Jul 3, 2008 Jul 5, 2008 Friday July 4, 2008
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The iPhone is rocking the world of GPS
Looks like the iPhone is about to shake up the world of GPS software. In a Forbes article published today, some existing GPS developers sound a bit shrill when complaining about the iPhone. For instance, they dislike that you will be able to use your purchased iPhone applications on multiple devices: A customer could have three iPhones synched to the same iTunes account, and thus would only be paying for one copy of the application, but using it on three devices. — Steve Andler, vice president of marketing, Networks In Motion, quoted in Forbes, July 4, 2008 Translation: “Apple's model conflicts with our business plan, which is to charge our customers several times for the same software.” The writer, Elizabeth Woyke, explains that some developers dislike that iTunes doesn't support a subscription model: ITunes also presents billing challenges for developers, which typically charge users a monthly or daily access fee for mapping services. The firms say their billing system keeps users' data current and helps underwrite the expense of constantly updating maps. — Forbes, July 4, 2008 Translation: “Apple's model conflicts with our business plan, which is to prevent the user from owning software they've already paid for.” (The bit about “keeps users' data current” is particularly nice.) And they dislike that Apple prevents iPhone applications from running in the background: Citysense Chief Executive and Co-Founder Greg Skibiski says plotting people's movements enables the service to detect which clubs, restaurants and bars are drawing crowds at a particular time. To preserve battery life, however, the iPhone allows only one application to be open at a time, which means Citysense's app likely won't achieve its full potential on the device. Translation: “Apple's concern for the iPhone's battery life and customer experience conflicts with our software, which was designed with the assumption that background applications would be supported and that our customers value our software more than battery life.” (Question: if the software is that highly valued by the customers, why can't they simply leave the application open and running?) There are also understandable concerns about Apple's own software plans. A TomTom spokeswoman says they're taking a wait-and-see approach. Might be a long wait.
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TUAW Certification Series: Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server
Filed under: Enterprise, Apple Professional, Apple, LeopardLast month, I wrote a post about Apple certifications in general. Today, I'll focus on Mac OS X certifications.If you're a Mac geek who wants to make a living troubleshooting Macs, these are the certifications to get because they are your ticket to becoming a member of the Apple Consultants Network (ACN). ACNs can build a relationship with their local Apple store and get references for work that can't be performed by Genius Bar techs, and they're listed on the Apple Consultants Network website. The rest of this article is after the break.TUAW blogger Steve Sande is an Apple Certified Technical Coordinator and volunteers as the South Central US Regional Champion for the Apple Consultants Network.Continue reading TUAW Certification Series: Mac OS X and Mac OS X ServerRead | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Apple on how to replace an original iPhone with a new 3G iPhone
Filed under: iPhoneApple has posted a Support Document that explains exactly how to replace your original iPhone with a new 3G iPhone. Basically there are two tracks: 1) In the US you don't need your original SIM as your original "account information will be transferred to iPhone 3G's included SIM when you purchase iPhone 3G." 2) Outside the US, "you can use your original iPhone's SIM with iPhone 3G." Once that's done it's just a matter of backing up your original iPhone to iTunes 7.7 and then restoring that backup to the new iPhone 3G. This should transfer all your saved SMS messages as well as email accounts, notes, etc. Once that's done you just need to erase the old iPhone with the new secure erase option.[via Daring Fireball]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Tap Tap Revolution to be sold by Tapulous, called Tap Tap Revenge
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Developer, iPhone, App StoreNate True, iPhone developer extraordinaire and friend of TUAW (but who isn't, really), has sold off his Tap Tap Revolution game to a company called Tapulous, and they're renaming it Tap Tap Revenge and are going to try selling it in the iPhone's (and iPod touch's) App Store. The game isn't much tweaked from its jailbroken incarnation, but there is a chaotic two-player mode, seen above, that could be a lot of fun. I've never played the original version, so I have no idea what's up with the shaking, but it looks like it incorporates some accelerometer fun as well.If you're a super TTR fan, Tapulous tells us that they've got a wallpaper to download on their site right now, and that more videos will be coming out over the weekend, so stay tuned. All these games are looking terrific, but of course the one thing we haven't heard confirmed from any of them is when and if they'll be showing up on the App Store. That, it seems, is up to Apple. It doesn't matter how many games you've got ready to go -- if Apple doesn't have them set for download right away, both the devs and iPhone owners will miss a nice opportunity.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Axel Springer AG moves to Mac
Filed under: Apple Corporate, Enterprise, SwitchersAxel Springer AG, Germany's largest newspaper publisher, is moving its entire organization -- 12,000 computers -- to the Mac platform. Axel Springer will become Apple's largest corporate customer in Europe, and second largest customer worldwide. (Google is number one.) The article is only available in German so far. Axel Springer owns Bild and Bild am Sonntag, tabloid-style dailies (not unlike The Sun in the UK or the New York Post in the U.S.) and several magazines sold under the Bild brand. The company currently uses large-scale publishing solutions from WoodWing Software and CCI, both of which support Mac clients. In a video message to employees, CEO Matthias Döpfner cited ease-of-use, appearance, and total cost of ownership in the reason to switch. Employees can start buying and using Macs and iPhones this month, though the entire organization will be migrated over the course of a year or two. Thanks Alex, Rouven, and bimbum for the tip (and the help with the German)!Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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TrailRunner 1.7 Released
