Qik for iPhone 3GS now available, still not capable of live 3G streaming

So, there's good news and bad news. The good news is that Qik for iPhone 3GS is now available, and it's completely gratis to download. The bad news is that it probably won't do exactly what you want it to. You see, those on Symbian S60 have grown used to a Qik that can actually stream live video to the internet, whereas this app is currently just a "capture and upload" piece. Moreover, it only works via WiFi, so if you're not near a hotspot once your video is done, you'll have to wait until you wander back over to one before it automatically begins uploading. Though, you can let the app automatically inform viewers of where the video was taken (in case you feel like pampering guests who show up unannounced), and you can also frame the video horizontally or vertically. The Qik team assures us that an update is in the works to add 3G uploading, but for now, it's WiFi or bust. Which is kosher so long as it's free... we guess.

[Thanks, Jackie]

Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Video, Software

Qik for iPhone 3GS now available, still not capable of live 3G streaming originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Aug 2009 02:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone MMS: Apple and AT&T Sued, MMS Not Possible(?!), and When Does Summer End Anyway?

Apple and AT&T are being sued in Louisiana over the lack of MMS available for iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS users running iPhone 3.0 software. Now, it’s gotten to the point where TiPb doesn’t pay too much attention to Apple lawsuits anymore just because they’re so frequent we’d need to get the blog roomier pants, and while we’re not lawyers and can’t comment as to the merits of this case, it’s yet another (painful) reminder that AT&T has dropped the ball when it comes to MMS on the iPhone and especially when it comes to communicating what’s happening — and keeping updated — they’re long suffering user base.

Says TG Daily:

Apple, says the filings, has revealed that AT&T has never upgraded its towers so as to support MMS functionality. “The only excuse offered by AT&T and Apple is a mouseprint disclaimer on the website, in barely readable font, which reads ‘MMS Support from AT&T coming in late summer’”.

That’s the part where it kind of falls down for us, however. Now, I’m not on AT&T, but several of our readers are and as part of beta tests and carrier tests, some of them have indeed sent MMS messages on AT&T, and AT&T’s website seems to show it working for other phones, so… huh?

Is this once again an absurd claim distracting from the real issue — that summer grows later and later, and there’s still no word on iPhone MMS from AT&T? What are they waiting for, a Special Music Event?!

[Thanks to Gregg for the tip!]

AT&T Promised iPhone MMS by “Late Summer”. When is That Anyway?!(opinion)

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iPhone MMS: Apple and AT&T Sued, MMS Not Possible(?!), and When Does Summer End Anyway?

Apple Board of Directors to Meet Next Tuesday to Discuss Schmidt’s Replacement

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple's Board of Directors will meet next Tuesday to discuss possible replacements for Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who recently resigned due to increasing areas of competition between Apple and Google.<p class="quote...

Apple’s Planning Special Event on Sept 8th to Announce New iPod Touch?

Twuner for iPhone, iPod touch reads out Twitter posts

Krystronix has launched Twuner, a Twitter application for iPhone and iPod touch with a difference.

CourseSmart releases eTextbook reader for iPhone

Continue reading CourseSmart releases eTextbook reader for iPhone

Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio, Portable Video

CourseSmart releases eTextbook reader for iPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Camera Genius for iPhone updates and improves

Filed under: iPhone, App Store, App Review

Camera Genius [iTunes link] has updated its photo app to include zoom, compatibility with OS 3 and introduces a new user interface.

The app aims to be a kind of one-stop app and does give the user features not available in the built-in camera app. One of the nicest is a timer function. You can even set up the camera, and say 'cheese,' or anything else, to get a picture taken when you're not at the camera. Apple should have built this in but didn't.

Another nice plus are camera guides -- superimposed grid lines to help you frame and level your image. Other niceties include a review button to take a look at what you photographed, and a 'big button' that allows you to tap the screen anywhere to take a picture, and not have to find the small icon.

Camera Genius will also help you get a steady picture. If the feature is turned on, the app uses the motion sensor built into the iPhone to take the picture when the camera is steady. It's not a built-in stabilizer, but it will get you a better picture while it waits for your hand to stop shaking. Note: This feature is not of much use if your are trying to get a quick action shot.

There are a couple of things I don't like. The 'zoom' feature really just crops your photo. You are not zooming in, you are just enlarging your image, noise and all. I also noticed that if you are listening to your music collection on the iPhone and bring up Camera Genius, the music just stops. The developer told me he didn't know about that bug, and says it will get cleaned up quickly.

I also noticed that pictures you take through the app have no geotag data. That's going to be a big problem for a lot of users. Jeff McMorris at CodeGoo, which has produced the app, says geotag data should work in the next update.

