WordPress iOS editing app gets styling buttons, full-screen mode

Posted on September 24, 2011 by Michael Rose.
Categories: Uncategorized.

It's only fair and right that one of the world's most popular content management/blogging platforms should have a snazzy and capable iPhone app to go with it. The WordPress app has been updated to version 2.9, adding three new features for mobile users.

The new version adds handy styling buttons right above the keyboard, so you no longer have to put in your markup manually for bold or italic text, links or lists. Full-screen editing gives you more real estate to view what you're working on, especially handy on the iPhone's screen. You can also now follow other subscribed Wordpress.com blogs directly in the app.

WordPress for iOS is free on the App Store.

WordPress iOS editing app gets styling buttons, full-screen mode originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Sun, 25 Sep 2011 00:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TUAW - The Unofficial Apple WeblogWordPress iOS editing app gets styling buttons, full-screen mode originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Sun, 25 Sep 2011 00:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple special event forecast for October 4

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Michael Rose.
Categories: Uncategorized.

The sense of something coming soon grows stronger, as AllThingsD cites "sources close to the situation" saying that Apple's next media event will be held October 4. The hypothetical event, for which no invitations have yet been issued, would presumably be the venue where the next generation of the iPhone is announced to the world. Those same or similar sources also told ATD's John Paczkowski that the new phone would ship several weeks after the event.

As important as the iPhone announcement is to Apple's performance over the next year, the host of the event is equally important. ATD says, unsurprisingly, that Tim Cook will be presiding over the announcement presentation. The newly promoted CEO will have some big shoes to fill on the presentation side, but no word yet whether he's planning to don the ceremonial black sweater.

We judge this report largely credible; it correlates with the dates that have been bandied about, and ATD usually has good sources (some via the elder statesman of the tech beat, Uncle Walt Mossberg). Mark your calendars.

Apple special event forecast for October 4 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 07:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TUAW - The Unofficial Apple WeblogApple special event forecast for October 4 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 07:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mindjet iOS apps now free, cloud service around the corner

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Michael Rose.
Categories: Uncategorized.

It's been a big week of announcements from Mindjet. The company's flagship Windows version of MindManager is due to be updated on September 22, along with the launch of its free cloud collaboration & worksharing service Mindjet Connect. Social project tracker Cohuman has also joined the Mindjet stable via an acquisition, giving teams better tools to stay tuned in with their shared tasks.

For mindmapping on iOS devices, Mindjet's iPhone and iPad versions now have an all-new price of free, down from US$8.99 for the iPad version. They offer binary file support with both the Mac and PC desktop MindManager apps, easy Wi-Fi and Dropbox file sync, and quick brainstorming/map creation.

The Mac version of MindManager is now fully Lion-compatible, although if you were running it on Snow Leopard prior to upgrading your OS you'll need to reset your preferences before updating to the latest build; instructions are here.

Mindjet iOS apps now free, cloud service around the corner originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TUAW - The Unofficial Apple WeblogMindjet iOS apps now free, cloud service around the corner originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BuddyTV Guide for iPhone delivers TV recommendations, TiVo/GoogleTV controls

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Michael Rose.
Categories: Uncategorized.

In Victor's recent reviews of iOS universal remotes, most of the products' focus was on helping you control your entertainment devices. Only one system (the Peel) delivered program recommendations in a new way, helping you decide what to watch.

The approach behind Buddy TV Guide is a bit different. Launched by the team behind the comprehensive buddytv.com site, this free iPhone app (a software-only solution, no paired hardware to buy -- with a catch) fronts a recommendation engine that does its best to learn what you want to watch based on your preferences and selections, getting better and closer to the mark over time.

Since it asks about your favorite channels and the types of things you like to watch, you can save time on finding the programs that interest you (and bypass the ones that probably don't). Company execs told me their goal is getting the 'discovery time' down to 20 seconds, from the moment you start the app to the time you find the show you want.

Behind the scenes, Buddy TV is doing some heavy data lifting to aggregate and normalize the various provider listings; not all channels or cable/satellite systems list shows in a uniform way, so the data mining is necessary to eliminate repeats and keep track of similarly-named episodes.

The guide and recommendation engine are impressive, and if you're a Netflix subscriber the app will integrate available streaming movies into its 'what you want to watch' lineup. With a single tap, you can tune into live TV, a Netflix movie or recorded content on your DVR... and there's that catch I mentioned earlier. Since Buddy TV Guide doesn't pair with an IR blaster or other remote control hardware, it does the next best thing: talks to addressable receivers over the network. Specifically, the app will control the Sony Internet TV with Google TV, Google TV Logitech Revue, TiVo Series 3, and any devices controlled by Google TV -- making TiVo or the big G's home entertainment platform the middleman.

Even if you don't own a Google TV or TiVo Series 3, it's worth checking out the app's recommendation and grid features; they're free to use. If you do have an addressable device, you definitely should try out Buddy TV and see if it speeds up your couch-to-viewing search routine.

BuddyTV Guide for iPhone delivers TV recommendations, TiVo/GoogleTV controls originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TUAW - The Unofficial Apple WeblogBuddyTV Guide for iPhone delivers TV recommendations, TiVo/GoogleTV controls originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google+ iPhone app now available on App Store

Posted on July 19, 2011 by Michael Rose.
Categories: Uncategorized.

The Google Plus social network has kicked into high gear, despite a limited number of available invites over the first few weeks. Starting today it's even easier for iOS users to share with Circles, follow a Stream or do rapid-fire messaging with a Huddle: the iPhone app for Google+ is now in the US store.

The free app supports the Stream, Circles and Huddle features; it's just now downloading on our iPhones so we'll check out the detailed options shortly. Enjoy, Plussians!

A few quick notes: the app is truly iPhone-only, and will not install on the iPod touch or iPad. Some users running the iOS 5 beta report crashes, which is unsurprising but worth mentioning. Also, it's very difficult to search for the app in the App Store (one would think that the world's largest search company would know that '+' is a common search modifier and tricky to include in a literal search string); the easiest way to find it, short of the direct link, is to browse the list of all the apps published by Google.

Thanks to MediaKat for the tip.

