The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)http://www.tuaw.comThe Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/feedlogo.gifThe Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)http://www.tuaw.comen-usCopyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Sega giving away Columns on iPhone for free all this weekendhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/03/sega-giving-away-columns-on-iphone-for-free-all-this-weekend/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/03/sega-giving-away-columns-on-iphone-for-free-all-this-weekend/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/03/sega-giving-away-columns-on-iphone-for-free-all-this-weekend/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Normally we'd just send out a tweet about this (that's usually what we do with free app deals, so if you're not one of the almost 40,000 people following us yet, you definitely should be), but this is a good one, and it's a holiday, so we wanted to make sure you knew. Sega is feeling particularly generous this weekend, so they're giving away free copies of their Columns Deluxe, a port of the old Genesis game, for the iPhone. The game is a pretty straightforward port -- it doesn't have any extras, and the accelerometer controls are a little tacked on from what we hear, but if you like the puzzler gameplay of Columns, and you should, it's a fun one to pull up for a few minutes at a time.

Plus, it's free -- from July 3rd to Monday, July 6th, Sega says it'll be on sale for the low price of nothing at all. Sounds good to us -- sit back, put a few brats and burgers on the grill, grab a Corona (and lime, of course), and enjoy some old-school dropping block gameplay for no money at all.

Sega giving away Columns on iPhone for free all this weekend originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Sega giving away Columns on iPhone for free all this weekend originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>columnsdownloadfreefree-stuffgaminggenesisholidayindependence-dayiphonesegaMike SchrammFri, 03 Jul 2009 19:30:00 ESTRoad Tested: AT&T Navigator for iPhonehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/03/road-tested-atandt-navigator/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/03/road-tested-atandt-navigator/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/03/road-tested-atandt-navigator/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Like my colleague Mel Martin, I've had a serious GPS jones for quite a while. When I was in much better shape, I rode the local trails on a mountain bike with a Garmin eTrex Summit. It didn't have any maps, nor did I really need any for what I was doing. My next GPS receiver was a Garmin GPSmap 60cs that I used for geocaching. It had a nice color screen and some limited maps, but really didn't do a very good job of helping me find my way around town.

The third GPS unit was another Garmin, and in this case it was my first real "navigator." I still have it; it's the Garmin nüvi 660, which is an awesome little unit that can help you find your way around the US or Europe (depending on the model you purchase), act as an MP3 player, or even work as a fairly serviceable hands-free unit for Bluetooth phones.
I've used mine with my iPhones since way back in 2007, and have enjoyed hearing the amplified voices of callers blasting out of the nüvi.

It's best capability, of course, is as a navigator. In this post, I'm going to compare the AT&T Navigator app [App Store] and service with the nüvi, and give you my take on how this free app works. Mel already filled you in on some of the details in his earlier post; we agreed that I'd give you the road test perspective.

Continue reading Road Tested: AT&T Navigator for iPhone

Road Tested: AT&T Navigator for iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Road Tested: AT&T Navigator for iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>attgpsiphonenavigationnavigatorroad testRoadTestSteven SandeFri, 03 Jul 2009 18:30:00 ESTRolando 2 out now on the App Storehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/03/rolando-2-out-now-on-the-app-store/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/03/rolando-2-out-now-on-the-app-store/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/03/rolando-2-out-now-on-the-app-store/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Just in case you haven't yet heard, ngmoco has released Rolando 2 out into the App Store for the premium price of $9.99. The game's subtitled Quest for the Golden Orchid (in this one, you're rescuing a relic rather than a prince), and though it's not cheap by App Store standards, but on the other hand, it's as quality a game as you'll find on the iPhone. We were big fans of the first one, and the second one ups the ante with a brand new 3D look (though still the same great 2D gameplay), and lots more types of Rolandos to roll and jump and fly and drive around the more than 45 new levels. It's fair to say that if you liked the first one, you'll love this one, and if you've never tried rolling a Rolando around, this is a perfect opportunity to start.

There, unfortunately, no lite version of the second game yet, but there is a version of the first one to try, and there are lots of movies to watch over on ngmoco's site, so you can probably get the idea from there. If you're interested in gaming on the iPhone at all, Rolando's on the short list no matter what your tastes are.

Rolando 2 out now on the App Store originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Rolando 2 out now on the App Store originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>3dapp-storeiphonengmocoquest-for-the-golden-orchidrolandorolando-2Mike SchrammFri, 03 Jul 2009 17:30:00 ESTPocket Universe ups the astronomy app antehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/03/pocket-universe-ups-the-astronomy-app-ante/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/03/pocket-universe-ups-the-astronomy-app-ante/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/03/pocket-universe-ups-the-astronomy-app-ante/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When the fireworks stop and the smoke clears, it would be a great weekend to look at our beautiful summer skies. Pocket Universe [App Store] is a US$2.99 app that has been updated to make star finding easier for those that have a new iPhone 3GS.

The app uses the position sensors and the compass to orient your phone to match the real sky. As you turn or tilt the phone, the sky map changes to give you a very accurate picture of where you are pointing, with lots of labels and links to more information. This is one of the first examples of an augmented reality app to hit the platform since the introduction of the 3GS.

If you have an older iPhone or iPod touch running OS 3.0, you can tilt the phone to match where the real sky is, but you'll have to manually set the direction you're facing.

This changes everything for the novice astronomer. I tried the feature and it worked really well, even though I was near a large metal building. As I turned my phone the display of the sky changed very rapidly to keep up with my movement.

Other nice features from the last version are intact. You can tap the 'locate' button to find any object that is above the horizon. Select it and it centers on the map. Tap a pop-up for more info and you get a quick summary of the object. In the new version of the app a further tap gets you a Wikipedia entry.

You also get a list of meteor showers, lunar phases and a very nice 'tonight's sky' feature that tells you right away what's up and worth seeing.

Some things I'd like to see improved: The app could support finger-pointing to an object to identify it in addition to going to the locate menu, and the Virtual Sky feature is buried in an options menu. I'd like to see an onscreen button to turn it on and off.

The 3GS features are similar to a Celestron product called the Sky Scout that is a dedicated astronomical instrument. The Sky Scout has a lot more information, and audio tours of the skies, but it costs $200.00. If you're really serious about the stars and planets I'd give it a look.

Meanwhile, another favorite astronomy app, Distant Suns [App Store] has been updated recently, and is now on sale for US$3.99. It has added features to the wonderful tour guides and now includes more information about the objects displayed, including travel time at light speed to the planets. It also includes some breathtaking images from the Hubble Space Telescope.

This is the International Year of Astronomy, so it's a great time to get outdoors and look up. It's fun to do, and the iPhone apps really make it a more compelling and educational experience.

Here are some screen shots of Pocket Universe in operation:

Gallery: Pocket Universe screen shots

Pocket Universe ups the astronomy app ante originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Pocket Universe ups the astronomy app ante originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>app storeastronomyaugmented realityAugmentedRealityDistant SunsiPhoneiPod touchPocket Universesky mapsSkyMapsstar chartsMel MartinFri, 03 Jul 2009 16:00:00 ESTCruising with the AT&T Navigatorhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/03/cruising-with-the-atandt-navigator/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/03/cruising-with-the-atandt-navigator/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/03/cruising-with-the-atandt-navigator/#commentsFiled under: , ,

I love GPS. in the mid 1990s I had a Garmin unit that had no maps, just a bread crumb trail of where you were and where you'd been. I lived in England at the time, and thought I had a highly original idea to take it to the Royal Observatory at Greenwich and walk across the Meridian line and watch the screen as the numbers dropped to zero longitude. When I got there, I was hardly alone. I was surrounded by other geeks doing exactly the same thing. Oh well.

GPS has come a long way, and AT&T has released their subscription based Navigator [App Store] for the iPhone. It requires OS version 3.0. It is fee based, and will set you back US$9.95 a month on your AT&T bill. It is loaded with features, and has voice guided turn by turn directions. It also offers:

  • Automatic rerouting
  • Updated maps with no additional charge
  • Real time traffic updates
  • Fuel Price searches and navigation to those locations
  • Point of interest searches in all the usual categories like ATM machines, hospitals, restaurants, airports

The map gives you a 3D view from a position just above and behind your vehicle. On the setup page you can chose flat maps if your prefer. I found the maps easy to read but would have preferred a landscape view instead of portrait (there is no option to change the orientation). I saw a little lag when driving, but generally the response was fast.

The app really needs a 3G connection. It works on the EDGE network, but was slow to load graphics. If you are somewhere where you have neither you are out of luck. No maps are contained on the app and nothing is cached. In essence, the app is only as good as the AT&T network, and if you do a lot of driving where the network is weak or absent, you'll be navigating on your own.

