Mobile Apple Me

Section: iPhone / iPod touch / iPad, iDevice Apps, iDevice Accessories, Mac Software, Originals

Macintosh and iPhone/iPod/iPad product updates and announcements for January 28, 2010:

• Macintosh
• iPod

Macintosh

• Jumsoft has augmented Pages Templates Pro, its collection of business-oriented Apple iWork templates with eight new packs. Pages Templates Pro offers an assortment of stylish, ready-made templates for brochures, letters, envelopes, business cards, and invoices. Every pack of Pages Templates Pro includes five different templates in matching styles that correspond with the category of each document.
• Stairways Software Pty Ltd has announced Keyboard Maestro 4.0.2, the new version of their powerful productivity enhancer for Mac OS X. Version 4.0.2 resolves a number of minor issues, including issues related to command-Tab and command-shift-Tab, the hot key selection, parsing of ICUDateTime tokens, Dvorak keyboards, and 10.5 in 64-bit mode.

iPhone/iPod/iPad

• Zagat Survey has announced the release of ZAGAT TO GO 3.0 for iPhone and iPod touch users. Developed with Handmark, a global leader in the development and distribution of mobile applications and services, the new application incorporates the latest in mobile application technology, including augmented reality. Zagat’s succinct reviews help diners make quick informed decisions on the go based on the professionally edited, collective opinions of thousands of avid diners.
• InnoPocket has launched the CF Formula series Genuine Carbon Fiber case for iPhone 3GS / 3G. CF Formula is targeting those race car enthusiasts dreaming of one day owning everything in carbon fiber. Not only is this a supreme quality product, but it definitely attracts attention from all direction to you. Innopocket believes this is a case to stand out in the crowd of boring and flimsy plastic accessories, and is a must-have product for any car enthusiast or carbon fiber lover.
• Sega has announced the official release of Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games for iPhone and iPod Touch. Featuring Sonic and friends (including Tails, Vector, Metal Sonic, Eggman, Knuckles and Shadow), this addictive game takes players on a journey to the slopes as they compete in some of the most challenging winter sports, including curling, figure skating, snowboard cross, and skeleton. Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games is available on the iTunes app store for $4.99 USD for the first week only (after Feb 2nd, the price goes up to $6.99).
• Firemint has announced that they will bring an optimised and re-imagined version of Flight Control to iPad. Like almost 140,000 other apps on the App Store, Flight Control will work perfectly on iPad without any changes, but they want to ensure a delightful experience on iPad that feels just right.
• TOM BIHN has introduced the Cache sleeve and Ristretto vertical messenger bag for the Apple iPad. The Cache is available in Size iPad, and designed specifically for the Apple iPad. The Cache fits the iPad on its own or encased in its Apple iPad Case. The Ristretto for Apple iPad is a vertical messenger bag with a built-in interior padded compartment that protects the iPad inside of the bag. The Ristretto for Apple iPad fits the iPad on its own or encased in its Apple iPad Case.
• Griffin Technology, Inc., has responded to Apple’s new product announcement with a line of accessories to complement the new iPad. Griffin’s announcement includes: Elan Passport, Elan Sleeve, FlexGrip, Jumper and Screen Care Kit for iPad, the first offerings in a line of Griffin devices designed to enhance the iPad user experience.
• Frozen Giant has announced Firefly Night, a simple, relaxing and artful experience for gamers young and old. The premise is simple: collect multicolored fireflies by dragging them to the correct jars. As you progress in the standard game mode, you’ll need to combine different colored flies—a red and a blue bug to make a purple one, for instance—in a race against the clock.
• Cogs just hit the App Store. Cogs is a groundbreaking puzzle game, where players build increasingly complex machines using sliding tiles in 2D and 3D environments. Multiple gameplay modes and difficulty levels are available. New puzzles are unlocked by building contraptions against the clock with as few moves as possible. This visually stunning and fantastic sounding game is perfect for puzzle fans of any age and ability.
• Vitaliy Pronkin has announced WikiPlaces 2.0 for iPhone and iPod Touch. WikiPlaces provides access to Wikimapia, the great community project with the aim to describe every location in the world. It currently has over 11,000,000 places marked. You will be amazed how much interesting and surprising information you will find about places near you and all over the world. We listened to users’ suggestions and updated WikiPlaces to be the best application to find out more about places around you.
• Ten One Design, LLC, has announced that its Pogo Sketch and Pogo Stylus—the world’s first stylus compatible with the iPhone, iPod touch and MacBook trackpads—are fully compatible with the 9.7 inch capacitive touch screen display of iPad, the new Apple tablet. The aluminum base and advanced material used on the tip of the Pogo Stylus and Pogo Sketch are what make them extraordinary and revolutionary for multi-touch displays. The touch screen tool acts as a bridge by transferring the signal from the display to the user’s hand, allowing the user to more accurately and efficiently control the capacitive touch sensitive screen of iPad.
• Momocat Studios has introduced Cogitate, a 2D puzzle game for the iPhone 3G/3GS and iPod Touch. Inspired by the 1980s puzzle sensation Rubik’s Cube, Cogitate features an intuitive interface with dozens of unique patterns to challenge a player’s logic and speed.
• SachManya has launched a unique but free iPhone app called 360News and a companion website 360newslive.com for citizen journalists to report on the spot news with auto location/date/time insertion and multimedia (both photo and video)! Uniquesness of 360News doesn’t stop here; the user reported news then gets uploaded to our website 360newslive.com and automatically gets distributed to twitter, facebook, CNN iReport, Youtube, MSNBC, Yahoo Witness News and several othet top Internet destinations in a single upload.
• iLuv has announced a new line of creative graphic designed cases and a line of sleeves for Apple’s new iPad that offer a world of color and style with protection. Ranging from casual fabric cases to leather cases to silicone cases, this series of Apple iPad inspired cases presents a great protective solution for any new iPad owners. iLuv will also offer a line of protective water resistant neoprene sleeves for new iPad owners starting in February. The sleeves will feature two front cover pockets for accessories and a secure lip that will keep your iPad protected while on the go. The entire line of new Apple iPad accessories will be available starting in February.
• FastMall is the first and only downloadable iPhone app that provides turn-by-turn directions for finding your way at shopping malls and around shopping districts. Similar to Google Maps, but designed for indoor structures (no cell service required once map is installed and your logged in), FastMall on your iPhone means you’ll never be lost at the mall again. Great for shoppers, FastMall is also an interactive system that allows retailers to deliver news of exclusive promotions, discounts and deals directly to FastMall users, right inside the app. And the best part, it’s all free.

