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.
News, Reviews, & Opinion
For iPods and iPhones
iPod and iPhone Deals
These price trackers are updated regularly.
News, Reviews, & Opinion
iPhone Could Finally Reach Vermont
Huge eBay Demand for Original iPhone
Detroit Free
Press technology columnist Mike Wendland says:
"Tell me if this makes sense: People are paying more for a used
first-generation iPhone on
eBay and Craigslist than a brand new 3G iPhone from Apple or
AT&T.
"You'd think there would be great bargains on last year's iPhones.
But the demand for them is nothing short of amazing....
"New iPhone 3G's are being offered at huge markups. New unlocked
$199 8 GB iPhone 3G's are selling from $535-$790. I found 16 GB
iPhone 3G models going this morning from $700 to $910.
"Crazy. Absolutely crazy."
Editor's note: It's a matter of supply and demand. Mac OS X
10.4 install DVDs are selling for more than new OS 10.5 install DVDs.
cm
Link:
Huge eBay Demand for iPhones
Apple Pulls, Then Returns iPhone Tethering App to
Store
InformationWeek's Antone Gonsalves reports:
"Apple on Friday returned to its App Store an application that makes
it possible for iPhone customers to use their high-speed Internet
connections to provide Web access to a PC.
"Apple has not said why it took down the NetShare iPhone application
Thursday evening, but the software's creator, Nullriver, confirmed that
the application was available once again.
"'We're not quite sure why Apple took down the NetShare application
yet, we've received no communication from Apple thus far,' Nullriver
said on its site..."
Link:
Apple Pulls, Then Returns iPhone-PC Tethering App to Store
10 Step Guide to Sharing Your iPhone's Connection
with NetShare
AppleInsider
Staff says:
"A tiny company called Nullriver today released what is arguably one
of the most useful iPhone applications to date: NetShare. With a tiny
bit of configuring, the $10 software allows you to share your iPhone's
EDGE or 3G connection with your Mac notebook (or any computer in
general). We've compiled an illustrated 10-step guide that we hope will
simplify the configuration process and provide an overview of the
software for those who may be considering it as a purchase."
Link:
Ten Step Guide to Sharing Your iPhone's Connection with
NetShare
More Info on the Infamous iPhone 3G Cracks
ehPhone's
ruffdeezy says:
"On Monday night, I noticed that I had a small crack in my white
iPhone that went from the volume button to the metal bezel. I did a bit
of searching online a found a thread in the Apple Support discussion
forums and a couple of other places. I wasn't the only one with this
problem. I posted the story here on ehPhone on Tuesday highlighting
this problem. It didn't seem like it was a widespread issue but more
and more people began noticing that their iPhones indeed had cracks
too.
"When I went to the Apple store to have a Genius look at it, they
hadn't heard of or seen the problem before. They wouldn't replace my
iPhone because it was not a 'known' problem and it was just
cosmetic....
"Well, I think it is a pretty well 'known' issue now. Yesterday
every iPhone site and big sites like Gizmodo and Engadget picked up on
the story. ....
"Here's what I think is happening:
"The cracks seem be be appearing in places where there is a metal
piece which is encased by the 'plastic' backing. My crack formed where
the volume button is. Some have appeared where there volume on/off
switch is. Some have appeared where the sleep/wake button is, and
finally some have appeared where the headphone jack is. I think that
putting a slightest amount of pressure (i.e. - to lower or raise the
volume, turn your iPhone on or off, or even insert the headphones)
causes undue stress to the 'plastic' backing. Eventually it is going to
give out and crack...."
Link:
More Info on the Infamous iPhone 3G Cracks
iPhone 2 versus iPhone 2.0.1
9 to 5 Mac's
Andy Space says:
"Comparing the two - new iPhone software appears faster, more
responsive, better contact handling and won't take an age to back-up
before sync, see the two compared...."
"The response time difference in the UI is amazing. 4-5 seconds
difference in loading the setup screen on the 2.0 seemed like an
eternity; sometimes I was afraid my phone had crashed.
"Need for speed aside, those wishing to unlock their phones via the
Pwnage Tool may want to wait, as the Dev Team is advising a new
baseband in the new firmware may be unlockable...."