Filed under: Software On this long weekend (for some of us), how about some outdoor activity? TrailRunner updated its route planning software for runners, bikers, and hikers that works with your iPod nano and Nike+ sport kit. TrailRunner 1.7 is the latest release of the software, which can now import workout data from the Garmin ForeRunner 50, and from nikeplus.com. It also improves the diary history chart. This new version is 4.3MB, Leopard-only, and donationware. (Version 1.6 still runs in Tiger.) It's also available in French and German.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Apple Expo '08 dates announced, events detailed
Filed under: Apple Corporate, Other Events, iPhoneThe Apple Expo is Europe's Apple conference -- similar to the Macworld expo in the US. Apple Expo '08 has posted details about the expo, including dates for this year's conference: Wednesday, September 17 through Saturday, September 20, in Paris, France.Currently, there are only two iPhone events scheduled out of the over 30 planned events. It is a nice change to see that the iPhone will not "steal the show" in Europe like it does at Apple conferences in the US. You can see all of the details, exhibitors, and scheduled events on the Apple Expo website. As we noted earlier, Apple will not be attending this year's Apple Expo.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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How to Replace an Original iPhone With an iPhone 3G
Useful KBase article for next week: This article explains how to replace an original iPhone with an iPhone 3G using the same carrier. If you follow these steps to backup your original iPhone first, and then restore the backup to your iPhone 3G, your saved SMS messages, email accounts, photos, notes, and other personal settings will be present on your iPhone 3G. ★
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Minefield offers custom builds of Firefox 3
Filed under: Software, Internet, Internet ToolsIf you think Firefox could run a little faster on your Mac, then you might want to download one of BeatnikPad's custom builds of Firefox 3. "Minefield" (previously known as BonEcho for pre-3.0 releases) is Neil Lee's custom build of Firefox. He is currently offering custom builds for: Minefield (Firefox) 3.0 for Intel Minefield (Firefox) 3.0 for PowerPC G5 Minefield (Firefox) 3.0 for PowerPC G4 Neil Lee has been offering custom builds of Firefox for many years now. They can make Firefox run a bit faster and smoother on older Macs. You can download them for free (though donations are accepted) from the BeatnikPad website.[via IGM]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Adobe 9
Mark Pilgrim on the latest version of Adobe Reader. Adobe today reminds me a bit of Apple ten years ago. Tremendous engineering and design talent in the company. A loyal base of users built over 20 years. But management that just doesn’t get it at all, and seems hell-bent on running the company into the ground. Historically, Adobe has provided terrific user experiences. Now, they’re a laughing stock. ★
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Mac 101: Capture sharp screenshots
Filed under: Tips and tricks, Terminal Tips, Mac 101Earlier this week, we described several ways to create screenshots with your Mac. Using the keyboard shortcuts in the Finder is great, but you may have noticed that the results aren't very sharp. Ivan at creativebits noticed that, too, and figured out how you can correct the problem.He explains that a basic screenshot creates a JPEG with a resolution of 60 by default. As is often the case, the solution is just a couple of Terminal commands away. Set the default format to png, pdf or tiff for much better results.If you're not the Terminal type, check out Skitch, which takes simple, great-looking screen captures.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Holiday today - no new hints until Monday
Macworld is closed today in observance of the Fourth of July holiday in the United States. The hints will return as usual on Monday morning. For those in the USA, enjoy the long weekend! -rob.
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Walt Mossberg on switching from Windows to Mac
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Switchers, Cult of Mac, Internet, Apple, Blogs"Some General Tips for Switch to Mac From Windows," is Walt Mossberg's new post in which he tells users, well, how to switch from Windows to a Mac with ease. He covers the menu bar, task bar, Start menu, control panel, keyboard shortcuts, quitting programs, minimizing windows, switching programs, right-clicking, and finally, dealing with the screen. So, if you are a new Mac user, you might find these tips and tricks helpful. (Walt notes that you can also find tips similar to his on Apple's Mac 101 website.) I'm personally grateful to Walt for writing this blog entry, which is part of a larger article in the Wall Street Journal. This shows that there are still true big media journalists who are open to other platforms besides Windows/PC. TUAW also invites you to check out our ever-growing Mac 101 section to find tips, tricks and more for getting around in Mac OS X. Thanks, Christine!Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Apple Gazette Daily 300 - Apple past, present, and future, Mophie Juice Pack and more!
podcast sponsor link:Click Here to check out Audible! Today's Show: 300th episode!!!! guest co-host Drew Corbitt and I talk about where Apple has been in the recent past, and where it might be heading in the near future. Plus, find out how you can win a Mophie Juice Pack just for listening to the show! You can subscribe via iTunes, or by RSS feed, or… you can listen to the episode right here: In addition to that, you can also download the Apple Gazette Daily Widget and listen to every episode of the show right on your Dashboard. Click Here to download.
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Top 100 retail landmarks: Apple makes the list
Filed under: Apple Corporate, Retail, AppleRetailWeek recently compiled a list of the top 100 retail locations around the world. What did they find? Well, Apple holds two positions in their list: one for the 5th Avenue store (New York) and one for the Regent Street store (London). According to the list, the 5th Avenue store has all three key deciding factors: "excitement, education and ease." They go on to say that the glass cube is in line with the "DNA of the brand." Does this change your mind about shopping at Apple's retail stores? Be sure to take our poll and drop a comment. View Poll[via MacNN]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Apple Store West Edmonton: Your reports
Filed under: RetailApple opened a new retail store in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada this weekend, number six for The Great White North. As usual, we asked any TUAW readers who may have attended to share their reports and/or pictures. So, did you go, and if you did, how was it? Let us know in the comments. Here's hoping you scored a T-shirt!If you haven't gone down to the store yet, grab your camera and add anything especially interesting to our Flickr pool!Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments