Jul 10, 2008 Jul 12, 2008 Friday July 11, 2008
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Create Digital Music on early iPhone music apps
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Audio, iPod Family, Multimedia, iPhone, App StorePeter Kirn over at Create Digital Music has weighed in on early iPhone music apps. His verdict? You'd still do better to get a PSP or a Nintendo DS for handheld music apps. While the App Store has metronomes, guitar tuners and the like, there's nothing really exciting there yet.It's a shame, too, because the iPhone / iPod Touch seems made for doing cool future-y music stuff. I'd personally love to see an app that simply lets you put interface objects like sliders or buttons or X-Y pads on the iPhone screen and link each one to a MIDI control sent over Bluetooth to a host machine running a synthesizer. You could turn the iPhone into a far cheaper (though far smaller) version of the JazzMutant Lemur, using your shiny new phone like a Kaoss Pad or an Akai MPC drum/sample pad. Or you could use the motion sensors to scratch samples, ala Serato or FruityLoops. I even suspect that Apple may soon drop an app that lets you use the iPhone as a virtual mixing board / transport control for GarageBand and Logic like the now-defunct and frankly unlamented iControl. The ability to control Logic remotely from inside my vocal booth (aka my closet) would be enough on its own to make me give up my tasty Nokia futurephone and drop a couple of Benjamins on the iPhone. I agree with Peter that it's early days yet; it's just a matter of time before you see groups of kids hanging out on the corner with their iPhones making beats in real-time, a high tech version of the guys who hang around in Manhattan making music with plastic buckets.Heck of an expensive plastic bucket, though.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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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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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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First Look: NYTimes
Filed under: iPod Family, iPhone, App StoreIf there was one application on the App Store that I wanted to love it was the NYTimes app (iTunes link). I've mentioned before that I'm a big fan of the New York Times and that's why it is so disappointing to me that I can't recommend this app. The New York Times mobile site is great on the iPhone, and this appliction is not. I tested it via WiFi on my first gen iPhone and it was slow, images didn't load, and advertisements took up a good portion of the screen from time to time.The search function is nice, but it isn't reason enough to waste your time on this one. Stick with the Mobile version of the Times' website and save some space on your iPhone.Check out this gallery for lots of screenshots.Gallery: NYTimesRead | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Philly's new Mayor doesn't want an iPhone
Filed under: Odds and ends, iPhoneLast year the Mayor of Philadelphia, the city that I call home, made headlines for waiting outside an AT&T store to get one of the first iPhones. There is a new Mayor in town, Micheal Nutter, and he has no interest in the iPhone. Mayor Nutter said, "I'm not an iPhone guy. I use a Blackberry. I usually go to the store, walk in and get one."Philadelphians will rest easier knowing that our mayor isn't sitting outside an AT&T store, though I think Mayor Nutter should give the iPhone a try. He might like it...Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Found Footage: Dev Team Posts Video
Filed under: iPod Family, iPhoneIf you've been thinking the iPhone Dev Team (the team behind the jailbreaking applications) would die out after firmware 2.0, then think again. That's because the dev team has just published a video showing the jailbreaking process for a 2.0 iPhone.Update: We are currently uploading the video, in the mean time you can view the video on the iPhone Dev's website.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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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 buck up, little Apple soldiers. This will soon be over. At least you're not standing with two cranky toddlers in the hot sun.Image used with permission from Sean O'Steen.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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iToner 1.0.8 ready for iPhone 2.0