Full Story » | Written by Kirk Hiner for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: iPhone / iPod touch / iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, iDevice Apps, Originals

If you look at all of the personal data stored on your iPhone, you may get scared. That loseable, droppable and forgettable item can hold a surprising amount of your private information. Your phone numbers, e-mail account, and web history are just the beginning. If you have an online banking app, Paypal or a budget tracker, your fiscal information will be up for grabs. If you have a Twitter or Facebook app, then a bevy of personal information is available both from your posts and your profile.

This all means it is probably a good idea to take some steps to protect your data, just in case your phone goes AWOL. These apps can help you out.

Security System

Seller: Sticky Ice Games LLC
Compatibility: iPhone or iPod Touch
Requirements: iPhone OS 3.0 or higher
File Size:
Price: $0.99
Age Rating: 4+

If you are concerned your phone will be stolen, then setting this alarm will help you to deter a thief since everyone in a six block radius will hear the phone as it is being walked away.

This application works under a very simple premise.

1. You set the alarm by arming the application.
2. You leave the phone on a counter, or in your bag while you go to get a latte or find the book that you want.
3. A would-be thief finds his way to the iPhone and attempts to take it from you.
4. The thief moves the phone.
5. When it moves the application triggers an alarm.
6. You and everyone else looks at the person who is trying to steal your phone.

The alarm is quite loud. Shouldn’t be too hard to find the phone now if the thief chooses to run away with your phone. The odds are, however, that he will simply drop your phone and run away, leaving you to pick it up and disarm the application. 