I'd also like the settings screen to indicate which features are on and off, perhaps with a little check-mark or color cue. If you just look at the screen, you have no idea how things are set.

One of the things I really like in the app is the little camera manual that is built in. It's like a short, basic course on photography, with brief sections on things like lighting and composition. Serious photo hobbyists won't need it, but for people just getting started it is welcome information.

The app is on sale for US$0.99 which is a nice price for such a versatile addition to the iPhone. If the geotag issue is fixed, I think many people would see Camera Genius as a viable replacement for the built in camera app.

Here are some annotated pictures of Camera Genius in use:

Camera Genius for iPhone updates and improves originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Camera Genius for iPhone updates and improves originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A picture is worth a thousand words: See this Apple/iPhone profit chart

You remember the old saying: “A picture is worth a thousand words”? Well, here’s that axiom in action, folks. Compiling data from corporate reports and Bernstein estimates, iSmashphone produced this eye-popping chart showing how much profit the iPhone generates compared to the rest of the industry, and it speaks volumes about the state of the phone [...]

More Apple patent news: Mobile motion compensation technology to come?

A new patent application revealed this week suggests that Apple could be working on motion compensation features on highly mobile screens like the iPhone. Originally filed in February of 2008, the application describes various methods which might make handling a touchscreen device or viewing a mobile screen easier as the device moves about, whether on a [...]

Review: Kaloki Adventure for iPhone

This tycoon game set in space captures the roller coaster feeling of having your business go gangbusters the one minute and then court disaster the next. Good graphics, a jazzy soundtrack, and nice features add to the fun.

China Unicom buys 5 million iPhones

China Unicom intends to sell it first iPhones in September, and has purchased $1.46 billion worth of the devices from Apple, according to new reports. Citing local media’s claims this week, the International Business Times states that Apple sold 5 million iPhones to the company at a cost of 10 billion yuan. That means the custom [...]

Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile garner top customer care ratings

Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile USA ,and Alltel tied for the highest ranking in wireless customer care awarded today by J.D. Power and Associates.

TiPb Presents: iPhone Live! #23 - Schiller Time!

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• Download Directly
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Join Rene, James, and Chris for more iTablet, iPod touch, and iTunes 9 rumors, Apple VP Phil Schiller’s email spree, the latest competition from BlackBerry and Microsoft, and all the news. Listen in!

Featured Accessory

• Plantronics Voyager PRO Hardcore Bluetooth Headset

News

New Product Watch

• Apple Shoots Top Secret Commercial for New Product?
• Updated: Apple Going Social? More iTunes 9, “Social App”, and App Organization
• iTunes 9 to Add iPhone App Organizer, Blu-Ray?

App Store

• Apple VP Phil Schiller Responds to Ninjawords iPhone App Store Incident
• Apple VP Phil Schiller Emails Steven Frank, No E-Book Rejection Policy, Working to Improve App Store
• Google to Launch Google Voice on iPhone as WebApp
• iPhone 3GS-Specific Apps Start to Land in App Store

The Competition

• Zune HD to be Priced $100 Less than iPod touch?
• BlackBerry to Get iPhone-Class Web Browser… Next Summer
• Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.5 Caught on Video
• Sony, Warner, Universal and EMI to Launch iTunes “Cocktail” Album Competitor?

More News

• Would You Give Up Using Your iPhone in the Car for Increased Safety?
• Deposit Checks Via iPhone Photos
• Still No MMS on AT&T — But Would You Use it Anyway?
• Patent Watch: Apple Taking Stand Against Abused iPhones

Forums

• From the Forums: iPhone Jailbreak?, Yahoo vs Gmail, Tom Tom Car Kit, Wallpapers & Ringtones

Credits

Thanks to the the iPhone Blog Store for sponsoring the podcast, and to everyone who showed up for the live chat!

Our music comes from the following sources:

• I Called You — iPhone Remix by Pete Leidy
via Sneakmove iPhone Ringtone Challenge

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

TiPb Presents: iPhone Live! #23 - Schiller Time!

Offender locator app death apparently exaggerated

After it was removed last week for legal reasons, the iPhone application Offender Locator has returned to the App Store with appropriate modifications to make it acceptable. The new version of the software does not include California sex offender data, as it is illegal in the state for anyone to profit from the distribution of [...]

Third Generation iPod touch Pricing at 16GB/32GB/64GB for $199/$299/$399?

Will the third generation iPod touch, widely expected to be released at Apple’s next Music Event in September, weigh in at 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB, and be position at $199/$299/$399?