Link: iPhone 2 versus iPhone
2.0.1
Analysts Slam iPhone Security and Battery Life
Register Hardware's
Bill Ray reports:
"Industry analysts have decreed that the new iPhone's lack of
security and poor battery life make it unsuitable for all but the
lightest enterprise use.
"The conclusions come in a nine-page research note from Gartner, as
reported by Computerword. Entitled iPhone 2.0 Is Ready for the
Enterprise, but Caveats Apply, it is based on analysis of the new
iPhone version 2.0 software and 3G handset."
Link: Analysts
Slam iPhone Security and Battery Life
Research In Motion Battling Apple for Smart Phone
Lead
PR: Two
weeks before the new Apple 3G iPhone was released, a ChangeWave
consumer survey showed it was likely to have a tsunami-like impact on
the smart phone market. But what does that mean for current market
share leader Research In Motion (RIMM)?
The ChangeWave consumer survey showed the 3G iPhone catapulting
Apple into the lead in terms of planned consumer smart phone purchases
for the next 90 days. Note that RIM remains the leader among current
smart phone owners in the consumer market, and RIM holds a huge lead in
the corporate market.
Yet despite its current lead in both markets, RIM
isn't taking the Apple 3G challenge lying down. The Canadian
manufacturer has multiple plans in motion to counter Apple's momentum
among consumers, including an already announced new product release
(the Bold) and two likely additional product releases (the Thunder and
Kickstart).
To get a sense of the market potential for RIM's new smart phone
arsenal, ChangeWave surveyed 3,567 consumers on their reaction to the
new RIM counteroffensive. The survey was conducted in the aftermath of
the Apple 3G announcement (June 17-23), but before the new iPhone model
was released.
Preparing For Multiple Battles
Consumer respondents were presented a brief description containing
key features of RIM's new smart phone models, along with a follow-up
question asking them how likely they were to buy each model if and when
it becomes available.
The survey found the new RIM releases each showing considerable
potential among consumers once they actually get into the
marketplace.
A total of 4% of respondents report they're Very Likely to buy
the new RIM/BlackBerry Bold when it becomes available. Another 13% are
Somewhat Likely.
Slightly less positive but nonetheless significant, 2% of
respondents say they're Very Likely to buy a RIM/BlackBerry Thunder
when available. A total of 13% are Somewhat Likely.
Another 2% say they're Very Likely to buy a RIM/BlackBerry Kickstart
when it becomes available, and 11% are Somewhat Likely.
"These results show consumers hungry for all varieties of
BlackBerry," said Tobin Smith, founder of ChangeWave Research and
editor of ChangeWave Investing, who added, "it appears like when it
comes to the BlackBerry, the adage 'if you build it, they will come,'
certainly holds true."
The strength of these early survey results on the demand for RIM's
new products points to a potentially powerful counteroffensive to
Apple's 3G iPhone, according to Smith. "The real losers in this smart
phone battle will most likely be the second-tier players, who could
find themselves increasingly pushed to the sidelines as the two
Goliaths battle for market dominance."
To find out which manufacturers are most at risk because of the RIM
counteroffensive, ChangeWave looked at the impact of the new RIM
releases on the rest of the smart phone industry.
The survey found that current RIM customers are two-to-three times
more likely to buy the new RIM models than the customers of other
manufacturers. The survey also found that the new RIM releases have a
significant potential to lure away customers from other manufacturers -
with Palm (PALM), Motorola (MOT) and Samsung the most vulnerable.
Apple customers, on the other hand, appear least likely to buy any
of the new RIM phones.
Link: ChangeWave
Survey Shows Research In Motion Battling Apple for Smart Phone Lead
Among Consumers
iPods in Combat
The Strategy Page says:
"The US military went into Iraq with few troops able to speak
Arabic. Now they can use their iPods to do the talking for them. A new
software product, VCommunicator Mobile, and a speaker than plugs into
where the ear buds go, enables troops to quickly access a library of
phrases. There is also a set of protective covers for the iPod and
speaker, with Velcro straps so that you can attach both to your
arm.
"If all this sounds very soldier-friendly, that's because the
product was designed with the help of troops from the 10th Mountain
division, who have been using 260 of these specially equipped iPods for
the last year. This cost the army $800,000, and included language
modules for Iraqi Arabic (it's a distinct dialect) and Kurdish (an
Indo-European language spoken in the north). There are also modules for
languages spoken in Afghanistan (Dari and Pushto). Over 700 troops are
using the device in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"The VCommunicator Mobile software and libraries takes up four
gigabytes per language, so it can be used on the smaller, and more
rugged, Nano iPods. The software displays graphics, showing either the
phrase in Arabic, or a video of a soldier making the appropriate hand
gesture (there are a lot of those in Arabic.) There are collections of
phrases for specific situations, like checkpoint, raid or
patrol...."
Link: iPods
in Combat
For iPods and iPhones
ColorWare Does Its Thing for the iPhone 3G
TUAW's Mat Lu reports:
"If black and white aren't enough for you, ColorWare is now offering
their gadget coloring service for the iPhone 3G. Their iPhone site
allows you to customize parts of your phone with 35 different colors on
an à la carte basis.... Unfortunately, it's not cheap...."
Link:
ColorWare Does Their Thing for the iPhone 3G
Mobile Live Golf Scoring for iPhone
PR: Golf's premier social network, is giving golfers the
ability to have a live leader board just like the pros. Golfers can now
post their scores and statistics while playing and have their friends,
family, and competitors watch their progress live on the
Internet.
A golfer can use an iPhone, Blackberry, or any web-enabled phone to
post their hole-by-hole score.
In addition to posting the score, the golfer can also record number
of putts, FIR, GIR and driving distance. Then after the round, the
golfer can easily analyze the round on Stracka.com.
Stracka.com has carved out a niche in the social networking space
for golfers. With 200,000+ golfers, advertisers can efficiently target
golfers on a local level.
Stracka.com is FREE to the golfer and offers many features
including:
- Post scores and maintain a handicap
- Record hole-by-hole statistics
- Compare your statistics to other golfers with cool charts and
graphs
- Upload videos and use Stracka.com's FREE Swing Analysis tool.
- Directory of over 30,000 golf courses, worldwide
- Digital yardage maps and video flyovers via Google Maps and Google
Earth
- Share photos & discuss golf in forums
- Access the Stracka Line - a putting aid for golfers
- Interact with your course and meet new golfers
"Stracka.com allows golfers to post hole-by-hole scores and interact
while they are on the course," said Chase Stracka, CMO of the Stracka
Design Company. "Live scoring on Stracka.com will be a great addition
to club tournaments so regular golfers can have their own leader board
live on the Internet."
"We used Live Scoring for our 2008 Club Championship and it was
great to watch the scores come in on the Internet. It was like watching
the pros play on TV," said Rick Peters, Head Golf Professional at The
Bridges in Rancho Santa Fe, CA.
Stracka.com is part of the Stracka Design Company LLC (SDC). SDC is
focused on bringing cool technology to the golfer to enhance their
golfing experience. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, SDC has over
30,000 golf courses online worldwide. SDC members span the globe on
every continent. To learn more, please contact Nancy Hadley at
+1-281.469.0170 or visit: http://www.stracka.com/stracka.asp
Link: Mobile Live Golf Scoring for
iPhone
Too Much Money? Buy the $1,000 'I Am Rich' iPhone
App
The Register's
Bill Ray reports:
"iPhone users can now buy themselves a picture of a red gem to
display on their handsets, purely to demonstrate they've got enough
money to throw $999.99 at such a pointless gesture.
"The application - subtly entitled 'I am rich' - is available
through Apple's Application Store, though we're not clear if anyone has
bought a copy as yet. Americans are being asked for $999.99, but the UK
store is charging a typically overpriced £599.99."
Link: Too Much
Money? Bling Your iPhone with the $1000 App can be purchased
through the
iTunes App Store (not that we're suggesting it!)
19 Bible Translations on Your iPhone for Free
TUAW's Robert Palmer reports:
"When I was going through a minor existential crisis a few years
ago, I read the Bible from cover to cover. The copy I had was the
rattiest, oldest paperback version I could find: I got it for two bucks
at a library booksale.
