Mobile Apple Me

Section: Rumors, Apple News, Conferences, Press Events, iPhone / iPod touch / iPad, iDevice Apps, Macintosh / Apple Hardware, Apple TV

Apple has been rumored to be revamping the Apple TV during tomorrow’s special event, and now Bloomberg is attempting to add some details before that happens. Their sources say that Apple’s new set top box, possibly renamed the iTV, will support Netflix and its Instant Watch service. What they don’t venture a guess to is how…

Bloomberg leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to details.  The only information they provide is the obvious; you’ll need to have a Netflix paid account to actually make any use of said Netflix support.  Helpful, I know.  But they do have three sources that confirm the Netflix support rumor.  Not bad, and honestly not that surprising either.  There have been whispers that Apple’s going to allow for apps on the Apple TV, and they’re likely going to rename it to iTV.  If this is true, they might finally transform their hobby into a useful product.

Netflix would be a prime example of an amazing app for the iTV.  But if there is support for Netflix, then it’s not too hard to believe that Apple really will allow other apps and services to run on the iTV similarly to other iDevices.  The possibilities are endless, and lets face it, apps are the reason most of us love our iDevices so much.  I can just image browsing the internet with an iTV using a magic trackpad and a slightly less magical Apple bluetooth keyboard.  Or perhaps watching EyeTV content previously recorded on a Mac elsewhere in the house.  Really, a new iTV with app support could replace my Mac Mini media center setup.  After all, the Mac Mini overkill when it comes to the living room.  Oh, and how about games?  I’m sure apps could link between iPhone and iTV…I’m getting ahead of myself.  Before I get too excited, I think I’ll just wait for tomorrow’s announcements.

And if there’s an iTV with apps, I’m buying it.

Via Bloomberg

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

Section: Apple News, Conferences, Press Events, iPhone / iPod touch / iPad, iPod touch, iPod, iPod shuffle, iPod nano, Macintosh / Apple Hardware, Apple TV

No joke. Apple has announced that they’ll be providing a live video stream of tomorrow’s special event starting at 10:00 AM PDT on Apple.com. But there’s a catch, you’ll need to have an iDevice with iOS 3.0+ or Mac computer running Snow Leopard with Safari to watch. No problem, right?

There’s a first time for everything, I suppose. Now you’ll be able to watch along with the rest of the tech and reporting community as Apple announces whatever it is they have in store for us tomorrow. They’ll be using their own “industry-leading HTTP Live Streaming,” which they are proud to say is based on open standards. I think that one was directed at you, Adobe. This will almost certainly take advantage of HTML5, not that you really cared how it works.

Now all that’s left to do is wait to see what exactly Apple has in store for us. I think we’d all be surprised if we didn’t see a new iPod touch, iPod nano and AppleTV though.

Via Apple

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

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

iPhone, iPod and iPad product updates and announcements for August 31, 2010:

• Fresh on the heels of their app giveaway, pzizz Technology Ltd. has announced the continued reduced prices of its two apps, “pzizz energizer” and “pzizz sleep” - available at the iTunes store. The pzizz apps, normally $9.99, which boost energy, reduce stress and help solve sleep problems, were already bestsellers on iTunes when CEO Edward Laing decided to make them available to even more people all over the world - by offering them for free for a limited time.
• DEVART has released Calendar Alarm, an alarm you can’t ignore because it rings long and loud. Calendar Alarm syncs with the standard iPhone Calendar and adds an alarm with a sound of your choice. The only thing you have to do is start or activate the Calendar Alarm app, after you have set your appointments and alerts in your default iPhone Calendar. Built on top of the system calendar database ensures Calendar Alarm works seamlessly together with all iPhone supported calendars.
• Dot Next has announced Magnetic Alphabet Lite 1.0 for the iPad, the free version of the classic magnetic board game. Magnetic Alphabet Lite is based on their popular app and an ideal tool to help preschool age children become familiar with letters and numbers. The lite version gives users a chance to try the app before they buy, with a limited set of magnets and with the ability to use two colors on the six available.
• Kengin Consulting Inc. has released AmsterdamFUN - Lite 1.1, their free version of AmsterdamFUN Deluxe for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices. A real time saver, AmsterdamFUN - Lite is a handy, yet sophisticated mapping and traveling tool. Tourists can consult the map to find out where they are and discover how to get to another location. AmsterdamFUN Lite gives its users a small sampling of what can be found in the Duluxe version of the app.
• Matthew Berry has released Soccer Dad 1.1 for iPhone and iPod touch users. The application is a new tool that eases some of the administration challenges that come with coaching a kids’ soccer team and adds an element of fun, too. In addition to helping with regular tasks such as managing information, players and schedules, Soccer Dad makes it easy to communicate with parents, organize events and snap photos. The app has also been optimized for the iPhone 4’s retina display.
• Yutaka Yagiura has announced the release of Domo Todo+ 4.2 for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad users. With this newest version, list makers can add tasks and tags to their list with a single tap of their finger. Domo Todo+ also syncs with Google Calendar, so the user’s lists can be found on one location. This feature also lets users edit their list from their device or their PC’s browser. This major update includes support for the new iPhone 4 software and retina display as well as SMS, Email and more.
• Blackleaf Software LLC has released What Do They Believe? 1.4 for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad users. The application is an educational portal that provides basic fundamental knowledge of various religions and religious symbols. This latest update contains a fun and informative trivia game which users can participate in to accumulate points for their religion, which are updated and shown live on the global leaderboard when the scores place them in one of the top three spots.
• ApproS has announced the release of Bible Soccer 1.1 for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad users. This new app combines the fun of a soccer based video game with the spiritual and educational experience of testing a user’s knowledge of the scriptures. Players make their way down the field to score by correctly answering trivia questions about Bible passages. This inspirational game is a great way for Christians of all ages to learn more about the Bible or just reinforce their faith in God.
• The potential of HTML5 for mobile gaming becomes a reality. SPIL GAMES, the world’s largest online casual gaming company unveils mobile versions of its gaming websites frequented by 130 million unique visitors every month. This means that consumers can enjoy their favorite game environment just as easily on their mobile devices as they do on their computers. Additionally, SPIL GAMES is launching a contest offering HTML5 developers prizes totaling $50,000 for the best HTML5 games.
• Kitty Code, LLC has announced the limited time sale of Hurricane, their leading hurricane tracking app for the iPhone and iPod touch, just in time to track Hurricane Earl, Tropical Storm Fiona and Invest 98L in the Atlantic. Hurricane features a fully interactive map complete with forecast cone, historical storm data, and the latest storm information available within minutes direct from the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
• Massachusetts based HuddleHub has announced HuddleHub Fantasy Football 2010, their new app that gives players the opportunity to track fantasy teams from ESPN and Yahoo in one app and manage them from iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. With HuddleHub Fantasy Football the users are able to watch live scores and automatically get updates during all live NFL games. Players are welcomed to interact through Facebook and Twitter as well as on the HuddleHub site.
• Indie gaming studio Industrial Brothers has wasted no time ensuring that Beast Farmer fans are given the opportunity to return to “Beast Planet” with their new release Beast Farmer II: Beasts Unleashed. Psycho-Crabs, Exploding Frogs, Hairless Dragon Bats, and Skull-shooting Octopi are just a few of the creatures that will engage users in this exciting sequel. With an expected release date in October 2010, the team at Industrial Brothers has great expectations for their Beast Farmer franchise.
• Daemgen has announces ProCamera 2.9, an update to its popular camera app for iPhone devices. ProCamera allows iPhone users to get the best out of the iPhone camera. With useful features missing in the system Camera app, users are able to use the best camera, the one that’s always with them, without limitations. Version 2.9 introduces the Easy Expert Mode with advanced focus/exposure control and real-time white balance adjustment and much more.
• Hard Candy Cases continues the tradition of bringing quality Apple-centric products to market first with protective accessories for the iTouch 4G currently in production.  The new cases are set to ship prior to Apple’s expected launch date in September, allowing consumers to have quality protection as soon as the device becomes available.

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

Section: iPhone / iPod touch / iPad, iPad, iTunes, Features, How-To

If you want to know which of your ebooks are DRM free and which have been protected by copyright, have no fear; you don’t need to open each book individually to find out. Instead, a simple click on each title from within the iTunes user interface will tell you what you need to know. These simple steps will let you know if a book has DRM protections or if you’re free to share it with others.

1. Open iTunes.
2. Select the target ebook.
3. Choose File.
4. Choose Get Info.
5. Look at the “Media Kind” field.

• If it says “book,” it is a web download.
• If it says “purchased book,” it’s a DRM free iBook purchase/download.
• If it says “protected book,” it has a copyright attached.

6. Use accordingly to avoid lawsuits

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