$800 can get you an never locked phone from Buy.com - worth it?

Buy.com seems to be buying iPhones from foreign countries where it hasn’t been locked down to a specific carrier, then selling them in the US for $800. Too much? That’s up to the market, we suppose. But with the new models coming out soon, that seems like a lot. The sales description says that these phones [...]

App Review: FCmobilelife Tasks by FranklinCovey for iPhone

Once upon a time, all of the basic features that we use a smartphone for were previously handled by the standard PDA, and before that, pen and paper. I used to carry the FranklinCovey planner system with me, where I faithfully checked off my task list as I completed them. FranklinCovey has done well to embrace the digital age, and now they have a Task app in Apple’s App Store - FCmobilelife can be found here for $5.99.

Given there seems to be as many task and to-do apps as there are fart apps, how well does FranklinCovey’s FCmobilelife Tasks hold up? Will it help you prioritize and get things done? Read on for a quick review!

Under The Hood

FCmobilelife uses the proven FranklinCovey methodology for creating tasks and prioritizing them in a way that will increase efficiency in getting things done. It takes advantage of the easy-to-use iPhone interface by delivering an attractive interface for managing your personal and business tasks.

Like the FranklinCovey paper version before it, FCmobilelife allows you to input a task and rank it using the ABC-123 system of prioritization, but this is just scratching the surface of it’s capability. You can also add notes to your tasks to really flesh them out and give them more detail, if needed. The app provides a means of tracking due dates of tasks, assigning categories, and create recurring tasks using the Complete-and-Forward feature.

The use of spoken tasks and managing attachments really beef up this app, and to make things easier, you can simply drag and drop a task to instantly reposition it for a higher or lower priority based on your changing priorities. The beauty of this app is that it’s as powerful or simple as you want it to be. If you want to simply create a to-do list each day and check them off as you go, then it’s easy as pie to set up your tasks. If, on the other hand, you want to add attachments (photos), voice record your task, add due dates and categorize your tasks, you have everything you need in this app to be a power user.

FCmobilelife is quite polished and easy to use, but there are a couple minor problems I have with this app. First, it can be a bit sluggish when changing to different views and, most notably, when scrolling through a list. The animated transitions are nice from screen to screen, but I’d like to see it happen with a bit more speed. Also, if you want a simple to-do app without the prioritization, this app is not the best for that kind of simplicity. It would be nice if there were either a 4th view for a bare-bones to-do list, or an option to disable the minimum two-step process of entering tasks when using the Master list view.

A Quick Run-Through

Before dropping down your $5.99 for this app, take a look at the demo video that FranklinCovey has put together on YouTube. It gives you a nice walk-through of this app so you can get a good sense of it’s capabilities.

To summarize the video, FCmobilelife has several views to choose from: Today, Plan, and Master views. The Today view gives you a look at current due tasks in order of priority - A (vital), B (important), and C (optional) tasks. Under each priority, the tasks are further prioritized by numbering 1, 2, 3 and so on. The Plan view presents a list of tasks also sorted by priority, but condenses your task list into an easier view for all your items. The Master list view are tasks that have not been designated a due date or priority. This view is great for entering tasks on the fly that you want to return to and prioritize later.

All past due items can be moved forward to the next day with the press of a button. If you wish to sort your tasks differently, then just press the “Sort” button at the top left and then drag items to a higher or lower priority, or even delete them. When creating a task, you can name it and assign a priority and due date. Spoken tasks are also great when you don’t have the means or time for entering text. Completed tasks are automatically archived for you by date, so you can always go back and view your accomplishments.

Conclusion

FCmobilelife is a great app for those looking for a fairly simple way of managing tasks or the power user who is steeped in FranklinCovey’s culture and methodology for prioritization. The interface is polished and the features are powerful. The need for a little more snappiness and the lack of a bare-bones task creation option is just enough to prevent me from awarding a 5-star rating, but I can definitely recommend 4 stars. Give the demo video a look - if you want a solid task manager, then $5.99 isn’t much to pay for a winner like FCmobilelife.

