Rabu, 20 Agustus 2008

All ability to copy or transfer tracks bought through Yahoo Music will end with the month of September, an announcement indicates. Beginning on October 1st the company is shutting off the delivery of DRM keys for tracks, a move which should leave the music playable locally, but difficult if not impossible to copy to a portable player, second hard drive, or compact disc. The deadline follows months after the closure of Yahoo Music sales, which have since been replaced by a partnership with Real's DRM-free Rhapsody service.

The shutdown echoes Microsoft's dilemma with MSN Music, which has also closed shop and had an initial date of August 31st set for the expiry of DRM. Microsoft has since reacted to pressure however, and agreed to extend the life of its DRM servers until late 2011. Such concern is one of the primary reasons stores and labels have begun switching to DRM-free formats.
UK-based Revo Technologies recently announced it will launch the first product to combine Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), Internet and FM radio reception, along with iPod docking capabilities. The iBLIK RadioStation also supports Wi-Fi Internet radio, RDS text data for FM stations and MP3 media streaming capability from Mac or PC computers. The unit also has a built-in alarm clock.

The DAB/DAB+ tuner allows users to find one of the 11,000 supported worldwide stations by name, and delivers interference-free digital audio signals complete with scrolling text information. The iBLIK RadioStation is certified for compatibility with Apple's iPod, and will charge and allow control over dockable iPods' contents via the unit's buttons or the included remote control. An included M-Port cable allows MP3 players to connect to the iBLIK.

The alarm clock options include four separate settings, allowing users to wake up to any source apart from a docked iPod, or a traditional buzzer. A customizable Sleep setting is also included.

The iBLIK RadioStation will be available on the UK market starting on August 18, priced at �180 (about $360) via Apple stores and online, as well as on Revo's web store. [via PocketLint]



Gameloft has released a new portable version of Uno, (iTunes link), now designed for iPods. Players in the card game attempt to whittle down their hands, while simultaneously sabotaging their opponents' hands with special "action" cards. Competition can include either AI players or live ones taking turns on the same iPod.

Nine different rules settings can be used including "7-0" and "Jump-In," and special achievements are awarded for people who complete achievements in the Career Mode. Uno costs $5 and requires an iPod Classic, a third-generation Nano, or an older fifth-generation iPod. The release marks the first new clickwheel iPod game since Apple debuted the App Store for iPhones and iPod touches.
The UK storefront for iTunes has joined those in Canada and the US in offering discount movie rentals, Apple has announced. The site now advertises a "99p Film of the Week" program, letting people rent a single movie at a sharp discount over the normal cost of �2.49. The chosen debut movie is John Frankenheimer's Ronin, a 1998 thriller about the life of spies in a world without good, evil or the Soviet Union.

The new pricing is of course proportionately higher than equivalent 99 cent options, which if converted from US dollars would equal only 50p. MacNN cannot confirm if an HD version is available to view from an Apple TV.

[via Macworld]
Apple's beleaguered MobileMe service should now be fully operational, according to a status update. Following almost three weeks of difficulties, the company says it has resolved the vast majority of Mail issues, in particular webmail and message history issues that have persisted for 1 percent of MobileMe subscribers. Despite this a chatline has been established solely for people who may still be coping with e-mail problems.

Apple notes that an unrelated bug appeared briefly on Monday, causing contact and calendar sync to break when connecting over-the-air from an iPhone or iPod touch. In some cases the affected data disappeared from handhelds entirely, despite it remaining online and on computers. The bug has since been fixed, though some people may need to reboot their device, turn contact and calendar syncing off, then turn it back on again.
Apple is warning that some products will be in short supply in the near future, according to a bulletin allegedly sent to resellers. The memo indicates that Apple is ramping down the production of current-generation iPods, along with 13-inch MacBooks, and 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pros. The company has "strongly suggested" that resellers should immediately buy about four weeks' worth of iPods, as the reservoir could go dry within the next seven days. MacBook vendors are being pressured to buy three weeks' worth of stock.

Apple has traditionally let retail stocks dwindle in advance of a new product announcement, a move which reduces the burden of outdated inventory while lowering the number of customers angry at a sudden upgrade. The most recent example is the original 2.5G iPhone, which gradually disappeared in the months before the launch of the iPhone 3G.

The company has also traditionally introduced new iPods in September, and is rumored to be working on a tall-screened iPod nano, as well as an unspecified revision of the iPod touch. A redesign of the MacBook could also be in the works, marking a switch from standard Intel platforms to custom ones, and possibly with glass trackpads. The end product of this effort would be at least six to eight weeks away from shipment, say reports.
A new beta of the iPhone 2.1 firmware is seeding to developers, say reports. The code is mainly said to contain bug fixes, but Apple has allegedly confirmed that it contains an early version of background push notification. The technology is a workaround for the lack of background processes on the iPhone, but should nevertheless provide advantages in the form of better battery life and CPU performance.

