| iPhone Bugs / Fixes |
| | iPhone 2.0.2, 2.0.1 bugs and fixes: top bugs outstanding and fixed in the iPhone software releases. |
| | 8/26/2008 10:53 PM (1d 2h 51m ago) |
| iPhone browser share doubled since 3G launch |
| | Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Internet, iPhoneAccording to HitsLink, the people who track web usage statistics, iPhone users account for about a third of one percent of web browsers on the Internet, the largest of any mobile platform.
iPhone ranks fourth overall in terms of operating system market share, behind Windows, Mac, and Linux. On August 16, the stats peaked at 0.45 percent. That's a two-fold increase since the iPhone 3G was released July 11.
Jim Goldman, of business television network CNBC, says that "it's a key metric that shows market penetration and customer use." He cited a report by analyst Andy Hargreaves that suggests the increase in browser market share highlights the iPhone's key, long-term advantages. Well, duh.
"Consumers seem to know what some investors are having trouble grasping -- or believing: that Apple might be positioned better in so many key markets than any of its competitors," Captain Obvious Goldman said.
[Via MacDailyNews.]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 8/20/2008 12:33 AM (8d 1h 11m ago) |
| iPhone OS 2.0.2 fails to fix 3G reception issues, apps problems |
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Apple has released iPhone OS 2.0.2 with its obligatory, but unhelpful, release notes indicating only "bug fixes."
Unfortunately, a resolution to widespread, frustrating 3G reception issues is not among those fixes. In fact, some users have reported that the update manifests poorer 3G reception than 2.0.1, ... |
| | 8/20/2008 12:30 AM (8d 1h 14m ago) |
| An iPhone software update to the rescue |
| | It's all better now.(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)
Yay! Apple's iPhone 2.0.2 software update has fixed our broken iPhone 3G. Its endless loop of system restores is over, and it's now back in working order.
Yet, that seems to be just about the only ... |
| | 8/20/2008 12:30 AM (8d 1h 14m ago) |
| The Most Addictive iPhone Games |
| | I never really thought of the iPhone as a gaming platform, even though games like Monkey Ball were being promoted at WWDC. But lately I have found myself playing a couple iPhones games quite frequently whenever I have a little time to kill.
The game I am currently addicted to is Cannon Game (They really should [...] |
| | 8/19/2008 5:30 PM (8d 8h 14m ago) |
| Apple Provides 60 Day Extension to All MobileMe Subscribers |
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Apple has sent out emails to MobileMe subscribers tonight revealing that they are extending all MobileMe subscriber accounts by 60 additional days:We have already made many improvements to MobileMe, but we still have many more to mak...
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| | 8/19/2008 5:27 PM (8d 8h 17m ago) |
| iPhone Firmware 2.0.2 Released |
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As predicted in a last minute rumor, Apple has released the 2.0.2 firmware for the iPhone.
Apple helpfully describes the contents of the update as "Bug Fixes". It's not yet known if this software updates fixes rumore...
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| | 8/18/2008 10:06 PM (9d 3h 38m ago) |
| Google translate on your iPhone |
| | 8/17/2008 6:31 PM (10d 7h 13m ago) |
| iPhone dropping calls? Blame the Infineon chip |
| | An Infineon chip could be at the root of complaints from around the world that Apple Inc.'s new iPhone drops calls and has unpredictable Internet links, according to a research report from Nomura. |
| | 8/17/2008 6:27 PM (10d 7h 17m ago) |
| Lenovo Summer Olympics 2008 for iPhone |
| | 8/17/2008 6:10 PM (10d 7h 34m ago) |
| iPhone 2.1 Beta 4 Seeded, Removes Push Notification Service |
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Apple has seeded iPhone Firmware 2.1 Beta 4 to developers. As usual, Apple describes the content of the update as "bug fixes."
Interestingly, Apple has pulled the push notification service in this release "for further development." T...
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| | 8/17/2008 5:01 PM (10d 8h 43m ago) |
| iPhone 3G reception woes unfixable? Maybe, maybe not |
| | Filed under: Cellphones, HandheldsSupport forum threads on Apple's site and a number of ramblings across these great interwebs are starting to complain at great length about the iPhone 3G's headlining new feature -- 3G reception, that is -- and pretty much every aspect of it: signal strength, call dropping, connecting to EDGE when 3G is present, the list goes on. Some smartypants analyst from financial firm Nomura thinks he has it all figured out, saying that the issues are "typical of an immature chipset and radio protocol stack" and suggesting that a firmware update pushed out to existing handsets is unlikely to ease the pain. We've been hearing that Cupertino could actually be working on just such an update at this very second, though, so this cat better get ready for the possibility that he could be eating his own words down the road. For what it's worth, intermittent issues have been reported the world over, so this doesn't seem to be anything to do with AT&T's (or anyone else's) infrastructure -- and needless to say, not everyone is having issues to start. And for anyone whose iPhone 3G we just jinxed by writing this post... well, our bad.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 8/15/2008 2:09 AM (12d 23h 35m ago) |
| More App Store sales figures |
| | Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iPhone, App StoreLast week, iPhone app shop tap tap tap released preliminary sales data for its iPhone applications. The figures were interesting (and impressive), but at the time, only seven days of data was available. As Steve Jobs told the Wall Street Journal on Monday, the App Store's first month generated about $30 million US in sales, and I was interested in how that would translate on a micro level. Yesterday, tap tap tap's John Casasanta posted its full July sales totals (save a few territories, which will likely have little effect on the final tally), allowing us to do just that.As with the data released last week, the numbers are extremely impressive. Apple's reporting process calculated sales from June 29, 2008 through August 2, 2008. However, as John notes, because the App Store didn't launch until July 10, 2008, the sales data is actually for 24 days.For tap tap tap's two applications, this is the breakdown:Where to Go (App Store link) sold 24,094 copies at $2.99 a copy in 24 days.Tipulator (App Store link) sold 3,168 copies at $.99 a copy in 24 days.After Apple's 30% cut, tap tap tap's net revenue was $52,815 US for 24 days. Wow. That averages to just about $2200 US a day. Read on for more analysis.Continue reading More App Store sales figuresRead | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 8/15/2008 2:05 AM (12d 23h 39m ago) |
| Carriers blaming Apple for iPhone 3G slowness |
| | Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iPhoneAs we've noted before, the iPhone 3G isn't as speedy as we'd like and sometimes has connections problems. Some folks have been blaming the carriers, like AT&T here in the States, but evidence is mounting that the problem may lie with the iPhone itself. GigaOm quotes an analyst at Nomura Securities who put the blame on "...an immature chipset and radio protocol stack" from maker Infineon.Meanwhile, CNET is reporting that T-Mobile in the Netherlands has a blog post (original Dutch) suggesting that the problem is "...a hardware / software specific issue of the iPhone itself," while a Vodafone spokeswoman in Australia told the Sydney Morning Herald that the problems were specific to the iPhone and not their network. Apparently, the problem was compounded by Apple's famous secrecy, with the iPhone 3G only released to some carriers for testing a day before it was released.It's not that surprising that a new product would have growing pains. At the same time, it's hardly the case that the networks are as fast and extensive as we would hope. Hopefully, future firmware updates will improve the situation (if it's primarily a software issue). Otherwise, Apple may have to change the radio chip supplier for future iPhones to bring performance in line with other 3G smartphones.[via Gizmodo]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 8/15/2008 2:04 AM (12d 23h 40m ago) |
| Video: Jobs confirms iPhone ‘kill switch’ |
| | Aug. 13: Apple’s Steve Jobs confirms what a hacker discovered that all iPhones have a remote "kill switch." CNBC’s Jim Goldman reports. (CNBC) |
| | 8/14/2008 4:51 AM (13d 20h 53m ago) |
| Lenovo Olympics 2008 App |
| | Filed under: Software, Odds and ends, Freeware, iPhone, App StoreDo you want to keep up with Michael Phelps and his quest for Olympic gold? Are you Interested in seeing photographs of women beach volleyball players competing on the sand (nudge nudge, wink wink)? Lenovo, the Chinese manufacturer of ThinkPad and IdeaPad notebook PCs and other electronic devices, is providing the free Lenovo Olympics 2008 App [iTunes link] in the App Store now. You can download it from your iPhone or iPod touch by going to the App Store and searching for Lenovo; the same app is available for Windows Mobile and Blackberry devices via lenovo.zumobi.com. While the app is filled with advertising for Lenovo and Intel, it also provides you with photos taken at the Games, news (a bit behind the sports websites), profiles of random Olympic athletes, and blog entries by anonymous athletes. The latter is particularly frustrating, as the blog entries feature the sport and country of the athletes, but not their names!The app will be available for the duration of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and was developed by Zumobi.Thanks to everyone who sent this inPermalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 8/14/2008 4:47 AM (13d 20h 57m ago) |
| Apple market value exceeds Google's |
| | Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Apple FinancialDigital Daily, part of the Wall Street Journal's All Things Digital site, is reporting that Apple's market value is now greater than that of Google. The current market capitalization of Apple is US$159.37 billion, squeaking by Google's market cap of US$157.56 billion. Next in Apple's sights ought to be the old man on the block, IBM. Their current market value is around US$170 billion. It may take a while for Apple to catch up with Microsoft, though -- at the present time MSFT is worth about US$255 billion.What's your take on when Apple will overtake IBM? I'm betting on April 1st, 2009.Financial information from Forbes.comRead | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 8/14/2008 4:41 AM (13d 21h 3m ago) |
| Best Buy to Sell iPhone 3G Nationwide [Official] |
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Best Buy is expected to announce that they will begin selling the iPhone 3G next month, according to AppleInsider.
The announcement should come as early as Wednesday and represents the first time a 3rd party U.S. retailer will be selli...
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| | 8/14/2008 4:38 AM (13d 21h 6m ago) |
| iPhone App Sales Numbers Continue to Impress |
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Apple released the first month's sales reports to iPhone and iPod Touch developers earlier this week. These numbers represent the cumulative sales from the iTunes App Store launch on July 11th for the month of July. While Apple had started providin...
