Apps

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According to Reuters, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg told reporters, yesterday, that Facebook is planning to “launch something awesome” next week. The product developed in Facebook’s Seattle-based engineering center can obviously be anything from a new site feature or a new mobile application, but with multiple iOS-related products coming very soon, we’re thinking this awesome launch might be their long-awaited iPad application.

Facebook has reportedly been readying a native iPad application for sometime now and according to a report from two weeks ago, the application is essentially complete and is undergoing final testing. This application is said to bring some unique features to the 9.7 inch tablet – and have an interface that goes way beyond what is currently available to Facebook.com and Facebook for iPhone users.

People who have seen the application said it has a slick design that has been tailored for the iPad and its touchscreen interface. Facebook developers and designers have also overhauled the Facebook Chat and Facebook Groups features for the application. And the app will go beyond the features available on the Facebook Web site by allowing users to shoot and upload photos and videos directly from the iPad’s built-in cameras.

Also on the table is Facebook’s “Project Spartan.” The project, originally detailed by TechCrunch, is essentially a web-based application store platform – focused on the iPad.

It’s entirely HTML5-based and the aim is to reach some 100 million users in a key place: mobile. More specifically, the initial target is both surprising and awesome: mobile Safari. Yes, Facebook is about to launch a mobile platform aimed squarely at working on the iPhone (and iPad). But it won’t be distributed through the App Store as a native application, it will be entirely HTML5-based and work in Safari.

A third upcoming iOS product from Facebook is an Instagram-like, photo-sharing application. Tech Crunch describes:

Either way, based on the images in front of us, the best way to think about it appears to be Path meets Instagram meets Color meets (Path’s new side project) With — with a few cool twists.  And obviously, it’s built entirely on top of Facebook’s massive social graph.

With three iOS products on the table for an imminent launch, and with an iPad application that has been said to be launching in the coming weeks, we think it makes sense that at least one of these three initiatives is in store for Facebook’s “awesome” product launch next week.

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As Apple’s iPad is picking up steam, so is the user base which in turn drives the increasing number of developers to write iPad-optimized apps. Today is a special day for Apple’s tablet which now counts more than a hundred thousand apps in the iPad App Store, MacStories points out.

In April of 2010 when the original iPad launched, there were only a few apps available. At the end of March the number of software items on the iPad App Store swelled to 75,000. In other words, 25,000 new iPad apps were added since then, averaging to about 280 new apps a day. Strange how Apple isn’t making a big deal out of this milestone since the wealth and the breadth of apps are probably the biggest differentiators with Android.

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By now, most people that are interested in Apple and/or video editing have heard about the ongoing criticism towards Apple’s latest professional movie making software, Final Cut Pro X. Many are calling this total revamp of the Final Cut product an application that is not suited for professionals. Some have even dubbed it as a slightly jazzed up version of iMovie – “iMovie Pro.” Now, Apple has officially responded to this criticism with a new “answers to the most common questions we’ve heard” web page.

Final Cut Pro X is a breakthrough in nonlinear video editing. The application has impressed many pro editors, and it has also generated a lot of discussion in the pro video community. We know people have questions about the new features in Final Cut Pro X and how it compares with previous versions of Final Cut Pro. Here are the answers to the most common questions we’ve heard.

The new website posts some of the most common questions from video editors and provides answers directly from Apple. The website breaks the questions and answers down into these categories: importing, editing, media management, exporting, and purchasing. Some of the answers flat out say that a respective feature is not a part of Final Cut Pro X, some say the respective feature is coming eventually, and other answers tell users that a respective function is present and gives ways of accessing it.

Some choice answers:

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Google has announced on their Google+ information page that their new social networking service will be available as a native application for the iOS platform. Google does not provide a launch date for this application, but says it is “coming soon” to iPhones running iOS 4.0 or later. There is no mention of an iPad application at this time, but you’ll be able to run it in 2X mode like other iPhone apps. (via iPhone Italia).

Cross posted with 9to5Google.com

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgXUh1HrYOw]

TheNextWeb reports that Apple has begun returning the $299 purchase price of Final Cut Pro X to customers who are unsatisfied with the product’s features and capabilities.  Cupertino has begun issuing refunds to those who have filed an official request using Apple’s Mac App Store Customer Service form.

Some customers have received sympathetic email responses from Apple support staff, including:

“Moving forward, I understand that you are not satisfied with the app “Final Cut Pro”. I can certainly appreciate you would like a refund, and I would be more than happy to help you out with this today. In five to seven business days, a credit of £179.99 should be posted to the credit card that appears on the receipt for that purchase.

Please note that this is a one time exception because the iTunes Terms and Conditions state that all sales are final.”

This is an interesting gray area because Mac Apps purchased through the Mac App Store aren’t usually up for return so long after they are purchased (unless you re in Taiwan).  Whereas boxed software, especially Pro level stuff, usually has a longer guarantee even if there are restocking fees.
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We’re expecting Skype’s iPad client at any moment now, but old Skype collaborator and new foe Fring already has lept ahead with the ability to video conference between four people, right in the iPad 2 window, at the same time.

The 5.1.1.2 update also includes bugfixes, drag and drop navigation, Bluetooth support and connectivity improvements.

More shots below:
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We haven’t gotten official word on this but the Economic Times of India is reporting that Apple changed its return policy on Apps from minutes to 7 days.  We reported earlier this month that Taiwan gave both Apple and Google two weeks to comply withits consumer protection mandate.

An official said the lack of a return and refund mechanism violated the Consumer Protection Act. In an example of the problem the city government is trying to prevent, Yeh cited a case of software bought on Apple Store on Thursday that did not work, but left the buyer without recourse.

It appears that Apple has complied (Google, less so):
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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5G_CkPfDOU]

We’re not exactly sure what’s going on here, but Skype apparently posted a promotional video for an official iPad application this morning. The video has been deleted (if it ever existed) but it looks like the real thing, based on a purported  re-upload by RazorianFly. If legit, Skype for iPad looks amazing, has video calling, 3G and WiFi support, and an easy to navigate interface with animations and clean graphics. Real or fake?

Update: A Skype executive confirmed it’s legit to TUAW.

Try your luck below…

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Apple has posted a new web page that is dedicated to answering frequently asked questions about the transition from MobileMe to Apple’s new iCloud service, which launches this fall (via TechCrunch). The webpage explains which services are staying with iCloud and which are going (shown in image above). Those are in addition to these new services:

• iTunes in the Cloud
• Photo Stream
• Documents in the Cloud
• Automatic downloads and purchase history for apps and books
• Backup and restore

The site also says that users will be able to migrate their current .Mac or MobileMe username to the iCloud service. A big question as of late has been over whether or not iCloud will include functionality in the browser; Apple answers:

Yes. Web access to iCloud Mail, Contacts, Calendar, and Find My iPhone will be available at icloud.com this fall.

Current MobileMe services such as iDisk, Web Gallery, Mac-based sync services, and iWeb published websites will still be supported, for current MobileMe and .Mac (where applicable) users, until June 30, 2012. New iCloud users, which can sign up for a free Me.com account as a part of iCloud, will not be able to access those features.

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z3SRLwSZfA]

If you loved the i3D app which tracks your eye movement through the iPad 2’s front camera to create an illusion of a glasses-free 3D display, here’s another entertainment entry that you’d want to show off to your friends. It attempts to make your tablet’s display “invisible” by employing some back-camera wizardry in conjunction with accelerometer and gyroscope data.

In a nutshell, the program tracks the movement of your iPad and updates the display accordingly in order to keep the background image aligned as if the display were transparent. Plus, you can load up your own image and turn it into an endless Kaleidoscope-like browsable surface. The program also responds to perspective tilt and throws realistic shadows for some added wow. Developer Levity Novelty conveniently calls it Invisibility. You like? It’s a 99 cent download from the App Store. Two more clips right below…

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When upgrading from Snow Leopard to Lion, there is a chance of compatibility issues between app and the new OS. A new site called RoaringApps comes to the rescue by displaying what apps are compatible with the new OS. RoaringApps provides a long table of apps showing what apps are supported and if it is available in the App Store.

Other parts of the site include a forum and IRC chat to talk apps. This makes a great way to assure that all of your Mac applications are going to work, before you upgrade.

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9crEF_QVNU]

Gameloft has rewritten their popular N.O.V.A. 2, first person shooter, for the Mac. N.O.V.A. 2 Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance, originally available for iOS, is a game packed with 13 levels and an extensive multiplayer mode. Here are the game’s features:

AN EXTENSIVE ACTION-PACKED SINGLE-PLAYER CAMPAIGN:
– 13 chapters taking you through hostile, yet amazing environments of various Orbitals
– Varied gameplay: Run, shoot, fall, drive a motorbike, pilot a giant mech, and blast a laser
– Over a dozen weapons including the Dual Hand Guns, Assault Rifle, Shotgun, Automatic Shotgun, Sniper Rifle, Rocket Launcher, Grenade Launcher, Alien Plasma Gun, Alien Lightning Gun, Alien Laser Gun, Turrets, Frag Grenades and Mines
– 3 special powers: Freeze, Slow Time and Disc for melee combat
– Experience intense combats against a wide range of enemies with improved AI

INTENSE MULTIPLAYER MODES:
– 1~10 players online or locally
– 5 modes: Free for All, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Freeze Tag, and InstaGib
– Ranking & perk systems
– 10 maps on which to battle it out
– Play against your friends or the entire world through Gameloft LIVE!
– Worldwide leaderboards in the game & on the official website, www.near-orbit-vanguard-alliance.com

The game is available for $9.99 on the Mac App Store.

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NBC joins the Fray with their own free iPad app. Before you get too excited there are no full Episodes though it says “at this time” which leaves a wide open possibility of full episodes in the future.  For now, hit up  Hulu or Netflix.

Full description below:
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Fruity Loops, a popular music creation software for Windows PCs, has made an iOS debut. The FL Studio Mobile app lets you create soundtracks on the go, featuring 133 instruments, drum kits and sliced-loop beats. You can also import your mobile projects into the FL Studio Desktop PC version (all instruments map seamlessly), just like GarageBand (but not vice versa). The 166MB download has been launched at special introductory price of $15 in both iPhone and iPad versions. Screenies and a list of rich features right below.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DESt5cnGwNA]

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It is no secret that Apple has been taking the heat, since their new Final Cut Pro X launched, over the lack of some critical features. John Gruber has compiled some written reviews – not particularly App Store reviews – and they all mention the lack of some critical features for professionals, making the transition difficult from earlier versions of the Final Cut Pro suite.

In addition to those reviews, the Mac App Store reviews panel for Final Cut Pro X has been the scene of some nasty and extremely critical reviews from users. Amid these reviews, we have discovered that all written reviews have disappeared from the Mac App Store for Final Cut Pro X. We have checked and new reviews are possible for some people, but now all. Perhaps this is a bug, or maybe Apple wanted their software to start on a clean slate tonight. Even if it’s a bug, it’s an interesting coincidence.

Update: Looks like reviews are coming back for some people. Weird that this only happened to Final Cut Pro X, though. Conspiracy theories incoming..

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Bloomberg reports that Apple’s request for the courts to ban Amazon’s use of the App Store term will probably be denied. Amazon uses the term App Store as the header name for their online store that sells and markets applications for Google’s Android platform. Apple sued Amazon in late March of this year over possible confusion over App Stores.

Amazon, in March, responded to Apple’s claims of confusion, saying:

Based on their common meaning, the words ‘app store’ together denote a store for apps, such as the app stores operated by Amazon and Apple.