Release notes point out that the API is not yet connected to a live push server, meaning that apps built with background push cannot be fully tested. Investigation into the firmware has meanwhile revealed that GPS compass and velocity references, previously thought to be new to v2.1, may have existed in the basic v2.0 code. By contrast a reference has been spotted for a new iPod touch, under the listing "iPod2,1." Changes could be significant, as even the iPhone 3G is referred to as "iPhone1,2."
Apple may be looking to build or support new add-ons capable of streaming radio and/or TV to its handhelds, a new patent application suggests. The device would attach directly to a handheld such as an iPhone or iPod, and pick up signals from one or more formats including AM, FM, HD or satellite radio, or TV standards such as cable, satellite, over-the-air or IPTV. More conventional reception means could include Wi-Fi, cellular or Ethernet.

Add-ons could take several forms, such as a simple portable plug-in, or else more elaborate options like a dock, stereo or a full-blown computer. The key Apple invention is the concept of a "tag" button, which would let people pull down metadata on whatever they're receiving, such as the artist and track for a song, or the episode, actor and director information for a TV show. In some instances the information could be location-based, through some form of GPS support.

By syncing tags with a handheld, the notion is that an add-on could then produce information usable elsewhere, such as shopping at an online store like iTunes, or generating a personalized webpage. It is suggested however that the technology may also be used receiving things like maps and restaurant menus, and serving advertisers, who could exploit tagging to deliver customized marketing.

Apple's hardware concept bears some resemblance to an upcoming PacketVideo product called the PV, which should be able to attach to the iPhone and iPod touch to deliver TV by converting WiMAX TV broadcasts into regular Wi-Fi signals.

Developer DJ-1800 has released an update to its self-named DJ software, bringing the code up to v3.1. The app is described as an all-in-one program for professional DJs, eliminating the need to carry hardware beyond a Mac, amps and speakers; it nevertheless supports external devices such as DJ controllers. In this regard 1800 now has expanded support, including the Denon DN-HC4500, M-Audio's X-Session Pro, and Numark's DMC2, iCDX and Total Control.

DJs can now also select music from attached iPhones and iPod touches, making it possible to supplement or replace tracks from normal sources. In terms of software features the program has a new mid-range EQ control, and customizable low, middle and high EQ ranges between -20dB and +12dB. DJ-1800 requires Mac OS X 10.4.9 and QuickTime 7.3, and costs $80 new or $20 as an upgrade from v1 or 2.

UBS Investment Research, writing in its first analysis of Apple stock, says it believes that several new products may be introduced between now and June of 2009. Expected in the second half of 2008 are new iPods, which have traditionally been revealed in September; UBS notes, though, that iPods are becoming increasingly less important to Apple's income, due mainly to increased Mac and iPhone sales. Apple's margins should also stay higher on the iPhone than the iPod, particularly as cannibalization forces the average selling price of iPods down.

UBS also supports the belief that new Macs will arrive within the next few months; rumors have pointed towards redesigned MacBooks, built out of aluminum and equipped with custom mainboards. Checks by the firm also agree with the expectation of new iPhone colors for the Christmas season, though whether a red iPhone 3G is in development is uncertain.

An entirely new iPhone may be in the works for the first half of 2009, which UBS anticipates will have an even heavier corporate focus, moving beyond the basics of Exchange, encryption and remote wiping support. The timeframe may additionally see the release of Apple's rumored sub-notebook system, which UBS thinks has been delayed from a planned 2008 shipment.

The group is generally optimistic about Apple's financial performance, and is predicting $6.09 EPS off of $39.8 billion in revenue in FY09, followed by $7.25 EPS and $46.2 billion in revenue for FY10. UBS is nevertheless forecasting a lower price target than most firms at $195, a figure based on 27x of an adjusted EPS estimate of $7.20 for FY09. This assumes iPhone revenues will begin to be recognized upon sale.
iPhone 3G owners who want to run firmware hacks should not upgrade to Apple's v2.0.1 release, the unofficial iPhone Dev Team cautions. The creators of the PwnageTool note that while the update is officially meant to fix bugs, it also makes changes to the underlying baseband code, which could potentially block any future attempts to unlock an iPhone. At the least, the update undoes any jailbreaking performed with PwnageTool.

Owners of 2.5G iPhones are said to be safe, as the technology has been "pwned at every conceivable level," ensuring that later versions of PwnageTool should be able to bypass Apple code. The Dev Team reminds people however that despite the current version number of PwnageTool, it is not yet compatible with any v2.0.1 iPhones or iPods.
Memorex hopes to push down the cost of iPod-aware clock radios today with two relative budget models. The iWakeUp is the range leader with a relatively streamlined look and the most advanced features, including dual alarms for weekdays versus weekends and a sound enhancer for its more powerful speakers. Like many iPod-ready radios, it can also set the alarms to trigger either the iPod itself, an AM or FM radio station, or a buzzer. The device is compatible with most all dockable iPods up to the iPod touch, though the company shows an iPhone in the dock and hints at possible support for at least Airplane Mode. The iWakeUp sells today for $70 in black and white versions.

A simpler Mi4019 radio drops the larger speakers and dual alarms of its larger relative but takes up less space and has a flip door to hide the buttons and the iPod dock when they aren't in use. The AM/FM tuning and multi-source alarm are still in place, as is compatibility up to the iPod touch. The reduced feature set helps Memorex reach a $40 price for the basic system, which also ships today and comes in black, pink, and white.

iWakeUp



Mi4019

The US military has found a new way for soldiers to use Apple's iPod. With the help of a new software product, VCommunicator Mobile, and a speaker that plugs into a headphone jack, soldiers are now able to use an iPod as a communication device. VCommunicator is filled with basic phrases in other languages that can help soldiers ask for "yes/no" answers, or directions. Soldiers are supplied with protective covers for the iPod and speaker, and velcro straps allowing both devices to be easily attached to an arm. Soldiers who spend long periods of times out in the field are also supplied with a solar charger.

The product was developed by the 10th Mountain Division, which has been using 260 of these specially-equipped iPods for the last year. The Army is said to worked on similar translation devices since 2001, but all of these have so far required a notebook or PDA. The VCommunicator Mobile approach exploits the fact that many troops already own an iPod, and know how to operate it.

The Army has spent over $800,000 on the new software, and has localized it for several different languages, including Iraqi Arabic, Kurdish, Dari and Pushto. The app also includes video along with its audio clips, displaying phrases on-screen, or else a video of a solider making appropriate hand gestures. This is said to be particularly important in Arabic.

It costs $2,000 to install just one language onto an iPod, and each one takes up 4GB of space, limiting the number that can be installed at any one time. Soldiers can however update or reorganize their libraries with an editing tool on a notebook.

Plum Amazing has announced its first application, Plum Caddy, for the iPhone and iPod touch. Plum Caddy is a mapping and scoring app for golfers. It tracks user-fed scores and locations for each hole, and on the iPhone 3G, can also track distances of shots via GPS. Records of past rounds are kept for historical reference, and a real-time scorecard in displayed in landscape mode.

Plum Caddy is now available at the iTunes App Store for $10. Plum Amazing is meanwhile promising a second release, Plum Clubhouse, later this month. Clubhouse will feature a course construction kit for GPS-mapping specific courses.



Mobile gaming factory Artificial Life has announced a new title for the iPhone and iPod touch, VBotAttack. Players take control of a VBot and attempt to defeat an enemy ruler, while also working to rescue a kidnapped lover. This is accomplished by destroying opposing robots, and solving various puzzles, through making tools and reprogramming VBot swarms to survive traps.

Stages in the game feature elements like water, lava, cranes and conveyor belts, and the interface taps into all possible components of Apple's hardware, including touch, 3D rendering and the accelerometer. Artificial Life has yet to announce pricing and a release date for the game.
Developer IceWarp has released v9.3 of its self-named server software. The suite addresses a number of tasks related to corporate communication, including e-mail, groupware and instant messaging. Among other changes in the update is a new iPhone/iPod touch interface for webmail, which lets users more quickly navigate between folders and items, while still retaining functions such as blacklisting and whitelisting.

Other changes to the software include automatic, distributed antivirus updates, filtering of spam during message archival, and the auto-subscription of user folders when migrating IMAP accounts. IceWarp runs only on Windows and Linux machines, but supports Safari, and Mac-specific keystrokes.
FMWebschool says it has released FMTouch, a new app for the iPhone and iPod touch. The software is described as a replacement for FileMaker's own Mobile software, which is no longer available and was only able to support one non-relational flat file. FMTouch lets users save multiple, fully-relational FileMaker Pro databases to an Apple handheld, for browsing information such as contacts and inventories.

Databases on a handheld operate without an Internet connection, but can be edited manually; to keep content coordinated with servers and desktops, FMWebschool has written its own sync plug-in. FileMaker 8 or 9 is required, along with FileMaker Advanced, though FMWebschool says it has devised an upload service for those without Advanced themselves. FMTouch is selling for $100 through the App Store.

Developer Big Stone Phone has released updates to several programs available on the App Store. Foremost in the lineup is Twittelator, its Twitter companion client, which has been upgraded to v1.1. The new version supports built-in web browsing, which lets users visit links in Twitter feeds and remain within the app. Searches have meanwhile been made persistent, and fonts now scale dynamically to maintain legibility.

TalkingPics is used to link audio clips to notes and photos, and in v1.1 can upload to a computer through desktop software called TalkingPics Transporter. iGraffiti, finally, is used to paint on top of photos, and has received a minor stability update. Its price is set at $5, while TalkingPics is $10, and Twittelator is free.
The unofficial iPhone Dev Team says it has released v2.0.2 of PwnageTool, its comprehensive hacking utility for 3G and 2.5G iPhones. The update incorporates a beta of Installer 4, which sports a new graphical interface and a new repository structure, which should make the download of unauthorized apps faster for users and file providers. Its associated package management interface is not enabled yet however, and the Dev Team notes that Pwnage will (erroneously) claim that installer.app is not available.

