Neither Apple nor Walmart are confirming this one, but rumor has it
that Wali World will begin selling the iPhone on Sunday, December 28 -
$197 for the 8 GB model, $297 with 16 GB. Walmart will be the
fourth US retailer, along with Apple, AT&T, and Best Buy.
A related development: AT&T is now selling the iPhone online
with at-home activation, providing just one more way to acquire the
world's hottest smartphone.
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
The WaliPhone
Apps & Services
Protection
iPod and iPhone Deals
These price trackers are updated regularly.
News, Reviews, & Opinion
The $1,500 iPhone: Stupidity for the Credit Card
Economy
Unicom's chip says:
"Hello there happy iPhone user. How much do you love your iPhone?
What would you say if I offered you $1500 if you gave me your
phone?
"I am absolutely serious. Will you take me up on this offer?
"If you decide to do it, then please follow these instructions:
First, carefully wrap your Apple iPhone in layers of protective wrap.
Next, get a ball peen hammer. Then, smash your phone into tiny little
pieces. Finally, keep an eye on your bank account. A year from now
you'll have $1300 that you wouldn't have otherwise. You can get the
full $1500 if you wait a couple more months. Or, if you just hadn't
bought the stupid thing in the first place.
"My wife was phone shopping a couple months back, worrying about the
prices on the various phones, especially the smart phones. I made her
stop that. 'The phone is free,' I explained. It doesn't matter whether
the phone costs $20 or $300, the cost of ownership is predominated by
the monthly service fee....
"I think the iPhone thrives on the stupidity that has given us the
now failing credit card economy. You can't afford the ticket, but you
can afford the monthly payment. So you buy it, without thinking whether
it's really worth the total cost of ownership...."
Editor's note: An interesting perspective, but using an iPhone with
a data plan costs $30-35 more per month than voice-only service, so
your net additional cost over two years is $720 to $840 plus the cost
of the iPhone. dk
Link: iPhone: Stupidity for the Credit
Card Economy
How the iPhone Reshaped the Mobile Industry
BusinessWeek's
Stephen H. Wildstrom says:
"A few years ago, if someone asked what sort of cell phone you had,
your response would probably be to name a network, like Sprint or
Cingular. Wireless carriers so completely controlled the business,
especially in the US, that many manufacturers weren't even allowed to
put their brand names on handsets. Now this relationship is changing in
ways that will reduce the power of carriers and, with luck, increase
consumers' choices.
"The relationship started to shift when people began using phones
for more than voice calls and text messages. As browsers and e-mail
systems became important, it mattered more whether you had a Palm Treo
or a BlackBerry than whether your phone ran on the Verizon Wireless or
AT&T network. Then along came Apple's iPhone to rewrite the rules
completely."
Link:
How Apple's iPhone Reshaped the Industry
AT&T Brings Back Online iPhone Sales with
At-home Activation
Gadgetell's JG
Mason says:
"Yes! AT&T is now offering the iPhone online with home
activation. I found this by looking for info on another phone, but
found this advert when landing on their site. At first, I figured I was
reading it wrong, so I chatted up an AT&T rep and sure enough, we
are back in 2007: buy it online and activate it at home."
Link:
Apple Left Out? AT&T Brings Back iPhone Online and At-home
Activation
Optimize iPhone Photo Retrieval with Apple's Image
Capture Utility
The
Apple Blog's Bob Rudis says:
"Despite the iPhone having a less-than-stellar camera, I wind up
taking more pictures with it than any other device we own. This becomes
a painful reality every time I connect my phone up to my MacBook Pro
since I am reminded that I have enabled the launching of iPhoto
whenever there are new pictures to retrieve. More often than not, these
quick snaps do not make it to my iPhoto library (due to image quality)
but that does not mean I do not want to do some non-mobile processing
with them. Enter Apple's Image Capture application (which can be found
right within your Applications folder)."
Link:
Optimize iPhone Photo Retrieval with Apple's Image Capture
Utility
The WaliPhone
Do We Really Want to See the iPhone at
Walmart?
PC World
says:
"A lot has been made of Apple's seemingly sure move to Walmart as a
point of sale for the iPhone. Whether or not Apple releases an
'everyman' $99 4 GB iPhone still remains to be seen, but this
isn't the main point. The macro trend, if you haven't recognized it
yet, is that the iPhone has gone beyond mainstream.
"And the Apple brand? Don't worry, it will be fine. Walmart sells
Coke and GE products, which are by some accounts the world's most
valuable brands. They aren't suffering any dilution."
Link:
Do We Really Want to See the iPhone at Walmart?
Another Look at the Walmart Factor
Eric Savitz of
Barron's says:
"The Street continues to crunch the numbers on what a distribution
deal with Wal-Mart might mean for Apple's iPhone sales.
"Earlier this week, I took note of Piper Jaffray analyst Gene
Munster's analysis, which concluded that Wal-Mart could sell as many
iPhones next year as Apple's own retail stores.
"This morning, Bernstein Research analyst Toni Sacconaghi runs
through the numbers, and comes up with slightly different
conclusions...."
Link:
Apple: Another Look at the Wal-Mart Factor
Walmart iPhone Deal Will Effectively Kill Google's
Android
Seeking
Alpha says:
"Recently, Apple did not announce that they would be selling their
iPhone at Walmart. In fact, the San Jose Mercury news said that a $99
4-GB version would be sold at the #1 retailer - before Christmas; and
the leading rumor site for all things Apple countered with 'only the
$198 8-GB version will be available at WMT, and that would be after the
28th of Dec.'
"Either way, this will significantly increase the number of people
who desire to own an iPhone [or an iPod touch]. Obviously, this is not
aimed at expanding Apple's presence in the business community [not
aimed at the Blackberry market], but instead, Joe-6-Pack [or is that
Joe the plumber?]. In the unfortunate event that the potential buyer
just signed a contract with another cell carrier, they could be
cross-sold an iPod touch - at Walmart...."
Link:
Apple's Walmart Deal Will Effectively Kill Google's Android
Apps & Services
The Salvation Army Brings Holiday Music to the
iPhone
PR: The Salvation Army, one of the largest charitable
organizations in the United States, announced the availability of the
Salvation Army Holiday Music application in the iPhone Application
Store for $2.99, with proceeds to benefit The Salvation Army.
The application streams hundreds of holiday favorites, ranging from
time-honored classics such as Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song" and
Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" to a selection of The Salvation Army's
own signature brand of brass-flavored holiday tunes. For $2.99,
consumers get unlimited listening.
"The Salvation Army is excited to spread the good cheer of the
season through music while offering a new way for our supporters to
contribute to one of their favorite causes," said Major George Hood,
National Community Relations Secretary for The Salvation Army. "This is
one music download that can make a real difference in people's
lives."
This Christmas, The Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign is hoping
to top the record $118 million donated in 2007. To do that, the Army is
harnessing a range of technology and social media. This includes adding
credit card scanners at some of its iconic Red Kettles, as well as an
Online Red Kettle application, Facebook widgets, and the ability to
donate via text message.
Now, The Salvation Army is teaming with Seattle startup Melodeo to
bring The Salvation Army Holiday Music service to iPhone users. Melodeo
is a leader in streaming media on the Web and on mobile devices with
its Mobilcast and nuTsie products.
"The iPhone and the App Store have changed everything in the mobile
market. The App Store, in particular, has been an unprecedented
success, with over 200 million apps downloaded in fewer than 100 days,"
said Melodeo CEO Jim Billmaier. "We feel privileged to partner with The
Salvation Army to offer the first major philanthropic initiative in the
App Store."
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian
church, has been supporting those in need in His name without
discrimination since 1865. Nearly 29 million Americans receive
assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array
of social services that range from providing food for the hungry,
relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to
the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and
opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83 cents of every
dollar raised is used to support those services in more than 5,000
communities nationwide.
nuTsie parent company Melodeo, Inc. is a leader in delivering
music and other media to the Web and mobile devices. Through products
such as nuTsie and Mobilcast,
Melodeo combines powerful content, a simple user interface and access
from any device, making it easy to enjoy and share entertainment
anytime and anyplace. Melodeo reaches more than 50 million wireless
customers through distribution deals and customer relationships with
Alltel, AT&T, T-Mobile, Handmark, Thumbplay, Danger, Motorola,
Rogers, 3, China Unicom, Sony BMG Music Entertainment & Warner
Music Group in China, TDC in Denmark, Korean Telecom Freetel (KTF) and
M1. Melodeo's mobile entertainment services are compatible with the
majority of mobile handsets on the market.
Link: The
Salvation Army USA (available through the
Apple App Store)
Memento Xmas for iPhone and iPod touch
PR: Tapping It introduces Memento Xmas 1.1, a free, lite
version of their e-card creation and sending app for iPhone and iPod
touch. Designed from the ground up to leverage the iPhone's unique
abilities and interface, Memento is an elegant e-card sending
application offering a natural feel and ease-of-use.
Just in time for the holidays, Tapping It has released this Lite
version of Memento specifically for Christmas. Version 1.1 includes all
new Christmas styles. Now is a perfect time to send a Christmas e-card
for free to family and friends straight from the iPhone, as well an
opportunity to try out the functionality of Memento (Regular
$4.99).
Memento's emails are of unmatched quality and richness. Its built-in
designer styles support and enhance anyone's photos, and help convey a
mood or feeling. Easily compose a card (Full version includes beautiful
14 styles) add a favorite photo, enter personalized text, and email
just the perfect postcard. So much more than a plain e-card, Memento's
emails are of unmatched quality and richness.
"This is just one of those applications that is cool, and has a
variety of uses. If you're looking to surprise grandma with pictures of
her grand kids, then this is the application for you." - TUAW first
look
Feature highlights include:
- 4 Christmas designer styles (more in the full Memento)
- Visual, Fully WYSIWYG display of Cards
- Multiple Email Recipients
- Amazing yet familiar User Interface
- Compatible with Mac OS X Mail, Thunderbird, Yahoo! Mail, Gmail,
MobileMe
Supported Languages: US English, German, French, Italian, and
Dutch
System Requirements: iPhone or iPod touch 2.1 or later
Memento Xmas 1.1 for iPhone is free and available exclusively
through Apple's App Store.
Link: Memento Xmas
(available through the
Apple App Store)
ESV Study Bible for BibleReader Mobile
Released
PR: Published in print by Crossway Books & Bibles in
October 2008, the ESV Study Bible has already become the US's most
popular study Bible, selling more than 140,000 print copies.
Olive Tree
has announced that the ESV Study Bible is now available for your mobile
device. The mobile version offers complete access to all features,
notes, images, and supplemental materials of the ESV Study Bible in
print - plus the familiar interface, quick navigation, and powerful
features of the BibleReader program.
The ESV Study Bible combines the best and most recent evangelical
Christian scholarship with the acclaimed ESV Bible text, and includes
the following features:
20,000 notes - focusing on understanding the Bible text and
providing answers to frequently raised questions. Over 50 articles -
including articles on the Bible's authority and reliability, biblical
archaeology, theology, ethics, and personal application. More than 200
charts - offering key insights and in-depth analysis in clear, concise
outline form; located throughout the Bible. Over 200 full-color maps -
created with the latest digital technology, satellite images, and
archaeological research. 80,000 cross-references - to encourage easy
location of important words, passages, and biblical themes. 40 all-new
illustrations - including full-color renderings, architectural
diagrams, and much more.
The ESV Study Bible includes 2 million words of Bible text,
insightful explanation, teaching, and reference material - equivalent
to a 20-volume Bible resource library in a portable, handheld format.
Olive Tree's electronic version lets you read and study with the
complete resources of the ESV Study Bible wherever you go.
The ESV
Study Bible is available for the following platforms: iPhone and iPod
touch, BlackBerry with Media Card, Palm, Windows Mobile Professional,
and Windows Mobile Classic (Pocket PC). Support for Google Android and
Windows Mobile Smartphone is planned for 2009.
The ESV Study Bible is available today at OliveTree.com and on
iTunes (for iPhone only).
Gift Certificates from Olive Tree
Want to introduce a friend or family member to all the Bible
resources available at OliveTree.com?
Not sure what mobile device they have, or which books they would
like best?
Olive Tree is pleased to offer Gift Certificates, a perfect gift for
any occasion. In a few easy steps, you can purchase a gift certificate
redeemable for any purchases on OliveTree.com, and have it emailed to
the recipient. You can also include a personalized message to add
holiday greetings or any personal touch for the recipient.
Gift Certificates take the guesswork out of sharing Olive Tree
products with friends and family, making sure they get a product that
works perfectly with their handheld device. They also get to choose the
titles that excite them most
Access Your Olive Tree Account on iPhone
Just a reminder. An update to iPhone BibleReader now lets you access
your Olive Tree Account and your Personal Library - including any of
your previously purchased titles that are available for iPhone. On
iTunes, look for Version 4.03.025 or higher of BibleReader. Update your
BibleReader App and sign in to your Olive Tree account.
Need more details? See the iPhone information page at OliveTree.com.
Also, many more Olive Tree titles are now available for iPhone - and
you can purchase them at OliveTree.com. Also see the growing list of
titles for iPhone at OliveTree.com.
Link:
ESV Study Bible (available through the
Apple App Store)
Vatican Approves iTunes Prayer Book
The
Telegraph's Simon Caldwell reports:
"The Vatican has approved a computerised prayerbook for a new
generation of gadget-loving Roman Catholic priests.
"It has sanctioned the sale of the 'iBreviary' - the book of prayers,
readings and services used by priests every day. It includes the
complete Roman Missal - the order of the Mass - and the main Catholic
prayers. It was created for the iPhone by the Italian priest Father
Paolo Padrini and can be downloaded from iTunes for just 79p.
"Officially endorsed by the Vatican's Council for Social
Communications, it is the first iPhone application approved by the Holy
See."
Link:
Vatican Approves iTunes Prayer Book (iBreviary is available through
the
Apple App Store)
Television for iPhone
PR: Makayama Software has released 'Television' for the
iPhone. Television lets you watch TV on the iPhone and iPod touch.
Watch 50 shows from 30 channels on demand from the best prerecorded
content from the USA, UK, France, and Germany. Get the latest news,
sports, and entertainment. Television allows you to watch TV whenever
and wherever you like, with the touch of a finger, instantly and
on-demand via WiFi.
Makayama Software has released new software for the iPhone called
'Television'. The name says it all - this app lets you watch TV on the
iPhone and iPod touch. Watch 50 shows from 30 channels on demand. It's
not live TV, but the best prerecorded content from the USA, UK, France,
and Germany. Get the latest news, sports and entertainment on your
iPhone. Television allows you to watch TV whenever and wherever you
like, with the touch of a finger, instantly and on-demand via WiFi.
The software includes 20 English language channels, such as CNN,
NBC, CBS, MTV, Comedy Central, VH1, and many more. British TV from the
BBC, ITV, and SKY. Australian, French, and German channels are also
included. We've picked the best available content from around the web
and put it in an easy to use iPhone app. With daily updated content,
Television keeps you informed when on the go. Get the latest headlines
on your iPhone or iPod touch. Works over WiFi only, not via 3G.
Full channel and programmes overview:
USA:
- CNN - Now in the News, In Case You Missed CBS - Eye to Eye, Face
the Nation
- NBC - Nightly News, Meet the Press
- CNBC - Fast Money
- Comedy Central - Standup Highlights
- VH1 - Celebrity Rehab, The Pickup Artists Onion Network - All
videos
- College Humor TV - All videos
- Digg - Diggnation
- CNET - First Look, Buzz Report
- Discovery Channel - Highlights
- National Geographic - Highlights
- MTV - MTV News, music videos
- NBA - News and match highlights
United Kingdom:
- BBC - Highlights from Top Gear, Torchwood, Goodness Gracious,
QI
- SKY - Sky News
- ITN - News and Showbizz
- Megawhat - Tech News
France:
- TF1 - Le Journal, Meteo
- M6 - Six Minutes
- BFM - Première Edition
- iTele - iTele News
Germany:
- RTL - News, Aktuell, Wetter, Exclusiv
- ARD - Tagesschau, Das Wetter
- NDR - Ratgeber Technik
- WDR - Die Sendung mit der Maus, Käptn Blaubär
- ZDF - Heute, Wetten Dass Backstage, Aktuelle Sportstudio
Link: Television for
iPhone (available through the
Apple App Store)
The BachPod - Complete Bach Edition
PR: Originally released on 172 CDs to commemorate the 250th
anniversary of Bach's death, the Edition Bachakademie has become one of
the most highly regarded collections of Bach's music ever recorded -
and it's now available on a limited edition 120 GB Apple iPod Classic
on Passionato for £499.
Renowned Bach conductor Helmuth Rilling is joined by Thomas
Quasthoff, Christoph Prégardien, Christine Schäfer and many
other fantastic soloists, ensembles, choirs and orchestras on this
truly outstanding set of award-winning recordings from prestigious
German label Hänssler.
The BachPod
Includes:
- A limited edition 120 GB Apple iPod classic.
- 175 hours of Masterpieces by J.S. Bach preloaded in 128 KB AAC
digital sound
- Huge memory capacity: in addition to the complete works of J.S.
Bach, there's an extra 63 GB of available memory to download thousands
more albums
- 3 back-up DVDs, containing the audio files for the complete Bach
Edition to protect against any possible loss of data
- Free Postage & Packing anywhere in the UK*
iPod Product Details
- Dimensions: 10.3 cm x 6.1 cm x 1 cm
- Weight: 140 grams
- Playable through any sound-system - even your car stereo - when
attached to the Apple docking station (not included)
Usually dispatched in 2-3 working days when in stock, see FAQs for
more details.
To ensure delivery in time for Christmas order before 4 p.m. on
Monday 15th December
Link: The
BachPod
Citysearch Launches New App for iPhone and iPod
touch
PR: Citysearch, a leading online local guide and an operating
business of IAC has announced its new application for iPhone and iPod
touch is available on the Apple App Store. The app means users can more
easily access rich, local editorial content, browse nearby listings,
sort by preferences and write reviews on-the-go.
"We set out to build the most convenient and trustworthy local city
guide on the iPhone," said Dinesh Moorjani, vice president of IAC
Mobile. "As consumers grow accustomed to relying on mobile devices to
inform urgent decisions and share local, user-generated content,
Citysearch on the iPhone and iPod touch empowers users with mobile
reviews, featured write-ups on local neighborhood venues and
hyper-local content including user and editorial reviews."
Utilizing the location-based technology in the devices, Citysearch
identifies local restaurants, hotels, bars, spas and shops nearby, so
that users can find what they are looking for faster than ever. People
can also search for any business listing or category nearby by keyword
and map the results to find their desired destination.
Citysearch features for iPhone and iPod touch include:
- Search nearby destinations: food, bars, spas, shops and hotels
- Search listings by keyword, category and location and map the
results
- Review listing details: address, phone, maps & directions,
photos, hours of operation and more
- Submit user reviews instantly, without a lengthy registration
process
- View previous searches & recently viewed listings
- Browse editorial recommendations, user reviews and advice from
business owners
- Featured write-ups on what's hot in a local neighborhood or
city
- Sort results by key listing attributes including distance, cost and
Citysearch rating
- Bookmark your favorite listings
Citysearch is available for free worldwide from Apple's App Store on
iPhone and iPod touch.
Link: Citysearch (available through the
Apple App Store)
ClairMail Launches Mobile Banking Web Solution for
iPhone
PR: ClairMail, Inc., the leader in 2-way mobile phone-based
customer interaction, has announced the latest release of the ClairMail
System that includes a premier mobile web solution optimized for the
iPhone. The iPhone solution includes the comprehensive mobile banking
and payments functionality found in ClairMail's traditional mobile web
offering - account management, fund transfers, bill payments,
ATM/branch locators and more - presented on the iPhone's rich user
interface.
ClairMail's highly secure mobile web solution possesses the
intelligence to adjust its user interface based on the capability of
the mobile device. If a customer accesses the mobile web from an
iPhone, for example, the user interface is presented in a style and
format appropriate for the iPhone. If a customer accesses the mobile
web from a different device, the user interface is presented in a
format appropriate for that particular device - all from the same
mobile web URL.
"As iPhone use continues to rise, it becomes increasingly important
for financial institutions to offer a convenient, secure and
easy-to-use mobile banking and payments solution that leverages the
rich user interface capabilities of the iPhone," said Joseph Salesky,
CEO of ClairMail. "Along with numerous other enhancements in our new
release, iPhone optimization will appeal directly to iPhone-owning bank
customers, supporting our objective of delivering exceptional consumer
adoption and usage for financial institutions."
ClairMail's newest release delivers new features and functional
enhancements throughout the ClairMail System. Its latest release
introduces functional support for Microsoft SQL Server and for bill pay
integration via OFX; in addition, ClairMail provides functional
enhancements to its already rich offering in terms of customer support,
systems management and reporting.
ClairMail is the first and only solution provider capable of
delivering 2-way mobile banking and payments functionality on all
mobile phones across all three user interface options - messaging,
mobile web and client applications. On one platform with a single
implementation, the ClairMail System seamlessly and securely integrates
with a bank's systems of record and provides bank customers with a
comprehensive suite of 2-way mobile banking and payment services. The
ClairMail System incorporates a powerful Event Engine that can easily
handle the potential transaction volumes from banks of any size and
deliver real-time, 2-way Actionable Alerts.
"Nearly six out of ten smartphone owners use a browser to conduct
mobile banking services, and the Apple iPhone is setting consumer
expectations for what a smartphone should look like and be capable of
doing," said James Van Dyke, Founder and President of Javelin Research.
"Under current market conditions, the browser provides a logical
foundation for mobile banking, with text-based services as an obvious
complement because they provide a means to send dynamic, real-time
alerts."
