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- New developer tool will port Xbox 360 games to iOS
ExEn is a brand new tool for developers that's designed to bridge the gap between XNA, Silverlight and iOS (and eventually Android). XNA stands for "Xbox New Architecture," and is the general API used by developers to create games for Microsoft's Xbox console, and ExEn purports to take those games, and bring them over to Microsoft's Silverlight platform as well as Apple's iOS. It's still a work in progress, so some features are missing (the biggest of these being, of course, that Android compatibility), but it's completely free and open source, so any developers who have XNA code that they want to try and port are welcome to go grab it and give it a shot.
If it works (I'm not a developer, so I haven't actually used it), this might put an interesting wrinkle in the developer ecosystem. I had a nice chat with the creator of I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MBIES 1N IT!!!1 (yes, that's really the name) a few weeks ago -- that strangely-named dual stick shooter is perhaps the most famous Xbox Live Indie game title, and he recently ported his title over to Windows Phone 7 with the blessing (if not the full support) of Microsoft. But I wonder what his options would have looked like if a tool like this could have allowed him to easily and quickly bring the game over to iOS.
At any rate, we'll see if any big XNA developers try to take advantage of a system like this. If it works, hopefully we'll see great XNA games, like Cthulu Saves the World, appear on the iPad and iPhone.
[via BGR]
New developer tool will port Xbox 360 games to iOS originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Skype coming to the iPad soon
After plenty of success with the iPhone version of the Skype app, the company is finally releasing an official version for the iPad. They haven't announced a date for release yet, but video of the app has leaked out online, and the app is expected to be approved soon. Skype VP of Consumer and Product Design Rick Osterloh had a quick chat with us here at TUAW about the new app and what Skype expects to get out of it.
Osterloh says that the iPhone version of Skype burst out of the gate quickly, with a big launch and "a userbase that doubled in just a month's time." And he said the iPad version should "have a similar success," especially since it's basically the same in functionality: chatting, audio and video calling, and all of the other standard actions you can expect from Skype. The current app has been in testing for a few months now, and Osterloh is excited to unleash it on the public.
A few features in the full PC/Mac app didn't make it in, Osterloh says, perhaps most notably the ability to do file sharing. But that's obviously just because of the way the iPad deals with files. While the company was fine with simply having an iPhone app that was iPad compatible during the first release of the iPad, the camera in the iPad 2 was what made this app "super compelling."
I asked Osteroh if Skype had ever butted heads with Apple over duplicating functionality on the iPhone in terms of FaceTime or simple audio calling, and he said no -- "they've been super supportive," reminding me that Skype was invited onstage with Apple during the reveal of iOS 4.0. I also asked about a possible Twitter-style deal, where Skype might be included in the OS itself, and Osteroh said there weren't any plans for that yet, but "in general, we're always interested in deeper integration."
Skype for iPad shouldn't be too surprising a release -- ever since the iPad got a camera on it, it was likely that we'd see some version built especially for the bigger tablet. But according to Osteroh, it's a solid release for the company, and yet another step out onto mobile devices for one of the premiere communication networks online. We'll let you know as soon as we see the app live in the App Store -- it shouldn't be too long.
Skype coming to the iPad soon originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Valve makes Team Fortress 2 free-to-play
In case you missed it last night, Valve has turned its excellent team-based shooter Team Fortress 2 into an entirely free-to-play experience, so even if you haven't picked up the game yet, you can head over to Steam right now and download and play it completely free, forever. The game was one of the biggest titles Valve brought over when Steam was made compatible with the Mac, so it's 100% OS X seaworthy -- just install Steam and you're good to get the game.
Valve says it will be monetizing the title through the purchase of in-game items, but they're all cosmetic or conveniences at this point, so you only need to pay if you want to wear a fancy hat or don't want to wait to build up an item. In short, Team Fortress 2 is a great game that now anyone can download and play for free. That's reason to celebrate this weekend, so jump on in, and I'll be the Medic right behind you.
Valve makes Team Fortress 2 free-to-play originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Bungie's Marathon definitely coming to iPad
Bungie has open-sourced its classic first-person shooter Marathon (originally released on the Macintosh), which will pave the way for that rumored port to finally make its way into the world. It looks like developer Daniel Blezek is going to be releasing the game for free, which should take care of those sticky issues around selling GPL code, and in a quick interview with Bungie, he says he's doing it just for the love of the game and the platform.
The title will have some standard controls (no aiming reticule, like the original game, though there is an option to add one in) and will get more adjustable controls later on. It certainly sounds like a lot of love and care has gone into the port, both in the transition to the iPad and in the recreation of the original game itself.
It sounds awesome. Bungie doesn't say exactly when the title is going to go live, but this interview is being posted in advance of the Bungie Day celebration, which is scheduled for July 7. So it's somewhat likely we might be playing Marathon on the iPad as soon as then.
[via Joystiq]
Bungie's Marathon definitely coming to iPad originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - TUAW's Daily Mac App: iSplash
It's great to have lots of options of apps, and today's Daily Mac App adds to the plethora of colorization apps. iSplash is a selective color app just like Colorize and ColorWash, which we've covered before.
iSplash is probably the simplest of the colorization apps we've played with so far. It's got an "open from iPhoto" dialog (although it'll open photos using Finder too), simple "Splash" painting tools (a brush) and undo/redo. There aren't any fancy fill features, or even a simple fill tool for that matter, but you can do just the same manually with a resizable brush tool that's managed with the "Splash size" slider on the tool bar.
You can zoom in for precision work, and when you're finished you can export the image as a PNG. There aren't any options to speak of (you can't change the output format for instance), but iSplash will accept photos from anywhere and in PNG, JPEG, GIF, TIFF and BMP formats.
If you're looking for a load of features and output options, you should look elsewhere. In fact, feature for feature, ColorWash is a better pick, especially since they're both on sale for US$0.99.
It's good to have options, though, and that's just what iSplash is: another option. It'll do the job, just not as well as some others.
Continue reading TUAW's Daily Mac App: iSplash
TUAW's Daily Mac App: iSplash originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - New iCloud FAQ: Yes, there will be webmail
Since iCloud was announced by Apple on June 6, the TUAW inbox has been filled to capacity with questions about the many features of Apple's cloud computing platform of the future. Unfortunately, we have been just as much in the fog as you have about what features are moving from MobileMe to iCloud, and how the transition between the two services will take place. Today, Apple published an online document titled "Frequently asked questions about the MobileMe transition and iCloud" to clear away the confusion.