Pros

• Packed with features
• Simple, polished user interface
• Voice tasks
• Filtering mechanism and recurring tasks
• Photo attachments

Cons

• Sluggish list scrolling and transitions
• No “bare-bones” way to create simple to-do’s

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

App Review: FCmobilelife Tasks by FranklinCovey for iPhone

iPhone Charger by Scosche

The reCOIL iPhone charger from Scosche is out through numerous retailers. The handy gadget charges Apple iPods and iPhones when you're on the road. Available now direct from Scosche or at retailers the charger is priced at $29.99. The reCOIL plugs into your car's 12V power / accessory outlet to work ...

Nearly 1 billion iPhone apps downloaded!

Yeah, the countdown has just begun. Apple posted a Web page on counting down to the one billion iPhone app downloaded milestone. Apple themselves have sold 17 million iPhones last month. As of today, nearly one billion apps have been downloaded around the globe. So we just want to say thanks ...

Google releases Android 1.5 SDK preview

Google has released a preview version of the Software Development Kit for the first major update to its Android OS.

Capsuleer 2.0 for iPhone helps you track EVE Online status

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Multimedia, Developer, iPhone, App Store, App Review

Massively has a good look at an iPhone app that's a must-have for players of the space-based multiplayer EVE Online -- Capsuleer 2.0 isn't an actual client, but like the desktop app EVEMon, it allows you to monitor and track your EVE pilots from outside the game. It's also got skill queues built in (unlike other MMOs, EVE allows you to have your pilots level even while you're away from the game, so most of the strategy in leveling actually comes in choosing the next skill to work towards), a skill library, more pilot details, and even a mini-RSS feeder, incorporating a few popular blogs from around the EVE blogosphere.

The two developers of the app tell Massively that their biggest issues in developing the app didn't come from Apple's API, but rather from CCP's (the company behind EVE Online). Most of the things they can't do are built into the game itself. It makes sense that a certain amount of functionality can't leave the game client (or else people might never log into the game), but it's interesting that Apple's API offered almost no issues to them. The app is free in the App Store right now, and the devs aim to keep it that way, but just recently added ads to the mix from the game's official magazine to cover server costs and bandwidth.

Finally, they say they're excited about the possibilities with iPhone 3.0 -- notifications are mentioned, and of course it would be cool to get a popup reminder every time a pilot is about to hit a skill. They're also working on a way to provide stats about the ingame Faction Warfare. Sounds cool -- EVE Tracker is still another possibility if you want to follow your EVE progress on the iPhone, but it looks like Capsuleer adds even more innovation to the mix.

Capsuleer 2.0 for iPhone helps you track EVE Online status originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Capsuleer 2.0 for iPhone helps you track EVE Online status originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: Photo fx for iPhone

Whether you are a professional photographer or just like to snap the occasional photo to share with family and friends, Photo fx is a must have and definitely worth the low purchase price.

Quick WebApp: Gym Technik Gets Updated

We’ve covered the Gym Technik WebApp before, but now they’re back and fitter than ever. Our sibling site, CrackBerry.com has the long list of upgrades, or you can check out gymtechnik.com to sign up.

Now excuse us while we go do 100 sets of 3 min. burpee rounds. Yeah, that’s how we roll… In our dreams…

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

Quick WebApp: Gym Technik Gets Updated

From the Forums: Camera Flash? EDGE Only iPhone?, BlackBerry Storm, iTunes Gift Card, and Sync Time?

Lately the forums have been on fire and leading up to another iPhone release it is bound to be one wild ride. So now is a perfect time to get yourself registered and join in on the conversation.

Just yesterday Rene started a interesting thread, Are You Running Your iPhone 3G on EDGE and Why? While I understand why some of you may choose to EDGE over 3G, for me, I like to live dangerously, 3G or go home. How about you? Stop by and let Rene know what you think.

This next thread was started by Crackberry veteran forum moderator, Duvi. He simply wants to know, do you think the next iPhone will come with a flash for the camera? Feel free to speculate all you’d like on that one. I’m going with no, it will not have a flash.

