the iPhone is in terms of the ways it can be used to control games both on and off its own screen. It would be cool to see an app like this used in conjunction with another gaming system. Apple, how 'bout it?
Continue reading Kinect plus iPhone used to create gaming prototype
Kinect plus iPhone used to create gaming prototype originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Report: 68% of Mac users running Snow Leopard
As GigaOm points out, a new report from Net Applications shows that 68% of Mac users are running OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. Mac OS X 10.5 is a distant second at 24%, while Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger holds just 6% of the Mac market. The remaining 2% is made up of Macs running Mac OS X 10.3 or below. For those of you keeping track, the highest ever adoption of a Mac OS was 10.5 Leopard, which reached a 71% Mac market share in July 2009, a month before Snow Leopard shipped.
Net Application's numbers are interesting, but I'd like to find out what OS a majority of our readers are running. Vote in the poll below -- and if anyone is still running OS 9, you're gonna have to let me know why in the comments.
Report: 68% of Mac users running Snow Leopard originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - AAPL shares survive rebalancing on Nasdaq today
Last month the stock index Nasdaq announced that it would be rebalancing the weighting of AAPL shares to better reflect the actual number of shares floating on the market. At the time, AAPL accounted for 20.5 percent of the Nasdaq. After the rebalancing today, AAPL now accounts only for 12.5 percent of the Nasdaq.
When Nasdaq made the announcement, it issued a warning that the rebalancing might affect AAPL shares in the short term due to fund managers readjusting their holdings. However, it seems that any negative effect on AAPL's share price was negligible. Apple closed down only 1.1 percent today to end at $346.45. Many see AAPL advancing to upwards of $540 a share by January, and some even think Apple will be the world's first trillion dollar company.
Disclaimer: The author holds a position in AAPL. TUAW does not provide investment advice; consult an expert before buying or selling equities.
AAPL shares survive rebalancing on Nasdaq today originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Foxconn lists requirements for making iPads in Brazil
Last month we reported that Foxconn was in ongoing talks to invest US$12 billion in building manufacturing facilities in Brazil that would be used for the production of iPads and iPhones. The Brazilian president said that the deal was under consideration, but it appears that nothing is set in stone yet. This weekend Brazilian paper Folha de São Paulo said that Foxconn has issued a list of requirements the Brazilian government would have to agree to before they commit to opining the new facility. Those requirements include:
- Large property to house more than one division of Foxconn.
- High speed Wi-Fi.
- Export priority shipping at São Paulo (and other unnamed) airports.
- Financial support from the Brazilian National Development Bank, BNDES.
- Government help in finding minority investors.
- Transportation and logistics that permit quick delivery of goods to and from Foxconn facilities.
- Office wired 100% with fiber optic cables.
As Macgasm points out, given that Foxconn is set to invest $12 billion in Brazil over the next five years, the list of requirements doesn't seem unreasonable. Brazil for its part also has a wish list it hopes to get from Foxconn, all of which seem very reasonable as well:
- They want Foxconn to hire primarily Brazilian labor
- They want Foxconn to respect Brazilian labor laws, which include a "13th salary" -- or payment for a thirteenth month every year.
Let the negotiations begin!
Foxconn lists requirements for making iPads in Brazil originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - New downloads window coming to Safari in Lion
A few days ago it was discovered that Apple is building in a new feature to Safari called Reading List. The feature works like Instapaper and allows users to save web pages for later viewing. Now Italian Mac site Melamorsicata.it has discovered another tweak set for Safari v. 5.1 in Lion -- a revision of the downloads window.
As you can see in the image above, Safari now sports a downloads button next to the Google search field (this button's location is presumably changeable, as are all Safari toolbar buttons). When you have an active download in progress, the button will show a blue progress bar, ala the progress bar found on app icons when you are downloading and installing them on an iOS device.
Clicking on the downloads button will bring up a new pop-up menu that displays all current and past downloads. This isn't an earth shattering feature, but it will make it easier for novice users who aren't familiar with calling up the downloads window to find it.
New downloads window coming to Safari in Lion originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - App Review: Zarik HD for iPad offers challenging puzzles, engaging design
At just $0.99 in the US App Store, Zarik HD provides a great little software title for puzzle lovers. The concept couldn't be easier; you move dice into square outlines, each turn removing a pip from the front face.
The devil is, however, in the details. You have to get each die into a square using exactly the right number of moves. How you do so can take seconds, minutes or hours to figure out. You won't win if your die is in the right place but with pips remaining.
With lots of clever add-ons, including impenetrable blocks, pip-bonus power-ups, dice that can't be pushed by other dice, teleporting dice and more, each level of this game offers a stand-alone challenge that will amuse anyone who likes these kinds of brain-teasing games.
The graphics are simple but very well done for the most part. That isn't to say I didn't have some issues.
I didn't like that on some levels the dice size seemed to shrink to accommodate more items on-screen. I was also not very fond of the undo button being on the bottom left, away from where most people have their primary hand in position. I also wish the settings were not linked to a "pause" button but had their own icon, because it just doesn't seem logical to me to combine them that way. Those are all fairly minor quibbles, however.
If you like thoughtful puzzles without obvious solutions, then Zarik is loaded to the gills with hours of fun. If you have a low frustration tolerance, you'll probably do best looking elsewhere for your iPad entertainment because these challenges can be fairly diabolical. I enjoyed working through the first forty-odd levels and am looking forward to playing more.
App Review: Zarik HD for iPad offers challenging puzzles, engaging design originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Cultured Code releases Things Cloud Sync beta
Of the many to-do apps available in the App Stores, one of the perennial favorites is Things from Cultured Code (US$9.99 for iPhone/iPod touch, $19.99 for iPad, $49.99 for Mac). While the cross-platform app has been lauded for its beautiful user interface and ease of use, there have been continuing complaints from users who want to be able to sync their to-do tasks between devices. Other apps, like Wunderlist (free) and OmniFocus, have had cloud syncing for a while, and today Cultured Code has finally taken the wraps off of an implementation of cloud sync.
The beta is open only to registered beta users, so most Things users won't be able to get their hands on the service yet. The beta is meant to test the ability of the service to handle automatic cloud syncing. Rather than requiring the user to manually initiate a sync by tapping a button, Things will sync whenever you launch the app, switch from another app, or wake a device from a sleep state.
Cultured Code notes that its sync solution features encrypted transmission of data, so your top secret to-do items can't be intercepted in the clear. We don't know for sure when the Cloud Sync service will actually become available to all users, and given the slow rate of development from Cultured Code in the past, it's almost a certainty that user complaints will continue for some time.
Cultured Code releases Things Cloud Sync beta originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Verizon to put location warning sticker on iPhones
Expect to peel off one more warning sticker when you buy an iPhone from Verizon Wireless. In a letter dated April 19, 2011, and addressed to U.S. congressmen Ed Markey and Joe Barton, Verizon detailed the processes it uses to protect customer privacy and revealed plans to begin adhering the warning sticker pictured here to any new device capable of tracking its owner's location.
In March, in response to a New York Times article describing how a German mobile phone company tracked one of its customers, Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, and Joe Barton, a Texas Republican, contacted the four major wireless carriers in the U.S. for explanations about how and why mobile location data would be tracked and used. The congressmen, co-Chairmen of the House Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus, published the four companies' responses on April 28.
Each carrier admitted to storing device location data for some amount of time -- from a few days to several years -- and all offered safeguards and disclosures detailing how personally identifying customer information is secured. However, the carriers could not guarantee the privacy of location data within third party applications, prompting Verizon to suggest its warning label.
Mobile customer privacy concerns exploded into a hot topic about two weeks ago when researchers announced the existence of a file in iOS 4 containing a history of the device's approximate location over time -- which turned out, according to Apple, to merely represent WiFi hotspots and cell towers up to 100 miles from the actual phone location. Although Apple's "locationgate" began after Verizon designed its warning labels, the wireless carrier's letter and forthcoming sticker are a coincidentally timely response to the growing brouhaha about consumer privacy and mobile devices.
[via CNN]
Verizon to put location warning sticker on iPhones originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - TUAW's Daily Mac App: CalendarBar
For most office-bound people, checking their calendar is one of the biggest chores of the electronic world. On the Mac, we've got many great options for managing calendars, including iCal, but what about a fast way to check your schedule from your desktop? That's where CalendarBar comes in.
This little gem of a Mac app sits in your menu bar, ready to tell you what's coming up at a moment's notice. Click the icon, and a menu showing all your up-and-coming appointments and important dates drops down for easy viewing. CalendarBar will integrate with iCal, meaning you can view any calendar you can sync with it.