Whether Daring Fireball is making the logical assumption based on Apple’s previous behavior and iPod touch price points, or they’re privy to something a little more concrete, that’s what Gruber is saying in response to the Zune HD’s pricing of 16GB/32GB for $219/$289.

(Though currently the second gen 8GB iPhone touch is $229, not $199…?)

Since the iPod touch has two NAND Flash slots for the iPhone’s one, it typically gets double the upper-range of storage for the same year’s iPhone. Thus, the 32GB iPhone 3GS almost certainly means a 64GB iPod touch this September.

If accurate, then, there goes Microsoft’s purported pricing advantage, storage-wise. (If the iPod touch does indeed have built in camera and video capability, or other so-far-unleaked features, it could again be a case of Microsoft shipping a spectacular Zune, 1 or 2 years too late…)

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

Third Generation iPod touch Pricing at 16GB/32GB/64GB for $199/$299/$399?

No Apple Tablet Introduction at September Keynote Event?

The Loop reports that "very reliable sources" are claiming that Apple's much-anticipated tablet computer will not be introduced at Apple's keynote event reportedly scheduled for the week of September 7th. While some reports had claimed that the tabl...

ZGrip iPhone Jr. available August 15th

Filed under: Accessories, Hardware, Video, Odds and ends, iPhone

Dave Caolo tempted TUAW readers in early July with news about Zacuto's ZGrip iPhone Pro, a handy (no pun intended) articulated grip for taking steadier video with the iPhone 3GS. While the US$295 price tag was a bit out of the realm of possibility for all but well-heeled iPhone geeks, there was a tantalizing bit of news at the end of the post stating that a "low-cost consumer version" would soon be released.

That news was very accurate, as you'll be able to buy the US$69 ZGrip iPhone Jr. starting this Saturday, August 15th. While it doesn't offer all of the features of the Pro model such as the rotating grip head, it holds an iPhone 3GS securely in a set of fingers, has a handle grip to steady your hold on the device, features an accessory mount on top for a light, and even has a standard mount on the bottom of the handle for attaching your iPhone to a tripod. Check out the video in the 2nd half of the post for details and a look at an early production model of the ZGrip iPhone Jr.

If you pre-order the ZGrip iPhone Jr. before Saturday, you can take another US$10 off of the purchase price. If you're still not tempted to buy one, what's your favorite way of keeping your iPhone 3GS steady while you're shooting video? Leave a comment below.

Continue reading ZGrip iPhone Jr. available August 15th

ZGrip iPhone Jr. available August 15th originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

ZGrip iPhone Jr. available August 15th originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple Keynote Event Scheduled for Early September?

MediaMemo reports on claims from music industry sources that Apple is planning a keynote event for the week of September 7th.

Time to get the rumor mill kicked into high gear: Multiple music industry sources say Apple executives have ...

Apple Special Music/iPod/iTunes/(iTablet?) Event Taking Place Sept. 8?

MediaMemo reports that multiple music industry sources have been informed that Apple’s annual Special Music Event, typically involving iPod and iTunes, will take place the second week of September — and since Apple usually holds these events on Tuesdays, that would make September 8 the day to watch.

Widely expected to be seen at the event is Apple’s third generation iPod touch, rumored to be getting a camera like it’s big iPhone brother, and perhaps the same “S stands for Speed” performance chipset. Chatter has also spread about the iPod nano getting a camera, as well as iTunes 9 speculation involving app organizing, Blu-Ray support, and social network integration.

The two biggest mysteries will, of course, be whether or not Apple chooses to debut their near-deafeningly rumored iTablet at the event, or hold off for another event (annual MacBook event perhaps?) or next year, and whether or not a newly returned Steve Jobs takes once again to the keynote stage.

TiPb will, as always, provide ongoing coverage leading up to, during, and post event. (We can’t wait either!)

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

Apple Special Music/iPod/iTunes/(iTablet?) Event Taking Place Sept. 8?

Quick WebApp: YouTube Optimizes for iPhone

Looks like YouTube is following parent-company Google’s increasingly awesome mobile optimization initiative, announcing an iPhone-friendly version of the dominant media site. According to their official blog:

Just visit youtube.com from your mobile phone, and you’ll be taken to a new website specially designed for your device. You can log into your account, view your favorites, and discover and share new videos quickly and easily with whoever you choose. It’s part of our mission to create the best possible YouTube experience for you, whether you use the site on your computer, in your living room, or on the go.

Since Google’s own Android, as well as Palm’s Pre, use the same Mobile WebKit foundation as the iPhone, YouTube hits three advanced platforms with one code-base.

Nifty.

[Via PreCentral.net]

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

Quick WebApp: YouTube Optimizes for iPhone