Google+ iPhone app now available on App Store originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TUAW - The Unofficial Apple WeblogGoogle+ iPhone app now available on App Store originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Create content-centric iPhone & iPad apps on the fly with GENWI

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Michael Rose.
Categories: Uncategorized.

The iSites.us site has rebranded itself today as GENWI (the name of the parent company) and expanded to offer iPad app creation in addition to iPhone and Android apps. With a straightforward CMS engine, the service lets you create either mobile HTML5 web apps or true native apps around your content, delivering a digital magazine experience without coding or extensive development chops.

The core of GENWI is a feed aggregation/cloud content tool that website owners or publishers can point at their feeds (including RSS, ATOM, iTunes, or custom XML and homegrown APIs) to automatically update content within the app. Publishers can easily categorize and reorganize the app's sections, insert custom announcement posts, permit social media sharing, add images/rich media (audio or QuickTime/MP4 video) and more. Like any good app platform, advertising services are bundled into the system.

The new iPad instance provides many more visual customizations, as befits the larger real estate of the tablet apps. While the instant HTML5 apps and the native iPhone/Android apps can be completely skinned and graphically customized, the iPad GENWI apps can be rearranged and laid out in more sophisticated ways. Customers also have the option of designing a full HTML5/CSS skin from scratch and plugging it into the GENWI platform.

GENWI's low-end plan charges US$99/month for the app back-end services, covering up to 100K app interactions (page views, etc.); you submit the apps through your own Apple developer account, which is a separate $99/year cost. If you want to deliver the iPad experience, though, you're looking at the $499/month Professional plan; that puts this service out of the reach of most casual publishers and hobbyists.

Back in March, our colleagues at Download Squad did a full rundown on the 'Instant App' authoring within GENWI (then branded as iSites). Check it out here.

Show full PR text
GENWI/iSites debuts fully customizable iPad app creation and management solution

GENWI enables media publishers to create and manage highly interactive, social, and real-time updated newspaper, magazine, printed promotion, and catalog apps for iPad, iPhone, iPod and Android Smart Phone Devices

July 13, 2011 - Los Altos, CA - GENWI (http://genwi.com), the premier cloud-based smart phone and tablet app publishing platform, today launched its new iPad app publishing solution and an enhanced mobile Content Management Server (mCMS[TM]). The new iPad app publishing platform offers one of the easiest and most versatile cloud-based solutions for creating iPad apps on the fly, and the service caters especially to the needs of traditional and digital media publishers, broadcasters, promoters, and catalog publishers.

The new iPad solution is fully customizable and offers a tailor-made, branded experience for publishers. The unique flexible client architecture, adding new content and updates to apps in real time, helps publishers to create visually stunning and live updated media apps. Optimized templates and themes are offered to help jump-start the design process. Custom design development capability based on HTML5 and CSS is also offered as an advanced option, allowing publishers to create almost any user experience or design imaginable. Media publishers can rapdily transform a print magazine into a visually stunning and custom branded tablet app.

With the new mCMS[TM], publishers can add content through Quickpost[TM] or from various sources and in numerous formats, including -- Media RSS, iTunes RSS, ATOM, XML, Restful API's, CSV, In-design, and PDF. The mCMS[TM] media engine will crawl, parse, analyze, and aggregate content in real time and deliver it to a wide array of mobile form factors, tailored for optimal viewing and user interaction based on the device characteristics. mCMS[TM] also offers the ability to curate the aggregated content, edit, and organize it for various devices.

"The mCMS[TM] media engine has mapped over 60 million posts and 100 million images from more than 30,000 publishers who have signed up with GENWI. We are currently serving 1,500 active apps for our publishing partners on iPhone and Android smart phones, and now we are proud to expand to the fast-growing iPad market. GENWI has observed high repeat usage along with the millions of downloads and app views per month", said Rahul Patel, Co-Founder and CTO.

With the mCMS[TM] media engine and GENWI's flexible client architecture, the flow, navigation, and content organization can be revised instantly and made immediately available to app users. Apps do no have to be resubmitted to the app stores for approval and users don't have to upgrade their apps for small changes and content updates. This allows companies to create apps on mobile devices that are much more flexible and continuously upgradeable much like a SaaS product in the web space.

"The GENWI's mCMS[TM] combined with the flexible client architecture is a unique offering for the publishing industry to embrace the iPad and expedite the transition from printed publications and static PDF reader apps to interactive, social, and real time-updated apps" said PJ Gurumohan, Founder & CEO of GENWI.

GENWI also offers several in-built monetization features such as Ad Engine and local business coupon management for media publishers. In-app subscriptions based on iTunes payment system will also be offered.

The mCMS[TM] also offers analytics to measure the engagement of the users at various levels. Downloads, app interactions (views and shares), location analytics etc. that can be filtered by device types and time are in-built into mCMS[TM] dashboard.

GENWI's mCMS[TM] and iPad app solution will be offered on a usage basis (app interactions). An iPad app, iPhone, Android, and HTML5 (iSites[TM]) app could be developed and deployed with a limited version of mCMS[TM] at $500 per month based on usage. For custom mCMS[TM] and advanced features additional fee would be applicable.

About GENWI
GENWI http://genwi.com is the premier cloud-based platform for Smartphone and Tablet app publishing. GENWI currently has 1500 Apps active on its platform and growing rapidly. GENWI's unique architecture enables rapid creation and deployment of either native or HTML5 (iSites[TM]) Apps, with virtually no programming while incorporating rich media capabilities and real-time data. The solution has comprehensive real-time analytics that provides insights into Apps usage and engagement, and Apps can also include various revenue generating capabilities for businesses like ads, coupons, in-App subscriptions etc.

Founded in 2010, GENWI is a privately held firm based in Los Altos, CA. For more information, please visit www.genwi.com

Create content-centric iPhone & iPad apps on the fly with GENWI originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TUAW - The Unofficial Apple WeblogCreate content-centric iPhone & iPad apps on the fly with GENWI originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AOL’s Play app gets social with your music

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Michael Rose.
Categories: Uncategorized.

Our corporate cousins at AOL have a new tool for enjoying and sharing your favorite songs: the free Play app. First introduced at SxSW as an Android-only offering, it's now available in the App Store for iPhone.

Play meets the table stakes for a social music app by allowing you to play songs from your onboard music library; you can comment to Twitter or Facebook about what you're listening to, complete with location info. If you want to keep track of your friends who use Play, their comments and song history will appear in the app's Feed section.

For music discovery, you can sample your friends' favorites by listening to excerpts on Rdio or iTunes; but there's actual free music in there, too. The album play section includes songs from SHOUTcast Listening Party, MP3 of the Day and other sources.

If you're in the mood to share and chat about your music, and Ping's not your thing (nor Soundtracking), check out Play. If you want a more full-featured player without the social bits, take a look at Panamp.

Note: TUAW is an AOL brand.

Gallery: Play by AOL

AOL's Play app gets social with your music originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TUAW - The Unofficial Apple WeblogAOL's Play app gets social with your music originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Comment: Your life in 30-second intervals with Lifelapse

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Michael Rose.
Categories: Uncategorized.

lifepouch.jpg

Whenever we get publicity info about a new iPhone app, my personal curmudgeon radar goes to high alert if the app in question is accompanied by a precious and fashionable custom accessory. There's something about that mix of software and paraphernalia that sets my teeth on edge a bit.

That's partly why I'm less than enthused about Lifelapse, the new time-lapse photo app/lifelogging tool launching in the App Store today for US$0.99. The app was created by a team of Dutch developers/students, and the concept is pretty simple: the app takes a picture every 30 seconds, and then combines them into time-lapse videos like the one below (only on the 3GS or iPhone 4, the 3G & original iPhone lack the horsepower to create the video).

Along with the app, however, Lifelapse is selling an adorable 'Lifepouch' neck lanyard into which you may tuck your iPhone, making it easy to keep snapping away while you stroll the streets/beaches/ruins/marketplace of Insert Exotic Locale Here.

Never mind the obvious drawbacks of this plan: reduced battery life, hundreds of pictures you don't want, your friends abandoning you because you look like a complete tool. Here's the biggest problem: you are wearing your iPhone around your neck while you are strolling around Insert Exotic Locale Here, where you will rapidly be identified as both a) a tourist and b) the possessor of more money than sense. How many iPhones will be purloined from around unsuspecting necks before this pouch concept gets canned? The app should warn you on launch to make sure Find My iPhone is activated.

I have no doubt that there are certain times and places where a timelapse travelogue would be a fun and interesting thing to create, and obviously a 99-cent app investment is not a major budgetary concern for most iPhone owners. This particular combination of app and accessory, though, strikes me as the perfect mix of self-absorption and poor environmental awareness -- which is why I'm filing it under No Comment.

Lifelapse video of Lisbon below, illustrating that at least the wearer followed local advice to stay hydrated.

Lifelapse recorded in Lisbon, Portugal from Lifelapse.

No Comment: Your life in 30-second intervals with Lifelapse originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TUAW - The Unofficial Apple WeblogNo Comment: Your life in 30-second intervals with Lifelapse originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wiping down your iPhone for resale

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Michael Rose.
Categories: Uncategorized.

It's time to hand off your old iPhone to its new owner, but you definitely want to scrub it clean of all your data beforehand. Simple enough: in the Settings app, tap General, then scroll down to Reset and tap it. The option to 'Erase All Content and Settings' is the one you want; it will remove any trace of personalization and all your installed apps, returning your phone to factory-fresh condition.

Depending on which iOS device you're resetting, the process may take quite a while (older iPod touch and iPhones pre-3GS don't support hardware encryption, so they actually have to wipe all the onboard memory byte by byte). Be sure you're plugged into power or that the device is fully charged before you begin.

Wiping down your iPhone for resale originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TUAW - The Unofficial Apple WeblogWiping down your iPhone for resale originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Talking Ben and friends get representation from William Morris

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Michael Rose.
Categories: Uncategorized.

How do you know that you're on the fast track to Hollywood stardom? Getting a good agent is the first step -- and the fuzzy, funny characters in Outfit7's app stable have found the best.

Talking Ben the Dog, Talking Tom Cat and the rest of the Talking Friends apps animated characters are now represented by William Morris Endeavor, the Tinseltown powerhouse led by Entourage inspiration Ari Emanuel (the brother of Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel). The companies intend to bring the characters into films, TV and other entertainment properties.

The company's apps have been downloaded over 135 million times across both Android and iPhone platforms; they feature characters that repeat back what you say in supposedly adorable fashion, and they react to various pokes, strokes and smacks in a cartoony manner. The latest Talking Tom 2 app (available free for both iPad and iPhone, but in separate versions) features interaction with Talking Ben (a cantankerous former chemistry teacher, which is actually quite academically impressive for a dog) and the option of having Tom call the 'old' Talking Tom on the phone so the two cats can mimic each other in a loop.

If you're thinking "Wow, as a parent I have to be sure never to let my kids get hold of any of these apps, lest I lose my bearings and throw my iPhone out the car window in a fit of temporary madness," it's probably too late already. Did I mention they've been downloaded 135 million times?

Talking Ben and friends get representation from William Morris originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 21 Jun 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TUAW - The Unofficial Apple WeblogTalking Ben and friends get representation from William Morris originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 21 Jun 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple’s infrared ‘camera kill switch’ patent application hits a nerve

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Michael Rose.
Categories: Uncategorized.

Picture this: You're out for a stroll on the streets of Vancouver when suddenly you find yourself caught up in a depressed mob of hockey fans. Riot police are striking a young man with their batons near a squad car. You pull out your iPhone to capture a video of this seeming abuse of force -- only to see a flashing message on the screen that says 'Recording Disabled.'

Earlier this month, Patently Apple analyzed a patent application filing that Apple originally submitted in December of 2009. The patent application covered several ways to communicate with a cellphone through its camera using a coded infrared light transmission.

Simply pointing your phone's camera at a properly equipped museum exhibit, for example, could load a webpage about the artifact on display or offer additional details about its origins. An auction house or fashion show could easily provide pricing, availability or 'click to bid' buttons. The technology would work like a giant, invisible QR code -- although it couldn't do the bidirectional sharing that Google's demo showed earlier. You also couldn't block it with a bit of masking tape, since the infrared data stream is captured by the phone's camera itself, not by a separate sensor.