Next up we have a thread that yours truly started, it’s simply about the latest iPhone rumors. Is there an EDGE only iPhone in the works? How about a CDMA version for China? And before all of you Verizon hopefuls start to get exited - no, a CDMA version from China would not work on the Verizon network. They use different frequencies. Thoughts?

Poor RIM, I can’t remember such a hyped phone that pretty much just flopped from the very beginning. Enter the BlackBerry Storm. It seems like the in thing to do these days is ditch your Storm for an iPhone 3G. Not a bad move in our opinion and we welcome forum member whsingleton to the good side!

You heard that the App Store is approaching 1 billion app downloads right? Well you could win a $10,000 iTunes gift card and Dizzy wants to know, what would you do with a $10,000 iTunes gift card?!

Our last thread for today comes to us from Ivoryplum. Ivoryplum wants to know what is the average sync time with iTunes? I honestly can’t complain with my syncing. How about you?

So there you have it folks, some really good threads for all of you to check out. Just remember to register first!

See you on the forums!

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

From the Forums: Camera Flash? EDGE Only iPhone?, BlackBerry Storm, iTunes Gift Card, and Sync Time?

iQuarterback 1.1 from former Ensemble Studios devs

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Software, Odds and ends, Developer, iPhone, App Store

The folks at FuzzyCube Software dropped us a note that their first game, iQuarterback, is in the App Store now, and it looks all right -- rather than actually quarterback a game, you mostly just try to hit passing targets. And while the game is pretty barebones right now (it's only 99 cents, and they're planning to add new modes to it in the next version), the most interesting thing about the game isn't what it is, but who's making it: the guys behind FuzzyCube are a few refugees from Ensemble Studios, the legendary developer of Age of Empires that got shut down by Microsoft on the eve of their recent Halo Wars release.

Now that's interesting -- a big time studio forced to close by their corporate overlords is finding new life in iPhone development (FuzzyCube isn't the only studio to come out of the Ensemble breakup -- Robot Entertainment, Bonfire Studios, and Windstorm Studios are all being started by ex-Ensemble employees right now, though FuzzyCube is the only group to have released a game so far). Lots of game developers are facing a crunch right now, and with the iPhone easy and cheap to develop for, we might see even more of these former larger game devs turn to the smaller screen.

iQuarterback 1.1 from former Ensemble Studios devs originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

iQuarterback 1.1 from former Ensemble Studios devs originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tapulous releases Tap Tap Revenge: Coldplay Edition

If you are a fan of Coldplay as well as Tap Tap Revenge game, this new iPhone game is defenitely for you. International best-selling recording artists Coldplay recently joined an iPhone game developer, Tapulous Inc, to release a new music-game called Tap Tap Revenge: Coldplay Edition. You can tap and shake ...

Lawsuit filed against Apple’s Touchscreen Technology

In the past month, lawsuits have been for explosions and eBook infringements. Now, Apple is being sued over the technology used for the touchscreen of iPhones. Chip design company Elan Microelectronics of Taiwan has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in San Fransisco. Through the claim, it has been listed ...

Turn-About is Fair Pay: Forrester Gives 4 Reasons Enterprise IT Should Support iPhone

Fortune has covered Forrester Research’s latest report “Making iPhone Work In The Enterprise: Early Lessons Learned”. Whiplash-much? After all, it does come on the heels of previous reports including “The iPhone Is Not Meant For Enterprises”, “The Top 10 Reasons Why We Recommend That IT Not Support It”, and “Harold and Kumar Don’t Want an iPhone at White Castle”. Okay, we made that last one up. Barely.

This time the people who were crafting link-bait before there were any links to bait have seemingly decided the best bang for their buck is to pull a 180 and, instead of trouncing the iPhone in enterprise, actually support it. Sure, Apple’s increasing development of the OS, including iPhone 2.x and the upcoming iPhone 3.0 could have something to do with it, but even in IT it’s generally more about the artist than the tools. So to speak.

What does Forrester claim makes the iPhone so suddenly worthy?

