Wednesday, May 11, 2011

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  • Thumbs-on review of ThinkGeek's JOYSTICK-IT for iPad

    A while ago we were sent a couple of Joystick-IT "thumb sticks" from ThinkGeek (note: ThinkGeek uses all caps for the product name -- I respectfully decline to shout at readers throughout this post, and I consider this an increasingly annoying practice by marketers). Designed to give an old analog joystick feel to your iPad, the Joystick-IT sticks are little metal joysticks with conductive pads on the bottom coupled with a suction cup so they can stick to your iPad, provide some "bounce" (with the conductive sponge) and control a game by using your fingers or thumbs. Read on for a quick review of how these work in real life and whether they are worth the $24.99 price ($39.99 if you buy two at once).

    Design

    Well, I have to say these are cleverly designed. As you can see in the gallery, they provide a bit of spring from the spongy parts, and under the spongy parts is a conductive mesh to relay your controls to the screen. The metal on the sticks (necessary for these to work) feels solid and sturdy, not like a cheap plastic toy. The suction cup is necessary for sticking the thing onto the screen of your iPad, and comes off easily but not so easily it'll pop off during gameplay.

    Still, the suction cups look like they'll eventually snap off as they are connected by a very small diameter of rubber to the stick itself. By "snap off" I mean they look like they'll break. They definitely popped off the screen without too much pressure. Plus, while the metal is necessary, I am a little concerned about damaging my screen should I push down too hard.

    Continue reading Thumbs-on review of ThinkGeek's JOYSTICK-IT for iPad

    Thumbs-on review of ThinkGeek's JOYSTICK-IT for iPad originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 11 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • TUAW TV "Not So Live": Unboxing fest 2011

    Welcome back to another episode of TUAW TV "Not So Live." Yes, I'm still out of town, but I was able to put together a festival of unboxing for your viewing pleasure.

    On today's show, you'll see the beautiful and unique Blackbox Case from Golden, Colorado, the Scosche switchBACK surge g4 (the caps and italics are from the manufacturer) battery case for iPhone 4, the Samson Meteor Mic and a feast of goodies from accessory manufacturer Moshi.

    You won't need to jump over to Ustream to watch today's show. Instead, just click the read more link at the bottom of this post to see the video in all of its HD glory, or visit YouTube for more viewing options. If you need a chat with the rest of the TUAW TV Live regulars to make it through the week, why not scoot on over to the TUAW TV Live Facebook page and see what's going on. You can also subscribe to the video podcast to watch this and other episodes at your leisure.

    Many thanks to Uri Kelman for creating the temporary logo for the show!

    Continue reading TUAW TV "Not So Live": Unboxing fest 2011

    TUAW TV "Not So Live": Unboxing fest 2011 originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 11 May 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • iOS 4.2.2 released for Apple TV 2

    Apple released iOS 4.2.2 for the Apple TV 2 just a few minutes ago, but it's unknown what changes were made to the software yet. You can download the firmware directly here. We will update the post once a list of changes is known.

    Update: The support document has been released and the update covers several minor bug fixes.

    [Via MacStories]

    iOS 4.2.2 released for Apple TV 2 originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 11 May 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • CrowdOptic could raise the bar for augmented reality apps

    Augmented reality may be taking the next giant step forward with CrowdOptic, an app that will provide a graphic data overlay for live events. If you are at a concert (with the system in place), point the app at the stage and you'll get details such as in the picture above. Point it at a player in a sporting event and real-time statistics about the player and the play will be displayed. In fact, point it at anything at a live event and take a picture; the details and context will be saved and can be shared through social networking sites.

    Once the CrowdOptic system is installed at a concert or sports venue, the magic happens through triangulation. At least two people need to be pointing their iPhone at the same thing, at the same time, and the GPS location, compass direction and time of day will be used to figure out the most likely image being viewed and display information on exactly that. The accuracy is dependent upon how many people are looking at the same thing.

    CrowdOptic has raised US$1 million to build the business and negotiate deals with with professional sports and premier event concerns. Apps similar to this that work by focusing on static objects are in development, but according to CEO Jon Fisher, as reported to vatornews, "No technology can affect the pictures of these moving objects until now."

    As noted by Fast Company, CrowdOptic is aiming at concert, sporting, and other live event promoters and advertisers who will pay dearly to display real-time information. CrowdOptic has already made a deal with a major (but undisclosed) sports management agency to use its services. Another deal was struck with Moon Express, a privately funded lunar transportation company which used it to track and tag altitude information for the April 9th launch of the Eureka Airship, proving that any moving object can be tracked. CrowdOptic intends to beta test the app at the Women's Tennis Association Tournament this summer.

    The service is being targeted as providing profitable analytics to promoters and marketers. CrowdOptic boasts that through tagging and photo-sharing pictures with hidden metadata embedded in each shot, campaigns originating with fans can provide a "social graph" of live events and how they went viral. Venues can display ticket discounts, along with merchandise and concession promotions. Sponsors can display offers such as free trials and test drives.

    This seems like a win-win for everyone involved. It's reasonable to assume the CrowdOptic app will be free to users, with the venues or organizers footing the bill. This looks like it will offer a valuable service for the user while harvesting useful and profitable data to the paying concerns. Keep your eye on this one.

    [via IBM A Smarter Planet]

    CrowdOptic could raise the bar for augmented reality apps originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 11 May 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • TUAW's Daily Mac App: Shuttie

    Shuttie

    Ever wanted to leave your Mac running unattended at night, but don't want it running all night long? Today's Daily Mac App will help you do just that.