ClairMail is the only comprehensive 2-way mobile platform for
banking, payments and card services. Deployed either on-premise or as a
managed service, ClairMail optimizes any mobile phone for 2-way
customer interaction. Only the ClairMail System offers 2-way mobile
banking, payments and card applications that utilize any phone's
existing messaging and mobile web software and extend the capabilities
of third-party client applications. On one platform with a single
implementation, ClairMail empowers financial institutions to generate
and deliver 2-way Actionable Alerts to their customers and provide easy
and immediate account management, secure transactions and no-hold
customer service. Unlike other 1-way, proprietary and inflexible point
solutions which lack the application intelligence to generate 2-way
alerts, the ClairMail System is a turnkey, standards-based 2-way
offering that seamlessly and securely integrates with existing systems,
delivers the fastest time to value and provides an alternative to more
costly channels like call centers and IVR. Founded in 2004, ClairMail
is headquartered in Novato, Calif. The company is privately held and
funded by Norwest Venture Partners, Outlook Ventures and JAFCO
Ventures. For more information call (415) 884-7270 or visit:
Link: ClairMail
(available through the
Apple App Store)
Wide Email Update for iPhone Adds Typing
Shortcuts
PR: LizzardWerks has announced an update to Wide Email, a
landscape email program for the iPhone. Write emails on the iPhone much
faster by tapping just a few letters to automatically insert common
phrases, sentences, or even whole paragraphs. The latest update to Wide
Email, a landscape email program for the iPhone, adds this timesaving
feature, called "Typing Shortcuts."
For example, typing "adr" could automatically insert a user's entire
3-line mailing address. Or typing "js" could insert "John M. Smith Jr.,
MD, Ph.D." Users can add, edit, and delete an unlimited number of
custom typing shortcuts.
Wide Email also lets iPhone users type emails faster and more
accurately by using the wider, landscape-mode keyboard, which is not
available in the iPhone's built-in email program. The horizontal
keyboard has wider keys that are easier to see and to hit, even for
people with big thumbs. Combined with the wider keyboard, typing
shortcuts makes writing emails on the iPhone much faster and more
enjoyable.
Wide Email is the only landscape email app for the iPhone that has
this feature. This new feature adds to the other features in Wide
Email, including unlimited saved drafts, full international character
support, and autosaving of drafts and sent drafts.
Link: Wide
Email (available through the
Apple App Store)
Unity iPhone
PR:
Whether on an iPhone or an iPod touch, you will be able to dazzle your
audience with the finest content available in the App Store. 2D or 3D,
touch or tilt - if you can think it, you will be able to build it.
Increased Performance
From changes to the default settings to the addition of iPhone
script call optimization, this release is focused on helping to ensure
that your games continue to redefine what gamers expect to find on a
phone.
Improved Live Preview
Improvements to the reliability of UnityRemote ensure that all touch
phases and accelerator changes are registered while viewing and testing
your game inside the Unity Editor.
Compressed Audio
With MP3/M4A compressed audio playback, you can include longer
playing audio files in your games without compromising your
distribution size.
Unity iPhone 1.0.1 update
Additional Features, improvements, and changes
New Features and Improvements
- Added support for compressed MP3/M4A audio playback. Note that
iPhone hardware supports only one compressed audio clip at a time
- Improved performance of script to engine calls by an order of
magnitude (e.g. calling transform.localPosition is 300% faster). This
optimization is disabled by default and should be enabled via Project
Settings | Player | iPhone script call optimization property. Note that
exception handling will not work correctly when this optimization is
enabled
- Improved Mono runtime stability
- Improved gathering of referenced assemblies while building
player
- OnApplicationQuit callback gets called while quitting Unity
player
- OnApplicationPause callback gets called once Unity player becomes
inactive
- Added support for Application.OpenURL
- Exposed UnityPause function to ObjectiveC for better
interoperability between custom code and Unity player
- Status bar is now hidden on startup
- Introduced support for explicitly defined bounding volume areas for
occlusion culling
- Improved occlusion culling volume generation
- Made input in UnityRemote more reliable. All touch phases and
accelerator changes are guaranteed to reach the Editor
- Improved UnityRemote connectivity by exchanging echo packets with
Editor to ensure that connection is valid
- Improved internal profiler statistics with various aspects of
engine performance being displayed
- Internal profiler statistics are disabled by default for better
performance
- kFPS set to 60 by default to provide stable frame-rate
- Bug Fixes
- Fixed PlayerPrefs bug preventing it to store persistent data
- Fixed memory leak when loading scenes
- Fixed Horizontal/Vertical slider crash
- Fixed occasional crash during Mono garbage collection
- Fixed crash in AOT cross compilation which subsequently left
process hanging on in the background
- Fixed number of bytecode stripping bugs
- Fixed graphics related crash
- Worked around OpenAL bug which caused audio clips sometimes to stop
playing
- Fixed trail and line renderers
- Fixed issue where WWW class preventing data to be sent immediately
on 3G/Edge
- Fixed issue with transparent sorting
- Fixed default GUI skin failing to pass build step verification
- Fixed split screen support in the Editor
- Fixed AudioSource playback to respect AudioListener volume
- Fixed assert when skinned characters come into view
- Fixed Screen.width/height briefly reporting wrong values in the
Editor
- Fixed bug where installer pops up old version warning
Link: Unity iPhone
(available through the
Apple App Store)
Dow Jones Posts Proprietary iPhone App
iPodNN
reports:
"Market tracker Dow Jones has launched Dow Jones: Sales Triggers, a
new iPhone app that provides alerts on business-related news. The app
uses predefined news categories for its triggers; alerts can be raised,
for instance, by management changes, such as a CEO, CFO or other major
player leaving or joining a company. Mergers, acquisitions and new
investments can also be triggers."
