Apple Announces Black Friday 2009 Sale

As expected, Apple has announced that they will be holding a one day shopping event on Friday, November 27th. In the U.S., the day after Thanksgiving is called "Black Friday", which is historically one of the busiest shopping days of the yea...

The end of exclusivity leading to big iPhone sales in Europe

Go figure, right? You get a relatively hot phone out onto more carriers, and just like that, sales increase. It ain't rocket science, buster. As AT&T grins happily while enjoying a death grip on Apple's cash cow here in the States, things are a lot more wide open for consumers across the pond. In both France and the UK, the iPhone has been given the all-clear to be sold on multiple carriers, and according to research from Bernstein, the "widening of the distribution has boosted Apple's value market share to 32 percent in the latest quarter from 21 percent just three months earlier." The notes also mention that Apple's increase is coming at the expense of RIM, with over 600,000 iPhone handsets being sold during Q3 2009 in France alone. The point to all this madness? Oh, not much -- just to tell Sir Jobs that he can count on quite a bit more dough should he decide to sell this elusive "iPhone" device on Verizon in the US of A.

The end of exclusivity leading to big iPhone sales in Europe originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The cow says mooooo! Zoowawa, an app for toddlers and their parents

Filed under: iPhone, iPod touch, App Review

Zoowawa [US$0.99, iTunes Link] is a cute app targeted for toddlers between the ages of two and three. Your child is presented with a split screen displaying two animals. Tapping on one of the animals plays the sound that the animal makes.

Each half of the screen can be swiped individually to reveal 14 animal pictures per half, or 24 animal pictures in all. The pictures are brightly colored and the app has a very clean look to it. Zoowawa runs on any iPhone or iPod touch using OS 3.1.2 or better.

My daughter is finishing a masters in education and has familiarity with very small children, so I asked her about the appropriateness of this app. My first impression was that along with the sound, the printed name of the animal should be shown. My daughter told me that for most kids in the targeted age range, adding the text would be too complex since reading often doesn't start until a child is three years old or older.

She did have few problems with the size of the pictures, saying that they may not hold a child's interest for very long. Kids like big things and dividing the screen to make each animal half of the screen size was probably not the best idea. Even at full size, a picture may not attract the attention of a toddler for too long.

I also had a bit of a problem with the quality of the animal sounds. Most are not digitized animal sounds, but rather a recording of someone making the sound with his voice. Since for many kids this app might be their first introduction to animals, I think that sound accuracy should be important.

Continue reading The cow says mooooo! Zoowawa, an app for toddlers and their parents

The cow says mooooo! Zoowawa, an app for toddlers and their parents originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The cow says mooooo! Zoowawa, an app for toddlers and their parents originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original Monopoly now available from EA for the iPhone / iPod touch

Filed under: Gaming, Software, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch, First Look

If an angry, perspiring Steve Ballmer took over control of my iPhone and said I could only have one third-party app on it, I know which app I'd keep. EA's Monopoly Here and Now: The World Edition [US$4.99, iTunes Link] has been my favorite game on the iPhone since it first appeared. Just how much am I addicted to this game? I've played 272 games against three other AI players. At about 45 minutes per game, that's almost nine days of my life that I've spent enjoying Monopoly on my iPhone.

There was always one thing that bothered me about The World Edition: that it wasn't the game I remembered as a child. It uses cities from all over the world, from Gdynia to Montreal, transportation modes from rail to space instead of the four classic railroads, and had some other rule changes that were different.

EA just made my day, since they recently released Monopoly [US$4.99, iTunes Link], and this one is the original classic game. It uses all those streets in or around Atlantic City, N.J. like Baltic Avenue and Park Place, has the four original railroads, and seems to follow the original rules more closely.

Like The World Edition, you play against real or computerized opponents. For real opponents, Monopoly now provides Bluetooth play against up to two other players, or Wi-Fi play against up to three other players. My wife and I found the Wi-Fi play of the World Edition to be a huge battery hog; we'll be trying out the Bluetooth option soon.

The original Monopoly board game was a perennial stocking stuffer when I was a kid, and now the classic Monopoly for iPhone and iPod touch is sure to make a great gift for someone you love.

Original Monopoly now available from EA for the iPhone / iPod touch originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Original Monopoly now available from EA for the iPhone / iPod touch originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T “Sets the Record Straight” with 2 New Anti-Verizon Commercials

AT&T has just revealed two new commercials that again, take aim at Verizon. Did you really expect anything different? Both of these new ads star Luke Wilson just like the “Side by Side” commercial that debuted last week. As you can see above, “Two Phones” concentrates on the fact that you need two phones to talk and surf the Web at the same time unlike on the AT&T network. To be fair, AT&T left out the fact Verizon customers could actually use WiFi if the phone supported it. We’re just saying…

The other commercial, “Postcards”, highlights the fact that AT&T’s network covers 97% of Americans. As much as I enjoy my AT&T service they failed to mention a decent amount of that coverage is EDGE only.

[Thanks for the tip Gregg!]

View the other commercial after the break!

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

AT&T “Sets the Record Straight” with 2 New Anti-Verizon Commercials

How to: Jailbreak and Unlock iPhone 3G/3GS Using blackra1n/blacksn0w: Mac OS X Edition

Disclaimer – Neither TiPb nor I take any responsibility for any problems/issues/bricking/etc. that may occur while using this software to modify your iPhone. Please be aware of what you are doing.

For those of you who are planning on jailbreaking your new iPhone 3GS with the updated bootrom, you should be aware that BlackRa1n supports only a tethered jailbreak. This simply means if you have to reset your phone or your battery runs out on you, you will need to connect your device to your computer and run BlackRa1n to be able to boot your iPhone.

Lets get started, after the jump!

Preparation

First things first, before we start please be sure you are currently on the 05.11.07 baseband. If you are not, connect to iTunes and update your software to 3.1.2. Once that is done it is time to begin. You will need to go to the BlackRa1n homepage, and click on the Apple to download the proper software. You will want to save the zip file to your desktop and then double-click on it. This will then create the BlackRa1n launch icon.

The Jailbreak Process

Connect your iPhone to your computer. Once connected double-click the BlackRa1n icon to begin the process.

Now simply click “make it rain”. Your device will now enter recovery mode.

Your device will now reboot.

Once your device reboots the jailbreak process is complete and you will see the following message on your desktop.

Installing Cydia/Rock/Unlock

On your Springboard you will now see the BlackRa1n icon. Make sure you have a data connection and then press the icon to proceed.

* If you plan to unlock your device for T-Mobile USA (or any carrier not supporting iPhone 3G bands) you must first disable 3G in your settings before proceeding. *

Here you will now choose your installer. Your choices are Cydia and Rock. You can also select “sn0w” if you are unlocking your device. After you make your selections press “install”.

* Do not select “sn0w” if you are not unlocking your iPhone. *

Once complete your Springboard will reset and you will now see Cydia or Rock, whichever you chose, on your screen.

Congratulations, you have successfully jailbroke/unlocked your iPhone. If you wish, you can uninstall BlackRa1n from your iPhone by simply going back into the application and pressing “uninstall”.

If you are in need of some further help with this process please visit our iPhone Jailbreak/Unlock forums as there are many friendly forum members who are always willing to help you out.

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

How to: Jailbreak and Unlock iPhone 3G/3GS Using blackra1n/blacksn0w: Mac OS X Edition

iPhone App Sale: Navigon AG is $20 Off Through November 30th

If you have been struggling with which GPS app to buy for your iPhone, assuming you don’t already have one of course, Navigon has just sweetened the pot by putting their application on sale for only $69.99. This is $20 off the regular price and is now $30 cheaper than the TomTom app that [...]

Review: iPhone Thanksgiving apps

Stressed about Turkey Day? The App Store has many offerings that aim to help you plan and prepare a meal. We'll help you find the worthwhile apps while staying away from the real turkeys.

iPhone launching in South Korea this week

Filed under: iPhone

Just days after receiving final approval from regulators, the iPhone will go on sale this week in South Korea. KT Corp, the country's second largest mobile carrier, began taking orders for the iPhone today, with plans to launch the phone on Saturday, November 28.

Apple has confirmed the KT announcement, though it's offered no other comment. KT, on the other hand, is playing the announcement up. In a press release, Kim Woo-sik, CEO of KT's personal customer group, said, "We are thrilled to bring iPhone to South Korea. Our customers will enjoy the power and benefits of using the revolutionary iPhone on KT's 3G network."

Residents of South Korea will have access to the same array of iPhones available in the states. KT is offering the 8GB iPhone 3G as well as the 16GB and 32GB iPhone 3GS.

[via Associated Press, Bloomberg]

iPhone launching in South Korea this week originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

iPhone launching in South Korea this week originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: T-Mobile Tap mobile phone

The inexpensive T-Mobile Tap is a stylish touch phone.