Mac notebook and other portable computing is covered
in The 'Book Review, and general Mac
news is in Mac News Review.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
iPhone News, Reviews, & Opinion
iPod News, Reviews, & Opinion
iPhone/iPod Add-ons
iPhone Add-ons
iPod Add-ons
iPod and iPhone Deals
iPhone News, Reviews, & Opinion
iPhone Storms World Smartphone Markets
Register Hardware's
Tony Smith reports:
"Apple squeezed itself into third place in the list of world
smartphone makers during Q4 2007, pushing ahead of Motorola and Palm
and all the Windows Mobile device suppliers.
"The iPhone itself may divide opinion but there's no questioning its
success. According to market watcher Canalys, Apple shipped 2,320,840
iPhones in the fourth quarter of 2007, just beating Motorola, which
shipped 2,301,260 smartphones during the period....
"Focusing on the US market, Apple took a 28 per cent share, behind
only RIM, which accounted for 41 per cent of the market."
Link:
Apple iPhone Storms World Smartphone Biz
Consumers Abandoning Basic Mobiles for Advanced RIM
and Apple Models
ChangeWave's
Paul Carton and Jim Woods reports:
"Record numbers of consumers are abandoning their basic cell phones
for more-advanced models, according to the latest ChangeWave consumer
cell phone survey. The January survey of 4,182 consumers tracked key
market share changes affecting cell phone manufacturers and service
providers alike.
"Research In Motion (RIMM) and Apple (AAPL) appear to be the primary
beneficiaries of the seismic shift toward more-advanced cell phones.
Looking ahead, the Apple iPhone is now the top choice among respondents
planning to buy a new cell phone in the next six months (up one point
to 17%), but second-place RIM has the most momentum (up three points to
15%).
"For a copy of the entire ChangeWave Cell Phone report, please
contact Darlene March, March Media Relations, (714) 514-3736."
Link:
ChangeWave Survey Shows Consumers Abandoning Basic Models for Advanced
RIM and Apple Phones
iPod News, Reviews, & Opinion
How to Tell If Your iPod touch Has the January
Upgrade
TUAW's Erica Sadun says:
"What you might not know is that in order to purchase the iPod touch
January upgrade you must be logged into your iTunes account and you
must be running iTunes 7.6. You cannot make this purchase using earlier
versions of the software.
"If you ever restore your iPod and need to get back those upgrades,
once again you need to use the magic of 7.6 plus be signed into the
account with which you purchased it. I found out the hard way that your
Mac doesn't automatically "remember" that you purchased it and that it
belongs on your iPod touch."
Link:
How To: Tell Your iPod touch Has the January Upgrade
The Future of iPod Accessories: Cars, Cars,
Cars
CoolTechZone's Gundeep Hora reports:
"Now that the market is proliferated with a multitude of iPod
accessories, what's the next step for iPod accessory makers? Why, cars,
of course. We had a talk with Kensigton at CES 2008 where the company
was showcasing an entire product line for cars for the famed music
player. None of the accessories we saw on the show floor, whether from
Kensington or anyone else, were overly complex for obvious reasons. It
was mainly adapters, holders, FM tuners or a mixture of all three.
Nice, simple and to the point."
Link:
The Future of iPod Accessories: Cars, Cars, Cars
iPhone/iPod Add-ons
ISofa Turns Your iPhone/iPod touch into a Remote
Control for Your Mac
Blog
iPhone France's Toma reports (translated from French):
"ISofa is a free software which transform your iPod touch/iPhone in
a remote control for you Mac.
"It's brought to you by Ben & Mat and comes through www.iPhon.fr
now in a new version with enhancements requested after the first
release:
"Works now under Tiger and Leopard.
"Administration: Available, from your computer, at
http://127.0.0.1:9999/admin/
"Skin can be changed, password can be set.
"Browser: All files can be read on the iPhone / iTouch, depending on
its capabilities.
"ITunes: Videos now play fine.
"You can download the iSofa v1.2 below (or here). Fell free to ask
enhancements in the comments of this post, for future versions!"
Link:
ISofa v1.2 Now Supports Tiger! The iPhone/iPod Remote Control becomes
Touch (Free Software)
iParrot Phrase Turns Your iPod/iPhone into a
Translator
PR: The newest version of iParrot is released. Now iParrot
supports all iPods (except iPod shuffle), iPhone and Apple TV. You can
use iParrot in two ways: "Music Mode" and "Notes Mode". The "Music
Mode" support all device, the "Notes Mode" support iPods that have
Notes Reader feature.
iParrot Phrase is stocked with over 20 kinds of perfectly pronounced
oral language for instant use. iParrot is organized into categories
such as: Greetings, Transportation, Shopping, and Asking for helping
etc. So it is enough for you to find the sentences you need instantly.
Organized for instant access and ease, it is especially useful while
traveling abroad. Virtual fluency available in Chinese, English,
Japanese, Russian, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Korean,
Portuguese, Thai and Vietnamese.
New in version 3.2:
System requirements:
- iPod (Except iPod shuffle) or iPhone or Apple TV
- 60 MB free space on the device
- iTunes 6.0 or later
- Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later.
System support: PPC/Intel
$14.95 Demoware
Link: iParrot
Phrase
Bruce Lee Cases for iPhone and iPod touch
PR: USB Fever announces Bruce Lee Crystal Cases for the
iPhone and iPod touch.
Features:
- Unique ergonomic design
- Printed with Bruce Lee
- Fully Protected from bumps and scratches
- Light weight
- Perfectly fit
- Anti-dust
- Easy access to all ports, buttons and sockets
US$16.99
Accepting Pre-ordering, to be shipped on around 20 Feb 2008.
iPhone Add-ons
Ad Infuse Introduces Video Advertising Solution for
the iPhone
PR: Ad Infuse, a leader in delivering highly personalized
mobile advertising experiences, today announced a new mobile
advertising unit designed specifically for the Apple iPhone. The new
solution enables brands to uniquely reach the millions of iPhone
subscribers in the US and Europe, bringing together video and browsing
formats for the first time. The company introduced the new product to
meet the growing demand from top brands and premium publishers for a
more visual, rich multimedia experience that can leverage the unique
mobile web capabilities of the iPhone.
The new ad unit is already in production with several early
advertiser and publisher partners, with global availability later this
month. Ad Infuse's platform will now automatically recognize the
iPhone, and deliver advertisements optimized specifically for that
device. The multi-format capability enables advertisers to gain broader
reach with their target audience, delivering presence in more areas
where subscribers are spending time on the mobile device. Publishers
are now able to open up more of their content for more compelling
multi-format campaigns, ultimately gaining from higher revenue
opportunities.
"The iPhone has undeniably set new benchmarks in providing a rich
and dynamic user experience for the mobile Web," said Liz Ross,
President of Tribal DDB West, one of the world's top digital marketing
agencies. "Being able to leverage its full potential, especially in
video, is an exciting development for creating innovative and
compelling ways to interact with consumers."
Ad Infuse offers full flexibility through a choice of video,
browsing, or integrated multi-format campaigns. Utilizing progressive
downloading for video, the solution delivers the same user experience
as streaming but with a much higher image quality, ensuring the best
presentation of an advertiser's creative assets. Video ads and content
are able to stretch and rotate with the phone without any interruption,
delivering a seamless user experience. In addition, dynamic ad
insertion allows real-time targeting, and advertisers can rotate
multiple ads throughout a campaign to keep it fresh and interesting for
consumers.
"Ad Infuse continues to spearhead innovation in rich media and
multi-format advertising solutions," said Brian Cowley, CEO of Ad
Infuse. "As top publishers create content optimized for the iPhone and
premium brands look to interact with consumers in exciting new ways,
our new solution delivers exactly the kind of user experience and
targeting capabilities the market is seeking."