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| | 8/14/2008 4:37 AM (13d 21h 7m ago) |
| Apple, you've got to be kidding me |
| | OK, I lied. I have to, have to, have to write one more post on the iPhone. This time the objective is to illustrate and share how abysmally ridiculous Apple's "customer service" response has been to the well documented iPhone 2.0, 2.0.1 and MobileMe woes. Never mind the fact that Apple was completely absent from any of the dialogue on the bugs between 2.0 & 2.0.1 and left us all to wonder when they would grace us with a fix or even a simple acknowledgement of the problems...So here's the set-up. After my last (or, should I say previous) post here about my ongoing troubles with iPhone 2.0/2.0.1, I went over to the Apple sponsored & sanctioned discussion forums to share my tales of woe with the thousands of other Appletards (I mean that in an affectionate sort of way...I am talking about myself here too, after all...) who are sharing my pain. Here's the link to the specific thread in the forum I'm talking about - you'll need this for later. In any case, I posted to the thread to identify my specifc make/model of vehicle with which bluetooth was still not working and express my frustrations with the lack of solution in 2.0.1, much like most of the other posters on the thread have done. Within minutes, I received an email from Apple, politely notifying me that they had determined my post was inappropriate for the forum and had hence been removed...which it has. Here's that note, along with the full text of my post:Andrew Steele,Apple removed your post on Apple Discussions titled "Re: 2.01 Does Not Fix Bluetooth Problems" because it contained the following:Off-topic or non-technical postsNon-constructive rants or complaintsWe are including a copy of your post at the end of this email for your reference.Our terms of use, which include helpful information about using Apple Discussions, is located here: http://discussions.apple.com/help.jspa We encourage you to continue using the Apple Discussions while abiding by our terms of use. If you would like to send... |
| | 8/13/2008 10:48 PM (14d 2h 56m ago) |
| iPhone experiencing GPS problems after 2.0.1 update? |
| | Filed under: Cellphones, GPS
While some complaints after any firmware update are to be expected, there seems to be a decided uptick in the number of reports of problems with the iPhone's GPS (ranging from general wonkiness to all out failure) after the most recent 2.0.1 update. As the responses on the MacRumors forums indicate, however, the problems are far from across the board (or confined to the iPhone 3G), and GPS problems haven't exactly been that rare of an occurrence before this latest update either. So, we'll open it up to you, dear readers -- have you had any newfound iPhone GPS problems?[Thanks, Mike]
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| | 8/12/2008 4:36 PM (15d 9h 8m ago) |
| Jobs: $30 Million App Store Sales in First Month |
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In an interview with Steve Jobs, The Wall Street Journal reports that the iTunes App Store has delivered over 60 million programs to customers over the course of the first month. While most of those applications were free, Jobs does reveal that Appl...
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| | 8/11/2008 7:19 PM (16d 6h 25m ago) |
| iPhone 2.0.1: What's fixed, problems upgrading |
| | iPhone 3G(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)
On Monday, Apple released iPhone firmware 2.0.1 for the first-generation iPhone, iPhone 3G and iPod Touch. The new release resolves several performance-related issues and bugs found in version 2.0. However, Apple's paltry release notes won't tell you what ... |
| | 8/09/2008 9:36 PM (18d 4h 8m ago) |
| Cases and accessories for your Apple iPhone 3G |
| | An ultra slim leather case for your iPhone 3G(Credit: Sena Cases)It's now almost a month since the release of the Apple iPhone 3G, and the accessory market for the iPhone is jumping with joy. That's because cases and accessories are now selling like hotcakes for this ... |
| | 8/09/2008 9:34 PM (18d 4h 9m ago) |
| International iPhone 3G Launches: India, Singapore, Estonia, Romania, More... |
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During their Q3 2008 financial results conference call, Apple announced that they would be launching the iPhone 3G in 20 additional countries on August 22nd. Several carriers have started announcing their plans:
- Singtel of Singapore ...
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| | 8/09/2008 9:33 PM (18d 4h 10m ago) |
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| | 8/09/2008 9:29 PM (18d 4h 15m ago) |
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| | 8/09/2008 9:28 PM (18d 4h 16m ago) |
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| | 8/09/2008 9:26 PM (18d 4h 18m ago) |
| iPhone 2.0.1 is a HUGE letdown |
| | I was as excited as all of the other iPhone 2.0 refugees when I finally heard about the 2.0.1 release. Could barely contain my excitement to get home & download the (massive) update and try it out.I've done that now, and it didn't fix a thing that was wrong with iPhone 2.0 software on my iPhone 1.0 hardware. Not a single thing that I can find. Might as well just kick me in the crotch & tell me my dog is ugly too.I've read several posts about how the update fixes sluggishness in the software. Must be only on the new 3G models because mine is just as slow as the day I loaded 2.0. Do I assume here that Apple only cares about it's new 3G customers? How very what-have-you-done-for-me-lately. Reminds me of the treatment I got from United after I missed 1K status after 5 years in a row of 150K+ miles a year. Thanks.Bluetooth problems synching the factory BT system in my car, for which I've expressed my misery here multiple times? Not a single whiff of a change. I got temporarily excited because I could initially connect the phone and actually make a manually-dialed call, but alas, no address-book sync and the performance immediatly began to exhibit the slow decline into unusability that I experienced before. So the phone and the car are upaired...AGAIN.So, for the 3 of you that read my blog, I can promise you one thing. This is the last iPhone post you will read from me because I am done with the iPhone. Unbelievable to me how badly Apple has screwed up not only MobileMe, but also some of the most central and fundamental required features of a mobile phone in this day and age.And here I thought Bluetooth was an open standard...I'll keep my Mac for now until/unless Apple figures out a way to screw that up as badly as they have the iPhone, but Blackberry, here I come. Maybe I'll even switch back to Verizon...What an incredible let down.Apple - iPhone | 8GB - MA712LL/A(iPhone) |
| | 8/06/2008 6:23 PM (21d 7h 21m ago) |
| Firmware 2.0.1 breaks PwnageTool, could render iPhone 3G un-unlockable |
| | Filed under: Cellphones var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/Firmware_2_01_could_render_3G_iPhone_un_unlockable'; As some of you already know, updating your iPhone to firmware 2.0.1 means that you've lost access to all your jailbroken apps. That's pretty much expected and should be rectified by the DevTeam soon enough. What's notable from an unlocking perspective, however, is that Apple's 2.0.1 release also updates the iPhone 3G baseband. This puts iPhone 3G owners in a bit of a quandary: update now via iTunes in desperate hopes of the stability and improved keyboard response we've been seeing but do so at the risk of not being able to unlock your iPhone 3G in the future (if and when the DevTeam gets around to releasing it for firmware 2.0). A lot can happen in the course of a 2 year (or longer) carrier commitment. According to the DevTeam, you'll get all the benefits of Apple's 2.0.1 update (without the pesky new baseband) just as soon as they can kick out the updated PwnageTool (current version is 2.0.1) onto the Internets. Decisions, decisions.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 8/05/2008 8:50 PM (22d 4h 54m ago) |
| Ars: Jobs agrees MobileMe not up to Apple's standards |
| | Filed under: Bad Apple, MobileMeHow often does Apple admit a mistake? It's a once-in-a-blue-iMoon occurrence, but now that Ars Technica is reporting the contents of an internal Steve Jobs all-hands email regarding the MobileMe launch challenges we can add one more instance to the tally board. Jobs apparently acknowledges that trying to rush the MobileMe migration while pushing iPhone 3G hardware and iPhone 2.0 software out the door (not to mention the iTunes App Store) may have been too much to bite off at once.The money quote from the letter (yet to be confirmed by TUAW sources) is here:"The MobileMe launch clearly demonstrates that we have more to learn about Internet services," Jobs says. "And learn we will. The vision of MobileMe is both exciting and ambitious, and we will press on to make it a service we are all proud of by the end of this year."Ars also notes that MobileMe management will now be centralized under iTunes exec VP Eddy Cue, who will be leading the charge for all Apple internet services across the board. We've all been through the MobileMe ups and downs during the first weeks of the service; it's nice to know (belatedly) that Apple top brass is clued in.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 8/05/2008 7:40 PM (22d 6h 4m ago) |
| Apple Ramps Production to 800,000 iPhones a Week? |
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TechCrunch claims that Apple has ramped up iPhone 3G production to a massive 800,000 units per week. They cite a source "with direct knowledge of the numbers".
If true, this would bring Apple's iPhone 3G production and sales well abo...
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| | 8/05/2008 7:40 PM (22d 6h 4m ago) |
| Apple Releases iPhone Firmware 2.0.1 |
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Apple has posted the 2.0.1 iPhone firmware update tonight.
Apple only lists "Bug Fixes" amongst the changes. Early claims:
- Backup process for the iPhone is much faster.
- Netshare still works
- ...
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| | 8/05/2008 7:39 PM (22d 6h 5m ago) |
| DataCase turns iPhone into wireless storage device |
| | (Credit: Veiosoft)
OK, we know you're probably iPhone-apped out by now, but a seemingly promising program called DataCase is worth a mention. It turns your iPhone (or iPod Touch) into a handheld wireless drive, meaning you should be able to peek at your PowerPoint document, reread your Word Document, ... |
| | 8/04/2008 5:12 PM (23d 8h 32m ago) |
| iPhone App Store Numbers Reveal Large Revenue Opportunities |
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On Thursday, Apple provided iPhone developers with their first look at daily sales numbers. One developer generously shared her sales numbers with 9to5Mac.
Eliza Block is the author of a well reviewed crossword puzzle game called 2 ...
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| | 8/04/2008 5:08 PM (23d 8h 36m ago) |
| AT&T to Remain Sole US iPhone Carrier into 2010? |
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USA Today has published an article highlighting AT&T chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson's contributions to the Apple-AT&T relationship. Of particular note, the article cites unnamed sources who claim that in exchange for offering Apple subsidies o...
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| | 8/04/2008 5:08 PM (23d 8h 36m ago) |
| Apple Releases iTunes 7.7.1 Update |
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Apple has released an update to iTunes to version 7.7.1. The update includes "fixes to improve stability and performance." iTunes 7.7.1 is currently available through Apple's Software Update.Use iTunes 7.7 to sync music, video, and...
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| | 8/02/2008 2:36 PM (25d 11h 8m ago) |
| Apple's U.S. Market Share Continues to Grow |
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A pair of quarterly research reports released today reveal that Apple is continuing to experience growing U.S. market share among PC shipments.
Gartner's report pegs Apple's share of U.S. PC shipments for the second quarter of 2008 at ...
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| | 7/23/2008 1:24 PM (35d 12h 20m ago) |
| Apple Sends Apology Letter, 30-Day Extension to MobileMe Customers |
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Today, Apple sent out an email to MobileMe customers apologizing for the rocky transition from .Mac to MobileMe.We have recently completed the transition from .Mac to MobileMe. Unfortunately, it was a lot rockier than we had hoped. |
| | 7/23/2008 1:23 PM (35d 12h 21m ago) |
| First Look: FileMagnet |
| | Filed under: Software, iPhone, App StoreFileMagnet (mentioned briefly by Dave in his iPhone apps I actually use post yesterday) is a low-cost wireless file transfer tool for iPhone and iPod Touch. It requires you to install a companion desktop application, also called FileMagnet, which acts as the conduit for file transfer.
Usage is simple enough: drag files you wish to copy into the desktop app's window. Then open FileMagnet on the iPhone, and as long as the two machines are on the same WiFi network, they will find each other over Bonjour, and wirelessly connect. Then your files are smoothly and wirelessly transferred over. Transfer will also happen every time you sync the device, if the desktop app happens to be running.
FileMagnet is a handy place for reference materials, such as Word docs, spreadsheets, PDFs and images, that you're likely to need to carry at all times. It handles entire folders full of files, too.
There are a few problems right now, all of which are addressed on the official FileMagnet FAQ, mostly with a promise that they'll be fixed soon:
FileMagnet cannot display iWork files (yet)
The desktop app requires Leopard (but a Tiger version is on the way)
You can't email files, or indeed do anything with them except view them (an email feature is coming)
Like a lot of iPhone and iPod touch apps, it's in its early days. Some features are lacking, or not as perfectly functional as you might like. But the developers are aware of the limitations and working on fixes and new features, and personally I think it's a decent value application with bright prospects for future development. I'll be watching out for updates with interest.
FileMagnet is $4.99, and available through the App Store.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 7/23/2008 12:57 PM (35d 12h 47m ago) |
| Five great free apps for the iPhone and iPod touch |
| | (Credit: The New York Times Company)Over the weekend I updated my iPod touch to the 2.0 software, and I consider that $10 well-spent. Now I can access all the same great apps as iPhone 3G owners. Thankfully, many of them are free; I've rounded up five I ... |
| | 7/15/2008 4:54 PM (43d 8h 50m ago) |
| First iPhone 3G battery results |
| | Apple iPhone 3G(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)
We've had the iPhone 3G just three days, but we've manged to give it a good shakedown. Today, CNET Labs finished its first round of talk time testing for both the EDGE and 3G networks. On EDGE the iPhone 3G ... |
| | 7/15/2008 4:54 PM (43d 8h 50m ago) |
| Bloomberg's iPhone app a window onto Wall Street |
| | (Credit: CNET Networks)
The world of finance is sober, serious business, ever more so in a struggling through economy. Bloomberg's freeware application for the iPhone and iPod Touch gives information-seekers a clear view of the moment with financial headlines, a ticker finder, and a fleshed-out index of world markets.... |
| | 7/15/2008 4:53 PM (43d 8h 51m ago) |
| Apple Sells 1 Million iPhones, 10 Million Apps Downloaded in First Weekend |
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Despite long lines and activation troubles, Apple announced today that they sold its one millionth iPhone 3G on Sunday, only three days after its initial launch on Friday, July 11th. In the press release, Steve Job points out that it took 74 days to...
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| | 7/15/2008 4:50 PM (43d 8h 54m ago) |
| Unsubsidized iPhone prices |
| | Filed under: iPhone Stories about cell phone unlocking and resales have hit the news recently. TracFone sued numerous resellers who (legally) bought inexpensive subsidized units, unlocked them and sold them overseas. In the iPhone world, the story differs. Rather than leveraging subsidized prices, the way the TracFone defendents did, iPhone resellers added value on top of the unsubsidized units. The bought the phones, unlocked them and sold them for a profit. The story gets more interesting with the current generation "no commitment" iPhones. The latest 3G "no commitment" iPhone pricing appears to include an extra $200 profit margin on top of the $200 subsidy. TUAW reader Adam Jenkins offers proof. In Massachusetts, purchasers pay tax on the full unsubsidized phone price regardless of subsidies. The 5% sales tax for his new 16GB 3G iPhone came to $24.95. Clearly Apple and the State of Massachusetts believe the unsubsidized 16GB price is $499, not the $699 "no commitment" price. That extra $200 offers a nice cushion on top of the unsubsidized sale, providing pure profit. What's the opposite story of resellers taking advantage of cell phone subsidies? Seems to be the 3G iPhone.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 7/15/2008 4:49 PM (43d 8h 55m ago) |
| Review: iPhone outdoes Instinct |
| | Review: Between the iPhone and the Instinct, the iPhone wins because it’s relatively simple to use and because of the vivid visual experience and multi-touch screen it offers, which makes it a pleasure to maneuver around the screen. |
| | 7/15/2008 4:44 PM (43d 9h ago) |
| Review: iPhone outdoes Instinct |
| | Review: Between the iPhone and the Instinct, the iPhone wins because it’s relatively simple to use and because of the vivid visual experience and multi-touch screen it offers, which makes it a pleasure to maneuver around the screen. |
| | 7/15/2008 4:44 PM (43d 9h ago) |
| “You’re not from around here, you’re from the future” |
| | True story about me, my iPhone, and some amazed folks…
I walked into my local Starbuck’s to grab an ice tea and on the way out an old man and his wife (I think from Germany) asked me, “Are you from around here?”.
I replied, “Yea, just down the road”. They look relieved.
“Well, we’ve been looking for ‘Morningside Drive’ for about 2 hours.”
The old man showed me his hand drawn map (how quaint) and started pointing out where he had been. He looks frustrated and pretty worried.
I wasn’t quite sure where this street was, though I had heard of it. I decided to use (Google) Maps on my iPhone. So I quickly, I mean in seconds flat, called up “Morningside Drive, San Jose, CA”. Down comes the map. I then zoom out a little and then zoom back.
I tell the old man, “Oh, you were close, the road is right here.”
He is looking at me like I just came down from outer space. He and his wife are overjoyed and incredulous. They want to know what “thing” I am carrying that can perform near certain magic.
The old man’s wife remarks, “God bless you… but next time, please don’t lie to us… you’re not from around here, you’re from the future.”
Just when technology can get you down (as I pained my way through the iPhone 2.0 software upgrade the other day) and feel like its wasting cycles of your life something like this happens. I saved myself time; I save them time. I saved one of them from a near certain stress-induced heart attack. And it made my day (and theirs).
Oh yea, I was using the old, clunky gen 1 iPhone. Now imagine if I had the new iPhone 3G with GPS… LOL!
Apple - iPhone | 8GB - MA712LL/A(iPhone)
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| | 7/14/2008 10:01 PM (44d 3h 43m ago) |
| “You’re not from around here, you’re from the future” |
| | True story about me, my iPhone, and some amazed folks…
I walked into my local Starbuck’s to grab an ice tea and on the way out an old man and his wife (I think from Germany) asked me, “Are you from around here?”.
I replied, “Yea, just down the road”. They look relieved.
“Well, we’ve been looking for ‘Morningside Drive’ for about 2 hours.”
The old man showed me his hand drawn map (how quaint) and started pointing out where he had been. He looks frustrated and pretty worried.
I wasn’t quite sure where this street was, though I had heard of it. I decided to use (Google) Maps on my iPhone. So I quickly, I mean in seconds flat, called up “Morningside Drive, San Jose, CA”. Down comes the map. I then zoom out a little and then zoom back.
I tell the old man, “Oh, you were close, the road is right here.”
He is looking at me like I just came down from outer space. He and his wife are overjoyed and incredulous. They want to know what “thing” I am carrying that can perform near certain magic.
The old man’s wife remarks, “God bless you… but next time, please don’t lie to us… you’re not from around here, you’re from the future.”
Just when technology can get you down (as I pained my way through the iPhone 2.0 software upgrade the other day) and feel like its wasting cycles of your life something like this happens. I saved myself time; I save them time. I saved one of them from a near certain stress-induced heart attack. And it made my day (and theirs).
Oh yea, I was using the old, clunky gen 1 iPhone. Now imagine if I had the new iPhone 3G with GPS… LOL!
Apple - iPhone | 8GB - MA712LL/A(iPhone)
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| | 7/14/2008 10:01 PM (44d 3h 43m ago) |
| iPhone 2.0 Breaks BMW Bluetooth Address Book |
| | I've been so excited about the new push email capabilities in iPhone 2.0 that I would be willing to overlook just about any other shortcoming the new update might possibly have. But cmon, this is Apple, right? So what about the temporary traffic glitch on launch day - just a temporary hiccup that even Oprah couldn't avoid.But I said just about...Fresh of a successful update from 1.1.4 to 2.0 (which took 3 tries, btw, but who's counting...) I happily jumped in my car (2008 BMW M3, for what its worth) with my family to drive to my daughter's 5th birthday party. Thought we'd call the grandparents along the way so they could wish her a happy birthday. Went to the address book, and....gasp...while I could easily dial "Check my Bill" or "Make a Payment" from the address book, all of my personal contacts were gone.No worries, right - probably just a hiccup with the update, just unpair & repair with the car.Did that. Now, there's NOTHING in my address book. Can't even pay my bill over the phone with the hands-free convenience I once could.So, I did some research. Turns out I'm not alone. Here are a few growing lists of comments in the Apple Support Forum and on Scoopz Blog.Right now, I'm still dead in the water with the address book. Bad timing, considering California just enacted the hands free law on July 1. Guess it's OK to dial the old-fashioned way (the BT still works for mic & speakerphone), but cmon...how 2003 is that?Here's what I know: the pairing and the address book worked flawlessly with 1.1.4. Not a single thing changed on the car. Not too hard to diagnose the source of the problem from here, so I really, really hope to see a Bluetooth firmware release from Apple pronto.Guess it just goes to show you it's not as easy as it looks to be like Microsoft...Apple - iPhone | 8GB - MA712LL/A(iPhone) |
| | 7/14/2008 4:52 PM (44d 8h 52m ago) |
| Apple iPhone v2.0 software on Saturday: Still M.I.A. |
| | Approximately 36 hours after the release of the iPhone 2.0 firmware, existing iPhone customers still can't download it. iTunes says it's unavailable. Apple should have done better.
We already know that on Friday, there were severe activation problems with the iPhone 3G. This isn't exactly a ... |
| | 7/13/2008 6:40 PM (45d 7h 4m ago) |
| InsanelyGreat iPhone apps |
| | Filed under: Software, iPhone, App StoreMagnetism Studios, the guys behind Insanely Great Tees, have just launched four iPhone apps, which they are dubbing "Magnet Apps."Two of the apps are $4.99 and two are $2.99.Here are the details:Tile Sudoku ($4.99)Sudoku is a popular puzzle game choice for iPhone devs, but Tile Sudoku has a neat little twist. Instead of selecting a number from a list, you drag numbered tiles to the correct space on the Sudoku grid. If you make a mistake, you can move the tile to the correct space or back to the tile bar. I haven't used any of the Sudoku iPhone apps yet (I have played some of the web-based versions), but this seems to make a lot of ergonomic sense.You can buy it from the App Store here.Mr. Shuffle ($2.99)It's Mr. Potato Head on the iPhone! Mr. Shuffle lets you create funny faces out of cartoon parts. You can then add speech bubbles or captions to customize the images further. While all that is cool, the most fun part is probably the feature that lets you add elements to pictures you take of your friends from the iPhone camera. You can buy it from the App Store here.City Transit ($2.99)Everytime I visit New York City, I dread having to carry around a transit map guide like a tourist. And even then, you never really know where the closest station is to your location or if there has been some sort of service change. City Transit aims to change all that. For $2.99, you get officially licensed MTA subway maps, a GPS-based station finder to find the nearest station (and it is integrated with Maps so you can get walking directions too) and service advisories from the MTA website, so that you know can quickly out about any line changes.Magnetism has designed City Transit to have an expandable architecture and in the future you should be able to download maps for buses and commuter rail lines. This really looks like the perfect app for anyone who commutes to NYC.You can buy it from the App Store here.File Magnet ($4.99)File Magnet, which... |
| | 7/12/2008 4:41 PM (46d 9h 3m ago) |
| Apple had a bad day |
| | Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iPod Family, iPhone, MobileMeLast year, I took my toddlers -- at the time 4-years-old and 2-years-old -- to see a play. We intended to meet up with a friend of mine and her 4-year-old.Hours before, the whole thing fell apart. My friend offered to sit with the older of the two while the 2-year-old and I went off on our own. I agreed, and 90 minutes later the kids and I were sweating in the worst traffic jam I had ever seen. We arrived 20 minutes late and had to park at the far end of the lot. Stressed, I sprinted to the box office with a toddler under each arm, praying it was open. Panting and drenched, I put them down and handed my debit card to the woman behind the glass."Cash only" she said.That was a bad day. But it's nothing when compared to the trouble Apple and AT&T have experienced over the past 36 hours. MobileMe was initially scheduled to go live between 6 p.m. and 12 a.m. PT on July 9th. At 9:30PM Eastern, Apple stated that the transition would take place between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. PT. As of this writing MobileMe is live, but not all of the push services are working. As for the 3G iPhone, there are plenty in stores. The problem is that customers can't get them working. Reports are coming in of people waiting for hours in Apple Stores while employees attempt activation. Some are being told to go home and activate on their own, only to find that activation servers are down. Not the PR either company wanted today.Additionally, the 2.0 iPhone software became available yesterday, a day earlier than Apple intended. Today, it's out for real, but the same servers hindering 3G iPhone activation are preventing 1st generation iPhones from re-activating after receiving the update. Finally, the iPod touch update was available briefly before disappearing again (as of this writing). Just like the iPhone users, iPod touch users are a bit cranky.Everyone has a bad day, but unfortunately this affects a lot of people. The best we can say is... |
| | 7/12/2008 4:36 PM (46d 9h 8m ago) |
| Security improvements in iPhone 2.0 firmware |
| | Filed under: iPhoneI bet you thought the iPhone 2.0 firmware was all about whizbang new features, or the App Store. Well, it pretty much is, but it also includes some security updates. Apple has posted a KB article that details all the security improvements that are baked into the 2.0 firmware. It is well worth a read if you're paranoid like me (most of the improvements deal with websites that are crafted to cause mischief on your iPhone).[via MacNN]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 7/12/2008 4:35 PM (46d 9h 9m ago) |
| iPhone developer program acceptance faucet turned on |
| | Filed under: SDKWe've gotten word from a score of would-be iPhone developers late today that their long-standing applications to Apple's SDK program have finally been accepted, meaning that they can actually pay their $99 for a signing certificate to allow delivery of their applications to real, plastic-and-batteries iPhones. This comes after recent reports of a 6-month waiting list that might be rapidly whittled down after the App Store launch. We're also told that the SDK is no longer using a beta numbering scheme and may be officially considered as released, although as far as we know the NDA is still in effect.Considering the attention and mindspace lead that the first wave of iPhone developers has already gotten due to the publicity (not all good) surrounding today's launch, it might be prudent for these 2nd wave devs to carefully assess what wins and loses in the iPhone app marketplace before throwing too much weight behind a single product concept. Nevertheless, we've long supported the idea of a fully open iPhone developer community, and another slew of acceptances is a big step forward on that front. If you applied for developer status, check your email!Thanks pope13, acidscan & eRead | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 7/12/2008 4:35 PM (46d 9h 9m ago) |
| U.S. iPhone Launch, More Photos, and Impressions [Notice] |
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This morning marked the U.S. launch of the iPhone 3G, and it is proving to be an impressive launch indeed. Our members have been meeting up at various Apple and AT&T stores and sharing their impressions and photos.
Turnout appears to ...
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| | 7/12/2008 4:34 PM (46d 9h 10m ago) |
| iPhone 3G Reviews and Impressions |
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Image from Gizmodo
With the worldwide release of the iPhone complete, numerous publications are releasing their reviews of Apple's latest gadget.
Gizmodo provides some interesting observations about the iPhone 3G. Th...
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| | 7/12/2008 4:34 PM (46d 9h 10m ago) |
| Software for new iPhone benefits current owners |
| | You won’t have to buy a new iPhone to get a new iPhone. Millions of current iPhone owners can download the phone’s free 2.0 software Friday that will let them use Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, as well as access Apple’s new App Store, which "opened" Thursday. |
| | 7/11/2008 1:03 PM (47d 12h 41m ago) |
| iPhone App Store: 500 Apps at Launch, 25% Free [Update] |
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USA Today spoke with Steve Jobs about the impending App Store launch that is rumored to launch at 9 am PT on Thursday, July 10th.
Jobs reveals that 500 applications will be launching on Thursday and that it is "the biggest launch" of h...
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| | 7/10/2008 5:56 PM (48d 7h 48m ago) |
| iPhone 2.0 Firmware (5A347) Available Early |
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Once again, digging through Apple's XML files has revealed the url to the iPhone 2.0 Firmware that is presently available on Apple's servers. One of our readers found this new firmware image:
iPhone1,2_2.0_5A347_Restore.ipsw (download...
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| | 7/10/2008 5:51 PM (48d 7h 52m ago) |
| The App Store is up...kind of |
| | Filed under: iTS, iTunesEarly this morning, Apple officially released iTunes 7.7. After launching the application for the first time, I saw the little "Applications" icon in the sidebar. I clicked it as quickly as my little mouse would move, only to find a list of the iPod applications I had previously bought and nothing more. Looks like it's not up. Not so fast.The folks at MacRumors noticed that is up, just hidden. All you've got to do is search for the name of an applicaiton and you'll be brought right to it. Super Monkey Ball, for instanse [App Store Link]. They can't be transfered to an iPhone or iPod touch as of this writing, but expect that to change soon.Have fun poking around, and stay tuned to TUAW for more in-depth coverage.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 7/10/2008 5:51 PM (48d 7h 53m ago) |
| Apple releases OS X MobileMe update |
| | Filed under: Internet, Software Update, .Mac, MobileMeApple has released a new "MobileMe" update that allows your OS X system to "see" and interact with the new MobileMe service. As many may know, the change over from .Mac to MobileMe happened last night into the wee hours of the morning. This software adds the new MobileMe system preference pane and adds MobileMe support for Mail.app. We have uploaded a gallery of images for your viewing pleasure showing the subtle changes in System Preferences."The Mac OS X Update For MobileMe is recommended for users running Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.4 and includes general system fixes that enhance your Mac for MobileMe," Apple says.You can download this update by opening Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update).
Gallery: MobileMe OS X Update[via GearLive]Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 7/10/2008 5:49 PM (48d 7h 55m ago) |
| iTunes 7.7 available / new Remote iPhone application |
| | iTunes 7.7 is now availabe for the Mac. Windows version stil not releasd.update says:Use iTunes 7.7 to sync music, video, and more with iPhone 3G |