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- Mariner Software celebrates 21st anniversary, gives you 50% off desktop products
Minneapolis-based Mariner Software is celebrating its 21st anniversary in the software business, and is offering customers 50% off on all desktop software products for a limited time as an anniversary "present."
Mariner has been a fixture in the Mac OS software world, particularly with creative writing apps like StoryMill, Contour (a script development app), and Montage (for writing screenplays). They also branched into the productivity market with the Mariner Calc spreadsheet app and Mariner Write word processor, and also have gained success with Paperless (digital document management) and MacGourmet Deluxe (recipe management). One of the first Mariner apps I used was MacJournal, which is a wonderful piece of software for keeping a personal life journal.
Although they won't be part of the anniversary discount, Mariner has some mobile offspring these days, including versions of MacJournal and Mariner Calc for iPhone and iPad.
The anniversary celebration goes on through midnight (CDT) July 6th, and is only for non-upgrade versions of the desktop applications purchased through the Mariner eStore -- those Mariner apps that are in the Mac App Store are not eligible for the disount. To get the 50% discount, just use the promo code HB21 when checking out.
From all of us here at TUAW to the folks at Mariner Software, a very happy anniversary!
Mariner Software celebrates 21st anniversary, gives you 50% off desktop products originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Analyst: the cheap iPhone will be a free 3GS
Analysts really want Apple to enter the low-price smartphone market. So much so, they can't stop talking about this rumored cheap model. The latest analyst to chime in on this topic is Mike Abramsky of RBC Capital. He predicts Apple will release a cheap iPhone model when the iPhone 5 debuts. It won't be a new model, though. Instead, he expects the iPhone 3GS to be offered for free. Apple will also drop the price on the iPhone 4 to US$99, says Abramsky.
Earlier this week, Deutsche Bank analyst Chris Whitmore kicked off this rumor again when he proposed the idea of a mid-range iPhone 4S that will launch along with the iPhone 5. Toni Sacconaghi of Sanford Bernstein also called for Apple to release a lower priced iPhone, but did not mention an iPhone 4S. Keith Bachman of BMO threw a monkey wrench into everyone's predictions by dismissing the idea of a cheap iPhone and predicting a single, full-featured model - the iPhone 4S.
Analyst: the cheap iPhone will be a free 3GS originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Samsung files ITC complaint against Apple
Samsung and Apple's legal battle over trademark and patent infringement continues to heat up. The latest salvo was fired by Samsung which lodged a complaint with the ITC asking for a ban on the import of the iPhone, iPad and iPod. The court has up to 18 months to make a decision on this request. Apple has yet to file an ITC complaint, but it is likely to do so after this move by Samsung.
The bigger question is not about trade dress and infringement, but the weakening relationship between Samsung and Apple. Are the two companies headed for a separation or will they stay manufacturing BFFs throughout this legal skirmish?
Samsung files ITC complaint against Apple originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - The iPhone on its Fourth Anniversary
Most would agree the iPhone was a game-changer when it launched in the U.S. on June 29, 2007 -- four years ago today. The iPhone was officially unveiled by Steve Jobs at Macworld earlier that year and Apple fans were eagerly awaiting the day when they could finally get their hands on the device. Stores shut down at 2:00 pm and customers begin lining up in droves for the 6:00 pm launch. Just like the iPhone 4 launch, there were happy customers, clapping Apple employees and sold out inventory.
Apple activated 146,000 iPhones in the first weekend of sales, a staggering number for back then. Most people grabbed the 8 GB model ($599), a situation that likely led Apple to discontinue the 4 GB model in September 2007. Apple also slashed the price of 8 GB iPhone price and caused an uproar among the early adopter crowd.
The iPhone skyrocketed to the top of the smartphone market because it was radically different from its competition. At that time, some of the top smartphones in the U.S. market were the Treo 755P (a Palm OS champ for CMDA carriers), the BlackBerry Curve 8300 and the Windows Mobile-powered HTC 8925 (TyTN). It was a market dominated by QWERTY keyboards, trackballs and small touchscreens that needed a stylus. User interfaces were clunky and hardware design focused on the keyboard, not the entire phone. BlackBerry and Windows Mobile ruled the market and Palm was beginning its slow descent. This is the world Apple entered four years ago.
The original iPhone was radical. It had a full touchscreen that you could use with your fat fingers. With no stylus or trackball, users simply touched icons on its screen. After years of tiny menus and small X buttons in the top corner, the iPhone offered a UI with large, lovely icons and a simple menu system. A touch-based, finger-friendly interface is standard now, but it was groundbreaking in 2007.
The iPhone had a web browser that beat any competitor on the market and robust multimedia functions that made music and photo fans drool. Previous smartphones like the Curve and the TyTN focused on PIM connectivity. It was all about email and syncing your contacts and calendar. The iPhone stepped away from that paradigm and focused on the fun stuff -- web browsing, music, photos and video. It did have email and PIM functionality like its competitors, but it did that and more. And yes, it was an EDGE handset and required you to sync via iTunes, but its forward-looking focus was on the internet and multimedia.
From a hardware perspective, the iPhone design was amazing. If you don't believe me, look at other handsets in 2007. Its predecessor, the Motorola Q, tried to redefine thin, but it looked more like a skinny brick than a carefully crafted handset. The HTC and Palm offerings were bland and, quite frankly, all looked alike. Once again, Apple was bold enough to Think Different with the iPhone.The original model had a whopping 3.5-inch display that was gorgeous compared to other smartphones on the market. It had a curved, slick design with just enough weight and balance to feel comfortable in your hand. It had a revolutionary multitouch user interface that used gestures to navigate.
And as a lot of early reviews point out, the iPhone just works. There's no fussing with an SD card and worrying about internal versus external memory. No need to pull the battery to prevent your phone from locking up. The iPhone worked and people loved it. Yes, there were glitches, activation problems and missing features, but overall, the iPhone was the best first generation smartphone to hit the market.
