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/Cisco adds Security Intelligence Ops to iPhone portfoliohttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/21/cisco-adds-security-intelligence-ops-to-iphone-portfolio/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/21/cisco-adds-security-intelligence-ops-to-iphone-portfolio/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/21/cisco-adds-security-intelligence-ops-to-iphone-portfolio/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Despite some security-conscious enterprise experts pointing accusatory fingers at the rather bleak encryption story and only-recently fixed ActiveSync policy compliance on the iPhone platform, there's no doubt that IT and network professionals are grooving on the iPhone -- there are many apps designed for administrators to take control of their operations with a touch of a finger, and now Cisco has stepped in with an informational and alert resource that fits in your pocket.

The Cisco SIO (Security Intelligence Operations) to Go free app [iTunes link], requiring iPhone OS 3.0 or later, lets the paranoid properly alert and aware security professional keep tabs on the global threat landscape with Cisco's Cyber Risk Reports, Threat Outbreaks and Mitigation Bulletins, along with podcasts, blog posts and a slew of other branded content. There's also an IronPort-driven IP and email domain scanner, which will grab WHOIS data along with a brief reputation score for your hosts.

Having all this Cisco goodness in one place is handy, although the majority of the app's headlines link to pages on the Cisco site that remain largely iPhone-unfriendly -- even the press release announcing the app's launch is hard to zoom properly -- and there's none of the flexibility of a full-featured RSS reader to forward articles, bookmark or set read/unread points.

Still, as a gesture of goodwill towards the intersection of iPhone users and security professionals, it's a reasonable step. Cisco also has the WebEx Meetings app [iTunes link] and the Cisco Mobile telephony tool [iTunes link] in the store, both free.

[via TechCrunch]

Cisco adds Security Intelligence Ops to iPhone portfolio originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Cisco adds Security Intelligence Ops to iPhone portfolio originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>ciscoenterpriseiphonesecuritythreatvirusMichael RoseSat, 21 Nov 2009 11:00:00 ESTGeotagged tweets now alive in Stone Design's Twittelator Pro 3.3.1http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/20/geotagged-tweets-now-alive-in-stone-designs-twittelator-pro-3-3/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/20/geotagged-tweets-now-alive-in-stone-designs-twittelator-pro-3-3/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/20/geotagged-tweets-now-alive-in-stone-designs-twittelator-pro-3-3/#commentsFiled under: ,

Twitter has flipped the switch on some new features, including geotagging of tweets and automatic retweeting. As a happy user of Stone Design's Twittelator Pro 3.3.1 [iTunes link], I was even more giddy when I found out that my favorite Twitter app already supports both of these features.

The geotagging feature lets you optionally attach a latitude and longitude to your tweets. If you receive the tweet in Twittelator, you can tap on the sender's avatar icon to see the geotag and pull up a Google map of the location near where the tweet was sent. The app lets you turn off geotagging when you send a tweet, which is useful if you're trying to shake off a stalker. It's also cool to use "nearby search" to find people who are near you and sending out tweets, and view their location on a map.

The official retweet feature has been going live for the past two weeks or so, although as of yet I haven't seen or been able to send a retweet that appears with the new retweet icon. In the web-based Twitter, I do see the new icons and messages that say "Retweeted by you," but I'm not sure why I'm not seeing this in Twittelator Pro.

Is anyone else using Twittelator Pro 3.3.1 who can vouch that the new retweet capability is working for them? Leave a comment.

Geotagged tweets now alive in Stone Design's Twittelator Pro 3.3.1 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Geotagged tweets now alive in Stone Design's Twittelator Pro 3.3.1 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>geotaggingretweetTwittelatortwitterSteven SandeFri, 20 Nov 2009 13:30:00 ESTNavigon briefly cutting price on its popular Nav apphttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/20/navigon-briefly-cutting-price-on-its-popular-nav-app/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/20/navigon-briefly-cutting-price-on-its-popular-nav-app/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/20/navigon-briefly-cutting-price-on-its-popular-nav-app/#commentsFiled under: ,

Gee, we were just saying how competitive it is getting in the iPhone nav department, and Navigon has gone and cut prices for holiday travelers.

