iOS Devices

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Microsoft launched Project Natal as ‘Kinect’ today.  You’ve probably seen it previewed a hundred times around the web.  

OK, I’ll admit it, the technology looks pretty cool. I’ve been following Natal since it was previewed last year and thought that if they could get it to work, it’d be worth putting it in the family room.  But does it actually work as good as it looks like it works?

Dunno.  Bad signs: Microsoft just re-orged its entire entertainment division and kicked out two top execs J Allerd and Robbie Bach.  That isn’t a good sign.  You usually don’t fire people for doing a kick ass job.

Also, giving it the name of the Kin, which the market isn’t falling in love with…or even like with (despite the Microsoft marketing buzz) probably isn’t a good way to start it off.

Otherwise, I’m interested.  Interestingly, you can pre-order the new XBOX 360 with Kinect on Amazon already!

Our favorite AppleXsider today caught a new addition to the now famous section 3.3.2 of the Apple Developer agreement.   According to the new verbiage, any interpreter can be used so long as the company that makes it isn’t also a term for mud-built houses:

Heh.  Seriously, this is to allow game interpreters like Lua to be used in iOS gaming, amongst other things.

Since many of you are planning to order your iPhone 4 tomorrow, we thought this would be a great post to help choose your Bumper color. Here’s what each color will look like on the black iPhone 4: 

You can see the white version after the break — that most likely won’t matter for tomorrow though. 

It isn’t like Apple to keep us in the dark about something like this until the day before pre-orders start but according to ModMyi (and some pretty convincing graphics from AT&T?), those who prefer their iPhones in white will have to wait until “later this summer”.  

Maybe white is an Apple exclusive?  What say you Apple/AT&T?!

UPDATE: DeutscheTelekom has confirmed this for their stock in Germany on their Twitter page. 

Did he get preview access to an iPhone 4, or did he actually buy an already outdated 3GS? 

Android usage is growing fast in multiple shapes and sizes. Apple holds the edge in popularity and customer satisfaction but what will the company do to preserve its iOS market lead?

read more

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The fine folks who developed the Spirit jailbreak are at it again and have successfully been able to run flash content on the iPhone.  Will an acceptable Flash player arrive via jalbreak?

Just in case you were wondering about this, you

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You looking for something iRetro? Here it is: USB typewriter — a unique manual typewriter with a USB connection. Each one is handmade (for up to $500) by Jack Zylkin, who also offers a DIY kit ($75).

Via: Mashable

Microsoft is splashing out cash to tempt iPhone app developers into porting their software to Windows Phone 7.

A report on PocketGamer.biz claims the company is flashing its chequebook as it moves to woo developers, offering upfront cash payments to devs willing to engage in the move.

Microsoft

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Remember iPhone girl? Kim Yeo-hee went global following her release of a YouTube clip featuring her performance of Lady Gaga’s Poker Face using just iPhone apps (below)…

Now the singer has reached a deal with South Korean label Dreamhigh-Ent. Kim achieved 4.2 million views of her clip.

love mark left on forehead

You are a developer from TenCent, China’s most popular instant messaging client.  Apple invites you to come to WWDC all the way from China…only you get mugged in San Francisco for your iPad.  You escape with a few significant injuries but your iPad is smashed…

Well it sort of does.  But you don’t want to get any more injuries using this thing.

Luckily, when you go to the Apple Store, an awesome Genius feels your pain and hooks you up with a new iPad.  Someone passes your plight up the chain…

And, then the big boss man sends you off with a short email.

In case you hadn’t already heard…

Via BGR

When magnified by a professional DSLR, the pixels look absolutely microscopic.  How many pixels can fit across one of the lines of a fingerprint?  Check the full version here to measure.  via @Scoblizer 

And here’s new vs. old.  What a difference some extra pixels make.

It isn’t available yet, but it is coming down the pike.  Here are your current options:

Here’s the FaceBook bit in the iOS 4 code which shows the above export plus one additional:

480 pixels looks to be the max height or width with a max 30FPS framerate.  Remember, Facebook started using Apple compatible video formats a few months ago. 

In case you were wondering:

Thanks Joe R!

Tidbits got some new information about iMovie for iPhone 4:

• It is a no-go on the iPhone 3GS, you need the iPhone 4’s A4 processor (iPad version por favor?) and probably its higher res screen as well.   Handling video and creating real-time transitions was the official reason.  
• You can’t export projects (yet?) to iMovie on the Mac for further editing.  Obviously you can export via iTunes flat movies and do whatever you want on the desktop after that.
• You can record video and still directly within the application or bring in previously recorded stills/videos.  Because of the way the iOS works, you can also use footage sent to you via email because image/video files are saved in the Camera Roll.  Obviously the files would need to be Apple-approved formats like H.264.  .AVIs need not apply.
• The app will ship on June 24th for $4.99 (known already).  The app is for iPhone only because it probably uses the higher res display and probably won’t upscale to the iPad’s display.  It would be surprising if a iPad version doesn’t at some point ship, whether the iPad gets a camera or not. 

For $5, this app seems like a no-brainer.

Not much new here but it is all in one place, no reading involved.

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The folks at iLounge have done a great UI overview video of the black iPhone 4 covering FaceTime to iMovie. You’ll be sad to know that there isn’t sound for most of the video so be sure to pump up your iTunes. You can also take a look at 7 other fine hands-on videos of the white iPhone 4. 

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Apple has released a new video, on their iPhone Developer website, that profiles several development firms experiences with developing for the iPhone and iPad. There is some mention of new iOS 4 API’s by Pandora, such as background music playing. Also to note are some carefully scripted digs at Android. Click here to take a look.

Another report out of China has Foxconn closing its recruiting in Shenzen and possibly moving to Western China.   Foxconn was averaging 7000-8000 recruits a day(!).

The report also wonders if Foxconn’s troubles will have any effect on iPhones and other products coming out of their facilities.  

They also say that Foxconn is scheduled to make 24 million iPhones by the end of the year — which translates to 4 million a month.  That’s significantly more than the 3 million/month report we heard earlier today.