iDisk for iPhone hinted at via phantom tech note

Filed under: iPhone, MobileMe

We've been waiting and waiting for the official iDisk app for iPhone 3.0 devices -- since WWDC, in fact, when the capability for the Apple-branded file sharing solution was first announced. Now there are hints that the app may actually be on the way. Yesterday, the tech note above briefly appeared on Apple's technical support site before disappearing again into 404-land (full-size screenshot here).

Sure, the note doesn't say much about the functionality or options for the iDisk app... actually, it doesn't say anything at all besides the fact that deleting the as-yet-unreleased app would also delete the data associated with the app (and the note manages to use the wrong "its" in the process). Even so, the appearance of support content for the iDisk app does suggest that the app itself cannot be too far behind.

In the meantime, if you're looking for a handy way to access iDisk and other remote files from your phone, the $4.99 Readdle Docs app was recently enhanced to allow email forwarding of attachments directly to the company's storage solution. Check it out.

Thanks to Kevin for sending in the tip.

iDisk for iPhone hinted at via phantom tech note originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

iDisk for iPhone hinted at via phantom tech note originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next Generation iPod Touch to Have Built-in Microphone and Camera?

Wired.com claims that the next generation iPod Touch will contain both a video camera as well as a built-in microphone:

A well-connected source tells us those rumors are on the money, and that Apple’s factories in China are already ma...

First Look: Layers for iPhone, natural media painting app

Filed under: Multimedia, iPhone

The very talented Ben Gotow has just released a brand new iPhone app called Layers, his third now after Mathomatic and NetSketch (iTunes links). Layers, not to be confused with the innovative screen capture application on the Mac desktop, is a natural media painting app for the iPhone. Stating the obvious, it incorporates Photoshop-like layers, as well as a variety of brush and color selection options, panning, zooming and the ability to export your masterpieces as JPG or Photoshop PSD files (layers included).

I gave it a run-through and am extremely impressed with the implementation. I am no painter, a fact hinted at by my not posting any screenshots of my own work. However, I'm adept enough with digital art to recognize that this is a very intuitive interface. Manipulating layers is done in a side view with layer previews, allowing a tap-and-drag re-ordering and one-tap addition and subtraction of layers. I especially appreciate the 30 levels of undo history, making it simple to backtrack errant swipes. The application allows for sophisticated artistic expression beyond mere "finger painting," and, with a little practice, you can create some complex imagery. The layering functionality even allows for photo compositing, using multiple layers with photos and the eraser tool to remove portions of the top layers. This is more in line with my personal skill set, so I had some fun with this. Tight erasing can be a little tricky when you have big fingers which are hard to see around, but the undo functionality and some dedication make it perfectly feasible.

Continue reading First Look: Layers for iPhone, natural media painting app

First Look: Layers for iPhone, natural media painting app originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

First Look: Layers for iPhone, natural media painting app originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dev Team: Tips & Clarifications to Unlocking iPhone

Review: Ragdoll Blaster for iPhone

Don't be fooled by how hilarious this game is -- it's also a challenging physics-driven puzzler that's impressively entertaining.

iPhone astronomy app, SkyVoyager, free today

Filed under: Freeware, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch, App Review

Regular readers will know I'm hooked on astronomy programs, and we've reviewed quite a few in this International Year of Astronomy.

Today only, Carina Software, one of the premier publishers in the field, is giving away Mac, PC, and iPhone versions of their software for next to nothing. It's in honor of today's 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. On the iPhone, they are free, for the PC and Mac version, US$00.01.

I'll focus on the iPhone offerings, in particular the more advanced SkyVoyager [App Store link]. Carina is also offering SkyGazer for free, which is slightly less advanced and has fewer features. I'd go for SkyVoyager at these prices.

OK, what can you do with this software? Well, just about anything to help you under the stars or to plan a night of observing. The software picks up your location from the GPS, and of course the date and time. It will display more than 300,000 stars and 30,000 deep sky objects (clusters, nebula, galaxies). You can see the night sky from any location on earth, and on any date you choose, even going back or forward centuries.

