Review: Postage for iPhone

This app, which lets you take the photos stored on your iPhone or iPod touch and create customized e-mail postcards out of them, is a joy to use. It doesn't merely work -- it works beautifully.

Don’t Call it “Squirting”! iPhone to get Social With App Sharing?

BusinessWeek has an article up on Apple and Google considering app-sharing tools and — hold on, let’s deconstruct:

People like apps. “Tell a friend” buttons or, you know, actually physically showing someone a great app is difficult and far too real-world-contract requiring. However, Apple has iPhone 3.0 on the way, and with it — someone thinks they could enable something that might somehow enable and incentivize app sharing. And Google is considering enabling the same type of “recommendations”. Maybe.

Okay. Rewind.

Apps make a lot of money. Apps could make more money if not just the store or developers were selling them, but if users could push them to (at?) each other as well. Sound familiar? To the 5 of you reading who once owned Zunes, it probably does. Welcome to the Social. Just please don’t use the term “squirt”.

The theory is this. I love me some Peggle. I use a variation on iPhone 3.0’s P2P (peer-to-peer) connection technology to “share” Peggle with Leanna and Chris, who will then gobble it up, have tons of fun, and curse me for their loss of sleep time, likely in that order.

It’s not a crazy idea, even if Microsoft was already on to it years ago. iPhone 3.0 will already let you invite friends to join in multiplayer games. That could, theoretically, be extended to offer purchases for the game if they don’t already have it. Likewise, the BT-range limit could be extended to WiFi network or even cell provider (Oh, hi, AT&T infrastructure!)

To further promote the recommendations/sharing, Apple could — again theoretically — offer referral fees if/when the recommended/shared app is eventually converted into a sale. (Of course, the App Store, even under 3.0, doesn’t offer demos, so that would likely need to change first).

It’s an interesting idea at re-intermediating software sales. Microsoft is already “squirting” among Zune users, which makes sense given their very different, subscription-focused model. But the question is, with Apple being Apple, is it something they would do? Is it something they should?

And don’t be squirting no fart apps in our general directions! (Sorry, had to be said!)

[Thanks to the Reptile for the tip!]

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

Don’t Call it “Squirting”! iPhone to get Social With App Sharing?

Slasher escapes approval limbo, returns to App Store

The iPhone app Slasher, removed from the App Store ten months ago, is now back with a vengeance.

T-Mobile G2 to come In July

T-Mobile says the Android-based successor to its G1 phone is slated for an early summer release.

iPhone OS 3.0 to Allow Users to Share and Recommend Apps?

BusinessWeek reports that Apple has included features in its upcoming iPhone OS 3.0 that would allow users to share apps with other iPhone users, although whether Apple decides to activate those features remains to be seen.

Apple's ne...

Wednesday Fun Videos: ZOMG! What Have They Done to Win a Palm Pre?!

Our all-grown up sibling site, PreCentral.net has just hit the mid-point in their debut device, mega-give away contest, What Would You Do for a Palm Pre? And the answers, at least thus far, have been as compelling as they’ve been — well, quite frankly disturbing.

From Pre-verts to Pre-jects to all around Pre-fects, (tip o’ the meme to CrackBerry Kevin), their awesome community showed up in full force — if not full faculty — video cameras in hand, and oh my but they’ve brought’n'd it!

• Tattoo Guy. Ouch. And… ouch!
• Gorilla at Law. That whole video is out of order!
• Death by Curry. Nom. Nom. Kapow!

And more to come! Keep an eye on PreCentral.net for the rest of the week, for the rest of the videos, and if you’re already lined up outside a Sprint store for this Saturday’s big Pre launch, do say hi to Dieter for us!

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

Wednesday Fun Videos: ZOMG! What Have They Done to Win a Palm Pre?!

3rd-gen iPhone parts go on sale in China

Parts purportedly for the next-generation iPhone have appeared for sale on a Chinese wholesale site.  Both screen bezels and LCD panels for the the third-gen iPhone are listed, with shipping expected to begin "within 5 to 12 working days".  As well as the listings, there are comparison shots with existing parts ...

Apple Back-to-School Promotion & New MacBook specs

Today, Apple launched it's annual Back-to-School promotion for U.S. educational customers. This year's sale, offers rebates on Apple's full line of iPods, up to $229 (depending on which iPod you choose...) In any case, a purchase of any new mac qualifies as long as its not a Mac Mini. Rebate ...

WWDC Banner Revealed: One Year Later, Light-Years Ahead

Adam Jackson (via MacRumors) caught the first shot of WWDC 2009’s first banner and it’s one near and dear to TiPb’s heart. Check out the hero shot above, and Adam’s Flickr page for more Moscone center goodness.

Obviously, the App Store, with 45,000+ apps and over 1 billion downloads, was the mobile success story of 2008 — if not one of the great software platform success stories of all time. That Apple is keeping it front and center might also just mean we ain’t seen nothing yet.

