Forget the iSlider Keyboard, Howsabout the iPhone iClamshell?!

Last time Gizmodo gave us their version of an iPhone iSlider form factor. We. Didn’t. Want. It. Now they’re back with a compromise: a modular iPhone that could accept, among other things, a snap-on keyboard iClamshell.

Eh. Still doesn’t strike us as something elegant enough for Apple to consider releasing, though as a 3rd party accessory (if they can get both SDK and dock licensing in order), it would likely make many people happy. (Still not us, though, we loves the multi-touch and truly, deeply, strongly believe the era of on-device hardware keyboards is over).

It’s your opinions that matter most, however, so let us know if this is something you’d like to see, first party or third, and what form you’d most like to see it in.

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

Forget the iSlider Keyboard, Howsabout the iPhone iClamshell?!

Quick App-arel: Phone Explosion T-Shirt

Into tech geek chic and want a little iPhone over-exposure? Well get ready to get your T-Shirt on — literally! EXPLODED PHONE! whipped up this little bit of haute couture, and you can grab one from their website… while supplies last.

Got one? Getting one? Let us know how you like it.

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

Quick App-arel: Phone Explosion T-Shirt

Macworld: White Covered Banners, Keynote Rehearsal Spy Shot

Photos from AppleInsider
While we were initially disappointed by the lack of an Apple teaser banner at Macworld Expo, it appears Moscone is littered with banners that are covered behind white tarps. These banners will presumably be re...

Craigsphone brings Craigslist to the iPhone

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Software, Odds and ends, Internet Tools, Developer, iPhone

Craigslist is one of my absolute favorite sites on the 'net -- it's been around for years, but kept the same simple look and feel, perfectly fulfilling the service of classifieds without ever once going off that course. Sure, there are issues with spam, but Craig and his minions have worked overtime to make the thing work, and it works well (in fact, if you see any weightlifing dumbells for sale in Chicago, let me know, I need some).

There are quite a few iPhone apps featuring Craig and his list out there (including a few with prices on them), but one that caught our eye as a useful free app is Craigsphone, made by Next Mobile Web (they make the very useful Dial Zero app as well). As you can see from the video above, it's all the features of Craigslist made mobile, and then some -- you can see your history, post and call directly from the phone, and even use the iPhone's location to see craigslist entries nearby (though unfortunately, the Nearby features only work in San Fransisco and Manhattan -- no Chicago?). NMW claims they're still working on the app, too -- they want to "take the best local site in the world and make it truly local." Who knows what that means, but it sounds good, right?

If you spend lot of time on Craiglist, or just want to while you're out and about, Craigsphone seems like a good way to do it. We're interested to see what else they've got planned, too.

Craigsphone brings Craigslist to the iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Craigsphone brings Craigslist to the iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TiPb at Macworld Expo 2009

Next week is the first big Apple show of the year, and it’s also Apple’s last Macworld appearance, and the first not to be keynoted by Steve Jobs since his triumphant return to the company he founded.

But while his Steveness may not be there, Dieter and I (and maybe some of our writers) will be, bringing you our usual coverage of the Schiller-note (how weird does that look?!) and the show floor.

And if you happen to be there as well, please make it a point to say hello. If you’re curious what we’re up to, you can follow us on Twitter: @backlon and @reneritchie, or email us via news@theiphoneblog.com.

(If our blogging schedule looks a little wonky next week, please forgive us in advance, we expect things may be a little hectic).

We look forward to seeing everyone there, and reporting back for everyone at home, especially if we get to see a new iPhone firmware or… hardware SKU?

Anyone care to make any predictions in advance?

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

TiPb at Macworld Expo 2009

Macworld: ‘Even the Small Talk Will be Big’, Update: White Covered Banners

SetteB.IT has posted two sets (one and two) of photos from the preparations for Macworld Expo 2009.

While the banners are not particularly revealing, Apple's booth area is shrouded in black cloth as is typical prior t...

Macworld Photos: Black Banners, ‘Even the Small Talk Will be Big’

SetteB.IT has posted two sets (one and two) of photos from the preparations for Macworld Expo 2009.

While the banners are not particularly revealing, Apple's booth area is shrouded in black cloth as is typical prior t...

Macworld: Even the Small Talk Will be Big?

SetteB.IT has posted two sets (one and two) of photos from the preparations for Macworld Expo 2009.

While the banners are not particularly revealing, Apple's booth area shrouded in black cloth as is typical prior to t...

iPhone 3G unlock revised, now with less beta

The iPhone Dev-Team works in mysterious ways, but it also works in quick ways. Granted, the iPhone 3G's initial unlock took way longer than anyone would've liked, but when reports started surfacing that it wasn't working particularly well after the first beta release earlier in the week, they appear to have worked doubletime to get a better version into circulation. The release is now up to v0.9.4 -- still beta -- but if you tried the first cut and struggled, we'd suggest giving the new version a whirl.

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

iPhone 3G unlock revised, now with less beta originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Mobile App Sneaks in Bells and Whistles!

Those rapscallions at Google sure do seem to be having fun with the iPhone. Not only did they pull a fast one on Apple by using private API’s to work their lift-the-phone-to-activate-voice-search magic, they snuck a little super-swipe activated easter egg in for the rest of us! Says the Google Mobile blog:

One evening in Zurich, after a late night cake run, we decided that our iPhone app, Google Mobile App with Voice Search, could do with a little bling. The result of this is a few extra options hidden below the preferences on the Settings tab. Trust us, they’re down there… it just might take some perseverance to get to the bottom of things. Just keep trying!

Spoiler alert! Tap the cog icon to go to the settings screen, then swipe up over and over again to make the Bells and Whistles menu appear. From there, you can pick a new theme color, choose Chicken or Monkey as a sound, turn on a Live Waveform, and choose to Open Links in App.

Pimping out your Google Mobile App? Tell us your new fav combination!

(Thanks to sting7k in the forums for the spot!)

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

Google Mobile App Sneaks in Bells and Whistles!

Google iPhone app is the gift that keeps on giving

Filed under: Freeware, iPhone

Just when you thought you had the Google Mobile App with voice search all figured out, Google goes and reveals an Easter egg hidden in the settings menu.

To get there, just keep scrolling down below the 'about' button. If you keep at it, the previously hidden 'Bells and Whistles' button will appear, giving you these additional options:

• Different theme colors to change the look of the app
• Changes to the sounds the app uses, including monkeys and chickens
• The addition of a live waveform when you are speaking -- kind of like an oscilloscope
  
• The option to open links in the app itself rather than transferring to Safari

Google is hinting there may be even more hidden functions, but they are going to wait until Macworld to identify them. The Google Mobile App is free for the iPhone and iPod touch.

Google iPhone app is the gift that keeps on giving originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Google iPhone app is the gift that keeps on giving originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple patent reveals ‘iPhone gloves’ for warmer hands-on experience

A new Apple patent has been found that will assuredly warms the hearts (and hands) of many iPhone users currently enduring a cold winter. Originally filed a day before the iPhone's June 28, 2007 launch, it details a glove with a thin, electrically conductive, "anti-sticky" inner layer that is able to function with a capacitive touchscreen. It also suggests the glove could have apertures on the fingertips for opening and closing the more protective outer layer. Of course, the concept is far from new -- just do a quick Google search for "iPhone gloves" to see a wide variety of choices -- and Apple doesn't really dabble in this sort of iPhone / iPod accessory, but if Phil keeps his hands in his pockets for the first half of the Macworld keynote, we're gonna start to get ideas.

[Via Apple Insider; thanks, Shawn]

Filed under: Cellphones, Wearables

Apple patent reveals 'iPhone gloves' for warmer hands-on experience originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Patent Watch: Apple iGloves for Toasty iPhone Tapping

What makes capacitive touch displays so responsive is what makes them so unfriendly to hostile environments: they need skin-to-screen contact. Well, technically, they need the electric field around skin, and yet another Apple patent makes it seem like the iPhone team is figuring out a way for us to stay warm and still enjoy the multi-touch lifestyle. Says Apple Insider:

Apple’s solution would give gloves a second, inner layer beyond the surface that would simulate the electrical feedback of human fingers when exposed to the outside. Apertures at each fingertip would let users peel back the outer, more weatherproof layer to leave a finger protected only by the inner layer but capable of using touchscreen devices with roughly the same responsiveness as bare skin.