Filed under: Software, iPhoneiToner is Ambrosia's application that makes it easy to put free ringtones on your iPhone. Because really -- paying for ringtones is ridiculous.It works without hacks or tricks. Simply drop any MP3, AAC, WAVE, or AIFF audio file onto the application's window and boom! You're done.Ambrosia released version 1.0.8 this week, which offers compatibility with the iPhone 2.0 software. Other changes include Support for iTunes 7.7 Japanese localizaton A single license will cost you $15US and requires Mac OS X 10.4.10 or later. Of course, you can always make your own rigntones for free with GarageBand.[Via Ars Technica]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Hands on with Moto Racer
Filed under: Gaming, iPhone, App StoreLast night, I had the opportunity to sit down and play with Moto Racer (iTunes link) for over an hour. Retailing for $9.99, it's one of the new Freeverse titles available at the iPhone App Store. In it, you play a motorcycle racer and race along several courses. Newer harder courses unlock as you pass easier ones. I had no trouble passing the first dusty town course -- it was very easy to ride -- but I did have to lower the difficulty (found in the Options screen) to get past the second old-growth forest course. My girls insisted on testing the game and proved to be far better riders than me. We all gave thumbs up to the game play, the placement of the left-thumb controlled gas pedal and the optional female racer (girl power!). Thumbs down went to the sound track, the weakest part of an otherwise excellent game and the relatively high default difficulty. Both phone orientation as well as the gas pedal control your progress through the various courses. The camera-work really zooms you into the action with cut-pieces as well as rider point of view. The game play is familiar to anyone who's done arcade gaming. You have to pass each checkpoint to earn extra game time. Coins appear in the road, boosting you to higher speeds to help you make it to the next checkpoint. I found that I often suffered from "lead thumb", forgetting to ease up on the gas before entering curves. Going off road significantly slows you down and is a killer for making those checkpoints happen. All in all, I found Moto Racer entertaining. The girls rated it extremely entertaining. On a Gameboy scale, this is the kind of game that we'd usually pay $4.99 rather than $9.99. On the more expensive Wii scale, this would clock in right at the $9.99 mark. It's no Excite Bike but it may keep you or your kids happy on a long car ride.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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iPhone activation working
Filed under: iPhoneWe've gotten a number of happy iPhone users telling us that activations are working once more. I've been encountering a number of iTunes errors myself while trying to update my iPhone to the 2.0 firmware, though I just tried once more and it worked.Your mileage may vary, but it looks like things are slowly getting up to full speed once more.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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After the Line Blog
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iTS, iTunes, Apple, iPhone Well, I'm back home after five hours in line at the Apple Store, less $389.98 (I bought AppleCare and a 16GB iPhone 3G). What do I have to show for it? As of 1:00 PM MDT, everything is suddenly working. I have an iPhone 3G, although I've now discovered that I don't have 3G service at my home despite the AT&T coverage map showing that I do. My old iPhone is no longer sending or receiving phone calls, but at least I can use it as an iPod touch over Wi-Fi. Read after the break for a recap of my morning:Continue reading After the Line BlogPermalink | Email this | Comments
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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 right now will only work in conjunction with Macs running Leopard, is a way to transfer files to and from your Mac from your iPhone or iPod Touch over Wi-Fi and then view them. It supports PDF, DOC, TXT, RTF, RTFD, HTML, PNG, TIF, JPEG. GIF and iPhone compatible movies and audio files. Support for Excel and iWork files is coming soon. So instead of having to e-mail yourself PDF files, you can just load the File Magnet Uploader on your Mac and send it directly to your iPhone. It does require Wi-Fi to transfer files back and forth, and is not compatible with Windows.You can buy it from the App Store here.Gallery: Magnet AppsRead | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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iPhone Dev Center is down
Filed under: Developer, iPhone Sing with me, boys and girls: Oh the dev site is down, down, down. Perhaps the beta is going away Mayhaps we'll say goodbye to the nda. Dance and sing and (possibly) rejoice For the iPhone dev site is down Okay, yes, that's a really bad set of lyrics. And the tune I'm singing them to is even worse: it's a good thing you can't hear it. Anyway, keep your eyes on the site, which currently says "We'll be right back" and let us know if any of you eagle eyed TUAW readers spots any changes. (They didn't even give us a yellow sticky for the developer site. Isn't that sad?) Thanks to everyone who sent this in!Looks like the site is back up. Anyone see anything new?Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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In and Out in Four Hours: Getting the iPhone 3G on Day One
Filed under: iPhoneToday, as you are all aware, is iPhone 3G day. All across the land eager fans are waiting patiently in lines waiting for their chance to drop their hard-earned cash for a shiny new iPhone. Of course, I was one of them. Braving the wee hours and heading to my local Apple Store of choice, Sherman Oaks Fashion Square, I arrived around 6AM for an 8AM store opening.When I arrived there were about 50 people in front of me already waiting -- some with folding chairs and one or two even with sleeping bags. So, I got into line and waited. As time went on the line behind me got longer and longer and after about an hour they decided to move us all inside the mall to wait. That's where the real fun began.Once inside, we waited for another hour and finally, to thunderous applause, the store opened and the first thirty people in line went in. As they did, a blue-shirted Apple employee went along the line telling us it should be about 15 minutes a person when inside the store to buy an iPhone and go through the activation process. Sadly, his estimate was a bit on the optimistic side.It took almost 45 minutes for the first person who had gone in the store to exit with a new iPhone. So, my time inside the mall stretched on and on. Finally, after another hour, around 10AM at this point, I was let inside. Once inside, the process went relatively smoothly and I got my iPhone, opened it and connected it to a Mac with iTunes open for the "final" step of activation. At that point I felt my iPhone 3G saga would finally be at an end and I would be enjoying all the 3G goodness in just a few moments. Sadly, I was still to be denied.Activation via iTunes at the Apple store failed. And then failed again. And again. Finally, after about seven or eight attempts, a manager come over and told me just to take the iPhone home and connect it there. So, after about four hours total from arriving and getting in line to leaving the store, I still didn't actually have a working iPhone.That was about 30 minutes ago. I've attempted activation at least three more times since arriving home and still no love from AT&T. So, for the moment, my brand new iPhone 3G is a relatively expensive paperweight. Perhaps AT&T will get its act together soon and this will all be over and my iPhone will actually work? I won't hold my breath.Update: After another hour or so my iPhone got a text message from AT&T saying it had been activated. After that, the "activation" via iTunes went all the way through. Next. I was able to restore everything and the iPhone seems to be working fine now. Couple other points: You will have to set up your voicemail again after activation completes, so hopefully you remember your password. I didn't. Fortunately, it can be reset at the AT&T website once you log in to your accout. And, it seems I don't have very good 3G coverage at my house, so I don't even know how well that works yet. More on that as I test out the iPhone.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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A first look at MobileMe’s web apps
It's been a bit of a rocky start for MobileMe's launch. First, the launch window was pushed back two hours. Then once MobileMe was launched, it was taken offline repeatedly (Server overload? Some last-minute bug fixing? Who knows). And when it was up, the Mail web app still wasn't working. Finally, this morning it appears that systems are go. Uh, mostly. But at any rate, MobileMe is here. How do the web apps stack up? Let's take a look. All the MobileMe web apps share quite a few things in common. For one, they all look consistent, and they're downright beautiful. For another, each seems to be pretty dang full-featured as far as web apps go (drag-and-drop, anyone). And of course, they behave much like Apple's desktop applications. If you know how to use the Finder, Mail, iCal, Address Book, and iPhoto, you already know how to use MobileMe's web apps. Features like drag and drop are implemented throughout each of the web apps. Take, for example, the Contacts app. You can add a contact card to your address book, create a group, and drag and drop an address card to a group. I don't think I've ever seen drag-and-drop implemented in a web app. (more…)
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Photo: In Line for the New iPhone
A timely photo remix, found on Flickr.