    Shuttie allows you to bind one of six actions to a countdown timer, allowing you to shutdown, restart, sleep or logout of your Mac, or fire off an AppleScript or an alert. You select the action you want, the countdown time and hit the activate button. Shuttie will provide periodic Growl notifications as it counts down to zero, as well as a timer on its dock icon, and then it will initiate whichever activity you've got selected. Loading an AppleScript is a drag-and-drop affair while your desired alert text is entered into a text box.

    Sure, there are other ways of doing this kind of thing, but Shuttie is a good way to set up these tasks to be performed remotely. It's US$1.99 in the Mac App Store.

    TUAW's Daily Mac App: Shuttie originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 11 May 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Don't blame iPad for PC sales stagnation, says NPD

    iPad: it's not my fault...A new study released by the NPD Group on Tuesday suggests a recent decline in personal computer shipments can't be blamed on the iPad. NPD's results contradict conventional wisdom which assumed shiny new gadgets like Apple's iPad were eroding the PC market.

    According to NPD's figures, a significant majority of iPad owners never had plans to buy a PC. Only 14% of the study's "early adopters," or customers who bought the iPad more than six months ago, chose the Apple tablet instead of a personal computer. For the 2010 holiday quarter, just 12% of the surveyed iPad owners ditched intentions to buy a PC. According to Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis at NPD, the iPad's cannibalization of the computer market continues to drop.

    Last month, reports from Gartner Inc. and International Data Corp. (IDC) revealed the first decline in PC sales in six quarters. Many analysts leaped to the conclusion that Apple's iPad was chewing into the PC market.

    Contrary to this popular belief, NPD's report suggests the iPad is simply adding billions of dollars in additional revenue for the technology sector. More than 75% of iPad owners told NPD they bought the device with no intention of buying anything else, dispelling the myth that Apple's tablet is significantly disrupting other technology markets. Instead, NPD suggests the PC market is seeing a cooling trend following a surge of sales related to the introduction of affordable netbooks and the release of Windows 7.

    "The conventional wisdom that says tablet sales are eating into low-priced notebooks is most assuredly incorrect," says Baker. "The explosion of computer sales when Windows 7 launched, as well as the huge increase in netbook sales at that time, are much more to blame for weak consumer PC sales growth than the iPad."

    Don't blame iPad for PC sales stagnation, says NPD originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 11 May 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Apple pulls iAds from apps for kids

    Mike Zonrek reports that Apple has suddenly removed iAds from kid-focused applications in the App Store. Zonrek is the developer behind Dex, a Pokémon-browser which has been downloaded over 500,000 times and is a favorite among kids who are into Pokemon.

    Zonrek uses a combination of iAds, AdMob and in-app purchases to generate revenue from his app. Late last week, Zonrek noticed his iAd fill rate had fallen from 16.5% to zero. Concerned by the drop, he fired off an email to Apple to find out what happened. Apple responded with the following statement:

    We periodically review the apps in the iAd Network to ensure that all apps receiving ads are aligned with the needs of our advertisers. Currently, our advertisers prefer that their advertising not appear in applications that are targeted for users that are young children, since their products are not targeted at that audience.

    Zonrek was surprised by this response as this policy change is not mentioned in Apple's iAd or developer documentation. Such a modification would not be surprising as Apple has taken some heat for accidental in-app purchases by children. Advertisers and Apple alike may be treading carefully when the interests of children are involved.

    [Via MacStories]

    Apple pulls iAds from apps for kids originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 11 May 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Report suggests 64 GB, 3G iPad is top seller

    The 64 GB WiFi + 3G model is the most popular iPad 2 model according to market research firm Context. The top-of-the-line model accounted for a third of all iPad 2 sales in Western Europe. The runner-up in this sales race is the entry-level 16 GB WiFi-only model which grabbed 22% of all iPad 2 sales. Combined, these two models account for more than half of all iPad 2 sales in the region.

    Overall, Apple was, once again, the dominant tablet with 80% market share in the opening quarter of 2011. Context mobile computing analyst, Salman Chaudhry predicts the iPad will remain #1 in Western Europe, but will face increasing competition from Android tablets. The Android effect is already taking its toll on iPad sales -- according to Context, Apple's tablet dropped five percentage points from Q4 2010 to Q1 2011.

    [Via GigaOM]

    Report suggests 64 GB, 3G iPad is top seller originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 11 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Safari Books Online takes Safari to Go to the iPad

    Safari Books Online iPad appSafari Books Online (SBO) has announced the availability of Safari To Go, its second-generation iPad app (first launched in November 2010) that offers access to SBO's extensive library of books and videos. This free application lets users mark favorites, save books for offline reading, search by topic and more.

    Speaking of SBO's library, it's extensive. You'll find thousands of books and videos from over 40 publishers, like Apress, Cisco Press, FT Press* and O'Reilly. Most titles focus on technology as well as professional development and working with digital media.

    Note that the app will perform best on a Wi-Fi network. The developers note that a future update will increase 3G support.

    The app is free and available now. E-book junkies with a technology bent will want to add this one to their lineup.

    *Full disclosure: I have a book available from Safari Books Online via FT Press.

    Safari Books Online takes Safari to Go to the iPad originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 11 May 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Re-discovering the iPhone magic in real life

    Has the iPhone become...blasé?

    Recently, I was at the check out at my local supermarket, watching the guy in front of me enter things into his iPhone. "Hey, whatcha doing with the iPhone?" I ask. Turns out he was checking his balance before deciding which debit card to use to pay.

    The iPhone has long since passed parents recording videos at school concerts. During a recent trip home, I saw any number of people used their iPhones with boarding pass scanners, checking connections, finding gates and so on. These things that used to be stand out are now ordinary occurrences.

    Has the revolutionary become the norm? This morning, as we're sitting in the TUAW situation room and chatting about the iPhone in real life, we decided to throw this question to our readers: What iPhone uses have surprised, delighted or just plain excited you recently? Are there ways you've seen the iPhone being used that have startled you, that took you out of the moment and convinced you that there's some new app you must buy or some new approach you can't ignore?

    Let us know in the comments. We can't wait to hear what secret gems you've uncovered.

    Re-discovering the iPhone magic in real life originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 11 May 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Apple sued again over location data

    Apple is facing another lawsuit over its handling of location data, according to a report from The Loop. The latest complaint was filed by Lymaris M. Rivera Diaz in the United States District Court for the District Of Puerto Rico.

    Riveria is asking for monetary damages stemming from Apple's alleged practice of capturing both the device ID and location of a handset and sending it to third-party advertisers. Besides Apple, Diaz also cites The Weather Channel and Pandora in the suit.

    The suit also names 10 'John Doe' defendants. This tactic is used in lawsuits when the plaintiff believes there are more targets to sue, but can't name them specifically until after the suit is filed or after the discovery process. This means there could easily be additional companies targeted by the same suit later on.

    Apple is also facing an earlier lawsuit and a congressional investigation into its usage of location data stored on the iPhone. Apple confirmed in a FAQ and testified before Congress that location data is necessary for services such as local search and is not being used to track individuals.

    Apple sued again over location data originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 11 May 2011 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Vintage Apple-1 up and running

    An original Apple-1 sprung back to life during a presentation at the Polytechnic University of Turin in Italy this week. Hand-built by a then young Steve Wozniak, the vintage computer was purchased by Mark Bogle for US$211,000 as part of a high-profile Christie's auction. Despite its age of 35 years, the computer booted smoothly with the help of an oscilloscope to check the wave function of the clock, an NTSC monitor to display text and a MacBook Pro to send a simple BASIC program to the Apple-1's BASIC interpreter. Much to the amusement of the crowd, the Apple-1 displayed the words Hello Polito, a charming reference to the Polytechnic University.

    [Via Engadget]

    Vintage Apple-1 up and running originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 11 May 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • TUAW's Daily iOS App: Super 8

    We've seen a bevy of vintage photography apps. Hipstamatic might be the most popular, though Instagram has a solid group of users as well. But, Super 8 brings a new idea to the party: vintage videos [Of course this isn't really "new" as apps like 8mm and Silent Film Director perform a similar function - Ed.]. Just like Hipstamatic, Super 8 will capture media from your iPhone that looks like it was photographed with an old camera. But instead of still pictures, you'll get old film-style videos. Just like the other vintage apps, there's a cool UI and plenty of extras to play with, including adding film scratches, titles and editing film clips on your iPhone.

    When your films are done, you can email them or save them to a computer with iTunes. It's very well done -- the app is actually put together by Paramount as a promotion for the upcoming JJ Abrams movie, but it's still very well done by marketing firm QMX Interactive and offers a lot of functionality to play with.

    Plus, for now, the app is a free download, so you can check it out without paying a thing. Very cool idea.

    TUAW's Daily iOS App: Super 8 originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 11 May 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Pomplamoose covers the Angry Birds theme

    I'm a big fan of Pomplamoose, the fun indie duo of musicians Jack Conte and Nataly Dawn that often posts song covers on YouTube, and I was happy to see that their latest cover is directly iPhone-related. They're apparently big fans of Angry Birds, and they've put together a "videosong" cover of the popular smartphone game's theme song. The cynical among you may be inspired to try and fight the cheer in the video on the next page (especially since the video seems to be promoted by some Samsung smartphone), but let's keep that to a minimum, shall we? It's cute.

    This definitely isn't my favorite Pomplamoose song, though. If you want to hear these guys doing something a little more original (and frankly, subtle), check out their great songs Centrifuge and Always in the Season. They're not theme songs to popular iOS games, obviously, but they are great tunes nevertheless.

    Continue reading Pomplamoose covers the Angry Birds theme

    Pomplamoose covers the Angry Birds theme originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 11 May 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • iFlow Reader calls it quits, abandons App Store

    Back in February, Apple began enforcing App Store rules regarding requiring in-app purchases of e-books in addition having options outside the app. Sadly, today that has caused the people behind iFlowReader to shutter their business because "Apple is giving us the boot by making it financially impossible for us to survive." Users of the e-book reader app are being warned to back up their data carefully, or they might lose access to the content they have purchased through it.

    Previously, apps like iFlow Reader were able to sell content for the app only via non-App Store purchases. For example, with Amazon's Kindle app, you can use the Mobile Safari web browser to purchase books via your Amazon account. Apple doesn't take its usual 30% cut of these transactions. The new rules mean that developers wouldn't be allowed to do this. All such business would have to go via the in-app purchase API, using the user's iTunes account and with Apple taking 30% of the money. Existing apps apparently were given until the end of June to change how they work or face removal from the store.

    UPDATE: Companies are not required to only offer in-app purchasing, but they are required to offer it as an option and, according to section 11.13 of the T&C, must price the in-app purchase the same as or lower than purchases made outside the app. In effect, this does mean that most purchases are likely to move to the in-app model and incur the 30% surcharge. Customers will presumably prefer to carry out the smallest number of steps to make the purchase, which is the in-app model.

    I speculated in February that Apple's change could cause some popular apps to flee the store. We know that Sony's Reader app was rejected, that Readability had to shelve its native app (it later released a web app) and that TinyGrab also abandoned plans for an iOS app.

    Continue reading iFlow Reader calls it quits, abandons App Store

    iFlow Reader calls it quits, abandons App Store originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 11 May 2011 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Dutch company changes its name to get its app back in the App Store

    Everyone knows how protective Apple is over its trademarks. Now, one Dutch company has had to change its name just to gets its apps back on Apple's App Store. As Macworld UK points out, Dutch app maker App Stores BV -- the legal name of the company -- had all its apps pulled from the App Store at the end of March after Apple alleged that the company's name infringed on its App Store trademark. App Stores BV makes a popular series of navigation apps for the iPhone called NAVV, which covers almost 40 countries and territories around the world.

    In a statement released at the time, App Stores BV said, "App Stores BV's registration under the laws of The Netherlands does not violate any laws; the interference of the difference between USA law systems results the current situation. In order to avoid possible violations, 'App Stores BV' is taking the necessary steps to rectify the situation. Accordingly, all NAVV applications will cease to be sold while these issues are addressed. We expect NAVV applications back on sale shortly and kindly ask for your patience until then."

    The situation has been rectified by the company changing its name. App Stores BV is now known as "Wazado Mobile Applications BV." As the newly minted Wazado said in a statement today, "Dutch-origin App Stores BV, the developer of NAVV and legal name behind the organization, entered into the process of changing its name in order to prevent possible copyright violations concerning Apple Inc's 'App Store' brand name."

    Of course, making a tiny developer change its name is easy for a company that has the legal resources Apple does. However, Apple may have a harder time fighting "app store" infringements against other tech giants, like Amazon and Microsoft.

    Dutch company changes its name to get its app back in the App Store originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 11 May 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Flipboard daily usage higher than ever, triples in two months

    Despite losing truckloads of money, iPad magazine The Daily is apparently seeing a lot of traffic, and content aggregation app Flipboard is seeing the same trend. CEO Mike McCue says the company is seeing a huge slope upwards in traffic, with an average of 8 to 9 million "flips" (essentially pageviews), up from 3 to 4 million just a few months ago. That's some solid growth, probably driven both by sales of the iPad 2 and by tablet growth in general. As we've reported before, as more people learn to use tablets, more people (as you'd expect) actually use tablets.

    Unfortunately, there's no news about how all of that traffic is affecting Flipboard's bottom line. Magazines and content aggregators still haven't quite figured out how to turn all of those user numbers into profit numbers. But there is still some life in content on the iPad, despite all of the issues we seem to be hearing about from traditional magazine and newspaper publishers.

    Flipboard daily usage higher than ever, triples in two months originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 11 May 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Third Rail zaps iPhone case market with detachable battery pack

    thirdrail2.jpg

    For every gadget that claims to charge an iPhone on the go, there's sure to be a constituency that swears by it (or quite possibly at it). With external battery packs from HyperMac, Zagg, Kensington, Newer and Monoprice, you can dangle a cable; with battery-equipped cases from Exogear, Boost and Kensington you can keep your extra joules right next to your phone. We've seen some clever inventions (the RichardSolo 1800, the PowerEZ) and too-clever ones (the X-Power charger-in-a-cable), but precious few options that give you power when you need it without adding weight, aggravation and charging hassles.

    Since Macworld Expo this year, I've been happily using the US$79.99 mophie juice pack air with my iPhone 4 when I need extended power. It's light (about 68 grams), packs a solid 1500 mAh battery and charges reliably and simply with a Micro USB cable. It's a great product, but it does bulk up the phone substantially; if you carry the iPhone in a pocket, you'll notice the difference in weight and size (mophie's 2000 mAh product, the $99.95 juice pack plus, adds even more bulk and mass). I also don't need extra power most of the time; it's only when I've got a busy day on the road, and I can't charge here and there. If there were a way to get the all-in-one convenience of the juice pack without having to carry the battery all the time, I'd love it.

    That's why I was excited to check out Third Rail Mobility's new battery and case system for the iPhone 4, developed by a family of entrepreneurs who say they aren't afraid to touch the 'third rail' of mobile consumer electronics in addressing poor battery life. The system, on sale today, pairs a slimline 1250 mAh battery with a light protective case. But this battery comes off, attaching firmly when you need it and staying out of the way in your bag or jacket when you don't. I've been testing a prerelease unit for the past week, hoping to figure out if it truly is the best of both worlds.

    Continue reading Third Rail zaps iPhone case market with detachable battery pack

    Third Rail zaps iPhone case market with detachable battery pack originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 11 May 2011 00:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Plunderland, Death Rally, Bunny the Zombie Slayer get iOS updates

    Three great iOS games got big updates this week. First up, the excellent and popular pirate simulator Plunderland got a whole new campaign to play through with new graphics, new sounds, new enemies to fight and new weapons to play with. The app is US$2.99, and it's well worth the purchase -- the depth of the game will likely surprise you.

    Death Rally also got a new update. I haven't really been able to say much about this game because I'm actually in it (there's an achievement for killing me, so have fun with that), but the latest patch features a new track, lots of bug fixes and the ability to save player information to Game Center.

    And finally, Hothead Games' Bunny the Zombie Slayer picked up a big patch, with new modes to play, support for the Retina Display and Game Center support (which is one of the quibbles I had when I first played with it). That one's only a buck on the App Store -- three great titles that are all getting better this week.

    Plunderland, Death Rally, Bunny the Zombie Slayer get iOS updates originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 10 May 2011 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • iPad usage survey shows Web browsing still primary tablet timesink

    Silicon Alley Insider has posted a chart showing the comparative results of reported iPad usage from November 2010 to the current month of May 2011. As you can see from the chart above, an overwhelming amount of people spend a majority of their time on Apple's tablet surfing the Web -- most of those people presumably using Safari to do so.

    After Web browsing, which came in at 36%, emailing, Facebook and Twitter usage on the iPad came in second place at 23%. Social networking was followed by "other app" usage at 21%, and after that, watching videos and gaming virtually tied at around 14.5% each. The results from this informal poll show that the iPad is still primarily a consumption device as opposed to a creation device, but with apps like iMovie and GarageBand for iPad, not to mention all of the other ways iPads are being used to create content rather than just watching it, that could be changing quickly.

    iPad usage survey shows Web browsing still primary tablet timesink originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 10 May 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • 15% of mobile apps launched while offline

    Real-time analytics firm Localytics has issued a report that says 15 percent of all mobile apps are launched while the device they are running on is offline. That's a clear sign that developers would be serving their users better if they built "offline" modes into more apps, according to Ryan Kim of GigaOm. After all, while wireless networks are expanding all the time in the form of 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi, there are still many places where you can't get connected (like in a subway).

    Kim is correct is his assertion that developers should keep lack of a connection in mind and build in offline modes to their apps. This is especially true for mapping applications. I travel to foreign countries a lot, and there isn't a better example of when you need access to maps then when traveling internationally. But if you don't want to pay international data fees, you're stuck with using your iPhone or iPad in Wi-Fi zones. This is why I've always been an advocate of aggressive map caching, or even building a feature into the Google Maps app that allows users to download complete tile packs of cities so that they have access to maps when not on a data network.

    But Kim makes another excellent argument for offline mode in apps: As a developer you want users to be as engaged with your app as possible. Adding Instapaper-like features (essentially saving content offline) or more aggressive caching to your apps would allow users to use them to some degree even when not connected to a network, rather than getting a useless login screen.

    Localytics used its proprietary product to come up with the numbers for offline data use on iOS, Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone 7 devices by comparing the time difference between when an app was opened and when its analytics data was uploaded to their servers.

    15% of mobile apps launched while offline originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 10 May 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Rumored 7th generation iPod nano with camera doesn't seem likely

    It's always wise to maintain a degree of skepticism with purported photos of next generation Apple products. First of all, they could be fake; secondly, they could be production samples for form factors that might never see the light of day. We're pretty skeptical about this one.

    In early April we reported on rumors that the seventh-generation nano might sport a rear-facing camera. At the time, Asian Apple site Apple.pro posted an image that it claimed was the rear casing for the next generation iPod nano. The purported casing showed a hole that would house a rear-facing camera. That image was of the inside of the rear casing. Today Apple.pro has posted another image it says is the backside of the rear casing of the next iPod nano.

    In the image above, you can see what Apple.pro purports to be the rear of the next iPod nano compared to the rear of the current iPod nano. Besides the obvious camera, which Apple.pro says is of the 1.3 megapixel variety, the big change on the next iPod nano, if these images are correct, appears to be the lack of a clip. As you can see, the Apple logo is painted right onto the body of the nano, and it doesn't seem likely that Apple would add a clip covering the logo.

    When the rumors of a camera-equipped next gen nano surfaced, many thought Apple would just slim the clip down to give the camera a view. However, if these new images are correct, the next gen nano will be clip-less. Now, this is pure conjecture on my part, but I could see Apple eliminating the clip on the nano to bring costs down and then selling a magnetic "Smart Clip" as an add-on to those that want the clip. Currently, Apple sells the "Smart Cover" iPad accessory, which attaches to the iPad magnetically.

    I do want to point out that Apple.pro has been correct in the past, as they were the first to post an image of a small touchscreen that later made its way into the sixth-generation iPod nano, which debuted last fall.

    [via MacRumors]

    Rumored 7th generation iPod nano with camera doesn't seem likely originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 10 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • What does the Skype sale mean for Apple customers?

    By now everyone knows that Skype has been sold to Microsoft for a huge 8.5 billion dollars. The question on all our minds is what will the sale mean to Mac and iOS users?

    There aren't any ready answers. Microsoft often treats the Mac as a least-favored nation. Most versions of Office have lagged behind the Windows counterparts, including some dramatic functional lapses like when Microsoft killed the ability to use Visual Basic macros in Office 2008, and then later restored that functionality in Office 2011.

    Microsoft bought Bungie, the creator of Halo, in 2000, just as it was going to release the game for the Mac. In 2007 Bungie and Microsoft split, but Microsoft retains a minority stake in the company. On the iOS side, things look a little brighter. Microsoft, so far behind with its own phone OS, has released some noteworthy apps for iOS, including Bing, Microsoft OneNote and Photosynth.

    On the desktop and laptop side, Skype for Mac has always been a bit behind the feature curve when compared to the Windows version, and recently it suffered some security problems (not to mention widespread complaining about the new UI introduced in version 5). I don't expect Skype on the Mac to be a high priority for Ballmer and friends.

    Microsoft will put a lot of attention into integrating Skype into the Xbox, Windows 7 and the new Windows Phone 7 OS (which doesn't run Skype at all right now). Meanwhile, Apple should step up the game for FaceTime, which was announced with great fanfare but seems a bit moribund. It's an embarrassment that FaceTime can't make calls over 3G, while Tango, Skype and some others do it quite well.

    Lex Friedman at Macworld weighs in with more thoughts on the implications for Mac users as Skype joins the MS fold. What's your take? Will all the financial muscle at Microsoft improve Skype on Mac OS X and iOS? Or will Skype wilt from neglect?

    Update: Right after this post went live, Microsoft's Steve Ballmer stated that the company would not be giving up on Mac support for Skype. It's true, Microsoft has shown a long history of Office for Mac support, and so whatever your feelings on Ballmer and his company, it seems like Skype for Mac will be just fine for the foreseeable future.

    What does the Skype sale mean for Apple customers? originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 10 May 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Another smash and grab at the Crocker Park Apple Store in Westlake, OH

    On Friday morning, a smash-and-grab robbery of yet another Apple Store took place at the Crocker Park Apple Store in Westlake, Ohio, an upscale suburb of Cleveland. Around 4:30 AM, three burglars smashed in the front window activating the burglar alarm as well as the store's security cameras, which caught it all on tape. The well-organized thieves were in and out in thirty seconds after stealing twenty-four notebooks and one iPod touch. The culprits, wearing all black, left no apparent trail, and so far, the Westlake police have no disclosed leads.

    This comes quickly on the heels of other such incidents. Just last month, the San Diego, CA store was hit resulting in one burglar being shot and killed by a security guard. Also in April, a thief was shot during a heist at the Chula Vista, Calif. store along with the Chestnut Street San Francisco store being hit without fatalities. Earlier, it was the Pittsburgh, Pa. store, which had been broken into twice. This follows a rash of break-ins at other Apple Stores and resellers throughout 2009-2010. In all, over twelve Apple Stores have been robbed.

    After the break, you can see the video as posted by WKYC News 3.

    Continue reading Another smash and grab at the Crocker Park Apple Store in Westlake, OH

    Another smash and grab at the Crocker Park Apple Store in Westlake, OH originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 10 May 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Dear Aunt TUAW: Help fix iCal's fonts

    Dear Aunt TUAW,

    Why does Apple make it impossible to adjust the font in iCal? God, I sound like an old person... But seriously, wtf?

    Frustrated,

    Your nephew Brian B.

    Continue reading Dear Aunt TUAW: Help fix iCal's fonts

    Dear Aunt TUAW: Help fix iCal's fonts originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 10 May 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Ask TUAW Video Edition: Geeking on GeekTool

    ask tuaw videoIt's Tuesday, which means it's time for another edition of Ask TUAW video! On the heels of our AppleScript episode, we are going to talk today about GeekTool. GeekTool is a great way to have information displayed on your desktop, without it being too intrusive.

    First thing, you need to download GeekTool here. I have posted some example GeekTool scripts, which can be downloaded here.

    As always, the video is in the second half of the post, and please ask questions -- that's what we're here for!

    Continue reading Ask TUAW Video Edition: Geeking on GeekTool

    Ask TUAW Video Edition: Geeking on GeekTool originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 10 May 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • TUAW's Daily Mac App: unDock

    unDock

    When you're using a MacBook in the vicinity of a desk, you're likely to have a lot of things plugged into it. Be it hard drives, flash drives, memory cards or any other type of storage, we all know how bitterly OS X complains when you just pull them out. When you're in a hurry to get out the door, the last thing you want to do is eject 15 different drives. Luckily, as with many Mac-related issues, there's a simple solution to the problem, and that's unDock.

    UnDock does one-click ejection, or undocking, of every mass storage drive you've got connected to your Mac. Any networked drives or optical media can be ejected as well, and for anything else, you've got the option to fire off an AppleScript at the same time. It can be triggered from a customizable shortcut key or a menu bar utility, while Growl takes care of the notifications. Once the operation is complete, which is nearly instantaneous for anything that doesn't need to spin-up before being ejected, the menu bar icon stops flashing and you're good to go.

    While you can achieve the same task for free with an AppleScript, if you have a portable Mac with more than one USB drive plugged in at any one time and aren't comfortable messing with AppleScripts, then this US$0.99 app could be a real time saver.

    TUAW's Daily Mac App: unDock originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 10 May 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • The difference between Apple and Google at the Senate hearings

    Earlier today, the US Senate judiciary subcommittee held a hearing on privacy, technology and the law. You can view a video of the opening statement by Senator Al Franken from today's hearings here.

    The purpose of this hearing was to aid lawmakers in understanding if current privacy laws around tech (which are quite old) are still valid or need updating. But what did Bud Tribble, an MD, PhD engineer and Apple's Vice President of Software Technology have to say versus Google's representative, Alan Davidson, who happens to be a lobbyist? Let's look at Apple's statements and answers to key questions, then cross-check with Google's answers.

    Apple

    First, the big question is whether or not Apple is "tracking you." In opening statements, Tribble pointed out (also in his written testimony) that Apple is "deeply committed" to protecting consumers' privacy, and Apple does not share personally identifying information with third-party vendors without explicit consumer agreement.

