MacFlaunt » iPhone

Episode 4 – 4g Revolution

Sam — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:56:42 +0000

The first few 4g ready devices are rolling off the production line, even before the networks are ready for them. So what is 4g all about, and how will it change how we use our devices ?

To download this podcast from our dedicated server, click here.

Links

4g Technologies

HTC Evo forum

First look: Opera Mini for iPhone

Daniel — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 05:05:09 +0000

Apple on Monday approved the Opera Mini browser for the iPhone, and the software is now available to download for free from the App Store. Speculation was rife that Apple wouldn’t approve the app because it duplicates functionality of the Safari browser, but Opera Mini made it to the App Store against all odds.

Opera Mini is the first third party Web browser to make it on the iPhone. By now, Apple’s phone had alternative browsers, which were merely rehashes of the Safari mobile browser. Opera Mini for iPhone is different: when you type an URL in the address bar, the page is compressed up to 90 percent on Opera’s servers and then loaded onto your phone.

This loading/rendering mechanism that Opera Mini uses leads to a much faster Web browsing experience on your mobile to Apple’s own Safari, especially when using GSM connections. Opera’s browser is also expected to reduce the traffic burden on wireless carriers.

Opera Mini for iPhone is as full-featured as Apple’s Safari browser. When you open the app, you are shown a screen with nine thumbnails for various sites. Six of them are pre-set by Opera and three of them are ready for customisation. You can also edit later the first six thumbnails with your preferred sites.

Pages load very quickly, a good few seconds faster than Safari in most cases. I tested the loading times for both Opera and Safari on WiFi and GSM connections, and except the cases when pages were already cached in Safari, Opera Mini was always the speediest.

Opera Mini for the iPhone also does tabs, displayed as a deck of cards at the bottom of the screen. You can flip and shuffle through the open tabs, though there is no full-screen tab switcher. Opera Mini for iPhone can also open more tabs than Safari’s magic number 8 (I went up to 13). As a bonus, Opera Mini also lets your search through Amazon, eBay or Wikipedia from its search bar (Google search is default).

Some other nice features included in Opera Mini for iPhone are in-page search, full-screen browsing, and saved pages, which allow you to save a certain Webpage locally on your iPhone for offline reading. For those used to Safari’s double-tap to zoom in to a certain area of a page, this action is achieved with a single tap in Opera Mini for iPhone, which can be quite confusing initially.

As for page-rendering, Opera Mini for iPhone displays all pages with the same font, so for example The New York Times’ home page won’t look the same in Safari and Opera Mini, despite most of the page formatting kept intact. This is probably the cost you have to pay for speed achieved through rendering sites on Opera’s servers. Nevertheless, most pages that I tried Opera Mini for iPhone with looked fine.

So if you are usually in areas with poor 3G reception, Opera Mini is definitely worth a try for its speediness, especially as it is a free download.

Checkmate for Adobe Flash on iPhone 4.0?

Daniel — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 13:15:34 +0000

Apple’s iPhone 4.0 preview on Thursday came with a buried surprise in the developer agreement. If they want to make software for the iPhone 4.0, developers must use only Apple’s proprietary tools, which could spell doom for Adobe’s upcoming Flash CS5 software that will compile iPhone-compatible apps.

The paragraph in question in the new Apple developer agreement, first noticed by John Gruber of the Daring Fireball blog, says that the Cupertino company will not approve apps into the App Store unless they are built using its proprietary software.

Basically, this would mean that apps built with third-party compilers, such as Adobe’s upcoming Flash-to-iPhone compiler, would not be accepted into the App Store. The new rules are a direct blow to Adobe’s Flash CS5, which is due release next week on April 12. The iPhone app compiler in Flash CS5 is flagged as a landmark feature in the new software.

Continue reading this story on PCWorld

iPhone OS 4.0: a condensed guide

Elizabeth — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 14:08:18 +0000

On April 9th during a presentation at the company’s Cupertino HQ, Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced the all new operating system update for the iPhone, OS4.

Due for download (and most likely with a new iPhone model) in “summer 2010”, the new specs were greeted with both praise and criticism. Although many were please one feature will finally be added to the smartphone, some argue that a few other key features were overlooked.