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Top five iPhone gripes
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iPhoneYes, the iPhone is today's "it girl." Everyone wants to see and be seen with her. But life with the iPhone isn't all champagne and bon-bons. Here are our Top 5 iPhone Gripes. If yours isn't on the list, please let us know.5. No multimedia text messages My parents live in Florida, because they're in their 60's and that's the rule. Recently, they purchased fancy-dancy cell phones with cameras. Even more exciting is that they know out how to use them, and constantly send me pictures of manatees, their kitchen and so on.At least, they try.My iPhone beeps and displays a message which says, "I sent you a multimedia message. You can view my message w/in the next 7 days via the web at viewmymessage.com using MSG ID [Obscure ID] Password [Obscure Password]."Clicking on the link launches Mobile Safari which produces a web page asking for Obscure ID and Obscure Password. Since each is a collection of upper- and lower-case letters plus numbers, it's difficult to remember. So, I must return to the text message, write Obscure ID and Obscure Password on a piece of paper, go back to the web page, type Obscure ID and Obscure Password on the tiny keyboard and wait for the teeny, tiny pictures to load.So that's fun.Read more gripes after the jump.Continue reading Top five iPhone gripesRead | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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iPhone 3G on display in Germany: alles in Ordnung
Filed under: iPhoneHallo vom Deutschland! Since I haven't been able to participate in most of the line-waiting, MobileMe-stalling, activation-collapsing fun yesterday and today, and the 29 pages of lovely iPod touch apps are inaccessible until the touch update drops, I figured the least I could do was post a picture of one lonely iPhone 3G on display in the T-Mobile store in the Innenstadt (central city) of Osnabrück, a medium-sized city in the northwest portion of the country.The caption reads "Das iPhone, auf das Sie gewartet haben" -- the iPhone you've been waiting for. Despite reports of mob scenes elsewhere, I can report that if you're looking for an iPhone 3G in Osnabrück you can just walk in, lay down your euros and buy it with nobody in a sleeping bag blocking your way.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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First Look: Evernote for iPhone
Filed under: Productivity, Internet Tools, iPhone, App StoreEvernote for iPhone (iTunes link) looks to fill one of the big remaining holes on the iPhone: virtual notes syncing. Basically, the iPhone app is a stripped down version of the Evernote client which allows you to create and access notes which are stored in the Evernote cloud. Once created these notes can be accessed on the web or through any Evernote client application (they're available for Mac OS X, Windows and Windows Mobile).If you're running the Evernote client for Mac OS X you can easily create notes accessible on your iPhone. Technically, this isn't syncing since the notes are not really stored on the iPhone itself; a network connection is required to access the notes. It's rather unfortunate that there isn't any kind of caching on the iPhone, because this means you lose access to all your notes if, for instance, you go on a plane.The Evernote application allows you to create several different kinds of "notes." Naturally you can create text notes. However, you can also create "Audio Notes" recording a short audio message to yourself, or either of two kinds of photo notes: from a previous taken snapshot, or one newly generated from within the application itself. You can then select which notebook you want it added to, as well as add tags and text. Once saved it goes into the pending category and is shortly uploaded to the cloud. Unfortunately, once created you can only access (and delete) notes from the iPhone; you cannot edit them.There are a few rough edges on the app. Sometimes the syncing does seem to work quite right. Text notes created on the iPhone default to a ridiculously tiny font. And you cannot edit notes. Nonetheless, it's a handy addition to the iPhone toolkit and finally provides a reasonably good work-around for the missing notes syncing. Check out the gallery below.Gallery: Evernote iPhoneRead | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Europe Sells Out at iPhone 3G Launch
European retailers were sold out of the new iPhone 3G before stores in the US even opened on Friday, thanks in part to strong marketing from Apple's mobile partners. The initial sales surge not only blew through stores' inventory but also delivered a knock-out punch to Apple's iTunes activation servers. The Swiss daily newspaper “20 Minuten†reported that hundreds waited in line for hours in Zürich in front of the central Swisscom store. The mobile phone provider opened 100 of its retail stores at 6:30 AM and served snacks and water to those waiting in line. Continues: Europe Sells Out at iPhone 3G Launch
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The Real Price Difference Between the Old and New iPhone
I had an amusing and enlightening e-mail exchange tonight with a reader. It went like this: Dear David: I enjoyed your iPhone review, as with all your other reviews. However, you and other reviewers have made a basic Econ 101 mistake when comparing the old and new iPrice pricing plans. In particular, you simply added up [...]
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Mobile Me appears to be up and running
Filed under: MobileMe I realize I post this at great personal peril, but Mobile Me appears to be working. Apple has updated the Mobile Me support page with information specific to Mobile Me, and has removed the notice about the update taking longer than usual. After a rough first 24 hours, Mobile Me services appear to be mostly operational, although for me, Mail is still a little shaky, and everything is still pretty slow. Even so, Internet Explorer 7 users appear to be left in the lurch: Apple displays a notice for those users saying IE7 is "not fully supported." Apple mentions on its website that Mobile Me can sync IE7 bookmarks, and features the IE7 logo fairly prominently. Your mileage, as has been the case for the last 48 hours, may vary. It will be interesting to find out in the coming days what precisely happened, and what Apple will do to prevent it from happening in the future. Thanks to everyone who sent this in!Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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iPhone Launch-o-Mess-o-Rama
Patience, it appears, is advised. ★
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Loopt Eagerly Joins the iPhone Gold Rush
Loopt, a mobile social-networking service, was eager to develop an application for the iPhone, despite the restrictions Apple placed on its partners.
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iPhone Demand in Japan
So much for the notion that the iPhone wouldn’t appeal to the Japanese. ★
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Most problematic launch in Apple history?
The past two days were supposed to be one of the biggest launches in Apple history in terms of the number of big products being released. Unfortunately the launch has been anything but smooth. Four different products were scheduled to be launched in the past 2 days: MobileMe, App Store, 3G iPhone, and an update to iPod Touch software. Three of those four products have had noticeable setbacks. MobileMe Apple's replacement for their .Mac service, MobileMe, was set to launch yesterday. Not only did the launch not go smoothly yesterday, it's still not going today. 36 hours later, Apple has the following message up: The MobileMe transition is underway but is taking longer than expected. While core services such as desktop mail, iDisk and sync are available, the new MobileMe web applications are not yet online. Thank you for your patience as we complete the upgrade. All of the services that previous .Mac users had have been unavailable for the majority of the past 36 hours or so. iPod Touch Update The new software for the iPod Touch is still on target for being released today, but the update process has been subpar to say the least. Users (myself included) see there is an update for their iPod in iTunes but when they proceed with the upgrade process an error message is displayed saying the iTunes store link can't be accessed. I personally have had iTunes switch back and forth about a dozen times between saying there is and there isn't an update for my iPod Touch. Apparently server issues are to blame for this. 3G iPhone The same server issues that are plaguing the iPod Touch upgrade also seem to be causing issues with some 3G iPhone activations. According to Macrumors, some Apple stores are just sending people home to activate their new iPhones because of the issues. Now, let's put somethings in perspective here. I would say of these three issues, the MobileMe one is really the only massive fail. The iPod Touch and 3G iPhone issues are more of a nasty inconvenience than anything (and we're still only a few hours in to their launches). To me it just feels like Apple bit off a bit more than they could chew and the consequence of that is their usual seamless user experience is getting hit hard. Have any of these issues affected you? What has your experience been with these updates in the past couple of days?
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UK iPhone launch hampered by IE?
Filed under: iPhone Computerworld is reporting that our friends in the UK have been frustrated by the iPhone 3G launch. It would seem that while the iPhone 3G is for sale in Apple Stores, the activation process isn't working smoothly (sound familiar?). Why is that, you ask? Because O2, that's the UK wireless company that has the iPhone, uses an activation system that only works with IE. Apple had to install Fusion on the Macs in the UK Apple Stores in order to activate iPhones on the spot, and it seems that the system isn't working as smoothly as many would like.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Line Blog: Live from the Line
Filed under: iPhoneLooks like we're having some technical issues of our own. We'll have the liveblog back up in a few moments!Permalink | Email this | Comments
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In store iPhone 3G activation only a myth?
Filed under: iPhone In addition to the boatload of tips we've gotten about iPhone activation being down, we have also seen a number of reports from folks buying iPhones at AT&T stores. It would seem that since activation is down AT&T is selling people iPhones and telling them to activate them at home. Very interesting, considering AT&T told us the iPhone 3G activation was going to be in store only in no uncertain terms.Thanks to everyone who sent this in.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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First Look: Facebook
Filed under: iPod Family, Internet, iPhone, App StoreFacebook always seems to be on the forefront of iPhone development. They were one of the first social networking websites to have a good web application specifically designed for iPhone, and now they are one of the first big-name social networking sites to have a decent native application on the iPhone. The native application looks very similar to the web-based version, but with a few minor "upgrades." You get photo taking/uploading support, iPhone-esqe photo galleries, and Facebook chat. Facebook chat really works wonders, especially if you have been using the web-only client.The Facebook iPhone/iPod touch application is available right now for free from the AppStore. Gallery: FaceBook.appRead | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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iPod touch software update available soon
Filed under: iPod Family, Software UpdateApple is close to releasing its $9.99 iPhone 2.0 Software Update for iPod touch (sheesh) to bring it up to speed with the iPhone and App Store. As we mentioned yesterday, the update will also include Mail, Stocks, Maps, Weather and Notes. The update is linked from Apple's website since about 4:30 this morning (ET), but clicking the link just opens iTunes with an error saying iTunes could not complete your request, and that the iTunes Store is temporarily unavailable. The errors are possibly related to the fact that the iTunes activation server is currently down. In theory, you should be able to buy the update from Apple's website, or by clicking "Check for Update" in iTunes with your iPod touch connected to your computer. Apple is charging for the update because of an accounting requirement: since the revenue generated from the iPod isn't considered a subscription (like an iPhone, with its two-year contract), Apple must charge a fee. The amount of the fee, however, is entirely up to Apple. Thanks to everyone who sent this in! Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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iTunes activation server pining for the fjords
Filed under: iPod Family, Retail, iTunes, iPhone According to a few tipsters, the iTunes activation servers that help do everything from activate brand new iPhones to getting new firmware for iPod touches are dead to the world. Tipster dik said "[A]s of right now, [Apple Retail] has lost all connectivity with the iTunes activation servers. No idea how long this will last, but everyone who is in line right now can expect a MUCH longer wait." This also affects people trying to update to the 2.0 firmware from home, via iTunes for the iPhone and iPod touch. There's a good chance that's where the "We could not complete your iTunes Store request" errors are coming from. Apple is aware of the problem and is working to correct it, according to a discussion thread in progress. If you have any information about what's happening, feel free to tip us. Thanks!Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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10.5: Possibly use the Microtek S400 in 10.5
I have successfully gotten my "unsupported" Microtek S400 scanner to work under Leopard. First I copied the scanner driver from Tiger (in the /Library/Application Support folder), and installed it into the same folder in Leopard. Next, I installed the Scan Maker software. Maybe it's the 10.5.4 update that made it work; maybe my manual copy made it work, but either way, it's now working fine for me in 10.5.
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iPhone launch-o-mess-o-rama
As you know, the Macalope's not galloping out this morning to get an iPhone 3G. Particularly since he feels like he just got a new iPhone yesterday with the 2.0 software update. And it seems that might not be a bad idea all around. Taking a look on the Twitter, MacUser's Dan Pourhadi says AT&T's in-store activation system isn't working and they're telling people to activate at home (that won't get you a phone you can unlock, though, unless you want to pay $600 for it -- failure to activate). Meanwhile, MacVoices' Chuck Joiner says the AT&T store he's at is out of black 16 GB models. Oh, you can order one and it'll get there in 7 days. But if a truck pulls up to the back of the store with more later in the afternoon, you still have to wait for yours to arrive next week. The Macalope's seen that model lots of places, but it never gets any less annoying. As with the last launch, AT&T stores are going to be far easier to get into than Apple Stores. Unless you're looking for a 3-hour meetup with your Apple-loving brethren, get thee to an AT&T store. Or wait until this afternoon. Or tomorrow. Reports to the contrary notwithstanding, waiting a few hours for one isn't going to kill you. Really. Well, at least there's not direct proof that it will kill you. UPDATE: Also, the horny one is seeing reports that the iPhone 2.0 update is now available through iTunes, but it's effectively bricking peoples' iPhone since the Store is down. The update gets installed, but the phone can't reactivate. Probably want to wait on that one, too.
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First Look: NetNewsWire for iPhone
Filed under: Internet Tools, iPhone, App StoreProbably the single most used application on my Mac is NetNewsWire, and so I've been really looking forward to on the iPhone optimized version. It has now appeared and on first glance it appears that developer Brent Simmons has built yet another class leading RSS reader.Like the desktop version NetNewsWire for iPhone (iTunes link) syncs with the Newsgator servers for your subscription list, clippings, and read/unread status. And like the desktop version it's free. However, if you're like me you're not going to want your entire feed list on your iPhone. Fortunately, there is a way to use a desktop browser interface on Newsgator.com to select only a subset of your feeds to appear on your iPhone. Brent explains how to set this up at his site.Check out this gallery for a a quick tour of this great mobile version of NetNewsWire.Gallery: NetNewsWire iPhoneRead | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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iPhone Fever? (or iBola Virus is spreading!)
Remember when having a fever was a bad thing? Today, though, its all about how quickly someone can get pictures of their new iPhone 3G on Engadget or do a fast unboxing to share their enthusiasm or excitement with the world. One of my "5 Secrets" is this: Empower Early Adopters. Apple used to do this by providing stickers in their product boxes (they still do!) and so their most loyal evangelists would slap them on the side of everything they own (they still do!). Some even tattoo themselves with the Apple logo (they still do!) What is amazing to me is how Apple benefits even more from our web 2.0 world where in an instant a fan can post a photo, image, or link to something they are truly excited about. That then generates even more interest and excitement as it widens dramatically Apple's reach and appeal. This "second ring" of enthusiasm draws in less technically savvy people who purchase - not on speeds and feeds - but on being part of something bigger and more relevant. Many people who now own an iPhone didn't "need" an iPhone. They wanted to be part of the iPhone community. Same lesson learned from the iPod phenomenon. Any marketer can learn from the amazing story that is unfolding around Apple. Empower your early adopters and they will help you change the world. UPDATE: Witness in real time what happens when you mess up - your early adopters can turn on you. Today is NOT a good day for Apple - iPhone activations AND upgrades to 2.0 are bricking people's phones (mine included) Let's see how Apple's spin control spins up. UPDATE: 5:20 PM. My iphone finally started working. But don't get me started about MobileMe...
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Five ways the App Store will change the world
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Software, Internet, iTunes, Apple, iPhone, App StoreThere are historic days, people. The App Store went live, and all of a sudden, we're drowning in new things for the iPhone. But it's not just a big deal for iPhone owners -- this is a huge day for society and technology in general. While there have been lots of PDAs, and lots of apps to run on them, there's never been anything like the App Store before -- here's five ways that Apple's platform for iPhone application distribution will change our world.1. Ubiquitous computing.Any science fiction writer will tell you that we're already living the future -- we can teleport things, robots are easy to make, and almost anything dreamed of can be done if you have enough money to do it. But a technology really doesn't move from fantasy to reality until it's everywhere, and thanks to the iPhone 3G, computing has become just that. You can't take a laptop around with you all the time (as in, to a fancy restaurant or to the movies) to edit photos or post to your blog, but you can bring the iPhone. It's the ultimate ultramobile platform, and it's now cheap enough to be everywhere, and powerful enough that almost any common computing task can be done.Four more huge changes after the jump.Continue reading Five ways the App Store will change the worldPermalink | Email this | Comments
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Save Gas and Work from Home, Part 1
Among all the methods out there to save gas, one is sure to actually help - staying home. You'd think with the tremendous technology and networks we have that location shouldn't mean much, right? I agree, and in this Freeloader episode we'll look at a handful of free applications that will help you justify your work-at-home strategy. In Part 1 we'll cover the poor corporate saps that work on or... [read more at MacMerc.com]
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First Look: Remote
Filed under: iTunes, Apple, iPhone, App StoreApple has a treat waiting for all you iPhone/iPod touch owners who also happen to be iTunes users (I imagine there is a high level of overlap between the two groups): Remote. Remote is a free application that turns your iPhone (or iPod touch) into a remote control for iTunes. Sounds simple, but once you use it you'll wonder how you did without it.Apple's implementation makes it a fairly seamless experience. Your iPhone and Mac that hosts your iTunes library need to be on the same Wi-Fi network (nope, it doesn't work over EDGE or 3G), and you need to enter a code from your iPhone into iTunes but that's it. From there it feels like your entire iTunes library is now on your iPhone. The best part is that if you have multiple sets of AirTunes speakers, like I do, you can control where your music is routed to.Did I mention that Remote is free? Yep, this great little app costs nothing.Check out this gallery for a bunch of screenshots.Gallery: Apple's RemoteRead | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Apple: MobileMe transition taking longer than expected
Filed under: .Mac, MobileMe I don't think it will come as a shock to anyone that the MobileMe transition hasn't gone as smoothly as Apple would have liked. A recent update to the .Mac support page (shown above) states, 'The MobileMe transition is underway but is taking longer than expected. Please refer to the official System Status to the right for current information on the availability of MobileMe services. We apologize for any inconvenience.'Cory was able to sneak into MobileMe and take some pictures, so at least you can check out what you're missing. Here's hoping that this rocky start leads to a much more solid product since, as Mike pointed out, .Mac wasn't exactly a hallmark of uptime itself.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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iPhone 3G unboxing pics: black and white edition
Filed under: Cult of Mac, iPhone Ameo.com has posted some great unboxing pictures of the iPhone 3G (both the white and the black iPhone 3G gets unboxed). I'm sure the web will soon be flooded with unboxing pictures as people around the world excitedly rip their new phones open, but Ameo's pictures are some of the best unboxing pictures I have ever seen. Head on over to check out what you'll get in the box (note that the pictures are of the Australian iPhone, so the power adapter might look different than what you're used to) and to see a black iPhone 3G compared to a white one.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Apple Store US is down
Filed under: AppleThe Apple Store US is down at the moment. I imagine Apple's web elves are busy updating it with some iPhone 3G goodies, but only time will tell.Thanks to everyone who sent this in.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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A First Look at the iPhone Apps Store
Well, the iPhone Apps Store went live last night, and it’s just crazy, insane fun. I’ve just downloaded about 30 programs to play with on the iPhone 3G. As I predicted, it’s just a blast. One of the first things I found was the free, 1-megabyte program called Remote, from a company called Apple. It lists [...]
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Mac OS Ken: 07.11.2008
App Store Launches with Over 500 Native iPhone Apps (and iPhone 3G Today Too) / New Countries in iTunes Pull-Down Menu for App Store / Rumored iTunes/Apple TV Remote App from Apple is Rumor No More / Apple Updates Apple TV Software for MobileMe and Remote App Support / Woz Waiting In Line for iPhone 3G / iPhone Configuration Utility: iPhone 3G Ticket to the Enterprise / PC Mag: Do iPhone 3G and App Store Break the Apple Cone of Silence?