    As stated in a release on April 27, 2011, the company does not track you and never has had any plans to track your whereabouts. Instead, the location database is designed to provide a crowdsourced database of local Wi-Fi hotspots and cellular towers in order to provide a quicker method for locating an iPhone on a map faster than GPS would alone. This information is not used by Apple itself, but can be accessed by applications that happen to use Location Services. These services can be turned off, and last week, Apple fixed a bug which stored these on the computer you use to sync in an unencrypted way and which contained all locations. Tribble also mentioned that in the "next major version of iOS this data will be encrypted."

    Continue reading The difference between Apple and Google at the Senate hearings

    The difference between Apple and Google at the Senate hearings originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 10 May 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Apple patent reveals unused iPad design with two USB slots

    In his last appearance during an earnings conference call last year, Steve Jobs hinted that Apple tested several designs for the iPad during its development stage. One of these possible designs may have reared its ugly head in a patent application recently approved by the USPTO.

    This patent details a Wi-Fi+3G iPad with an extra USB slot for landscape connectivity. This auxiliary USB slot would let you place the iPad in a dedicated landscape dock as well as dock in portrait mode and simultaneously sync using both USB slots. Apple now holds a patent for this design, but it may never debut in an upcoming iPad model. While many consumers would prefer two USB ports, Apple may opt for wireless charging and syncing, which would eliminate the need for any USB ports on the popular tablet device.

    Apple patent reveals unused iPad design with two USB slots originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 10 May 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Sandvox 2 features major overhaul, Objects Menu, more

    Sandvox by Kareila Software will celebrate its fifth birthday this year. The festivities begin with Sandvox 2.0, a major update to the WYSIWYG Web editor for the Mac. With more than 5 dozen new or improved features, such as the super-handy Objects Menu and full HTML5 compliance, Sandvox 2 is ready for weekend Web warriors and small business owners alike. Here's my look at Sandvox 2.

    UI

    Web editors like Sandvox are meant for those who wish to create websites without touching HTML. That's a large number of users, like new parents, baseball coaches and small business owners. The common thread among them is the need for simplicity. Fortunately, Sandvox 2 meets that need.

    The main UI window is familiar to anyone who's used iTunes, Pages or iWeb. On the left-hand side you'll find thumbnails of pages. On the right is the page you're currently working on. A customizable toolbar allows easy access to your favorite functions.

    Working on a page, be it a blog, gallery, form, etc. is as easy as editing text. Simply type (or paste rich text) and Sandvox handles the code for you. Adding interesting elements -- what Kareila calls Objects -- is also a breeze, as this article will point out later. Also, an inspector lets you fine-tune page elements. Adding YouTube videos, Amazon product links and more is drag-and-drop easy.

    As for looks, Sandvox 2 ships with about 60 themes, while third-party theme developers extend the options even further. In short, Sandvox 2 looks good, and the UI is simple enough for its intended audience.

    Continue reading Sandvox 2 features major overhaul, Objects Menu, more

    Sandvox 2 features major overhaul, Objects Menu, more originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 10 May 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • iSuppli: Apple bucks decline in smartphone market, edges closer to Nokia

    Apple is edging closer to Nokia and poised to assume the leadership position in the smartphone market, according to IHS iSuppli. In the first three months of 2011, Apple shipped 18.6 million iPhones globally, a 14.9 percent jump from the previous quarter. While Apple showed impressive gains, Nokia posted a significant decline. Q1 2011 shipments from the Finnish handset maker declined 14.5 percent from the 28.3 million handsets shipped in Q4 2010 to 24.2 million in Q1 of this year.

    At the end of last quarter, a mere 5.6 million handsets separated the two companies. This gap could be narrowed in the current quarter by continued strong sales of the black iPhone 4 and the launch of the white iPhone 4. The long-awaited white handset sold out quickly in Asia and is expected to give iPhone sales a moderate boost. Nokia, on the other hand, is in a holding pattern while it sunsets its Symbian OS and preps for the debut of Windows Phone later this year.

    [Via Digitimes]

    iSuppli: Apple bucks decline in smartphone market, edges closer to Nokia originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 10 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Apple compensates customer injured at Beijing store

    Apple reportedly compensated a customer injured in a melee outside the Sanlitun Apple Store in Beijing, China. The customer, identified as Ding Wencheng by the Global Times, was reportedly paid a 20,000-yuan ($3,000) settlement by the Apple store for injuries he received in the altercation. According to state reports, a scuffle erupted when a foreign Apple employee allegedly started to beat suspected line jumpers. In the aftermath, several customers were hospitalized, and the front glass door of the Apple store was smashed.

    Apple spokesperson Carolyn Wu acknowledged the brawl, but did not comment on the rumored settlement. "The Apple Store Sanlitun was closed for several hours on Saturday after a group outside the store became unruly." Wu added, "The store team acted to protect themselves and our customers by closing the doors and preventing the group from entering. The safety of our customers and employees is our top priority." Details on the status of the hospitalized customers are unknown, but presumably, Apple may compensate others injured in this unfortunate incident.

    [Via The Next Web]

    Apple compensates customer injured at Beijing store originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 10 May 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Adobe releases trio of Photoshop Touch Applications for the iPad

    Adobe announced the immediate availability of its Photoshop Touch applications for the iPad. The three touch-friendly apps use the touchscreen of the iPad and interact with Photoshop CS5 on the desktop. The trio includes Adobe Color Lava for Photoshop, Adobe Eazel for Photoshop and Adobe Nav for Photoshop. Color Lava lets you mix and match color swatches to create new colors on the iPad. Eazel lets you draw using the touchscreen of the iPad and Nav lets you use common Photoshop tools as well as browse open Photoshop documents on the iPad.