For 10 days only, beginning today (November 20-30) Navigon's iPhone app, Mobile Navigator [iTunes link]will be on sale for U.S. $69.99 instead of $89.99 providing a $20.00 savings. In addition, Navigon's Traffic Live feature is also on sale for $14.99 instead of $24.99. Traffic Live is a one time charge, not a continuing cost.

That's a significant saving for this very popular app, and puts it under similar featured apps from TomTom ($99.99) and Magellan ($79.99).

In my tests of the Navigon app I have found it accurate, and it has a superior user interface that is easy to use. Of course you shouldn't be looking at it while you are driving, and the text to speech does an excellent job of helping you keep your eyes on the road.

The Live Traffic feature will route you around major traffic congestion and adjust your ETA times.

It's nice to see prices heading south on some of these GPS packages. Now you'll be able to head south (or north, or any direction really) for less money and with more features. Have a safe trip.

Navigon briefly cutting price on its popular Nav app originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Navigon briefly cutting price on its popular Nav app originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>GPShgglive traffic iphoneLiveTrafficIphoneMobile NavigatornavigationNavigonsale priceMel MartinFri, 20 Nov 2009 12:30:00 ESTVirgin Mobile Canada: Fifth Canadian outlet for iPhonehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/20/virgin-mobile-canada-fifth-canadian-outlet-for-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/20/virgin-mobile-canada-fifth-canadian-outlet-for-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/20/virgin-mobile-canada-fifth-canadian-outlet-for-iphone/#commentsFiled under:

The iPhone is getting yet another carrier in the great white north. Virgin Mobile Canada has announced that it'll start selling the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS in the coming months.

When exactly? How much? Can I get a Richard Branson ringtone? Actually, I can make my own ringtones, but what about the rest of it? We'll have to wait to find out. All the company said in its incredibly short notice was that it'll sell the phones online and in its brick-and-mortar stores at some point. Well, that and that its gotten some love from J.D. Power and Associates for its prepaid and postpaid wireless services.

The phones are already on sale north of the border through Rogers Wireless, its subsidiary Fido, Bell Canada, and Telus. While a Canadian friend tells me Virgin Mobile Canada has a reputation for inexpensive phones with prepaid service, Canadian mobile news site MobileSyrup expects Virgin to charge roughly the same prices with the same three-year contracts as Canada's other iPhone carriers.

Thanks EZ Mac Mike for the tip!

[via iLounge, MobileSyrup]

Virgin Mobile Canada: Fifth Canadian outlet for iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Virgin Mobile Canada: Fifth Canadian outlet for iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>3g3gsbellcanadafidoiphonemobilerogerstelusvirginwirelessKen RayFri, 20 Nov 2009 10:30:00 ESTFunMail adds instant images to Facebook status & MMShttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/20/funmail-adds-instant-images-to-facebook-status-and-mms/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/20/funmail-adds-instant-images-to-facebook-status-and-mms/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/20/funmail-adds-instant-images-to-facebook-status-and-mms/#commentsFiled under: ,

At the risk of invoking a round of reader rage, I'll admit that I've never really been that hyped on the idea of MMS on the iPhone (and, by the way, get off my lawn). If I want to send someone a picture, I've got their email address; I'll just send them a picture. No big whoop.

I do have some friends and colleagues who 'came up' on mainline camera phones and they gleefully pop pics back and forth via MMS. I also appreciate the ability to decode the snapshots my wife sends from her Motorola RAZR, but overall I wouldn't rate it among the top iPhone features I was eager to get from AT&T (not like the ongoing lack of tethering, which is making me grind my teeth in my sleep).

That prejudicial attitude may have made me a little skeptical when I met with FunMobility's CEO Adam Lavine this week to get a preview of his company's new free app FunMail [iTunes link], which promises to leverage the Semantic Media Project and add appropriate imagery to your MMS messages, short emails, Facebook wall posts, et cetera. It's available in the US App Store as of last night.

Sure, the app is simple enough to use (once you register and accept the company's TOS, which may subject you to occasional text messages from them if you don't opt out) -- type in your message, and the system gives you the text (up to 140 characters) atop your choice of image from a list of five, sourced from FunMobility's licensed libraries along with Creative Commons remixable content from Flickr and other repositories. If you want to include a hidden search term, putting it at the end of the message with a double-hash (##) will tell FunMail to search those words without including them in the sent message. You can send it to any mobile phone number in your address book, to email recipients, or to your Facebook friends or wall via Facebook Connect. The result is a little bit inspirational office poster, a little bit LOLcat, and in some ways strangely intriguing... but not really, you know, useful.

Continue reading FunMail adds instant images to Facebook status & MMS

FunMail adds instant images to Facebook status & MMS originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)FunMail adds instant images to Facebook status & MMS originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>camera phonescamera-phonesCameraPhonescreative commonscreative-commonsCreativeCommonsfacebookflickrfunmailiphonemessagemmspictureshort message serviceshort-message-serviceShortMessageServicesmssnapshotstext messagestext-messagesTextMessagestwitterMichael RoseFri, 20 Nov 2009 09:45:00 ESTGoogle revamps mobile Google News formathttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/19/google-revamps-mobile-google-news-format/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/19/google-revamps-mobile-google-news-format/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/19/google-revamps-mobile-google-news-format/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Like most "mobile versions" of websites, Google News was simplified for use on devices featuring what Steve Jobs once called "the baby Internet." Sadly, this simplified version also showed up by default on the iPhone, leading to an experience that was, to put it charitably, subpar.

That's all changed now that Google has redesigned the mobile version of Google News for iPhone, Android, and Palm Pre users. The new mobile version is far more feature-rich than the old one and is more consistent in its appearance (i.e., it's almost indistinguishable from the desktop version) compared to the old "mobile-optimized" Google News.

It also includes a handy "Jump to" link which brings up a window that allows you to skip to the news section of your choice, saving your thumbs from severe scroll fatigue.

There's no need to download anything. Simply go to Google News on your iPhone and check out the changes.

[Via MacRumors]

Google revamps mobile Google News format originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Google revamps mobile Google News format originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>GoogleGoogle NewsGoogleNewsInternetiPhoneiPod touchIpodTouchChris RawsonThu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 ESTTomTom delivers promised iPhone updatehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/19/tomtom-delivers-promised-iphone-update/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/19/tomtom-delivers-promised-iphone-update/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/19/tomtom-delivers-promised-iphone-update/#commentsFiled under: , ,

TUAW told you it was coming, and it has arrived. TomTom has updated its U.S. GPS navigation app [US$99.99, iTunes link] and added text-to-speech, advanced lane guidance, and a 'help me' feature for use in emergencies.

TomTom has been a little late to the text-to-speech party, with most competitors already offering this important function. Magellan has now jumped into the game with a very nice nav app as well, and at an introductory price that undercuts the TomTom app by twenty bucks.

All of the major navigation apps for the iPhone are quickly approaching feature parity. At this point, your main decision is whether you want the data streamed to your phone (as the AT&T app does), or have maps and data built into the app (like TomTom, Navigon, Magellan and some others).

Looming over whatever decision you make is trying to figure out if Apple will ever allow the Google turn-by-turn navigation app into the app store. It's going to be free, and Google says it wants the app to be on the iPhone. Of course things haven't been going swimmingly between Google and Apple of late (Google Voice, Android competition), so it's just a guess as to how that will all turn out.

If you need a navigation app in order to get to Grandma's house for the holidays, it's probably a good time to buy one. However, If you're willing to wait for the possibility of Google's free turn-by-turn nav app making it to the iPhone, you might be rewarded for your patience.

TomTom delivers promised iPhone update originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)TomTom delivers promised iPhone update originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>appGPSnavigationtext to speechTomTomMel MartinThu, 19 Nov 2009 17:30:00 ESTFirst Look: Voices for iPhonehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/19/first-look-voices-for-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/19/first-look-voices-for-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/19/first-look-voices-for-iphone/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Novelty and social applications are a big hit on the iPhone. A new one from the folks of Taptivate is sure to be a big hit when it is released in the near future. Voices for iPhone is touted as an "audio recorder with a twist" and even a "social voicemail" utility.