That's the user-affirming side of the patent. The other big use case, however, is for the infrared transmission to tell the phone "Hey, no pictures here!" The suggested applications are for concert halls, movie theaters or even sensitive corporate/government facilities -- giving those venue owners an easy way to block photography or videotaping of copyrighted or classified materials. Whether you think that's a terrible idea or an awesome idea may rest on whether or not you own a concert hall or a movie theater.

Of course, Apple patents or patent applications often don't evolve into actual, shipping Apple products. (Remember the 'undead ads for content time' patent? Ick.) Nevertheless, even in the hypothetical case, the spectre of a 'kill switch' for the iPhone camera is not sitting all that well in certain circles.

The Save the Internet coalition has published a suggested open letter to Steve Jobs that suggests this patent application is deeply repugnant to the ideals of freedom: "[T]housands of people across the Middle East have used cellphone cameras to document violent government abuses. This technology would also give tyrants the power to stem the flow of protest videos and crack down on their citizens with impunity." The petition continues, "If this tool fell into the hands of repressive regimes or malicious corporations, it would give tyrants and companies the power to silence one of the most critical forms of free expression."

Now, there's a wide gulf between blocking cameras at concerts and quashing dissent by democratic activists -- at least in theory. First of all, would-be repressive regimes would have to set up expensive equipment in advance, which would work only at short range -- and even if they did that there'd be no guarantee that all the phones in the area would comply with the invisible orders, so the requisite shakedown of all camera-enabled devices by armed enforcers would still have to be done. In the chaos and commotion of the kind of situations that would tend to motivate large-scale iPhone videography, it's by no means clear that this 'kill switch' would even work. As my colleague Chris Rawson points out, your average infrared TV remote control is thoroughly flummoxed by simple sunlight.

None of this, however, means that it's prudent to stand atop the slippery slope of external device controls and say "Looks like a nice ride down." It's easy to think, as I did when first reading the admittedly hyperbolic language of the petition, "Look, the iPhone is not the only camera in the world; professional bootleg videographers don't use crappy cameraphones at all, protesters have many different kinds of phones and cameras at their disposal, and as soon as this capability gets rolled out people will simply jump to another platform to work around it." [Never mind the fact that Flickr now shows the iPhone 4 as the most popular camera on the site, bar none. -Ed.]

The problem is that market reaction takes time, and in the thought experiment I played out at the beginning of this post there's no time to react. If you were in a traffic stop that went wrong, a political rally with a bad outcome, a movie theater where someone was being assaulted -- there's no chance to go back in time and say "You know, that iPhone camera kill switch may not have been such a good idea after all."

It's impossible to say, without access to Apple's labs, whether this technology is truly viable, whether it would work in daylight, and whether it could really be used in the situations envisioned by the petition writers. It's equally impossible to say whether Apple intends to implement and commercialize this invention, or even if the company's patent application would be granted. Maybe Apple's secret objective in pursuing this patent is not to implement it in products -- to keep the concept off the market in perpetuity, or at least for the life of the patent. But that doesn't seem likely, and in the absence of comment from Apple about whether and how the capability would be implemented in future iPhones (a comment that is undoubtedly not coming anytime soon), all we have is our questions.

Apple's infrared 'camera kill switch' patent application hits a nerve originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TUAW - The Unofficial Apple WeblogApple's infrared 'camera kill switch' patent application hits a nerve originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone navigation packages, in S-M-L editions

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Michael Rose.
Categories: Uncategorized.

windowmount.jpgThinking about getting Dad some directional guidance for Father's Day? Our package selections cover small, medium and large budgets to get where you're going.

Of all the industries disrupted by the emergence of these odd touchscreen computers disguised as mobile phones, the standalone GPS market may be the most topsy-turvy.

Among Chris' 33 things he doesn't need any more now that he has an iPhone, a separate $100+ unitasker GPS unit is probably the biggest target; the same goes double for Android phone owners, who get a capable and free turn-by-turn navigation tool as part of the Google Maps application.

Just having the phone isn't quite enough, though, if you want to help those notorious no-asking-for-directions family members (that'd be Dad) self-guide with the iPhone 4. Combining the right app with the right car bracket can turn a simple purchase into a genuine Father's Day gift -- so here are our package recommendations in small, medium and large price ranges. All apps are available on the App Store, and most of the hardware can be found at Best Buy, Radio Shack or Staples.

Small

Everyone likes free, and that's what our first app choice brings to the table. MapQuest 4 Mobile (developed by AOL, our corporate parent) provides capable turn-by-turn navigation with voice synthesis, powered by the same map data as the mapquest.com site. The app includes live traffic data, point of interest search and more -- and did I mention the free part? Drawbacks include a quieter voice than some of the other offerings; you also have to manually choose between power-saving mode (where the app will allow the phone to sleep) and high-performance mode. Still, if you're looking for voice directions on a budget, it's a great place to start. (Note that both MapQuest Mobile and our #2 pick require data connectivity to download maps on the go.)

For a budget vehicle mount, Arkon delivers no-frills units in windshield or lighter-socket ($20) and beanbag friction mounts ($30). Personally I don't care for lighter socket mounts, as they make it much more difficult to glance at the map while driving when the phone is mounted so far out of the driver's heads-up sightlines. I've been using the IPM512 friction mount for a while, and it works; the phone holder swivels to work either in portrait or landscape, and it includes adjustable 'feet' to slide out of the way of the dock port and the headphone jack. It does sometimes tend to accidentally press the phone's sleep switch, but for the most part it works well.

To power the low-cost setup, any USB adapter will do; best to combine it with an iPhone sync cable plus a USB A-A extender to give you the slack you'll need. The Bracketron dual adapter ($25) is available at most Staples stores and will happily charge both the iPhone and a second device.

Medium

The next navigation app up the ladder doesn't cost much, but it's garnered some high-powered fans. MotionX-GPS Drive ($0.99, also available for iPad at $2.99) may not have impressed Mel for last year's gift guide, but others swear by it. The advantage here is that you can get the app at the low price, then if you like it re-up for 30 days ($2.99) or a year ($19.99) of live voice navigation as you like -- visual/map navigation is free of charge after the initial purchase.

Like MapQuest, MotionX-GPS requires data service to download maps, but you have the option of caching your route to avoid any hiccups or data issues on the way. The current version includes links to Facebook's check-in feature, full business/POI search and contacts integration. MotionX now even integrates with newer Pioneer in-dash hardware, as reported earlier this month.

The middle-range mounting solution is Griffin's WindowSeat mobile kit, which combines both power and a mount with a microphone-equipped aux 1/8" cable for audio. The PowerJolt universal adapter included in the package provides 1 amp charging, and the simple bracket/suction cup holder keeps the phone tucked into position.

Large

The next tier of navigation apps are all dramatically more expensive, which can cause a bit of app sticker shock. They do bring along a key advantage, though -- maps are included in the app itself, rather than downloaded on demand. This means that app downloads and updates in iTunes can take quite a while, but it also means you'll never be stranded without data service while navigating (and if you're traveling overseas/in a roaming area, the data costs would be pretty expensive).

The 'big three' in full-featured, maps-included navigation are Magellan (just updated with a new look and features), TomTom and Navigon; all the apps have their adherents, but for my money Navigon MobileNavigator is the best of the bunch. I've used the USA East Region version (on sale for $24.99; full USA map version is $34.99 on sale) for frequent drives in and around New York City, and it's been very consistent and reliable. Navigon offers versions for most countries and regions, so if you're headed out of town it's worth a look.

One of my favorite features in the Navigon app is the three-routes option at the start of navigation; the app shows you the route it thinks is best, but also two alternatives that may be better under specific circumstances. You can choose which way you want to go, rather than heading off in what the app thinks is the wrong direction and having to wait for it to clue in.

A premium app deserves a premium phone cradle; there are good options in the $100 Griffin RoadTrip HandsFree or the $70 Belkin TuneBase Direct, but as mentioned I'm not big on the power socket mounting approach. Instead, I'd suggest taking a look at the Dension Car Dock for iPhone -- an integrated unit that includes both aux and FM outputs, power, and a custom app for device control and navigation links. In-app purchase adds 'Car Finder' mode, which saves the exact GPS spot where you parked to help you find your way back. The Dension unit lists at 80 euros, but hopefully will be coming to US distribution soon; I'd expect it to hit at about $100 when it gets here.

Of course, if you choose the TomTom app you can also get the custom-fit TomTom car kit, and for $100 it's got to offer something more: enhanced GPS performance, a built-in powered speaker and better hands-free calling. It uses the same easy-mount back found on TomTom's dedicated units.

If you already have a mounting solution but need a sleek, cable-minimizing power and audio solution, check out XtremeMac's InCharge Auto Aux for $50. Using the dock/charge connector for audio, it includes an aux-out jack in the charger housing, keeping the cable clutter at bay.

Whichever size fits your needs -- small, medium, or large -- enjoy your summer drives!

iPhone navigation packages, in S-M-L editions originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Sat, 18 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TUAW - The Unofficial Apple WeblogiPhone navigation packages, in S-M-L editions originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Sat, 18 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bria extends VoIP phone client to iPad

Posted on June 10, 2011 by Michael Rose.
Categories: Uncategorized.

If you've been looking around for a solid VoIP/SIP client for the iPad or iPhone, consider CounterPath's Bria.

For all the excitement around VoIP on the iPhone and iPod touch (including high profile apps like Skype, Vonage TalkFree for Facebook and Line2), relatively few developers have gone after the corporate side of the voice mix. With so many large enterprises using Asterisk-based PBX replacements for VoIP telephony, a solid SIP client for iPhone and iPad seems like a natural winner.

Bringing the advantage of its long pedigree in desktop VoIP clients, CounterPath now delivers some of that savvy to iOS with Bria. On the Mac, Bria is the successor to the capable and free EyeBeam; now shipping on both the iPhone (US$7.99) and launched this week for the iPad ($14.99), it provides some of the key features needed in a mobile voice solution. Bria works out of the box with major IP-telephony service providers (ITSPs), but keep in mind it does not include service with the app; you need to be using a hosted service or your company's IP telephony infrastructure for Bria to work.

The three most important considerations for any softphone app are call quality; call quality; and, of course, call quality. I was able to make and receive calls on several WiFi networks using Bria and a Fonality PBXtra server (built off the Trixbox Asterisk platform). While I heard a bit of near-side echo and low-bandwidth choppiness during some calls, most of the time the audio was as good or better than it would be on a conventional iPhone call, and less likely to drop. The people I called reported my voice quality as 'awesome' and 'really spectacular,' so it seems the artifacts I heard from time to time were on my side only.

It's easy to set up Bria; the app takes the same credentials and server info you use for your desktop VoIP/SIP softphone. Once you enter your server name and authorization, you can begin making and receiving calls. Bria is optimized for WiFi use, but it will work over 3G if you enable that option in preferences; however, you're at risk of chewing up your wireless data allocation if you make a lot of calls that way, and quality will suffer a bit. On the flip side, you are not using any voice minutes, and for calls to colleagues on your internal phone system you will appear to be calling from your office extension -- a great trick when you're actually enjoying a piña colada by the pool.

Gallery: Bria for iPad

The iPad edition of Bria works perfectly with multitasking, allowing you to switch apps and continue a call in the background. Both standard wired headphone/mic combos and Bluetooth headsets work great, but what's really surprising is that the iPad works quite well as a speakerphone -- plop it onto your conference table and away you go.

You can optimize your voice quality by selecting a preferred codec in the advanced app preferences; this is also where you turn on 3G calling, set backgrounding options, and adjust other items. For the best quality on 3G calls, Counterpath offers the G.729 premium codec as an in-app purchase -- unfortunately, it's $8.99, so it's unlikely to appeal to most users unless you really need the improved low-bandwidth mojo.

Backgrounding may affect your battery life, since most SIP servers will require a UDP connection that isn't directly supported by Apple's notification scheme; some newer servers may work with TCP, which does save power and improve background rings. You can also set incoming calls to forward to your cell number for when Bria's not running.

CounterPath's market position provides a good perspective on the impact of iOS and the Mac in the enterprise market, since its products address business needs almost exclusively. When I spoke to senior VP of marketing and products Todd Carothers earlier this week, he acknowledged the accelerating interest from businesses big and small in Apple platforms: "We have seen a significant enough growth in Mac Bria sales since the launch of 3.0 to SME/Enterprise customers. What's happening is Enterprises want multiple OS support with common UI elements." Being able to offer a consistent user experience across PC and mobile platforms would seem to be particularly important for telephony applications, since business users are going to spend a lot of time making and taking calls.

Bria is definitely a business product at a business price, and it's a bit frustrating that CounterPath didn't choose to deliver it as a universal app instead of the split-SKU arrangement in place now. Nevertheless, if your company is rocking an IP PBX and you want a premium VoIP experience, there's no better choice right now.

Bria extends VoIP phone client to iPad originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TUAW - The Unofficial Apple WeblogBria extends VoIP phone client to iPad originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Full keynote & iOS 5 preview videos for your enjoyment

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Michael Rose.
Categories: Uncategorized.

In a rapid turnaround, Apple's posted the link for QuickTime streaming of the entire WWDC keynote. Watch and enjoy!

If you've got "Greg Joswiak" and "Scott Forstall" written on the inside of your locker, you'll also be thrilled to know that Apple's software mavens are hosting the video overview of iOS 5, covering most of the features announced today.

What looks good to you? Personally I'm looking forward to the new notifications UI, location-based reminders (never forget the milk ever again) and system-level Twitter integration. Oh, and AirPlay Mirroring for the iPad. Mmm.

Full keynote & iOS 5 preview videos for your enjoyment originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TUAW - The Unofficial Apple WeblogFull keynote & iOS 5 preview videos for your enjoyment originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Updated 6/3: Weber’s On The Grill, Glympse, Bump, Stitcher Radio, WebEx

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Michael Rose.
Categories: Uncategorized.

webericon.jpgiOS App Store updates this morning:

Weber's On the Grill: additional language support

Bump: Faster photo uploads

Glympse: Redesigned favorites view & more favorites features.

Stitcher: Support for the Ford Sync radio.

Cisco WebEx: Support for WebEx Beta sites.

Hit your app updates in iTunes to download these & any other apps that are ready for you!

Updated 6/3: Weber's On The Grill, Glympse, Bump, Stitcher Radio, WebEx originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TUAW - The Unofficial Apple WeblogUpdated 6/3: Weber's On The Grill, Glympse, Bump, Stitcher Radio, WebEx originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Taptu 1.5 adds Instapaper saving, search option

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Michael Rose.
Categories: Uncategorized.

We first looked at the newsviewer app Taptu a couple of months ago when the iPad version launched. Its combination of social streams and curated news feeds makes it a strong contender in the crowded news reader space of iOS apps. The latest version, 1.5, launches today and adds a few key features to the product on both iPhone and iPad.

Search capabilities have been souped up to include searching keywords within feed content along with feed topics. This helps with story discovery, especially with far-ranging/eclectic sites like Boing Boing. Readers can also save stories to Instapaper for offline reading.

On the iPhone, several of the UI improvements from the iPad version have made their way over, including stream resizing and color-coding. iPhone users also now get the Related Stories feature, allowing them to spot trends or see other coverage of a single topic.

Taptu is a universal app for iPad/iPhone and is a free download in the App Store.

Taptu 1.5 adds Instapaper saving, search option originally appeared on TUAW on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TUAWTaptu 1.5 adds Instapaper saving, search option originally appeared on TUAW on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Giveaway: Two new Element carbon-fiber iPhone 4 cases

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Michael Rose.
Categories: Uncategorized.

formula-4-case-black-carbon-docked.jpgThere's a new carbon-fiber sheriff in town, shaped like a pair of iPhone cases. Element Case is now shipping two new cases, and we've got the pair to give away to two lucky readers.

First up is the Ion, which retails for US$49.95. It features a carbon-fiber reinforced back plate, high shock construction and easy removal for docked use. The second case, the Formula 4 (pictured), is a dockable model with a removable bottom cap; it also has a carbon-fiber back plate, a rubber tone finish and a rubber side grip for $59.95.

To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment on this post with the worst iPhone impact you've ever experienced. Two winners will get either the Ion or the Formula 4 case. Good luck!

Official Rules:

  • Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.
  • To enter leave a comment on this post about the worst iPhone impact you've ever experienced.
  • The comment must be left before FRIDAY, June 3, 11:59PM Eastern Time.
  • You may enter only once.
  • Two winners will be selected in a random drawing.
  • Prize: Ion or Formula 4 iPhone case (Value: US$49.95/59.95)
  • Click Here for complete Official Rules.

Giveaway: Two new Element carbon-fiber iPhone 4 cases originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TUAWGiveaway: Two new Element carbon-fiber iPhone 4 cases originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Twitter partners with Firefox, adds new image sharing tools

Posted on by Michael Rose.
Categories: Uncategorized.

twittermbp.jpg

As TechCrunch suggested earlier in the week, Twitter announced a few new features today: improved search on hashtags and usernames, and a Twitter-branded image/video sharing service that may disrupt established players like TwitPic and yFrog (the back-end for Twitter's service is provided by PhotoBucket). The photo service will be live in the next few weeks.

The company also announced a partnership with Mozilla to deliver a custom version of Firefox that does Twitter search in the location bar; current FF users can get the same features via a plugin.

This upgraded suite of capabilities lines up nicely with the other TechCrunch tidbit from yesterday, suggesting that part of the image service's mission is to integrate with iOS 5. iPhone users would presumably gain a 'Send to Twitter' button in any image-enabled application, although there are hints that this might go quite a bit further. If it's part of a larger plan for shared services on iDevices, that could dramatically improve the multi-app experience for people working with different sorts of data; Richard points to this Chris Clark post from a year ago with some ideas about how that might work.

Continue reading Twitter partners with Firefox, adds new image sharing tools

Twitter partners with Firefox, adds new image sharing tools originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TUAWTwitter partners with Firefox, adds new image sharing tools originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mindjet 9 for Mac due June 23, iPad/iPhone versions mid-June

Posted on by Michael Rose.
Categories: Uncategorized.

If you're a mind mapping maven, you'll be happy to know that one of the premiere apps in the market (more than 1.8 million paying customers), Mindjet, is moving forward to a new Mac version of MindManager.

Version 9 of MindManager is scheduled to ship on June 23, and will cost US$129 for upgrades or $249 for new licenses. It will add several new features, including a presentation mode, "quick entry" option, WYSIWIG printing, offline import/export for Office and iWork, dynamic content (schedules and Internet links), plus a project management mode adequate to light PM tasks.