As it turns out, I was wrong in my speculation that Apple was going to be getting rid of web-based versions of Mail, Contacts, Calendar, and Find My iPhone (as was our friend and former Engadget colleague Josh Topolsky, who apparently got some bad intel from a misinformed or confused Apple PR staffer). Fellow TUAW editor Chris Rawson disagreed with me on that speculation, and it turns out that he was correct. Apple has publicly stated on the FAQ page that "Web access to iCloud Mail, Contacts, Calendar, and Find My iPhone will be available at icloud.com this fall."
Apple notes that "The core services provided by MobileMe have been rewritten to work seamlessly with iCloud." That being said, the FAQ shows that three services of MobileMe aren't going to make the transition -- iWeb hosting, Gallery, and iDisk.
If you use MobileMe to host your iWeb-created site, be sure to read our posts on replacements for MobileMe hosting and WYSIWYG HTML editors for Mac. Apple has also posted a knowledge base article about transitioning your iWeb sites to another host.
Of course, new features -- iTunes in the Cloud, Photo Stream, Documents in the Cloud, auto-downloads and purchase history for apps and books, and backup and restore of mobile devices -- are to be added with iCloud. That may be cold comfort if you're a longtime iWeb user, have complex iDisk workflows or extensive MobileMe galleries... but it's something.
For those of you with .mac or .me email addresses, Apple is going to let you keep that address into the future. The company states that you can "move your MobileMe mail, contacts, and calendars, as well as your bookmarks, to the new service. When iCloud becomes available this fall, Apple will provide details and instructions on how to make the move."
Apple also provides knowledge base articles on how to save MobileMe Gallery photos and iDisk files. Other highlights of the document include info on merging MobileMe accounts (not possible), using multiple iTunes account for store purchases and iTunes in the Cloud (possible), what to do if you will be using more than the free 5 GB of iCloud storage (you can buy more), and submitting a refund request for unused or partially used MobileMe licenses.
Be sure to take a look at the Apple document and associated knowledge base articles as they're sure to ease your mind about some iCloud questions -- and possibly raise other questions about your life in the cloud.
New iCloud FAQ: Yes, there will be webmail originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - What Harry Potter e-books mean for Apple
Unless you were somehow locked into a Petrificus Totalus for most of the previous day, you've probably heard of J.K. Rowling's Pottermore, an online extension of the Harry Potter universe that will feature games, information about the series not previously released in the books, and more. Of course, the headliner for the October launch of Pottermore is the planned release of all seven Potter novels (finally!) as e-books.
Pottermore also deals a major blow to Apple, which will lose the right to sell the Harry Potter audiobooks when Pottermore launches, the Financial Times reports. Apple landed the exclusive deal with Rowling in 2005 to release the audiobooks on iTunes.
Apple did not release a statement in response to the Pottermore announcement, the Wall Street Journal stated.
While the books will be available for the iPhone and iPad, they won't be purchased through iBooks. Rowling said in her announcement that she did not want to be locked into a single digital format for her books. As such, the book will be DRM-free, an announcement that has a good many fans cheering, but is a kick in the teeth to companies such as Apple, Amazon and UK's Waterstone, which expressed its "disappointment" at not landing the books.
Despite the lost sales to Apple and other e-book storefronts, Pottermore will deliver the interactive experience that iPad-formatted books can (and do) achieve. Users can navigate through the story of the first Harry Potter book while discovering extra material from Rowling that never made it into the books.
Want to know the back history of Professor Minerva McGonagall? Pottermore's where you'll find it. When you get sorted into a house, you'll go to your own common room and learn information that's specific to the story role you've assumed. Want a different part of the story? Take on a different role. It's the marriage of text and interactivity that would be perfect for iBooks. If Apple had been able to woo Rowling to iBooks, it would have been the literary equivalent of landing the Beatles.
Rowling is pointedly eschewing all major e-book sellers while boosting the e-book market at the same time. Apple won't get its 30 percent cut of the millions of Harry Potter e-books that are guaranteed to sell. At the same time, neither will Amazon, Waterstone or anyone else beyond Rowling's print publishers Bloomsbury and Scholastic, which will get a share of the revenue, and Sony, which is a partner in the endeavor.
Furthermore, Rowling's smart business move to hold onto her digital-publishing rights could spread to other top-selling authors that are already mainstays in iBooks. While not all authors have the financial might that Rowling does, it could tempt other authors, such as Nora Roberts, Suzanne Collins, James Patterson and the estate of Stieg Larsson, to reconsider their digital-publishing options. All of these authors are members of Amazon's so-called Kindle Million Club, those who have sold a million or more e-books for the Kindle, and they bring in a hefty chunk of change for Apple as well.
If I could see anyone taking the Pottermore route next, it would be Nora Roberts. She's written more than 200 novels (including those published under the pseudonym J.D. Robb). She and her husband own Turn the Page bookstore, an independent bookstore in Boonsboro, MD, with two rooms filled with her books and merchandise based on her works. I can easily see her brokering some deal that keeps her print publishers, which include The Penguin Group, satisfied while retaining more control over her work and not forking over money to companies, such as Apple and Amazon, just for the privilege to sell through their online stores.
Roberts, like most other bestselling authors, has her books released under the agency model where the publisher establishes the price and was largely adopted thanks to the iPad. The agency model caused bestselling e-books to rise to between $13-15 rather than the $9.99 many e-book users have come to expect. The cost of an e-book version of a mass-market paperback novel is roughly the same as the print edition, which makes e-book fans fume.
Harry Potter e-book prices haven't been revealed, but it'll be interesting to see what Rowling charges. If she can undercut the agency model while retaining a larger share of the profits, it'll make the temptation to go it alone even bigger to bestselling authors. Or, even if she retains standard e-book pricing, the draw of having a DRM-free library accessible to any e-book reader is still attractive, as well as finally having a legal set of Harry Potter e-books.
We're going to have to wait and see what Pottermore does before we can see any lasting impact on Apple. Of course, the loss of the audiobooks is a substantial blow; they are still making the bestselling audiobook charts on iTunes with "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" ("Sorcerer's Stone" for us Yanks) coming in at #10 in the UK store and #18 in the US store.
There's no question that Pottermore will succeed. Avid Potter fans, myself included, won't care where the books are purchased from -- as long as they're finally available legally, in a format that's going to work for the growing plethora of e-book readers.
