Archive for November, 2009

A couple of years ago, a company called Axiotron announced an aftermarket modification for the MacBook that converted the Apple laptop into a tablet. The modification remains for sale at $699 and takes a stock MacBook, removes the keyboard and screen, and adds a Wacom pen-based screen to give the device a tablet form factor.

Axiotron originally began marketing the devices as a "TabletMac" and filed a trademark for the term. Sometime in the past year, however, the trademark was transferred from Axiotron to Apple, and Apple is now listed as the owner of the trademark:

Now Apple could potentially release a product called the TabletMac. So what name? iTablet, MacTablet, TabletMac or maybe MacBook Tablet?

MacRumors has found a new Apple job listing seeking an iPhone Software Engineer to join the iPhone and iPod Touch Maps team with the goal of taking the iPhone's built-in Maps App to "the next level":

The iPhone has revolutionized the mobile industry and has changed people’s lives and we want to continue to do so. We want to take Maps to the next level, rethink how users use Maps and change the way people find things. We want to do this in a seamless, highly interactive and enjoyable way. We’ve only just started.

Apple and Google have increasingly become competitors in the mobile space while Google's mapping data remains an integral part of the iPhone's Maps application. Add this job listing to previous news that Apple quietly acquired Placebase, a would-be Google Maps competitor, back in July, and it certainly looks like Apple is planning something interesting (and less dependent on Google) for future Maps.app updates. Rumors say this new app will have navigation functionality.

iPhone developer Pandav informed MacRumors that they, thanks to the scripts of statistics included in their application, have managed to record tracks for a new iPhone model, not yet released.

PinchMedia, which offers a system of statistics and analysis on the use of software, has noticed the same thing and the new device is identified with the code iPhone3,1. The last iPhone released to the public was the iPhone 3GS which carries the identification string iPhone2,1. Apple similarly began testing the iPhone 3GS (iPhone2,1) back in October of 2008 about 8 months ahead of its launch.

The next generation iPhone might include a multi-core processor and Verizon compatibility. It might be released as early as mid 2010.

iH8Sn0w has posted another teaser trailer for Sn0wBreeze, a windows utility to build custom iPhone ipsw files.

Another Teaser... I have no idea why Teaser 2 was removed. Anyway. Like always, its not done yet! GUI is subject to change. Like the window sizes

Take a look below...

iPhone Explorer is a handy application for Mac and Windows. It allows users to use a USB connection and access all the system files. Users can create, delete and rename files and folders on iPhone or iPod Touch, or use the device as a flash drive. If you have a jailbroken device can gain access to the root directory. The functionality is somehow similar to iFunBox and iPhone Folder applications.

The application is completely free and you can download it from here.

MailRu Agent provides an ability to exchange instatnt messages between your friends, send free SMS to cell phones, share your photos and manage your Mail.Ru mailbox.

This app is avaliable for free via AppStore (link).

App Rejection is a new portal where the AppStore applications that are rejected by Apple are collected.

The site can be used by developers to understand all those unwritten rules that lead to rejection. In other words you can learn from the mistakes and adopt your app to make it to the AppStore. To access the site just click here.

Electronic Arts, one of the biggest game developer company, EA has discounted all their iPhone games for this holiday week/weekend. You can save a lot of money:

• Wolfenstein RPG ($2.99 -> $1.99), iTunes link
• Monopoly ($4.99 -> $2.99), iTunes link
• Surviving High School ($2.99 -> $1.99), iTunes link
• Auditorium ($2.99 -> $1.99), iTunes link
• Command & Conquer ($9.99 -> $6.99), iTunes link
• NBA Live ($9.99 -> $6.99), iTunes link
• Mystery Mania ($1.99 -> $0.99), iTunes link
• FIFA 10 ($9.99 -> $6.99), iTunes link
• Madden 10 ($9.99 -> $6.99), iTunes link
• Boggle ($2.99 -> $0.99), iTunes link
• The Sims ($6.99 -> $4.99), iTunes link
• Tiger Woods Golf ($4.99 -> $2.99), iTunes link
• SimCity ($4.99 -> $2.99), iTunes link
• Tetris ($4.99 -> $2.99), iTunes link
• Need For Speed Undercover ($4.99 -> $2.99), iTunes link

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gameloft is having their own sale today with a few of their games reduced to $0.99. We're not sure how long this is going to last, so if you've been thinking about picking any of these up it probably is a good idea to do it now.