Link: Dow
Jones Posts Proprietary iPhone App (available through the
Apple App Store)
New iPod touch-iPhone Downloads Packed with Array
of Financial Calculators and Tools
PR: Whether you are someone who works full-time in finance, a
business student or a businessman, here are two new downloadable
programs that turn your iPod into a powerful and important tool for you
to use in these trying economic times.
- Formulator - the dynamic $6.95 download that contains over 90 of
the most useful financial calculation formulas
- Personal Formulator - a 99 cents version that contains only
personal financial calculation formulas.
Formulator makes it easy to quickly find what you need. You can
search, mark formulas as favorites, or access recently used
formulas.
Formulator combines a financial dictionary with financial
calculator. The program contains over 70 useful financial calculation
formulas. Each formula both calculates the entered values and explains
the meaning and importance of those calculations.
Formulator includes calculation formulas used by consumers (e.g.
mortgage and lease calculators), as well as formulas needed by
financial analysts, (e.g. Acid Test Analysis, or a Z credit score
analysis.)
Other areas of formulas found in Formulator include: Insurance
calculations, interest formulas, stock valuations, bonds, cash flow
analysis and sales ratios, investment formulas, debt ratios.
Personal Formulator is among the first of a series of iPhone
products being created by Multieducator.
To download these programs go to the Apple iTunes Gift Store and
look for Formulator and Personal Formulator.
Just featured in the December 15, 2008 issue of
Business Week.
Detailed List: Formulator contains the following formulas: Actual
Cash Value, Insurance Reimbursement, Future Value, Daily Interest,
Interest Computation, Days of Savings, Annual Percentage Rate,
Discounted Value of Note, Holding Period Return, Capitalization Rates,
Equivalent Taxable Yield, Housing Affordability, Car Lease Payments,
Interest Rate on Car Lease, Acid Test, Debt Service Ratios, Interest
Coverage, Asset Utilization, Accounts Receivables Turnover Ratios, Bad
Dept to Sales Ratios, Debt Ratio, Debt to Equity, Delinquent Sales
Outstanding, Inventory Turnover Ratio, Depreciation-Yearly, Cash Flow
to Total Debt Ratio, Cash to Current Liabilities, Cash to Working
Capital, Cash Flow Ratios, Cash Coverage Ratios, Current Ratio, Free
Cash Flow, Net Working Capital, Z Formulas, Sales to Debt, Sales to
Receivables, Sales to Current Assets, Sales to Administrative Costs,
Sales to Cash, Sales Per Person, Selling Expenses vs. Net Sales Ratios,
Gross Profit Margin, Profit Margin of Sales, Inventory Turnover,
Breakeven Analysis-Units, Operating Cycle in Days, Inflation Adjusted
Price, Horizontal Analysis, Working Capital in Days, Cost of
Debt(Bonds), Cost Preferred Stock, Cost of Common Stock, Bond Yield,
Cost of Credit, Effective Annual Yield, Investors Capital To Sales,
Capital to Noncurrent Assets, Return on Investment, Cash on Cash
Investment, Opportunity Cost, Authorized to Issued Shares, Stock
Options vs. Shares Outstanding, Book Value Per Share, Price To Earnings
Ratio, Earning Rate on Investments, Price to Sales Ratio, Payout Ratio
and Price to Book Ratio.