Even if you're not an iCal user, CalendarBar can connect with Google Calendar and even Facebook for events and birthday integration. Clicking an entry will launch the appropriate application and take you to that specific event. In iCal's case, it'll launch and bring up the properties for the event. For things such as a birthday reminder from Facebook, CalendarBar will launch your default browser and show you the person or event of interest.
Tasks from iCal are also displayed, with the ability to limit them to a set time period and clear them right from CalendarBar. Reminders can be sent via Growl. The menu bar icon can show you the current date or display the number of calendar entries. The drop-down menu also has extensive customization options, with the font, style, width and dates all adjustable.
If you're someone who has all their dates, meetings, birthdays and reminders plugged into an electronic calendar, and you need fast at-a-glance access, then CalendarBar is an absolute no-brainer. It's small, simple, slick and fast for US$4.99.
TUAW's Daily Mac App: CalendarBar originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - State Farm app can monitor your driving performance
Like your tattletale little sister in the passenger seat, State Farm is there.
The auto/home/life insurance giant has recently started advertising the new Driver Feedback app for iPhone. The free app uses the iPhone's sensors to measure your acceleration, cornering and braking habits, then calculates a score based on how you've done. If you're famed in the family for your jackrabbit starts, high-speed two-wheel turns and jamming on the brakes, chances are good that your score will be low. Drivers who take the Family Truckster out for a more sedate spin get a higher score.
Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your score) the company doesn't offer discounts or raise your rates based on your driving habits. The app also doesn't send information to State Farm. It's just a good way to see if you could improve your driving skills and perhaps keep yourself from potentially dangerous situations. A video about the app, featuring a father and teenaged daughter who had similar scores, follows on the next page.
Continue reading State Farm app can monitor your driving performance
State Farm app can monitor your driving performance originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - White, black iPhones same thickness say Phil Schiller, Consumer Reports
A flurry of reports over the weekend claimed the White iPhone was just a bit thicker than the standard black model.
Not true, said Apple's Phil Schiller in a tweet. Now, Consumer Reports has put the issue to the test. Using high quality digital calipers, the magazine's technicians found that both models were exactly the same size. Also, they determined that the white iPhone would fit in all iPhone 4 cases. Could it be that a different batch of white iPhones made it out of production slightly thicker?
It's hard to understand how the earlier size figures could have been spurious, considering how many people observed the phenomenon. We first heard about the story from a post by Ryan Cash. TiPb then performed some measurements that supported Ryan's naked-eye evaluation. Engadget posted a picture, which certainly supported these claims. Wired.com reported that the new phone was 0.2 millimeters larger, but did not perform any tests. Interestingly, TiPb tested several cases and noted that they all fit, albeit somewhat snugly.
There was speculation that the extra thickness was for UV protection. As of now, "thickness-gate" seems to have ended with a whimper rather than a bang.
White, black iPhones same thickness say Phil Schiller, Consumer Reports originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple is world's second-largest buyer of accelerometers, gyroscopes, microphones
The popularity of Apple's iOS devices propelled the manufacturer to the top of the consumer microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensors market. The millions of iOS devices in the wild are chock full of 3-axis gyroscopes, accelerometers, microphones and bulk acoustic wave (BAW) duplexers. In 2010, Apple's purchase of these sensor components rose 116.7 percent year over year and climbed to a whopping US$195 million.
This figure is only $5 million behind market leader Samsung, which purchased $200 million in MEMS sensors for its mobile phones and tablet devices in 2010. These numbers pushed Apple and Samsung above former leader Nintendo, which ruled the industry when the Wii and the Nintendo DS were at their pinnacle.
Apple's influence in the MEMS industry is extensive, according to Jérémie Bouchaud, principal analyst for MEMS at iSuppli. Bouchaud suggests Apple created a new market for these sensors with the original iPhone, which was one of the first handsets to include an accelerometer. Apple also revived the tablet industry, which relies heavily on MEMS sensors, with the debut of the iPad in 2010.
Apple is world's second-largest buyer of accelerometers, gyroscopes, microphones originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - MacDefender malware targeting Mac users
Mac owners usually have little to worry about in terms of computer viruses and spyware, but a new malware attack seems to be causing issues for some users.