The software also contains NASA images, and work from other astrophotographers. Amazingly, if you have a computer controlled telescope, like a Meade, Celestron, and some other less well known brands, SkyVoyager will soon be able to wirelessly connect to it and steer to objects you select on the iPhone. You can get a complete list of supported scopes here. Note: To make the connection to your scope you'll need a piece of hardware, the Sky-Fi connector, not available until late September. Go to this page for more info.

There are a lot of iPhone/iPod touch astronomy apps out there. SkyVoyager is full featured, and has very deep and complete data bases, especially considering it is running on a phone or iPod touch. It updates comet positions, along with asteroid and satellite orbital data. It requires a WiFi network for these downloads.

The only thing I'd like to see is the ability to use the iPhone tilt/tip sensors and compass to match your sky chart to where it is pointing in the sky. That works really well on Pocket Universe, which I reviewed recently.

SkyVoyager normally sells for $14.95, so free is pretty compelling. Remember, it's today only. My fellow amateur astronomer colleague Steve Sande is reviewing the desktop versions of this powerful software today as well, so be sure to check out his thoughts. They are selling for only a penny, so it's truly an 'astronomical' saving.

Check these screen shots to see SkyVoyager in action:

iPhone astronomy app, SkyVoyager, free today originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

iPhone astronomy app, SkyVoyager, free today originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Universal Studios to Launch iPhone Features for Blu-ray Discs

Universal Studios Home Entertainment today announced (via iLounge) that it will begin offering iPhone-enabled features on some of its future Blu-ray video releases. Universal's initial launch for the concept will take place with the release of a spe...

iPhone gets fast, furious with special Blu-ray features

The two-disc Blu-ray edition of "Fast & Furious" will be the first title from Universal Studios Home Entertainment to feature iPhone-compatible special features.

The Competition: RIM to Release BlackBerry Desktop Manager… for Mac?!

Via CrackBerry.com:

RIM has officially announced that BlackBerry Desktop Manager software for MAC will be available this September. THANK YOU RIM. You can visit blackberry.com/mac to sign up for updates and learn more or visit the Inside BlackBerry blog to see a few screen captures of it in action.

Yeah. Good luck with that. Any guesses how long that lasts before Apple releases a patch to disable BlackBerry sync?

(Kidding! Joking! Don’t panic, Kev! We’re happy for you — now you’re at least half-way towards restoring your childlike sense of wonder…)

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

The Competition: RIM to Release BlackBerry Desktop Manager… for Mac?!

iPhone Made Simple Give Away Winners and Discount Coupon Code!

Last Thursday TiPb helped offer up 5 free copies of iPhone 3G Made Simple by Martin Trautschold and Gary Mazo. We’ll announce the winners after the break, but for everyone else, Gary and Martin were kind enough to offer up a 15% off coupon valid through August 15, 2009.

Coupon Code: FB6DD9D4B8

To redeem the 15% off Coupon:
Go to the iPhone 3G Made Simple E-Book site
Click the “ELECTRONIC EDITION BUY BUTTON”
On the account setup page, copy/paste the coupon code into the “COUPON” field on the bottom.
Click “Continue” to see the discount on the next page.

Winners after the break!

• schartzr
• Matt74
• jlc1978
• reesrk8
• emily0605

Check your Private Messages!

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

iPhone Made Simple Give Away Winners and Discount Coupon Code!

Sizing up smartphone cameras

PC World's Dave Johnson has never cared for the built-in cameras of smartphones. But he took a second look at what the iPhone 3GS and the Palm Pre offer.

RIM to release BlackBerry Desktop Software for Mac in September

BlackBerry Desktop promises to give Mac users a first-party syncing software app for their BlackBerry devices.

Crazy Lawsuit Watch: Man Accuses Apple and iPod of Streaming Mafia Threats?

Apple Insider says:

A new lawsuit from a Beverly Hills, Calif., man alleges that Apple conspired with the Italian mafia to secretly track him, transmit threatening messages to his iPod, and insert the word “herpes” into the song “Still Tippin’” by Mike Jones.

We say: forgetaboutit.

Seriously, though, get the man some help, not a lawyer.

Sigh.

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

Crazy Lawsuit Watch: Man Accuses Apple and iPod of Streaming Mafia Threats?

Universal bringing BD-Live integration to the iPhone, irony to starving children

Although Apple still hasn't managed to achieve feature parity with any of its competitors by enabling Blu-ray playback in OS X, it looks like Universal's bringing the mountain to the Mac -- or at least the iPhone. At first, the upcoming special edition of Fast and Furious will feature integration with a special iPhone / iPod touch app that'll allow viewers to control 360-degree models of the cars in the "Virtual Car Garage," but later Universal releases will feature the ability to control movie playback, read annotations while watching your flick, and even download ancillary video content for later playback on the go. Sounds like pretty nifty stuff -- let's hope El Steve reconsiders his whole "bag of hurt" stance when he gets the demo.

[Via AppleInsider]

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds, Home Entertainment, Software

Universal bringing BD-Live integration to the iPhone, irony to starving children originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Orange and T-Mobile to offer iPhone 3G in UK?

With O2's exclusive UK contract with the iPhone 3G reportedly coming to an end soon, Apple's iPhone 3G could soon be available on T-Mobile and Orange.

Namco intros Pac-Man Remix for iPhone

Namco is readying the release of Pac-Man Remix for the iPhone and iPod touch, a new game based on the 30-year old arcade game.

JotNot for iPhone

This app, which tries to act like a pocket-sized digital copy machine, does a decent job of making scraps of information more legible and easier to store for future reference. But quality can vary widely.

From the Forums: Wallpapers & Ringtones, iPhone Switch, Cross Platform Chat

It is time for From the Forums, this is where TiPb selects some of the hottest topics on the forums and spotlights them right here. In order for you to reply to any of the following threads, you must be a registered member. Becoming a member is a painless process that will only take a few minutes of your time, so if you haven’t already, head on over and register now.

First up today, TiPb would like to introduce you to a new sub-forum, iPhone Wallpaper and Ringtones. Have some ringtones or wallpapers you would like to share with the community? This is the place to go. Just be sure to properly label your thread so other members have a better understanding of what you’ve posted. We’ve even hooked up a couple Official TiPb Wallpapers to get your started.

Next up we have a thread that was started by member Erika78, why did you switch to the iPhone? We all have our reasons for making the switch from another phone so drop by this thread and list a few of yours. If you have yet to make the switch from your BlackBerry to an iPhone, chances are you will any day now.

If you spend any time on our forums chances are that you like discussing all things related to technology. Apple, Palm, HTC, BlackBerry, etc… head to the Cross Platform and Other Gadget forum. Want to compare two devices? Perhaps just chat about a soon to be released phone? This is the forum to be to in.

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: Wallpapers & Ringtones, iPhone Switch, Cross Platform Chat

Microsoft Office 2008 Update Brings Speed Increases and New Features

Microsoft today announced that it will be releasing Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Service Pack 2 later today, a free update bringing speed enhancements and other new features to the application suite. The update is scheduled to launch at 10:00 AM Pa...

iPhone — 20% Profit Share of Mobile Industry?

The Wall Street Journal (via MacRumors) published a report stating that while Apple’s iPhone, and RIM’s BlackBerry make up only 3% of mobile phone sales last year, the gobbled up a huge 35% take of the profits. iPhone specifically was pegged at 1% of sales and 20% of profit. Boom! indeed.

Says Deutsche Bank analyst Brian Modoff:

The disparity will become even starker this year when the two will take 5% of the market in unit terms but 58% of total operating profits.

While feature phone maker Nokia can compete due to vast economies of scale, their profits have been declining, as have Sony Ericsson. Palm’s Pre is seen as something of a wildcard, depending on developer support and distribution reach.

For their part, Apple is set to announce Q3 results tomorrow, July 21, at 5pm ET. TiPb will provide our usual coverage of the conference call, especially as results pertain to the iPhone.

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

iPhone — 20% Profit Share of Mobile Industry?