Aug
07
If you are into literature and the classics, the free Shakespeare app might be just right for you. Developed by Readdle, this app uses the online resource PlayShakespeare.com to pull the bard's works right onto your iPhone. Pretty neat, huh? 
So this app is pretty much exactly what it sounds like--a convenient way to access Shakespeare's works on the go. But it does have a few tricks up its sleeve.
For instance, each play is broken up into acts to be accessed individually. Plus, the dramatis personae (that's cast of characters) is accessible on its own as well. You can also increase the font size to make reading on the small screen easier.
I found that you can't scroll through the text, exactly, but you can double tap at the bottom of the screen to make it scroll up. This is a bit of a pain, but it helps you keep your place so that's a good thing. Also, the inclusion of line numbers would be extremely helpful to those industrious students needing to take note of a particular passage.
One other thing I would liked to have seen is perhaps links to words that are not a part of standard English anymore or a glossary of some sort. But again, this is a free app so I may be asking for too much. Or, (and even better) some of these additions may be included in future updates. A girl can hope!
If you're into literature, this one's worth the download.
Aug
07
Remember back in school when you'd fold up a piece of paper to look like a football and then take turns "kicking" it with a flick of your fingers between poised hand goal posts? Yeah, it was a fun way to pass the time (and annoy the teachers) but now Jirbo has brought the classic pastime to the iPhone.
There is a paid version of this app as well. It's aptly named Paper Football and sells for $4.99. The only difference so far as I can tell is that in the paid version you get to compete against the Jirbo community--so long as you have a Jirbo avatar.
But this review isn't about the paid version. It's about the simple little free version that I thought would be fun to try. And sure, the concept is simple enough, but who would have ever dreamed that flicking a little football across an iPhone screen would be so difficult?
You are given the option to play one or two players. If you play one-player, you'll be playing against the game itself. Now, when it's your turn, you have to slide the football across the table, but not so hard that if flies off the table. Instead, it must rest in the touchdown area. After a bit of fiddling, I was able to master this.
But the next part is the field goal. I tried in vain to get the ball through the finger goalposts, but no matter how much I flicked and swiped, the most I could manage was a football that just tumbled onto the table and slide a bit. Apparently, you have to start below the image of the ball and swipe upwards. Silly me thought it would be okay to start my swipe on the football.
The graphics are very nice and the sound effects are good but the game mechanics aren't very responsive and lag quite a bit. This one's a nice idea but needs some work.
Aug
07
It seems Apple has picked up yet another patent application. This time, the focus appears to be on remotely streaming your iTunes library at home onto your iPhone or iPod Touch while you're out and about via WiFi or a cellular network.
As it stands right now, you have to physically put your songs, videos or what have you onto your iPhone or iPod during the synching process. What this patent proposes is that you would only need to transfer a directory of the files in your library to the external device. When you go to play a song, it would then access your library at home over WiFi or a cell network and stream the content to your phone.
There's no word on when or if this technology will ever be put into place, but something similar is currently used on Apple TV and Airport Express.
[via MacRumors]
Aug
07
Starting August 25th, you'll be able to mess around with all sorts of synth sounds on your iPhone thanks to a new app called Noise.io from Amidio.
It will take advantage of the multi-touch controls and provide real-time sound altering. With sound effects galore, this app runs off of Enhanced Subspace Frequency Modulation (ESFM). Plus, it will have 81 preset sounds and an editor in which to modify your own synth sound pieces.
You can produce all sorts of sounds and according to the Noise.io website, this app is meant for "musicians, DJs, noise addicts [and] gadget lovers." Sounds like it's right up most app-users' alley.
Noise.io will cost $6.99.
[via iPhonic]
Aug
07
If there was any doubt in your mind, developers are making a pretty penny selling apps over at the iTunes App Store. And while many may think this is due to the initial mad dash of first adopters and those excited over something "new" it seems there's a real promising economy here, and not just for those that want to take advantage of the system (and those with one-click purchases) with tripe such as "I Am Rich."
But when you look at developers like Tap Tap Tap, with their Where To? and Tipulator apps, you can't help but notice there's real profit potential here. These relatively simple apps are selling like hot cakes and the industrious developers that were there the day the App Store opened are actually making a living at this.
Now, that's not to say there won't be a downward turn. There's always a downward turn, but I don't think the App Store will implode because of it. It will level out and. But for now, it's an interesting new playing field. And with sales figure transparency--at least at the beginning of this new venture--there's a generally positive feeling going around. I hope it stays that way.
[via The iPhone Blog]
Aug
07
So, we know that Apple had its sights on releasing the iPhone 3G in 70 countries by the end of 2008. We also know that August 22nd is the day it's supposed to hit 20 of the 50 countries left on the list. But word of which countries were on the shortlist have been sparse until now.
Telefonica of Spain will launch the iPhone 3G in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Peru and Uruguay. Plus, "America Movil will also bring the iPhone to several Latin American companies, most of which overlap with Telefonica's, as well as Paraguay and Honduras," says MacWorld.
Bhairti Airtel and Vodafone has the iPhone 3G for India and O2 has the Czech Republic. TeliaSonera subsidiary EMT has the iPhone for Estonia and Orange has dibs on Poland and Romania. The Philippines will get it from Globe Telecom and Hungary can rely on T-Mobile.
So, that leaves three countries left. And with just fifteen days until the iPhone 3G's launch in these countries, it will be fun to speculate.
[via MacWorld]
Aug
07
Rarely are pouches for the iPhone a good thing, because it means it takes you longer to answer a call and you have to slip it out of protection in order to use your iPhone at all. However, this one has the added convenience of a front pocket for your credit cards or a little cash.
The pouch itself is definitely for either sex, although this one looks a bit more masculine than feminine. The Dapper iPhone pouch will fit both the 1st Gen iPhone and the 3G iPhone.
It is made from 100% top-grade 3mm wool felt and for the front pocket premium buttery soft cow leather. They are handcrafted in Europe and will cost you $70 a piece.
[via likecool]
Aug
07
Thursday, August 7, 2008 -- 11:33 a.m. -- on my couch I received a comment this morning from Bruno, who alerted me to a thread about 200 deep at Apple's discussion forums regarding a serious problem where the iPhone crashes...
Aug
07
Thursday, August 7, 2008 -- 9 a.m. -- on my couch Even R.E.M. wouldn't be losing their religion if they carried an iPhone or iPod touch. I must say ... while there's not as many Torahs and Qurans as there...
Aug
06
When I was a kid we had a computer lab full of old Apple II computers, which we would use maybe twice a year to play games on. We had several games to choose from, but I really only remember two that I would play; Oregon Trail and Frogger. Unless you are very young, I would be willing to bet that you've encountered these games at some point in your life. Well now you can get at least one of them on your iPhone.
When you download Frogger, you'll be happy to see that the graphics have been updated since the game debuted in the early 80's. In addition to having better graphics, the game can also take advantage of the accelerometer for movement controls, though this can be disabled for the use of the touchscreen instead. The $9.99 price tag seems just a little steep for a game that's nearly 30 years old, but it is a classic.