What Harry Potter e-books mean for Apple originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Happy First Birthday, iPhone 4!
One year ago today, where were you? Were you standing in line waiting to snag the newly announced iPhone 4, or were watching from afar, marveling at the long lines? Unless you had your head in the sand, you were likely doing one or the other.
In the 12 months since its launch, the iPhone 4 has left an indelible mark on the smartphone industry. It's now available globally and remains the top-selling handset.
Speaking of first anniversaries, a friendly reminder for those who were early adopters of the iPhone 4: the one-year warranty runs out starting today for those who bought their handset at launch. You might want to add the extra protection of AppleCare to cover you until the iPhone 5 comes out.Happy First Birthday, iPhone 4! originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Mac OS X 10.6.8 benchmark reveals graphic speed improvement
Sure, the (hopefully) last version of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard was released yesterday. Yes, it addressed a laundry list of improvements to both networking and Mac OS X Lion readiness. But did you know that installing Mac OS X 10.6.8 might also improve graphic performance on your Mac?
Bill Fox over at MacsOnly.com ran benchmarks on both a Mac Pro and a MacBook Pro. What he found was that the "newer graphics drivers in 10.6.8 not only eliminated any decline in speed from 10.6.5 through 10.6.7 but showed significantly improved OpenGL performance in Xbench and the game Halo for the ATI Radeon HD 5870 card" in the Mac Pro. His benchmarks also showed improved performance, although not as dramatic, with the Nvidia GeForce 320M graphics processor in the MacBook Pro.
We'd love to hear from any iMac, MacBook, MacBook Air or Mac mini owners who are able to run the same benchmarks on their favorite computers before and after 10.6.8. Leave your results in the comments for other TUAW readers to see.
Mac OS X 10.6.8 benchmark reveals graphic speed improvement originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple files patent lawsuit against Samsung in South Korea
Apple has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Samsung in the manufacturer's home country of South Korea. This round of litigation is a response to an earlier patent infringement case Samsung filed against Apple in South Korea, Germany and Japan. It's also part of a longer volley of lawsuits that started when Apple sued Samsung for trademark and trade dress infringement over its line of Galaxy smartphones and tablets.
Despite their close manufacturing relationship, the two tech companies are embroiled in a complex legal battle both here in the United States and overseas. Last week, Apple's legal team claimed they were in talks with Samsung about these various cases, but Samsung denied this report.
The companies have not reached any settlement agreement, and the patent infringement cases are slowly moving through the legal systems in their respective countries. Samsung was recently handed a blow in the US when a judge denied its request to see the iPad 3 and the iPhone 5.
Apple files patent lawsuit against Samsung in South Korea originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - DOJ gives Apple the green light to bid on Nortel patents
One by one, companies are getting the green light from the Department of Justice to bid on over 6,000 patents being auctioned off as part of Nortel's bankruptcy. Google received approval earlier this week, and Apple is supposedly next.
Nortel is auctioning off its patents on June 27. Google has already bid US$900 million and will receive this treasure trove of intellectual property unless a competing bid is entered by another company, like Apple. Nortel's attorney has not released the names of any additional bidders and will remain silent until it picks a winner in the next few weeks.
Despite the high price and regulatory hurdles, companies like Apple, Google and Microsoft are actively pursuing these patents. It's not very often that such a large number of wireless and networking patents become available at one time. The company that walks away with the lion's share of this property will have a robust arsenal to both initiate and defend itself in patent infringement cases.
DOJ gives Apple the green light to bid on Nortel patents originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Does iOS 5 reveal a new iPod touch? (updated)
UPDATE: It would appear in our haste to check this, and with Erica's technical difficulties with her primary Mac, the 5.0 file was opened twice. A cross check with the 4.3.3 file indicates no such model (iPod4,2). Of course, this still doesn't mean there's a new iPod touch coming, but the evidence we thought we had to show that the supposed 'new' model was actually old is no longer valid. We regret the error. - Ed.
Early this AM, our beloved leader Victor Agreda summoned me to the bat phone -- or at least the bat virtual office -- to confirm whether or not today's iFans spotting of "iPod4,2" in 5.0 firmware points to a new device.
So, I did what any other exhausted mother-of-three would do while making breakfast for the crew and getting them ready for camp. I cracked open an iPod touch 4.3 firmware to see if this reference predates the 5.0 firmware.
It does. Here's the 4.3 version of that file with the same iPod4,2 reference.
So, what does this mean? Sorry, but not much. Apple has had unreleased alternative models mentioned in its firmware for a while now. There was an iPod2,2 model for example that never saw the light of day.
Will there be an iPod 5 this fall? I haven't a clue. I think Chris and Rich hashed out the question quite thoroughly a short while back, and I leave that discussion to them.
As for me? I need to go back and take a nap -- and I would if my hard drive didn't seem to be failing. Oh well, off to try to get that fixed.
Does iOS 5 reveal a new iPod touch? (updated) originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - AT&T iPad hacker pleads guilty to stealing data
Daniel Spitler is facing up to 10 years in prison for his role in the theft of personal information from iPad 3G users on AT&T. Spitler was one of the men responsible for writing the iPad 3G Account Slurper that parsed the SIM card numbers of AT&T iPad 3G owners and used them to retrieve email addresses from the carrier's website.
The men, Daniel Spitler and Andrew Auernheimer, were part of the hacker group that ended up grabbing over 100,000 records. Spitler pleaded guilty to the two felony charges and, as part of his plea agreement, could see his potential sentence reduced from a maximum of 10 years to as little as 12- to 18-months.
AT&T iPad hacker pleads guilty to stealing data originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - iPad 2, Motorola Xoom, Asus Transformer displays compared, iPad stands out
If you have an iPad, an iPhone or any other handheld device with a screen on it, you'll know how important its screen quality is. We spend hundreds of hours staring at (and touching) those displays; they are the primary means of interaction with our devices. Therefore, it's no wonder that frustrations arise (a poor viewing angle, limited brightness, ambient light reflection, to name a few) when displays don't perform the way we want them to.
Dr. Raymond M. Soneira, President of DisplayMate Technologies, has compiled a very interesting "Tablet Display Technology Shoot-Out" between the iPad 2, Motorola Xoom and Asus Transformer. We've previously covered Dr. Soneria's thoughts on the iPad 2's display, but now he compares it to the competition.