With Voices [iTunes Link], you're given tools to manipulate your own voice in many fun and odd ways. Whether you'd like to transform into Darth Vader or a chipmunk, you're good to go with Voices. Sporting a unique and very pretty user interface, the application boasts a lot of cool extras sure to show you how hard the developers have worked on it.

The app has a home screen-like selection window where you can choose the way in which you want your voice manipulated. A stack of your recordings can also be accessed with just a tap.

After initially seeing this app when it was in early beta, it has come a long way since then. The app is being published by Tap Tap Tap and is available for only 99 cents. Also, to celebrate the release, MacHeist is offering a special "Tweetblast" deal, giving away a free copy of Voice Candy for Mac to people who help spread the word on Twitter.

Here's some shots of Voices in action:

Gallery: Voices for iPhone

Voice selection screenEven more voices!The recording interfaceYour saved voice recordingShare with your favorite social media sites


First Look: Voices for iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)First Look: Voices for iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>app reviewAppReviewfalseiphoneNoveltyrecordingsocialTaptivatevoicevoice modulatorvoicemailVoiceModulatorVoicesJohn BurkeThu, 19 Nov 2009 17:00:00 ESTBuilding a great iPhone apphttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/19/building-a-great-iphone-app/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/19/building-a-great-iphone-app/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/19/building-a-great-iphone-app/#commentsFiled under: ,

CIO.com has posted an article (single-page reprint here) covering one company's foray into the app development scene. Recently, clothing retailer Gap held an app development contest. The goal was to develop the "best" app to represent the retailer on the iPhone or iPod touch. Gap partnered with Mobclix, the mobile ad exchange operator (more here), to come up with the contest for the best Gap-branded iPhone app.

The contest ran for three months and had 100,000 400* submissions. While the winning entry isn't available for download on the App Store yet, and Gap doesn't currently have a release plan, CIO.com has a list of 5 attributes that contribute to a quality iPhone app. One of my personal favorites is the consideration for how far to stray from Apple's UI guidelines. On the one hand you have an easy-to-use app that everyone can understand, but on the other hand you have to consider how "similar" you want to be to everyone else.

I won't spoil the fun and tell you all of the different attributes, but if you want to check out the winning app, you can see the submission video in the second half of this post.

Mobclix contacted us to correct the count of the number of app submissions.

[via Macworld]

Continue reading Building a great iPhone app

Building a great iPhone app originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Building a great iPhone app originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>app storeAppStoreGap Inc.GapInc.iphoneipod touchIpodTouchAron TrimbleThu, 19 Nov 2009 16:00:00 ESTBuyer's Guide: 33 things you don't need if you have an iPhonehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/19/buyer-s-guide-33-things-you-don-t-need-if-you-have-an-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/19/buyer-s-guide-33-things-you-don-t-need-if-you-have-an-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/19/buyer-s-guide-33-things-you-don-t-need-if-you-have-an-iphone/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Every time I walk through Warehouse Stationery (New Zealand's equivalent to Office Depot) or Dick Smith's Electronics (pretty much Best Buy), I'm struck by how probably half the products in each store are pretty much useless to me since I've got an iPhone.

Thanks to the apps that come pre-packaged with the iPhone and the more than 100,000 third-party offerings now available in the iTunes Store, the iPhone has gained functionality that might have seemed hard to fathom under three years ago when Steve Jobs first announced the device.

"A widescreen iPod with touch controls... a revolutionary mobile phone... a breakthrough internet communications device... these are not three separate devices. This is one device." So Steve Jobs told us all back at Macworld Expo 2007. But since then, the iPhone has grown to be much more than just those three concepts.

What follows is a sort of anti-buyer's guide, a list of products and devices that you may never need or even want to buy again (or receive as a gift) if you have an iPhone. Some of these are certainly open for debate, but more than a few of them are products that, for all intents and purposes, are completely unnecessary if you have an iPhone. (Items in bold also apply to the iPod touch).

Continue reading Buyer's Guide: 33 things you don't need if you have an iPhone

Buyer's Guide: 33 things you don't need if you have an iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Buyer's Guide: 33 things you don't need if you have an iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>2079Air Mouse ProAirMouseProAmbianceCleartunedictionary.comDropboxFlight ControlFlightControlGoogle EarthGoogleEarthGuitarToolKitHandbrakeHero of SpartaHeroOfSpartahggiPhoneiPod TouchIpodTouchiShootKindleMotionXnetbooksPeggleRunKeeperShakespeareStanzaVLC RemoteVlcRemoteWriteRoomChris RawsonThu, 19 Nov 2009 15:00:00 ESTMS software architect: Apps don't make the phonehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/19/ms-software-architect-apps-dont-make-the-phone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/19/ms-software-architect-apps-dont-make-the-phone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/19/ms-software-architect-apps-dont-make-the-phone/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

This sounds an awful lot like sour grapes to me: Ray Ozzie, Microsoft's chief software engineer, told a Professional Developers' Conference earlier this week that it wasn't the apps that would make or break the smartphone platforms. Of course, that's what most press and blog outlets seem to be focusing on (maybe because we all already know what the hardware is like -- apps change every day if not every minute, and the hardware only changes occasionally), but Ozzie says customers won't buy a phone for the apps. The biggest apps, he says, will eventually be available on every platform. To put it in as few words as possible, you'll be able to tweet from everything in the future.

And he's got part of a good point there: it's true, the major functionality of "killer apps" will be available across platforms. But Ozzie forgets (or is just ignoring) that that's already the case on desktops. While yes, you could claim that porting to the various smartphones is easier than porting to the various PC platforms, that doesn't avoid the fact that I can tweet, IM, email, browse, edit photos and movies, and do whatever else I want on both platforms as well. And for some reason (ahem, the hardware and the way both software and hardware are designed), I'd rather do them on the Mac. People love their iPhones not just for the apps but for the way it fits in their hand, and how just plain slick it is.

That's not to say that the smartphone platform war is over -- no way, it's only beginning, and we consumers will take innovative ideas wherever we can get them. But Ozzie saying the apps don't count (and echoing his fellow Microsofters in trying to separate Apple from their software strategy) seems to mean that even he thinks he's already lost that race -- they certainly do play a large part in which platform consumers eventually choose.

MS software architect: Apps don't make the phone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)MS software architect: Apps don't make the phone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>choicedevelopersdevelopmenthardwaremicrosoftpcplatformprofessional-developers-conferenceray ozzieRayOzziesmartphonessoftwareMike SchrammThu, 19 Nov 2009 11:00:00 ESTAT&T loses first round in battle over Verizon adshttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/18/atandt-loses-first-round-in-battle-over-verizon-ads/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/18/atandt-loses-first-round-in-battle-over-verizon-ads/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/18/atandt-loses-first-round-in-battle-over-verizon-ads/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Associated Press is reporting that an Atlanta Federal judge has denied an AT&T request to pull the Verizon 'there's a map for that' ads.

The judge has set a December 16th hearing to give AT&T another chance to make a case.

AT&T filed suit earlier this month looking for a temporary restraining order to stop the ads, and wanted a permanent injunction to halt them. The ads say that the AT&T network is not up to the quality or range of the Verizon network, and shows two coverage maps to make the point. AT&T claims the maps are misleading, and injures the company reputation.

Verizon has said the commercials are truthful and accurate.

The case pits the two communication giants against each other as they fight for increasing shares of the mobile market. AT&T has an exclusive on the iPhone, and that has brought AT&T an increasingly growing share of mobile customers.

Verizon was reportedly offered an exclusive on the iPhone more than 2 years ago but turned it down. There have been sporadic reports that Verizon would like to get the iPhone back when the AT&T contract expires, but with some Verizon ads targeting the iPhone as well as AT&T that looks to be increasingly unlikely.


AT&T loses first round in battle over Verizon ads originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)AT&T loses first round in battle over Verizon ads originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>atTiPhonenetworkVerizonMel MartinWed, 18 Nov 2009 20:00:00 ESTMagellan car kit detailed at FCC filinghttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/18/magellan-car-kit-detailed-at-fcc-filing/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/18/magellan-car-kit-detailed-at-fcc-filing/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/18/magellan-car-kit-detailed-at-fcc-filing/#commentsFiled under: ,

That was fast. We just learned Magellan was going to offer a car kit for the iPhone and it has already hit the FCC. GPSTracklog.com has a detailed drawing of the new device, and it looks to be quite complete. Magellan has said the kit will be on sale before the end of the year, and even give the iPod touch full nav capabilities.

The car kit is supposed to allow any iPhone GPS app to work with it, so you're not limited to the Magellan app. It works in portrait or landscape mode, and has a speaker for hearing directions and also link to your iPhone for Bluetooth based calls.

The Magellan Roadmate app itself [iTunes link] has a boatload of good features, and we're anxious to get our hands on the app for a full test. Holiday travelers will have a lot of good choices for navigating to your destinations. Remember when we thought the plain old Google Maps app was cool?

Thanks to Rich for the tip.

[via GPSTracklog.com]

Magellan car kit detailed at FCC filing originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Magellan car kit detailed at FCC filing originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>car kitGPSiPhoneiPod touchMagellan RoadmateMagellanRoadmatenavigationMel MartinWed, 18 Nov 2009 15:00:00 ESTiPhone cleared for sale in South Koreahttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/18/iphone-cleared-for-sale-in-south-korea/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/18/iphone-cleared-for-sale-in-south-korea/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/18/iphone-cleared-for-sale-in-south-korea/#commentsFiled under: ,

Earlier this week, South Korean officials gave Apple the go-ahead to sell the iPhone in South Korea. At this point, the ball is in Apple's court; the iPhone can launch at any time.

It was way back in December of 2008 that The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) dropped requirements that handsets use the locally-built WIPI mobile platform, and April of 2009 before those changes went into effect. In September Apple received permission to sell the iPhone in South Korea and just this week were formally issued a business license.

Since then, Korean carriers KTF and SK Telecom have been in talks with Apple regarding distribution, but no details of an official deal have been announced. We'll keep you posted with additional details as they become available.

[Via Macworld]

iPhone cleared for sale in South Korea originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)iPhone cleared for sale in South Korea originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>iphonekftsk telekomSkTelekomsouth koreaSouthKoreaDave CaoloWed, 18 Nov 2009 14:00:00 ESTApp Store performing well in China despite hindranceshttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/18/app-store-performing-well-in-china-despite-hindrances/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/18/app-store-performing-well-in-china-despite-hindrances/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/18/app-store-performing-well-in-china-despite-hindrances/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Last August, China Unicom Ltd (CHU) announced a 3-year partnership to officially bring the iPhone to China. As predicted in July, the CHU's iPhone is sold with Wi-Fi disabled, in accordance with the Golden Shield Project. Additionally, 3GS hardware is still unavailable in China.

Despite these hindrances, handset and App Store sales have been doing well, AppleInsider reports. It's estimated that $1 million in legitimate app sales have been made this year, with a little over a month-and-a-half left in the quarter.

Black market phones are a huge problem in China, and it's been estimated nearly 2 million are in circulation, most of them jailbroken and running pirated apps. Apple hopes to sell 500,000 iPhones in China by the year's end.

Next year looks brighter: Wi-Fi regulations were relaxed back in May, and CHU hopes to have a Wi-Fi enabled model available soon.

[Via AppleInsider]

App Store performing well in China despite hindrances originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)App Store performing well in China despite hindrances originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>app storeAppStorechinachina unicomChinaUnicomiphoneiphone salesIphoneSalesDave CaoloWed, 18 Nov 2009 12:30:00 ESTiAssociate: Mind mapping funhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/18/iassociate-mind-mapping-fun/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/18/iassociate-mind-mapping-fun/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/18/iassociate-mind-mapping-fun/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Last year, I was introduced to Funny Farm while working on a team project with my inlaws. I absolutely loved the idea of a puzzle that grew as you solved parts of it. The game works by associating words with their natural connections, e.g. "On the Farm" could inspire you to think of cow, chicken, and farmer (among other words). You then spin out those ideas to further connections. The chicken might be associated with rooster, hen, and egg, and so forth. So I was really excited to encounter iAssociate (iTunes link).

Developed by Fredrik Wahrman, iAssociate brings Funny Farm-style interaction to the iPhone. It's a really fun (and quite challenging) implementation with over a half dozen separate puzzles to work on, promising hours and hours of game play.

Each puzzle starts you out with a core idea. It's up to you to brainstorm ideas that fit around that idea, expanding each node into a wider set of associations. The word map is easy to scroll, and even though the iPhone display is quiter small, you can interact with a virtually large puzzle.

The game play is slightly different from Funny Farm in that instead of entering text into a central guessing area, you type text directly into nodes. If there are five nodes with six letters each, enter your guess into the central node, matching against all connected nodes. (You do get partial credit for guessing the right starting letters but the wrong word.)

I have only one real beef with iAssociate, which Wahrman promises me is being addressed in the next release. And that is the text size, particularly for the instructions. As you can see in the following image, helper overlay text is tiny. Speaking as a member of the graying community with weak eyes and a growing obsession with high fiber foods, iAssociate proved to me that I really need to look into bifocals or reading glasses. The text was headache-inducing small.

Beyond that, iAssociate was a blast to play. I enjoyed stretching my neurons a little and it makes a very good game for collaborating with friends. I do wish that Wahrman had built in some kind of multi-player feature, so groups could work on the puzzle together rather than be limited to pass-and-play. Hopefully that will be added in the future.

iAssociate costs $1.99 on the App Store. You can download a few versions (under the name "Associate This" (iTunes Link) as well, allowing you to try the game play before committing to buying the full product.

TUAW received a review promo code for this write-up.

iAssociate: Mind mapping fun originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)iAssociate: Mind mapping fun originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Fredrik WahrmanFredrikWahrmanFunny FarmFunnyFarmGameshggiAssociatePuzzlesErica SadunWed, 18 Nov 2009 11:30:00 ESTFamily-friendly Zombies on the iPhonehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/18/family-friendly-zombies-on-the-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/18/family-friendly-zombies-on-the-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/18/family-friendly-zombies-on-the-iphone/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

We have a lot of apps coming through our tipline, but this one caught my eye, not only because it is called Zombies (the stumbling undead always catch my eye), but because it offers up a bit of good old-fashioned fun in the form of a Daleks!-style remake.

Gameplay is simple and straighforward -- you run, turn-by-turn in eight directions, from zombies, who pursue you at the same speed, and though the game runs at any pace you want (perfect for gameplay on the iPhone, in my opinion, since most of the time I'm just looking for a few seconds to a couple minutes of easy-to-pick-up action), the dread is real. Just like actual zombies, these guys shamble their way toward you with a hunger that only brains can satisfy.

The game is on the App Store now [iTunes link]. I will say that it is a touch pricey at $2.99 (a simple arcade game like this seems made for the 99-cent price point, and it will probably end up there eventually), but who am I to begrudge the developers a couple of bucks? I don't need to drink that cup of Starbucks anyway. If you're in the mood for a simple, zombified twist on an old classic, this is it.

While you're at it, check out the Zombies preview video we shot at WWDC last July.

Family-friendly Zombies on the iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Family-friendly Zombies on the iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>app-reviewapp-storearcade-gameattackdaleksdreadold-schoolpriceshamblingsimpleturn-basedundeadzombiesMike SchrammWed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:00 ESTOnLive claims to run gaming service on iPhonehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/18/onlive-claims-to-run-gaming-service-on-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/18/onlive-claims-to-run-gaming-service-on-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/18/onlive-claims-to-run-gaming-service-on-iphone/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


OnLive is a company that has been claiming to do the seemingly impossible -- they plan to set up a sort of "cloud gaming" console, where instead of hardware in individual houses (like we have now; you buy a console for your home), they'll have hardware over the Internet, and stream your game to you like watching television. All of the processing and coding will be done on a remote server, but with signals flowing from your controller, it'll seem like you're just playing Xbox at home. It all works in theory, but in practice, Internet connections aren't solid or stable enough to send commands and full HD video back and forth without enough lag to make things unplayable.

Still, without actually releasing a product so far, OnLive claims they can do it, and now they're claiming to do it on the iPhone as well. AppleInsider reports that at a recent event in New York, OnLive showed off the same game service running on "2 iPhones, a tv, and a computer" simultaneously, with gamers on all the devices able to communicate and watch each others' gameplay. CEO Steve Perlman admits it's a "tech demo," but doesn't go into detail on what that means (it could simply be a demo running separately on the devices, to show what it would be like, or I've heard of OnLive events where the server is sitting in the room next door). And of course, there's no date or information on an actual release yet.