I, sadly, was not part of this early revolution. I lived and continue to live in an area that does not have AT&T service. I have used all the iPhone models, more or less as glorified iPod touches, but never experienced the excitement of getting the first model on the first day. Four years ago today, I clung to my Motorola Q and watched the iPhone launch from afar.But that is me, what about you? Were you there on day one, ready to change the world with the iPhone? Or did you jump in with the 3G, the 3GS or even the iPhone 4 like I did? On the anniversary of its launch, let us know your thoughts on the original iPhone and its legacy in the comments. You can also reminisce by watching some YouTube videos shot during the launch. Enjoy!
The iPhone on its Fourth Anniversary originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - TUAW's Daily iPhone App: Legacy: Mystery Mansion
It's been a while since we've covered a solid match-three game in this space, and Legacy: Mystery Mansion is exactly that. It's similar to Puzzle Quest in that it puts an overarching storyline in the form of a match-three puzzle title, but it's a little tougher than the more casual entries in the genre, putting a hard time limit on each of 25 stages and taking you through recovering missing antiques in a haunted mansion. I was a big fan of Call of Atlantis' match-three mayhem, and Legacy seems very much in that vein, if just a little more difficult.
At any rate, it seems like an excellent match-three puzzler, and at US 99 cents, the price is just right. It'd be nice to have Game Center integration for leaderboards and achievements, but a free zen mode will have to do for now. Legacy: Mystery Mansion is well worth a try for fans of this very traditional puzzle genre.
TUAW's Daily iPhone App: Legacy: Mystery Mansion originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Ommwriter for iPad joins the distraction-free writing fray
The iPad is a writing tool for many. It's something you can pop into a bag, pair with a keyboard and use for composition on-the-go. Most users graduate beyond the Notes app quickly, and that's when a text editor like Ommwriter for iPad (US$4.99) is considered.
Ommwriter was born as a "distraction-free" text editor for the Mac ($4.99 in the Mac App Store). Its unique features -- background image, ethereal music and key-press sound effects -- are also on the iPad app, along with a few others. The app's uniqueness is also polarizing. Many people either love it or can't stand it. The short of my review is this: if you like Ommwriter for the Mac, with its New Age music and bony trees, you'll love it on your iPad. If you don't, the iPad app will grate on your very last nerve. Here are the specifics.UI
Ommwriter for iPad offers a wintry scene at launch. Barren trees stand in a snowy field as snowflakes fall from a grey sky. A musical arrangement of wind chimes, synthesizers and other electronic bits and bobs can be heard, while a cursor blinks in the upper left-hand corner.
This is your new document.
With a Bluetooth keyboard or Apple's iPad Keyboard Dock attached, you're ready to begin typing. Those without a hardware keyboard can use the software keyboard, but it's not what you might expect. It, too, has been "Ommwriter-ified." Tap the "0" at the bottom of the page (that number is a running word count) to summon it forth.
Ommwriter's software keyboard exists in a semi-transparent rectangle with rounded edges and rests on the lower half of the screen (note that the keyboard is only available in the landscape orientation). As you type, three things happen. First, each letter is placed at the cursor, as you'd expect. Each key press also leaves a ghost image on the keyboard itself. A small splotch of dark grey appears at your finger's landing point before fading away over two or three seconds.
Finally, the keyboard itself jiggles with each tap, as if it were made of Jell-O. This behavior is in keeping with the app's overall aesthetic, but I found it distracting.
That's it for the app's looks. Now onto the function.Use
Typing is easy enough, but there are some rough spots. First and foremost is the lack of auto-correct. It's safe to assume that many users will use the software keyboard, as they want the full Ommwriter experience. I typically make the most errors with an on-screen keyboard. In fact, Ommwriter increased the time required to get something written. This is less of a problem with a hardware keyboard (note that key-press sounds are unavailable with a hardware keyboard).
Also, the key-press "ghosting" animation makes the keyboard look muddy once you're typing quickly.
When you're done, you can save your document by tapping the wrench icon on the keyboard's lower left-hand corner to open the preferences window. Tap the second icon from the right (it looks like a sheet of paper) to save it to a list of documents. From there, you can open any document, rename it, duplicate it or share it via email (the default output is .txt; PDF is also available). Finally, you can delete any document from the list.Preferences
Ommwriter for iPad offers decent options for its look and feel. Again, tap the wrench icon to produce the preferences screen. You'll find seven settings: type style, type size, background image, "music," key-press sound effect (including silence), save (as described above) and brightness.
You've got four font styles to choose from, from serifs to script to all lower-case (urgh). There are four font size options, with the largest being nice and legible. There are seven background images available, and all but two are very heavy on dreary greys.
There are seven sound effects options, or eight if you include silence. Three are new-agey type music that's heavy on the synths and chimes. Other options include chirping crickets, a noisy office (rustling papers, footsteps walking about, muffled voices, etc.) and finally... breathing plus a vacuum cleaner.
I've no idea what to make of the last audio track. It starts with the sound of halting breathing, and after a few seconds the unmistakable sound of a vacuum cleaner is heard. It runs for a while and then stops. Next, a heart beat begins, followed by what I can only describe as creature-feature mad scientist laboratory sounds. The breathing is constant throughout. It definitely sets a tone.
As I said at the beginning, fans of Ommwriter for Mac will adore the iPad app. It's less of a distraction-free writing environment and more of a mood-generating text editor. There are many people who like to "set the stage" if you will for a writing endeavor. Ommwriter for iPad succeeds at creating a mood. Others concentrate more effectively with a monotonous noise running in the background; something to filter out nearby real-world distractions, like noisy kids or barking dogs. If that's you, give Ommwriter for iPad a try.
Those of you who like quiet and a no-frills text editor should look elsewhere.Ommwriter for iPad joins the distraction-free writing fray originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple posts Final Cut Pro X FAQ
In what seems to be an attempt to address the widespread controversy over the recent release of Final Cut Pro X, Apple has posted a FAQ on its site to address some of the concerns that have been raised thus far. Designed to answer the biggest questions that professional editors have raised over Final Cut Pro X, Apple has given very few straightforward "no" answers to questions regarding the video production suite's "missing" features.
One of the few "no" answers regards importing projects from Final Cut Pro 7 to Final Cut Pro X. Apple claims the change in product architecture prevents "translating" projects from the old format into the new one. Many other answers either explain how to accomplish tasks that may have confused users accustomed to the old interface.
A fair number of the FAQ's points address questions by saying, "Not yet." As an example, professional editors have been up in arms over Final Cut Pro X's inability to support multicam editing, but Apple says support for this feature is coming "in the next major release." XML exporting will also be offered soon; Apple will release APIs "in the next few weeks" that will allow third-party developers access to the new XML in Final Cut Pro X.
Final Cut Pro X has been one of the most controversial Apple software products in recent memory. It's unclear at this early stage if this FAQ goes far enough in addressing the concerns of the "pro" community to which the suite is supposedly targeted, but it's at least obvious that Apple is aware of users' concerns and working toward addressing some of them in future updates.
Apple posts Final Cut Pro X FAQ originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 05:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple's Q3 2011 financial results call scheduled for July 19
Apple has announced that its Q3 2011 financial results conference call will take place at 5 PM Eastern / 2 PM Pacific on Tuesday, July 19. Apple usually releases its financial results to the public a couple hours before the call itself takes place, and we'll be keeping an eye out for that when it happens. We will also likely be liveblogging when the call takes place and relay any insights that we get from the call.
Apple's Q3 2011 financial results call scheduled for July 19 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 04:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Evidence of XML importer found within Final Cut Pro X
There's been a lot of hemming and hawing about Final Cut Pro X since its release. But now here's at least a little good news: a reference to XML importing has been spotted inside the software by Brazilian site MacMagazine. MacMagazine found the code reference as seen above, and they were able to run the function and get a bare-bones bit of placeholder code for an XML importer.
It looks like Apple either planned to include an XML importer at some point or will be including one in the future. Apple's already promised an update to the XML workflow, so maybe this was implemented but then reserved for a future revamp.
This shows that someone at Apple is thinking about these issues, both during the development of Final Cut Pro X and today. That's probably not a lot of solace to editors who still have issues with the new software, but hopefully Apple will justify all of the changes soon, either with updates to the app that restore functionality, or by introducing replacements for any workflow problems editors are having.
[via MacRumors]
Evidence of XML importer found within Final Cut Pro X originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Video App Demo: Plane Finder
Plane Finder, made by Pinkfroot, is a cool tool for live tracking of planes. There's a free version to check out, or you can pick up the iPhone version for US$4.99, and the iPad version for $7.99. If boats are more your speed, Pinkfroot has released an app called Ship Finder, too. All of these are available for Android as well. Take a look at the demo below to see how Plane Finder works.
Video App Demo: Plane Finder originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Google+ design credited to original Macintosh team member Andy Hertzfeld
You may have heard about Google+, the hot new sharing product from Google that went official today, and it sounds cool (sounds cool, but remember how cool Wave and Buzz sounded? Let's just say we're reserving excitement so far). But one exciting thing about the new project is how cool and smooth it looks, and TechCrunch has noted the reason for that look, based on Steven Levy's reporting: it's designed in part by Andy Hertzfeld, one of the members of the original Macintosh team back in the 1980s.
Hertzfeld now works for Google, and supposedly he was let free to exercise his creative influence as he liked on the new Google+ system, creating something for the folks in Mountain View that looks like it might have come from the early days of the Cupertino company.
Hertzfeld even credits some of his influence at Google to Apple's own resurgence lately, saying that Apple's sky-high relevance in the tech and mobile industry may have "had a little bit to do" with his chance to help create Google+.
In other words, when you finally get one of those invites that are starting to float around, and finally log in to the system to see what it is and what it's like, take note of any Macintosh-related influences you might see. Odds are, they're Mr. Hertzfeld's work.
Google+ design credited to original Macintosh team member Andy Hertzfeld originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - WWDC Interview: MacTEK Consulting & Training
Neil Ticktin (Editor-in-Chief, MacTech Magazine and MacNews) interviews Doug Hanley of MacTEK Consulting & Training at WWDC 2011. Doug 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: MacTEK Consulting & Training originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Trimit reads, simplifies, and condenses web content for social networks
Trimit is a new app that promises to automatically summarize text. The idea is this: You enter a URL, trimit ingests the web page you pointed to, and then it spits back a condensed version at the length you specify.
TUAW had a chance to take an early peek at this app, which is due to launch soon on the App Store. So how did it measure up? All in all, I was impressed by its looks, but not by its functionality.
Trimit is visually lovely. But that loveliness has not been designed around a solid user experience. I did eventually get the hang of using the application, but given the number of steps it took to make things happen, I felt that the app would benefit from hiring a usability designer.
Here are the steps you need to take for the most common use case:
- In Safari, find a URL you want to work with and copy it to the system clipboard. The application does not offer a built-in web browser.
- Tap the link button (it's in the center of the screen, one icon over from the left, looks like a two-link chain).
- Paste the URL into the "import text source from url:" field.
- Tap Go and wait. Trimit extracts the content text from the page.
- Tap on settings. This is the leftmost icon in the middle of the screen. Once tapped, it becomes a keyboard icon. You'll need to use this after picking your destination.
- Select a destination, like Twitter (which is the top-left of the options). A teeny tiny checkmark appears next to the choice. I could figure out Twitter at a glance, and "f" is probably facebook, but the other options may leave you guessing.
- After tapping on the destination, once again tap on it, but this time tap and hold until the iPhone vibrates. A pop-up appears. Choose whether you want to compress vowels and/or add abbreviations.
- Tap anywhere but on the destination again. (It took me forever to realize you could not dismiss the pop-up by re-tapping.)
- Tap on the keyboard icon to leave the destination settings mode.
- Shake the iPhone strongly. A gentle shake will not do. And *only* shake in the right mode, which seems to be compose mode or something like that, after destination picking. You'll be shaking your arms off otherwise. Honestly, I'm not entirely sure why some massive shakes would work sometimes and others wouldn't.
- Wait for trimit to compress your message.
- If needed, further edit the message by hand (so you can add a bit.ly'd source to the summary, for instance).
- Tap the send button at the top-right corner of the screen. It does not look like a button, just like an arrow, but it is a button. (Other on-screen buttons have shadow effects to show they are tappable buttons that invite interaction.)
- Select how you want to send the message, e.g., "Twitter it" or "Facebook it" (their phrasing). While these items do explain what each icon means, those same explanations should have been on the destination chooser and should follow the same order. They aren't and they don't.
- Enter credentials, authorize the application, and send.
