Mark is an award-winning journalist who worked at 9to5Mac for over six years. He covers Apple and other topics related to the consumer technology industry.
It’s not that app that lets you watch FiOS on your iPad but it’s an app that lets you change the channels, control your FiOS set-top-box, and move through the TV guide all from your iPad. Additionally, FiOS customers with DVRs can control their DVR and start recording shows from anywhere in the world. For the app to work you must fulfill the below requirments and the app is now free on the iPad App Store.
Requirements:
– A Verizon FiOS-provided router
– A My Verizon User ID and Password
– At least one Set-Top Box for Guide Data, Video on Demand Browsing and What’s Hot viewing
– A DVR for Remote DVR Functionality and Video on Demand Bookmarking
– An HD Set-Top Box for Remote Control functionality
David Frampton of Majic Jungle provided us a copy of his upcoming Chopper 2 for Mac and we’re here to preview it for you. At first glance: wow. The game is spectacular and is a huge step from Chopper 1 for Mac. The graphics in Chopper 2 for Mac are phenomenal and are 3D (you’ll see what I mean in the video above). The controls are simple to use and the game is easy for anyone to pick up on. In fact, if you’ve played Chopper 2 for iOS the game play will be very familiar.
If you’re new to the Chopper game series the concept is very simple. You are flying a helicopter through the skies, going through several obstacles in order to pick up people on the ground. Some of these obstacles include birds, buildings, and of course mercenaries, rockets, and planes shooting at you. The game is particularly fun and with multiple levels you should never get bored. Chopper 2 includes three skill levels (normal, hard, and harder) and within those are several individual lands and maps. Each level has three lands and within those lands are three different maps, and within those maps are tons of levels to play through…
The Huffington Post has had an iPad app for sometime and tonight they have released a new version, re-designed from the ground up. The new version is quite slick with access to all of the Huffington Post’s sections and a new “glide” feature. This feature lets you slide through the different posts and it sort of feels like the Twitter for iPad interface. The update is free and you can get it here on the App Store. More screenshots after the break.
Apple has released yet another heart warming iPhone 4 ad once again showcasing the FaceTime video calling feature. The premise of this one is a mom and son FaceTiming,”under the covers,” with Santa Clause (dad in the other room) bringing joy to the boy.
Last night we reported that Tapulous had launched Tap Tap Revenge 4 with several new features like a new design, 100 free tracks, and an arcade mode. Now, less than 24 hours since its launch, Tap Tap Revenge 4 is the number one free application on the iTunes App Store. Tapulous CEO Bart Decrem told TechCrunch that Tap Tap Revenge 4 is already seeing around 25,000 downloads an hour. If you still haven’t gotten your hands on Tap Tap Revenge 4 you can download it for free here.
Apple’s job listings are usually a good indication of what’s to come and tonight Apple began searching for four engineers with a specific focus on voice technologies in iOS. These four positions (1,2,3,4) break up into an iOS Speech Application Engineer, two Speech Recognition Engineers, and a Senior Speech Research Scientist. With three different job types, all with a focus on voice recognition, Apple appears to be serious about this.
Are you looking to contribute to a product that is redefining the smartphone? The iOS Application Frameworks team is looking for an exceptional Speech Engineer. You will work with our team on a wide variety of speech-related development activities. We need a team player – you will be working closely with engineers on the Application Frameworks team as well as other teams at Apple – and we need someone who is comfortable working in a fast paced environment with rapidly changing priorities.
What is even more interesting is where Apple wants the potential applicants to have experience. Have you heard of Nuance’s voice recognition software? How about Google’s Voice recognizing Cloud used in Android OS? Well, Apple prefers the engineers working on iOS’s voice recognition to have “demonstrated experience with Nuance Recognizer, IBM WebSphere Voice, Google Voice Search, or similar voice search tools.”
You may recall Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak saying something about Nuance’s voice technology in connection to Apple, then denying it, or you may have heard about Apple’s acquisition of Artificial Intelligence company Siri. It seems to all be coming together now. Check out a video of Siri’s voice recognition software running on iPhone for a peek into iOS’s future.
Apple has informed developers of applications and widgets on Apple’s downloads website that the site will be closing down come January 6th when the Mac App Store opens for business. Apple believes that the Mac App Store will truly be the best place to get Mac apps and this is another indication of that. One feature the downloads site has is access to Dashboard widgets. No word on whether the Mac App Store will be home to dashboard widgets and if not, Apple should think about leaving that portion up online.
Thank you for making the Mac OS X Download site a great destination with apps that offer users new ways to work, play, learn, and create on their Mac. We recently announced that on January 6, 2011, the Mac App Store will open to users around the world, presenting you with an exciting, new opportunity to reach millions of customers. Since the introduction of the App Store in 2008, we’ve been thrilled with the incredible support from developers and the enthusiastic response from users. Now we’re bringing the revolutionary experience of the App Store to Mac OS X. Because we believe the Mac App Store will be the best destination for users to discover, purchase, and download your apps, we will no longer offer apps on the Mac OS X Downloads site. Instead, beginning January 6, we will be directing users to explore the range of apps available on the Mac App Store. We appreciate your support of the Mac platform and hope you’ll take advantage of this new opportunity to showcase your apps to even more users. To learn how you can offer your apps on the Mac App Store, visit the Apple Developer website at <http://developer.apple.com/programs/mac/>.
Apple has just released a new Mac application called iAd Producer and if the name isn’t an indication, it lets you create awesome graphic and motion-rich iAds for iOS devices.
iAd Producer makes it easy for you to design and assemble high-impact, interactive content for iAd. iAd Producer automatically manages the HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript behind your iAd to make creating beautiful, motion-rich iAd content as easy as point and click.
For advanced developers, iAd Producer offers sophisticated JavaScript editing and debugging, along with a powerful extension mechanism that enables them to create and re-use their own page templates and components.
As you can see in the image above and on the screenshots after the break, iAd Producer is very powerful and has a very streamlined interface. It allows you to create iAd interfaces that include cover flows, image carousels, grids, and many other iOS elements. The app features a full component library where you can easily drag in user interface elements like progress bars, flip views, and galleries. iAd producer even includes a full range of animations and tools to help you create stunning iAd designs.
iAd Producer also includes a full simulation tool to test your iAd on any iOS 4 device or the iOS 4 simulator on your Mac. Optimization tools for the best possible performance is also present and be sure to check out all our screenshots after the break. iAd Producer is available free to paid developers through the iOS Dev Center.
Erica Sadun has put together a new Mac application called AirFlick . To put it simply, AirFlick lets you watch any video stored on your Mac or any video from the internet that is compatible with the AppleTV/iTunes ecosystem (.mov, mp4, etc.). Simply launch the application (screenshot after the break) drag a file path from your Mac or an internet video URL. As soon as you hit the play button the video will start playing on your TV via the Apple TV.
The first time we tried it we got an error message but then we left the error window and tried again and it worked. AirFlick is a bombshell piece of software for your Mac and if you’re like me you will find it extremely useful. AirFlick sort of turns your Apple TV into a video web browser as you are no longer limited to the built in YouTube or Netflix player. You get way more now.
Sadun notes that AirFlick is “quite alpha” with 0.01 as its version number. AirFlick has worked as it should so far for us, and you can give it a try here too. A third party developer has proved that the Apple TV can act as a “data server” and as an internet browser to a point. So why is it taking Apple so long?
Update: Erica Sadun figured out how to get AVIs streaming too. Video after the break.
When Apple launched their second-generation Apple TV back in September many thought it change the way we viewed our media. Apple’s AirPlay feature where you can stream video from an iOS device or Mac to an Apple TV just adds to the argument. The new Apple TV is not only making Apple some money but has doubled sales of the competing Roku internet-connected set-top-box. How is that possible you may ask? Well, Roku CEO Anthony Wood told Business Insidersales are up because “Apple helped bring a lot of new attention and awareness to the category.” Roku is set to pass $50 million in sales in 2010 and is gearing up for a $100 million 2011. 1 million Rokus will be sold by the end of 2010 and the $80 device is sitting near the top of Amazon’s top electronics list.
Motorola has just posted their teaser video for their upcoming Android powered tablet. The teaser is quite interesting, going through the different types of tablets in history and noting the pros and cons of each. They bust down on the Galaxy Tab by calling its Android OS a phone operating system and what they say about the iPad is a bit confusing. If they were following the setup of the rest of the commercial they praised the iPad for being a “giant iPhone” but they also bash it by saying it’s “just a giant iPhone.” Make up your mind, Motorola.
As Engadgetnotes Motorola’s upcoming tablet will surely be running Android Honeycomb if the buzzing bee at the end of the teaser is any indication. Android master Andy Rubin recently showed off a prototype Motorola tablet running Honeycomb and said its set for next year. Oh, by next year he meant CES.
The 4th generation of arguably the most popular iPhone music game has just hit the App Store: Tap Tap Revenge 4. For those not familiar, Tap Tap Revenge was around long before the App Store. It was the premier iPhone game on the jailbroken app market. Since then it brought in Tapulous over a million dollars a month and now Tapulous is owned by Disney. Going back to Tap Tap Revenge 4 the new, free app brings loads of improvements and new features.
First, the new version brings over 100 free tracks to the table. These include songs from popular artists/bands like Lady Gaga, Linkin Park, and My Chemical Romance. (List of several more popular artists in TTR4 is after the break.) TTR4 introduces a “like” button which when pushed displays an avatar showing who else likes the respective track. Tapulous has also done some iOS 4 housekeeping by adding both Game Center and Retina Display support.
Some new social features are now present such as the ability to share scores via Twitter, Facebook, and e-mail. Perhaps the most impressive feature in the new game is the “Arcade Mode.” This new mode presents new tapping obstacles which makes the game even more challenging and when coupled with the new up-to-the-minute global leader boards, the game should be all the more fun. Let us know how you like it all in the comments. Tap Tap Revenge 4 is now free on the iTunes App Store and you can check out some screenshots after the break.
Best Buy has just started offering a new iPad bundle which includes your choice of an AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint MiFi. These MiFis support up to five wireless devices including the iPad. Although the MiFi hardware itself is free, you will need to sign up with the respective carrier for two years. If you were thinking to go with the iPad + MiFi bundle at Verizon stores you might want to turn around and save yourself the $130. Oh, you might want to hurry up as the promo ends January 2nd. You might also want to check out Clear’s sweet MiFi deals too or those on Virgin Mobile, which are much less per month.
Apple has opened up a new section in the iBookstore dedicated to full color children’s books. These picture books work with the iBooks 1.2 update that allows full-colored books. The picture books even have samples, like standard iBooks, and are read through a custom reader (pictured after the break). The books are categorized by age with prices ranging from as low as $3.99 and all the way up to $12.99. (viaMacgasm)
We have been told that TJ Maxx in the UK, TK Maxx, has started selling iPads at a discounted price. The discount appears to be £100 on all models making the entry level 16 GB WiFi iPad £329.00 instead of £429.00. We’re not exactly sure which models are in store but readers have spotted both the 16 GB and 32 GB WiFi models. These discounted iPads at TK Maxx are of course not authorized by Apple and are in extremely limited quantities. Let us know if you spot them in your local UK store.
A rare Apple Lisa 1 in perfect, working condition has just hit eBay. The current bid stands at a whopping $7500 (about what they were going for in 1983) and includes the original “Twiggy” ROMs. According to the seller the keyboard is included and the CRT display is anti-glare as well as flawless. This Lisa 1 appears to be an early-production, internal model as it lacks a serial number. It also lacks a mouse or any software. Check out some more interesting pictures at eBay.
Acceleroto, the folks behind the popular Air Hockey app for iOS, have created a Mac App Store version and it will be available at launch. Air Hockey on the Mac is nearly identical to the iOS version and works very well. The graphics and animations are super-smooth and everything just flows. The game and its contents load very fast, both on an iMac and a MacBook Air, and the user interface is just fantastic. The game opens up in a single window and does not have a full screen option at this time ( Full screen option is in the works, waiting for support from Cocos2d). Check out our exclusive, thorough preview video above and some screenshots after the break.
The Mac App Store is launching on January 6th and we already have some exclusive previews of apps coming up. We want to be able to review or preview as many Mac apps as possible so developers, Send us your apps!
What you do:
Send an e-mail to tips@9to5mac.com with the subject “Mac App Store: Your App Name” along with a 1-2 sentence description we can post. Also include screenshots and pricing for your applications and any other information you think we should post. If you want your app reviewed please also attach the binary. We won’t be able to review all the apps but hopefully we can get to many.
Flipboard, the iPad app of the year, was updated tonight with several new features. Flickr support was added to the personal, news-based magazine in addition to support for Google Reader. The Flickr support allows you to browse through your photo stream, your friend’s pictures, your favorites, and pretty much everything else the Flickr website offers. Better Facebook and Twitter integration is also present in the update in addition to a slightly enhanced page view setup.
Be informed. Sync with Google Reader to read your feeds, folders and friends’ shared items. Star, share and comment on stories.
Be amazed. Browse all Flickr has to offer, including photostream, favorites, groups, your contacts’ photos and interesting photos of the day .
Be fulfilled. Read full content right away with more beautiful layout. Flip through gorgeous Flipboard Pages from Washington Post, Bon Appetit and more.
Be social. Flip through your Facebook groups, fan pages, and photos from your feed. Browse your tweets, Twitter favorites, @mentions and lists.
Be expressive. Post photos, status updates and even Flipboard pages across Twitter, Facebook and Google Reader.
Be faster. Switch between sections faster using our instant section selector. Enjoy faster performance throughout your Flipboard.
The best part about the new social networking features is a feature that allows you to upload pictures and post status updates simultaneously to your Twitter, Facebook, and Google accounts. The app also recieved some speed and performance enhancements which is great for people looking to get their read on in a speedier manner. There is still no iPhone version and the update and the app are of course free on the App Store.
We already know the iPad 2 will be shipping in the next 100 days and a new overseas report adds two new touch screen suppliers to the equation. Apple has reportedly inked two new touch screen suppliers for the next-generation iPad’s production plans in hopes of shipping an estimated two million more units a month than the current iPad. That’s 6 million per month versus 4 million. The new suppliers Chimei Innolux and Cando join Wintek and Apple’s goal, clearly, is to ship many more iPad 2s than the current iPad. If anyone still thought a 7 inch iPad was coming, even though Jobs said no, component suppliers have heard nothing about 7 inch iPad screens.
Digitimesreports that Apple is set to unveil upgrades to both their MacBook Pro and iMac lines in the first half of 2011. The report claims that Apple has four new MacBook Pro models in store and they will feature slightly upgraded designs- a new chassis probably similar to the new MacBook Airs. The report estimates a 30%-40% notebook shipment growth for Apple after the new line of pro portables in launched.
Apple is also set to unveil a new iMac line, according to component makers, that features a new screen size and lower price points. What could this new screen size be? Is Apple going back to the 24 inch size? A 30 inch iMac? The rumored 22 incher with multitouch?! New iMacs at lower price points will probably help Apple bring back the desktop fad. This year was all about new portables (iPad and MacBook Air) and it already appears that next year will be the year of new desktop and pro offerings.
Webout is an iOS browser that just hit the App Store and it allows you to stream HTML5 video to your second generation Apple TV. iOS Safari is currently not capable of streaming video to the Apple TV, only audio, so this app fills the gap. The app is universal for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch and costs $0.99 on the App Store. Let us know how it works out for you.
We’ve come across an interesting Apple job listing today noting the different operating systems which power Apple’s North Carolina data center. The most interesting system mentioned is Mac OS X. With Xserves on the way out is Apple really stacking the place up with Mac Pro/Mac Mini server machines? Not bloody likely!
Our data center environment consists of Mac OS X, IBM/AIX, Sun/Solaris, and Linux systems. Though this position is focused primarily on Red Hat Linux and Oracle Enterprise Linux, you should also understand SAN, RAID, file system, and IP networking technology.
So the question is: Is Mac OS X running on Macs (old Xserves?) or is it running virtualized on data center hardware? We’d heard some rumblings of such a virtualized Mac OSX running on vSphere a few months ago. Such a setup would make sense in this situation.
Digitimesreports that Toshiba has denied all rumors that Apple would be investing in their Toshiba Mobile Display subsidiary company. Rumors of Apple’s investment emerged yesterday when Reuters reported Apple and Toshiba would be working on display production together. The report even led to more rumors saying Apple would be adopting the AMOLED screen technology. Until then, AMOLED is still AMO-DEAD and the iPad won’t be getting a 7 inch Retina Display.