"The Bible app for
iPhone and iPod touch, however, beats even that, because it's free.
Bible is published by YouVersion.com, a social website for people
reading the Bible that allows annotation and discussion of passages in
the book.
"Bible includes 13 English translations . . . and includes
a 'daily read' tool that - if you stick with it - you can use to read
the whole kit and kaboodle in a year.
"There are more than 20 other Bible applications available in the
App Store, costing as much as $30.... Bible - the YouVersion - is
free, and available at the App Store."
Link:
Bible: 19 Translations on Your iPhone can only be downloaded
through the
iTunes App Store
Hardware-based iPhone 3G Unlock Coming 20 Aug
The Apple Core's Jason D.
O'Grady reports:
"According to a post at iPhone Atlas a company called USB Fever is
preparing to offer a hardware-based iPhone 3G unlocking device.
"The company is taking pre-orders for a US$35 SIM unlock that
consists of a micro-controller mounted to a 0.10mm thin piece of FPC
that fits between an an operators SIM card and the phone's SIM socket.
The device will allow the use of an unauthorized carrier SIM card in
the iPhone 3G."
Link: Hardware-based iPhone 3G Unlock
Coming 20 Aug
iPhone Users Invited to Become Business
Superstars
PR: Online business simulation experts Minieconomy.com
announce the launch of their award-winning strategy game, Informatist,
for the Apple iPhone. Currently enjoying wide-scale plaudits and
endorsements from schools, colleges, and businesses computer version,
the new mobile game is set to continue the runaway success of the
original game.
Informatist's success is down to the way the game prepares players
with the skills needed to succeed in the various intricacies of today's
business world, including property development, stocks and shares, the
manufacturing industry and much more. By competing with each other,
users of Informatist learn how all these components fit together in the
marketplace. Thanks to the intuitive user-face and design, the game has
proven to be a worthy addition to both scholastic and corporate
institutions - now that success comes to the iPhone.
"The Apple iPhone offers the ideal platform for Informatist," says
Fred Xue of Minieconomy.com. "It's the future of mobile Internet and
mobile gaming. As soon as we knew the rollout strategy for the new 3G
iPhone, we decided to offer an iPhone-specific build of Informatist.
The game uses the most realistic economic simulation engine to offer an
enjoyable, in-depth yet intuitive gaming experience, bringing the game
to the iPhone was the next logical step for our company."
Unlike many other games that make the transition from computer to
mobile phone, Minieconomy.com promise that iPhone users will not be
shortchanged. The programmers at Minieconomy.com have redesigned the
Navigation and Content layout, as well as simplified the Registration
process for iPhone users. "We believe we are the first multiplayer
online business simulation game on the iPhone platform," states Xue.
"This is one of the reasons we have placed so much emphasis on
configuring it for this specific platform, and one which users will
benefit from immediately."
Designed by a team of professionals whose qualifications include
Economics, Business Administration, Computer Science and Public Media,
Informatist is already proving to be an excellent breeding ground for
the next generation of businessmen and women. The introduction of an
iPhone version is the next step in Minieconomy's vision to making
tomorrow's business world better today.
Comics Direct to Your iPhone
PR: You can now download comics direct to your handset, so
consumers can now read comics anytime, anywhere! By going to the 'Apps
Store' on iTunes, you can download the Comic Reader application direct
to your iPhone/iTouch and then download content to your heart's
content. Clickwheel are the first digital comic company to do this.
Clickwheel, the world's leading digital comic publisher, has
announced that its new Clickwheel Comic Reader application is now
available to download for free direct from Apple's new "App Store" on
iTunes.
Developed to take advantage
of the extensive features on iPhone and iTouch, for the first time, the
Clickwheel Comic Reader application enables everyone to get the latest
exclusive comic strips from the Clickwheel site on demand direct to
their handset without having to sync to their computer.
Once subscribed to Clickwheel, simply press the Comic Reader button
on the main menu screen, choose your comic and download directly to
view.
To coincide with the launch of the Clickwheel Comic Reader, the UK
weekly Sci-fi comic 2000 AD is now available via 'on demand' - an
industry first.