We won’t quibble about the date (App Store launched July 11, 2008 while WWDC 2009 launches June 8 with Phil Schiller at the helm), and we won’t bring up those still stupefying rejections — this time.

There’s less than a week to go, after all…

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

WWDC Banner Revealed: One Year Later, Light-Years Ahead

Pre-Review: Plantronics Voyager 855 A2DP Stereo Bluetooth Headset

With WWDC 2009 right around the corner, there is excitement in the air. The iPhone OS 3.0 software and a highly possible next generation iPhone are right around the corner. Now what does this have to with the Plantronics Voyager 855 Bluetooth Headset? The answer to that question is simple - A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile). Finally A2DP is coming to an iPhone near you… unless you still plan on keeping that first generation iPhone. (Sadly, for A2DP, you guys will need to upgrade to a current 3G model or the soon-to-be-announced next generation hardware.)

So, iPhone 3G owners, what better way to get a jump on things than by picking up the Plantronics Voyager 855 Bluetooth Headset?! It is available in TiPb’s sibling store WMExperts for a cool $69.95. After the break, a full review!

Design

The Voyager 855 consists of two pieces: a headset unit, which is where you will find all of your controls, and the detachable earpiece, which is what you will use to turn the 855 into a stereo headset - pretty crafty indeed.

The headset is sleek and stylish with its black coating with silver trimmed accents. The mic boom slides out to bring the microphone closer to your mouth. That not only makes it easier for the person with whom you are speaking to hear you, it’s also a way to answer and end calls - more on that a bit later.

Next up is it’s size. The Voyager tips the scales at mear .53 ounce (11 Grams) so it is surprisingly on the lighter side compared to other headsets available. It measures 2.25 inches by 0.5 inch by 0.6 inch. So again, not large by any means unless you have the boom extended. With the boom, look to add another inch or so to it’s length. To get a better grasp on it’s size below you will can see the Voyager next to the Jawbone 2 and Apple’s no longer available headset.

Now if you are looking to get in on the stereo bluetooth action you will need the separate stereo plug-in cable with earpiece. It looks just like a regular earbud attached to an ear loop. To get stereo bluetooth you simply need to attach the ear loop with earpiece to the main headset. The stereo setup is meant to be worn with the cable resting behind your neck.

Also included in the box: ear loop stabilizer (2 sizes), sound isolating ear buds, micro USB charger, lanyard, and carrying case.

Usability

I’ve been using the Voyager 855 for about a week now and I will admit the sound quality is pretty good compared to other headsets I have used in the past. While the headset is not as clear as — or does not boast noise cancelation like the Jawbone — it does contain AudioIQ, which is simply a fancy name for digital signal processing or DSP. Without noise cancelation, loud conditions did create a bit of background noise but people I spoke with did not have any problems hearing me or vice versa. So overall the AudioIQ does it’s job well. To make your voice heard even better you can also slide the boom down closer to your mouth. The boom can also be used to answer and end calls simply by sliding it out or in respectively.

The added bonus of the Voyager 855 is it’s ability to turn into a stereo bluetooth headset by simply adding the stereo plug-in cable. The sound quality for listening to music was pretty decent as well. I have no complaints in that department.

The big question I always have when it comes to bluetooth headset is how comfortable is it to wear and how is the battery life? This headset comes with three earbud pairs in different sizes, allowing you to pick and choose the most comfortable fit for you. You can wear the headset with or without the included earloop, on either your left or right ear. So with that said, you should not have any issues finding the right combination that will comfortably fit your needs. Battery life was excellent. Plantronics claims 7 hours of talk time, 6 hours of listening time, and 160 hours of standby time. I’ve put it through the ringer this week and have had to charge it two times within the week with a good amount of usage.

Conclusion

The Plantronics Voyager 855 Bluetooth Headset, which is available in the WMExperts store for $69.95 is a fantastic deal. Not only will you be able to take full advantage of the upcoming 3.0’s A2DP feature you get a very good overall bluetooth stereo headset.

Pros

• Low price for what you get
• Stereo Bluetooth
• Fits comfortably
• Great battery life

Cons

• No noise cancelation
• Micro USB charger

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

Pre-Review: Plantronics Voyager 855 A2DP Stereo Bluetooth Headset

Review: FitnessBuilder for iPhone

If you want to create a comprehensive exercise program with routines that you choose and like, and would like some intelligent and automated assistance in suggesting related workouts, then FitnessBuilder is well worth your consideration.

WWDC 2009 Banners: ‘One Year Later, Light-Years Ahead’

Adam Jackson has posted the first photos (flickr) from WWDC 2009. Apple has started putting up banners 6 days prior to the event. The theme of this year's WWDC appears centered around the App Store. The main banner in Moscone West reads:...