Reaction to Apple’s Withdrawal from Macworld, Apple Expo Paris Cancelled

Apple's decision to withdraw from Macworld entirely has been generating a massive amount of feedback, both in our forums and the industry in general. Aside from the immediate impact, many are concerned that the withdrawal represents the end of the ...

Konami announces four big titles for iPhone

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Odds and ends, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch

Unfortunately, not one of them is Contra. But the iPhone is going to get some pretty big name titles from Konami -- the company announced yesterday that Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, Dance Dance Revolution, and Frogger were all coming to our favorite mobile gaming platform from the company's vaults.

Frogger you know, and Dance Dance Revolution and Silent Hill look like fairly faithful (if a little tweaked) recreations of the dancing and horror games that both series are known for. Metal Gear Solid Touch seems the most interesting title -- that series seems to reinvent itself almost every time it reaches a new platform. There have been strategy versions, card-based versions, squad-based versions, and even the old 2D games, so though all we know is that MGS Touch has eight levels and will use the touchscreen, from there Konami could do anything they can think of.

Great to see that a historic publisher is investing heavily in the App Store, though. If these games turn out to do well, we could see some other big-time developers follow suit.

Konami announces four big titles for iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Konami announces four big titles for iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: Jabra BT2070 Bluetooth Headset

I have reviewed a few headsets here at TiPb (Apple’s headset, Jawbone and Jawbone 2) and the latest is the Jabra BT2070. This is a slick looking headset! The BT2070 is not just for good looks, it is light and small. The iPhone Blog Store has this headset for $49.95. 

Read on for the review, after the jump!

In the box:

The packaging is clear and contains just the basics: headset, charger, instructions and two earhooks. There is no included case or any other peripherals. Then again, it is a tiny headset, so a case is not needed.

Design and build:

Most of the small headsets I have used, have been solid, and this one is no exception. The design is light-weight and comfortable. The headset is essentially two molded pieces of plastic with an answer/end button joined by a volume up/down buttons accompanying it on either side. The answer/end button is illuminated by a yellow circle that surrounds it then continues to create a division line between the volume buttons; very sharp. The headset can be worn in either ear with or without the earhook. Speaking of earhooks, the headset comes with two; just to make sure it can be as comfortable as possible. 

Using the headset:

After charging the device, I paired it with the iPhone 3G and it worked as advertised. I could listen to voicemails and make calls with ease. The answer/end button was responsive. However, I did find it difficult to adjust the volume while wearing the headset. A good resolution for this is to briefly take the device out of your ear, crank the volume up and manage the volume directly from iPhone’s volume controls. 

The Jabra is comfortable in the ear; much more so than some other headsets I have used. What I like most of all is the headset gives you options; you can wear it with or without the earhook. For example, you can place the device directly in the ear (It is more comfortable than the Apple bluetooth headset, I was surprised) and it fits snugly without being uncomfortable. This is due to the earpiece being a kneadable unlike the Apple headset which was plastic with a solid rubber edge. If you use the earhook, the headset just “rests” in your ear canal. Since the device is so light, you can almost forget you are wearing it (is this good or bad?).

When talking on the device, I had no real static issues. I typically find there is always some static with bluetooth; the technology is far form perfect, but the fact it is 2.0 compliant with EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) means that you get good clarity on a call.

Talking with friends, the typical feedback I received was that the device has great noise-cancellation ability. I talked in grocery stores, malls, etc. and most friends said that they heard no background noise or very little (sometimes if you are under a speaker in a store, there is not much you can do about how loud noise is). The only concern here is wind. Yes, when the wind is howling outside and you are trying to talk on your headset… apparently the recipient can’t hear a thing…

Charging the headset took no time; 1.5 at most. You can get about 5 hours of talk time. This is sufficient for me since I rarely talk than 2 hours on my iPhone in a single day. 

Conclusion:

I really like this bluetooth headset. It is relativly inexpensive, light weight, good call clarity and comfortable. If you are in the market for a smaller-style headset that looks good, the Jabra BT2070 might just be for you! There are better headsets out their, but they typically cost about twice as much. For what this headset is, it is a good value.

Pros:

• Comfortable
• Light
• Good call clarity

Cons:

• Difficult to adjust volume while in your ear
• Even on maximum volume, could be louder
• Useless in windy conditions

Rating:

  

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Review: Jabra BT2070 Bluetooth Headset

Unity game development engine updated for iPhone

Unity, the 3D game development environment that started life on the Mac, has been updated for the iPhone.

SimCity comes to the iPhone

Filed under: Gaming, iPhone

Electronic Arts has released a version of its famous SimCity game for the iPhone. SimCity now joins other EA-released games such as Spore, Scrabble, Monopoly and Tetris.

SimCity is the gateway drug into the Sims universe. Created by Will Wright and originally released for the Mac and Amiga in 1989, the game gives you the ability to create your own city. You're suddenly the mayor, City Council, zoning commission, public works department and school board all at the same time. You can craft a small town with a bunch of farms surrounding it, or your own Metropolis or Gotham City (sadly without associated super heroes). You also have the power to destroy your creations through UFO attack, tornado, fire, earthquake or toxic cloud.

SimCity (link opens iTunes) is now available for $9.99USD through the App Store. A full review of this game is forthcoming!

Thanks to all those who submitted this tip!

SimCity comes to the iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

SimCity comes to the iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: Simplify Media for iPhone

With Simplify Media, you can take all your music with you wherever you go; the app lets you stream your songs from your desktop computer to an iPhone or iPod touch.

Today on the Forums: Crackberry Kevin’s iPhone 3G Review, TreoCentral’s Jennifer Needs Your Help, Jailbreak Forums, 2008 TiPb Award Nominations

Well the forums are still hopping, Round Robin is still going strong, and we have some good threads for you all to check out!

Crackberry Kevin just finished his week with a iPhone 3G and what do you think he had to say about it? Check out Kevin’s review and be sure to share your thoughts about it with us. I tried my best to get through to him, but that is definitely not an easy task. After all, Kevin is the #1 Crackberry addict…

Next up one of our sister sites needs your help. Jennifer of Treocentral is spending the week away from her Treo/Centro and is now using an iPhone 3G. Be sure to drop in her thread and lend her a hand. That thread can be found here: Round Robin: Help Treocentral Jennifer with iPhone 3G.

With all the jailbreak and unlock talk going on lately the iPhone Jailbreak Central is being flooded with all sorts of questions. Jump in there to see if you can help any of our members and if you have a question be sure to post it so someone can help you out!

Last but not least, TiPb would like to remind you all to be sure to check out the 2008 TiPb Award Nominations! Check out these threads after the break!

• 2008 TiPb Awards: Favorite Case of the Year?
• 2008 TiPb Awards: Favorite Blue Tooth Headset of the Year?
• 2008 TiPb Awards: Favorite Jailbreak App of the Year?
• 2008 TiPb Awards: Favorite WebApp of the Year?
• 2008 TiPb Awards: Favorite Social App of the Year?
• 2008 TiPb Awards: Favorite Productivity App of the Year?
• 2008 TiPb Awards: Favorite Games of the Year?
• 2008 TiPb Awards: iClone of the Year?
• 2008 TiPb Awards: Favorite iPhone FIGHT of the Year
• 2008 TiPb Awards: Biggest iPhone FAIL?
• 2008 TiPb Awards: Favorite iPhone 2.x Feature?

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Today on the Forums: Crackberry Kevin’s iPhone 3G Review, TreoCentral’s Jennifer Needs Your Help, Jailbreak Forums, 2008 TiPb Award Nominations

Mobile Safari search via toolbar points to clearer results

Filed under: iPhone, iPod touch

Google quietly fixed a problem yesterday that bugged at least a few iPhone users -- the results page it returned when searching through the toolbar in Mobile Safari.

In a pre-Tuesday world, Google would return its standard, not-iPhone-formatted results page. Why? I honestly don't know, but personally didn't question it too deeply. It was what it was. I'd do my search, zoom into my result, and be on my way.

That was so 2008.

Now searches through the toolbar return nicely-formatted-for-iPhone results. Just as it should be.

Thanks to DJT for sending this in.

Mobile Safari search via toolbar points to clearer results originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Mobile Safari search via toolbar points to clearer results originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: Google Search Bar Gives iPhone-Optimized Results

I’m sure that a few of you, like me, have been avoiding using the Google Search Bar in Safari in favor of the Google app. Avoiding it not because the Google App is that awesome (it is), but because the search results page in Safari that comes up when you use the Google Search Bar wasn’t optimized for Safari, but instead looked like the regular desktop page.