I found the voice very hard to hear. This is a limitation of the iPhone speaker. It just wasn't designed to be played at a loud volume. On the highway, with road noise, good luck hearing that warning to turn. Of course, the directions are on the map, but the whole purpose of voice instructions is to keep you from looking at the map.

Other features are a high altitude view of your entire trip from beginning to end, a list of your turns on a scrollable page, directions to the nearest AT&T WiFi hotspots (nice), and the ability to set your default navigation method like shortest, fastest, traffic optimized, prefer highways or streets, or pedestrian routing if you're not driving.

I found the voice alerts were too frequent. Frankly, the app is a blabbermouth, and it kept reminding me of a faraway turn too often for my taste. It would be nice to be able to set just how aggressive the voice warnings are.

The big question for most iPhone users will be whether to wait for other nav apps to appear. TomTom is imminent, as is an app from Navigon. They both download the maps to your phone, so you are not dependent on the AT&T network. You only need GPS, and that signal is everywhere. You could also buy an inexpensive dedicated unit; on the low end that will cost about the same as a year of the AT&T subscription, and will certainly have a better speaker. Of course, there will be fees to update the maps, but in my experience you can use a GPS for years without doing that. Points of interest change, but the iPhone provides other sources like Google for up to date info.

I also think it is a bloody shame that the AT&T app has no access to your address book. Apple has walled that data off from 3rd party apps, (Update: Apple provides the ability, the Navigator app hasn't implemented it) and it is just senseless to have you type everything in again. You can copy and paste the data, but it is a needless pain. The AT&T app has this access when it runs on other phones like the Blackberry.

In summary, the app works, and is feature laden. I'm not sure it is the best option for in-car navigation, and you might want to wait for other solutions to appear. Of course, you can always get the AT&T app and cancel. It's a month-by-month charge.

So how is it like to drive with this app? My colleague Steven Sande did just that, and his report will follow soon.

Before you go, here are some screen shots to give you a look at some of the features on AT&T Navigator:

Gallery: AT&T Navigator

Cruising with the AT&T Navigator originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Cruising with the AT&T Navigator originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>app storeATT NavigatorAttNavigatorGPSiphoneNavigonTomTomturn by turn directionsMel MartinFri, 03 Jul 2009 08:00:00 ESTDunkin' Run lets you live in the future, Dunkin' Donuts stylehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/02/dunkin-run-lets-you-live-in-the-future-dunkin-donuts-style/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/02/dunkin-run-lets-you-live-in-the-future-dunkin-donuts-style/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/02/dunkin-run-lets-you-live-in-the-future-dunkin-donuts-style/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ever wanted to order a bunch of coffee and doughnuts along with your friends online, and then go and pick them up in the store? There is, in fact, an app for that. Dunkin' Donuts has released Dunkin' Run (iTunes link), an app that not only connects you and your friends together (through a strange love of pastries and java), but will allow you to set up an order and then go straight to the store and pick it up.

Sound unnecessary and lame? Maybe -- though it is free, even if it's adware as adware can possibly get. And apparently the app is really badly designed, not to mention that we do feel a little dirty telling you about it: you should probably eat something a little healthier, like a banana or even an (wait for it) apple.

But let's not forget where we started out here -- back in the day, we dreamed of ordering coffee on our iPhone, and now that day has basically come. Unfortunately, the best parts of the dream haven't yet materialized -- Dunkin' Runs only lets you tally up orders among your friends, not actually deliver them to the store. For that, you've still got to show the cashier your iPhone screen, and/or read them off the order. But it is a step closer to the dream. If companies are going to make apps that are actually useful for us, they have to start with apps like this, no? And if nothing else, it's an app that will tell you where Dunkin' Donuts is -- that's all I use my Bank of America app for anyway.

Dunkin' Run lets you live in the future, Dunkin' Donuts style originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Dunkin' Run lets you live in the future, Dunkin' Donuts style originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>appapp-storebank-of-americacoffeedesigndunkin-donutsdunkin-runfreewareiphoneorderpastriessocial-mediasocial-networkingMike SchrammThu, 02 Jul 2009 09:00:00 ESTJason Rohrer on going from indie to the App Storehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/30/jason-rohrer-on-going-from-indie-to-the-app-store/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/30/jason-rohrer-on-going-from-indie-to-the-app-store/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/30/jason-rohrer-on-going-from-indie-to-the-app-store/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

We covered Jason Rohrer's Primrose when it first came out -- the creator of Passage, a critically-acclaimed indie game, had taken his first steps onto the iPhone with an abstract puzzle game, and in this latest interview with Edge, Rohrer says he's on the iPhone to stay. He says that when he first moved from strictly art/indie games to more commercial development on the iPhone, he worried that he was selling out: he wasn't a fan of cell phones at all or any Chinese-made gadgets sold by American companies, and yet the iPhone's platform seemed most "palatable" to him in terms of making games and a little money from them.

And yet he says the iPhone still has pros and cons -- even in an "open source, free software" world, Apple's system offers a choice: you can buy a packaged-up version of the software and throw a little money back to the developer (not a ton -- he says you've still got a better chance at making a living from Vegas than you do from the App Store), or you can still try building and installing your own version on your iPhone. As an open-source developer selling apps on the App Store, he says, "you're charging for the service and convenience, not the content."

Still, he echoes the sentiments of lots of other developers: "There is no quality filter, except for the whims of the masses." Apple's App Store offers up an intriguing system for many indie developers like Rohrer, who want to earn a little money for their games without setting up all of the complexity and burdens of a more traditional publishing channel, but it's still tough to keep from getting lost in the mix.

Jason Rohrer on going from indie to the App Store originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Jason Rohrer on going from indie to the App Store originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>app-storecell-phonesdevelopersedgegamesindieinterviewiphonejason-rohrermaking-moneymoneypalatablequality-filterMike SchrammTue, 30 Jun 2009 14:00:00 ESTNational Geographic Adventure's Top 20 iPhone Travel Appshttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/30/national-geographic-adventures-top-20-iphone-travel-apps/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/30/national-geographic-adventures-top-20-iphone-travel-apps/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/30/national-geographic-adventures-top-20-iphone-travel-apps/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When it comes to adventure and travel, who could possibly know more than National Geographic Adventure magazine?

The magazine's website has regular features about techie toys and tools, so it was no surprise that blogger Steve Casimiro would write a post featuring his choices for the top twenty travel apps for iPhone. Some of his choices, such as HearPlanet, FlightTrack Pro, the Lonely Planet Phrasebooks, and World Customs [clicks open iTunes] aren't surprising, while others (Packing, Room) are interesting apps I wouldn't have even thought to try.

Of course, all of us have our own favorite travel apps. I couldn't imagine going on a trip anywhere in the world without Geocaching, and I like the free TripIt app better than the one that comes with FlightTrack Pro. I now have Brushes with me everywhere I go to capture quick sketches, and what's travel photography without being able to take panorama shots with Pano or 3D pictures with 3D Camera?

What are some of the apps that you can't live without when you're traveling? Leave your comment below.

National Geographic Adventure's Top 20 iPhone Travel Apps originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)National Geographic Adventure's Top 20 iPhone Travel Apps originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>app storeAppStoreiphonenational geographicNationalGeographictravelSteven SandeTue, 30 Jun 2009 12:00:00 ESTDoom Resurrection on the iPhone now, lots more id games to comehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/30/doom-resurrection-on-the-iphone-now-lots-more-id-games-to-come/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/30/doom-resurrection-on-the-iphone-now-lots-more-id-games-to-come/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/30/doom-resurrection-on-the-iphone-now-lots-more-id-games-to-come/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Fellow shooter fans rejoice -- id software's John Carmack has begun delivering on his love of the iPhone with a brand new game made just for the platform called Doom Resurrection, available right now on the App Store for the price of $9.99. There's nothing small about this game at all -- it offers up 76 mb of original id shooter, including eight levels total, six on Mars, and two more (spoiler?) in Hell, all set in a graphics and control engine designed just for Apple's handhelds (you control aiming with the accelerometer while the game runs you around on rails, and hit the various on-screen buttons to shoot or jump into cover). Unfortunately, there's no lite version to test out (though we can probably expect one eventually, considering Wolfenstein Classic got one), but early reviews say that if you like Doom, you'll enjoy the game.

And that's not all -- besides this original version of Doom, Carmack and id continue to have big plans for the iPhone: Quake and Quake 2 are headed there for sure, and Quake 3 probably isn't far behind, as well as a RAGE-related title. And that doesn't even include the rest of the mobile stuff they have planned: apparently Wolfenstein RPG is ready to go, and Carmack hints that they've got even more original titles like Doom Resurrection here up their sleeve. Good to see a major, established developer like id is really committing to delivering new games for the iPhone.

Doom Resurrection on the iPhone now, lots more id games to come originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Doom Resurrection on the iPhone now, lots more id games to come originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>doomdoom-resurrectiongamehellid-softwareiphonejohn-carmacklevelsmarson-railsquakequake-3rageshooterwolfensteinMike SchrammTue, 30 Jun 2009 03:00:00 ESTSMS texting and voicemail support come with latest Skype updatehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/30/sms-texting-and-voicemail-support-come-with-latest-skype-update/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/30/sms-texting-and-voicemail-support-come-with-latest-skype-update/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/30/sms-texting-and-voicemail-support-come-with-latest-skype-update/#commentsFiled under: ,

Skype (iTunes link) has been updated to 1.1, which brings it some new features making it more closely resemble its desktop sibling. So, what's new? Well, there's now support for Skype voicemail (subscription needed) and SMS text messaging.

However, SMS texting is not bidirectional. Which means that you can send SMS texts, but not receive them. And while a dialog box states that sent SMS texts will show up as sent from the sender's Skype screen name, in my case it displayed the "999-99" caller ID that typically accompanies calls from a Skype-based client. Perhaps that's because I don't have a SkypeIn number?

The 1.1 update also provides additional language support as well as more help when dialing phones.

SMS texting and voicemail support come with latest Skype update originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)SMS texting and voicemail support come with latest Skype update originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>iphoneskypesmsupdatevoicemailSang TangTue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 ESTTalkcast reminder: Potluck night tonighthttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/28/talkcast-reminder-potluck-night-tonight/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/28/talkcast-reminder-potluck-night-tonight/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/28/talkcast-reminder-potluck-night-tonight/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Our weekly interactive podcast goes live at 10pm Eastern this evening, and it's going to be a potluck night on the show -- you bring whatever you want to talk about, and we'll bring our own casserole of TUAW news from the last week. We'll definitely talk about the new iPhone 3GS: how fast it is, how Find My iPhone really can help you find your iPhone, five things you might not know about the phone (if you didn't read that post yet), and, errr -- how fast it is. The speed is such a big story we'll talk about it twice!

Plus, you'll probably hear us wax poetic on how much we love the mini, and we'll talk about our "stickiest" iPhone applications -- apps we just can't help but load up that "one more time." Should be a lot of fun -- definitely tune in and join us at 10pm Eastern this evening over on TalkShoe.

To participate on TalkShoe, you can use the browser-only client, or you can try out the classic TalkShoe Pro Java client; however, for maximum fun, you should call in. For the web UI, just click the "TalkShoe Web" button on our profile page at 10 pm Sunday. To call in on regular phone or VOIP lines (take advantange of your free cellphone weekend minutes if you like): dial (724) 444-7444 and enter our talkcast ID, 45077 -- during the call, you can request to talk by keying in *-8. Talk with you then!

Recording support for the talkcast is provided by Call Recorder from ecamm networks.



Talkcast reminder: Potluck night tonight originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Talkcast reminder: Potluck night tonight originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>app-storecasserolefind-my-iphoneflight-controliphoneiphone-3gsmac-miniminimini-lovephonepodcastpotluckspeedtalkcasttuaw-talkcastMike SchrammSun, 28 Jun 2009 17:45:00 ESTWWDC Demo: Parranda for iPhone and iPod touchhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/26/wwdc-demo-parranda-for-iphone-and-ipod-touch/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/26/wwdc-demo-parranda-for-iphone-and-ipod-touch/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/26/wwdc-demo-parranda-for-iphone-and-ipod-touch/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The enthusiastic developers of Parranda were at WWDC to show off their app, a simple one-man-band party in your hand. Parranda (iTunes link) has a lot of polish, too, with instruments that aren't just one big button, like some "soundboard" music apps. The cowbell, for example, allows you to tap on different parts of the instrument, which any decent cowbell player will tell you, creates very different sounds. Mostly. You can zoom in or out on the instruments, something you will have to see in the video, but it is a nice effect and adds to the experience.

Parranda has pre-set rhythms to choose from, plus vocalizations to add a little spice to the performance. Already a hit in Puerto Rico, I think Parranda has a good shot everywhere, as it's a fun little app. Perhaps a bit more than you're used to paying at $2.99, but I think it's a fair price for the quality of the app.

WWDC Demo: Parranda for iPhone and iPod touch originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)WWDC Demo: Parranda for iPhone and iPod touch originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>entertainmentiphonemusicparrandapuerto ricoPuertoRicosoundvideowwdcwwdc09Victor Agreda, Jr.Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:00:00 ESTThe question of emulatorshttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/26/the-question-of-emulators/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/26/the-question-of-emulators/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/26/the-question-of-emulators/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Gizmodo recently posted this video, which is beautiful to any PSX-era gamers: it's Final Fantasy VII running right on the iPhone, like buttah thanks to the 3GS hardware. How is this possible? Through the magic of emulation -- ever since computers got powerful enough to pretend to be other computers, people have resurrected old consoles and hardware by writing code that makes old games and software think its right at home in the computer it belongs in (an old NES system, a Genesis, or even a Playstation or Nintendo 64). As a result, by loading up ROMs into an emulator program, you can play old games you can't find (at least working) in the store any more.

But the problem, as it usually does, lies in the legality. Even though those games are hard to find, companies still often own the copyrights on them (Square, for example, just released FFVII in an official emulator on the PSP, and they wouldn't be very happy with someone else releasing it on the iPhone). So while it's very easy for someone to write software that pretends to be an old NES (and there are lots of jailbroken apps around that will do just that), it's not easy to get all the rights and legal sign-offs to make it legit. Legit enough for Apple to keep it in the App Store, anyway. And while the video Gizmodo shows is awesome, and is possible on a jailbroken phone, it's not likely we'll ever see that app make it through Apple's approval. Not to mention that even when people jump through the legal hoops, Apple isn't happy with running other systems' code on their hardware anyway. Lame.

That doesn't mean that the old games are gone forever -- there are certainly emulators of open-sourced or expired hardware on the App Store (here's one for Chip-8), and obviously there's a commercial reason for companies who do own the copyrights on popular games to bring them into the App Store officially. But as great as it would be to have a GBA emulator that automatically played any GBA game ROMs you loaded into it, that kind of stuff will have to stay in the jailbreak underground for now.

The question of emulators originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)The question of emulators originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>app-storechip-8emulatorsgamesgbagenesisgizmodoillegaliphoneipod-touchjailbreaknesnintendo-64psxromssnesunofficialMike SchrammFri, 26 Jun 2009 15:00:00 ESTCreate unique avatars and contact pics with Personahttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/26/create-unique-avatars-and-contact-pics-with-persona/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/26/create-unique-avatars-and-contact-pics-with-persona/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/26/create-unique-avatars-and-contact-pics-with-persona/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Some people like to have unique avatars for forums and instant messaging clients. I don't. My avatars usually end up being silly pictures of myself because I'm a shallow narcissist...and a bit lazy.

However, for those more creative than I, Persona [iTunes link] is a nice iPhone app in which to invest the price of a quarter-pounder. It allows the user to create a cartoon face by choosing from a variety of facial features. Hair style, eyes, nose, beard, and more are all up for grabs.

When you're done creating a mini-you (remember my personality issue described above), you can set it as the contact picture for any of your iPhone's contacts. You can also save your creation to the Camera Roll where you'll be able to export it via email or MMS (assuming you have the new 3.0 firmware and don't have AT&T), publish it to MobileMe, or use it as your wallpaper if you did a particularly good job. Once on your computer, you'll be able to use it as the avatar for that cute-cat-picture forum you visit eight times each day.

Persona is simple enough; in fact, perhaps too simple. The faces tend to look very similar as the options are quite limited for a dedicated app such as this. Also, what's going on behind my left shoulder? Every avatar I create is staring in that same direction!

Choosing from the available options isn't very intuitive. You choose the "parts" category and then pick the individual attribute, but no moving or resizing of the facial features is allowed. And very few accessories are presented, other than odd inclusion of a plethora of choices for nicotine deployment. (Note to self: see if the folks at Persona are sponsored in any way by Philip Morris.)

Overall, it's a nice idea for an app that will have moderate appeal to the forum crowds. I doubt you'll be using it again and again, though, because the app just doesn't offer much depth. But it's the user interface and lack of extensive options that tend to make the $2.99 $.99 a bit hard to swallow.

[NOTE: Thanks to those readers that pointed out the incorrect price. The developer's web site showed $2.99 when I wrote this, however the iTunes store had it at $.99. I have talked with Alfonso Bozzelli, the app's author, and he is changing the site to reflect the correct price -- $.99.]

Create unique avatars and contact pics with Persona originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Create unique avatars and contact pics with Persona originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>appapp storeapplicationAppStoreavataravatarsinstant messagingInstantMessagingiphoneipod touchIpodTouchpersonareviewsoftwareKevin HarterFri, 26 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST3D Camera adds depth to your iPhone photographyhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/26/3d-camera-adds-depth-to-your-iphone-photography/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/26/3d-camera-adds-depth-to-your-iphone-photography/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/26/3d-camera-adds-depth-to-your-iphone-photography/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

3D photo apps are not new to the iPhone platform, but a new app from Juicy Bits looks promising in terms of making those pictures with depth a lot easier to take and view.

3D Camera 1.1 [US$1.99, click opens iTunes] is now available for iPhone OS 2.2 and 3.0 devices, and it lets you take photos that use one of three methods to create the illusion of 3D: red/cyan anaglyphs that require those funky 3D glasses, stereograms that create 3D images when your eyes look at them a certain way, and wiggle stereograms (or wiggle-grams) that use animated GIF images to provide the "depth". If you need a place to buy the goofy glasses, Juicy Bits lists several sources on their website

To take the photos, you use one of two methods. If you're planning on taking an anaglyph or sterogram, you take one picture, move the iPhone camera slightly to the right, and take another photo. To make a wiggle stereogram, you point directly at the same object from two slightly different vantage points. The app provides instructions on exactly how to take the two photos each time you launch it.

How are the results? Well, I haven't tried a red/cyan anaglyph yet, but if you use "crossviewing" (crossing the eyes slightly so that the two images overlap and form a third 3D image) you should be able to see depth in the test image seen below. If you use 3D Camera or any of the other 3D photo apps for iPhone, be sure to send some of your best pics to our Flickr pool: http://www.flickr.com/groups/tuawrigs/pool/

3D Camera adds depth to your iPhone photography originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)3D Camera adds depth to your iPhone photography originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>3danaglyphapp storeAppStoreimage processingImageProcessingiphonephotostereoscopicSteven SandeFri, 26 Jun 2009 11:00:00 ESTAudioBoo lets you broadcast audio directly from the iPhonehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/26/audioboo-lets-you-broadcast-audio-directly-from-the-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/26/audioboo-lets-you-broadcast-audio-directly-from-the-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/26/audioboo-lets-you-broadcast-audio-directly-from-the-iphone/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Back when we looked at Radar, a photosharing site with an accompanying iPhone app, I mentioned that while Twitter had monopolized the "text exporting" function from your iPhone, there would be a slew of companies to try and grab the rest of the media you want to broadcast. Radar, I said, wanted to be the photo app. And AudioBoo, it appears, wants to be the audio app (we've yet to see a strong video contender pop up with the 3GS, though YouTube is certainly serving for now).

I've been using AudioBoo (iTunes link) for a few weeks now, and I have to say, it definitely does what it says on the box: after a short signup session and the installation of the app to your iPhone, you can record and upload (and almost more interesting, listen back to others') audio quickly and easily.

You hit record, can talk for a while (i haven't hit a limit yet, though three minutes is what I originally heard, and that tends to be about right for these little mini-podcasts), then hit stop and upload, add a picture, title, and tags, and a few minutes later, your audio is right there on the web for everyone to hear. I've used it on my EDGE phone and my friend's 3G, and I have to say the experience is better on the 3G -- the upload speeds are much better (I generally have to wait on my iPhone until I get on Wi-Fi to upload the audio), and to my ears, the audio sounds better. Here's a recording I made at a Cubs game on my 1G with a few friends, and a recording my friend made on his 3G at a restaurant. Edge works, obviously, but the 3G seems to work better.

Continue reading AudioBoo lets you broadcast audio directly from the iPhone

AudioBoo lets you broadcast audio directly from the iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)AudioBoo lets you broadcast audio directly from the iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>3gapp-storeaudioaudioboobroadcastingedgefacebookiphonelisteningmultimediarecordingsitesparsetwitteruploadvideoMike SchrammFri, 26 Jun 2009 10:00:00 ESTWWDC Demo: Harbor Masterhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/25/wwdc-demo-harbor-master/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/25/wwdc-demo-harbor-master/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/25/wwdc-demo-harbor-master/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I shot some video of a preview build for Harbor Master back at WWDC, and I'll upload that to our Facebook page later, but I also shot a quick video of Harbor Master's gameplay (on the next page). If you play Flight Control -- and those who do find it hard to put down -- you will absolutely love Harbor Master (iTunes link). The mechanism for control is the same: use your finger to draw a path to direct vehicles to their destination.

In this case you are controlling boats in a harbor. However, instead of merely docking them, you must juggle unloading their cargo (automated, but larger boats take longer) and sending them on their merry way. This pleasant twist on Flight Control's mechanics allows players of Harbor Master to steer clear of boredom.

Later levels add further twists, literally. One of the developers, Natalia, demonstrated a tiny hurricane, which will spin your boat around no matter what intended path you draw. Harbor Master also includes the requisite leaderboard, so if you like the high scores, you're covered (although you'll need to provide an email address and username).

The folks behind Harbor Master, Imangi Studios, have partnered with some other iPhone developers to provide some in-app promotion for each other in a service called App Treasures. Imagni also demoed another clever app, PhotoMarkr, at WWDC. It quickly and easily adds watermarks to photos on your iPhone. Check it out on the App Store here.

Update: fixed the Harbor Master link.

Continue reading WWDC Demo: Harbor Master

WWDC Demo: Harbor Master originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)WWDC Demo: Harbor Master originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>app reviewapp storeAppReviewAppStoreflight controlFlightControlgameharbor masterHarborMasteriphoneipod touchIpodTouchphotomarkrVictor Agreda, Jr.Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:30:00 ESTAdMob withdraws from 3rd party ad networkshttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/25/admob-withdraws-from-3rd-party-ad-networks/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/25/admob-withdraws-from-3rd-party-ad-networks/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/25/admob-withdraws-from-3rd-party-ad-networks/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

AdMob is one of the bigger names in iPhone ad-supported applications. They provide embeddable advertisements that developers can incorporate into otherwise free apps. Recently, third-party ad networks like AdWhirl and Tapjoy have appeared on the scene, offering to negotiate ad displays from multiple sources to increase developer revenues and increase fill rates. Yesterday, citing increased technical complaints and parameter obstruction, AdMob announced that it would no longer work with these third party mediation services.

This move affects developers who turned to dynamic advertisement solutions from third parties. AdMob will continue to allow developers to use their own solutions for maximizing ad fill rates outside these services.

Ad-supported applications are not particularly common in the App Store, where they have been relatively unsuccessful as a monetizing solution (jailbreak apps on Cydia and Icy have provided somewhat more effective results). App Store titles must compete in a huge market with delays in providing updates. The relatively close relationship between software creators and their target audience and quick update/release cycles appears to work better with ad-supported models than the more formal App Store environment.

Further details about the AdMob policy change can be found on their blog.

AdMob withdraws from 3rd party ad networks originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)AdMob withdraws from 3rd party ad networks originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Ad MobAdMobAdWhirliphoneTapjoyErica SadunThu, 25 Jun 2009 17:30:00 ESTWWDC Demo: Balloons!http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/25/wwdc-demo-balloons/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/25/wwdc-demo-balloons/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/25/wwdc-demo-balloons/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Balloons! for the iPhone (and iPod touch) made me smile. It's like Distant Shore, but more personal and fun. Don't get me wrong, I love Distant Shore, but Balloons! reminds me of being a kid and tying a message and photo to a balloon to send up into the stratosphere. Plus, you get a real sense of community. It's just plain fun to pick up a virtual balloon supposedly drifting past you. To see what I mean, check out the video. But if you ever tied a note to a balloon and let it go, that's what this does. Except now you get to catch other balloons, have conversations and attach photos all from your iPhone.

Unfortunately Balloons! isn't in the store yet, but from the build I saw looks pretty close to being ready. The Balloons devs are looking for beta testers, which you can apply for here.

WWDC Demo: Balloons! originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)WWDC Demo: Balloons! originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>appballoonsentertainmentfuniphoneipod touchIpodTouchvideowwdcwwdc09Victor Agreda, Jr.Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:30:00 ESTRetiring from Flight Controlhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/25/retiring-from-flight-control/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/25/retiring-from-flight-control/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/25/retiring-from-flight-control/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I just uninstalled it from my iPhone, and am officially retiring from Flight Control (iTunes link). It was a great four month career, I tell ya. I wanted to go out at the top of my game, and on my own terms. Despite its minimal $4.99 price tag (I think that was the price when it first came out), it has cost me much more in terms of lost bets against friends (~$20), sleepless nights, hour long stops to the restroom, and lost productivity.

Continue reading Retiring from Flight Control

Retiring from Flight Control originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Retiring from Flight Control originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>addictionflightcontrolfungamblinggamehumorrestroomretiresleeplessnessSang TangThu, 25 Jun 2009 14:30:00 EST