We'll take a detailed look at MindManager Mac 9 when it gets closer to shipping, but there's another piece of the puzzle: mobile. Mindjet will be releasing separate iPad and iPhone apps ($8.99 and $6.99, respectively) right around mid-month. Both apps promise a best-in-class mind mapping tool on iOS, with Dropbox integration and MindManager desktop compatibility for round-tripping your maps.

If you're curious about mind mapping, check out Brett's previous coverage. The MindManager 9 Mac press release is below.

Show full PR text
Mindjet Announces MindManager Version 9 for Mac

New Features Help Mac Users Envision Their Best Ideas

San Francisco - June 1, 2011 - Mindjet(R), the leading provider of business productivity
software and SaaS applications that visually connect ideas, information and people, announced
today the release of MindManager(R) Version 9 for Mac(R). New and improved features help
users move seamlessly from initial brainstorm to creation of presentations and project plans.
Enhancements include new quick entry mode for brainstorming, powerful filtering capabilities
to aid prioritization, and new interactive slide show capabilities that let users organize ideas,
deliver dynamic presentations, and instantly incorporate feedback, all within the same visual
environment.

MindManager Version 9 for Mac can immediately be ordered for the upgrade price of $129
USD, or $249 USD for a new license, at
https://secure.mindjet.com/WebApp/catalog/catalog.aspx. MindManager Version 9 for Mac
will be generally available on June 23, 2011 in English, German, French, and Japanese language
versions.

Mindjet's latest Mac release, along with recently announced iPad and iPhone apps (see
separate release at: http://www.mindjet.com/press/releases/832), provide a complete suite of
information mapping products for Apple product enthusiasts.

Supporting information:

MindManager information maps let users quickly capture ideas and assemble them in
visual maps that combine the ease of a whiteboard with the flexibility of drag-and-drop
editing. Built-in tools for organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling, along with Apple
iWork(R) and Microsoft Office(R) integration, let Mac users quickly turn ideas,
requirements, and raw research into polished presentations and detailed project plans.
With over 1.8 million users, MindManager is the world's leading information mapping
solution for both businesses and individuals.
Unlike documents, presentations, and e-mail, which constrain you to working on one
page at a time, MindManager's visual information mapping lets business professionals
easily capture, organize, and communicate ideas and information, so you can organize
input from multiple sources, clarify thinking, develop meaningful project plans, structure
coherent strategies, and deliver compelling communications, all within a single
environment.
With MindManager Version 9 for Mac, users will be more organized, communicate more
effectively, and ensure project success.

o MindManager maps can be used as virtual whiteboards to easily capture ideas
and visually organize projects, presentations, and strategies.
 Facilitate brainstorming and collaborative problem solving.
 See the big picture and all the relevant details in a single dynamic view.
o MindManager is a single solution to both organize and present content in a
visual format that increases understanding and retention.
 Conduct engaging meetings and ensure participation by easily incorporating
feedback on the fly.
 Use interactive maps to selectively present the right level of detail for each
audience.
o MindManager enables users to successfully document all aspects of any project
and gain alignment from key stakeholders.
 Lay the foundation for successful project implementation by mapping out
tasks, resource assignments, and schedules.
 Enable efficient decision making by aggregating information into a central
map for easy review of all relevant details.

New Features of MindManager Version 9 for Mac

For current MindManager customers, MindManager Version 9 for Mac delivers new
capabilities to support brainstorming, via a quick text entry mode and presentations
with an interactive slide format.

A new user experience is established through more intuitive menu options, powerful
filtering capabilities, and new iconography, as well as noticeable performance
improvements.

MindManager Version 9 for Mac introduces local integrations, enabling users to easily
export map content into Microsoft Office and Apple iWork applications without
connecting to the Internet.

Interactive Slide Presentations
o Present work in easy-to-follow slides. Pick and choose topics to present, adjust
their order, and control exactly how you want each branch to appear. Present
different levels of information to various audiences, without the inconvenience
of creating multiple versions. Ensure participation and alignment by
incorporating feedback as you present.

Quick Entry Mode
o Facilitate collaborative problem solving, capture stakeholder requirements, and
improve meeting management via "quick-entry" capture of ideas and
information. The ability to quickly enter input ensures that valuable ideas
generated in brainstorming sessions and other meetings gets documented and
retained for later organization, prioritization, and analysis.

Advanced Importing/Exporting
o Conveniently import and export content to and from existing MindManager
maps. Provides in-product compatibility with Microsoft Office Mac 2011 and
iWork applications, even when offline, thanks to integrated (local) import/export
functions.
o Import content from Microsoft(R) Word and Apple iWork Pages(R) to work with all
relevant data in a single visual environment.
o Create content and then export to Word, Pages, Keynote(R), and various other
formats.

WYSIWYG Printing
o WYSIWYG(R) printing easily controls how maps are presented. Print the entire
map on a single page, including topic notes. Each slide that has been created can
also be printed, so you can print out exactly what is needed.

Enhanced Menus
o Formatting Tool bar - Users can now format text similar to how text formatting
is done in iWork Pages.
o Improved Inspector - Inspectors have been modified for improved usability and
users can also open multiple inspectors which improve overall efficiency.
o Improved Notes - Topic notes can now be formatted in-context of the notes
area rather than in the Inspector which should

Other Key Features:

Industry-Leading Information Visualization - Capture, organize, and work with ideas
and information in a wide variety of interactive visual formats, including information
maps, outlines, organization charts, tree diagrams, and more.
Project Planning and Task Management - Streamline the project planning process and
ensure visibility into all aspects of a project. Easily gather requirements and gain

stakeholder buy-in on strategies, schedules, and more. Assign and track priorities,
resources, and schedules to ensure project tasks stay on schedule.
Capture Content and Add Context - Easily capture stakeholder input, draw connections,
and reorder content. Use icons, tags, topic shapes, callouts, boundaries, colors, topic
sorting, and numbering to provide additional context. Add hyperlinks, attachments,
notes, and images to provide additional levels of detail.
Information Map Presentations - Communicate effectively to multiple audiences with
MindManager's interactive slide presentations. Easily tailor the level of details
presented for each audience and capture critical feedback right in the presentation.
Integration and Sharing - Save time with powerful integrations. Import from Microsoft
Word, Apple iWork Pages, and Freemind(R). Export to Word, Pages, or Keynote for your
final output. Integrate with iChat(R) to send or receive maps during a chat session. Also,
share your maps via email, as web pages, images, or dynamic Adobe(R) PDF files.
Dynamic Content - Synchronize your relevant calendar items and contacts with
MindManager via dynamic Microsoft Entourage and Apple iCal(R), and Address Book
dashboards. Bring the Internet into the map with a built-in web browser for in-context
search and research results.
Navigation, Viewing, and Printing Controls - Navigate and control the levels of details
displayed with powerful features like topic focus, show or hide branch, collapse map,
quick filter and select, and more. Automatically fit or balance your map within the
screen. Use WSYISYG printing of entire maps or selected sections.

Supporting Quotes:

Stuart Zola, Neuroscience PhD, Research Center Director: "I'm a brain scientist and
MindManager Version 9 for Mac works like your brain works. The product's new presentation
capabilities take me away from one-dimensional PowerPoint(R)'s, and allow me to quickly shift
focus between big-picture-thinking and detailed topic areas - a critical advantage whether
you're presenting strategic plans or focused insights."

Max Scheder-Bieschin, CFO, Berkeley Bionics(R): "MindManager 9 for Mac bested my
expectations. It is a complete solution with new capabilities that make mapping more intuitive,
quicker, and more powerful than ever. With MindManager for Mac, I now have a business
productivity engine."

Howard Veit, President, Veit Consulting: "MindManager Version 9 for Mac makes ideas come
alive for my healthcare clients, so that we can put our best thinking and strategies into

immediate action. MindManager Version 9 for Mac, with new quick text entry, means that
these working sessions are now more productive than ever."

Chuck Frey, Mind Mapping Software Blog: "Mac users rejoice! Mindjet has heard your cries for
a version of MindManager that equals or exceeds the capabilities of its Windows counterpart.
MindManager 9 for Mac is a robust, feature-rich mapping solution that will delight Mac users."

Blaine Mathieu, Chief Products Officer, Mindjet: "From architectural improvements that
increase performance and speed to demanded-for features, like our new slideshow capabilities
that let your better control the output of your content, MindManager Version 9 for Mac is a
top-flight mapping application for the Mac users."

Blaine Mathieu, Chief Products Officer, Mindjet: "MindManager Version 9 for Mac is a
significant upgrade for Mac users with added communication and sharing capabilities, quick
information capture, new and improved templates. Faster and more robust performance
mapping has come to the Mac."

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Supported Operating Systems:
Mac OS(R) X 10.6 or later

System Requirements:
Mac computer with an Intel(R) processor
733 MHz or greater (1.67 GHz or greater recommended)
512 MB of RAM (1 GB recommended)
100 MB disk space
1024 x 768 or greater

Additional Requirements for Certain Features:
Internet Connectivity
Adobe Acrobat (R) Reader 9
Apple Keynote '08 and Pages '08
Microsoft Word '08 and PowerPoint '08

Pricing and Availability
MindManager 9 for Mac is available in four languages: English, German, French, and Japanese
and can be purchased through Mindjet.com for the upgrade price of $129 USD or as a new

license for $249. Customers who purchase MindManager 9 for Mac before June 22, 2011 will
receive Eltima[TM] Paintr[TM] for Mac bundled with their purchase.

Supporting Resources:

MindManager 9 for Mac:
 Download the MindManager 9 for Mac datasheet: http://mindjet.com/mac
 Watch a video of MindManager 9 for Mac in action: http://mindjet.com/mac
 See images of MindManager 9 for Mac: http://mindjet.com/mac

Mindjet:
 Mindjet Blog: http://blog.mindjet.com/2011/05/mobile-strategy
 Mindjet on Facebook(R): http://www.facebook.com/mindjet
 Mindjet on Twitter(R): http://www.twitter.com/mindjet
 Mindjet on YouTube(R): http://www.youtube.com/mindjet
 More Mindjet news: http://www.mindjet.com/press/reviews/overview

About Mindjet:
Mindjet provides business productivity software that helps business professionals visually
organize and act upon ideas, information and resources to drive productivity, team
effectiveness, and business innovation. Mindjet products include industry-leading visual
information mapping software and online services, as well as applications that incorporate
Mindjet's innovative visualization technology to improve the usability of leading business
applications.

Used by nearly 1.8 million users around the world and by business professionals in 45 of
BusinessWeek's(R) 50 "World's Most Innovative Companies," Mindjet solutions clarify thinking,
dramatically boost productivity, and increase team effectiveness for better informed decisions.
Mindjet is headquartered in San Francisco, California and has offices throughout the U.S.,
Europe, and Asia.

Mindjet products are available for free trial or purchase at
www.mindjet.com/products/overview and through an extensive partner network at
www.mindjet.com/community/partners/overview.
###

Mac, iPad, iPhone, Apple, iWork, Pages, Keynote, iChat, iCal, and Mac OS are trademarks of
Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Mindjet 9 for Mac due June 23, iPad/iPhone versions mid-June originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 08:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TUAWMindjet 9 for Mac due June 23, iPad/iPhone versions mid-June originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 08:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: NFC payments coming to Apple Stores soon?

Posted on May 17, 2011 by Michael Rose.
Categories: Uncategorized.

It may be a case of putting the cart before the horse, but Boy Genius Report suggests that some of the retail rumblings coincident with the Apple Stores' 10th anniversary (coming this week) may have to do with the stores being equipped to take payments via Near Field Communications (NFC) setups. Presumably the existing EasyPay system could be swapped out for NFC-enabled iPod touch handhelds with a handy-dandy sled, giving Apple a solid test platform for future NFC hardware in other devices.

The rumor mill has been grinding at both ends on the likelihood of NFC in future iPhones, with arguments pro and con registering points. While major players like Visa have already committed to testing NFC hardware in specialized cases for the iPhone and other devices, it's not clear that Apple is ready to put its payment eggs in the iOS device basket. If, however, BGR is right and the stores are getting an NFC facelift to support payments, that would be a major tell about the future of the technology in Apple's product line.

Rumor: NFC payments coming to Apple Stores soon? originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 17 May 2011 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TUAWRumor: NFC payments coming to Apple Stores soon? originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 17 May 2011 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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