iVerse Comic Reader for iPhone

iVerse's Comic Reader and "Star Trek: Countdown" make for a great iPhone comic experience straight from geek heaven.

Apple stores selling iPhone 3G without a contract

Apple retail stores just started selling unrestricted quantities of the iPhone 3G, following AT&T's plans to sell one phone per customer at full price. It's part of Apple's new policy since the company is working to sell off remaining inventory to prepare for the upcoming launch of the new 2009 ...

Does the iPhone belong in corporate networks?

The VoiceCon Orlando conference featured a discussion on the use of the iPhone in corporate settings. Network World reports on what was said.

VeriSign app turns iPhone into security device

A new application from VeriSign lets you turn your iPhone into a multi-factor authentication device to offer better security in your online transactions

Review: PhotoSwap for iPhone

PhotoSwap is a fun—and free—way to get a glimpse into the life of a stranger, though this photo-sharing social networking tool does have a few frustrating flaws.

More Evidence of Upcoming Xserve Refresh?

AppleInsider follows up on yesterday's report regarding an update to Apple's Xserve offering with additional evidence for the new model. According to the report, a user has discovered text strings in the latest Mac OS X 10.5.7 beta identifying an un...

Review: Smartphone Experts Book Case for iPhone 3G

The Smartphone Experts (SPE) Book Case for iPhone 3G is available from The iPhone Blog Store for $29.95. If you are looking for a case that folds closed and can store the basics such as a license and credit card, then this case might be for you. Let’s see how it measures up after the break!

Design

The SPE Book Case for iPhone 3G allows you to carry your iPhone in a convenient flip-open design that not only is practical but also protects your iPhone. The bottom of the case unsnaps exposing the 30-pin connector. This allows you to plug in a cable for syncing/charging, or you can place the iPhone 3G on its charging dock. If you like variety, this case also comes in variety of colors from red and black to beige.

Daily Use

The first thing you need to know is that this is not a “pocketable” case. It is meant to be carried or placed in a purse. Though technically you could place this in your jeans pocket, the size is prohibitive. Having said this, for a case if this type, it is really quite good!

I typically keep my case/iPhone in my pocket when I am not using it. Needless to say, it took some adjustment not keeping it in my pocket. I was able to carry the bare essentials in the case; my license and credit card (I am not a cash type of guy, so that part was not a big deal). This was somewhat liberating since I then did not have to carry all of my wallet possessions with me; I could take only what I need.

The case is sturdy and the leather feels good. The inside of the case where the iPhone lives is not leather, but a soft felt. The buttons at the bottom were very easy to remove but where not so tough as to think I would break them and the iPhone was definitely secure inside of the case.

There are openings around the case to access headphone jack, sleep button and camera. I found with the case that I was using these fields were well placed, but I would have issues with the camera; the hole opening was just a little off. Not a huge deal to resolve, I just nudged the iPhone a little and it would no longer be obscured. My bet is that this is not an issue with every case, just mine. The volume controls are not accessible since they are obscured by the flip-open cover; I did not find this to be horrible troublesome.

Conclusion

Overall, I had not real issues with this case other then having to use it outside of my comfort zone. I think there is a specific target market that will find this case useful, especially due to the excellent protection and sleeves for cards. However, if you are a big gamer, I think you will find that the flip-open design is not the best to allow maximum game playability.

Pros:

• Nice leather finish
• Protects the the iPhone front and back
• Convenient flip-open storage of credit cards or license
• Multiple colors are available

Cons:

• Not very pocketable
• Some leather cut outs are not aligned flush with the iPhone 3G
• Can get in the way of playing games

TiPb’s Rating:

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

Review: Smartphone Experts Book Case for iPhone 3G

Turn your iPod Touch into an iPhone with iClamp

Spotted on the IWOOT website iClamp can turn your iPod Touch into an iPhone. Available today only at a cost of £43.47 plus delivery. Features Clamp with integrated conversion software to turn your iPod Touch into an iPhone. 5 mega pixel camera. Comes with OS3.0. Compatible with all mobile networks. Suitable for ages 12 years+. Suitable for iPod Touch Generation 1 and [...]

Starmap up for Arthur Clarke award

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Software, Odds and ends, Apple, iPhone

We've posted about Starmap before -- it's a full-featured map of the sky on your iPhone that will let you find stars, constellations, and "deep sky" objects in the blanket overhead. Despite a few glitches and slowdowns, the app is pretty popular, and now it could be the only iPhone app nominated for a Sir Arthur Clarke Award. The yearly awards ceremony recognizes notable contributions to space exploration, and this year's list of nominees includes Frederic Descamps, creator of Starmap, for Best Individual Achievement. He's got some rough competition: Richard Garriott, creator of videogames like Ultima Online and Tabula Rasa, is also in that category, presumably for his recent trip into space. But Garriott's in quite a few other categories, so the iPhone developer has at least a fighting chance.

But we're sure that, as the creator of an iPhone app, it's an honor just to be nominated. It's doubtful this is the last non-software award something released for the iPhone will be winning.

Thanks, Howard B!

Starmap up for Arthur Clarke award originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Starmap up for Arthur Clarke award originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report apparently confirms two distinct iPhone models nearing production

A little-known equity research firm is out with a new report this week which could potentially shed some light on recent discoveries in Apple’s iPhone 3.0 beta software that suggest two architecturally unique iPhones may be in the cards for late this spring. “Our checks confirm that two versions of iPhones will be introduced this year,” [...]

iPhone 3.0 Beta 2 released; fixes some features and improves speed

The second iPhone 3.0 Beta is now available, and developers can go download it immediately from Apple’s iPhone dev page. Good news for all iPhone users. A developer reader on another blog reports that it does feel much snappier, especially in the scrolling area. He also says that there’s a new Store area in the Settings, [...]

First Look: Daylite Touch

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

Marketcircle has made a name for themselves with their Daylite Productivity Suite, which is a powerful customer management, calendaring, and project management tool. On Tuesday, Marketcircle announced the availability of Daylite Touch, an iPhone / iPod touch companion to Daylite, in the App Store (click opens iTunes).

TUAW is currently working on a full review of the latest releases of Daylite, the new Daylite Server, and Daylite Touch, so this is just a cursory overview of the iPhone app. From what we've seen during the last few weeks of use, the app is a worthy companion to Daylite and offers much of the powerful capabilities of the desktop package in a handheld format.

Perhaps the most impressive tool in Daylite Touch is its ability to sync to a remote Daylite Server. Daylite Server is required if someone wishes to use both Daylite on the Mac and the iPhone, and it has just been shipped with the new Daylite 3.9. The sync capability includes a remote wipe function, important for organizations that have deployed groups of iPhones loaded with Daylite Touch and syncing to company-proprietary information.

Daylite Touch is free for download, but requires that a $49.99 annual license be installed on the server. While this may seem a bit expensive, it's an absolute bargain for any person or organization that wants the power of Daylite in their pocket or purse. Stay tuned for our upcoming full review of Daylite 3.9, Daylite Server, and Daylite Touch.

First Look: Daylite Touch originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

First Look: Daylite Touch originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Take 3d pix on your iPhone

Filed under: iPhone, App Store

I admit it. I am a sucker for 3D. I loved 3D movies as a kid (and still do). I had 3D comic books, and a View-Master to look at 3D pictures of exotic locations far from my Midwest home.

Now, my iPhone can create pretty impressive 3D images, with just a few clicks. [App Store link] is U.S. $1.99 and easily earns a permanent place in my collection of useful apps. Unlike the 3D cameras of old, your iPhone only has one lens, so you get depth by taking a picture, moving about 2 inches to the right, and take another. The software guides you through taking the two images, and allows you to discard one or both of the pairs if you're not happy with them. TwinShot3D then creates an overlay of the two images, instructing you to drag one of the images so that part of the image in the background lines up. Then press the '3D' button, and you get an anaglyph image that can be viewed with standard red/blue 3d glasses. You probably have a few pair sitting around, and if not you are provided a link to get a free set, or you can buy as many as you need.

When you are done the pictures are saved to your camera roll, where they can be viewed right on your iPhone, or exported. You can even print them on a color printer, and get a photo that will work fine with the anaglyph glasses.

In my experience, the software worked quite well, and I was able to produce several images that had nice depth. You can experiment with the distance between the two images. More distance gives you an exaggerated 3D effect. Too much, and the illusion falls apart and the images can't be converged by the brain.

Version 1.0 of the software was reported to be pretty buggy, but the current version 1.01 is nice and solid. I had no surprises, freezes, or shut downs. If you are as hooked on all things 3D as I am, TwinShot3D is a lot of fun for the money.

Here's a link to view some 3D images taken with the camera. You'll need 3D glasses to view them, of course. Below is a gallery of some of my test images.

Take 3d pix on your iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Take 3d pix on your iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone 3.0 Beta 2: 11 Home Pages, 180 Apps

TheLoopBlog has posted, MacRumors confirmed, and we’ve been able to verify as well that as of yesterday’s iPhone 3.0 Beta 2, Apple has enabled 11 Home Screen pages for app storage, up from the previous 9. This raises the total number of apps available on the iPhone at once to 180 (up from 148).

So, is this an improvement in that we get more overall pages of apps for storage, or is this just more wear and tear on our already exhausted swiping fingers? Is more better, thanks Apple very much! Will Spotlight be the new swipe anyway? Or do they have to start considering different ways of letting us organize our apps as well?

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

iPhone 3.0 Beta 2: 11 Home Pages, 180 Apps

Apple likely to show off new iPhone June 8

Apple will probably introduce its next iPhone (as well as the final version of its iPhone 3.0 software) on June 8 --the first day of Apple's 2009 Worldwide Developers Conference, The Business Insider reports. More important: Will Apple CEO Steve Jobs present -- or at least make an appearance -- at ...

China Unicom to sell iPhone on May 17

It was just two days ago the iPhone 3G was spotted on the China Unicom website, now it seems they would come with an available status and a price tag soon. TMC News reports, China Unicom has confirmed that they would start to sell iPhone in China on May 17. Wan ...

Mazda RX-8 controlled with iPod touch, Batman said to be jealous but coping

We've seen some interesting ways people have tried to meld iPhone with car, but this one might top them all. Meet Jon's Mazda RX-8, controllable from anywhere in the world using an iPod touch over WiFi. As demonstrated on video, his custom web app can be used to lock and unlock the doors, start and stop the engine, and open the truck. A telemetry window provides data such as fuel level, battery voltage, RPM, speed, and temperatures. It's even got a GPS so you can track the car's wherabouts with Google Maps. All of this is accomplished with computer hidden in the trunk, hooked up to the on-board diagnostics, and equipped with a 3G modem to stay constantly connected to the interwebs. There's no indication on whether he plans to take the mod further, but if so, we can only hope it involves some well-placed cameras and a tilt-controlled steering mechanism. We pity the foolish thief who tries to steal this "haunted" ride. Check out the video demonstration after the break.

[Via Hacked Gadgets]

Continue reading Mazda RX-8 controlled with iPod touch, Batman said to be jealous but coping

Filed under: Transportation

Mazda RX-8 controlled with iPod touch, Batman said to be jealous but coping originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 03:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: Organizer for iPhone