Here is a list of apps available at $0.99 for the Thanksgiving/Black Friday Sale:

• Castle of Magic ($1.99 -> $0.99), iTunes link
• Real Tennis 2009 ($4.99 -> $0.99), iTunes link
• Blades of Fury ($4.99 -> $0.99), iTunes link
• Terminator Salvation ($4.99 -> $0.99), iTunes link
• Brothers in Arms – Hour of Heroes ($4.99 -> $0.99), iTunes link
• Shrek Kart ($4.99 -> $0.99), iTunes link

Happy Thanksgiving!

iPhone Folders is a Windows Explorer extension that allows you to browse contents of your iPhone or iPod Touch like a regular removable drive. After installation you'll find it in My Computer folder.

Using this extension you can browse your phone filesystem, copy files to and from it, open files directly from iPhone, create shortcuts to folders on iPhone. In thumbnail mode program will display previews of png and jpg files on phone, application icons for installed applications (.app folders).

Compatible with x86 editions of Windows XP, Vista, 7 and x64 editions of Windows XP and Vista. Requires iTunes 8 or 9 for normal operation. Supports jailbroken and non-jailbroken phones (in the later case filesystem access is limited to Media folder).

You can download iPhone Folders version 1.0.31 here.

Agile Web Solutions is offering 1Password Pro free until December 1st for iPhone and iPod touch users.

1Password will securely store your important information and can automatically log you into websites with a single tap. There's no need to remember the username, password, or even the website address.

1Password Pro is normally $7.99 and can be installed from the AppStore (link).

Feature List:

• (pro) Special easy switching mode allows you to quickly copy-and-paste usernames and passwords to Mobile Safari.
• (pro) Support for copying multiple field values (for example, both username and password) from 1Password to Mobile Safari.
• (pro) Folders for better organization (in this version a desktop application required - sold separately)
• (pro) Features coming soon: Favorites, MobileMe/WebDAV syncing, and more.
• Securely store your website names and passwords so you never forget them again
• Save important information like credit cards and membership numbers
• Jot down other notes too sensitive for stickies or bar napkins
• Synchronize it all with 1Password for Mac via Wi-Fi (sold separately, available at http://1password.com)
• Automatically log into Web sites on iPhone and iPod touch to avoid remembering and typing usernames and passwords
• Hardware-accelerated AES encryption and Auto-Lock keep your data protected even if your iPhone is lost or stolen
• All cryptographic operations are performed using standard iPhone libraries to ensure there are no security gaps or backdoors
• Two-layer defense with Unlock Code and Master Password to combine security and convenience
• Data Backup & Restore option available on Mac, Windows and Linux.

iLingual, an app that use your or anybody else's lips and uses them to speak.

Here's how it works: you snap a picture of a mouth, yours, your friend's or just a photo from a magazine. iLingual analyzes and converts it for animation. Then, you choose a phrase from the app's library, hold your iPhone over your mouth and there, you sort speak French, German or a little bit of Arabic.

iLingual is a sponsored app, so it's completely free. Here's an iTunes link.

Watch the demonstration video:

Read the rest of this entry »

Gameloft company made an agreement with Capcom to bring new cool games to the iPhone platform. In particular here is a list of 6 games that will be avaliable in 2010:

• Resident Evil
• Uprising
• Street Fighter Alpha
• Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo
• Lost Planet 2
• Dead Rising 2
• Where's Wally 2

This collaboration represents the first partnership between Gameloft and Capcom. With a network of 180 operators in 80 countries worldwide, Gameloft has all the resources, tools and experience to distribute Capcom's games to a larger number of users.

Capcom's mobile games will be available during 2010.

AdMob has released their latest October 2009 October Mobile Metrics report with details on devices and platforms requests ads from AdMob network. The iPhone and iPod Touch platform (iPhone OS) has a comfortable 50% share of worldwide traffic and 55% of US traffic. In terms of top handset models, Apple’s iPhone accounted for 22.4%/24.1% (up 5.5%/5.2%) and iPod touch for 9.8%/11.4 (up 1.4%/2.3%).

Apple nearly reached the milestone back in May when it hit 49%, but the company's share temporarily dropped back over the next several months before beginning a sharp climb again in September.

You can read the full report in PDF here.

A second iPhone worm virus has been found by security company F-Secure. It is specifically targeting people in the Netherlands who are using their iPhones for internet banking with Dutch online bank ING.

It redirects the bank's customers to a site with a log-in screen (phishing). The worm attacks "jailbroken" phones - a modification which enables the user to run non-Apple approved software on their handset. Only handsets with installed SSH (secure shell) are at risk. SSH is a file-transfer program that enables users to remotely connect to their phones. It comes with a default password, 'alpine' which should be changed.

Here is a tutorial how to change the default SSH password and minimize the risk.