Apple is meanwhile said to be seeding a third beta of the iPhone 2.1 firmware to developers. Though the previous version was revealed to include an early version of background push notification, it is currently unclear what is new in beta 3; people are cautioned though that if they upgrade to the new firmware, they cannot restore to older software.
In an effort to boost the slow sales of its Zune media player, Microsoft is turning to Hollywood in order to license original content for it, according to new reports. Microsoft has sent executives to talent agencies and production companies over the last few months to find video programming that would be available either exclusively for the Zune or launch first for the device before being offered elsewhere.

At the same time, Microsoft again denies rumors that a Zune-branded cell phone is being developed. While the company is calling its efforts to add the dedicated multimedia content for the player as still in the "exploratory phase," the new video programming would take advantage of the Zune's social networking capabilities.

Via Zune Social, users could download the favorite digital music of characters from a new show or receive its soundtrack. Microsoft is already expanding the functions and content available for the Zune, including introducing games and TV shows from the NBC Universal and MTV networks. These moves are said to contradict recent rumors that Microsoft would phase out the Zune, which were sparked by the lack of Zune discussion during the company's latest quarterly results.
Visitors to the Tate Liverpool in the UK can now use their iPhones and iPods during a current art exhibition, according to an announcement. The gallery says that for a display of paintings by Gustav Klimt, people have access to a multimedia tour, representing a mix of currator commentary with music, archival films, photos of Klimt and behind-the-scenes exhibition footage. The guide is claimed to be the first of its kind in the UK.

To access the media, iPhone and iPod touch owners can connect to a "klimt" Wi-Fi network within the Tate, which also provides features like a timeline; a Touch can be rented for �3. Owners of clickwheel iPods only have access to the video portions of the tour, which must be downloaded in advance through iTunes or the Tate website. The Klimt exhibition closes on August 31st.
Izotope released a beat making application, iDrum, for the iPhone and iPod touch today. The application allows users to create rhythms using professional sound content and patterns. The iPhone's unique inputs are used for different controls. Tapping virtual pads will create beats, slide and flick gestures navigate through the program, while shaking the handset clears the beat. Visual patterns show the relationships between the rhythms.

iZotope created iDrum as a program that can be used with no musical background while keeping the features that make it fun for professional musicians as well. iDrum is available as a Hip-Hop edition or Club edition, both priced at $5 from Apple's App Store.

NetSketch application for iPhone and iPod touch allows multiple users to draw and edit the same picture from different phones, all in real-time. This new app allows for collaboration on drawings and sketches on an infinite canvas, each user seeing the changes that others have made to the drawing while it is being created. Snapshots of drawings can be stored in the iPhone photo library, emailed to friends, or uploaded to a website where they can be exported to EPS format for use with Adobe Illustrator.

The canvas is unlimited, allowing infinite zoom to add more detail, independent of the iPhone screen size. As the user zooms in further the detail level increases showing accurate, un-aliased lines instead of large pixels. Detail can be added at any level. NetSketch allows a full spectrum of colors and brush sizes to be used on the drawings.

Collaboration is organized on a home screen which shows the pictures that are open to editng and how many people are working on each drawing. Selecting a picture opens it to editing, where the user can view the actions of others working on the same sketch.

To control access, work can be set as private or only accessible to specific users. Network sharing is only available when the iPhone or iPod is connected to a wireless network and can be turned off to conserve battery life. NetSketch is available on iTunes for the iPhone and iPod touch for $6.



["Alien 1," by Theodore, illustrated with NetSketch ]



["Altadena Library" by KeniArts, illustrated with "NetSketch]
iHome has released a new iPod docking alarm clock, the iH41. The new clock is designed specifically for the iPod touch and looks to take advantage of some of the Touch's specific features. The iH41 features an L-shaped design that can easily switch orientation to allow users to watch wide screen video or use cover flow while the iPod is docked and charging. When rotated, the digital clock display also rotates to complement the position of the device.

The iH41 is compatible with most docking iPod models and is capable of charging and playing the iPods while they are securely docked into the base. It also features an EXB Expanded Bass and Reson8 speaker chamber that delivers clarity, depth and power to a users music. Included with the clock is a remote that can control the functions of both tie iPod and the Clock.

The iH41 is currently available for $80.



Veiosoft has launched DataCase for the iPhone and iPod touch. The software promises to turn Apple handhelds into wireless storage devices; users can carry data beyond standard media formats, and reach it from any computer with wireless access. File transfers are drag-and-drop, and support copying from both Macs and PCs. The software further allows viewing Word, PowerPoint, PDF and Excel documents.

On Macs DataCase functions through Bonjour technology, adding iPhones and iPods as an external drive in Finder; in Windows and Linux, file transfers are mainly handled via a web browser. Transfers are also possible through FTP. The app further allows volume creation and control, for separating different data types, or creating limited-access memory. Users can set security permissions for each volume created, of which the limit is 16.

DataCase requires Mac OS X 10.3 for AFP (Apple File Protocol) connections. The actual software is available through the App Store for $7.

