iPhone Hill

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Desktops, Gaming, Hardware, iTS, Rumors, Software, iTunes, App Store

I think the whole “Apple buying Twitter” rumor floating around is about as much of a crock as the “Apple buying EA” one. But I give slightly more credence to this conclusion: that, despite the painful experience of Pippin, Apple is once again putting together a game console. Why? Let the evidence from BNET convince you.

First, Apple is picking up game execs and console chip makers left and right. Second is a whole slew of recent patents, for everything from mixing up media and game environments to management of games acquired from a media server. And third, though BNET doesn’t actually connect the dots and say it, we will: Apple is sitting on what might be the best library of independent games anywhere, and it’s sitting right in front of us in iTunes’ App Store.

For years, console makers have depended on the mercy of publishers to keep their hardware going — they sell the hardware at a loss, and then rely on the software sales and licensing to make it all back up again. But think of what Apple could do here: improve the AppleTV or Mac Mini, throw in some kind of Wii-like interface, and then break the whole thing open in the same way they did with the App Store: let developers in with a really low cost of entry, give them the tools they need to create solid games, and just take a nice cut from all of the tiny transactions flowing back and forth.

BNET claims that the iPhone’s interface wouldn’t work on a larger console, but why not? All Apple has to do is figure out a way to translate the iPhone’s gestures and taps into a console system, and then they can practically run the games natively. Sure, the resolution would be a little low with a straight port, but that’s a small problem to fix. Apple already has the makings of a game console with the iPod touch, and while the rumors may still just be rumors, there’s never been a better time for them to leverage what they’ve already got.

TUAWThe evidence for an Apple game console originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 08 May 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Filed under: Software, Internet Tools, iPhone, iPod touch

The Iconfactory’s Twitterrific was one of the first Twitter applications for the iPhone and iPod touch. Since its introduction, The Twitter App Wars have begun in earnest. If Twitter is the Belle of the Ball, there’s a long line of suitors who want to be her beau.

The new Twitterrific makes a serious play for her affection. Long-absent features like multiple account support, search and “tweet actions” like re-tweeting are all included, plus new goodies like a gorgeous, color-coded tabbed UI and the Filter Bar. Quickly find your mentions via “@ replies,” direct messages, starred favorites or tweets you’ve “marked,” which are like private favorites.

There’s so much more to this app and we’ll have a full review for you soon. Until then, you can get familiar with Twitterrific 2 on the new “Tweetorials” page. Twitterrific 2 Premium is available now from the App Store [link] for $3.99US. An ad-supported free version is also available [link].

TUAWTwitterrific 2 for iPhone and iPod touch available originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 08 May 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: iPhone

It doesn’t sell them. It doesn’t promote them. Apparently, however, T-Mobile will support them. The Consumerist is reporting today that a recent change left iPhone users on the T-Mobile network without voicemail. Worse, when someone tried to call an iPhone on the T-Mobile network, the system sent a blank text message. Unless the iPhone user had an unlimited text account, those little messages were costing money.

Several customers contacted Executive Customer Support and got a phone call that acknowledged the problem, and gave the customers a 1 month service credit.

T-Mobile, through a representative, said “T-Mobile, though they do not offer the iPhone, (but) they are committed to supporting users on their network who have them.”

True to their word, within a day or two the problem was fixed.

Wow. Just wow.

Via The Consumerist

TUAWT-Mobile supporting iPhone? Yep originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 07 May 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone OS 3.0 beta 5 has been seeded to registered iPhone developers. The latest beta has just a few changes, but the frequency of releases suggest that Apple plans to have a feature-complete version ready for its Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

According to the developers we spoke to, the latest beta of the iPhone SDK adds several methods to StoreKit, the API for implementing in-app purchasing—no other APIs received any changes. There appear to be no changes for the new beta build of iTunes 8.2 that is included with the update, though the version was revved to 8.2b10. And, no new features have been revealed thus far in the iPhone OS itself, either. However, Apple noted that there is a known issue with the latest beta that can cause data services with AT&T to stop working with some devices.

This beta comes just one week after the fourth beta was released to developers, and just over three weeks after the third beta. The quick iterations are typically a sign that bugs are being addressed, and are likely to get developers testing the in-app purchasing mechanism. The full details of iPhone OS 3.0, as well as new iPhone hardware, are expected to be revealed at WWDC which kicks off one month from tomorrow.

Filed under: Rumors, Internet, Apple

TechCrunch’s Michael Arrington is reporting that rumors beginning to float around the blogosphere are stating that Apple is interested in purchasing Twitter for US$700 million in cash. Twitter, in case you’ve been off of the planet for the last two years, is the magical “social networking” tool that has you answer the question “What am I doing right now?” in 140 characters or less.

Twitter currently has more than 25 million users, and it is rumored that growth has been exploding since Oprah blessed the service with her presence in mid-April. However, despite the size and growth potential of Twitter, there’s simply no compelling reason for Apple to spend part of its huge cash reserves to purchase the company.

Google recently tried to purchase Twitter, but was turned down by Twitter’s CEO Evan Williams. Today’s rumor comes from a “normally reliable source” who told Arrington that “Apple is in late-stage negotiations to buy Twitter and is hoping to announce it at WWDC in June.”

Despite the popularity of Twitter, the service hasn’t figured out a way to make a profit, and is strictly powered by venture capital at this point. Can any TUAW readers think of a reason why Apple should buy Twitter? Leave us a comment!

TUAWRumor Watch: Apple to buy Twitter originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 05 May 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

iPhone owners who are searching for an easy-to-use database management app for their iPhones can stop looking. Today, FileMaker Inc. announced the immediate availability of Bento for iPhone and iPod touch (click opens iTunes), a US$4.99 portable edition of Bento for Mac.

The app comes with 25 built-in templates for business or personal use, plus a blank template that can be used to create your own customized templates. Some of the included business templates can be used for issue tracking, time billing, and expenses, while personal templates include a diet log, recipes, vehicle maintenance, and home inventory.

Like the Mac app, Bento for iPhone and iPod touch is integrated with Contacts, Safari, Mail, and Google Maps. Additionally, Bento can be used to dial an iPhone. Databases can be synchronized wirelessly (via WiFi) with Bento 2.0v4 for Mac. This new version of Bento 2.0 for Mac is a free update that is available for download to all existing users today.

The video below features Ryan Rosenberg, VP of Marketing and Services for FileMaker, describing and demonstrating many of the features of Bento for iPhone and iPod touch. TUAW will have a full review of Bento for iPhone and iPod touch in the near future.

TUAWFirst Look: Bento for iPhone and iPod touch originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 05 May 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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