According to a report on The Next Web, a specialized malware attack targeting Mac users is making the rounds. Users seem to be targeted as they are browsing Google Images, with one victim reporting that he suddenly received a message stating that his machine had been infected with viruses that only a "MacDefender" application could remove. There is a MacDefender website that highlights a few shareware apps that a dedicated geocacher has written, and the site's owner is warning people to not download the malware app.
The malware appears to be targeting Safari. The browser can be configured so that it will automatically open trusted software, and that appears to be the route of attack that's being used. While the MacDefender malware isn't infecting Macs with a virus or running a keylogger in the background, the author seems to be trying to scare users into providing credit card information by buying the software.
The Next Web provided some useful hints on how to protect yourself from the malware and to remove the pesky app if it is downloaded onto your Mac. If you aren't seeing MacDefender in your Applications folder, you can protect yourself from possible infiltration by unchecking the "Open 'safe' files after downloading" box at the bottom of Safari > Preferences > General (see the area outlined in red in the image above).
If MacDefender is already on your Mac, check out the next page for tips on how to remove it.
Continue reading MacDefender malware targeting Mac users
MacDefender malware targeting Mac users originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - iOS 4.3.3 to fix location tracking issue, due soon
A rumor out of BGR suggests iOS 4.3.3 will land in the upcoming weeks. As expected, the update will fix the location tracking issue that blew up last week. In this public debacle, Apple confirmed cell tower and Wi-Fi hotspot information was being stored on the iPhone and 3G iPad to improve location fix acquisition.
Apple promised to address these issues, and according to BGR, the changelog for 4.3.3 will include the following improvements:
- iTunes will no longer backup the location database to your desktop
- the location database will be smaller, reducing the amount of data stored on the handset
- the handset will delete the database when the Location Service option is turned off
Besides the location information, the update will also improve battery life and fix some unidentified bugs with the iPod.
iOS 4.3.3 to fix location tracking issue, due soon originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Ask TUAW: Charging MacBooks, securing passwords, color matching and more
Welcome to Ask TUAW, your favorite weekly question-and-answer column. Now, we can never have too many questions, so please, go to the comments of this post and ask away. To get fabulous answers, we need your fabulous questions. You can also email your questions directly to ask [at] tuaw.com, or ping us on Twitter.
Now, off to the questions! Daniel asks:
I have a original MacBook for which I am currently on my third charger. And for the third time, it's no longer working. So I need to buy a new one, but was considering buying the 85-watt adapter (with the new metal end) meant for the larger MacBook Pros. This way, I can use it as a spare charger when I eventually buy a new MacBook Pro.
What I'm wondering is if I can use the 85-watt charger with my 60-watt MacBook without any adverse effects? The general idea I've gotten from forums is that it is OK, but is there any documentation from Apple on this?
Continue reading Ask TUAW: Charging MacBooks, securing passwords, color matching and more
Ask TUAW: Charging MacBooks, securing passwords, color matching and more originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple keyboard gets touchy-feely with wooden tactile mod
This seems to be the day for keyboards. First, I wrote a review of the Scosche freeKEY flexible and water-resistant Bluetooth keyboard. Now we have word from CreativeBits of a wonderful keyboard mod that uses the tactile feel of sandblasted wood grain on a standard Apple keyboard to "strengthen the relationship between user and interface."
Designer Michael Roopenian's stated goal was to "enhance user's connections to their keyboards through texture and variation." His website shows research into the most used keys on the keyboard, the keys that are depressed by each finger, and drawings of other ideas he looked at. Those included keys sculpted into a large relief of the letter's shape, and keys that were each topped with a different material for a unique feel.
After user testing, Roopenian found that users wanted a consistent and uniform design, coupled with a logical variation in the surface. His solution was to use wood with a deeply sandblasted grain. As you can see in the screenshot above, the result is an attractive wood surface that provides users with tactile feedback.
While Roopenian's Engrain Keyboard may not be practical for many Mac users, it's great to see that designers are continuing their search for the perfect interface device.
Apple keyboard gets touchy-feely with wooden tactile mod originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Image spotted on Apple's website hints at iWork '11
A small misstep by Apple in a MacBook Air image hints at the rumored iWork 11 suite. Located directly above the iPhoto image in the right sidebar is a reference to the rumored productivity suite. Rumors coming fast and furious last year pointed to a January launch of the iWork 11 applications along with the Mac App Store. While the OS X App Store debuted on time, the suite of applications, which include Pages '11, Numbers '11 and Keynote '11, did not materialize.
This above image does not guarantee iWork '11 will appear in the immediate future. In fact, we have seen this shot briefly before in the early days of the Mac App Store, but Apple is now re-purposing it for use with the MacBook Air. Of course, it could be an oversight by Apple, but we're hoping it suggests the productivity suite is still on Apple's radar. Fingers-crossed it will get some love at WWDC.
Thanks, @Helveticats.
Image spotted on Apple's website hints at iWork '11 originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Time Inc. magazine subscribers to get iPad versions for free
Time Inc. is reportedly in talks with Apple to let print subscribers access the iPad version of its magazines for free. According to a Wall Street Journal report, subscribers to Sports Illustrated, Time and Fortune magazines will be able to download the iPad app and use the app's built-in authentication scheme to identify them as print subscribers. This arrangement, already available for People magazine subscribers, will debut on Monday.
Apple introduced subscription-based pricing earlier this year, and many magazines now offer digital versions for a nominal fee separate from the cost of the print version. Parent company Time Warner took a different approach and extended its television-based "View Anywhere" model to its magazines. This outlook allows paying customers to access content across platforms -- cable customers can watch TV, and print magazine subscribers can read content on their iPad.
By bundling its digital version with the print version for one flat price, Time Inc. is trying to innovate in the struggling print media market. The media company will announce its Q1 financial earnings on Wednesday May 4, and this new subscription model may be a bright spot in what is expected to be a quarter of flat performance.
Time Inc. magazine subscribers to get iPad versions for free originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - TUAW's Daily iOS App: Gears
Crescent Moon Games is the developer behind popular iOS titles like Aralon and Ravensword, and it's returned to the platform recently with a new game called Gears. This is a sphere rolling game in the vein of the old Marble Madness, though as you can see from the screenshot above, we've come a long way since that first isometric title. In Gears, you use a finger (or the tilt controls, though those don't work quite as precisely) to roll a ball around on your iPhone or iPad, guiding it through a series of obstacles of different types. As you might expect, gameplay's simple to pick up, but complexity gets added in later on with more mechanics and tougher levels.
There are 27 different levels to play through, with undoubtedly more to come. While the app is a universal build, there are actually a few different graphical settings so that you can run it faster on an older device or make it look really great on a newer one. Game Center leaderboard integration is included, so Gears turns out to be a quality title wrapped in a very feature-rich package.
Gears is at an introductory price of just US$0.99 as of this writing, and at that price, it's highly recommended. Crescent Moon has already shown that it can create really in-depth RPG titles, but with Gears, the company proves it can bring that polish to smaller titles, too.
TUAW's Daily iOS App: Gears originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Scosche freeKEY Bluetooth keyboard: A hands-on test
A few days ago I highlighted a new flexible and water-resistant Bluetooth keyboard from the folks at Scosche. As many of the people commenting on that post noted, flexible "chiclet-type" keyboards of this type have a reputation for being difficult to type on. TUAW blogger Erica Sadun mentioned that when she's used chiclet keyboards, her fingers have actually started to hurt after a short amount of time due to the extra pressure required to depress the key switches.
After hearing that from Erica, it was with a great deal of skepticism that I opened a box from Scosche the other day that contained one of the freeKEY Bluetooth keyboards. Is the US$59.99 ($49.99 through Amazon.com) freeKEY a good portable keyboard for iOS device owners who want to travel light, or does the design of a keyboard like this keep it from really being useful? In the following review (see next page), I'll provide a hands-on test of the freeKEY with an iPad 2 and let you know how it held up to my lightning-fast typing.
Continue reading Scosche freeKEY Bluetooth keyboard: A hands-on test
Scosche freeKEY Bluetooth keyboard: A hands-on test originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Maglus iPad stylus rendered for Fund.it, an Irish Kickstarter-like project
Considering the iPad 2 works just fine with just a finger for most people, I wouldn't have thought there was much of a mass-market for a capacitive stylus for use on the 9.7" tablet. But that hasn't stopped people trying, including a new Irish Kickstarter-like project called The Maglus.
The Maglus, as the name might suggest, is a magnetic capacitive stylus that will mimic the touch of a finger on the iPad's screen. It tucks neatly out the way when not in use by attaching to the Smart Cover or the body of the iPad 2.
Having reached €2,939.00 (US$4,350) of the target €15000 ($22,195), the team behind the €24.99 Maglus has released a couple of new renders of the near final product (as seen above). You can view a video of a prototype below.
If you're interested in getting your hands on one -- perhaps you're an artist, illustrator or someone who needs the precision of a pen on the iPad -- then head over to the Maglus Fund.it page. You can pledge €15 or more to secure yourself one of the magnetic styluses, but hurry -- the offer is only open to the first 2000 pledgers.
[via RazorianFly]
Continue reading Maglus iPad stylus rendered for Fund.it, an Irish Kickstarter-like project
Maglus iPad stylus rendered for Fund.it, an Irish Kickstarter-like project originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Mac OS X Lion to feature iOS-like 'jiggling' app unistaller
New features of Mac OS X Lion are slowly leaking out after the last Lion Developer Preview was released. The latest find, noticed by AppleiGuide.co.uk, is a built-in uninstaller function, reminiscent of the way you remove apps in iOS.
The Lion app uninstaller works through Launchpad, Mac OS X's app launcher "home screen" layer. When Launchpad is displayed, a user can click and hold the mouse cursor on an app's icon; after a brief pause, all the app icons will begin jiggling. An X will appear in the upper left-hand corner of the icons, and clicking it will cause a dialog pop-up to appear asking the user, "Are you sure you want to delete the application?" Clicking Delete will move the app and any associated files to the Trash. Currently, this uninstall feature only works with apps purchased through the Mac App Store.
New Mac users are commonly confused about how to delete Mac apps. Coming from a PC, they are used to uninstallers and don't realize that one can (usually) simply drag any app to the Trash to delete it. The new uninstall feature in Lion is another sign that Apple wants to take the simplicity of iOS and apply it to the Mac in hopes of making OS X more familiar and intuitive to anyone using a Mac for the first time.
[Thanks, Sam]
Mac OS X Lion to feature iOS-like 'jiggling' app unistaller originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 02 May 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Talkcast tonight, 10 PM EDT/7 PM PDT/4 PM HDT: Casper Phone Edition!
It's that time again kids! This week we have TONS to talk about, from the actual release of the Ghost Phone to the dust-up over iPhones and their location tracking and everything in between.
Tonight we have a special guest, too! Chatting with me and the other TUAW staffers about the news of the week will be Editor-At-Large of The Mac Observer, Jeff Gamet! WARNING: If you have a delicate constitution, I feel it is my duty to warn you that Mr. Gamet will not be wearing pants. Forewarned is forearmed and all of that.
Keep in mind that when you come for the show, you are invited to stay for the aftershow, and TUAWTF is never recorded for a very good reason.
Your calls and questions help us make the show the best it can be, otherwise I'm just talking to myself! To participate on TalkShoe, you can use the browser-only client, the embedded Facebook app, or download the classic TalkShoe Pro Java client; however, for maximum fun, you should call in. For the web UI, just click the Talkshoe Web button on our profile page at 4 HI/7 PDT/10 PM EDT Sunday. To call in on regular phone or VoIP lines (yay for free cell phone weekend minutes!): dial (724) 444-7444 and enter our talkcast ID, 45077 -- during the call, you can request to talk by keying in *8.
If you've got a headset or microphone handy on your Mac, you can connect via the free Gizmo, X-Lite, or Blink SIP clients; basic instructions are here. Talk to you tonight!
Talkcast tonight, 10 PM EDT/7 PM PDT/4 PM HDT: Casper Phone Edition! originally appeared on TUAW on Sun, 01 May 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - South Park makes fun of all things Apple in season opener
South Park has aired the opening episode of its 15th season, and it blasted not only Apple's products, but the culture surrounding the company as well. We knew this was coming based on a Steve Jobs parody keynote promo that was shown leading up to the premiere.
Some of the best bits were the Genius Bar segment (see below -- sorry, Flash required) and the part where Eric's mom tries to get him to buy a Toshiba HandyBook instead of an iPad. I'll let the episode speak for itself, though. You can watch it in its entirety here. Be warned, however -- as usual, South Park is very NSFW.
HUMANCENTiPAD
Tags: SOUTH
PARKmore...South Park makes fun of all things Apple in season opener originally appeared on TUAW on Sun, 01 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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