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
Apps & Services
Accessories
Presentation
Protection
iPod and iPhone Deals
These price trackers are updated regularly.
News, Reviews, & Opinion
iPhone Finally Coming to Vermont
Cnet's Kent
German reports:
"Vermont may have gorgeous scenery, maple syrup and civil unions,
but up until now it hasn't had the iPhone. Since the Green Mountain
State is one of the few states to lack native AT&T service,
Vermonters have been left out of the iPhone classic and iPhone 3G
scramble. Sure, they could buy it somewhere else and use it in Vermont,
but it wasn't quite the same.
"But as the Burlington Free Press reported recently,
AT&T's acquisition of Unicel will bring Apple's phone to the
state...."
Link: The iPhone:
Coming Soon to Vermont
15 Secret iPhone Tips and Tricks
mac.elated.com says:
"Happy New Year!
"I've been using my iPhone 3G for a few months now. Along the way
I've discovered a few 'less-than-obvious' tricks and shortcuts that
save me a fair bit of time, and I thought I'd share them. While most of
these are in the iPhone User Guide if you dig around, I'd say they're
useful enough to deserve a mention in their own right.
"(By the way, most of these tips also work on the iPod touch.)"
Link: 15
Secret iPhone Tips and Tricks
Apple Files for Patent on Winter-friendly iPhone
Gloves
AppleInsider's
Aidan Malley reports:
"Addressing the complaints of nearly every iPhone owner in a
northern climate, Apple has filed for a patent that would cover a means
of using a multi-touch device with gloves.
"The US Patent Office application notes that capacitive touchscreens
like those on the iPhone and iPod touch are problematic in colder
weather. As they depend on the electrical response from a user's
fingertips, which is often blocked off when wearing insulated gloves,
the screens either force users to take off their gloves or else sit
tight until they return indoors."
Link:
Apple Files for Patent on Winter-friendly iPhone Gloves
Apple's Latest Patent Brilliance: the iGlove
The Register's
Rik Myslewski says:
"The US Patent and Trademark Office yesterday released Apple's most
recent application, in which the company files for patent protection
for . . . wait for it . . . a glove.
"No, not a Power Glove. Patent #20090000010 is for what Apple calls
a High tactility glove system designed to aid users in operating their
multi-touch devices - think iPhones - in frigid weather.
"'I love patent #20090000010. It's so bad!'"
Link: Apple's
Latest Patent Brilliance: the iGlove
Cisco WebEx Lets You Collaborate from the iPhone
3G
eWeek's Clint
Boulton reports:
"Cisco and Apple band together to release a Cisco WebEx Meeting
Center application for Apple's iPhone 3G. The move could be a
springboard for greater Web conferencing collaboration from the world's
most popular smart phone and a boon for corporate road warriors craving
mobile enterprise applications. This will be crucial to cementing the
iPhone as a reliable alternative to RIM Blackberries and Nokia Symbian
devices in the enterprise mobile and wireless space."
Link:
Cisco WebEx Now Lets You Collaborate from the Apple iPhone 3G
Apps & Services
Quickoffice Unveils First Editable Office App for
the iPhone
PR: Quickoffice, Inc. has announced the release of
MobileFiles Pro, the first application to include editable Office
functionality for the iPhone and iPod touch. The latest upgrade brings
comprehensive editing and saving of Microsoft Office Excel files in the
.xls format, WiFi file transfer to and from a desktop (Mac and PC), and
the ability to access and synchronize with Apple MobileMe accounts.
Offering increased functionality for the mobile professional,
MobileFiles Pro has extensive .xls editing features including support
for over 125 functions, robust format options ranging from font style
and cell color choice to inserting and resizing rows and columns. Users
can easily switch between sheets in a workbook, revise inputs and
recalculate and undo / redo changes.
In addition, MobileFiles Pro features enhanced desktop file access
and transfer functionality combined with MobileMe iDisk account access
to easily transfer and store files to and from their iPhone. Using the
new WiFi feature, users can transfer files directly from any desktop to
an iPhone or from an iPhone to the desktop. MobileFiles Pro also
provides remote access to MobileMe iDisk files, synchronizes changes
and uploads new files to iDisk and provides local passcode protection
of the entire application, ensuring all account information and data is
secure.
