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Filed under: Gaming, Freeware, iPhone, iPod touch

Pie Guy: A web game for the iPhone

by Mike Schramm (RSS feed) on Nov 26th, 2009

Back when the iPhone was first announced, there was no SDK, you'll remember. Jobs said that developers could just make web apps, and that they would be good enough. Of course, he was wrong -- given what you can do with your iPhone now compared to what you could do with your iPhone then, even Steve would be happy to say that yes, there is a native app for that. But let's not toss the projects out with the development platform, so to speak. Neven Mrgan, one of the devs over at Panic, has released Pie Guy, a free and surprisingly full-featured game for the iPhone that exists only as a Javascript web app. To play it, just point your iPhone 3GS (the page says you need one of those, and while I was able to play it on my 1G, it was too clunky to enjoy) to mrgan.com/pieguy, add that page to your homescreen, and there you go.

In case you haven't guessed from the pic above (or the name), the game itself is a straightforward Pac-Man clone. But what's most interesting here is the example this game sets. Think about it: a full featured, automatically updated game release, delivered straight to the iPhone without any approval required by Apple. The revenue model might need some work, but maybe we dismissed this whole "web app" idea a little too quickly. For devs looking to go around the App Store's process, maybe there's a solution here. Boy, Flash sure would help with that, wouldn't it?

Tags: flash, flash for iphone, FlashForIphone, iphone 3gs, Iphone3gs, neven mrgan, NevenMrgan, panic, pie guy, pie-guy, PieGuy, revenue, sdk, steve jobs, SteveJobs, web, web apps, WebApps

Filed under: Video, Odds and ends, iMac

Apple document details Target Display mode for 27" iMac

by Steven Sande (RSS feed) on Nov 26th, 2009

In case you're itching to use that new 27" iMac as a big display for a MacBook, DVD player, or some other device -- and assuming your new unit isn't one of the ones that has shown up DOA or with a cracked screen corner -- Apple has released a knowledge base article gives you the scoop on how to do it all.

The article, titled "Using a 27-inch iMac as an external display" outlines how easy it is to accomplish this:
  1. Make sure both computers are turned on and awake.
  2. Connect a male-to-male Mini DisplayPort cable to the Mini DisplayPort on each computer. The 27-inch iMac will enter Target Display Mode and display content from the source computer.
    Note: If you are connecting two 27-inch iMacs, connect a Mini DisplayPort cable to each computer and press Command + F2 on the 27-inch iMac keyboard that you will use as an external display.
  3. To leave Target Display mode, press Command + F2 on the keyboard of the 27-inch iMac that is in Target Display mode. To return to Target Display mode, press Command + F2 again.
The post goes on to describe special conditions that may affect use of Target Display mode, and notes that third-party converters may be used to provide the Mini DisplayPort compliant signals needed for this mode.

Have any of you used a 27" iMac as an external display for another machine or device? Let us know by leaving your comment below.

Tags: 27-inch imac, 27-inchImac, apple, imac, knowledgebase, target display mode, TargetDisplayMode

Filed under: Deals

Apple Black Friday deals hit the Australian store

by Michael Rose (RSS feed) on Nov 26th, 2009

Put aside, for the moment, the incongruity of non-US stores featuring discounts for the day after a US-only holiday... just roll with it, OK? Apple's online store for Australia -- where, of course, it's already Black Friday -- has got the one-day discount page posted and ready to go.

The pricing drops are in the vicinity of 8-10% on the listed gear, which is certainly nice, and consistent with the second take on the leaked Apple ad posted by Boy Genius Report (the first one posted by the site featured delightful discounts that were much higher -- and unfortunately quite bogus). Look for similar discounts on the US store starting tonight.

Thanks to Victor Cajiao!

Tags: apple store, AppleStore, australia, black friday, BlackFriday, deals, discounts, hgg

Filed under: iPhone, iPod touch, App Review

Lose It! app for iPhone updated to 2.0, introduces online sync service

by Chris Rawson (RSS feed) on Nov 26th, 2009

As you prepare to feast, it's not too soon to consider the impact of all that turkey and stuffing. The free Lose It! [iTunes Link] has been out for a long while now, and it's an app that people nearly always bring up when the conversation turns to good exercise/calorie tracker apps. With good reason: at one point I managed to lose over 15 pounds, and it was at least partly thanks to Lose It! on the iPhone. Its extremely intuitive interface and vast database of foods and exercises made it incredibly easy for me to track my progress and restrict my caloric intake.

The one thing I always thought was missing from Lose It! was the ability to sync information back to the Mac. The app itself had limited ability to track trends over time, so I always wished Lose It! had some way of getting that info off my iPhone and onto my computer so I could at least make a spreadsheet out of it.

Lose It! has gone one step farther than that -- they've created their own website, loseit.com, that allows you to view all sorts of information, synced directly from the 2.0 version of Lose It! on the iPhone. Not only are there heaps of information about your own weight loss, calorie consumption, and exercise trends, Lose It's website also allows you to view your friends' information and watch each others' progress, assuming you all have the Lose It! app.

Read more →

Tags: app review, AppReview, hgg, iphone, ipod touch, Lose It, Weight loss

Filed under: iTS, iTunes, Developer

Apple documents iTunes LP and iTunes Extras for developers

by Joachim Bean (RSS feed) on Nov 26th, 2009

After seeing the intent by developers and artists to create iTunes LP and iTunes Extras for their music, Apple has opened up the availability to develop these features to third parties. However, automatic submission for iTunes LP and iTunes Extras is not expected until early 2010; in the meantime, it's still a limited process and uploads must be performed manually.

If you're an iTunes contributor and you're looking forward to developing an iTunes LP of your own, Apple has posted several resources for Extras & LP, including a best practices guide, a development guide, asset delivery tips and a testing guide.

There's also templates to get you started, and documentation on the TuneKit framework used by iTunes LP and iTunes Extras. These make extensive use of the WebKit framework, while using many new web standards.

Are you going to be more interested in these features since it's now open for development? Let us know in the comments below!

Tags: developers, iTunes Extras, iTunes LP, ItunesExtras, ItunesLp

Filed under: App Review

First Look: iFlex trainer for Bowflex

by Erica Sadun (RSS feed) on Nov 25th, 2009


As the owner of a new Bowflex system, I was excited to be able to try the $1.99 iFlex app from Redkab Creative [iTunes link]. For the new system owner, this app is really helpful. It provides a video reference library that shows you how to use the equipment to perform a wide range of exercises for every part of the body.

Each movement is categorized into an area of your anatomy, including shoulders, chest, arms, legs, and so forth. Within each category are a dozen or more individual exercises. Each unit contains both a video overview and a starting and ending position -- very helpful when trying to understand exactly how to perform the exercise.

In addition to the reference material, iFlex offers a virtual trainer. This section of the app includes suggested workout routines for gaining muscle, losing weight, and toning. You can track your sets, report the number of pounds lifted and your reps. Days 6 and 7 instruct you to "take the day off." I did not find any graphing tools or any way to track progress otherwise, nor can you create your own workouts.

To wrap up the program, a simple fitness calculator figures out your BMI (Body-Mass Index, the same index used by Wii Fit), BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate), and your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure). It's a nice enough feature, but something of an afterthought.

iFlex was nicely designed and for just two bucks, it's a great accessory to a Bowflex-style system. My personal unit is different from the one used in the videos, but it wasn't hard to adapt the instructions to the realities of the equipment in use. I'm looking forward to using iFlex over the next few weeks to add to my workout vocabulary.

TUAW is commonly provided with not-for-resale licenses or promo codes to permit product evaluations and reviews. For more details, see our policy page.

Tags: Bowflex, fitness, guides, hgg, iFlex, reference, toning, weight gain, weight loss, weight training, WeightGain, WeightLoss, WeightTraining, workout

Filed under: iPhone, iPod touch, App Review

Magellan has worthy contender in the GPS sweepstakes

by Mel Martin (RSS feed) on Nov 25th, 2009

Just in time for the holidays! I was excited when Magellan announced a new iPhone GPS software product, and was eager to get it downloaded to test. I spent two days driving around (well, not the whole 2 days) and generally had a positive experience.

Magellan has been around the GPS business for a long time, delivering the first GPS handheld unit back in 1989. They also pioneered the Neverlost system in Hertz rental cars. The company has a lot of experience getting travelers to their destinations on vacations, business trips, and for the holidays.

They've put quite a lot in this first version for the iPhone which they call the Magellan Roadmate 2010. It sells for US $79.99 [iTunes link] for a 'limited time', then it goes back to $99.99, and it's a 1.36GB download. The app has text to speech, lane assist, iPod control, and a pedestrian mode, which is a nice touch.

The maps, which are sourced from NAVTEQ, include the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.

As a bonus, iPod touch users can use this app with the optional Magellan Premium Car Kit with a built-in GPS receiver. The car kit hasn't been released yet, but it's imminent.

Driving around using it was a pleasant experience. The maps are clear and easy to read, and work in portrait or landscape mode. The maps change colors for a night view automatically. If you like the look of the dedicated Magellan units you'll certainly like it on the iPhone.

Text to speech is clear, and you can have the unit talk to you in a male or female voice. You can get a list of all the turns you will make on your trip, and you can turn on a feature that auto zooms the display as you approach a turn so you can get more detail at intersections.

Gallery: Magellan Roadmate 2010 screen images



Read on for more impressions...

Read more →

Tags: app review, AppReview, GPS, hgg, Magellan Roadmate, MagellanRoadmate, navigation, text to speech

Filed under: Humor, Holidays

Holiday Gift Guide: The Perfect iPhone Ringtone

by Erica Sadun (RSS feed) on Nov 25th, 2009

Looking to get something for that new, special 3G or 3GS owner that doesn't cost a lot of money? Or even a little something for yourself? (After all, those monthly bills to AT&T are pretty harsh, so a bargain treat is welcome, right?)

How about an awesome ringtonable-song? "This is my Ringtone" from Parry Gripp [iTunes link] is it. The guys behind the "Do You Like Waffles" song have created the perfect $1 gift. Think of it as a virtual stocking stuffer. That one dollar buys you all the attitude that a 3GS iPhone truly deserves.

Sure, it will make the other people around you feel bad that they don't own their own iPhone, but isn't that what status symbols are for? So live the big life (even if you don't, actually, own an iPhone) with the ultimate iPhone ringtone.

Tags: hgg, holiday, humor, iphone, parry gripp, ParryGripp, ringtone, song

Filed under: iPhone, Holidays, App Store, iPod touch

Cook that turkey, drink that wine! Five cooking apps for Thanksgiving

by Steven Sande (RSS feed) on Nov 25th, 2009

Are you ready for the Thanksgiving Day feast tomorrow? If you're a typical American, the day will go something like this -- wake up, watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV, watch some football, eat some snacks, cook and eat a huge feast, watch some more football while dozing, eat some dessert, take some Maalox, and go to bed with visions of Black Friday in your mind.

To help with the cooking chores, we offer the following five apps to make your turkey day a bit less hectic and a lot more fun.

#1 -- iCooking American Celebrations

While this app features only 56 recipes, many of which are for other American holidays, the recipes that are included are the classic ones you always wanted to steal from Grandma. iCooking American Celebrations [US$0.99, iTunes Link] is a handy app for iPhone or iPod touch to help you make a memorable feast.

#2 -- Thanksgiving Dinner

Do you just need an app that will give you recipes for the classic Thanksgiving dinner? The aptly-named Thanksgiving Dinner [US$0.99, iTunes Link] has basic recipes for turkey, cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, cranberry sauce, an orange dessert, and apple crumb pie. If it's your first time cooking the feast for an extended family, you'll love these features: an overall schedule telling you when to start prepping the food and a shopping list.

Read more →

Tags: app store, AppStore, holidays, iphone, ipod touch, IpodTouch, recipes, thanksgiving, thanksgiving dinner, ThanksgivingDinner

Filed under: Deals

A Dozen Daily Deals

by Victor Agreda, Jr. (RSS feed) on Nov 25th, 2009

'Tis the season to start shopping until your brains melt (or skip it all entirely, depending on your interpretation of the term holiday). In that spirit, for the next few days we'll be rounding up a dozen daily deals courtesy our friends at DealNews.com. Each afternoon tune in to TUAW for this handy summary. Keep in mind that while our posts will live on, the deals won't. Each is lovingly generated by the deal-bot every day, so get 'em while they're hot. Enjoy!

  • iTunes Music Store: [iPhone / iPod Apps] App Store Freebies: World Surfer, HandWriting Mail, Sign Here, Writie Talkie, more
  • Home Depot: [Black Friday] Home Depot Black Friday Preview Savings Sale now live + extra 10% off
  • iTunes Music Store: [iPhone / iPod Apps] 1Password Pro for iPhone downloads for free
  • MacUpdate Promo: [Office Software Suites] Pages Templates 5 for Mac downloads for $20
  • iTunes Music Store: [iPhone / iPod Apps] Electronic Arts iPhone / iPod touch Apps: Tetris, SimCity for $3, Madden 10 for $5, more
  • [MP3 Downloads] The 99 Most Essential Tchaikovsky Masterpieces MP3 Album download for $5 ... or $2
  • InvisibleShield: [Notebook Accessories] 50% off ZAGGskins Protectors at ZAGG.com
  • Sony Style: [46" - 47" LCD TVs] Free PS3 or Blu-ray Player w/ Sony HDTVs: 46" 120Hz 1080p for $1,000 + free shipping, more
  • Staples: [Media Receivers] Seagate FreeAgent Theater HD 500GB Media Player for $100 + free shipping
  • Western Digital Store: [Media Receivers] Refurbished Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player for $70 + free shipping
  • Meritline: [iPod Accessories] USB Data Cable for iPhone / iPod touch for $2 + free shipping
  • Seehere: [Photo Services] FujiFilm SeeHere: 50 free holiday cards + $3 s&h

Tags: daily deal, DailyDeal, hgg, home theater, HomeTheater, iphone, itunes, music

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