The biggest new features are:

Third-party app multi-tasking (but not available on the 3G model due to battery life)
Unified inbox – no need to check through separate email folders
Folders – apps can now be organised
iBooks (also available for iPod Touch)
iAd mobile advertising – look at adverts without having to leave the app
Custom backgrounds on the homepage
Game Centre – social networking for gaming on the iPhone (similar to Xbox Live)
5x digital zoom on the camera

Other specs include local notifications, new enterprise features, bluetooth keyboards and 1500 new developer APIs.

However, developers need not wait until the summer to download the new software. Members can sign up to receive the new OS now.

For those who missed the event, watch the full presentation by clicking here.

AT&T helps Apple fix iPhone woes, says report

Daniel — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:27:58 +0000

AT&T gave Apple engineers masterclasses in wireless networking in order to address iPhone connectivity woes on the carrier’s network, says a report from the Wall Street Journal. But that’s only half of the story, as AT&T also says it’s putting a lot of effort (and money) into improving its network as well.

U.S. iPhone users have been complaining about AT&T’s network pretty much since Apple’s smartphone was first launched in 2007. And AT&T was their only option if they wanted an iPhone, , as Apple has forged an exclusive deal with the carrier in the U.S.

However, with (long-standing) rumors that Apple may soon end exclusivity with AT&T and launch a Verzion version of its popular smartphone, AT&T is ramping to beef up its network in an effort to satisfy users. As part of improving iPhone users’ experience, AT&T worked with Apple to reduce strain on its network, according to the WSJ.

Continue reading on PCWorld

Episode 2 – Jailbreak

Sam — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:31:01 +0000

Tonight there’s gunna be trouble… Somewhere in this town…

Most people are happy with their iPhone the way that Apple made them… But then there are those who want their iPhone to do exactly what they want, when they want, how they want.

To download this podcast from our dedicated server, click here.

Links

The Apple DevTeam Blog

Cydia store (mobile optimised)

http://forum.tipb.com/iphone-jailbreak-unlock/

iPhone OS 3.1.3 – problems and fixes

Harry — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:06:06 +0000

Upgrade to iPhone OS 3.1.3 proves problematic

Apple’s iPhone OS upgrade riddled with installation package faults - no thanks to iTunes.

Apple blogs have been inundated this week with stories of how the upgrade to OS 3.1.3 has been crashing iPhone 3GS’ and iPod Touches. Stories tell of how installation packs have been corrupted in the download stages through iTunes, more than often prompting restores.

The update was due to address several specific bugs as well as offering fixes for a handful of security issues. Most notably:

- Accuracy of battery life percentages on the iPhone 3GS

- The ability to make third-party applications not launch

- Fixes a bug that may cause applications to crash, when used in conjunction with the Japanese Kana keyboard.

Relevant or not to what you need it for, MacFlaunt was not able to utilise any of these god-saves features as it happened to one of our staff reporters.

When things trying to download to the new OS update the iPhone decides to lock up. On consulting Apple forums, it was clear that the CRC-free version of the file would have failed to be applied and prioritised in iTunes.

Things were made worse by the fact that the phone failed to restore -

“Error restoring iPhone, iPhone. Error Code [14].”

So where is the troubleshooting option? Where is the hyperlink to a solutions page? - Nowhere. Therefore, for the next 3 hours our reporter researched how to fix the common “Error Code [14]” problem.

Recommendations:

Apple do not check the integrity of the update package before wiping the current directory, on your Mac or PC. This is why iTunes will start an update with a bad package and will inevitably lead to the iPhone retreating to its useless ‘safe-place’ of recovery mode.

Sadly, following the steps outlined by Apple will no longer safeguard you against such things. Prioritising directory components with freeware like ‘Object Fix’ really can’t hurt your chances to really safeguarding against something like this happening. Run this clean-up program, ridding your HD from incomplete and obsolete files, and this problem will go away.

Further recommendations:

- Restarting your computer

- Reinstalling iTunes (make sure you delete all components with something like ‘App Zapper’)

- Using someone else’s computer to reconfigure and restore.

Sources:

theappleblog.com

macrumours.com

Apple boosts iPhone 3G download capacity

Daniel — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:37:13 +0000

Apple has increased the cap for downloads over 3G networks on the iPhone from 10MB to 20MB, in what some think is a sign of heavier multimedia content appearing for the upcoming iPad.

By now, every time you wanted to download a podcast or application from the App Store that was over 10 MB, you got an annoying message asking you to use Wi-Fi because the file was too large. But not anymore.

Apple lifted the 10MB cap, only to double it to 20MB, which should be a more reasonable figure for video and podcast downloads when out of Wi-Fi range. If you try to download files over 20MB though, a message will prompt you to switch to Wi-Fi.

Besides giving iPhone users a wider variety of content they can download over 3G networks, the cap increase may be a sign that the iPad will require larger file downloads over 3G because of higher resolution graphics and more complex applications.

READ THE REST OF THIS STORY

RIM intros new BlackBerry browser to rival iPhone Safari

Daniel — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:30:12 +0000

BlackBerry maker Research In Motion on Tuesday introduced a new browser for its devices, which runs on WebKit, the rendering engine behind Apple’s Safari browser. The New BlackBerry browser is touted as easier and faster to use, and will be available later this year.

The Internet browser on BlackBerry devices has been lagging behind competitors such as Google Android, Palm’s WebOS and Apple’s iPhone. But faced with consumer pressure, Research In Motion bought Torch Mobile last year, a browser-design firm, to pursue its competitors in the race for the best mobile browser.

The new WebKit-based BlackBerry browser was showed scoring 100 percent in the Web-rendering Acid 3 test, and can handle AJAX, CSS and HTML5. The browser can also pan, zoom and scroll through websites loaded, and RIM claims that it’s more network-efficient than other mobile browsers.

READ THE REST OF THIS STORY

Microsoft wants Bing on the iPhone

Daniel — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:56:57 +0000

Microsoft thinks that the iPhone could represent another way to boost the popularity of its search engine, Bing.

The Redmond-based company released on Thursday a software developer kit (SDK) which will allow iPhone developers to integrate Bing searching into their apps.

Google is the default search engine built in the Safari browser on the iPhone. Other search engines such as Ask or Bing, are accessible only if you go the service’s web page.

But Microsoft wants to change that. Using the SDK the company released on Thursday, developers can build iPhone applications that search through BIn for information, images, videos, news and phonebook results.

Applications developed in Cocoa or Cocoa Touch can also integrate Bing search results thanks to the open source SDK. Anyone can download the Bing SDK for iPhone and Mac here.

Microsoft thinks the iPhone could represent another way to boost the popularity of its search engine, Bing.

The Redmond-based company released on Thursday a software developer kit (SDK) which will allow iPhone developers to integrate Bing search results into their apps.

Google is the default search engine built in the Safari browser on the iPhone. Other search engines such as Ask or Bing, are accessible only if you go the service’s web page.

But Microsoft wants to change that. Using the SDK the company released on Thursday, developers can build iPhone applications that search through Bing for information, images, videos, news and phonebook results.

Applications developed in Cocoa or Cocoa Touch can also integrate Bing search results thanks to the open source SDK. Anyone can download the Bing SDK for iPhone and Mac here.

[Via PC World, TechCrunch]

Apple approves Spotify and Facebook 3.0 for iPhone

Daniel — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:56:38 +0000

Apple approved on Thursday both the Spotify and the Facebook 3.0 applications for the iPhone, according to multiple reports.

Spotify, the music streaming service that took Europe by storm, had its app approved into the Apple App Store, according to a report from The Next Web on Thursday. An Apple spokesperson quoted by PaidContent UK said that “the app will be in the app store very soon.”

The iPhone version of the Spotify service is similar to what desktop users are already familiar with. The Spotify for iPhone app will allow you to listen to music even when you are not connected to a network. Real Networks also submitted earlier this week their Rhapsody iPhone app, which doesn’t support offline listening. Neither the desktop version of Spotify, nor the iPhone counterpart will be available for US users.

Apple also approved on Thursday the 3.0 version of Facebook for iPhone, Joe Hewitt, the developer of the app announced via his Twitter account. Hewitt says the App Store might still display as the 2.5 version number, but when users request to install, the 3.0 version will be downloaded.

