Mar 21, 2008 Mar 23, 2008 Saturday March 22, 2008
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Meizu's M8 gets more UI tweaks for its music player
Filed under: Cellphones Now, we know the official story on the CeBIT Meizu shutdown was related to MP3 codec licensing, and not the M8's iPhone-like UI. Still, it does seem strangely fortuitous that more pictures of the phone's interface have just appeared that seem to showcase a move away from Apple's familiar look. The Chinese site CNMO has new shots of the device's music player, which now appears to incorporate song info, EQ display, lyrics, and volume / tracking controls all on one screen. The pictures also show a couple of different music browsing options, both in landscape and portrait mode. Is this a signal that the company is putting some distance between the M8 and the iPhone? Only time will tell.[Via PMP Today] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Xbox Live for the iPhone gets put to the test
No, it won’t let you play Halo 3 on your iPhone, but the appropriately-named web app “1337pwn.com� allows you to access the Xbox live database from your Mac dashboard, iPhone, Blackberry, or Palm-powered device. After plugging in an Xbox Live gamertag, you are greeted with…
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Paul Thurrott on the Safari for Windows Software Update Thing
Honest question to those who think Apple is in the wrong here: Would it make a difference is the checkbox for Safari were off by default instead? ★
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Regarding Apple Mail Plugin Bundles
A few readers emailed to ask whether Mail Attachments Iconizer — this week’s DF feed sponsor — is a supported plug-in. It’s not an Input Manager hack; Apple Mail has a real plugin API. But it’s a definite gray area, because Mail’s plugin API is not documented by Apple. I use Mail plugins, but like any unsupported extension mechanism, it’s worth keeping in mind as a user that if it breaks with a future version of Mail, it’s not Apple’s fault or responsibility. ★
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MacBook Air hack unearths more relatively inaccessible USB connectors
Filed under: Laptops Unfortunately, Apple's MacBook Air still only arrives with a lone USB port. Save for using a dongle / hub, there's really been no other way to connect a bevy of USB peripherals to the lappie -- until now. Thanks to a curious hacker with a thing for perusing microchip documentation, he discovered that the internal ICH-8 southbridge chip actually has five low-speed and two high-speed USB controllers. After rolling up his sleeves and finding the correct pins, he was actually able to make the partially exposed MBA recognize and talk nice to a USB flash drive. We know, you USB-lovin' Air owners are already dreaming up ways to add new ports to your slim slab of aluminum, so head on down to the read link if you're ready to work (hard).[Via TUAW] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Gartner considers iPhone more important to businesses than ever before
Gartner Inc. recently raised its expectations for business demand for the iPhone after the new firmware (2.0) is released in June. Gartner believes that iPhone 2.0 “corrects the basic omissions of the first iPhone release, noted by Gartner early on, and the iPhone becomes attractive to…
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iPhone has the potential to take over handheld gaming
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Multimedia, Apple, iPhoneRoughly Drafted has a nice, long analysis of the iPhone as a gaming device, and they hit on a lot of great reasons why the iPhone seems destined to be a great gaming platform. Not only will it have the hardware chops to play games (including a few input devices that no other handheld gaming consoles have ever had), but Apple's SDK implementation, when it finally gets off the ground in June anyway, seems poised to let almost anyone develop any game ideas they have for the device. Throw in a great distribution platform and a relative lack of competition on the handheld platform (Nintendo is undoubtedly working on a successor to the DS, but other than that, there are no real next-generation contenders so far), and Apple apparently has the potential to do very well in the gaming market.In fact, the only problem that Apple might bump up against in building up in the iPhone as a gaming device is the cost -- at $400, it'll be the most expensive gaming handheld out there. But given that it's actually a smartphone, and thus actually benefits from an already installed user base (people who have the iPhone may very well be people who will have never purchased or used a handheld gaming platform before), the price may not be that big an obstacle to ownership.And if they can build up a respectable library of game titles, they could even brand an iPod touch/phoneless iPhone as a gaming unit, and sell that at a price that would compete with Sony's PSP and Nintendo's DS. Apple has never historically pushed for the forefont of anything in gaming, but if their showing at the SDK event is any indication, they may be lining up to make the iPhone the place to play handheld videogames in the future.[Via IMG]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Sneaky Safari Updater opinion roundup