Clickwheel's Creative Director Will Simons said, 'Clickwheel has
been at the forefront of digital comics for many years and the Apple
iPhone is the perfect platform for great premium content, giving
everyone the flexibility to enjoy comics - from old favourites to
cutting edge social commentary - anytime, anywhere."
Link: Clickwheel
Comic Reader can only be downloaded through the
iTunes App Store
Pennies Brings Personal Budget Tracking to
iPhone
PR: Pennies is a new application for iPhone and iPod touch
for personal budget tracking. Available today for $2.99 from the Apple
App store, Pennies offers a refined, simple and fun user experience
that takes the pain out of budget tracking. Pennies is a new joint
venture from Austin Sarner and Clemens Knieper, who have both worked on
various Mac projects including AppZapper.
Pennies uses a straightforward fuel-gauge style indicator to see how
much you've spent. With just two taps you can enter your budget and
start tracking expenses. The entire app has been designed to make
entering and viewing purchases as simple as possible. Entering expenses
is a quick process thanks to built in categories that cover almost any
expense. In addition, Pennies tracks your top expenses and allows you
to browse your receipts both by date and category. Notes can be added
to a purchase, which can be brought up months later using the history
feature.
Available now on the App Store for $2.99, Pennies is a complete
personal budget management solution that fits perfectly on your iPhone
or iPod touch.
Link: Pennies can only be purchased
through the
iTunes App Store
Babelingo 1.1 for iPhone and iPod touch
PR: Alta Vida LLC announces Babelingo 1.1, their language
translation utility for iPhone and iPod touch. Containing more than 300
useful phrases and words, Babelingo is an incredibly fast and
easy-to-use phrase book communicator, allowing anyone to show a
professionally translated phrase to a foreign language audience.
Babelingo can translate to and from 7 different languages, including
English, Spanish, Italian, French, German, Japanese and Chinese. Each
phrase is carefully translated by highly skilled professional
translators and displayed in a large, beautifully rendered script that
is easily read from a distance.
Each category, phrase, word, and screen can be presented in any one
of the supported languages. The user chooses their native language, the
alternative audiences language, and Babelingo does the rest. Phrases
are grouped by category in a flat list for fast navigation. Simply tap
a phrase and its translation is immediately displayed.
For commonly used phrases, users may add them to a favorites list
for quick and easy access. Quickly search for phrases using key words.
And Babelingo is more than a simple phrase book too. The application
also enables two way communication by allowing the alternate party to
navigate Babelingo in their own language and respond to requests,
making it the perfect travel companion for both business and
leisure.
Version 1.1 includes professionally translated phrases in the
Italian language, and a recommended update. Customers who have a need
for a specific language are urged to contact support so that it may be
prioritized into a future release of Babelingo.
Feature highlights include:
- Over 300 useful phrases and words
- Each and every phrase carefully translated by highly skilled
professional translators
- 25 different categories
- Large and beautifully rendered translations
- Native language responses
- Phrase search
- Favorites list
- No network connection required
Language support: English, Spanish, Italian, French, German,
Japanese, and Chinese
Minimum Requirements: iPhone or iPod touch 2.0
Babelingo 1.1 for iPhone and iPod touch is only $5.99 and available
exclusively through Apple's App Store.
Link: Babelingo
for iPhone and iPod touch can only be purchased through the
iTunes App Store
Listen to Music from Your iPhone 3G in Your Car
with the Belkin TuneCastAuto
PR:
TuneCast Auto lets you listen to your iPhone or iPod in the car, while
it charges. Cut through the static with ClearScan. Avoid the
frustration of manually finding a clear FM station. ClearScan
technology quickly scans and finds the best FM frequency - all with one
push of a button.
Belkin's current TuneCast Auto for iPhone and iPod now works with
the iPhone 3G. By passing the certification testing required by Apple's
"Works With iPhone" program, you can be ensured that your iPhone 3G is
compatible with the TuneCast Auto. Featuring ClearScan technology,
TuneCast Auto will automatically seek out the best FM frequency to play
the music from your iPhone 3G in your car by one push of a button.
