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christmas posts

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Humor, Holidays, App Store

Christmas iPod touch and iPhone gifts boost App Store volume


Hello and welcome once again to The Obvious News. Our top story today: the sky remains blue, and we'll have a full report by our man on the scene Chip Thompson about that later. But first, this: apparently App Store downloads are up thanks to large holiday sales of the iPhone and iPod touch. This comes as a shock to absolutely no one, but reports are coming in from developers, publishers, and browser reports and search terms alike that App Store downloads and interest have jumped up three and four times over, thanks, it seems, to more people receiving iPhones and iPod touches for Christmas and the other winter holidays.

John Sargent of The Obvious Institute tells us why: "Well, iPod touches are pretty boring without apps, you know? And I guess people probably want to try out apps on their new iPod touches." Thank you, John -- painfully obvious. Our technology analyst Ms. Common Sense also tells us that any time Apple sees a bump in sales of their devices, the App Store will have its own sales bump soon after.

In other Obvious News, having too many meetings can apparently make you grumpy. We'll be back after these messages. Obviously.

Filed under: iPhone, App Store, iPod touch

Memento developer offers free holiday greeting card app

A while back we told you about Memento, a quick way to send e-cards right from your iPhone. The developer of that application is back at it again with a Holiday card application. Memento Xmas [iTunes link] is a free application that allows you to send holiday-themed greeting cards to your friends and family, just in time for the holidays.

The application acts just like its older brother, Memento, but it is limited to only 4 greeting cards. With each of the greeting cards you have the ability to snap a photo (or use one from your library), and you can also edit the included text.

You can download and try out Memento Xmas from the iTunes App Store. In a pinch, this application could save you from writing out all of those holiday greeting cards (unless you still want to have friends and family).



Thanks, Duncan!

Filed under: Apple Corporate, Apple

Apple debuts two Holiday Get a Mac Ads


Apple released two new Get a Mac ads, just in time for the holiday season. The two ads, entitled "I Can Do Anything," and "Tree Trimming," are animated, and very amusing.

In the I Can Do Anything ad [direct video link], PC shows off what he can do because he is animated. He then talks to a rabbit that is on its way to the Apple Store.

In the Tree Trimming ad [direct video link], Mac and PC are decorating a tree. When PC plugs in the tree, Mac discovers that the lights actually say... well, we don't want to spoil it (sorry!).

You can watch both of the ads by visiting the Get a Mac ad website.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Filed under: iTS, iPhone, Holidays, App Store, iPod touch, First Look

First Look: Christmas with Weezer

When Tapulous released Christmas with Weezer [iTunes link] for the iPhone and iPod touch last week, I was pretty excited, as it combined three of my favorite things: Weezer, Christmas music and Tap Tap Revenge.

The tough economic climate, stresses over moving two days before I leave for Macworld 2009 and a hectic schedule have given me less holiday cheer than usual, but I'm happy to say, Christmas with Weezer is helping to turn that around.

Christmas with Weezer takes Tap Tap Revenge's addictive format and adds to it some Christmas cheer. Not only do Rivers and company perform a bevy of Christmas classics, the interface is all wrapped up for Christmas.

The Kids Mode is great for anyone starting out with TTR or for kids who want to get in on the fun. Christmas with Weezer also features the multi-tap and tap and hold game elements introduced in the recently released, Tap Tap Dance (iTunes link).

Check out the gallery below. Christmas with Weezer is $4.99 and available in the App Store.

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Hardware, Humor, Apple, iPod nano, iPod classic

"Next Christmas, the iPod will be dead, gone, kaput."

It's the end of the year, a time of reflection, in which we look back at the year that was and what happened during. But The Independent isn't stopping there -- they went back and dug up some of the world's most famous incorrect predictions. And yes, Bill Gates' 640k is in there, as is Ken Olsen's "...there is no reason for any individual to have a computer at his home." Whoops. But there's also a good iPod one in there -- apparently on the iPod's release, someone from Amstrad claimed it a fad, saying that, "Next Christmas, the iPod will be dead, finished, gone, kaput." A few Christmases have come and gone since then, and of course, the iPod is still huge.

That list also reminded me of the famous Nano hater, Motorola's Ed Zander, who said of the iPod nano's release: "Screw the nano. What the hell does the nano do? Who listens to 1,000 songs?" He, of course, was distraught that Apple's then new invention might take attention away from his new Rokr phone, and despite the fact that Motorola later claimed he was joking, we all know the Rokr went on to not only become the USA's most popular handset, but it's the Rokr who has ads all over the place this holiday season.

Oh wait. We might be wrong about that one. Everyone makes mistakes, no?

Thanks, Jean!

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

Santa Claus fired from App Store gig

Remember Santa Live 2008, the iPhone app that provided a new animated Santa Claus video to the kids every day?

Things started badly for Santa (developer Adam Majewski) shortly after the release of his app on November 14th when people found out the publisher (the Casual Game Network) was paying reviewers through Amazon's Mechanical Turk to purchase the app from the App Store, NS then leave positive reviews online.

Now the app has been pulled from the App Store by Majewski after a new fiasco -- last Friday's episode of Santa Live 2008 featured the ever-popular holiday song "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" (click opens iTunes). Apparently some parents became irate, concerned that they were going to have to explain to their little ones why grandma was killed by renegade horned ungulants.

Enough people complained about the December 5th message from Santa that Majewski yanked the app from the App Store. Anyone who has purchased the app already will be able to continue viewing the daily videos.

There are a lot of Grinches out there this Christmas!

[via iPhoneSavior]

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

This just in: Santa Claus has his own iPhone app

Santa Claus has decided that he'd like all good little boys and girls to check in on what he's doing at the North Pole, so he's set up a special webcam network at his workshops. The webcams can only be viewed through a special iPhone app called SantaLive 2008. Starting on Thanksgiving Day and for 30 days after, you can get a daily update on your iPhone or iPod touch as Santa trains his elves to make toys, feeds Rudolph and the other reindeer, and prepares for worldwide toy deliveries during the evening of December 24th - 25th.

On Christmas Eve, he'll be providing a special report. Santa's cyber-helpers warn that the Christmas Eve report might take a while to download.

In an exclusive interview, Santa told TUAW that he's not much of an iPhone developer, so he had to outsource this work to The Casual Game Network to set up the webcams and make the system work. Since he has to pay these subcontractors, he's charging US$1.99 for SantaLive 2008 (click opens iTunes) through November 30th, after which time he's going to charge $2 more.

We'll be talking to the Easter Bunny's press manager soon to see if he's going to follow up with his own app.

Update: Comments suggest that the developer of SantaLive may have offered a cash bounty for five-star reviews on the App Store. While the Amazon bounty page is now offline, we have to say that if this was an actual strategy for harvesting positive feedback... well, someone's getting a lump of coal in his stocking.

Filed under: Odds and ends, Apple

What did Santa Steve leave for you?

Merry Christmas to all! Now that the presents have been unwrapped we at TUAW want to know what you lucky folks got! A Mac Pro or two? Perhaps an iPod Shuffle in your stocking?

Sure, Christmas is really about being surrounded by loved ones, but getting some cool Apple gear doesn't hurt. Sound off in the comments with your haul.

Filed under: Accessories, iPhone, Holidays

AT&T to extend hours on December 26

Anticipating a wave of happy new iPhone owners, AT&T will extend store hours across the US on Boxing Day[1]. The idea is this: After receiving their sparkly new iPhone under the tree, consumers will head over to the AT&T stores to buy unnecessary and overpriced accessories in a post-Christmas wave of spending.

TUAW recommends that you accessorize your new iPhone in moderation. The dollar store is a great resource to pick up inexpensive soft cases and socks.

[1] December 26.

Update: For the literal minded, this is the kind of sock I am talking about: It is marketed as an iPod sock but fits the iPhone as well. Cost: $1 at my local Dollar Tree. It's an excellent value works well in pockets and handbags where keys and other such items threaten the integrity of the iPhone's screen.

Filed under: Odds and ends, Holidays

iYule.tv



The holidays are a time for frivolity, are they not? They are also a time for rhetorical questions, but that is neither here nor there. Today's bit of Christmas cheer comes from iYule.tv. The idea is simple: take that corny old burning fire that some tv stations broadcast for the benefit of apartment dwellers, non-fireplace owners, the aged, and the lonely and put it on your iPod, iPhone, Apple TV, Mac, PC, XBox, or Zune (hey, it is Christmas, so we have to include everyone). iYule offers up several high quality downloadable versions of this roaring fire (with music, without music, widescreen, and so on) for a reasonable price ($5 - $10) and no DRM.

Some of the proceeds will go to charity, so think about that before you fill the comments with things like, 'Why would I pay for that!' or 'I would buy that if it cost $2 and came with a free Mac.' Also keep in mind that a similar, though free, yule log is available.

Filed under: Audio, Video, Odds and ends, Podcasting

Rick Steves' podcasts

If, in the Venn diagram of life, you are a person who enjoys traveling and watching PBS Rick Steves is a name that will be familiar to you. Rick is a well known author and host of various travel specials and guides. Unbeknownst to me he is also podcasting like mad. Not only has he released some of his recent "European Christmas," which originally aired on PBS, as a seven part video podcast (free at that), he has also made available a few walking tours of Paris. He covers the Louvre, the Orsay Museum, Versailles, and a historic Paris Walk.

You've learned the language, now learn about the history and culture with the help of Rick.

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Other Events, Apple

What Mac goodies did you get this year?

Christmas will soon be over (at least on the East Coast of the US where I am) and my thoughts turn to all the cool stuff that others got. Tell us, in the comments, about all the wonderful presents that your friends and loved ones got you this year.

Sadly, my family believes I spend too much time with my Mac (is such a thing possible) so they refuse to feed my addiction.

If you got a Mac or iPod this Christmas check out our iPod tips and Mac tips (though I seem to be in the minority with my feelings about the Mighty Mouse).

Filed under: Accessories, Analysis / Opinion, Tips and tricks, Apple

Getting started with your new Mac

Someone must love you, since there was a shiny new Mac waiting under the tree for you this morning. I know you're excited to get it up and running, and it'll be easier than you think. There are some tips I would like to share with you, oh newly inducted acolyte to the Cult of Mac, that should make your Mac adventure even more fun.

Toss aside the included mouse: All desktop Macs now come with the Mighty Mouse (except the Mac mini, of course), which is a multibutton mouse that pretends to be a one button mouse. Toss it aside and get yourself a real mouse (the Logitech MX Revolution Wireless Laser Mouse is currently my favorite mouse of all time). If you received a portable Mac you should also pick yourself up a mouse. The included Trackpad is nice, but a mouse is much nicer.

Download Quicksilver and Growl: You might not get why Quicksilver and Growl are awesome. You might not get it for awhile, but when it clicks your Mac experience will become even better. Trust me, would a blogger lie to you?

Enable Tabbed Browsing in Safari: Launch Safari, go to 'Preferences,' 'Tabs,' and check the 'Enable Tabbed Browsing.' You might also want to check out many of the Mac only variants of web browsers: Omniweb, Optimized Firefox, Camino (which is still my personal favorite), and Shiira.

Drag your Applications folder to the Dock: I wrote a post, about a year ago, detailing how to move your hard disk into the Dock for easy access. I have since amended my setup to include only the Applications Folder in the Dock, since that is where I needed to go most of the time anyway. Follow the instructions in my previous post, but just drag the Applications Folder in the Dock instead of the entire hard disk.

Charge the battery, but not too much: If you found a MacBook or MacBook Pro under the tree make sure that you plug it in the first time you use it. Apple has a list of tips for maximizing the battery life of portables, give it a read to ensure many happy cycles on your battery.

Read TUAW: I admit that I am a little biased, but we here at TUAW strive to be that Mac geek friend of yours that knows where to find all the cool Mac stuff on the web. Our knowledgeable bloggers (and me!) are always ready with new tips, tricks, and news to share so make sure you come back often.

Filed under: Macworld, Humor

Two Weeks Before Macworld

'Twas a fortnight 'fore Macworld, and all of the geeks
Were beside themselves, waiting another two weeks
The tickets were purchased, the hotels all booked
And the six-color cookies were thoroughly cooked.

The bloggers had worked themselves into a stew
Over who'd gotten heisted by Phillip Ryu.
And I and the wife, having downed our eggnog,
Were settling down for a midwinter snog snuggle.

When up in the crawlspace there rose such a din
I feared that our leaky old roof would cave in.
I ran to my laptop to figure out why
Via full-motion vid and SecuritySpy.

With compression artifacts clouding my view
I knew there was somebody up there -- but who?
I saw someone slender, lurking in the back
Dressed up in... what looked like a turtleneck -- black.

"Why, dear," I said suddenly, "would you believe,
That our midnight marauder is really Fake Steve?"
And that faux chief executive gave us a smile
And proceeded to polish his glasses awhile.

I shook my head once just to clear out the fog
Was I hallucinating? Perhaps from the 'nog?
Fake Steve gave a yell, "Don't sit there like a lump!
Just tell them all they can read more past the jump."

Continue readingTwo Weeks Before Macworld

Filed under: Humor, Retail, WWDC, Stocking Stuffers

Well-meaning but misguided grinches try to kill Apple Store Christmas

SAEC, aka "Santas against excessive consumption", targeted an Apple Store in London this year and were not met with open arms. "Sing your own songs to each other this Christmas!" they pleaded, sort of missing out on the point that there's no happiness like the kind you can buy via consumer electronics. Police were called; the protesters stood their ground.

Eventually the police left them, presumably with a warning. Afterward the humbug Santas went to bolster the financial bottom line of a nearby Coffee vendor, spending their money on honest caffeine rather than on the durable goods that the good lord intended.

Tip of the Day

Holding the Command key (aka the Apple key) and pressing Tab will cycle through your open applications. It's easier to Cmd-Tab if you are Copy (Cmd-C) and Pasting (Cmd-V) to and from various applications.


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