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Software, Freeware, Internet Tools, Software Update, Bad Apple, AppleThe news that Apple has stealthily included Safari in its Software Updater bounced all over the Mac blogosphere today, and earned cheers and jeers (well, mostly jeers). Here's a quick roundup. The most attention probably comes from John Lilly, CEO of Mozilla, who unequivocally calls the decision "wrong," and says that doing something other than "updating" with an "updater" betrays the public trust. Darby Lines at The Angry Drunk says that the whole matter is just plain "whining" and that Apple is hardly forcing the software on anyone, especially considering that there's a checkbox right next to the name of it. And it's not like, as many people have said, installing Safari on a PC is actually a bad move. The Inquirer actually makes a worthwhile joke: "Some iTunes users report that the box to sign up for Safari appears pre-ticked." At least we think that's a joke -- you'd only say Apple was "targeting" and "hijacking" Windows users if you were joking, right? Microsoft Watch calls the program a "rogue updater," while Paul Mison fisks them pretty completely and shows that even if Apple did somehow hurt the computers by installing a reasonable, standards-compliant browser, Microsoft has done much, much worse. So what's the deal overall? As we said earlier, Jobs very plainly told us this was going to happen, and though, yes, users who don't pay attention may end up with extra software, it's extremely easy to not install the software. While a warning might have been nice, Apple isn't really outside its bounds here, so it's unlikely that they'll change it anyway.The only real result is that users, whether PC or Mac, are reminded once again to pay attention to what they're clicking on. It's unexpected that Apple would be the company to remind us of that, but it's as true as ever.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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TUAW Best of the Week
Filed under: Features, TUAW Business, Weekend ReviewWelcome to the latest installment of TUAW 's best of the week, where we gather up our favorite posts for your easy clicking enjoyment.'Camera Raw Compatibility Update 2.0' Is OutNow you can use RAW format from some of the newest cameras.TimeMachine and AirPort updatesApple provided us Mac users some updates to our TimeMachine and AirPort base stations.Security Update 2008-002 is available Hmm ... must have been one of "those weeks" for software updates. Apple passed along some security updates, requiring us to restart our Macs at least 3 times this week -- most likely while you were trying to get some "real" work done.Apple issuing refunds, credits from WGA strikeAfter the writers strike, Apple offers up some refunds for affected TV show customers.Evernote: universal human memory extensionBrett takes a look at the all-knowing Evernote. Watch out, you might become "note-happy!"Apple offers refurb iPod Nano dealNow is the time to snag an iPod Nano, eh?Engadget plays with iPhone 2.0It's iPhone-licious!iTunes: Free TuesdayGet your free tunes while they last!Is your Airport Extreme suddenly Time Machine-happy?Yay, Apple made software happy? OK. That's like totally cool, right? Right?iPods in SpaceThat might make a good movie -- might be better than Snakes on a Plane or Star Wars: Episode I.Safari 3.1 availableOh yeah, and there was this update too, making Mac users everywhere restart at least 4 times this week.Here's hoping next week requires fewer restarts with more sunshine and uptime!Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Saturday morning Apple Links, Hello Spring Edition
This weekend, we've got hacks galore, celebrity MacBook Air owners, a lightly unusual Apple patent, and some slightly nice words from Greenpeace. Come in and click-ee on ze link-ee.Read More...
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MacNotables Listener Update - March 2008
MacNotables producer Chuck Joiner asks listeners for their input via the MacNotables Listener Survey - March 2008, and tells listeners where they can get more information on supporting the show.
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SingTel might offer the iPhone in Singapore
It seems that in their quest to deliver an iPhone to every man, woman, and child on the face of this planet, Apple has forgotten one of the most tech-centric countries in the world: Singapore. However, it seems like the company is finally coming to…
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Rental System Would Give iTunes a Powerful Punch
With American housing and financial markets going berserk, choosing between renting and owning isn't a simple decision. Except, perhaps, when it come to music. This week's revelation that Apple is negotiating with major record labels about offering a subscription to its entire iTunes music library is the best news I've heard in ages. Details are scarce. Apple would not comment on the report, which surfaced in a British newspaper. But I don't see how this could be anything but a positive for enthusiastic music fans who want inexpensive access to more than 6 million songs.