"Quickoffice is taking an important first step in providing business
users with useful applications that allow them to easily create and
edit Excel files, much like they do on their desktop," said Michael
Gartenberg, vice president of mobile strategy at
Jupitermedia/mobiledevicestoday.com. "The iPhone is changing the mobile
industry and with help of high-quality third party applications, it
will continue to branch out from the consumer space, appealing to a
growing number of business professionals."
"We are very pleased to launch MobileFiles Pro, the first iPhone
application with the ability to access and view almost any file
including iWork files, plus Excel editing and saving directly on the
iPhone," said Paul Moreton, vice president of product management at
Quickoffice. "This launch reinforces our commitment to deliver our
award-winning software across leading smartphone platforms to allow
more users to stay connected to all of their content and to improve
productivity when on the go. We look forward to providing more upgrades
to our iPhone application in 2009."
MobileFiles Pro is now available in the Productivity section of the
Apple Store for $9.99.
Link: MobileFiles Pro (available
through the
Apple App Store)
BibleReader 4.0 Library for iPhone and
BlackBerry
PR: As 2009 begins, Olive Tree Software says that one of
their most significant achievements this year was the release of
BibleReader 4.0. This new program brings the features and flexibility
of BibleReader to the newest and most powerful mobile devices of 2008 -
the iPhone, and the BlackBerry Curve, Bold, and more. BibleReader 4.0
is a completely new program architecture, developed to ensure
BibleReader's functionality across many different mobile platforms, and
to provide the framework for adding more features to BibleReader in the
future, for both new and existing mobile devices.
What to expect from Olive Tree in 2009?
Planned development for BibleReader 4.0 is far from finished. Look
for the following new programs, features, and resources in 2009:
BibleReader 4.0 for new devices, including Google Android,
BlackBerry Storm, Windows Mobile/Pocket PC and Windows Mobile
Smartphone Greek and Hebrew fonts and resources for iPhone hundreds of
titles to expand the current BibleReader 4.0 library
Olive Tree Titles Available for BibleReader 4.0
Bible Translations and Study Bibles
- Albanian Bible
- American Standard Version - ASV
- Amplified Bible - AMP
- Bible in Basic English - E
- Common Version: Webster's Revision to the KJV
- Complete Jewish Bible, by David H. Stern
- Darby's New Translation
- Dutch Bible: Groot Nieuws Bijbel 1996 - GNB
- Dutch Bible: NBG 1951
- Easy-to-Read Version - ERV
- English Standard Version - ESV
- Esperanto Bible
- ESV Study Bible Notes with ESV Bible text
- Finnish Bible: 1776 Translation
- French Bible: Darby 1991
- French Bible: Martin - 1744
- German Bible: Luther 1912
- German Bible: Elberfelder 1905 and 1985
- German Bible: Hoffnung für alle
- German Bible: Luther 1984
- GOD'S WORD Translation
- Hawai'i Pidgin New Testament - Da Jesus Book
- Holman Christian Standard Bible
- International Standard Version - ISV
- Italian Bible: Giovanni Diodati - 1649
- JPS 1917
- King James Version - KJV
- 21st Century King James Version - KJ21
- Latin Vulgate
- Literal Translation of the Holy Bible - LITV
- The Message, by Eugene Peterson
- Modern King James Version - MKJV
- New American Bible - NAB, for Catholics
- New American Standard Bible - NASB 1977
- New Century Version - NCV
- New English Translation - NET Bible - Limited Notes
- New International Reader's Version - NIrV
- New International Version - NIV
- New King James Version - NKJV
- New Living Translation, Second Edition - NLTse
- New Revised Standard Version - NRSV
- New Testament in Modern English, by J.B. Phillips
- NIV Family Pack (including NIV, TNIV, and NIrV)
- Portuguese Bible: Nova Traducao na Linguagem de Hoje - NTLH
- Revised Standard Version - RSV
- Revised Version - RV
- Ryrie Study Bible Notes
- Spanish Bible: Palabra de Dios para Todos - PDT
- Spanish Bible: Reina Valera 1909
- Tagalog Bible: Ang Dating Biblia (1905)
- Tanakh
- Today's New International Version - TNIV
- Tyndale Bible, translated by William Tyndale
- Weymouth New Testament
- World English Bible - WEB
- Wuest - The New Testament: An Expanded Translation
- Wycliffe Bible, translated by John Wycliffe
- Young's Literal Translation of the Holy Bible - YLT
Commentaries and Cross References
- Bible Knowledge Commentary - BKC
- C.A. Coates Commentary and Articles
- Genesis, by John Calvin
- Gray's Commentary
- Hebrews, by John Owen
- Ironside Expository Commentaries
- Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary
- Jewish NT Commentary, by David H. Stern
- John, by John Calvin
- Jude, by Thomas Manton
- MacArthur New Testament Commentary - Bundle
- Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
- Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge - TSK
eBooks and Other Resources
- Abraham or The Obedience of Faith, by F. B. Meyer
- Absolute Surrender, by Andrew Murray
- Alfred Edersheim's Bible History of the Old Testament
- All of Grace, by C.H. Spurgeon
- The Battle is the Lord's, by Tony Evans
- The Best is Yet to Come, by Tony Evans
- Charles Simeon: We Must Not Mind a Little Suffering, by John
Piper
- Charles Spurgeon: Preaching Through Adversity, by John Piper
- Christ In Isaiah, by F. B. Meyer
- Complete Gathered Gold, by John Blanchard
- Contending For Our All, by John Piper
- David Brainerd's Life and Ministry, by John Piper
- David: Shepherd, Psalmist, King, by F. B. Meyer
- Don't Waste Your Life, by John Piper
- Elijah and the Secret of his Power, by F. B. Meyer
- The Essentials of Prayer, by E.M. Bounds
- Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die, by John Piper
- George Mueller's Strategy for Showing God, by John Piper
- God is the Gospel, by John Piper
- God's Glorious Church, by Tony Evans
- God's Passion for His Glory, by John Piper
- The Hidden Smile of God, by John Piper
- How To Pray, by R. A. Torrey
- A Hunger For God, by John Piper
- Israel: A Prince with God, by F. B. Meyer
- Jeremiah: Priest and Prophet, by F. B. Meyer
- John Bunyan: Suffering and Service, by John Piper
- John Calvin: The Divine Majesty of the Word, by John Piper
- John Newton: Tough Roots of his Tenderness, by John Piper
- John Owen: Reflections on the Life and Thought, by John Piper
- Jonathan Edwards: The Pastor as Theologian, by John Piper
- Joseph: Beloved, Hated, Exalted, by F. B. Meyer
- Joshua and the Land of Promise, by F. B. Meyer
- Knowing Scripture, by R. C. Sproul
- Life and Ministry of Athanasius, by John Piper
- Life As a Vapor, by John Piper
- Martin Luther: Lessons from His Life, by John Piper
- The Necessity of Prayer, by E.M. Bounds
- New American Standard Bible - NASB
- The New Life, by Andrew Murray
- The Origin of the Bible, edited by Philip Comfort
- Our God is Awesome, by Tony Evans
- Paul: A Servant of Jesus Christ, by F.B. Meyer
- Peter: Fisherman, Disciple, Apostle, by F. B. Meyer Pierced by the
Word, by John Piper
- The Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan
- Power through Prayer, by E.M. Bounds
- Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence
- Prayer and Praying Men, by E.M. Bounds
- Preaching the Cross, by Mark Dever
- The Promise, by Tony Evans
- Purpose in Prayer, by E.M. Bounds
- Reality of Prayer, by E.M. Bounds
- Revised Common Lectionary, Year B
- Samuel: The Prophet, by F. B. Meyer
- Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ, by John Piper
- St. Augustine: The Life and Thought, by John Piper Taste And See,
by John Piper
- The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman
- Totally Saved, by Tony Evans
- The Transforming Word of God, by Tony Evans
- The Value of Learning History, by John Piper
- The Weapon of Prayer, by E.M. Bounds
- When I Don't Desire God, by John Piper
- Who is This King of Glory? by Tony Evans
- William Cowper: Reflections on the Life, by John Piper
- William Tyndale: Why he Lived and Died, by John Piper
- William Wilberforce: Reflections on the Life, by John Piper
- With Christ in the School of Prayer, by Andrew Murray
Over 140 titles are currently available, and Olive Tree will be
adding more each week throughout 2009.