- Tap the keyboard to re-enable the link button.
- Pull down to clear the previous text (otherwise the app will append new material, not replace it) and confirm your deletion.
I love the idea of trimit, but the app itself is a big ol' mess. With this high degree of summarizing, not being able to include a source link is incomprehensible. What's more, people seem to do a much better job of summarizing the cool web pages they just read, whether using a basic tweet test or allowing more lax summaries.
For example, consider this Auntie TUAW post. Most people would tweet it like this: "iOS devices are no replacement for Wacom tablets http://aol.it/jx5AvB" 70 characters or so. How does trimit summarize the same material?
I am looking for an iPad app that allows it 2 function as a graphics tablet, similar 2 something like a Wacom tablet.
No source link, and very little context. Here's another go. Website io9 seemed to like Sunday's True Blood season premiere. What does trimit have to say about their write-up?
Con: Sookie is pized that Jason had the audacity 2 sell her (her grandmother's) house, after she's been mizing for over a year.
Honestly, do you really want to tweet that out? As if you had written it?
I found trimit more concept than execution. I didn't like the "shake to summarize" -- don't build your apps around shake gestures, people -- I wasn't impressed by the summaries, and I found the user interaction crippling.
Trimit is an app that should have soared. It is a great concept, but the app doesn't deliver on execution. Trimit will be available on App Store for US$0.99 (introductory price), moving to $4.99 once the initial sale concludes.
Product Video
Trimit reads, simplifies, and condenses web content for social networks originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - First rule of Facebook: Don't quote Fight Club
Have you heard the story of Joe Lipari? In September 2009, Lipari visited an Apple Store trying to get help for an iPhone issue. He claimed he received no assistance, so he went home and posted to Facebook: "Joe Lipari might walk into an Apple store on Fifth Avenue with an Armalite AR-10 gas powered semi-automatic weapon and pump round after round into one of those smug, fruity little concierges," a paraphrased quote from Fight Club.
You can see where this is headed. One of Lipari's Facebook friends reported him to the police. Instead of a Genius Bar appointment, he wound up with two felony charges along with other charges of making terrorist threats and weapons.
The charges were dropped in February, but New York's Metro has run a profile on Lipari featuring shots of Lipari in the aforementioned Fifth Avenue Apple Store with a smirk and what some might think to be a very accurate headline. Your thoughts?
[Hat tip to Charles Apple]
First rule of Facebook: Don't quote Fight Club originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Software Update: Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 5, Mac OS X 10.5 Update 10
Java for Mac OS X 10.6 has just been updated to Update 5, and a visit to Software Update will bring the latest and greatest version of Java to your Mac. If you're still using Leopard, Java for Mac OS X 10.5 is now at Update 10.
According to the release notes, "Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 5 delivers improved reliability, security, and compatibility for Java SE 6. Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 5 supersedes all previous versions of Java for Mac OS X 10.6." The Snow Leopard release is only for Mac OS X 10.6.6 and later. The Leopard updater is available for Mac OS X 10.5.8 and Mac OS X Server 10.5.8.
The security notes for the updates state that the new version fixes "multiple vulnerabilities in Java 1.6.0_24, the most serious of which may allow an untrusted Java applet to execute arbitrary code outside the Java sandbox." The updaters bump Java to version 1.6.0_26.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4593 has more details about the updates.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222 will be the location for information about the security content of the updates, although that information had not yet been posted by Apple at the time this article was written.You can check out all our software update posts on the right hand side of TUAW.com or on this page.
Software Update: Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 5, Mac OS X 10.5 Update 10 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Get your YouTube experience organized with VideoHunters
VideoHunters is a very clever iPad app that allows you a good deal of control over how you use YouTube. Of course, YouTube has good search functionality, and at first glance, this app doesn't seem to add much, but VideoHunters goes far deeper and allows you to customize your search, as well as easily share videos with friends.
More compelling, VideoHunters adds a concept of themes to using YouTube. It comes with more than a hundred themes already installed, and you can modify them or create your own. Some example themes include searches, like science and technology, from today that are popular. There are themes for comedy, politics, autos, you name it. The list can be sorted by you, and themes you don't want can be deleted. You also get the usual standbys, like top rated and featured videos. Once a video is playing you can stream via AirPlay. You can save a video to favorites, or share it with friends. Themes can also be sent to other VideoHunters users.
I was easily able to create themes to find some classic old TV shows and some videos on places I plan to travel to this year. YouTube is full of great Photoshop tutorials, so I created a theme for those. Since the themes can be saved, when I started up VideoHunters again, everything was where I left it. The app also contains video tutorials to help you navigate the formidable feature set.
I found using the app mostly intuitive, but I had to watch the tutorials to figure out some of the functionality. Two of the app features, a place to save what's called 'My Videos' and 'My Favorites,' require that you establish a free account. I tested version 1.3, which experienced a few crashes. Yesterday the app was updated to 1.4 and, so far, has been quite stable.
If you are a YouTube zealot, this is one of the best ways I've seen to explore and customize your searches. The videos are crisp on the iPad, and the ability to use AirPlay is a plus. For many, this app will be well worth the US$0.99 price. Check the galleries for some screen shots, and as always, your comments are valued.
Get your YouTube experience organized with VideoHunters originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - TUAW's Daily Mac App: iFogg
Apps that help you to focus when using a Mac that's chock-a-block full of distractions can be really helpful. iFogg, a US$0.99 app from the Mac App Store, helps you focus by dimming other windows and leaving only the active window at full brightness.
iFogg sits in your menu bar, like many other programs that do similar tasks, and is active the moment you switch windows. The amount by which the rest of the windows and programs are dimmed is adjustable from full brightness to total black-out using a slider on a drop-down menu. You can also adjust whether the app dims all other windows, just windows from other programs, or just those windows not selected, meaning that you can have two windows from two different programs active at the same time.
Dimmed windows can still be accessed, with drag-and-drop, scrolling and clicking unaffected. iFogg can also be quickly turned on and off from the menu bar icon and supports Spaces just fine.
The odd thing about iFogg is that it'll only cover one monitor, so people with multiple monitors won't benefit from the inactive window dimming. You can also select the dimming overlay in Expose, which shows that it's just putting a colored full-screen window overlay on top of all the rest of the windows that aren't active. Still, it works and is pretty light on resources.
iFogg is available now in the Mac App Store. A demo video is embedded below.
