HP Introduces Updated Cross-Platform MediaSmart Home Servers

HP today introduced the MediaSmart EX490 and EX495 home servers, offering upgraded features and greater Mac compatibility for the company's line of cross-platform home servers that received significant praise at Macworld Expo earlier this year.<p cla...

Apple earnings (when factoring in the iPhone) could change pretty soon

Apple’s public accounting records could receive a significant boost, particularly in terms of iPhone profits, if a proposed rule change comes to pass. The Financial Accounting Standards Board sets accounting standards for U.S. public companies, a power designated to the private, not-for-profit group by the Securities and Exchange Commission. According to Fortune Brainstorm Tech, the FASB [...]

Apple causing flash memory shortage with their iPhones?

In a new report from DigiTimes, Taiwanese memory module makers said there have been a “serious shortage” of NAND flash chips, as companies provide more and more of their supply to Apple. Industry sources said memory providers will limit the supply of memory provided to companies other than the Cupertino, Calif., hardware maker. “Samsung Electronics has [...]

iPhone usage metric for Flickr drops big time

Filed under: Hardware, Multimedia, Software, Internet, Internet Tools, iPhone

We've posted before how popular the iPhone is as a camera on Flickr, with people uploading tons of photos, both shot by and straight from the iPhone. But now, The Next Web has covered a huge drop in photos referencing the iPhone over on the popular photo sharing site. The suspected culprit? Flickr themselves.

TNW suggests that the problem is the Flickr iPhone application, which will upload pictures straight to the service -- but not include metadata information like the fact that the pictures were taken with the iPhone. Still, even they sound a little skeptical: not all of that drop can be attributed to just the Flickr app's shortcomings. They also suggest that the iPhone is wearing out its welcome -- lots of people jumped to use it as a camera when the 3GS introduced a better lens and the video capability, and now in day-to-day use, they're not using it as much. Other commenters to the post suggest that the vastly improved Facebook app may be eating away at the use of the built-in Camera app.

I know that my photo habits for the phone haven't changed -- I use the iPhone quite a bit to take pictures, but looking at my own usage, I don't use Flickr nearly as much these days, as I use services like Twitpic and other sites built up directly around the iPhone. A drop in usage on Flickr doesn't mean people aren't using their iPhones to take snapshots -- they could just be sending their photos and media somewhere else.

iPhone usage metric for Flickr drops big time originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

iPhone usage metric for Flickr drops big time originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft Begins Shipping Office 2008 for Mac Business Edition

Microsoft today announced that it has begun shipping Office 2008 for Mac Business Edition, replacing the previous Standard Edition and Special Media Edition with a single package offering the complete Office suite with support for Microsoft Exchange ...

TiPb’s Top 5 iPhone Action Games

On tap for today’s TiPb Top 5, we thought we’d cater to all of our iPhone and iPod touch wielding readers who enjoy action games. Just like our TiPb’s top 5 must-have board games, all of these games are available in the App Store, this time under categories – games – action. And even better, all of them are very reasonably priced. For the full run down, follow us after the break!

DOOM Resurrection

This first game is based off of one of the first first person shooters (FPS) ever, DOOM. DOOM holds a place in the hearts of every hardcore FPS fan out there. With DOOM Resurrection, Id has raised the bar for all other developers to follow with their reincarnation of a classic action game. With a fresh story line, great visuals, and simple yet very effective control scheme this is one game you’ll want to take a look at.

• Advanced graphics engine designed from the ground up to take full advantage of the power found in Apples mobile devices
• Wield an arsenal of heavy-hitting weapons to defeat a variety of hideous monsters and bosses
• Innovative controls for fast-paced and accessible first-person action
• An all-new chapter of the DOOM saga that new players and long-time DOOM fans can enjoy

DOOM Ressurection is available for $6.99. [iTunes Link]

Wolfenstein RPG

This next game just so happens to have a lot in common with DOOM Resurrection – it too was created by Id and is based off of a classic first person shooter. Wolfenstein RPG is not your typical FPS or RPG for that matter, it is a perfect combination of both genres – FPS and RPG elements are blended in nicely with great controls and sharp graphics. And don’t forget, the chicken-kicking mini-games are here…

• Arsenal of 16 weapons including Spiked Brass Knuckles, a Submachine Gun, and Dynamite. Tap and swipe to punch, kick, and shoot. Use the accelerometer to take down the Axis Agents from a distance with a powerful sniper rifle.
• Fight your way through 9 levels and 8+ hours of Wolfenstein action!
• High-res graphics suspended in a 3D world immerse you in the mayhem.
• Face 32 enemies you’ll love to vanquish! Battle elite soldiers, zombies flaming skeletons, and other bizarre Id creations.

Wolfenstein RPG is available for $2.99. [iTunes Link]

Modern Combat: Sandstorm

Gameloft has really stepped up into one of the leading developers for the iPhone platform with 35 game titles. Their latest game, Modern Combat: Sandstorm, definitely does not disappoint. When I played Modern Combat: Sandstorm I immediately thought of the popular console franchise Call of Duty. And that alone speaks volumes.

• Use a wide range of authentic, advanced weapons (2 assault rifles, sniper rifle, RPG, shotgun, submachine gun, light machine gun, heavy machine gun mounted on a moving 4X4, explosive grenades, flashbang grenades, radiation detector) enriched with a leveling system that allows the player to progressively unlock weapons and use munitions from fallen foes
• Highly polished 3D graphics provide full immersion into the military experience and high intensity combat
• 10 missions featuring varied and highly polished Middle Eastern environments (city, hospital, sewers, port, lab, training camp, etc.)

Modern Combat: Sandstorm is available for $6.99 [iTunes Link]

Alive 4-Ever

For those of you who enjoy a good top-down survival shooter once in a while, Alive 4-Ever is a good pick for you. The object is simple – shoot and kill any zombie that gets in your way. Fight your way through 30 levels whether it’s slaying a certain amount of zombies or a simple rescue mission, the action never comes to a halt.

• 16 different types of weapons, which include AK-47, M16 etc. Players can also buy their favorite weapons with the gold they get after each mission. You would have to get the strongest weapon fast enough to save all the survivors!
• Alive 4-ever uses the Bluetooth function of OS 3.0 to connect you with your friends and families so that completing missions has never been easier!
• Alive 4-ever uses the best graphics with excellent battle, visual, sound and music effects that runs smoothly despite yours is an iPhone or iPod touch.
• Alive 4-ever provides 30 missions for players, which includes eliminating a given amount of zombies, rescuing survivors in a given time frame, getting vaccines, boss battles, etc.

Alive 4-Ever is available for $.99. [iTunes Link]

Resident Evil Degeneration

Capcom’s Resident Evil series has proven itself to be one of the most successful video game franchises of all time. Resident Evil Degeneration is a survival horror game based on the CG-animated movie of the same name. With that eerie Resident Evil feel along with great visuals and a slick control system you are bound to have an excellent survival horror experience.

• Use your in-game PDA to collect intel, manage inventory and access maps.
• “Laser targeting” allows the players to make aimed accurate shots.
• Backgrounds, character models and objects are all rendered in full 3D.
• Accelerometer features: Shake iPhone to “Shake of Zombie” melee attacks. Tilt back device to reload.

Resident Evil Degeneration is available for $6.99. [iTunes Link]

Conclusion

There you have it, TiPb’s Top 5 Must-Have iPhone action games. Did we miss any of your favorites? Overlook any killer action game? Drop us a comment and let us know your list!

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

TiPb’s Top 5 iPhone Action Games

MMS finally gets a launch date from AT&T

I have only wanted to send a MMS message a few times in recent memory and unfortunately, my iPhone wouldn't do it. I once complained to a friend who uses a Blackberry who scoffed that his device has been able to do MMS forever. AT&T has finally answered the MMS dreams ...

Apple’s Annual iPod Event - “It’s Only Rock And Roll”

Tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2009, Apple is holding their media event at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. The California-based company is expected to refresh their iPod lineup as they have done each year.  The most talked about new feature of the iPod is ...

AT&T rumored to get exclusive voicemail features for iPhone

Apple and AT&T are reportedly in talks to add some new and exclusive features for the iPhone. According to sources claiming to be in the know about the new features, they will arrive before the end of the year. Among the features is a new voicemail setting that will allow users ...

Flickr gets official app

Flickr is a photo sharing application that many shutterbugs use to allow access to photos that they have taken and want to share with friends and family. Flickr has lacked an official iPhone app until now. The official Flickr app is now available on the iPhone with access to the user ...

You’ve got questions, Aardvark Mobile has answers

Aardvark Mobile is the iPhone version of the Aardvark social networking service, in which you tap into networks of friends to find out the answers to questions.

Apple Hires Intel’s Top Lawyer – Chips, Patents, and Antitrust

Apple announced today that Bruce Sewell is joining their executive team as General Counsel & Senior Vice-President, reporting directly to CEO, Steve Jobs.

“We are thrilled to have Bruce join our executive team, and wish Dan a very happy retirement,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “With Bruce’s extensive experience in litigation, securities and intellectual property, we expect this to be a seamless transition.”

So looks like Apple’s chipset, patents and IP, and antitrust knowledge-base just got some formidable new muscle…

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

Apple Hires Intel’s Top Lawyer – Chips, Patents, and Antitrust

Microsoft Launches Zune HD

Microsoft today officially launched the Zune HD, the company's next-generation touchscreen media player designed to compete directly against Apple's iPod touch. Originally announced in May, the Zune HD is available in 16 GB ($219.99 in black...

Caption Contest: KanyeBerry Says… What?

Sorry. Had. To. Be. Memed. But as long as we’re being so predictable, we might as well make it a contest. A caption contest, of course. So let’s set the stage:

iPhone 3GS, blockbuster selling, uber-popular, satisfaction levels off the hook, has just won the smartphone of the year award, and is about to give its heartfelt speech, in front of proud Pappa Jobs, no less, when the boldest of Kanye West-inspired BlackBerrys storms the stage, speaker on full, auto-tune set, and just has to interrupt and say…

??

What? That’s where you come in. Head on over to our TiPb iPhone Forums and let us know. Be creative, be comedic, be original, and the caption we love best will get an iTunes gift certificate!

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

Caption Contest: KanyeBerry Says… What?

Review: Lion Pride for iPhone

Add Lion Pride to the ranks of excellent line-drawing games for the iPhone and iPod touch. This game, in which you keep a pride of hungry lions fed by drawing lines to their prey, features nice graphics, good sound, and plenty of fun.

Tuesday Disturbing Video: Mosspuppet Goes Auto-Tune (NSFW-L)

Repeat, the above video is disturbing and not safe for work due to language. If you choose to hit play, no complaining in the comments later. Some things you can just never un-watch!

Now, if you thought our brief foray into auto-tune was bad… Here’s Walt Mosspuppet with special guest Pogue’s-head-on-a-stick singing an ode to Steve Jobs and Apple’s 2009 music event. Quizzically, at no time does auto-tune sensation Kanye West rush in and demand Fake Steve get an ode as well, though that might be considered a mixed blessing at best…

[Via Fake Steve]

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

Tuesday Disturbing Video: Mosspuppet Goes Auto-Tune (NSFW-L)

Former Intel Executive Joins Apple as General Counsel and Senior Vice President

Apple today announced that Bruce Sewell, former general counsel and senior vice president at Intel, will join Apple in a similar role, holding titles of General Counsel and Senior Vice President, Legal and Government Affairs. Sewell, who takes the p...

Rumors Return: iTablet to Launch in February 2010

iTablet rumors, paused for a week to allow some Apple Music Event rumors, are returning full force with a fresh batch straight from Taiwanese suppliers, who say the device will launch in February 2010. According to Taiwan Economic News:

The tablet PC features a 9.6-inch screen, finger-touch function and built-in HSPDA (high speed download packet access) module, and adopts a P.A. SEMI processor chip and long lasting battery pack, selling for between US$799 and US$999.

Given that Apple has a fairly regular product calendar, with iPhone OS Beta in March, WWDC and iPhone release in June, iTunes and iPod in September, and Mac events scattered in-between when new designs are ready, and especially considering Macworld in January is no longer on Apple’s calendar, but we’ve all gotten used to giant product events at the beginning of the year… a February date makes some sense.

Not being locked to Macworld also means no firm date for the rumored release, so Apple can wait until the last minute and, venue availability not withstanding, hold it whenever the product is ready. Meaning, even if the February rumor is solid now, it’s a moving target.

As to the specs, sounds like the rumors we’ve heard to date, though HSPDA does conflict with previous Verizon rumors (which still runs EVDO rev-A). It would be nice to finally see those Apple-spun PA Semi systems on a chip, however…

Enough of our rumor ruminations, what do you think? Sound plausible?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

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

Rumors Return: iTablet to Launch in February 2010

Apple Retail Stores to Get Full Time iPhone Experts & Activation Areas

According to Macrumors we may just start seeing iPhone dedicated activation areas as well as designated iPhone staff in our local Apple retail stores starting today.

These new staff members, rumored to be called “iPhone Experts”, will obviously be there to help streamline the sales of iPhones along with providing a dedicated “expert” that can accommodate all of your iPhone needs. The whole concept behind this new layout sounds ideal for those of you who are first time Apple shoppers.

So if you happen to pass by your local Apple store within the next few days, stop in and say hello to your very own “iPhone Expert”.

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

Apple Retail Stores to Get Full Time iPhone Experts & Activation Areas

HP iStream App Streams Media from MediaSmart Home Servers to iPhone and iPod touch

The HP MediaSmart Server iStream app [Free - iTunes link] allows iPhone and iPod touch users to stream media from an EX485 or EX487 HP MediaSmart Home Server.

Supported media includes photos, music, and video (though HP says DRM’d video might not stream properly). Part of a much more impressive server package, Engadget has the details:

Dual Core processor, 2GB of RAM and up to four 2TB drives [...] The new EX490 and EX495 can handle up to 7TB of internal storage and up to 17TB pairing up internal drives with external hanger-ons. More interesting, however, are the new software capabilities built on top of Windows Home Server. Mac users now get admin features, media collection and bare metal recovery over Time Machine, and the servers have a built-in video converter for collecting and converting videos for a specific device.

They function as iTunes servers, with the Celeron bound EX490 starting at $549 for 1TB, the dual-core EX495 starting at $699 for 1.5TB.

By contrast, while Apple’s own Time Capsule has been rumored to be getting iPhone streaming functionality, nothing has thus far appeared.

If you try out HP’s streaming app, let us know how it works for you!

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

HP iStream App Streams Media from MediaSmart Home Servers to iPhone and iPod touch