The judge on the case, Phyllis Hamilton, seems to agree, reporting that Apple is yet to provide sufficient evidence for their claim that users are (or will be confused) over Amazon’s usage of the App Store name; a name that Apple has used since 2008 to market their iOS application store and most recently their Mac App Store.

Apple’s difficulty demonstrating real evidence of actual confusion among consumers is a stumbling block for Apple, Hamilton said in court. I’m troubled by the showing that you’ve made so far, but that’s where you’re likely not to prevail at this early juncture.

The case’s judge says she will “probably” deny Apple’s request, but Apple still has the opportunity to throw more evidence into the case.

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And the top 7 too.

Does anyone benefit from the App Store more than Apple? (thanks, since changed congrats iSplash!)
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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ3r-OoCj_8&w=670&h=411]

The future of medicine is now and it’s all about intelligent accessories for iOS devices. Here’s the iCard ECG, an iPhone gizmo that lets you take your own electrocardiograph readouts. You simply clip the credit-sized, millimeter thick accessory with velcro on the back of your iPhone and then press the handset against your chest. The iPhone Download blog explains:

One cool feature of the iPhoneECG is the personal heart rate trending feature. You can listen to relaxing music through your headphones and see how your heart rate is affected. This device and app are still in the process of being reviewed by the FDA in the United States, so you’ll have to register to be part of the launch.

The resulting PDF file with your ECG readouts can be easily beamed wirelessly to the AliveCor server for physicians to review. Oh, and the iCard ECG comes in red and works with iPad too, which is important if you’re Shaquille O’Neal or something.

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[vodpod id=Video.11315741&w=670&h=411&fv=]
iOS Simulator is a handy tool for developers and especially great for testing out your latest iPhone or iPad app on a computer, without having to sync the application package to your device.  What makes the iOS Simulator even better? Running it on a huge touch display, of course. Check out the above clip, showing iOS Simulator running on a 21-inch Dell ST2220T multitouch display that talks to OS X via the Touch-Base driver.

BTW, pick up that Dell ST2220T 21.5″ LED-Backlit Multi-Touch IPS LCD Monitor for $230.99 + Free Shipping after coupon code S6R5H1DX5H56MF (via 9to5Toys)

Just don’t hope the video might inspire Apple to build MacBooks with multitouch displays because…

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Pictured above: The free TiVo for iPad app, released in January 2011

It’s been known for a while that TiVo is working on new companion apps for iOS devices and they already have a free iPad app which acts as a simple remote control for the Premiere box. The June issue of CEPro magazine sheds more light on the upcoming software, quoting Bard Williams, director of retail and channel marketing for TiVo:

It offers a beautiful, easy-to-use interface; complete control over management and program selection, a multi-touch remote that features gestures-based navigation, and the ability to manage and navigate Season Pass recording, your queue and info about cast, crew, similar shows – without interrupting your TV experience. When you’re not at home, the app still lets you interact with your Premiere for basic management and recording tasks.

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The News Corp.-owned New York Post started blocking iPad readers who use Safari today.  Instead of showing content on the iPad, it gives a link to the NYPost App with the following statement:

Thanks for coming! NYPOST.com editorial content is now only accessible on the iPad through the New York Post App. If you are a current New York Post App subscriber, please visit the App Store and download the latest version to access NYPOST.com through the INDEX. If you are not a current New York Post App user and would like to subscribe, please download from theApp Store. Thank you.

Subscriptions run $6.99 per month, $39.99 for six months or $79.99 for the year, with no option for single-issue digital purchases.  News Corp also launched The Daily magazine earlier this year, the first Tablet-only daily magazine.

If the NYPost wasn’t total garbage anyway, I’d be upset.  Hopefully the backlash from this move discourages others from copying this game plan.

Interestingly, Skyfire and Opera Mini still work (below).

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