    There are many excellent applications that let you paint on the iPad, but these apps let you create and seamlessly share your projects with the desktop version of Adobe CS5. All three apps were created using the Photoshop Touch Software development kit and showcase what is possible with this touch-centric SDK.

    The apps are available now from the App Store. Adobe Nav for Photoshop is the cheapest of the bunch with a price tag of US$1.99. Adobe Color Lava comes in second at $2.99 and Adobe Eazel is at the top with a semi-premium price of $4.99.

    Continue reading Adobe releases trio of Photoshop Touch Applications for the iPad

    Adobe releases trio of Photoshop Touch Applications for the iPad originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 10 May 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Oona smartphone stand, as seen on Kickstarter

    Oona

    Take an iChair, remove the case, add a suction cup and, voilà, the Oona smartphone stand. The Oona stand is a Kickstarter project, looking to raise US $10,000 to produce the first run of the neat, unobtrusive stands that look perfect for holding your iPhone steady on your desk or attaching it to your car windscreen.

    We liked the iChair a lot and there'll be a hands-on review tomorrow, May 11, on TUAW TV live. The Oona fills a slightly different need, particularly in places where you want to have your iPhone stuck to something rather than just resting it on a flat surface. Its developers have gone to some lengths to use just the right kind of material for the suction cup. "We spent a lot of time designing the right suction cup for The Oona," says Sam Gordon, one of the project founders. "The ones we prototyped early on were made of a thermoplastic elastomer so they could be easily injection molded. After testing we found that low shore durometer silicone produced the best results."

    The Oona is designed to be stuck and un-stuck many times a day, rather than rest in place for long periods of time. Its size lends itself to this usage as it is certainly small enough to be carried around easily.

    Check out the Kickstarter page and let us know what you think.

    a

    Oona smartphone stand, as seen on Kickstarter originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 10 May 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • TUAW's Daily iOS App: First Touch Soccer

    If you enjoy soccer or soccer video games and happen to own an iPhone, First Touch Soccer is a must-buy. I'm not a big fan of soccer, but this is an impressively premium title with great visuals, solid controls and lots of extras, including home team themed menus, multiple modes, social integration and even a real rock soundtrack.

    If there's a drawback to First Touch Soccer, it's that the game suffers from the same issues more traditional console sports games do. The gameplay obviously depends on your love of soccer, and things like the announcer tracks can get repetitive. Also, the teams aren't officially named; there are over 250 teams that are obvious versions of the various soccer clubs around the world, though they're tweaked enough to avoid official licenses. But those are small quibbles in the bigger picture: a full-scale professional soccer title running great on iOS.

    The game's a bargain right now at US$0.99. When you compare that to the $20 or $30 that you'd normally pay for a full handheld soccer game like this, First Touch Soccer is a no-brainer.

    TUAW's Daily iOS App: First Touch Soccer originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 10 May 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Using an iPhone app to test for landmines

    iPhone mine detector

    One of the big problems with using metal detectors to find unexploded landmines is that they detect all pieces of metal in the ground, often forcing operators to inspect every suspect item they find. This can be very dangerous, so researchers at Harvard have figured out how to use smartphones to find landmines.

    Trained and experienced operators can tell by the beeps coming from their detectors the size and shape of objects found. Harvard researchers take these beeps and map them onto a smartphone screen, such as an iPhone, to better visualise what's been found. The PETALS (Pattern Enhancement Tool for Assisting Landmine Sensing) researchers have shown that inexperienced users are up to 80 percent more efficient using their technique, which could save a lot of lives.

    Using existing devices like iPhones makes the system potentially very cheap to deploy. Researchers hope that users already familiar with their smartphone interface should find it simple to use.

    Using an iPhone app to test for landmines originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 10 May 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Want to write in LOGO? There's an app for that
    LOGO for iPad

    Logo is a great introduction to programming for children, so a version for the iPad seems like a great idea. Emmanuel Crombez's implementation of Logo is very welcome indeed -- at least, it is if you speak decent French.

    French developer Crombez has a large suite of educational software apps covering reading, writing and math. Crombez produced the iPad version of Logo to introduce children to the world of computer programming.

    He's targeting his US$3.99 app at children over eight looking for an interesting introduction to computer programming. Since it was introduced in 1969, Logo has helped many thousands of future programmers get a taste of the joy of coding.

    If you can't wait for an English version of his Logo app, there is Logo Draw for the iPad available in the App Store, which provides an introduction to programming concepts, computer graphics and logical thinking.

    Want to write in LOGO? There's an app for that originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 10 May 2011 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Rdio posts Mobile Playback API for iOS

    Rdio

    Rdio, the on-demand social music service from the founders of Skype, has opened up its service to developers and published a mobile playback API for iOS, although the current terms of use prohibit the sale of any apps made using it. Instead, the company will make mobile apps work with its affiliate scheme. "We're working on providing a good affiliate program flow for mobile apps so that you can monetize that way. Getting that working well is one of my top priorities so you'll hear about that soon," says Ian McKellar, Lead Platform Engineer at Rdio.

    According to Rdio, the mobile API will allow you to make an app "that searches and plays all the artists, songs, albums, playlists, and top charts in Rdio's catalog of over 8.5 million songs. You can also build and edit playlists, show a user's network Heavy Rotation, follow other people, and view Collections."

    Is this something you'd see yourself building into an app? Let us know in comments.

    Rdio posts Mobile Playback API for iOS originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 10 May 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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