Service lets users build own iPhone, RIM, Windows apps

The BuildAnApp online service helps novices create mobile applications for several platforms and submits them to the iPhone App Store.

App Store performing well in China despite hindrances

Filed under: Apple Corporate, Retail, Apple Financial, iPhone, App Store

Last August, China Unicom Ltd (CHU) announced a 3-year partnership to officially bring the iPhone to China. As predicted in July, the CHU's iPhone is sold with Wi-Fi disabled, in accordance with the Golden Shield Project. Additionally, 3GS hardware is still unavailable in China.

Despite these hindrances, handset and App Store sales have been doing well, AppleInsider reports. It's estimated that $1 million in legitimate app sales have been made this year, with a little over a month-and-a-half left in the quarter.

Black market phones are a huge problem in China, and it's been estimated nearly 2 million are in circulation, most of them jailbroken and running pirated apps. Apple hopes to sell 500,000 iPhones in China by the year's end.

Next year looks brighter: Wi-Fi regulations were relaxed back in May, and CHU hopes to have a Wi-Fi enabled model available soon.

[Via AppleInsider]

App Store performing well in China despite hindrances originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

App Store performing well in China despite hindrances originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iAssociate: Mind mapping fun

Filed under: Gaming, Software, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch, App Review

Last year, I was introduced to Funny Farm while working on a team project with my inlaws. I absolutely loved the idea of a puzzle that grew as you solved parts of it. The game works by associating words with their natural connections, e.g. "On the Farm" could inspire you to think of cow, chicken, and farmer (among other words). You then spin out those ideas to further connections. The chicken might be associated with rooster, hen, and egg, and so forth. So I was really excited to encounter iAssociate (iTunes link).

Developed by Fredrik Wahrman, iAssociate brings Funny Farm-style interaction to the iPhone. It's a really fun (and quite challenging) implementation with over a half dozen separate puzzles to work on, promising hours and hours of game play.

Each puzzle starts you out with a core idea. It's up to you to brainstorm ideas that fit around that idea, expanding each node into a wider set of associations. The word map is easy to scroll, and even though the iPhone display is quiterr small, you can interact with a virtually large puzzle.

The game play is slightly different from Funny Farm in that instead of entering text into a central guessing area, you type text directly into nodes. If there are five nodes with six letters each, enter your guess into the central node, matching against all connected nodes. (You do get partial credit for guessing the right starting letters but the wrong word.)

I have only one real beef with iAssociate, which Wahrman promises me is being addressed in the next release. And that is the text size, particularly for the instructions. As you can see in the following image, helper overlay text is tiny. Speaking as a member of the graying community with weak eyes and a growing obsession with high fiber foods, iAssociate proved to me that I really need to look into bifocals or reading glasses. The text was headache-inducing small.

Beyond that, iAssociate was a blast to play. I enjoyed stretching my neurons a little and it makes a very good game for collaborating with friends. I do wish that Wahrman had built in some kind of multi-player feature, so groups could work on the puzzle together rather than be limited to pass-and-play. Hopefully that will be added in the future.

iAssociate costs $1.99 on the App Store. You can download a free lite version as well, allowing you to try the game play before committing to buying the full product.

TUAW received a review promo code for this write-up.

iAssociate: Mind mapping fun originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

iAssociate: Mind mapping fun originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Family-friendly Zombies on the iPhone

Filed under: Gaming, Humor, iTS, Software, Odds and ends, iPhone, App Store, App Review

We have a lot of apps coming through our tipline, but this one caught my eye, not only because it is called Zombies (the stumbling undead always catch my eye), but because it offers up a bit of good old-fashioned fun in the form of a Daleks!-style remake.

Gameplay is simple and straighforward -- you run, turn-by-turn in eight directions, from zombies, who pursue you at the same speed, and though the game runs at any pace you want (perfect for gameplay on the iPhone, in my opinion, since most of the time I'm just looking for a few seconds to a couple minutes of easy-to-pick-up action), the dread is real. Just like actual zombies, these guys shamble their way toward you with a hunger that only brains can satisfy.

The game is on the App Store now [iTunes link]. I will say that it is a touch pricey at $2.99 (a simple arcade game like this seems made for the 99-cent price point, and it will probably end up there eventually), but who am I to begrudge the developers a couple of bucks? I don't need to drink that cup of Starbucks anyway. If you're in the mood for a simple, zombified twist on an old classic, this is it.

While you're at it, check out the Zombies preview video we shot at WWDC last July.