GPS Thief Tracker Private I

Seller: Michael Schneider
Compatibility: iPhone
Requirements: iPhone OS 3.0 or higher
File Size: 0.7MB
Price: $0.99
Age Rating: 4+

Once your phone is lost, you will want to get it back. Sure, you might be able to physically replace the phone, but you also need to consider the value of the data that is on the original phone: the contact information of everyone that you have in the address book, the access to your email that has been set up through the mail application, your web browsing history, any banking or Paypal applications you have put on (and used), all of your photos and videos, etc. That may not sound like a great deal of data, but it could just be enough to steal your identity with, or make a mess of your personal life with some unsuitable texts.

This app will give you a GPS location on your phone so that local law enforcement can recover it. It is nice and simple. All you have to do is sign onto the website that goes with the application. You and your helpful local law enforcement agency will be able to figure out exactly where your phone is without too much fuss. In less then five, you can have the authorities on the way to go and get your phone back for you. This application is also handy if you want to be sure you didn’t drop your phone at the grocery store.

My Secrets

Seller: Konstantin Anoshkin
Compatibility: iPhone or iPod Touch
Requirements: iPhone OS 2.2 or higher
File Size: 0.6 MB
Price: $4.99
Age Rating: 4+

We tend to carry around a lot of information on our phones. As we mentioned above, your phone numbers, email, web browsing, social media site access and even your banking information could be there. If you phone is taken, and for some reason it cannot be tracked (for example the battery has been removed from the phone, shutting off the software), you still need to be sure your data is safe from anyone who would look to take it. This application allows you to store sensitive data and notes behind AES 256-bit encryption. It is not a bulletproof shield, but it will stop most thieves and slow down anyone who is serious about hacking your phone.

This application also has one more very hand feature; it offers you a one-click backup to your Mac or Macbook. That way, even if the unthinkable happens, you will not lose your data. That may not sound like much of a consolation prize, but have you ever tried remaking your entire phone book from memory? Most of us could not do it, at least not with total accuracy.

Full Story » | Written by Katie Gatto for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: Apple News, Conferences, Macworld, iPhone / iPod touch / iPad, iPad, Originals

So, Apple essentially flipped-off IDG, insulted their mother and kicked their dog by pulling out of Macworld Expo and then announcing their biggest product since the iPhone two weeks before the largest Apple event of the year is set to start. In retaliation, IDG has chosen to turn the other cheek (not that they have any other choice) by embracing the iPad and announcing an exclusive preview of the product.

The iPad preview will be held on Saturday, February 13 at 1:00pm at the Moscone Center. Jason Snell, vice president and editorial director at Macworld, and a panel of industry insiders will explore the features, functionality and provide insight into the iPad.

“Apple’s new iPad represents another watershed event for the tech marketplace, and Macworld 2010 will be the first and best place where end users can learn how the product works and whether it’s a buy now or wait decision,” said Paul Kent, vice president and general manager for Macworld 2010. “Our special event will help demystify the just-announced iPad and give users an in-depth look into the future of this product and what it might mean to them on a personal and practical level.”

Because whereas Apple is seemingly content to show their product only to tech analysts and media reporters who continue to whine about things like lack of built-in 3G and the omission of front/back cameras, IDG understands the importance of showing products to fanboys who continue to whine about things like lack of built-in 3G and the omission of front/back cameras.

Those attending the event will get the chance to win an Apple iPad when the product is available to ship, but IDG has offered no other contest rules at this time.

Full Story » | Written by Kirk Hiner for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: Apple News, Steve Jobs, Conferences, Press Events, iPhone / iPod touch / iPad, iPad

By now, you no doubt want an iPad, but the only things you’ll get for the next 60 to 90 days are images, videos and information that will just make you want it more. Apple wasted little time by posting their first iPad walkthrough video, and now you can stream the entire event. I’m going to go watch it now, and I’m sure you’ll join me by doing the same.

Watch Apple iPad Special Event Video

Full Story » | Written by Jake Gaecke for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »