Review: White Noise and Ambiance 2.0 for iPhone

White Noise is a solid ambient noise application that gives you the power to manipulate the pitch and balance of the sounds you are hearing. Ambiance 2 is a radically overhauled sequel to a popular ambient noise app. Ben Boychuk gives both a listen.

iPhone stops making calls (bad sim card)

Ok, so you’re in Kansas City for a bachelor party and suddenly your iPhone stops sending or receiving calls.  It’s Friday night so you’ve only got a day to get it fixed because a certain entertainer (ahem) will be calling you on Saturday to confirm the location of the party.

Like any normal bloke you figure, not a problem, right?  You go through the usual rigmarole of resetting your phone, resetting your settings, removing your sim card, putting it back in, etc.  After a few hours of frustration you call your carrier and explain the problem.  They have you repeat the above and eventually instruct you to contact Apple.

If your carrier is AT&T, this may be a reasonable next step.  If, however, you’re one of those shameful people that’s unlocked your iPhone for, say, T-Mobile, then you’re starting to get concerned that tomorrow’s festivities are at risk.

Fortunately for you, one of us recently had this very thing happen to us.  Like you, we burned a significant number of hours trying to figure out just what was wrong with our iPhone.

After the above steps we scoured the web looking for a clue to our issue.  This netted us little luck and we were left to figure it out on our own.  Now that we’ve gone through this exercise we felt it important to post the solution here so future groomsmen (or bridesmaids) could avoid disaster.

Let’s show you what the iPhone looks like should you encounter this problem:

As you can see, the carrier isn’t appearing even though the phone is showing signal.  During our search for the answer to this problem we even had someone suggest that our phone had magically re-locked itself for T-Mobile.

After much trial and error we eventually had the idea to switch out the sim card.

Voila!  Problem solved.

Apple Now Selling Contract-Free iPhone in Retail Stores?

AppleInsider is reporting that Apple retail stores are now offering the iPhone 3G with no contract commitment required. The 8 GB model is priced at $599 and the $16 GB model is priced at $699. The move comes just as AT&T deploys a similar offer, wh...

Vodafone Portugal Launches Mobile TV App

Back in January, before iPhone 3.0 made MMS an impending feature for all (carrier depending!), Jose sent us word that Vodafone Portugal had launched their own iMMS app. Well, now Jose is back and so is Vodafone Portugal.. with Mobile TV:

an application to watch TV from the iPhone. The download is free but after that you have to pay a subscription. One day is 0,89€, one week is 1,97€ (first week free), one month is 7,44€ (first month free).

So is this another case of a carrier leading where Apple will one day soon follow? They have announced new live streaming capabilities in 3.0…

Screen shots after the break.

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

Vodafone Portugal Launches Mobile TV App

First Look: Convertbot

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

Last October, we posted about another iPhone app -- Weightbot -- written by Mark Jardine and Paul Haddad at Tapbots. Now the company has shipped their second app, an iPhone conversion calculator called Convertbot (iTunes link).

Like Weightbot, Convertbot is a classy-looking and extremely functional iPhone app. Every detail of the user interface shows obvious thought, resulting in an app that is easy to use and look at. As with Weightbot, Convertbot also features sound effects that provide an extra level of fun.

What can you convert with Convertbot? Temperature, time, volume, work, angles, area, currency, length, mass, power, pressure and speed. How do you do it? There's a rotating selector wheel on the Convertbot screen to choose the type of conversion (temperature, for example), and a button to select the units (degrees Fahrenheit, for instance). To enter the known unit, you tap the converter display to bring up a keypad for tapping in numbers. As you tap in the numbers, Convertbot is busily converting the units.

If you're an aspiring developer and want to see a well-designed app, or if you're an iPhone or iPod touch owner who just likes cool apps, check out this US$0.99 app. There are tons of conversion apps in the App Store, but Convertbot is just too nice to pass up.

See the gallery below for screenshots.

First Look: Convertbot originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

First Look: Convertbot originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone Coming Soon; Submitted to the App Store for Approval

3DeeShell autostereoscopic iPhone skin now available to order

Filed under: Cellphones, Misc. Gadgets

3DeeShell autostereoscopic iPhone skin now available to order originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SlingPlayer for iPhone submitted to app store

Filed under: Peripherals, Video, iPhone, App Store

It's something many iPhone owners have been waiting for since the iPhone first appeared 2 years ago. It was on again, off again, will they, won't they?

Well, it seems they did. Sling has announced that SlingPlayer for iPhone has been submitted to the app store for approval. The company had previously said the app would be submitted this quarter, and it's in just under the wire.

Sling already has versions for Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Symbian and Palm smart phones. No one can predict when, or if, Apple will approve the software, but there will be iPhone owners with pitchforks and torches outside Apple headquarters if the much sought-after app does not appear soon.

The Slingplayer is a multimedia system that allows people who have one to watch their TV or other video sources on a PC or laptop, from anywhere in the world. The mobile versions allow you to control your home TV from your handheld device, changing channels, even controlling a DVR. It's a tremendously popular system, and that will be enhanced when the iPhone version makes the scene.

Hopefully, AT&T is on board, and Apple realizes that the SlingPlayer will drive even more iPhone sales. Now stand back and watch the buzz build. Yay. Finally.

Thanks to Rob for the tip.

SlingPlayer for iPhone submitted to app store originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

SlingPlayer for iPhone submitted to app store originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

IbisMail take 2

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

This is my week to take a second look at some iPhone apps that were less than thrilling on their first appearance, but have been updated with fixes and enhancements. Earlier, I took a look at VoiceMail, and today I'm taking a fresh look at IbisMail, [App Store link] an email client for the iPhone and iPod touch that offers some features Apple does not. The app is U.S. $0.99.

Although the specs indicate that almost all mail protocols are supported, last time around I had no luck with a simple POP3 account, and a complete fail at working with MobileMe. I'm happy to say it now works with both types of mail, although setting up MobileMe mail is not automatic, and the defaults the program enters are not correct. You'll have to do it manually, copying the same information you use on the Apple Mail app. I tried a couple of other IMAP mail accounts, and they worked OK.

Users of the latest version are having no luck with Gmail, and some POP3 port selections don't work, while others do.

There are two big features IbisMail offers that Apple doesn't. First is the ability to create folders and rules for mail. Second, it works in landscape mode. Apple has addressed the landscape feature in OS 3.0 that will be out this summer. There is no evidence so far that Apple will add folders with rules in all email protocols.

One of the other downsides of this app, pointed out in my last review, is that it can't run in the background, which is a pretty important feature for a mail program. That's not the fault of the developer, but Apple. OS 3.0 has some workarounds for this issue, but they still don't plan to support true multitasking in 3rd party applications. If the developers stick to the new Apple SDK, you can probably get alerts to new mail when you are running other apps.

So in summary, some bugs are fixed, some still appear to be there. If you really wanted landscape view for email, I'd wait for Apple to update the iPhone in a couple of months. If you really need rules and folders, IbisMail is worth a look, taking into account the app may not work with your particular mail setup.

IbisMail take 2 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

IbisMail take 2 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Review: ComicZeal for iPhone

Comic book fans interested in taking their favorite books with them will enjoy ComicZeal, which lets you store and read your favorite titles on the iPhone or iPod touch.

TUAW First Look: Cha-Ching Touch

Filed under: Software, iPhone, iPod touch, First Look

Several years ago, I had a simple but wonderful checkbook app for my Palm. It was nothing more than money in and money out with some simple categorization (food, clothing, automotive, etc.). In other words, an electric alternative to a checkbook. Since I don't really write checks anymore, I no longer carry a register around. Plus, that old Palm is dead and gone (having accidentally spent one night in my rainy front yard), so I need an alternative.

We've reviewed mobile financial apps before, like Pennies and Mint. Cory and Mike got to play with those, but I was lucky enough to nab Cha-Ching Touch for review.

The Good

First things first. It's pretty. Every screen and icon is nice to look at and easy to navigate, even the Get Smart-style vault that requires a passcode at launch (note that this is off by default).

To get started, create an account. Choose either Checking, Savings, Credit, Online, Loan or Cash. Each is represented by a unique icon which is a nice little touch. From there, enter an account number and associated URL if applicable.

Continue reading TUAW First Look: Cha-Ching Touch

TUAW First Look: Cha-Ching Touch originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TUAW First Look: Cha-Ching Touch originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Skype for iPhone coming soon?

We're still filing this away in the rumor folder for now, but we'll be honest -- this is totally believable. GigaOM has it on authority that a bona fide Skype for iPhone client will be launched as early as next week, and with CTIA kicking off on April 1st, we'd say the timing is just about ideal. Of course, we've already seen a variety of alternatives for bringing Skype and other VoIP apps to Apple's darling, but by and large, they've been supremely unimpressive. There's no word on pricing (we're crossing our fingers for free) or any other tasty tidbits, but you can bet we'll be keeping an ear to the ground for more.

Filed under: Cellphones

Skype for iPhone coming soon? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Skype Could Release their iPhone App Next Week?

Man Steals iPhone. Man Takes Photo. Man Emails Photo. Man Gets Busted.

One of my favorite quotes from the West Wing went something like “no amount of law enforcement money or manpower can equal a criminal being stupid”. Today’s case in point, via the New York Post, a man mugged a woman for her iPhone, used it to take a picture of himself, used her email on her iPhone to send his picture to his own email account:

“I checked my e-mail and saw something in my outbox,” she wrote on the Japanese-language blog. “I knew I didn’t send anything. “I opened the attachment, and there he was with his black and red knitted [Spider-Man] hat. The same hat I described to the police officers.” She sent the photos off to cops who combed through mug shots and quickly zeroed in…

So there we have it. iPhone 1. Crime 0.

(And this is before Apple’s rumored iPhone 3.0 “Find My iPhone” Feature!)

(Thanks to msproductions for the tip!)

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

Man Steals iPhone. Man Takes Photo. Man Emails Photo. Man Gets Busted.

Apple announces WWDC 2009 dates; iPhone, Snow Leopard countdowns begin

Here we go: Apple's just announced that its Worldwide Developers Conference will take place June 8-12 in San Francisco. If you'll recall, last year's WWDC was where a little gadget called the iPhone 3G made its appearance, and we'd say chances are good we'll see new hardware this year as well -- especially since there'd be no bigger way for Steve Jobs to make his planned June return to the company. Also on the list of expected attendees? Snow Leopard, possibly with a revised interface. It should be a big one -- you know we'll be digging for all the info we can get in the leadup, so keep it locked.

Filed under: Cellphones, Desktops, Laptops

Apple announces WWDC 2009 dates; iPhone, Snow Leopard countdowns begin originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

iPhone 3.0: Mobile Safari Using Nitro Engine for Ultra-Fast Web Browsing?

We so fondly remember Palm’s Roger McNamee stating the Pre would be a million times faster on the web than the iPhone (now retracted), and even our sister-site PreCentral.net jumped on that band wagon, saying the Pre looked to be 4x faster than the iPhone.

Of course, we mentioned that on Sprint, lacking simultaneous voice and data, even a million times zero is still zero. Less flippantly, however, when Safari 4 Beta shipped for the desktop with its new ultra-fast Nitro (formerly SquirrelFish) rendering engine, we figured it would only be a matter of time before that scaled down to the iPhone’s version of Safari (based on the same WebKit foundations as desktop Safari, as is the Palm Pre browser and Android Chrome Lite).

Now Daring Fireball and Wayne Pan posit that turbo boost might have already happened in iPhone OS 3.0:

Wayne Pan has braved the NDA waters and published JavaScript benchmarks for iPhone OS 3.0, and they are impressive — with results ranging between 3× and 10× faster than iPhone OS 2.2. And I’ll confirm that MobileSafari on iPhone OS 3.0 passes my simple “could be Nitro” recursion depth test.

From what we’ve seen of 3.0, it seems that way to us as well. Along with HTML5, CSS, 2D and 3D animation, anti-phishing, AutoFill, etc., it will be interesting to see what Apple and the WebKit team can pull of by the time iPhone 3.0 launches this summer…

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

iPhone 3.0: Mobile Safari Using Nitro Engine for Ultra-Fast Web Browsing?

Skype for iPhone Coming Soon?

While it may not be the holy grail, it’s definitely one of the most prized treasures of thus-far undelivered iPhone apps: Skype. Well, GigaOM says maybe not for much longer:

A tipster — a very reliable one — tells me that Skype is almost ready to launch that iPhone version, perhaps as soon as next week. CTIA Wireless, a large mobile industry trade event, kicks off in Las Vegas next Wednesday, so perhaps the announcement will be made there. I am working on getting more details, as well as screenshots of the service.

Dieter will be live and in-person at CTIA, eyes peeled and iPhone at the ready, just in case. Meanwhile, we have to wonder what the carrier reaction will be. We know consumers want it, right?

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

Skype for iPhone Coming Soon?

Apple Announces Dates for WWDC 2009: June 8th-12th

Apple announced today that this year's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will take place from June 8th through 12th in the Moscone West convention center in San Francisco. Basic promotional information on what attendees can expect is pr...

WWDC 2009 Confirmed for June 8 - 12

Apple has (finally!) announced the date for it’s 2009 World Wide Developer Conference: June 8 -12.

Last year, Steve Jobs’ Keynote at WWDC gave us an update on iPhone 2.0, the introduction of MobileMe, and the unveiling of the iPhone 3G. What will they have for us this year? More iPhone 3.0 no doubt. iPhone gen 3 maybe? Snow Leopard? One more thing…?

As usual, WWDC will be held at the Moscone Center West in San Francisco, and will again consist of iPhone, Mac, and IT streams. Of the iPhone stream, Apple says:

iPhone OS is the world’s most advanced mobile operating system, offering you a revolutionary platform for designing innovative mobile applications. Learn every aspect of iPhone development — from the powerful tools and frameworks to enhancing your application with the unique features of iPhone OS.

So, who’s going to camp out for the keynote?

(Thanks to daveizzle for the tip!)

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

WWDC 2009 Confirmed for June 8 - 12

GDC: Playdom, Mobsters Coming to iPhone

Playdom, Myspace's #1 game developer, is bringing a mafia-style game to the iPhone that will let you play socially with your MySpace friends.