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I don't use the phone book. In fact, I'm not even sure where my copy of the Yellow Pages is placed. It's been gone for months, and the only time I miss it is when I need to find a local plumber or electrician. It's so difficult to find information on nearby contractors. No search tool or website can duplicate the concise listing of the Yellow Pages. That's why I was excited to hear about Nearby Now, an iOS app for service professionals and their customers that helps to fill this gap.
The app lets service professionals create an account and check-in when they are called to someone's house. They can check-in using the app, via SMS or by linking their Nearby Now account to Four Square. When they mark their location, their approximate position is saved to their profile. If contractors use it enough, they can create a detailed heat map of the locations they service.
This service map will help contractors find new customers. When a person needs a repair to their leaking roof, he or she can search Nearby Now for local check-ins. The homeowner could easily see that roofer Bob Smith worked on three houses in his or her town. The app not only marks a service person's location; it also lets people review their service. When a service person works at a house, he or she can send the customer a satisfaction survey via email or SMS. All completed surveys will be attached to the worker's account for others to see.
The app is a fantastic idea, but it's relatively new and needs more service providers to become a useful tool. Getting people to use the app will be key. There's been other similar services, but they've never taken off because only a few people used them. If the developers behind the app can entice contractors to use the service regularly, it could easily become the #1 tool people use to connect with service professionals. The Nearby Now app is free to use for both service professionals and their customers.
Daily iPhone App: Nearby Now originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Daily iPhone App: Nearby Now originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The references to quad-core iPhone and iPad chips come by way of a hidden panel that describes cores that are supported by iOS device hardware. The updated core management software includes an option of “/cores/core.3,” and this represents a fourth available processing core…The report notes that single-core processors such as the A4 found in the iPhone 4 and original iPad fall under a "cores/core.0" designation, while dual-core processors such as the A5 in the iPhone 4S and iPad 2 are covered by a "/cores/core.1" designation. The "/cores/core.3" reference thus suggests compatibility with a quad-core chip.
Randomly accurate rumor site Digitimes suggests that, according to industry sources out of Taiwan, Apple will release a Retina display iPad 3 in March, then turn around and ship a more significant iPad 4 in October.
The 9.7-inch iPad 4 is expected to come with much upgraded hardware specifications and integrated applications so as to compete with an array of Android-, Wintel- or WoA (Windows on ARM)-based tablet PCs to be released in the fourth quarter, said the sources.
They also reaffirm the rumor that Apple will keep the iPad 2 on sale at a lower $399 price.
This is an almost identical rumor to one that made the rounds last year, with numerous sources — including iMore — hearing that Apple was at least toying with the idea of releasing iPad 3 in October of 2011. Whether those rumors were ultimate inaccurate, or display constraints required Apple change plans and revert to a spring 2012 release is unknown.
Likewise, whether or not there’s any substance to these rumor rehashes, or an attempt to suppress iPad 3 sales with early chatter of an iPad 4 is impossible to say at this point. It does seem unlikely that Apple would release two iPads in the same retail year, given the enormous success of their current strategy.
Source: Digitimes
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Mark Gurman over at 9to5 Mac has discovered some code buried deep within the iOS 5.1 beta which might suggest Apple is prepping a quad-core chip to power future iPhone and iPad devices.
The references to quad-core iPhone and iPad chips come by way of a hidden panel that describes cores that are supported by iOS device hardware. The updated core management software includes an option of “/cores/core.3,” and this represents a fourth available processing core…
Gurman explains that people who work closely with iOS code advised the core count begins at 0, so a dual-core processor would be labeled as core.1 for its second core, and as such, a quad-core processor would carry a core.3 label for its fourth core.
Whether we’ll see this in the Apple A6 chipset — which is expected to power the iPad 3 and next-gen iPhone — is another story. Although Apple doesn’t like to tout specs as a selling point, they need great hardware to drive great software.
Source: 9to5Mac
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Earlier this week, Apple announced that it would be launching the iPhone 4S in 22 new countries on January 13, with China being the highest-profile debut in the group.
China United Network Communications Group (CHTZ), the nation’s second-largest wireless carrier, will give users an Apple Inc. (AAPL) iPhone 4S if they sign multiyear service contracts costing as little as 286 yuan ($45) a month.Beyond the contract price levels required for a free iPhone 4S, China Unicom offers a complex series of service plans and term lengths that carry varying levels of subsidy for the iPhone 4S. Contracts are available in terms ranging from 1-3 years and begin at 66 yuan ($10) per month, with longer and more expensive contracts obviously carrying higher subsidies and thus lower device costs for consumers.
The promotion starting Jan. 13 offers a 32-gigabyte model with a three-year plan, while a commitment to two years for a monthly fee of 386 yuan allows users to get the 16-gigabyte model, the company known as China Unicom said in a statement on its website yesterday.
For today only, the TiPb Store has the BodyGuardz Armor Carbon Fiber for iPhone 4S, iPhone 4 on sale for only $12.95!. Get them before they’re gone!
Get the BodyGuardz Armor Carbon Fiber for iPhone 4S, iPhone 4 now!
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AppleInsider reports that Apple is planning to launch a test program later this year that would see the company open "store-within-a-store" concepts in 25 Target stores around the United States. The stores would be similar to the "Apple Shops" found in a number of Best Buy locations.According to a source familiar with Apple's plans, the company plans to begin operating Apple-branded areas within 25 larger Target stores in locations which can't support a standalone Apple Store.The report notes that Apple has had a long-standing arrangement with Target for the retailer to feature iPods in its stores, a relationship that has since expanded to include the iPad and iPhone. With the test program, these select Target locations may soon also begin selling Mac products in its stores in addition to providing other dedicated Apple product sales support.
The initial opening would be a small start, given that Target, the second-largest discount retail chain in the US, operates 1752 stores in the US.
Super Crate Box appeared on iOS today (even though it's already packed with players), and I'm willing to say that it's the first great game of 2012. Especially on the iPad, where the virtual controls are a little bigger and the graphics are a little easier to see, this is a really slick and well-done arcade platformer. Sure, has its moments of frustration, but stays addictive throughout.
The game's been available as a PC download from developer Vlambeer for a little while already, but I think it works better as an iOS game. To play, you run around a one-screen 2D level trying to collect as many crates as you can, while avoiding enemies who resemble surreal skulls. The action is fast and crazy, as just one hit will kill your character and end your game. But that frenetic, temporary action works -- games are short and fast enough that even when one ends, you're usually ready to jump back in for another one right away.
The only other issue is with the virtual controls. Super Crate Box just begs for an old-school NES-style controller with every part of its being. Unfortunately iOS only offers the touch screen. It works well enough, but every once in a while, you'll miss a jump or a shot just because you couldn't find the little button area on the iPad's glass. That's not really the developers' fault, in my estimation, but man is it frustrating, especially when you are rolling along to what you're sure is a high score.
All of that said, Super Crate Box is an excellent little game, with crisp, frenetic gameplay and more depth than it should really have. Game Center integration, leaderboards, and some really excellent chiptune music all pad out the package -- the app is available in a universal version right now for just 99 cents.
Daily iPad App: Super Crate Box originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Daily iPad App: Super Crate Box originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Apple will ship the so-called "iPad 3" with a full HD display in March and then "iPad 4" - named so by its component suppliers - with killer applications in October, according to industry sources in Taiwan. [...]The rumor is somewhat reminiscent of last year's round of claims, which suggested that the iPad 2's successor would appear in late 2011 as an interim upgrade carrying a Retina display. Claims of a late 2011 iPad came from several different sources in July and early August of last year before other sources including The Wall Street Journal put the claim to rest.
But a true battle for market share will arrive in the second half of the year when Apple ships its iPad 4 in October, about the time when Microsoft releases its Window 8 and Intel unveils its Clover Trail-W platform, the sources commented.
The 9.7-inch iPad 4 is expected to come with much upgraded hardware specifications and integrated applications so as to compete with an array of Android-, Wintel- or WoA (Windows on ARM)-based tablet PCs to be released in the fourth quarter, said the sources.
According a report by network metrics firm Arieso, iPhone 4S users are consuming twice the amount of data than users of earlier iPhone models, and the reason is Siri. Siri is getting the blame for the huge increase in data consumption as it communicates with Apple’s servers to provide its personal assistant features.
“Voice is the ultimate human interface,” Arieso Chief Technology Officer Michael Flanagan said in an interview in London. “As you lower the barriers,” consumers will use their smartphones’ functions even more often, he said. Arieso, based in Atlanta, advises clients such as Vodafone Group Plc (VOD), Telefonica SA (TEF) and Nokia Siemens Networks Oy on how to manage wireless networks.
Data consumption remains a concern for those on restricted plans and on networks like AT&T that have historically suffered connectivity problems due to excessive load. Arieso claims to have measured one million subscribers across a single European network in both urban and rural areas to come up with its findings about Siri. We can understand a small increase in data with the additional functionality that Siri brings, however, it shouldn’t be forgotten that iOS 5 was also released for other devices at the same time as the iPhone 4S was launched with Siri. iOS 5 brought a little extra service called iCloud too. We are sure a lot of this additional data usage could be explained by over the air updates, iTunes in the Cloud, Photo Stream and many other data intensive tasks available for iPads and earlier iPhone models and not just Siri on the iPhone 4S.
And if Siri is responsible for the spike, it will be interesting to see what if any decline results when the novelty wears off. How many times can you really ask how to hide a body, or have the pod bay doors opened?
Source: Bloomberg
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