Thirty formulas are included in the personal addition of the
Formulator Whether you are shopping and want to know how a purchase
will increase your minimum monthly payments, or you need to calculate
what your final cost will be after multiple discounts, this application
is for you. The program also includes conversion formulas for many
daily needs: such as miles to Kilometers, or meters to feet... Cooking
conversions formulas that convert tablespoons to milliliters or ounces
to grams... tip calculations, car loans, insurance reimbursements, and
monthly car loans. All formulas can be saved for future reference. In
addition you can create your own list of preferred formulas AND our
formulas each include a description that explains the calculations
Marc Schulman has been an Apple Developer since 1982. He developed a
few of the very early Mac products. "Back in those days the biggest
problem was distribution. I remember a time when Apple would hold
conventions for Mac and any developer who had a product could exhibit
for free. When I heard about the iPhone products I thought back at some
of those early products, and an opportunity to develop some similar
products."
For the past 25 years he has been developing software products
including a line of Multimedia history CD and now DVD-ROM. He calls
himself a Multimedia Historian.
Background on the Development of this Product:
The FORMULATOR Series is the result of a unique partnership between
MultiEducator, Inc., an American company and an Israeli programmer
named Nimi Peleg. When MultiEducator began developing the Formulator,
it became clear it did not have the in house talent to complete the
project on its own. Marc Schulman made what seemed like an unlikely
connection. A friend had made Aliyah and moved to Avtalyon, a small
village in the Northern Galilee. He could not stop talking about his
new friend Nimi who was an expert on the Mac.
"I contacted Nimi," said Schulman, "and he was immediately
interested in partnering on the project. We made all the arrangements
by e-mail and both began working."
This summer while visiting Israel I met Nimi for the first time"
said Schulman. Since then we have been working closely together. Marc
and Nimi video chat a couple of times each week and exchange code. It
has been a very rewarding partnership, a partnership made possible by
technology.
Technology has made it possible for a talented Israeli living far
from Israel's technology centers to collaborate as if he was next
store.
Nimi and Marc are working together on additional products in the
FORMULATOR line. They are hoping to release version 2.0, which will be
a major upgrade, in spring 2009.
Link:
Formulator (available through the
Apple App Store)
Former equinux CTO Launches New iPhone Venture,
Acquires Where To App
PR: In a transaction worth $70,000 the new iPhone software
company FutureTap acquired "Where To?", the leading iPhone point of
interest app. The app was acquired from day-zero iPhone developer tap
tap tap after their split of the company.
The driving force behind FutureTap is Ortwin Gentz, cofounder and
former CTO of equinux. equinux is best known for their quality Mac
applications such as iSale, a two-times AppleDesign Award winner.
Based in Germany (Munich area), FutureTap today commenced operations by
relaunching Where To in the iPhone App Store.
Where To brings the power of a commercial GPS "points of interest"
feature to the iPhone. Where To enables users to find food, places to
shop, fun things to do and much more with just a few taps. Where To
includes over 600 categories and brands, so that users can find
whatever they're looking for without having to type in search terms.
The new version offers German localization and newly added categories
and brands.
"We're excited to have Where To, the best point of interest app for
the iPhone, back in the App Store", says Ortwin Gentz, FutureTap CEO.
"The launch in Germany, Austria and Switzerland is just the beginning
of our efforts to go international. And we've some exciting new
features in the pipeline", he adds.
"When we put Where To on the market, our biggest concern was that it
would fall into the hands of someone who wouldn't properly nurture it.
But thankfully, because of Ortwin's past experience and drive to
succeed, I'm confident that the app will have a very prosperous second
life", said John Casasanta, tap tap tap CEO.
Version 1.5 is available starting today in the iPhone App Store and
is being sold for $2.99.
Link: Where To
(available through the
Apple App Store)
Protection
USB Fever Aluminum Case for iPod touch 2nd
(Black)
PR: If the protection from Silicone case and
Crystal case are not enough, then you have a better way to do it.
This case is made with aluminum, lightweight and hard. Inside the
aluminum, it is filled with neoprene lining, comfortable and prevent
from shocks.
Features:
- Light weight, made of high grade aluminum.
- Neoprene lining to prevent from shocks.
Options:
- Black (Default color to be shipped)
- Silver
$19.99
Link: USB
Fever Aluminum Case for iPod touch 2nd (Black)