Follow Olive Tree on Twitter to learn about software updates as soon
as they are posted. You'll be among the first to find out when a
production build of BibleReader for iPhone (or Blackberry Storm) is
ready for users!
Featured Releases
Knowing Scripture - Now Available for iPhone and BlackBerry
This classic by R.C. Sproul is one of his most important and
influential books. In it, he makes a case for in-depth personal Bible
study, and offers guidance to his readers in how to go about this
task.
While Sproul believes passionately that the Bible is the inspired
and inerrant word of God, he does not make light of the questions of
interpretation that each reader encounters when studying the Bible.
Instead, Sproul shows how the Bible can be read closely and carefully,
using practical guidelines anyone can learn. He also addresses the
important question of culture, and how the Bible, written in a time and
place quite different from our own, can be interpreted meaningfully
today by modern (or postmodern!) readers.
Knowing Scripture is an excellent introduction to the process of
coming to know scripture more deeply, and is useful for both
experienced students of the Bible and for Christian beginners.
To get an inside perspective on life at Olive Tree, meet different
Olive Tree employees, read educational articles about Olive Tree
software, and hear important announcements in between newsletter, check
out the
Olive Tree Blog.
Follow Olive Tree on Twitter at http://twitter.com/OliveTreeBible
Visit the forums at www.olivetree.com/help/forum
Click the name of your mobile device, and browse or search the
discussion threads other users have started. Join in the discussion
with questions or comments, or, if you don't find the information
you're looking for, you can start a thread of your own. Forums are a
place where users can interact with each other and with Olive Tree
developers and offer important feedback. They are especially important
for programs that are still in beta testing.
- Olive Tree Bible Software
- P.O. Box 48271
- Spokane, Washington 99228
- US
Link: Olive Tree
Software (available through the
Apple App Store)
Accessories
Kensington Hands-Free Visor Car Kit: Simplest
Calling for Smartest Driving
PR: Kensington Computer Products Group today introduced a
handsfree car kit that clips to the car visor and offers crystal-clear
speaker sound and one-touch speed dialing of three favorite numbers
without removing phones from pocket or purse. Since many states already
have enacted strict laws about driving and talking on mobile phones,
the new handsfree support helps users drive and talk not only
conveniently and safely - but also legally.
Kensington research shows that 95% of people call the same three
numbers while driving, so this "favorite three" feature should greatly
simplify their ability to more securely keep in touch with friends,
family, and colleagues while on the road. The handsfree speaker device
also pairs with up to 3 different Bluetooth phones, allowing 3
different users to speed dial their top 3 favorite numbers switching
between phones in only a few seconds with just the push of a
button.
Kensington's incorporation of a high end, patented noise canceling
technology has resulted in a product which has such excellent sound
that early users have defined it as being similar to a high quality
headset, yet with all the simplicity of a one touch speaker device that
clips to the car visor. Many people dislike carrying headsets which can
be uncomfortable and distracting, can easily get misplaced, and which
lack the convenience of the "favorite three" speed dialing capability.
A swappable battery provides approximately 10 hours of talk time.
"The Kensington processes are so simple that people's attention can
stay focused on driving just as their eyes can stay glued to the road,"
said Orlantha Boeker, Regional Product Marketing Manager, Kensington.
"And while they offer ultimate convenience, even more importantly, they
offer crystal-clear sound quality. People try them and say they sound
more like a headset than a speaker phone, which is due to the high end
noise canceling technology. So people can have great conversations
along with a safer journey."
Key Features of the Kensington Hands-Free Visor Car Kit for iPhone
and Bluetooth Phones Include:
- One Touch for Top Three - Program three frequently dialed numbers
to call your favorite people with a single touch while driving.
- Multi-Driver Friendly - Press the user swap button and the car kit
will automatically disconnect from your phone to link to a second or
third driver's programmed phone - each with their own three speed dial
presets, for up to nine numbers in one vehicle.
- Clear Conversation - The high-quality speaker, microphone, and
patented noise canceling technology offer flawless voice transmission
for all communications needed while driving.
- Easy and Convenient Access - Keep within reach at all times by
clipping the Hands-Free Visor Car Kit to your vehicle's sun visor.
- Talk for Hours - The Hands-Free Visor Car Kit includes two
swappable, rechargeable battery packs for approximately 10 hours of
talk time each to never worry about running out of power.
Kensington Hands-Free Visor Car Kit for iPhone and Bluetooth Phones
(SKU K33440US): Keep your eyes on the road while still taking calls
with the Kensington Hands-Free Visor Car Kit. Simply clip on your car's
sun visor and pair with your iPhone or Bluetooth enabled phone for
one-touch speed dialing of your three favorite numbers, crystal-clear
conversation, and handsfree talking. Suggested Retail Price:
$119.99
The Kensington Hands-Free Visor Car Kit for iPhone and Bluetooth
Phones is available for pre-order at Amazon.com, Kensington.com and
will be available by the end of the month at other major retailers.
Link: Kensington
Hands-Free Visor Car Kit for iPhone and Bluetooth Phones
Portable Power Station with Cradle for iPhone
3G
PR: Want a cradle for your iPhone
3G?
Want a portable battery for your iPhone 3G?
Want an one-solution to your iPhone no matter you are at home/office
or when you are out?
Here you are!
Features:
- Cradle for Sync and charger your iPhone with your PC
- Portable (external) battery for your iPhone 3G
- LED light (External battery
- Charging your iPhone and second battery simultaneously
- Sleek surface and vivid color
This accessory is compatible with iPhone 3G
Specifications of the external battery
- Charging thru Mini USB 5 pin
- 1000mAh
- 74g (a standard can coke is 355g!)
Options: Color
- Black (default color to be shipped)
- White
Package Contents:
- Cradle for iPhone 3G x 1
- USB Cable x 1
- External battery x 1
$39.99
Link: Portable
Power Station with Cradle for iPhone 3G
Travel Battery/Charger Set for iPhone/iPod
PR: When you are out, what need to be with
your iPhone/iPod?
First of all, you need a charger when your internal battery runs out
of power, you can make your use of iPhone/iPod uninterrupted.
Secondly, you need a short and portable USB - Dock cable for
charging your iPhone, it should be short and small in size.
Thirdly, it should also could be rapidly rejuiced by the A/C power
instead of relying on the USB port.
Finally, the battery should be nicely moulded, good hand feel, and
pocketable.
If you are looking one as the conditions above, then this one should
be an ideal solution to you.
Features:
- External battery for your iPod/iPhone
- including a short USB - Dock cable for charging and hot-sync with
your iPhone/iPod.
- ON / OFF Switch
- LED Light
- Ideal for travelers
This accessory is compatible with iPhone 3G.
Specifications:
- Input: AC100~240V 50/60Hz
- Output: DC5.1V - 5.5V
- Output Capacity: 650mA
- Capacity: 1400mAh
Color: White
$25.99
Link: Travel
Battery/Charger Set for iPhone/iPod
Presentation
AV Cable with USB for Charging for iPod/iPhone
(Firmware 2.2)
PR: Connect an iPod/iPhone to your TV with the
composite AV Cable, gather up your friends, and watch videos or
slideshows together on the big screen.
You can also connect the Composite AV Cable to your Stereo or
powered speakers for a room-filling audio experience.
The composite AV Cable connects to your iPod/iPhone via the 30-pin
dock connector and to your TV, home theater receiver, or stereo
receiver via the composite video and Red-White analog audio ports. The
cable also features a USB connector that you can plug into a power
source, such as a computer or the included USB Power Adapter.
Features:
- Direct Plug, no need to go thru any other media
- Stereo
- Plug and play
This accessory is compatible with:
- iPhone 3G (or iPhone 2.0) (up to firmware 2.2)
- iPhone 2G (or iPhone 1.0) (up to firmware 2.2)
- iPod classic (6G)
- iPod touch 1st (not iPod touch 2nd Generation, not
iPod touch 1st Generation 32 GB)
- iPod nano 3rd
- iPod nano 4th
Specifications:
- One end is Dock connector
- Another end is RCA and USB Male connector
- Total length: 160cm (6.5 Feet) approximately
Note:
- The USB Connector is just compatible to charge iPod/iPhone,
not for data synchronization, but is is sometimes a good idea
because some time you just want to charge, you may not want data
sync.
- The USB connector may be at the RCA Side or at the Dock connector
side.
- This product is tested up to iPhone firmware 2.2.
- The firmware version changed its compatibility from 2.0 to 2.2 on
10 Nov 2008.
$17.99
Link: AV
Cable with USB for Charging for iPod/iPhone
Protection
Speck Pulls a One Out of the Design Kitchen:
Candyshell Cases for iPhone 3G
PR: Speck has released a never before seen case design
for iPhone 3G - the CandyShell.
"Pardon the pun, but these are some of the sweetest cases we've ever
created," said Irene Baran, CEO of Speck. "When our team was able to
combine a glossy hard shell exterior and a soft rubberized interior
into a single case design, we knew we had created a very unique and
special case that offers lots of style and great protection."
Never before has the flexibility and shock-absorption of a soft
rubberized case been combined with the durability and scratch
protection of a sleek hard shell in a seamless single-piece,
easy-to-use design... until now. CandyShell's soft, colorful rubberized
interior helps keep the iPhone 3G insulated from life's bumps and
drops, while the shiny and sleek outer hard shell protects it from
scratches and lets you slip it in and out of pockets easily. CandyShell
has generous openings and access to all ports, controls and sensors,
including soft-touch rubberized touch-thru power and volume control
covers. The CandyShell can be docked with the iPhone 3G cable (included
with device) through the bottom opening or it can be easily removed for
charging with the Apple iPhone 3G dock. The case also includes a
cleaning cloth and removable screen protector film for extra scratch
protection.
CandyShell comes in four delicious color-contrasting flavors:
Lemon Drop Liquorice (high-gloss black shell with bright yellow
interior), Key Lime Jawbreaker (high-gloss dark grey shell with bright
lime interior), Cranberry White Truffle (high-gloss white shell with
cranberry red interior) and Watermelon Gumball (high-gloss light grey
shell with pink salmon interior). CandyShell is available now at Apple
Stores and online at www.apple.com and www.speckproducts.com for
$34.95.
Link: CandyShell
for iPhone 3G
Speck Kicks-off 2009 with Expanded Case
Offerings
PR: Apple fans rejoice. Speck has hit the New Year running
with more choices for more devices than ever before. No matter what
Apple device you own, Speck has you covered.
"We are very proud of our support for the rapidly expanding Apple
community," said Irene Baran, CEO of Speck. "We are now offering our
widest selection of styles, materials and color choices in the
company's history and we're very excited about the positive and
enthusiastic responses we've received to our latest introductions."
Fitted Fabric-Wrapped Hard Shell Cases for iPod nano 4G
and iPod touch 2G
Available today in a stylish assortment of original fabrics,
patterns, and colors, the Fitted case series brings an authentic,
custom apparel look to the latest generation of iPod. The case's
formfitting, two-piece snap together design creates a personalized and
tailored appearance that, combined with its interior soft-touch
polycarbonate hard-shell lining, offers real protection from the bumps
and scrapes of everyday activities. The Fitted feels soft to the touch,
while also offering custom-fit contours and openings that allow
complete access to all controls and ports. Fitted is the perfect way to
showcase individual style and will initially be released in black
herringbone with pinstripes at $29.95 MSRP. Additional styles and
patterns will be announced seasonally.
ToughSkin Ultra-Rugged Rubberized Cases for iPod nano 4G
and iPod touch 2G
Long the gold standard for protection, the ToughSkin now sports an
all-new treaded texture for extra grip and comfort and features a
tough, rubberized skin with slightly thicker corners for added
protection from accidental bumps. The innovative hinged bottom can be
pulled back for docking while in the case. The iPod nano edition
ToughSkin sports a new clear hard shell front for extra-durable screen
protection, plus a detachable swivel belt-clip for added convenience.
ToughSkin for iPod touch includes a detachable combination holster and
rotating belt-clip that has also been refreshed to offer an
extra-secure, positive-lock on the case. Openings in the cases provide
generous access to all controls and ports. ToughSkin for iPod nano 4G
and iPod touch 2G is available for $29.95 and $34.95 MSRP
respectively.