Developers are beginning to receive their first full month of sales figures for the App Store, say reports. Although the online storefront opened on July 10th, Apple did not start providing statistics for developers until July 31st, when it then began offering daily tracking. The monthly summaries for each development house are currently confidential, but one anonymous developer is said to note that after the first two weeks sales fell substantially, even if good profit potential may exist for independent coders.

So far, only three sets of developers have provided any kind of sales data. tap tap tap observes that in one week it accumulated $6,928 in revenue off of two apps, Where To and Tipulator, while 2 Across creator Eliza Block was at one point generating over $1,800 per day, though 30 percent of this had to be diverted to Apple. The defunct I Am Rich app netted $5,600 in a day for a German coder, though some of this has been refunded.
Intempo will release a new iPod dock, the Fusion, in mid-September according to Tech Digest. This dock features a new look, sculptured to dock any size iPod without blocking access to the controls. Intempo added an FM player to the Fusion that will also play DAB signals. The Fusion features two 25-watt speakers and a built in subwoofer.

Controls can be found on the dock itself or an included remote control. The Fusion can also be used as an alarm clock. Intempo Fusion will sell for �99 ($185 USD).

A new version of the Simplify Media iPhone app is available for download. Simplify Media v1.1 enables users to play music from their entire home music collection on their iPhone or iPod touch, from any place with a Wi-Fi or EDGE/3G network connection. Music can also be streamed from up to 30 friends. Simplify Media also allows viewing of album art, lyrics, and artist bios, and the service is compatible with PC, Mac, and Linux.

After downloading the free app, the free home computer service can be downloaded from Simplify Media. Music can be played using iTunes, Winamp, or Rythmbox. Access to playlists can be shared among friends. Only the user's private friend group is permitted to play from their playlist. Simplify Media will also show what tracks are being played by friends. MP3, AAC, WMP, and Apple Lossless formats are supported. Simplify Media is available for download from iTunes for the iPhone or iPod touch with 2.0 Software Update.



Abilene Christian University, based in Abilene, Texas, is giving away new Apple handhelds to incoming students this weekend, writes the Dallas Morning News. Fulfilling an earlier announcement, over 950 freshmen for the 2008-2009 school year will receive either an iPod touch or an iPhone 3G, in what the university claims is the largest educational giveaway of Apple mobiles to date. In the case of the iPhones, students will only get an 8GB model, and will have to arrange their own contracts with AT&T.

The handout is meant not only as a lure to come to the Christian school, but as a tool for looking up maps and class schedules, as well as taking real-time surveys during lectures. ACU is also hosting representatives from both Apple and AT&T this weekend, as well as companies like Alcatel-Lucent.
The latest beta test version of the iPhone v2.1 firmware, seeded to Apple developers over the weekend, has disabled the much anticipated push notification feature, an important service that allows information to be relayed to iPhone apps even when they are inactive, according to AppleInsider. Push notification has been used for features such as instant messaging, where notification of a new message can be sent to the user without forcing the application open. Native apps will still use background data. Apple has not given a full explanation for the absence, just commenting that the code was pulled for "further development." Jobs had previously promised to deliver the push feature as part of a free update in September.

Apple thus far has chosen not allow applications to remain open in the background, citing both performance and battery life as the primary concerns. Push service has been a high priority feature for developers. Typically without push feature, applications that require regular data communication must stay open in the background. While users may believe the app is not functioning while 'closed', it is actually running in the background, slowing the system down by forcing the foreground apps to split CPU usage and consuming valuable battery life.

Removal of this service will affect developers--new apps requiring push service will be unworkable unless it is reintroduced and released. It is unclear whether the v2.1 update, expected to be available sometime in September, will have the promised push features.
First-generation iPod nanos may have potentially serious faults, accounts suggest. One owner reports that his Nano was recently plugged into his notebook, and after about 10 minutes of charging, began to emit a sizzling sound. The Nano then exploded open, spewing sparks and smoke. The iPod was immediately unplugged and moved to a safer place, where it continued to smoke and spark. The issue has been reported to Apple's customer service, but is awaiting an official response and plan of action.

Other users have reported similar problems with first-gen Nanos. Although Apple has yet to disclose how common the flaw may be, if an iPod were to explode in the wrong situation, it could cause serious damage. An explosion overnight, for example, could result in an unchecked fire. If a player were to explode on a plane, it could cause panic among passengers worried about terrorism.



Random Ideas has announced the release of Edibles, an app for the iPhone and iPod touch. The software is a food journal, used to track calories, carbs, WeightWatchers points and other values typically tracked when following a diet regimen. The application allows users to set a "budget" for whatever value they are tracking, and then follow weekly and daily allowances based on this figure.

Foods can be entered into Edibles' database on the go, and once they are added they can easily be reused without having to enter it a second time. At present there is no pre-populated food database, but Random Ideas says it is investigating the idea.

The application can be bought in the App Store for $6. Random Ideas' mission statement claims that it will donate 5 percent of its total pre-tax profits to charity, specifically "Feed the Children."



Boston Acoustics has unveiled the Horizon iDS2 iPod Speaker system with two built-in 3 1/2 inch full-range speakers and 60 watts of power. Measuring roughly 5- by 13- by 6-inches, the speaker/dock comes in black or white models; customers can order grilles in a variety of colors to match room decor.

The iDS2 includes a composite video output to display photos and video on a television or monitor. The unit comes with a USB connector with pass-through iTunes syncing and an auxilliary input jack. A tiny remote control is also included.

Designed to provide room-filling sound in a small form-factor, the i-DS2 features an "acoustically tuned chamber" for improved bass response. The company says the unit's universal iPod dock accommodates "any model iPod."

Perhaps the most unique feature of this model is the interchangeable speaker grille. Boston Acoustics' "Personal Options Plan" lets users choose from colors including "Glacier, Rosebud, Onyx, Pearl Gray, Caramel, Chocolat, Silver, Spanish Moss, Olive and Chilli Pepper." Customers can order grilles on the web or at a local retailer.

The Boston Acoustics Horizon iDS2 is available online and at retailers for $180.

Apple's current Back to School promotion -- in which students can pick up an iPod nano or touch for free, alongside a new Mac -- might have more significance than normally attributed to it, write analysts with Piper Jaffray. The firm notes that at $299, the cost of a Touch is a significant hit for Apple, which in past years has limited its iPod rebates to $199. This is likely one driver of Apple's decreased gross margin predictions, set to slide to 31.5 percent in September and eventually 30 percent during FY09. By contrast, margins reached 35 percent in the June quarter.

Free Touches are expected to increase Mac sales during the second half of 2008, though, and the other factor in margins is believed to be Apple's so-called "product transition," which Piper argues will consist of lower-cost Macs and iPods announced at a press event in September. Apple has yet, however, to announce any such gathering.
The Japanese government has taken a serious interest in iPod nano defects following three separate fires this year, the Wall Street Journal reports. Hiroyuki Yoshitsune, an official from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, says that a pair of Nanos recently overheated in Tokyo, scorching a straw mat in one case and paper in a second. These incidents surround another from March, in which sparks were caught erupting from a Nano.

The government says it has in fact contacted Apple Japan about the incidents, and is working with the corporation to uncover the root cause. The source of the fires is currently believed to be the players' lithium-ion batteries, which have been shown to overheat during recharge. Yoshitsune has however refused to reveal the maker of the suspect batteries, and says it is unclear if they are the default ones shipped by Apple. Apple is to investigate the allegations and then report back.

Outside of Japan, a first-generation Nano also recently shot sparks, this time after just 10 minutes of charging from a notebook. It is worried that the problem could widespread, posing danger of more damaging fires prior to a recall.
Philip Hansson has announced Pad, an iPhone and iPod touch application for remote controlling a Mac via Wi-Fi. The app lets users can control a Mac's mouse, keyboard and volume controls, and supports functions such as dragging, zooming and scrolling, left-, right- and double-clicks, and hotkeys with the option for application-specific custom keys. A host Mac can use any resolution, and any number of screens.

Pad further includes server software for the Mac, PadD, which allows people to create custom keystrokes and link them to images or gestures. PadD then transfers these settings to a handheld as quick-access shortcuts. The main software is available for $1 at the App Store.

Firemint has previewed a new game in development for the iPhone. Titled Real Racing, it features accelerometer-based driving, but also the rare option of head-to-head play over Wi-Fi or cellular networks, including support for creating mini-leagues with friends. Its Australian developer has also spoke of features such as associated Facebook and OpenSocial applications, which will let users show off their stats through social networks.

Firemint also hopes to take advantage of YouTube, by uploading a video of the best lap whenever a time is submitted to leaderboards. The game is expected to be released before Christmas this year, and will likely be available for the iPhone and several Nokia devices through a Symbian port.







Exit Games has announced that its multiplayer gaming service, Neutron, is now compatible with the iPhone. The new technology allows game developers to integrate online multiplayer social applications with the iPhone. Neutron also aids cross-platform development between the iPhone and other mobile platforms, PCs and gaming systems. The platform supports tournament, real-time and turn-based multiplayer environments, and offers buddy-lists, with text and voice chat, leader-boards, player profiles and more.

Neutron sees the iPhone as the next major development platform for online gaming.

"Neutron's support of this new and innovative mobile device will ensure that iPhone game developers have a means to take advantage of its wireless connectivity and add social gaming features," Christof Wegmann, CTO of Exit Games said.

Neutron offers hosting in the US and Europe and offers software development kits for the iPhone as well as other mobile devices, Flash, and gaming systems. Fees are seat-license based, and determined by contacting the company.

The BlackBerry Bold and iPhone 3G share similar traits but ultimately apply to entirely different markets, Citigroup investment analyst Jim Suva says in a research note issued today. In a hands-on test of the Bold shortly before its launch, Suva notes that the Bold touts both 3G and a significantly improved web browser versus earlier BlackBerries but that its design is still ultimately suited to work versus Apple's offering. This is particularly acute with the Bold potentially costing as much as $399 on contract.

The Bold is a "strong product but not a game changer," Suva says. "We believe it will appeal to business users who travel internationally, but less so to consumers given its likely high price."

The analyst also notes that the BlackBerry suffers from the same problems of the iPhone, including 3G connection problems; the device will frequently drop 3G in favor of a slower, 2G EDGE link when downtown. Suva speculates that the flaw may likewise stem from rough software and that AT&T may have delayed its launch primarily to stabilize 3G performance.

Its two-megapixel camera is also sub-par versus those from other phones, he adds.
Brenton Hush, HSBC CIO for Australia and New Zealand, made comments last week suggesting his company was considering a global switch from Blackberry to iPhone devices. A UK representative countered those claims this week, saying "I don't know if he was miss quoted or if it was made up, but I can put the rumors to bed now and state there is no truth in it at all" according to an interview with Mobile News.

An HSBC manager of group communications for Australia shed more light on the situation amongst the confusion, saying "We always explore the potential application of new technologies and this is no different." Most corporations, especially of this size, try to keep those discussions behind closed doors.

HSBC has stepped back from the original statements, but without completely denying the possibility. Information leaks like this can have a negative impact on the objectivity of the decision making. Future relationships between the parties can also be strained when a large account with one company, such as the 200,000 devices in question, is rumored to be dropped and then replaced with a record size account from their competitor, even if it never happens.

If HSBC changes from the RIM Blackberry device to Apple's iPhone, this could be the beginning of a significant shift in market share for both companies. Presence of the iPhone in the corporate markets is just beginning, but it offers many features that might make it a fierce competitor in both worlds. RIM, on the other hand, has dominated the corporate environment but just recently began marketing its products to consumers.
Apple's iPhone has received significant attention as a diverse tool for many different tasks. Developers have taken advantage of the many unique features offered by the iPhone, showing this phone to be capable of much more than you would expect. BunsenTech demonstrated this with Dynolicious, an iPhone app capable of producing vehicle performance data including acceleration times, elapsed time (by distance), lateral G force, and horsepower. MyRide.com used Dynolicious to road test the 2008 Smart Passion Cabriolet.

When apple engineers included a sensitive three-axis accelerometer to the iPhone platform, they may have just needed a sensor that could interpret the phone's physical orientation to flip the screen accordingly, or as a specialized input for games. Dynolicious uses the same feature to graph several types of vehicle performance data. MyRide claimed the sensitivity of the accelerometer allowed Dynolicious to show consistent data through multiple tests of the Smart car.

Three elements are utilized in the accelerometer, a silicon mass, set of silicon springs, and electrical current. The springs measure the position of the silicon mass using the electrical current. Moving the iPhone fluctuates the current that passes through the springs. These fluctuations are converted into data that can be used by apps with enough precision to compare small changes in vehicle performance, such as the inherent performance drop when a vehicle's A/C is running.

Dynolicious samples the accelerometer data as much as 100 times per second to create a detailed picture of the car's acceleration. The speed of the vehicle and distance traveled can be extrapolated from the data. Performance measurements include speed tests from 0-10 MPH through 0-100 MPH, quarter mile elapsed time, quarter mile trap speed, elapsed time and trap speed for standard intervals (60', 330', 1/8 Mi, 1000'), lateral G's (current and peak), braking G's (current and peak), wheel horsepower, and estimated engine horsepower. Horsepower measurements take into account the weight of the car compared with the acceleration.

Performance results recorded on Dynolicious for the Smart car showed a 0-60 MPH time of 13.6 sec. According to MyRide, the app sensed the differences in acceleration times between the car's automatic and manual shift modes, and with the A/C switched on or off. Tests on a 200-ft. skidpad showed the Smart car handle .78g before sliding. Panic braking from 60 MPH brought a force of .83g, and full acceleration was recorded at .45g. Horsepower at the wheel was shown to be 61hp, which MyRide claimed was probably fairly accurate considering the company listed the engine HP as 71 and a 13%-17% loss of horsepower to the drivetrain in most vehicles is expected.

Presentation of Dynolicious data is displayed on realtime speedometer and graphs, or a realtime skidpad display. Results of any run can be saved and compared. Vehicle profiles are saved, allowing averages to be interpreted for each vehicle through a number of tests. Results can be compared between vehicles, dates, or before and after modifications.

The device must be calibrated before use for maximum accuracy. MyRide claimed consistent results between tests, but a full report using professional testing equipment to determine the actual accuracy of the program should be posted on the Dynolicious site in the future. Dynolicious is available at Apple's App store for $13.





Forum roundup: Rumors about upgrades to the iPod lineup are a recent topic of interest in the MacNN forums where members seem to think that we will see new models by the end of the year. Advice on how to make ringtones for use with the iPhone 3G can be found in this thread started by jorgem4.

Problems with one users iMac unexpectedly shutting down while in Boot Camp are discussed here. MacBook vs. MacBook pro is the question posed by one forum goer that sparks a debate about the differences between the two models. SteveJobs, a Senior User of the forums asks "how to minimize spam" when using the Mail application and finds helpful tips on ways to avoid unwanted e-mail.
Rogers Wireless' pricing for the BlackBerry Bold all but rules out the device as a competitor for the iPhone 3G in Canada, if a company flyer proves true. The carrier is allegedly pricing the first HSDPA-capable BlackBerry at $400 with a three-year contract, more than $100 above the price for a 16GB iPhone despite holding just 1GB of internal memory and otherwise similar hardware. This cost at present would primarily differentiate the Bold from the 8820, which sells through the provider for $350.

It's unclear whether the price will be representative of pricing in the US and elsewhere, and may not remain a long-term cost for the phone. Nokia and Rogers recently felt compelled to halve the N95 8GB's price from its own $400 starting cost just a week after the iPhone 3G was introduced to Canada, although this device is more directly targeted at the same media-friendly audience as Apple's handset.

Rogers itself noted that the iPhone has significantly altered the bias of its phone mix. Sales for many of the carrier's phones drew to a halt almost immediately after the iPhone 3G announcement and remained low-key until the device was launched in the country.
The latest beta test version of the iPhone v2.1 firmware, seeded to Apple developers over the weekend, has disabled the much anticipated push notification feature, an important service that allows information to be relayed to iPhone apps even when they are inactive, according to AppleInsider. Push notification has been used for features such as instant messaging, where notification of a new message can be sent to the user without forcing the application open. Native apps will still use background data. Apple has not given a full explanation for the absence, just commenting that the code was pulled for "further development." Jobs had previously promised to deliver the push feature as part of a free update in September.

Apple thus far has chosen not allow applications to remain open in the background, citing both performance and battery life as the primary concerns. Push service has been a high priority feature for developers. Typically without push feature, applications that require regular data communication must stay open in the background. While users may believe the app is not functioning while 'closed', it is actually running in the background, slowing the system down by forcing the foreground apps to split CPU usage and consuming valuable battery life.

Removal of this service will affect developers--new apps requiring push service will be unworkable unless it is reintroduced and released. It is unclear whether the v2.1 update, expected to be available sometime in September, will have the promised push features.
Random Ideas has announced the release of Edibles, an app for the iPhone and iPod touch. The software is a food journal, used to track calories, carbs, WeightWatchers points and other values typically tracked when following a diet regimen. The application allows users to set a "budget" for whatever value they are tracking, and then follow weekly and daily allowances based on this figure.

Foods can be entered into Edibles' database on the go, and once they are added they can easily be reused without having to enter it a second time. At present there is no pre-populated food database, but Random Ideas says it is investigating the idea.

The application can be bought in the App Store for $6. Random Ideas' mission statement claims that it will donate 5 percent of its total pre-tax profits to charity, specifically "Feed the Children."



A Filipino auction site has announced plans to sell the iPhone 3G at a price much cheaper than the local market, says CNET. In a press briefing on Friday, Auction.ph unveiled a special program to put the iPhone on sale through its website. Angelo Hernandez, public relations chief at Auction.ph, currently says that the iPhone will be auctioned off at a starting price of just 1 peso (2 cents), increasing in cost through 0.50 peso bidding increments. There will however be a ceiling to bids, with a maximum price of 5,000 pesos ($110).

When the phone officially goes on sale in the Philippines on August 22nd, the average price will be about 30,000 pesos, or $663. Hernandez says, though, that he cannot confirm if the iPhone will be a regular item on Auction.ph. It is also uncertain where the phones will be sourced from, and how carrier partnerships will be handled.
Palringo today announced the addition of vocal instant messaging functionality (push to talk) to its rich messaging iPhone application. This app allows users to use push to talk functions without being locked into a carrier or certain equipment. Other Palringo-supported platforms include BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Symbian, or Java based devices from manufacturers including Nokia, Motorola, LG, Samsung, HTC, HP, and Sony Ericsson.

Palringo integrates with instant-messaging services such as AIM, Google Talk, Yahoo, Gadu Gadu, ICQ, Jabber, and Windows Live. Users can also use the app to contact their friends using iChat. Palringo is available for free from Apple's App Store.

App Cubby today announced the availability of Trip Cubby, an iPhone app that tracks mileage for tax deductions or corporate reimbursement. Trip Cubby features predictive input, auto-entry, auto-calculation, and access to frequent trips. Data can be searched and sorted to generate reports. Customizable tabs allow grouping or categorization of trips.

Trip Cubby creates Excel-compatible reports for email. IRS compliance was a consideration for the design. Reimbursements can be marked as paid/unpaid, and multiple drivers or vehicles can be supported. Trip Cubby is available from Apple's App Store for $10.

Philip Hansson has announced Pad, an iPhone and iPod touch application for remote controlling a Mac via Wi-Fi. The app lets users can control a Mac's mouse, keyboard and volume controls, and supports functions such as dragging, zooming and scrolling, left-, right- and double-clicks, and hotkeys with the option for application-specific custom keys. A host Mac can use any resolution, and any number of screens.

Pad further includes server software for the Mac, PadD, which allows people to create custom keystrokes and link them to images or gestures. PadD then transfers these settings to a handheld as quick-access shortcuts. The main software is available for $1 at the App Store.