The new 3.0 iPhone app features many improvements and interface changes, including better news feeds with direct links to comments, the ability to “like” posts, and access to fan pages. You can also RSVP to events, create photo albums from the iPhone and write/edit notes. Unfortunately, Facebook for iPhone 3.0 does not feature push notifications, but this functionality is expected in the 3.1 update.

Tune into satellite radio on the iPhone with the Sirius XM SkyDock

Daniel — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:34:42 +0000

Satellite radio now on the iPhone with the Sirius XM SkyDock

Sirius introduced on Wednesday the XM SkyDock, a standalone satellite radio receiver that connects to your iPhone or iPod touch. The XM SkyDock is not the best looking iPhone accessory out there, but it’s the only one to let you listen to your favorite satellite radio stations.

The Sirius XM SkyDock is one of the first accessories to take advantage of the iPhone OS 3.0 new hardware support, introduced in June. The dock has a flexible stalk and plugs in to your car’s DC jack and uses a free companion application on the iPhone to control the radio stations.

The companion iPhone app also lets you tags songs on the satellite radio music channels for later purchase from the itunes Store. An Aux In cable comes in the box for audio connection to your car.

The Sirius XM SkyDock won’t be available until later this fall (an exact relase date was not specified) but we know it will cost $120. The dock will be compatible with all iPhone and iPod touch models, given that they run on the 3.0 software.

Sirius announced on Wednesday the XM SkyDock, a standalone satellite radio receiver that connects to your iPhone or iPod touch. The XM SkyDock is not the best looking iPhone accessory out there, but it’s the only one to let you listen to your favorite satellite radio stations.

The Sirius XM SkyDock is one of the first accessories to take advantage of the iPhone OS 3.0 new hardware support, introduced in June. The dock has a flexible stalk and plugs in to your car’s DC jack. The XM SkyDock uses a free companion application on the iPhone to control the radio stations.

The companion iPhone app also lets you tag songs on the satellite radio music channels for later purchase from the Apple iTunes Store. An Aux In cable comes in the box for audio connection to your car’s stereo.

[Via All Things Digital]

TextExpander comes to the iPhone

Daniel — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:17:41 +0000

TextExpander touch might not have all the features of its Mac sibling, but it does help you type faster on your iPhone or iPod touch using short abbreviations that expand into long snippets of text.

Developed by Smile On My Mac, TextExpander touch works with the iPhone Mail app, where you can compose new messages using a snippet library of frequently-used text, email addresses and signatures. The final text is then inserted into the body of a new email in Mail.

If you do a lot of tweeting, TextExpander touch can also come in handy, as it can send composed text to Tweetie, Twitterific (free and Premium), TwitterFon (free and Pro) and Twittelator Pro. TweetDeck and Birdfeed are not supported, as the two apps would need an update from their developers in order to work with TextExpander touch.

TextExpander touch works with text messages as well, and can turn any of your frequently-used phrases (like “I will be 5 minutes late”) into an SMS. The app can be used as a text editor, and then copy and paste the notes in any other app on your phone. The screenshots below (click to enlarge) don’t really do justice to how useful TextExpander touch is, so you might also want to check this demo video on the developer’s website.

Smile On My Mac’s TextExpander touch is available now in the Apple App Store for for the introductory price of $1.99. After September 9, the app will cost $4.99. And if you want to grab a bargain, TextExpander for the Mac is now $15 (50% off until September 9). TextExpander touch requires an iPhone or iPod touch running iPhone OS 3.x or later.

Get the sports apps from the new iPhone 3GS ad

Daniel — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:45:46 +0000

The new iPhone 3GS ad called Avid is aimed at sports fans. The spot promotes three specific iPhone apps, all available now in the Apple App Store.

In order of appearance, the apps in the iPhone 3GS Avid ad are: Golfshot: Golf GPS ($29.99 iTunes link), MLB.com At Bat 2009 ($9.99 iTunes link) and TouchSports Tennis ’09 ($0.99 iTunes link).

The song playing in the Avid iPhone 3GS ad is titled Mr. Pitful by Matt Costa.