It’s freezing cold outside as I write this. Face hurting, lung searing, -17c, colder with the wind-chill coldy cold cold outside. So cold, in fact, that the thought of pulling off a downy mitten to “swipe my iPhone” has me cursing at the mere thought of a call. So, add a steaming mug of hot cocoa (the beverage, not the programming language!) and I’m sold. How about you, any other frozen iPhone users want to get your iGloves on?

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

Patent Watch: Apple iGloves for Toasty iPhone Tapping

iPhone Hard Keyboard… the Hard Way

Not only has the iPhone 3G finally been unlocked, it’s now also been hacked to work with a Blue Tooth keyboard. Sure, it’s not the elegant, Apple, “it just works” solution the world at large has been waiting for, but a “it’s hard work” solution for those desperate and ingenious enough to tackle it. Ars Technica’s Erica Sadun breaks down the solution:

For the external approach, Ackermann modified a Robotech Bluetooth module, which he placed in an iPhone battery sleeve and connected to the iPhone (serial) connector port at the bottom of the unit. This allowed the the phone to communicate directly with the the module using the Bluetooth serial port profile.

And you can find out more at Ackermann’s blog, if you want to try it yourself. Do you? Or are you waiting (and waiting…) on Apple?

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

iPhone Hard Keyboard… the Hard Way

iPhone apps round-up: Ambient music for the mind

The $1 AmbiScience app from Tesla Audio Science joins the ranks of other ambient music apps in the App Store.

Mac Mini to Gain Support for Dual Displays?

AppleInsider reports that the rumored upcoming revision to the Mac mini will bring support for dual displays via one Mini DisplayPort connector and one Mini DVI connector. Apple's low-cost desktop computer has featured only a single DVI connector si...

Edge (the game) coming to the iPhone next week

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

No, not the Edge network from AT&T, but a rather unique app from Mobigame that uses the motion sensors of the iPhone and some powerful animations to make for a unique gaming experience. Looking a bit like something out of the movie Tron, Edge allows you to control a cube through several hazardous environments and traps that get more and more complicated as you move along.

The best way to get an idea of what the game looks like is with this YouTube video Mobigame has posted. Edge has been available on other platforms like the Sony Ericsson handsets, but it will debut on the iPhone and iPod touch next week. There are 26 different mazes to navigate, using the iPhone touch screen and accelerometer.

Edge has been nominated for several gaming awards in Europe and has the potential to be a major hit on the iPhone/iPod touch. We'll be anxious to try this one ASAP.

[Via Fingergaming]

Edge (the game) coming to the iPhone next week originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Edge (the game) coming to the iPhone next week originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Smudge introduces Post-It app for the iPhone

Smudge Apps releases Remind Me application for your iPhone and iPod Touch. Every time you unlock your iPhone, you'll find this note (that you can save as a wallpaper) is insanely useful. The app costs 99 cents in Apple's App Store. Remind me has six different backgrounds and eight different note ...

Mint.com: Personal finance manager for your iPhone

I know for sure, we can't stay far away from finance activity, right? But now we can "hire" a personal finance manager to handle such activity: Mint.com application, a new and free iPhone application. Seems this app is worth trying. This application lets you check balances, budgets, transactions, and investments anywhere. ...

New patent outlines multi-touch swipe gestures for iPhone keyboard

Wow. A new patent application for iPhone during Christmas holiday! The new patent called Swipe Gestures for Touch Screen Keyboards and creditted to Wayne Westerman. Seems it's very useful additions to the iPhone's on screen keyboard. But MacRumors says that Westerman multi-touch patent applications "always seem to be more ambitious ...