Dr. Soneria's objective test uses the following criteria: screen reflection, color and intensity, brightness and contrast, viewing angle, the display backlight, power consumption and, finally, the running time on the battery.
Each display's performance was summarized and put into a comparison chart. The report concludes that the iPad 2's display is the clear winner in all categories. The Asus Transformer comes in at a solid second (which is impressive, as it costs US$100 less than the iPad 2), and finally, the Motorola Xoom arrives as a "distant third."
Interestingly, the report also looks head-on at some of the rumors surrounding next generation displays in tablets. Most notably, the report dismisses the likelihood of a quadrupled resolution of 2048x1536 in the next generation iPad as well as detailing what an iPad Retina Display, similar to that found in the iPhone 4, would likely look like.
Dr. Soneira says, "...to make the iPad 3 a Retina Display does not require the same pixels per inch (ppi) as the iPhone 4 Retina Display because it is typically held much further away from the eye, whose visual sharpness is based on angular rather than linear resolution. The iPad is typically held 15-18 inches away as opposed to the iPhone 4's 12-15 inches. As a result, to meet the 300 ppi Retina Display specification made by Steve Jobs at WWDC for the iPhone 4, an iPad Retina Display would need only 240 ppi. So an iPad Retina Display could start anywhere above 1862x1397 pixels. That is still a major overkill that carries a significant performance and cost penalty - so it would be primarily a marketing ploy."
The full article can be found here, and it's definitely worth a read.
iPad 2, Motorola Xoom, Asus Transformer displays compared, iPad stands out originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Conan O'Brien blasts Final Cut Pro X
Apple released Final Cut Pro X this week. Despite the price drop, many users were disappointed with this version, and others were downright upset. Heck, even host Conan O'Brien blasted the software on his late-night TV show.
Conan notes that this update is "so different," that editors are having trouble adjusting. He then shows a parody video that his team assembled using the new version of Final Cut. Hilarity ensues (depending on your perspective).
When a late-night talk show parodies high-end video editing software that most of its audience does not use, said software is either really, really good or ... well, you know.
[Via 9to5]
Conan O'Brien blasts Final Cut Pro X originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - The iCloud logo and the golden ratio
Apple's commitment to thoughtful design is legendary, and here's another example. The iCloud logo uses the golden ratio.
In short, the golden ratio is an irrational mathematical constant that often occurs in nature. When applied to design, the results are considered aesthetically pleasing. Artists have been using it for centuries, including Leonardo da Vinci and Salvador Dali.
Takamasa Matsumoto of Design Archive considered the iCloud logo's irregular shape, and took some measurements. He found that the golden ratio was represented by the cloud's inner "circles" as well as the cloud as a whole.
Well done, Apple.
[Via Business Insider]
The iCloud logo and the golden ratio originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - TUAW's Daily iPhone App: Haunted Manor: Lord of Mirrors
We've posted about Big Fish Games before. It's a casual gaming company that has produced a ton of titles for the PC already, and it's in the process of both bringing those over to iOS and creating an original library of titles for Apple's mobile devices. This weekend, Big Fish is having a sale on the App Store, with nearly all of its titles dropping down to just 99 cents on the iPhone and US$1.99 on the iPad.
So now's the time to pick any of these up if you haven't yet. If you're not sure which one to get, Haunted Manor is a good choice. Like a lot of the games, it's sort of a puzzle/adventure title, using casual interactions like hidden item and mix and match puzzles to move through a very well-rendered environment.
The game's never too tough, but if you get stuck, there's a forgiving hint system to help push you along. Game Center integration is a nice bonus as well. If you haven't heard of these games or haven't wanted to jump in and try them just yet, here's your chance.
TUAW's Daily iPhone App: Haunted Manor: Lord of Mirrors originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Final Cut Pro X video tutorials available
The reviews of Final Cut Pro X (US$299.99) are mixed, but the latest incarnation of Apple's Pro video editing app is here for better or worse. For those video wonks who would like to get up to speed quickly on the new product, MacProVideo.com now has a complete set of Final Cut Pro X tutorials available for sale.
The tutorials are the brainchild of Michael Wohl, noted as one of the original designers of Final Cut Pro. Each of the tutorials, with the exception of the free Final Cut Pro X: Overview and Quick Start Guide, cost $19.50 each. Alternatively, potential trainees can subscribe to the complete library of tutorials for $25 per month.
There are eight titles in the MacProVideo tutorial series, ranging from the initial overview through ingestion and organization of video, editing, titles, effects, compositing and exporting and sharing videos.
Final Cut Pro X video tutorials available originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - iCade, the almost-ultimate gaming accessory for your iPad
I've been playtesting the iCade for a few weeks now to see how it holds up under "real world" use. The iCade began as a joke product on ThinkGeek's website but was then produced by ION Audio as a real, working arcade cabinet for the iPad. Using Bluetooth to connect to your iPad, the iCade provides a very realistic arcade feel. There are, unfortunately, some major drawbacks. Read on for a full rundown of the hardware and software used to simulate those days of yore, when buttons were meant to withstand hours of abuse and time playing was measured in quarters, not $0.99 increments.
Hardware assembly and qualityFirst, you'll have to assemble the iCade. While not complex, I found the little plastic grommets used to hold the back panel in place could split if overtightened, so watch out for that. The materials used in the iCade are all quite good, really. It's plywood and plastic, yes, but so were arcade cabinets in the 80s. The joystick and buttons feel like they came from a professional supply that you'd find on a decent MAME cabinet. One thing that bothered me was that in every review I'm seeing different art on the cabinet. Personally I'd like to choose a specific pattern, but it doesn't appear to be possible. The picture at ThinkGeek has the coolest artwork, but that's not on the demo unit we received. Go figure.
Power for the iCade is provided by a couple of AA batteries, but if you purchase a power supply, you'll be able to plug the thing in. I found the batteries lasted through several hours of gaming, so unless you use this daily, I doubt you'll need to plug yet another device into the wall.
Speaking of power, while there is a place to "dock" the iPad, it is not a dock with pins. It's simply a plastic molded bracket that holds your iPad in place. While this works OK, I wound up adding a couple of pieces of sponge packing material to the sides of the iPad, effectively wedging the iPad securely into the iCade. As we wound up moving the iCade around among players, this was helpful in securing it. The iCade features rubber feet (self-adhesive, included in the box), keeping the unit pretty stable. But if your kids get aggressive with it, the iPad can move around a bit in the plastic dock.