Since its debut in June 2007, almost four million iPhone's have been
sold worldwide according to Apple. And the user experience is drawing
more users to the mobile web. In a recent study by M:Metrics, almost 90
percent of iPhone owners try to access the mobile web, compared to 10
percent of regular cellphone users.
Link: Ad
Infuse
DLO Portable Speakers for iPhone
PR: Compact yet powerful, the DLO Portable Speakers for
iPhone let you enjoy your music and videos in stereo sound without any
threat of TDMA interference. Featuring an extra-wide sound stage and
bass vents for delivering powerful sound, these small speakers pack a
powerful punch.
The removable, rotating stand holds the iPhone upright or
horizontally for the ideal portable movie-viewing experience. Plus, you
don't have to disconnect your iPhone if a call comes in - the Portable
Speakers simply turn into your iPhone into a speaker phone! So while
iPhone is connected, you can take and place calls as usual, without any
disruption.
Small enough for home, office or dormitory desktops, the speakers
also feature a unique compact design that makes them ideal for travel.
Each speaker snaps neatly into the base to create a "ball"
approximately 6 inches in diameter. The base features a recessed area
for keeping cords securely wrapped and out of the way when not in use.
Powered by either AAA batteries or the included AC adapter, the DLO
Portable Speakers for iPhone are versatile enough to be used at home or
on the go. Although our Portable Speakers were created with the iPhone
in mind, they will also work with any audio device that has a 3.5mm
headphone jack.
Quick Facts
- Enjoy iPhone music and videos in room-filling, stereo sound
- Powerful speakers with TDMA interference-free digital
amplifier
- Also turn your iPhone into a speaker phone
- Two speakers, base and cables easily combine for compact storage
and convenient travel
- Use with 4 AAA batteries or with the included AC adapter
- Compatible with any audio device with a standard 3.5mm headphone
jack, including iPhone
Portable Speakers for iPhone - $49.99
Link: DLO Portable
Speakers for iPhone
iFob: Free Social Networking Software for
the iPhone and iPod touch
PR: iCloseBy.com announces iFob, a new technology that hits
the heart of what is missing in social networks. iFob brings reality
back to social networking. If you have a life, and go to hotspots, then
iFob will help you find real people. iFob is native software for the
iPhone, iPod touch and laptops, which finds other iFob users who are
physically close by. iFob doesn't use a site, and doesn't need any kind
of registration or account creation. You just install iFob on your
iPhone, iPod or laptop, and then as you go in and out of coffee houses
or other hotspots, iFob works like a radio beacon to say, "I am here!"
At the same time, your copy of iFob listens to see who is also saying,
"I am here!"
Whenever two copies of iFob find each other, they will light up and
automatically exchange their "micro profiles." If you are worried about
privacy, you can set your copy of iFob just to "Listen," so you will
see other people's micro profiles, but they will not see yours until
you want them to. Because there is no login or registration with iFob,
you can change your iFob user name, or your micro-profile, as often as
you want. You can use iFob as a tool, or use it as a social networking
game where you exchange user names and micro descriptions of yourself
with real people who are just a smile away.
iFob for the iPhone and iPod touch is free software. You can also
purchase copies of iFob for your PC. iFob can be found and downloaded
from the trusted software lists under the "network" category in the
iPhone Installer app, or from the download section iCloseBy.com
Link: iCloseBy.com
GizMac Shipping Titan Clear iPhone Cases in
Colors
PR: GizMac Accessories, designer and manufacturer of
innovative products for the iPod and iPhone, announce their Titan Clear
iPhone cases are now available in smoke and pink colors. Titan Clear
for iPhone was originally introduced late last year in clear
polycarbonate only.
Today, GizMac begins shipping the Titan Clear iPhone case in
colors as well. These new smoke and pink iPhone cases include all the
features and benefits of the original Titan Clear case, but now have
color.
"GizMac displayed the new Titan Clear iPhone case colors at Macworld
this year," explained Ken Vitto, Marketing Director for GizMac
Accessories, "The Macworld attendees were excited about the familiar,
yet different coloration we have developed for these iPhone cases."
The Titan Clear case protects the iPhone with its tough, clear
colored polycarbonate shell, but still allows some of Apple iPhone's
striking appearance to show through. 
The translucent color combined with the
curves of the case produces subtle color changes that make the Titan
Clear iPhone case unique. Smoke and pink colors of the Titan Clear
iPhone cases need to be explained to be fully appreciated. Smoke is a
form of black that appears darkest on the curves and can exhibit an
almost pewter look occasionally in the light. Pink is slightly
luminescent and can be considered a "hot" pink, while the case may
sometimes show a hint of red at certain angles in bright light.
The Titan Clear for iPhone includes a clear, slightly frosted
holster with rotating belt clip and thin film, full screen protector.
Titan Clear iPhone cases have a retail price of $34.99 and are
available from authorized resellers or from GizMac directly.
Link: GizMac
SwitchEasy Launches New Spring Colors
PR: SwitchEasy Limited announces the immediate
availability of the latest colors for Capsule iPhone series, Military
Green and Valentine's Pink and VisionClip for Military Green. In
addition to the feature rich accessory kit from our popular Capsule
from iPhone product line, we have included a video stand and a static
screen guard for customers with different preferences.
Capsule for iPhone
- Ultra Hard Polycarbonate casing with built-in case lock.
- Industry's first Hard Coated protective easy-on membrane
(non-adhesive type) with color accent for day to day fashionable
protection
- TactileTouch Membrane system for easy home button access
- Easy slide in construction for easy installation of iPhone
- Unique duo tone logo and body construction
- Feature rich accessory kit which includes
- Two) accented TactileTouch screen protectors
- One transparent static screen guard (For customers preferring the
transparent look)
- Color matching connector protector to protect iPhone's 30-pin
connector
- Color matching 3.5mm headphone jack for any external
headphones
- Video Stand
- Custom formed Universal dock adapter. Our dock adapter allows user
to directly plug the iPhone with case to a speaker or dock with
universal dock compatible systems.
Capsule for iPhone comes in four colors ( Ivory White, Ebony Black,
Military Green and Valentine's Pink) which will complement any fashion
needs.
VisionClip for Capsule iPhone Case
- World's first iPhone Clip/Holster with dedicated incoming Call/Time
Window.
- Easy clip and release mechanism for quick drawing and releasing of
iPhone.
- 180 degree rotation for easy access.
- Reverse phone installation design (LCD screen is not exposed when
iPhone is installed in the VisionClip) for maximum protection of your
iPhone.
VisionClip for Capsule for iPhone comes in three colors ( Ivory
White, Ebony Black, and Military Green) which will complement any
fashion needs. The suggested retail price of Capsule for iPhone is
$29.99 and $14.99 for VisionClip in U.S. and Canada, and open price for
the rest of the world.
Link: SwitchEasy
iPod Add-ons
Free podUp Utility Copies Music from Your
iPod to Your Mac
PR: podUp is an application which copies all your music files
from your iPod to a folder of your choosing, without having anything to
do with iTunes.
It does not attempt to interfere with whatever copyright protection
those files may have, it simply copies them, so files bought from the
iTunes store will still be authorised only for the computer(s) you have
authorisied.
To copy the files from your iPod to a folder:
- Drag an iPod from the desktop to the podUp window.
- Either drag the destination folder to the podUp window, or click in
the window and choose the destination.
- Click on the "Copy Files" button, and off it goes.
If your iPod is pretty full, it can take a long time, so you can
stop it at anytime by pressing and holding the control key to the
bottom left of your keyboard.
podUp remembers what it's already copied, so you can resume at
anytime.
Version 1.1.1 now available - internationalized, and can check for
updates.
System requirements: Mac OS X 10.4 or later.
System Support: PPC/Intel
Free
Link: podUp
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