And for your viewing pleasure, below is the new Avid iPhone 3GS advert:

What is Equinux’s secret iPhone app all about?

Daniel — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:03:36 +0000

Mac software developer Equinux is teasing with a secret “hot” application coming to iPhones everywhere. With 5 smart iPhone apps under its belt, the Equinux campaign seems to be working, as many are left wondering what’s to come.

Based in San Francisco, US and Munich, Germany, Equinux developed 5 iPhone apps already, most notably Live TV, which turns the iPhone into a mobile TV set and TubeToGo, an app that lets users watch and manage TV recordings from their phone.

Equinux is probably waiting for their mysterious new app to get approved by Apple, so until it makes it into the App Store, the company prepared a special minisite where the curious ones can subscribe for the latest news.

You will need a VIP code to subscribe to the Equinux list, so you might want to try one the following codes: 6AS7F, PCMZ3 (both of them will do the job). Of course, as soon as we find out more, we will let you know.

Batch organize iPhone apps on multiple screens

Daniel — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:57:37 +0000

Having more than two screens of installed applications on the iPhone can be a pain when you want to keep everything in order. And as iTunes does not offer any way to easily manage the applications on your multiple screens, someone came up with an idea before Apple.

The Movement application for your computer can help you organise your iPhone apps quick and easy. Developed by independent Mac developer Jeff Stieler, Movement lets users batch organise their iPhone apps across multiple screens with just a few clicks — with a catch.

The downside to Movement is that it works only with jailbroken iPhones, so users who didn’t take the plunge into hacking their devices can’t play around it with it. Here’s for hoping that Apple comes up with a similar solution for the rest of us.

Movement is free and requires OSX 10.5. You can download it here, and below is a video from the developer demonstrating the app.

— Movement screenshot courtesy of Zain Memon via TechCrunch.

Rhapsody for iPhone on route to the App Store

Daniel — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:45:32 +0000

Real Networks announced it has submitted the Rhapsody music subscription service app for iPhone and iPod Touch to the Apple App Store. When (and if) Apple approves the application, users will be be able to stream unlimited music to their phone for $15 per month.

The Rhapsody music subscription service iPhone app will be able to stream over Wi-Fi, 3G and EDGE an unlimited number of songs to your device, given that you pay $15 per month for a Rhapsody To Go account.

The iPhone/iPod Touch application itself will be free to download, giving access to a library containing over 8 million songs, Real Networks announced on their blog.

GDGT has a comprehensive hands-on with Rhapsody for iPhone, and here are some of their highlighted notes:

Search through an 8+ million songs library;
Create playlists on the fly;
Listen to your existing Rhapsody playlists;
Rhapsody Unlimited ($13/month) subscribers not supported;
No storage capabilities (coming in version 2.0).

If Apple decides to approve the Rhapsody for iPhone app, the service will be not only competing with iTunes (which uses a $0.99 per song pricing) but also with the upcoming Spotify for iPhone app, a similar music streaming service.

Here’s a quick video preview from Real Networks of Rhapsody for iPhone:

MacFlaunt » iPhone

Episode 4 – 4g Revolution

Related articles

First look: Opera Mini for iPhone

Related articles

Checkmate for Adobe Flash on iPhone 4.0?

Related articles

iPhone OS 4.0: a condensed guide

Related articles

AT&T helps Apple fix iPhone woes, says report

Related articles

Episode 2 – Jailbreak

Related articles

iPhone OS 3.1.3 – problems and fixes

Related articles

Apple boosts iPhone 3G download capacity

Related articles

RIM intros new BlackBerry browser to rival iPhone Safari

Related articles

Microsoft wants Bing on the iPhone

Related articles

Apple approves Spotify and Facebook 3.0 for iPhone

Related articles

Tune into satellite radio on the iPhone with the Sirius XM SkyDock

Related articles

TextExpander comes to the iPhone

Related articles

Get the sports apps from the new iPhone 3GS ad

Related articles

What is Equinux’s secret iPhone app all about?

Related articles

Batch organize iPhone apps on multiple screens

Related articles

Rhapsody for iPhone on route to the App Store

Related articles