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Digg’s Kevin Rose leaks information about the next iPhone
Here’s an interesting twist to the iPhone rumor mill- Digg.com founder Kevin Rose has leaked some information about the next iPhone on the weekly Digg podcast, Diggnation. Here’s what he mentioned: 1. Adding 3G…
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Apple to deny developer access to music features
We hate to say it, but the outlook for iPhone developers is looking bleaker by the day. The latest in bad news? Apple isn’t allowing developers to access the iPhone’s music features. Apparently, the iPhone SDK withholds access to the all-important music functions of…
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Video: Homemade iPhone macro camera attachment
Let’s face it- the iPhone’s built-in camera is only really good for outdoor picture where the lighting is plentiful, your subject is still, and all the cellestial bodies are in alignment. We have yet to see a hack that lets the iPhone take non-blurry pictures at Saturday night parties, but…
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iPhone Development Postmortem
The big day has come and gone and we have many more details regarding the iPhone Development Program. Much of what I discussed in the previous post regarding enterprise support has been adopted by Apple, though only the privileged few that were allowed into the enterprise beta program know the full details (and I am not one of them). It does appear that the iPhone will take its place beside BlackBerry devices and Windows Mobile phones in bathroom stalls across the globe, though Apple still has a long way to go in terms of winning the hearts and minds of corporate finance & architecture committees. The main problem: there are a large number of applications, ranging from SAP to SalesForce.com that work fine on existing mobile platforms. If they didn't work well, organizations wouldn't be using them. While the iPhone may be great for future adoption, the ROI will be a bit difficult to justify if businesses want to bring them in to replace existing solutions, even if vendors create iPhone-specific versions of the programs. Do you really need an iPhone to run that ACME CRM application? I can speak from direct enterprise experience, however, that even non-techies were watching Apple's announcement since the integration folks at my company received at least five calls immediately afterwards with the same questions: “So, when are we enabling support for my iPhone?”. Developers Wanted? Unfortunately, the enterprise features may be the most positive message coming from the announcement, at least initially. While over 100,000 budding iPhone developers took Steve Jobs seriously and gave up their precious personal information to download the SDK, many – including this friendly neighborhood blogger – were ultimately very disappointed to learn that Apple was not interested in our $99.00USD and that they should go read a book…or something. Anything, really except to expect their cool apps to be running on an actual iPhone, rather than an emulator. I can understand Apple needing to slowly roll out memberships, at least initially, but their “thanks, but not right nowâ€? e-mails were taken pretty hard – and justifiably so – by very real and talented developers (as opposed to hobbyists like me). Apple needed to do a much better job communicating the rules of the game before soliciting participation and they should have just tagged their “A-listâ€? candidates separately before pseudo-opening program to all. I have and can still develop applications for BlackBerry devices, Windows Mobile and even the Sharp Zaurus. I paid nothing for that privilege and spent no money on development kits or membership. I realize Apple makes its own rules and that the iPhone is a vastly different device but why open the floodgates only to let a few drops of water out (or in, as it were)? I doubt this will dissuade budding iPhone coders, but it has definitely stunted the fervor of some of Apple’s more influential indie allies. No Limits? If the developer exclusivity is the first shoe to drop, the other is the limitations expressed in the SDK around what you can or cannot do with the device. While other blogs have commented on some specifics, I’m still not comfortable enough with Apple’s legal department when it comes to relating details from documents Apple has expressly forbidden disclosure of. Suffice it to say, certain applications will require a great deal of creativity in order to work the way developers wish (don’t expect SMS-like notifications of chats or tweets). Developers have also expressed concern regarding the double-edged sword that is iPhone application distribution model. While some are thrilled to have their applications presented via the iTunes store front, others are concerned that there would be no support for try-before-you-buy offerings or allowing of add-on modules post-install (via direct download, either free or purchased). Further more, augmenting applications with small scripts/actions may be forbidden as well. Hope Lies With 2.0? Unlike programming for “realâ€? computers (Macs or Windows PCs), coding for mobile platforms with actual limitations on processing speed, memory and storage space requires different ways of thinking. It will be challenging enough making decent applications without Apple’s current restrictive climate. Hopefully, we will start seeing further details about wider-scale participation in the program as we get closer to the magical summer release of iPhone software version 2.0. Tags: Commentary, developer, Development, iphone Related posts Why Starbucks/Apple Collab is so Interesting (13) While You're Waiting For The iPhone SDK… (3) Which Way Is Up!? (12) What Did You Endure for an iPhone? (15) Waiting for Rev B of The iPhone (8)