There's a top panel that rotates out of the way, covering the iPad and finishing the look. The top panel also includes a handy reference for the button mapping (sort of -- more in a moment on this) and how to get started. The information is really just about getting started, so I guess the only use is if you sell this in a garage sale. The buttons are actually numbers (and the joystick can input numbers), used to pair your iPad with the iCade. Honestly, this is clunky at best, and most of those buttons aren't really used in the games for the iCade. But as I said, the buttons and joystick are excellent quality, and I'm not sure what else ION could have done here other than adding another costly component like a numeric keypad.
One nice touch: when the iCade is powered up and ready to go, the place where you would normally insert a quarter lights up. You can see this in the gallery.
Hardware playabilityIf you're worried about lag from Bluetooth, rest assured you'll never notice with the iCade. Given the only compatible games are from decades ago, you won't be too worried about any lag. In all of my testing it was never an issue.
The buttons and joystick are very high quality. The entire panel comes as one piece, professionally assembled elsewhere, and I feel like the unit will stand up to years of button mashing abuse. The joystick has a metal stick and red plastic ball, just like a real joystick.
The only problem with the buttons? There are too many. Given the fact that the games supported by the iCade thus far are limited to a bunch of Atari 2600 games and a few of the arcade games (much more on this in a moment), once you enter the Bluetooth pairing code, they wind up getting in the way. Sure, you can do a few things, like switch to black and white and whatnot, but that's not really helpful. There are no instructions on how each set of buttons matches up to games, either, so it often becomes a trial and error process to find out what works. Typically the rightmost, lower white button is your main action button. But even the joystick can have a slight learning curve, as I discovered with Asteroids.
Software compatibilityAs other reviews have pointed out, the faux-wood and black plastic elephant in the room would have to be that the iCade only supports one app. Atari's Greatest Hits is certainly a serviceable retro gaming app, complete with a number of 2600 and arcade games, but the iCade seems like overkill for such an outing.
Compounding the problem is that the iCade really only fully supports the 2600 games. Which begs the question, why not just make a real Bluetooth 2600 joystick? It'd be cheaper, more accurate and unquestionably perfect for the job. Some Atari arcade games are supported, whereas others are comically impossible to play -- mostly the ones that rely upon landscape view!
Don't get me wrong, my kids had a great time playing Centipede, Millipede, even Adventure, but we have Adventure on one of those cheapo "plug into your TV" controllers that is almost exactly like an old Atari controller (except for the weight, thanks to a 9-volt battery inside). That thing does a great job, whereas the iCade can be a little confusing with all the extra buttons.
If the iCade supports more games in the future, it'll be one of the best accessories out there and possibly the coolest accessory for gaming. For right now, you'd have to be a pretty huge Atari fan to justify the US$99.99 price at ThinkGeek, not to mention the constant cycle of backorders.
That said, the fact that this thing keeps going into backorder means some people are really digging it. I will agree that some games, like Centipede, Crystal Castles, Battle Zone, Tempest and a handful of others are really fun on the iCade. Since you can buy all the games for the Atari app for less than $20, once you break down the cost, you're looking at about $6 per "great" game you can play. The rest are just sorta OK. I mean, do you need an arcade interface to play Basic Math? Considering that price is still cheaper than trying to maintain a real Atari 2600 (I have known people who do this) and find thrift store cartridges, it's a question of how much you're into retro gaming.
Final thoughtsIf you are looking for a great gift for a retro gamer, or just nostalgic nerds in their 30s (like me), the iCade will wow someone. If you're looking for a MAME cabinet or something similar, you'll be disappointed. I can't say enough good things about the hardware on the iCade -- it is built well and it's clear it'll stand up to heavy use. Even at just a penny under a hundred bucks it's not a bad price for the quality. But you'll have to determine whether or not you can suffer the limited software catalog to justify owning one. In my case, there are probably other ways to burn my cash, be it on the App Store or on a more versatile accessory like the Fling.
iCade, the almost-ultimate gaming accessory for your iPad originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Philips introduces AirPlay speakers, Engadget goes hands-on
No, those units you see above aren't cannons -- they're speakers, released by Philips and branded as the Fidelio SoundSphere DS9800Ws, according to our buddies at Engadget who got to see a version of the speakers wirelessly playing through the AirPlay hookup. Like most great speakers with lots of bells and whistles, however, these aren't cheap. The full size models will run US$800 for the pair, with the smaller models running $400.
Want something a little more affordable? The AD7000W models run (only?) $230. All of the speakers will be out in time for the holiday later on this year, and for more on how well they work, you can check out the video on Engadget.
For my money, a nice headset will probably be cheaper than these speakers and provide sound that's just as solid. If you want some sweet AirPlay functionality to show off to house guests, that's one thing, but if you just want to listen to 16-bit music files, why spend all that money?
Philips introduces AirPlay speakers, Engadget goes hands-on originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - NBC's iPad app doesn't support full episodes
Well, this is baffling. NBC released a free iPad app today that features clips of popular shows, photo galleries, games, trivia and schedules. Users can create a custom "my feeds" dashboard for keeping track of their favorite NBC programming.
What users can't do is watch full episodes of NBC shows. So why would you want this app?
NBC execs apparently don't realize that they aren't competing with ABC and FOX in the iOS space, they're competing with Angry Birds. A recent Flurry study noted that an average of 22 million people per day look at iOS apps. That's greater than NBC's own Monday Night Football audience and just shy of American Idol's typical pull.
You can grab the app here if you're into not watching NBC shows on your iPad. You know, between games of Angry Birds.
NBC's iPad app doesn't support full episodes originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Music video created with iPad Brushes app
This video for the song named "Undivided" by the band Blush is intriguing. First of all, because it's a pretty solid pop song (with, as far as I can tell, a rare safe-for-work appearance by Snoop Dogg himself). Second, because the simple but beautiful animation was entirely created by animator Shawn Harris on his iPad using the Brushes app.
It's very well done. You can tell that many of the parts are strictly done with finger painting, but he's also got some interesting photo editing effects, too. There's a "making of" video to watch as well that goes through some of the techniques used by Harris. Surprisingly, it was all done in the app -- he simply recorded each brushstroke as a frame of video, and used Brushes' own tools to output the final product. Good stuff!
[via Gizmodo]
Music video created with iPad Brushes app originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - ITC delays Kodak vs. Apple and RIM decision
The ITC has announced on Thursday that a decision on RIM vs. Apple and Kodak will be delayed [PDF] by one week. It's a bit of a surprise, especially this late in the day, as ITC was supposed to make a decision today. There's no clear reason for the postponement that we could find, but FOSS Patents suggests, "This could either be due to a delay on the ITC's part or a way for the ITC to give the parties more time to negotiate a settlement."
You'll remember that Kodak sued both Apple and RIM, focusing mainly a patent broadly described as an "image-preview feature in camera phones." Kodak CEO Antonio Perez told Bloomberg that the company is seeking US$1 billion.
ITC delays Kodak vs. Apple and RIM decision originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Pay through your iPhone camera with card.io
Using your credit card to pay for products or services through apps can be a pain, particularly if you need to type in that 16-digit card number and a three-digit security code on a virtual keyboard. A new startup, card.io, wants to make paying for something as easy as taking a picture with your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.
Card.io uses the built-in camera in these devices to literally take a photo of the credit card you wish to use for payment. After capturing an image of the card, card.io encrypts the information, and it is passed on to the vendor for payment. At no point is the card number actually saved on the device.
The company has an API available for iOS developers and wants to target e-commerce, ticketing and travel apps among others. The video below shows a quick demo of card.io in action.
API is available today for iOS app developers
card.io Aims to Change the Way Consumers Pay With Credit Cards, Launches Mobile Commerce SDK for iOS Developers
Visual swipe technology makes mobile commerce fast and easy
San Francisco, Calif. - June 23, 2011 - card.io, a start-up founded by two former AdMob employees, Mike Mettler and Josh Bleecher Snyder, today announced a $1M seed round of funding from a hotlist of angel investors and the launch of a private beta program for mobile developers who want to integrate a fast, easy and secure mobile commerce experience into their applications.
Unlike mobile advertising, mobile commerce has yet to mature despite the efforts of a variety of players including major banks, credit card companies, tech brands, mobile operators and well-heeled startups. Typing in credit card info on a mobile keypad is slow, and most consumers don't have separate hardware to swipe a credit card. Card.io is trying to solve both of these problems: you just hold a credit card up to the phone, and card.io automatically reads the card information using the phone's camera.
Rather than target retailers, card.io is targeting iOS developers in e-commerce, local, ticketing, travel, and daily deal apps with today's private beta launch. card.io is working with MogoTix for event tickets, TaskRabbit for local services, and SamaSource for donations.
"We're betting that, over the long term, software will win out over hardware-dependent payment solutions," said Mike Mettler, co-founder and CEO of card.io. "Because we're software, we can scale and improve more quickly. Also, we can reach every device owner from day one - as long as you have your phone, just point and pay."
"Tons of innovation is already happening at the physical point of sale for in-person transactions. We're doing something different. Mobile checkout for ecommerce needs a rethink. Card.io's software-only service lets developers build mobile checkout right into their app. It turns any smartphone with a camera into a cash register," said angel investor Michael Dearing of Harrison Metal.
Dearing joins other card.io investors such as Jeff Clavier and Charles Hudson of SoftTech VC, Manu Kumar of K9 Ventures, Alok Bhanot (former VP, Risk Technology at PayPal), and Omar Hamoui (CEO/founder of AdMob).
"One of the biggest hurdles to mobile commerce adoption is that users don't want to type lots of information into their phone to make a purchase," said Scott Thorpe at MogoTix. "card.io's software solution is disruptive because it allows consumers to use their phone camera to pay with a credit card, with no need for extra hardware. This improves our purchase conversion and thus increases revenue."
App developers interested in more information about card.io's solution can sign up from the website at http://card.io or email beta@card.io.
About card.io:
Located in San Francisco, card.io aims to change the way you purchase on your mobile device. You can follow us on Twitter at @cardio.
# # #Pay through your iPhone camera with card.io originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple releases WWDC 2011 videos
WWDC 2011 session videos are now available in iTunes. These HD videos can be downloaded and viewed for your developing pleasure but require
paidprogram credentials to access.All material in the sessions remains under Apple's confidential information NDA.
Have fun, and we'll see you back in the real world in about, oh say, 300-hours.
Thanks, Joshua Weinberg
Apple releases WWDC 2011 videos originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - WWDC Interview: iPhorex
Neil Ticktin (Editor-in-Chief, MacTech Magazine and MacNews) interviews Christopher Gnanakone of iPhorex at WWDC 2011. Christopher was kind enough to tell us about their thoughts on the announcements on WWDC, and how it will affect their plans moving forward.
TUAW and MacTech Magazine teamed up to speak to developers at WWDC 2011 about the keynote announcements and how Apple's new technologies will help them and their customers. We'll bring you those videos here, MacTech.com and MacNews.com. Also, check out the free trial subscription offer for MacTech Magazine here.
WWDC Interview: iPhorex originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Study finds Macs account for 11% of corporate computers, Windows XP dominates
After 27 years of existence, the Mac may finally be getting some respect in corporations. According to a study by research firm Forrester, Macs have jumped from 9.1% of all computers in enterprises in April, 2010 to 11% in March of 2011. The study looked at 400,000 computers from 2,500 companies that accessed the Forrester.com website.
Why the big leap in acceptance? Forrester's Ben Gray noted that some companies are yielding to pressure from employees who want to use their own machines at work. This trend is referred to as the "consumerization" of the enterprise, and Gray mentioned that "Empowered workers attracted to BYO [bring your own] device programs are quickly coming to expect Mac and iOS support."
There was no mention of the so-called Apple "Halo Effect" being at work, although anecdotal evidence points toward many iPod, iPhone, and iPad users later embracing Macs for work and home. This could be a factor in why workers are beginning to take their Macs into the workplace.
While Mac OS X use in the enterprise is climbing, Windows XP -- which Microsoft will officially drop support for in April, 2014 -- is still the primary OS in use in big business with close to a 60% share of the installed base. Windows 7 powers about 21% of corporate computers, with the remaining share being divided between Linux and Windows Vista.
[via MacWorld UK]
Study finds Macs account for 11% of corporate computers, Windows XP dominates originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Roundup of Kickstarter Apple-related projects for 6/22
For many tech startups, Kickstarter is a great way to raise funding and get off the ground. Each week, TUAW takes a close look at recent Apple-related Kickstarter projects for those of you interested in supporting some entrepreneurs who are eager to build the next big thing. Send us information about your Kickstarter project by using the tips and feedback link at the top of this page, and include the word "Kickstarter" in the subject line.
Infinite Loop Tablet and Smartphone Stand
Of the many Kickstarter projects that I saw over the last few weeks, none was as elegant as the Infinite Loop Tablet and Smartphone Stand.
Not only is the project a play on the location of Apple Headquarters (for now at least) at 1 Infinite Loop in Cupertino, CA, but it's a beautiful idea. The Infinite Loop comes in both MiniLoop (for smartphones) and InfiniteLoop (for tablets and Kindles) sizes, uses suction cups or clips to firmly embrace your device, and can be used in a variety of ways and with many different devices. Want to prop up your iPad on an airplane seat tray? Attach it to a car headrest? The Infinite Loop can accommodate you and then wrap up into a small space.
Tim Gushue's project has about a month to go, and is about 13% of the way towards funding. Pledge US$19 or more and you'll get a $29.95 MiniLoop, and for $35 or more you are pre-ordering the $44.95 InfiniteLoop.
iBamboo Electricity-free Bamboo Speaker for iPhone 4
Apparently there are many Gilligan's Island fans with iPhones, since the iBamboo speaker for iPhone 4 follows the castaway mystique of bamboo construction. Fortunately, it already has sufficient backers to receive funding on July 9, 2011.
If you pledge $25 or more to the project, you can receive one of these lovely and unique au naturel battery-and-plug-free speakers wrapped in a canvas bag. iBamboo is a project that really brings a smile to my face, and I'm tempted to back the project just to have something different and natural on my tech-filled desk.
MyPadLife
Another Kickstarter project that has received funding is MyPadLife. Billed as the most functional iPad case ever, Saad Alam's design was created out of the need to use an iPad and exercise at the same time. He apparently had the same idea as our very own Erica Sadun with her DIY iPad car kit, but he has turned MyPadLife into a full-fledged, well-designed product.
It's made out of a neoprene material with three different straps that are used to attach your iPad to everything from a treadmill to a kitchen cabinet. Pledge $25 to get one of the first MyPadLife cases from Saad, and enjoy the freedom of watching or using your iPad without holding it.
Air Guitar Move for iPhone
Now here's an amazing idea: a motion-sensing guitar pick that works with two included iPhone apps to help you rock out. Air Guitar Move is from a team of designer/developers who created Thumbies (a game controller for iPhone) and the V-Beat music toys.
Air Guitar Move needs a bit of backer love right now. With 17 days to go on Kickstarter (as of this writing), the project is only about 35% of the way towards reaching its funding goal. TUAW readers who are into Guitar Hero, Tap Tap Revenge, and similar air guitar games can get one of the first Air Guitar Move "ultimate picks" by pledging $39.
Red Cup
Does the world need another social networking app? The guys behind Red Cup think so. The idea of the app is to be a location-based app for introducing yourself to others who are at the same venue.
Red Cup is a project not only in search of backers, but in search of developers. The four guys on the Red Cup team consist of three law students and one PhD candidate, none of whom are developers. The team's project video is well done, but vague. When they talk about about wanting their backers to "have a say in how the app works," this tells me that these guys have an interesting idea, but little knowledge of how the app development process works.
Guys: come up with an idea (you've done that), develop requirements, produce many mockups, refine, refine, refine, and then approach the Kickstarter table for money. Obviously the Kickstarter community agrees with me on this one; Red Cup currently has $760 pledged out of $15,000 required with 12 days to go. Oh, and guys? It's going to take a lot more than $15,000 just for infrastructure to run this social network.
Impactband for iPod touch 4G
While this isn't really a Kickstarter project, it's the brainchild of Matt Geyster of BaseoneLabs, whose Rustic Case (funded and in production) and Artistree Stylus (still seeking funding) projects have both been featured in previous roundups.
Matt realized that while there are a lot of cases for iPhones and iPod touches, there was nothing similar to Apple's own iPhone 4 bumpers for the iPod touch, so he thought up the Impactband for the 4th generation iPod touch.
If you've seen the videos on the BaseoneLabs site, you know that these bands do a wonderful job of protecting iPhones. Matt asked me to throw his iPod touch around just to give it a try -- I finally did despite fears that I was going to be sending back a cracked and scratched device. Even after flat drops onto concrete and stone and light tosses into the air, the iPod touch worked like a champ and had nary a scratch.
What you see above is a pre-production version of the Impactband. I like the feel of the material -- kind of "grippy" -- and there's just enough of a lip around the front and back of the device to keep them from damage in the case of a flat drop. The Impactband for iPod touch 4G sells for $29.99 and is expected to ship in a few weeks.
SnapStylus
We have a winner! One of my biggest gripes with any iPad stylus -- other than the fact that I think it's unnecessary -- is that they're easy to lose. Jack Malone came up with the idea of the SnapStylus, a prefabricated stylus outfitted with magnets so that it sticks to iPads.
An iPad 2 isn't required; the SnapStylus works with the original iPad and will also snap onto your official Apple Smart Cover. With 17 days to go, the SnapStylus is ready for launch with almost double the required backing. If TUAW readers back the project with $10, they'll get a SnapStylus when it ships in the near future.
The Finger
Sometimes a Kickstarter product looks unappealing from the start, and that's the nicest description I can give to The Finger. Comments in the TUAW newsroom ranged from "uuuughhg" to "it looks like the T-1000's spearfinger" or "Voldemort's wand."
It's supposed to be a dual-ended iPad stylus. The original color (above) was kind of a brownish-black, but (as one commenter noted to inventors Kyle Scheele and Shawn Matthews) "You might want to consider other colors so it looks more fun and less like a hard turd whittled to a point." They've now thrown bile green, blood red, and a sickly purple-blue into the mix.
Kyle and Shawn note on Kickstarter that The Finger "started as a joke," and it looks like it will end as one, since they have only raised $914 out of $50,000 needed with just 15 days to go.
Creepy. That one's going to give me nightmares for a week. Of course, this digital representation of TUAW's Mike Rose (courtesy of MakerBot) was enough to give me the willies:
Let's end on a more pleasant note, shall we?
Swoop the Owl - Mobile Plush for iPhone and iPod touch
Swoop the Owl is a clever idea that combines a personalized plush owl with an iPhone or iPod touch. Why would you want to do that? If you like to sleep while listening to music on your iPod touch, or if you have kids who are constantly misplacing the overpriced toy, just stuff it (or an iPhone) into the clear plastic "belly" of Swoop, and your problem is solved.
Unfortunately for kids of every age, Swoop doesn't look like he'll make it out of fledgling mode without the help of a lot of backers. With 17 days to go, Jim McGaw's project has only $1,415 pledged out of a total of $7,500 required to start production.
I think we need to start a "Save Swoop the Owl" campaign!
Roundup of Kickstarter Apple-related projects for 6/22 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Mac OS X 10.6.8 now available for your downloading pleasure
It may be the last Snow Leopard to prowl the snowy hills of Mac-land, but Mac OS X 10.6.8 has just arrived in Software Update.
According to MacUpdate, the release notes are as follows:
The 10.6.8 update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Snow Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac, including fixes that:
Enhance the Mac App Store to get your Mac ready to upgrade to Mac OS X Lion
Resolve an issue that may cause Preview to unexpectedly quit
Improve support for IPv6
Improve VPN reliability
Identify and remove known variants of Mac DefenderThe combo updater for 10.6.8 is available directly from Apple and measures 1.01 GB in size. For my 10.6.7 iMac, the delta updater was only 275 MB and quickly downloaded.
For detailed information about the update, visit http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4561. Information about the security content of 10.6.8 can be found at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222.
Mac OS X 10.6.8 now available for your downloading pleasure originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Hands on with BubCap: The Home button cover for iDevices
Recently, Rob Mitchell of Paperclip Robot asked me to try out a new product called BubCap. It's a sticker you place onto your iPhone, iPod or iPad that covers the Home Button, making it harder to click. It's available in three levels of rigidity and does the job well.
Why would you want to do this? There are several compelling use-cases. For example, Paperclip Robot sells many BubCaps to parents who want to prevent toddlers from exiting a certain app and wandering over to Daddy's email account or Mommy's home finance program. The covering material is stiff enough to limit toddler access without hindering adult use.
This isn't a solution for unmanned installations -- you'd want to use a more permanent, lockable device as a theft deterrent -- but the BubCaps are handy for other situations, like classroom or boardroom demos or when paired with assistive software for the disabled.
TUAW tried three solution levels: regular, ultra and max. These are in ascending levels of rigidity. Of these, the regular level most closely approximates the Home Button's native feel. I'd leave that one in place between toddler sessions.
The ultra and max levels made it really hard to hit that Home Key. That's exactly what you want -- a significant challenge for smart-alecks who would get cute with your demos, or someone whose physical development may outpace their wisdom.
The difference between ultra and max is that the max version adds extra rigidity. This makes it a particularly good match to the iPad. The iPad's Home Button well is shallower than the ones on the iPhone and iPod touch, making it easier to press.
The BubCap should prevent most people from clicking the Home Button deliberately or accidentally, which is the entire point of using it.
Each BubCap is a separate sticker. They sell in 4-packs for US$5. In my admittedly limited testing, I found that the caps were easy to apply, came off without leaving residue and were nicely re-usable. Mitchell tells me that the caps can become slightly more sticky over time, but that any residue can be easily wiped off with a cloth.
Hands on with BubCap: The Home button cover for iDevices originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - TUAW's Daily Mac App: AppCleaner
Last week on the Daily Mac App we featured the infamous uninstaller AppZapper. Today we've got a fully-featured free alternative, AppCleaner.
Available from FreeMacSoft, the freeware (donations accepted) AppCleaner does what it says on the tin. Just like AppZapper, you can drag-and-drop the offending application onto AppCleaner to locate and delete all the associated files. Alternatively you can hit the Applications, Widgets or Others tabs to find and delete things directly from AppCleaner. "Others" thankfully includes Preference Panes, so you can get rid of any unwanted additions to your System Preferences with ease.
So far so good, it does exactly what AppZapper does, but it's free. AppCleaner does have one unique feature, however, and that's "SmartDelete." An option in the preferences, SmartDelete allows you to carry on deleting apps the way Apple intended by just sending them to the trash, but with the added benefit of trashing all the associated files automatically. While SmartDelete is running, AppCleaner is supposed to detect that you've trashed an app and offer to find the associated files for you. I couldn't get it to work, but free's free right?
If you want to get rid of some applications you've installed but never use, AppCleaner does the job fine. It may not be the most comprehensive Mac cleaning app out there, but as uninstallers go, AppCleaner is free and works great.
Perhaps with Lion landing soon, now is the time to start clearing out the cobwebs and get your Mac ready for the shiny new OS X 10.7.Thanks to brijazz for the suggestion.
Continue reading TUAW's Daily Mac App: AppCleaner
TUAW's Daily Mac App: AppCleaner originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Video App Demo: ToDone
We've covered our share of productivity apps, from the simple to the complex, and ToDone tends towards the simple. As a "to do" app for the iPhone and iPod touch, it offers all the nice things you'd want: a clean interface, simple method of data entry and a history of previous items. Sujal Shah will show you the app in action in the video below*. By the way, ToDone is free in the App Store!
*We've had some commenters ask about the use of Flash on these videos. We are using Brightcove, which defaults to Flash on the Mac, but on iOS will fall back to H.264 for playback. You will see this on your Mac if you block Flash or don't have it installed. - Ed.
Video App Demo: ToDone originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - iOS 5 legal disclaimer lists new third-party mapping companies
A recent discovery in the legal disclaimer section of iOS 5 suggests Apple may be looking beyond Google Maps in future versions of the mobile OS. The legal section references a variety of mapping companies in its map data section, including CoreLogic, Getchee, Localeze and Urban Mapping. Most of these new services provide local point-of-interest information, demographics and traffic data. One notable company also included on this list is Tom Tom whose name needs no explanation.
Despite this discovery, Google Maps is still in the game for the time being. It has a long history with the iPhone and appears front and center in iOS 5. Eric Schmidt also recently confirmed Apple has extended its mapping agreement with the search giant.
Apple is still relying on Google Maps, but there is little doubt it is working on its own solution. In the past several years, Apple has bought two mapping companies: Placebase and Poly9. It has also hired engineers with navigation and mapping experience to join its iOS development team.
Coupled with earlier rumors, these latest legal disclaimer references suggest a Google Maps companion and perhaps even a replacement is in the works.
iOS 5 legal disclaimer lists new third-party mapping companies originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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