Family-friendly Zombies on the iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Family-friendly Zombies on the iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone cleared for sale by South Korean regulator

A South Korean regulatory body Wednesday gave Apple a business license that would allow it to launch the iPhone at any time.

Google-Branded Phone Coming Early Next Year? [Updated]

TechCrunch reports that Google is preparing to launch its own Android-based phone in the very near future, likely bringing yet another device designed to compete head-to-head with Apple's iPhone.

Most of our sources have unconfirmed i...

Google-Branded Phone Coming Early Next Year?

TechCrunch reports that Google is preparing to launch its own Android-based phone in the very near future, likely bringing yet another device designed to compete head-to-head with Apple's iPhone.

Most of our sources have unconfirmed i...

Review: 10 Pin Shuffle for iPhone

Gorgeous graphics make this mobile version of the sports bar classic a fun addition to your iPhone or iPod touch.

UPDATED: Google to Pull a Zune, Go Head-to-Head with iPhone in Software and Hardware Next Year?

UPDATE: Daring Fireball points out:

[This story] puts [TechCrunch's Michael] Arrington on the same side as the almost-always-full-of-sh*t Scott Moritz. On the other side: Andy Rubin, vice president of engineering for Android at Google, who just two weeks ago said Google would not “compete with its customers” and “We’re not making hardware. We’re enabling other people to build hardware.”

So either Mike Arrington is totally wrong or Andy Rubin is a liar.

Apple typically denies something, even decries it, until the moment they release it. Google’s not Apple, though…

ORIGINAL: Could Google be “pulling a Zune” and going from software provider to integrated device maker, ready to take on the iPhone with a pure, straight up Google gPhone? That the latest… retread of the old rumor, though TechCrunch is basically singing a castrati-high “nailed it!” at this point.

Rumors of a gPhone, or Google Phone, predated Android, but instead of following Apple, Palm, and RIM in the integrated hardware/software model, Google decided to go the Windows Mobile path, create Android OS (though with a liberal Apache license) and let other hardware makers do their thing.

Microsoft did similar a few years ago, competing against the iPod with PlaysForSure software for a variety of different music player manufacturers. Then they teamed up with Toshiba, killed PlaysForSure, and released the Microsoft-only Zune. Needless to say, their previous partners were not filled with happy joy (and how many PlaysForSure devices do you see today, oh bitter-named irony?)

There’s no indication, however, that if Google made a gPhone they would in any way kill Android for partners. Indeed, Nokia makes Symbian devices now that it controls (and is in the process of open sourcing) that OS, right alongside other manufacturers. But is it fair to be scared of Google now, having seen them decimate the competition in everything from search (anyone remember Alta Vista?) to turn-by-turn Navigation (remember those TomTom and Garmin stock charts, post Android 2.0 announcement?)

And is it even more fair when we consider that the tech community is realizing Android isn’t as open as they once hoped? Casey at Android Central sums it up:

Why would I buy a Motorola DROID or Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 if I can get an official Google Phone built from the ground up for Android? How will companies feel if the Google Phone launches with 3.0 but every other Android device is stuck at 2.0? Will they continue to make Android devices? Google would be leaving the companies that backed Android from the beginning in the dust. Simply put, the existence of a Google Phone automatically makes third-party Android phones second-tier devices because Google’s priority will shift to the Google Phone, all others second.

But back to the iPhone. One of Steve Jobs’ favorite quotes is from Alan Kay — “”People who are really serious about software should make their own hardware.” Google bringing a first-party gPhone to the table would likely be the strongest competition yet for the iPhone. As much as Google’s Android partners should be afraid, Apple should be more afraid. And they should — and no doubt are — working even harder on iPhone 2010 and the iPhone OS 4.0. And that’s great news for iPhone users.

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

UPDATED: Google to Pull a Zune, Go Head-to-Head with iPhone in Software and Hardware Next Year?

OnLive claims to run gaming service on iPhone

Filed under: Gaming, Hardware, Rumors, Software, Odds and ends, iPhone

OnLive is a company that has been claiming to do the seemingly impossible -- they plan to set up a sort of "cloud gaming" console, where instead of hardware in individual houses (like we have now; you buy a console for your home), they'll have hardware over the Internet, and stream your game to you like watching television. All of the processing and coding will be done on a remote server, but with signals flowing from your controller, it'll seem like you're just playing Xbox at home. It all works in theory, but in practice, Internet connections aren't solid or stable enough to send commands and full HD video back and forth without enough lag to make things unplayable.

Still, without actually releasing a product so far, OnLive claims they can do it, and now they're claiming to do it on the iPhone as well. AppleInsider reports that at a recent event in New York, OnLive showed off the same game service running on "2 iPhones, a tv, and a computer" simultaneously, with gamers on all the devices able to communicate and watch each others' gameplay. CEO Steve Perlman admits it's a "tech demo," but doesn't go into detail on what that means (it could simply be a demo running separately on the devices, to show what it would be like, or I've heard of OnLive events where the server is sitting in the room next door). And of course, there's no date or information on an actual release yet.

OnLive's service definitely sounds possible someday -- as Internet connections get faster and hardware gets even cheaper, it's not a stretch to think we'll eventually move the heavy processor lifting to another location, leaving much tinier consoles and PCs taking up space on our desks and TV stands at home. But so far all it seems they've got is an idea (and the money that excited financiers have put into the project). We'll have to believe it works when we see it.

OnLive claims to run gaming service on iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

OnLive claims to run gaming service on iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T Invested $65 Million in 850Mhz 3G Upgrades for San Francisco

AT&T announced it’s invested nearly $65 million in upgrading their 3G network in San Francisco through Q3 2009:

“More than ever before, customers look to wireless communications to stay in touch with family, friends and business colleagues,” said Terry Stenzel, AT&T vice president and general manager for Northern California/Reno. “The additional spectrum helps to enhance the 3G network so that our customers have the best experience when they make a call, check an e-mail, download a video or song, access applications or surf the Internet on their AT&T device.”

They also mentioned SF will get some HSPA 7.2 next year as well. (First towers to go up around Cupertino in an effort to keep the iPhone-makers happy? We joke.)

Given the last update in AT&T’s lawsuit against Verizon’s “map for that” commercials, where Verizon basically said AT&T had failed to invest in their network infrastructure, we’re wondering if we’ll see more press releases like this (or emails like this) in the near future?

[Thanks Gregg for the tip!]

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

AT&T Invested $65 Million in 850Mhz 3G Upgrades for San Francisco

2009 TiPb Store iPhone Accessory Holiday Gift Guide

The following Holiday Gift Guide is sponsored by the TiPb iPhone Accessory Store

What to get for that annoying iPhone owner who knows has everything? For that new iPhone user who’s just getting started? For that last minute drop in you never expected but suddenly have to render iSpeechless?

The TiPb iPhone Accessory store’s got you covered! We asked the iPhone staff for some of their favorite accessories of the year, and put them together into our 2009 Gift Guide — jammed packed with iPhone goodness just in time for the holidays, after the jump!

Rene’s Picks

• iSkin solo FX is just crazy cool. Semi-translucent soft, non-slip case that shows your iPhone (and Apple logo), and adds a screen protector that’s see-through from the front when the iPhone is on, but mirror-like from an angle or when the iPhone is off. Comes in green, purple, blue, red, and orange. Depending on your iPhone color (black or white) you can get some fantastic looking tones and textures.
• Plantronics Voyager PRO Bluetooth Headset is just so Galactica. I know I’ve said that before, and I’ve said that thanks to my grappling-ground ears, this is the only Bluetooth headset that’s I’ve used, that’s actually stayed in place, for more than a short time. It’s big, sure, but most of it is tucked behind your ear, and the boom mic provides for great sound, and — yup — a look straight out of Sci-Fi (or maybe SWAT).

Dieter’s Picks

• XGear Stylus is a hard case with a unique, ribbed design. No slip = win. It comes with mirror films and a microfiber cleaning cloth. Also red, white, and black.
• Motorola H17 Bluetooth Headset. I love it because it’s tiny, charges lightning quick, has great sound quality on the listening end because of Moto’s Crystal Talk Technology, has great sound quality on the sound end because of the dual-microphone design. Most of all, though, I love it because of the flip out boom that turns the headset OFF when I’m not using it.

Chad’s Picks

• Smartphone Experts SidePouch. If a side pouch is your thing (like it is me) you will like the style and value of the Smartphone Experts Side Pouch for the iPhone 3G and 3GS. Light and durable, this is a great addtion to your case collection; not to mention there is a color-combo to suit your liking!
• Blueant S1 Sun Visor Bluetooth Car Kit with Multipoint. If you have been in the market for a hands-free solution for your iPhone and car, this is it! I love this bluetooth speaker. It works great with the iPhone 3GS Voice Control and sounds great.

Chris’ Pick

Incipio SILICRYLIC Silicone Crystal Case has to be my favorite accessory. I have dropped the iPhone a few times, and the case has saved it. Well worth the money, and it looks pretty good as well.

James’ Picks

• mophie Juice Pack air. A few months ago, this was my Pick of the Week. It is still the case I use. Like most iPhone owners, I chew through the battery very quickly. With all of the apps, data, music and video available to me, I seem to always be needing a fresh charge. The Mophie Juice Pack Air is exactly the case I have needed. It does not add too much thickness or heaviness to my iPhone 3GS and holds a full charge when I need it. I have recommended it to family and friends and all who have purchased will echo my sentiments. A must buy for the heavy user!
• Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth Headset. I have tried many bluetooth headsets over the years and have found one nagging issue. No, it’s not sound quality. Rather, I have not found a headset that will stay in my ear without using an over-the-ear clip. The Platronics Discovery 925 is the first headset that I have tried taht will fit in my ear without any other assistance. Also, the sound quality is great and I have not had any complaints on my voice quality.

Jeremy’s Picks

• Marware C.E.O. Premiere has the classic horizontal holster case design that covers your iPhone in a textured, soft leather with quality stitching and an ultra-slim non-removable belt clip. The interior of the case is made up of microfiber cloth which is a welcomed addition that promises not to scratch your device while it is in use. Also it’s doubling as my Droid case.
• Blueant Q1 Voice Controlled Bluetooth Headset is an excellent, top quality headset that should not be passed up if you are in the market for a top of the line piece of technology. Buy it now!

Leanna’s Pick

iSkin Solo FX. For a case that’s both fashionable and of high quality, look no further than the iSkin Solo FX. I use this case regularly for it’s looks and protection. It has a snug fit yet doesn’t scratch my precious iPhone, feels great in my hand, and looks amazing! One of these days I will own all 4 colors

Matt’s Pick

Otterbox Defender is absolutely my favorite case, no doubt the best that I have come across! While this case is a bit more expensive than other iPhone cases, it is definitely worth it. The case nearly seals your iPhone within itself, leaving open only the necessary holes to allow speaker usage. I have put this case through quite a bit, from dropping it off the side of a cliff into sand, to spilling coke on it, to dropping it more than anyone should consider healthy for an iPhone and, still, it has defended it. If you have had issues with keeping an iPhone okay then this is probably the case for you.

Your Recommendations?

What did we miss? Any killer apps? Must-have accessories? What does your secret gift’er need to wrap up for you this year? What are you telling Papa Jobs you really want left under your iPhone? We only started this list; didn’t even check it twice! Drop some ideas in the comments, would ya? Make sure we get this right!

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

2009 TiPb Store iPhone Accessory Holiday Gift Guide

Close to 4,000 iPhones Stolen from Belgium Warehouse

Over the weekend in Belgium thieves made a clean getaway with close to 4,000 iPhones. The market value of that many iPhones, 2 million euros, or $3 million U.S.

The iPhone thieves cut a hole in the ceiling of a warehouse where the devices were being stored waiting to be delivered to Mobistar in time for holiday shopping season. According to Mobistar, local police have zero leads but think twice about landing one of these phones as a spokesperson from Mobistar is promising they will not work.

“We have the serial numbers of stolen iPhones blocked anyway so they can not be used,”"People who want to buy an iPhone, which is best done in an approved outlet and not on street or on the black market.”

In the end, crime does not pay folks…

[Via AppleInsider]

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

Close to 4,000 iPhones Stolen from Belgium Warehouse

More on the iPhone (and iPod touch) Development Advantage

Instapaper and Tumblr developer Marco Arment riffs on the NYT’s article on Palm webOS’ trouble wooing developers, and it’s predictably good stuff.

His major point is that with its huge install base (which topped 50 million iPhones and iPod touches months ago), it makes more financial sense to develop for Apple’s platform, rather than Google’s Android or Palm’s webOS which might have on 5% to 10% as many devices on the market.

Giving developers an app store is the easy part. The hard part is bringing us enough customers. The iPhone is so good that it built up a huge installed base without any third-party apps, but no Android or webOS devices can say that yet.

Arment points out that the iPod touch makes a huge difference as well, giving developers a similar device to work on without the need for an expensive cell phone contract. He also echoes Fake Steve’s comments on different hardware complicating development, though he thinks if Android popularity continues to grow, the platform might justify the investment one day.

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

More on the iPhone (and iPod touch) Development Advantage