One of the most popular courses on Apple’s iTunes U education is back. The Winter 2010 semester of Stanford University’s iPhone Application Development Course is now available via iTunes U.
This is a 10 week session that will focus on updated material for iPhone OS 3.1. The videos for the course will also offer more this year. “We’re getting the videos closed captioned this time, so they’ll be even more accessible,” said Julie Zelenski, a Stanford computer science lecturer who helps coordinate the class.
The course was downloaded more than 4.4 million times last year.
Our colleagues from Engadget.com released their own iPhone / iPod touch app to bring different tech news directly to our famous devices. The app features a whole bunch of useful features such as offline viewing, built in streaming and different customization options.
Wind Os is a simple application that brings the feeling of using Windows on the iPhone. There is a bottom bar and user can open the Start menu and access minesweeper game and the notepad. The applications are fully functional, but there is always a possibility of some errors in the system:
This application has no real value and is therefore directed more to jokes. Just make friends think that you have installed a lightweight version of Windows on the iPhone. Wow!
Wind Os is avaliable in AppStore for $0.99 (link).
Simsons comes to iPhone! Unfortunately the title isn't really what the app is about. This is not The Simpsons Arcade, it's a upgraded port of a J2ME game.
The gameplay is still a lot of fan. There are many familiar characters. Simpsons fans will be impressed. The only real variety in the game is from the power ups you pick up along the way, which consist of weapons for you to use as well as other members of the Simpson family coming to briefly help you out.
Here is the first few levels, including a boss fight with Chief Wiggum and Mayor Quimby:
Texting while walking is dangerous, but we all do it regulary. The new iPhone app called "Type n Walk" solves this problem by using the camera to make the phone transparent. Type n Walk displays a transparent viewport of what's directly in front of you. This combined with your peripheral vision is just enough to help you avoid obstacles.
Despite the name, Type n Walk is useful while you're sitting or standing too. Use it anytime you would like to keep an eye on your surroundings while you type.
The iPhone game F.A.S.T. (Fleet Air Superiority Training) is an air combat simulation game with online multiplayer functionality. Yesterday it was updated and today it became free. The regular price was $0.99. The discount is probably due to the addition of some new paid content that is avaliable through the in-app purchase.
Why not try it for free? Go ahead and download via AppStore (link).
Apple today launched a new holiday-themed iPhone commercial entitled "12 Days of Christmas". The ad reworks the standard Christmas carol of the same name to feature twelve iPhone applications related in some way to the holiday season:
12 cookies cooking: The Betty Crocker Mobile Cookbook [App Store, Free]
The iPhone game 7 Cities is a Tower Defense type game available in AppStore. The price varied from $0.99 to $4.99. Today it is offered for free. This is limited time offer, thich means it is free for a short period of time.
The game is very nice and well done, the graphics are rich but not too confusing. The goal is to defend against different attacks and to do that user has types of 5 towers and 12 different skills.
Microsoft just released an official application of its search engine "Bing". The app looks really good and is well done. It allows you to find websites, images, videos, maps, shopping, news and offers step by step directions to navigate from one point to another! There is even a voice search, a business directory, ability to add pushpins and save locations.
Bing app is avaliable for free via AppStore (link).
MacWorld has listed their 20 favorite apps of the year for the iPhone and iPod touch. With over 100,000 apps in the App Store, MacWorld focused on 20 categories and narrowed it down to the best performer in each category.
Apple has approved iVideoCamera, an application which lets you record video on any iPhone including the iPhone 2G and iPhone 3G. Now you don't need a 3GS to record and share videos with your friends and family. Works with firmware 3.1 OS installed and includes:
Ability to save to your camera roll or "Photos" and share via:
FaceBook
YouTube
Vimeo
Twitter and more coming soon
Limitations:
The iPhone can only capture about 3 frames per second
Videos are limited to about 1 minute in length
Resolution is low: 160x213
You can purchase iVideoCamera in App Store for $0.99 (link).
This is a great step forward, because Apple did not allow such apps to be in Appstore before. The quality of the recorded video is quite low, however it might be improved in the future. Could the acceptance of iVideoCamera open the door for Cycorder, popular video recording app that can be installed via Cydia?
On Tuesday, December 8, the official Playboy iPhone app hopped into the App Storу. Everybody can buy it for just $1.99.
The app is a scaled-down iPhone version of the largest selling men’s magazine, Playboy, and includes portions of the text from the following well known features … Playboy Interview, Playboy Advisor, 20 Questions, Party Jokes, Fashion and more.
However do not expect to see everything you can find in the magazine. Apple does NOT allow nudity in the App Store. So the application includes the Playmate’s intro, data sheet, preview pictures and exclusive behind the scenes preview video. Theresa Hennessey explained: “The pictures are all non-nude or cropped, either from the magazine pictorial or from the Playmate’s Playboy.com pictorial.” Read the rest of this entry »
Apple created a list of the best iPhone games of 2009. The list is part of their iTunes Rewind 2009 where they are highlighting the best content across 2009 in music, movies, TV shows, audiobooks, podcasts, and apps.
Phil Shiller, Apple Senior Vice President of Marketing, was asked what his favorite iPhone Apps were, and here’s what he said:
Shazam [Free - iTunes link]: “There’s just something so amazing about being anywhere, and some music starts playing and you just hold up your phone and can find out what it is,” Mr. Schiller said. “You never again have to say ‘That’s a great song! Who is it by?”
CNN News [$1.99 - iTunes link]: “It’s really cool having the news in your pocket.”
Fring has added video calling support to the iPhone and iPod touch via Skype. This is a huge step further. iPhone became a videophone!
It works on Fring to Fring, and Skype to Fring. Unfortunately, it's not bi-directional. You would be able to see whoever is calling you from a desktop, but you won't be able to transmit your image. The reason is because the iPhone doesn't have a front camera, so you can't do face to face. The application will support two-way video calling if the iPhone and iPod touch gain front-facing cameras in the future. The company already supports two-way video calling on several Nokia phones with such cameras.