Well, quick tip if you’ve been avoiding that bar: it’s been mobile optimized while you were away. No need to avoid it anymore. The above search results screen shot shows what the new (to me, anyway) results page looks like. Chad emailed in (with more than a few exclamation points) showing the same.

Treat this Public Service Announcement like all PSAs — if you don’t care, move along, nothing to see here, threat-level orange, and all that. But If you’ve been keeping away from that search bar, it’s time to come back home.

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

PSA: Google Search Bar Gives iPhone-Optimized Results

Orange’s iPhone exclusive ruled illegal in France

After 13 months into a five-year exclusivity deal in France, the French competition agency has ruled the Apple and Orange (the mobile subsidiary of France Telecom) cartel illegal. Something that could have a knock-on effect throughout Europe. The agency criticized the Orange/Apple pact for having "grave and immediate" effect on the overall French mobile marketplace and thus, the French consumer, by introducing "a new flavor of rigidity in a sector that already lacks competition." The injunction, while temporary, is enough to allow other French carriers to distribute the iPhone 3G in time for the holidays. Shrug.

[Thanks, Tieum and Nick]

Filed under: Cellphones

Orange's iPhone exclusive ruled illegal in France originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Round Robin: CrackBerry Kevin Cracks the iPhone 3G

[This is an official Smartphone Experts Round Robin post! Every day you reply here, you're automatically entered for a chance to win an iPhone 3G, Case-Mate Naked Case, and Motorola H9 Bluetooth Headset! Full contest rules here!]

Our Public Frenemy Number On continues his assault on the iPhone blog! Not only did Kevin post his video preview of the iPhone 3G, spend time on our forums learning what abuse really is, and even joined in for our iPhone Live! Podcast, he’s gone and done an near epic 7500 word iPhone 3G full, final review.

Fanboy much?

But what did he think of it? Did the man with two-tic-tactile thumbs-of-fury learn how to type on glass? Did he master the Super Monkey Ball? Did he get lost browser “just the internet”? And did he finally, fully restore his childlike sense of wonder, something years of BlackBerrius Pusheruptus all but productivity’d out of him?

Check out his review to find out (hint: he calls it the Ah Frak Phone!), post a Crackberry.com comment for a chance to win the BlackBerry Bold, and post your thoughts on Kevin’s thoughts right here for a chance to win an iPhone 3G.

What? You want MORE chances to win? Head on over to the Crackberry.com forums to help me out with the Bold (the touchscreen isn’t working!) and then hit TiPb’s iPhone forums to give TreoCentral’s Jennifer a hand — she’s got the iPhone 3G this week!

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Round Robin: CrackBerry Kevin Cracks the iPhone 3G

Target releases ‘Gift Globe’ iPhone app

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

Target has decided to release its own iPhone application, possibly to encourage holiday shopping online. Stepping beyond the basic web application that Walmart released, the Target application [iTunes link] offers an interesting concept -- like an Urbanspoon for gift ideas.

The idea is to generate gift ideas quickly. First, select the gender and age of your recipient. Then shake the iPhone and the snow globe will display a potential gift. Don't like the recommendation? Shake the iPhone again, and another item will be displayed.

You can tap the item to access actions: add it to your favorites, purchase online, or start your selection over. With the favorites list, you have the ability to create a personalized holiday shopping list that you can carry with you. You can mark off items on the list as you purchase them. The application also allows you to find the nearest Target store.

The Target Gift Globe application can be found in the iTunes App Store for free.

Target releases 'Gift Globe' iPhone app originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Target releases 'Gift Globe' iPhone app originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Walmart iPhone on sale the 28th for a lot more than $99

At this point, it's clear that the $99 iPhone 3G rumor was just that: rumor. We have a letter that we believe to be authentic from a source within Walmart that says the iPhone will launch in the house that Sam built at 9am December 28th. At launch, only the 8GB ($197) and 16GB ($297) iPhone 3Gs will be available with a required signature on a 2-year AT&T contract. An internal pilot program kicks off today at 488 stores across the nation. The iPhone 3G and a sack of garden manurer all under the same roof... heaven.

Filed under: Cellphones

Walmart iPhone on sale the 28th for a lot more than $99 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 03:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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