Continue reading TUAW's Daily Mac App: iFogg
TUAW's Daily Mac App: iFogg originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - WWDC Interview: FrogPad
Victor Agreda, Jr. (Editor-in-Chief, The Unofficial Apple Weblog) interviews Linda Marroquin of FrogPad at WWDC 2011. Linda was kind enough to tell us about their thoughts on the announcements on WWDC, and how it will affect their plans moving forward
FrogPad is an intriguing one-handed data entry method, which you can already use with a Magic Trackpad. We'll see if developers utilize it. Meanwhile, the company is hoping to restart manufacturing of physical one-handed keyboards soon.
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: FrogPad originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple's Asia-Pacific profits reportedly soaring
Apple might be growing in the US thanks to brisk sales of the MacBook Air and the expansion of the iPhone 4 to Verizon Wireless, but in Asia-Pacific, the Cupertino company is exploding. Over the past five years, Apple's revenue has climbed from US$14 billion in 2005 to $64 billion in 2010. During that time, international revenue grew a staggering 727%, while US revenue grew 268%. Profit showed a similar trend with Asia-Pacific increasing by a whopping 2,991% in the last five years. US profit also grew, but only at a comparatively small rate of 682%.
This upward trend is expected to continue in the current 2011 fiscal year. Last year, Apple reported $8.25 billion in sales to the Asia-Pacific region. We are half way through this year and Apple has already reached $5 billion in sales. Its sales are expected to quadruple year-over-year, and Apple hasn't even tapped into China's lucrative mobile phone market.
Apple sells the iPhone through China Unicom, which has 170 million subscribers (a number that pales in comparison with 600 million subscribers on China Mobile). Overall, China has over 900 million mobile phone users. If Apple could produce an iPhone for China Mobile and China Telecom, its resulting revenue and profits could go off the charts.
Apple's Asia-Pacific profits reportedly soaring originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - No Comment: Your life in 30-second intervals with Lifelapse
Whenever we get publicity info about a new iPhone app, my personal curmudgeon radar goes to high alert if the app in question is accompanied by a precious and fashionable custom accessory. There's something about that mix of software and paraphernalia that sets my teeth on edge a bit.
That's partly why I'm less than enthused about Lifelapse, the new time-lapse photo app/lifelogging tool launching in the App Store today for US$0.99. The app was created by a team of Dutch developers/students, and the concept is pretty simple: the app takes a picture every 30 seconds, and then combines them into time-lapse videos like the one below (only on the 3GS or iPhone 4, the 3G & original iPhone lack the horsepower to create the video).
Along with the app, however, Lifelapse is selling an adorable 'Lifepouch' neck lanyard into which you may tuck your iPhone, making it easy to keep snapping away while you stroll the streets/beaches/ruins/marketplace of Insert Exotic Locale Here.
Never mind the obvious drawbacks of this plan: reduced battery life, hundreds of pictures you don't want, your friends abandoning you because you look like a complete tool. Here's the biggest problem: you are wearing your iPhone around your neck while you are strolling around Insert Exotic Locale Here, where you will rapidly be identified as both a) a tourist and b) the possessor of more money than sense. How many iPhones will be purloined from around unsuspecting necks before this pouch concept gets canned? The app should warn you on launch to make sure Find My iPhone is activated.
I have no doubt that there are certain times and places where a timelapse travelogue would be a fun and interesting thing to create, and obviously a 99-cent app investment is not a major budgetary concern for most iPhone owners. This particular combination of app and accessory, though, strikes me as the perfect mix of self-absorption and poor environmental awareness -- which is why I'm filing it under No Comment.
Lifelapse video of Lisbon below, illustrating that at least the wearer followed local advice to stay hydrated.
Lifelapse recorded in Lisbon, Portugal from Lifelapse.
No Comment: Your life in 30-second intervals with Lifelapse originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Dear Aunt TUAW: Help convert my iDevice into a graphics tablet
Dear Aunt TUAW,
I am looking for an iPad app that allows it to function as a graphics tablet, similar to something like a Wacom tablet. I have not found anything; are you aware of something that would fill this need?
Your loving nephew,
Joe V.
Dear Joe,
As Auntie recently told another nephew, when it comes to the iPad, it's simply not a very good graphics tablet option. The iPad doesn't provide pinpoint entry, even with third-party styluses.
It doesn't handle pressure, sensitivity and angle detection. That's not saying that people don't create art on the iPad, they do -- it's just not up to Wacom standards.
There are any number of third-party apps that allow you to use your iPad as an external touch entry controller for your Mac or Windows PC computer, but these won't replace a Wacom -- at least any time soon.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news,
Auntie T.
Dear Aunt TUAW: Help convert my iDevice into a graphics tablet originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 11:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - No Comment: A fruit-filled iPhone 5 that you can eat
We'd love to share another analyst's opinion about the rumored iPhone 5 and how it will launch in September, but this morning we're looking at another product launch. The folks from Top Fruit Produce gave us a different look at the hypothetical future handset.
The team of creative fruit artists decided to re-create the upcoming iPhone handset using their favorite medium: bananas, oranges, apples and more. It's definitely reminiscent of an iPhone 4 and sports our favorite icons, including Messages and Fruit Ninja. It also includes blackberries -- which is more than enough to merit today's No Comment.
[via Mashable]
No Comment: A fruit-filled iPhone 5 that you can eat originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple offers $49 Thunderbolt cable, $1500 RAID array
Apple has released a US$49 Thunderbolt cable, following yesterday's Thunderbolt firmware update. The cable lets you connect Thunderbolt-capable peripherals to your MacBook Pro or iMac, use target disk mode between two compatible Macs or use an iMac as a display with a Thunderbolt-equipped MacBook Pro.
Those with compatible Macs will want to pick this up and start transferring data ... to other compatible Macs. If, however, you've got a cool grand or two burning a hole in your equipment budget, the Apple Store is also now shipping Promise's Pegasus R6 Thunderbolt RAID system. The tower unit offers 6 TB of fast storage for $1,499 or a 12 TB option for $1,999.
Apple offers $49 Thunderbolt cable, $1500 RAID array originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Appsterdam: building a haven for app developers in Amsterdam
Mike Lee, formerly of Apple and Tapulous, has moved to Amsterdam and is looking to set up a new application development community. Lee left the US after he became disillusioned with how the country and the development community was headed. He was frustrated with not being able to afford heath insurance as a self-employed worker and was put off by the fast, money-focused lifestyle of Silicon Valley.
He chose Amsterdam for his new Appsterdam project after traveling the world looking at prospective cities. It has the right combination of affordability and is centrally located in Europe. Amsterdam, he notes, is already filled with creative and marketing people. He hopes to provide a pool of talented app developers. Lee already kicked off his Appsterdam project with a weekend of tours and has designated official hangouts where developers can collaborate. Local investor Floris van Alkemade is offering his support by establishing a seed fund that will provide investments of 10-50,000 EUR (US$14,000- $70,000) per company.
Appsterdam: building a haven for app developers in Amsterdam originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - TUAW's Daily iPhone App: Skipping Stone
Skipping Stone is a new title from Gamevil for the iPhone that's about as simple as it gets. You play a rock (excited yet) that is skipping along a stretch of water, and your job is to tap along on the screen to keep the rock going for as long as possible. It's very simple (and can get repetitive, if you happen to have the somewhat manic music up), but like the superior Tiny Wings, it's strangely compelling anyway. Not only are you jumping the rock at a certain rhythm, but various sea creatures will also come along and mix things up a bit, so you might have to tap more quickly or wait for more time to pass.
I think it's a fun game that's worth the US 99 cents that you can buy it for right now, but those looking for a more complex experience will have to look elsewhere. Even with the extra power-ups that you can get (and/or buy with in-app purchases), the game's really just a tapping rhythm title at its base, so anyone who needs more than that won't find it here.
TUAW's Daily iPhone App: Skipping Stone originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - XBLA developer Twisted Pixel aiming for iOS
Touch Arcade recently chatted with the CEO of developer Twisted Pixel Michael Wilford. Twisted Pixel is the group behind Xbox Live Arcade hits like The Maw and Splosion Man, the latter of which was the "influence" for Capcom's "MaXplosion." Touch Arcade asked about iOS development, and Wilford first said the Capcom incident had "lit a fire under our butts" to try to make an iOS game. He then confirmed that Twisted Pixel is "working on something" for Apple's platform.
That's exciting! We don't yet know what it is they're working on; TUAW contacted Wilford to ask if it might be an original IP or a port of one of the XBLA titles, but were told it's still too soon to say. Wilford does tell us there'll be something to share soon, so we're all ears.
There's one more wrinkle to this: XBLA is currently one of the biggest online marketplaces for downloaded games out there, and it could be argued it's in direct competition with Apple's App Store. We've already seen some crossover between the two platforms, and whenever this project is ready to see the light, it seems we'll have even more.
XBLA developer Twisted Pixel aiming for iOS originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Wyse PocketCloud aims to get your desktop anywhere you are
If the name Wyse sounds familiar, it's probably because the company has been doing remote access since the days of acoustic couplers and 300-baud modems. Founded in 1981, it has evolved from its early days of creating 'dumb terminals' to become an industry leader in virtual desktops, giving users access to servers or virtualized PCs through protocols like VNC, RDP or VMware View.
Expanding the Wyse offerings to the smartphone and tablet space wasn't that big a leap, and it's been pretty successful. Last week the company announced that its PocketCloud products for iOS and Android have been downloaded over a million times.
The current version of PocketCloud Pro for iPhone and iPad (US$14.99) delivers both local connectivity and a handy Google App Engine locator service for remote machines. You can install the desktop client on your Mac or PC, authenticate with your Google account, and immediately operate all your active computers as though you were sitting in front of them.
With a $0.99 monthly in-app purchase, you can also get file browser/file transfer access to your PCs, AirPrint printing, video streaming from the remote RDP server or VMware View service, slimmed-down browser mode (including Flash and audio) and more. (Compare to the $29.99 LogMeIn Ignition app, which I'm also quite fond of.) PocketCloud also comes in an ad-supported free version, which only allows you to keep one computer in your destinations list among other limitations; for everything except VMware View, however, it's a good way to test out the app and see if it suits you.
The PocketCloud UI is about as friendly as I've seen in remote access apps, with a clever 'smart pointer' tool that gives you precise mouse positioning, left/right click and rapid keyboard access. Like all the apps in this category, it takes a while to configure it and get comfortable with operating the remote machine, but once you get your legs (or fingers) under you, it becomes second nature.
Obviously, remote access tools are vital to system administrators or IT support folk -- even for supporting family and friends -- but Wyse is interested in expanding that audience. I spoke to David Nagy last week, Wyse's mobile unit director of product marketing, and he pointed out that mobile businesspeople and small business owners don't really want to bring their laptops everywhere when they can manage with an iPad. Still, there are moments when they need access to specific desktop apps or files, and tools like PocketCloud (combined with file storage options like Dropbox) can make that happen.
There's also a growing market for virtual desktops provisioned for business, student or home users; Nagy suggested that the long-anticipated rental market for desktop applications ("Need Excel for the day? That'll be $2, thanks!") could be kickstarted by ubiquitous, inexpensive remote access on devices like the iPad. That'd certainly bring new meaning to the term 'thin client.'
There's a brief PocketCloud overview video below.
Wyse PocketCloud aims to get your desktop anywhere you are originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 04:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple reportedly complies with Taipei's app refund request
We reported earlier this month that Taipei was trying to require a seven-day trial for all apps sold in that country. While we weren't sure how valid that claim was, it appears Taipei wasn't kidding around. Google has completely removed its paid app section from the Taipei version of the Android store, and reports are saying Apple is offering a seven-day refund to Taiwanese customers who buy apps but then decide they don't want them. Another report says that Google was fined for not offering the same deal sooner, which is what resulted in the Android store removal.
It looks like Taipei is serious about making sure its customers have a chance to check out software before they actually buy it. This isn't anything new for Apple's international divisions; the company has a history, especially with products like the iPhone, of tailoring various business models and sales methods to the many regions it operates in.
It seems like the changes to the system have mollified authorities for now, so presumably Apple can keep operating the App Store in Taiwan. We'll keep an eye out for any other changes that might have to be made.
Apple reportedly complies with Taipei's app refund request originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Tiny Tower picks up a million downloads in four days
Developer Ian Marsh of NimbleBit has been sharing some interesting facts and figures on Twitter about his new app Tiny Tower. Perhaps the most impressive overall is that the pixelated freemium tower simulation game has already gained a million players, despite only being on the App Store for four days. There's a large amount of engagement with these users as well; Marsh has also tweeted that each user is logging in for a number of different sessions during the day (the game encourages you to come back often to re-stock the various stores in your tower). That's added up to a lot of playtime -- over a quarter century and counting.
Perhaps most importantly for NimbleBit, Tiny Tower is seeing about 2.6 percent of its users actually invest in in-app purchases, which is about double the standard amount for Marsh's other big freemium title, Pocket Frogs. Obviously NimbleBit hasn't released actual dollars earned, but you can do the math to know that there's some money coming in already.
On a less-serious note, Marsh also tweeted something he calls "Tiny Tower Game Boy edition," basically just a grayscale graphics mode for the game. That's likely something that came up in development, but maybe NimbleBit is working on some new graphical styles (Update: Nope, NimbleBit was just messing around in Camera+. Oh well.). There is one update already out for approval (mostly bug fixes), and there's surely more to come.
Tiny Tower picks up a million downloads in four days originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Video App Demo: ProtoTap
Here's a look at ProtoTap from SeriousApps. Designed to facilitate designing apps for clients, ProtoTap looks like a relatively painless way to get your clients clicking around in a prototype without having to mess with a million emails. ProtoTap isn't available yet, and is still in beta testing.
ProtoTap is full of time-saving features, like pulling graphics directly from Dropbox. When you're ready to go through the app's UI, ProtoTap allows you and a client to go through the app together, but remotely. Check it out in the video below.
Video App Demo: ProtoTap originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - SoundJaw pumps iPad 2 volume up to eleven
I have to admit that I was a skeptic about the SoundJaw (US$20), a small plastic device that was one of our Kickstarter entries a while back and the brainchild of Coloradan Matt McLachlan. The idea is that it clips onto the bottom of an iPad 2 where the speaker holes are located and forces the sound forward (towards the user) to increase the volume that you hear. I'm happy to say that I was wrong, and the SoundJaw does actually pump up the volume of sound emitted from an iPad 2.
To test the SoundJaw scientifically and not depend on my hearing, I purchased the Decibel Meter Pro app ($0.99) from Performance Audio LLC and installed it on my iPhone 4. What I was interested in was watching the peak loudness of a song being played on my iPad 2 and measuring the decibel level with and without the SoundJaw. To make sure that the microphone was in the same exact location both times, I used a Glif ($20) and a tripod to hold my iPhone above the iPad 2.
Playing the same song at medium volume on the iPad 2 with the SoundJaw attached, the peak level was 68 dB, compared to 65 dB without the SoundJaw. Frankly, it didn't sound any louder to me. When I cranked the volume all the way up on the iPad 2, the result was more dramatic -- 79 dB with the SoundJaw, 75 dB without, and I could perceive that the SoundJaw made my iPad sound louder.
OK, you may be saying "Well, that's only a difference of 3 or 4 dB. Big deal." What you need to remember is that dB is a logarithmic quantity. Without going into a lot of craziness about psychoacoustics, perceived loudness, and Sound Pressure Level, let's just say that while 3 dB is a "barely perceptible change" in loudness, the human ear definitely perceives a 4 dB increase. A 10 dB SPL difference is about "twice as loud," while a 4 dB increase is perceived as about 30 percent louder.
The SoundJaw is a nice way to improve loudness from your iPad 2 without resorting to a powered dock or mobile speakers. The SoundJaw currently comes in black and white to match the two iPad 2 colors, doesn't interfere with use of the Smart Cover, and like Nigel Tufnel's amps, it'll make your iPad 2 "go to eleven."
SoundJaw pumps iPad 2 volume up to eleven originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - WWDC Interview: Appfluence
Neil Ticktin (Editor-in-Chief, MacTech Magazine and MacNews) interviews Pablo Diaz-Gutierrez of Appfluence at WWDC 2011. Pablo was kind enough to tell us about their thoughts on the announcements on WWDC, and how it will affect their plans moving forward.
Appfluence makes the iPhone, iPad and Mac productivity application Priority Matrix.
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: Appfluence originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - fring releases iPad app with video calling
fring has released Video Calls + IM for iPad (free), offering video calling to eager customers. The app is the first free video call app for the iPad to offer group calling (Cisco's WebEx offers group video calls via iPad but is enterprise software and priced as such), with support for up to four simultaneous participants.
Video Calls + IM for iPad is platform-agnostic like a good global citizen (for the most part), and lets users chat with friends on iPads, iPod touches, iPhones and compatible Android and Nokia devices. Plus, it works over Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G. So no "Wi-Fi Blues" with fring Video Calls + IM for iPad. Finally, the app lets you send (free) instant messages to other devices, as the name indicates.
The fring UI looks nice, as does the functionality. Add conference attendees with a drag-and-drop, while shiny, candy-like buttons welcome those with poor aim. Download now and give it a try because, well ... we're still waiting on Skype.
fring releases iPad app with video calling originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - TUAW's Daily Mac App: swackett
Most weather apps display weather as you might expect with temperature and weather symbols. Swackett, a free (ad-supported) weather app from the Mac App Store, bucks the trend with cute cartoons of people showing the current and forecasted conditions.
A "different kind of weather app," swackett shows you your current local weather conditions as well as today's, tonight's and tomorrow's forecast using characters of people wearing "suitable clothing" for each condition. For instance, if it's cool but not cold, swackett shows people wearing a light jacket, jeans and T-shirt. If it's going to rain, you'll see someone holding an umbrella. You'll even come across "easter eggs" for certain weather conditions from time to time, such as characters replicating a scene from Gone with the Wind for hot and sunny weather. A break-down of the day's weather is also displayed in 2-hour intervals along with a 7-day outlook and local, regional and national radar, plus regional satellite maps.
Weather information is powered by AccuWeather.com, so there's a good chance your location is available. You can even tweet the current weather condition directly from the app.
Swackett is also currently available as a web app (iPhone app coming soon), so you can get your weather predictions in the browser, too. An optional free login lets you save location and preference settings for temperature and other customizable features across devices. If you get sick of the free swackett characters, more can be purchased from the swackett store with "British Invasion" and "The 1950's" available for US$1.29 each.
If you're looking for something a little different from a standard weather app that'll make you chuckle, then download swackett for free from the Mac App Store.
Continue reading TUAW's Daily Mac App: swackett
TUAW's Daily Mac App: swackett originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - CSI Virtual MasterCard app will extend mobile payments to iOS, others
Engadget has confirmed that CSI and MasterCard will launch a mobile payment application for iOS in July of this year. The interesting note is that iOS and RIM are on the list as there are no iPhone or BlackBerry devices with Near-Field Communication (NFC) capability. By gazing into the crystal ball, we assume that the app either won't depend on NFC, or (less likely) both Apple and RIM will release NFC-enabled hardware.
NFC rumors have hovered above the iPhone like so many vultures lately. A recent Bernstein report suggested that the forthcoming iPhone will not offer NFC support.
Regardless, the app is coming. All we've got to do now is wait for it to show up and then see how it works.
CSI Virtual MasterCard app will extend mobile payments to iOS, others originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Duke Nukem Forever coming to the Mac
Aspyr Media has posted on its blog that it will be bringing the long-awaited Duke Nukem sequel, titled Duke Nukem Forever, to the Mac. Known for its legendary development period, the game finally arrived on PC and consoles recently, and unfortunately, it didn't turn out very well, earning generally mediocre reviews across the board (not too surprising for a game with far too many cooks in a pot that's been sitting out for years). Still, this is basically a museum piece for how not to do game development, so it's only right that we see it get ported to the Mac after the fact, right?
Aspyr's version will be out in August, and it's offering a 10% discount on pre-orders right now. I can't promise it'll be any good, but if you want to at least see what the final version of Duke Nukem Forever looks like running on your Mac, there you go.
There's still no word of any version of the game coming to iOS -- we had spotted the App Store mentioned in that legal agreement a while back, but for all we know, that could just have been for the soundboard, which was released recently. After the reviews on DNF, it's hard to think the Duke franchise will recover, but you never know -- if some enterprising developer wants to make a top-down dual-stick Duke shooter for Apple's mobile devices, we can't say we'd be adverse to the prospect.
Duke Nukem Forever coming to the Mac originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple reportedly leaves Samsung for A6 production
Apple may drop Samsung and switch to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for the production of its next generation A6 chipset. The Cupertino Company is reportedly working with TSMC to move to a 28 nm ARM SoC in 2012. Rumors of this TSMC partnership surfaced earlier this year before Apple filed a trademark infringement suit against Samsung. Though the A4 and A5 are still being produced by Samsung, the Korean company may be out of the loop in future Apple hardware.
This move away from Samsung may have a deleterious effect on the Korean manufacturer as Apple is reportedly one of its biggest customers. Apple has secured LCD displays, chipsets and NAND flash memory from Samsung that are used in its iOS devices. If the impending legal battle between the two companies sours the relationship, Apple may be forced to turn to costlier options for its device components, and Samsung may lose one of its biggest customers.
Apple reportedly leaves Samsung for A6 production originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple has become Australia's top mobile brand
There are a lot of iPhones in Australia, and IDC reports today that the number has grown enough to make the iPhone the top smartphone "down under."
Apple is reported to have a 40% market share of Australia's smartphone market, a rise of about 10% quarter-to-quarter. Android has a 30% share, while Symbian is plunging to a third place 22%. The IDC analysts expect the Android OS phones to eventually be the top sellers, which is something we've seen here in the states.
Meanwhile, Comscore is reporting that the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch account for 50% of Australia's mobile traffic, while Android devices consume 10.5%. Comscore is also reporting that the iPad is the dominant tablet in Australia, which is no surprise, as that aligns with numbers collected from other countries.
Apple has become Australia's top mobile brand originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - WWDC Interview: Clickable Bliss
Victor Agreda, Jr. (Editor-in-Chief, The Unofficial Apple Weblog) interviews Michael Zornek of Clickable Bliss at WWDC 2011. Michael was kind enough to tell us about his thoughts on the announcements on WWDC, and how it will affect their plans moving forward.
Clickable Bliss makes ProfitTrain (an invoicing app for Mac) and Dex (a Pokemon browser for iPhone) and recently released a very clever and slick game called Twiz Show, a sort of game show based on your Twitter friends for iOS devices. If you're looking for a fun game that ties into your Twitter buddies, give Twiz Show a look.
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, at MacTech.com and at MacNews.com. Also, check out the free trial subscription offer for MacTech Magazine here.
WWDC Interview: Clickable Bliss originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - RIM's various hardware, OS options make app development expensive
According to an article on Bloomberg Businessweek today, a growing number of mobile developers are focusing their attention on the iOS and Android platforms and abandoning product development for Research In Motion's BlackBerry smartphones and PlayBook tablet. The reason? Too many hardware and software options make developing for the RIM platforms expensive in what is turning out to be a shrinking market.
Seesmic, Inc. CEO Loic Le Meur summed it up perfectly when he noted that "you have to put your resources where the growth is." The company, which created the Seesmic social networking aggregation app for iPhone, has decided to stop development of products on RIM platforms. Le Meur also commented that when RIM's PlayBook tablet hit the market, the first thing the developers tried was to run their existing BlackBerry app on the device. The app wouldn't run on the PlayBook, which uses the QNX OS -- totally incompatible with any previous BlackBerry device.
Another development firm, Mobile Roadie, was frustrated by a variation in screen sizes across the BlackBerry product line. Mobile Roadie CEO Michael Schneider reported to Bloomberg Businessweek that users blamed his firm for issues like images that were distorted on the various screens. "I even felt like developing for BlackBerry could be hurting our reputation," said Schneider.
All of this spells good news for iOS and Android users, since more developers are dropping their support of RIM products to focus on the two hottest platforms in the mobile space.
RIM's various hardware, OS options make app development expensive originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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