• Employees like them. “In this era of Technology Populism, where consumer IT is often better than enterprise IT, it sometimes just makes sense to give employees the freedom to choose the tools they want.”
• They make mobile collaboration easier. “As anybody with experience on both iPhones and BlackBerry will tell you, the Internet feels natural on an iPhone and a like a chore on a BlackBerry.”
• iPhone users need less hand-holding. “All three firms have set up wikis so that employees can support each other. ‘Our early adopters sometimes teach things we’d rather our iPhone users not know, but overall they provide better support than we can,’ said one person we interviewed.”
• They can be cheaper in the long run. “In at least one case, an iPhone adopter found that the data plans for previous mobile devices were more expensive than the consumer plans AT&T is offering for iPhones. This company was able to reset its baseline plan pricing 30% lower for all phones because it supported iPhone.”

For an actual iPhone endorsement, some remaining corporate gotchas, and 3.0 redemptioms, check out Fortune’s coverage or throw $749 at Forrester (if you didn’t just blow that cash on an unlocked iPhone…)

[Thanks to The Reptile for the tip!]

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

Turn-About is Fair Pay: Forrester Gives 4 Reasons Enterprise IT Should Support iPhone

‘America at Home’ comes to the iPhone

An iPhone application has been made, exactly matching the America at Home book by Rick Smolan.

Next Gen iPhone Components Shows 3.2mp Camera, Infineon Chip

Digitimes (via MacRumors) has put together a list of which supplier is providing what part — they think! — for Apple’s next generation iPhone, ever-increasingly assumed to be announced at WWDC in June. No huge surprises, with iPhone 2G and 3G stalwart Infineon continuing to make the baseband (guess a home-spun PA Semi chip isn’t entirely replacing them yet), and Samsung to provide the NAND Flash storage.

Those hyped about the rumors of a possible 5.0 megapixel camera on board, however, take note of the 3.2 spec noted above. No replacing those Canon 5D Mark II’s yet!

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

Next Gen iPhone Components Shows 3.2mp Camera, Infineon Chip

Are these the companies inside the next iPhone?

digg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/Are_these_the_companies_inside_the_next_iPhone'; With the Pre's launch date looming it's nearly time for Apple to launch its counter-attack, and today we have what appears to be further confirmation of component orders for the so-called iPhone 3.0. DigiTimes is claiming to have a nearly comprehensive rundown of component suppliers for Apple's next-gen hotness, again indicating Samsung will be providing the memory, but also saying that a CSR chip will continue to handle Bluetooth duties, a 3.2 megapixel OmniVision sensor will tackle image-capture duties, and going on to list over a dozen other suppliers you may or may not have heard of -- though sadly failing to identify a CPU maker. All these companies are supposedly ramping up to begin shipments in May for a mid-2009 release, with a target of 5 million units for launch. However, while many of these names line up with rumors we've heard already, with no sources named and none of these suppliers able to comment, you might want to hit up your local source of salt for a grain or two.

Filed under: Cellphones

Are these the companies inside the next iPhone? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 06:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next Generation iPhone Component Suppliers?

Digitimes publishes this list of component suppliers for the next generation iPhone that is rumored to arrive in mid 2009. The component list isn't particularly revealing except it reinforces the rumor that Apple will be using a 3.2 megapixe...

Review: Inquisitor for iPhone

Thanks to its fast search results, Inquisitor is a must-have if you want to look up information quickly with your iPhone or iPod touch.

Apple reveals top 20 free / paid iPhone apps, iFart Mobile only ranks 16th

To think, it's only been three months since we talked about Apple's iTunes store crossing the 500 million download threshold, and now it looks like the gang in Cupertino are gearing up to celebrate their 1 billionth app. To celebrate, the company's released two lists showcasing the top 20 free and paid iPhone apps, respectively. Presuming these are in order (they're certainly not alphabetical), that puts Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D for paid apps and Facebook for free apps. Interestingly, Crash shares with Super Monkey Ball the dubious honor of being the only two apps on the list at $5.99, the highest price here. Eight of the paid apps cost $0.99 apiece, and the rest fall somewhere in between. Check out both lists after the break.

[Via i4u]

Continue reading Apple reveals top 20 free / paid iPhone apps, iFart Mobile only ranks 16th

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Apple reveals top 20 free / paid iPhone apps, iFart Mobile only ranks 16th originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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