Features
ClearScan technology- Includes line-out for use with car-stereo inputs or cassette
adapter
- PRO setting optimizes audio and boosts volume
- Transmits audio wirelessly on multiple FM channels from 88.1 MHz -
107.9 MHz
- Attached auto power cord powers and charges your iPhone or iPod in
the car
- Flexible design lets passengers control playlists
This accessory is compatible with the following iPod models:
- iPhone 3G
- iPhone
- iPod touch
- iPod nano 3rd generation (video)
- iPod classic
- iPod nano 2nd generation (aluminum)
- iPod 5th generation (video)
- iPod nano 1st generation
- iPod 4th generation (color display)
- iPod 4th generation
- iPod mini 1st generation
Currently available in all global regions
TuneCast Auto for iPhone and iPod (F8Z182) - $79.99
Link: Belkin
TuneCastAuto (currently $50.49 from Amazon.com)
Send Text Messages from Apple Mail with Phone
Plugins 2.2
PR: nova media updated 'Phone plugins' to version 2.2,
offering context menu support to send text messages and dial numbers
with Apple Mail.
"Phone plugins works with nearly all phone models from Sony
Ericsson, amongst others." states Jan Fuellemann, PR spokesperson at
nova media. "The plugin supports multipart and Unicode text
messages."
Phone plugins is a utility to quick-dial a selected number and
quick-send a text message with one click from any program in Mac OS X
Leopard and does not require to open any extra application.
It is sufficient to select any number and choose 'Dial number' or
'Send text message' within Apple Mail or within any other Mac OS
X-compatible application by using the 'Services' menu. Phone plugins
will either have the cell phone issue a call and bring up a status
window on the screen or open a text message window on the screen
accordingly.
If the selected number is known to Address Book, Phone plugins will
display the appropriate name in the new call window or text message
window automatically. In addition, Phone plugins features its own
Bluetooth wizard to connect a cell phone to the Mac in one convenient
step.
Phone plugins is available today for $9.95 (Euro 9,95) plus VAT if
applicable on nova media's website. A demo version is provided as well.
The update to version 2.2 is free for current owners of a Phone plugins
license. Phone plugins requires Mac OS X 10.5.2 or higher and a
compatible cell phone from Motorola, Nokia, Samsung or Sony
Ericsson.
Link: Phone
Plugins
reQall Launches the iPhone's First Memory Aid
PR: Shake your iPhone to jog your memory reQall on the iPhone
organizes your to-do list, appointments, shopping list and even visual
reminders without typing
reQall released the first-ever memory aid specifically created for
the iPhone and iPod touch. reQall for the iPhone is available for free
beginning Friday July 11th, exclusively from Apple's App Store. Based
on pioneering research into memory prostheses from MIT's Media Lab,
reQall enables you to simply say what you want to remember straight to
your iPhone. Your voice reminders are immediately converted into text
and delivered back to you at the right moment. reQall can remind you
via text message, instant message, email, or as a calendar alert about
what you need to do and when. And if you shake your iPhone, the
patent-pending reQall Memory Jogger springs to action and identifies
information designed to maximize memory reinforcement, helping you
remember better.
reQall is also smart enough to recognize certain keywords. Say "buy"
and reQall automatically adds that item to your shopping list. Say
dates and times - things like "remind me to use the travel certificates
before May 18? - and a reminder is scheduled in your calendar; use a
word like "meet" to automatically schedule a meeting. With reQall, you
can even use your iPhone to remind your friends or family members by
saying things like "ask Jenny to get the car washed." Jenny will
immediately receive a reminder from you by text, email or instant
message. You can also take pictures using your iPhone and store these
within reQall, so you can remember things that you can't easily
describe.
reQall's founders and advisors are Apple alumni. "As one of the
first native applications for the iPhone, we wanted to create something
that was relevant to every iPhone user. And in today's busy digital
society, who doesn't need help remembering everything?" says Rao
Machiraju, CEO of reQall. "reQall is simple but powerful and has been
specifically designed for today's hectic lifestyles." "reQall has long
been essential to my life, allowing me to remember without effort. But
on the iPhone it has taken a whole new meaning. Combine the iPhone's
elegance and large touch screen with reQall and the result is pure
pleasure," added Don Norman, former VP of Advanced Technology at Apple
and advisor to reQall.
Link: reQall can
only be purchased through the
iTunes App Store