OnLive's service definitely sounds possible someday -- as Internet connections get faster and hardware gets even cheaper, it's not a stretch to think we'll eventually move the heavy processor lifting to another location, leaving much tinier consoles and PCs taking up space on our desks and TV stands at home. But so far all it seems they've got is an idea (and the money that excited financiers have put into the project). We'll have to believe it works when we see it.

OnLive claims to run gaming service on iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)OnLive claims to run gaming service on iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>app-storebroadband-internetcloudcontrolsgamesgaminghdiphonelaglatencyonliveplatformsdkstreamingsystemtech-demotelevisionvideoMike SchrammWed, 18 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EST5 apps for Thanksgiving (and not a turkey in the bunch!)http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/17/5-apps-for-thanksgiving-and-not-a-turkey-in-the-bunch/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/17/5-apps-for-thanksgiving-and-not-a-turkey-in-the-bunch/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/17/5-apps-for-thanksgiving-and-not-a-turkey-in-the-bunch/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Here in the USA we're preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving. The typical celebration includes a turkey dinner, family and football on television (and perhaps a drunken uncle or two). Before you set up the folding card table for the kids, check out these iPhone/iPod touch apps meant to make the day more enjoyable.

Thanksgiving Jokes

Serving the "perfect" dinner while dealing with annoying relatives is stressful, so cut the tension with corny jokes, courtesy of Thanksgiving Jokes [iTunes link]. This free app is based on Dustin Kirk's Stacks platform, which puts flash cards on your iPhone or iPod touch. There's a large variety of topics available from math to trivia: nearly 13,000 in total. Dustin breaks from academia with Thanksgiving Jokes and focuses on groan-inducing one-liners. And you thought the turkey was dry.

Turkey Recipes

In my day, recipes were taped to cabinet doors. Today there's cooking software and even a dedicated television network. iPhone users can download Turkey Recipes [iTunes link] for $0.99 and pick from 27 recipes. Once you've selected the one you like (or added your own), you're a click away from generating a shopping list. Back in the kitchen, flick through the easy-to-read instructions (just wipe your hands first) and compare your finished product to the included photo. Just don't be too hard on yourself.


Continue reading 5 apps for Thanksgiving (and not a turkey in the bunch!)

5 apps for Thanksgiving (and not a turkey in the bunch!) originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)5 apps for Thanksgiving (and not a turkey in the bunch!) originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>5appshggholidayiphoneipod touchIpodTouchthanksgivingDave CaoloTue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:00 ESTVerizon to AT&T- 'The Truth Hurts'http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/17/verizon-to-atandt-the-truth-hurts/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/17/verizon-to-atandt-the-truth-hurts/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/17/verizon-to-atandt-the-truth-hurts/#commentsFiled under: ,

Verizon isn't fazed by the AT&T legal claims that the Verizon ads attacking poor coverage are false and misleading. Our sister site Engadget broke the story of the Verizon response to the suit and you can read the it here.

Verizon isn't pulling any punches and says "AT&T did not file this lawsuit because Verizon's "There's A Map For That" advertisements are untrue; AT&T sued because Verizon's ads are true and the truth hurts."

Then to drive home the point:

"In the final analysis, AT&T seeks emergency relief because Verizon's side-by-side, apples-to-apples comparison of its own 3G coverage with AT&T's confirms what the marketplace has been saying for months: AT&T failed to invest adequately in the necessary infrastructure to expand its 3G coverage to support its growth in smartphone business, and the usefulness of its service to smartphone users has suffered accordingly."

Ouch!

This latest salvo follows AT&T sending a message to customers complaining about the Verizon ads and telling customers their coverage is great, that they sell more smartphones than Verizon and that the AT&T 3G network is faster. So there.

Well AT&T, your move. It's great for the lawyers, and actually, we admit we just love the spectacle.

Verizon to AT&T- 'The Truth Hurts' originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Verizon to AT&T- 'The Truth Hurts' originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>ATTcoverageiPhonenetworksVerizonMel MartinTue, 17 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST