iOS Devices

TomTom ($100), Navigon($70) and Sygic($80) turn-by-turn navigation systems all get a once over from Macworld’s Jason Snell.  Concusion: all are good but a bit pricey at the moment.  Update: Gizmodo has a more in-depth review.

We’d like to see some other apps thrown in there and also a comparison between the iPhone app and the seemingly better choice of a low end stand alone GPS which retails for around $50-$70.

Slingplayer 1.1 just hit the iTunes Store.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t include 3G access which had been rumored, at least for other carriers outside of the AT&T-controlled US.  The update seems to be a somewhat trivial one with only the following published improvements:

-Full 16×9 widescreen support (Slingbox SOLO, PRO, and PRO-HD only)
-DISH Remote Access integration (DISH Network users only)
-Faster start and channel change
-Improved remote control interface

The App is $29 a the App Store and requires a compatible Slingbox.

We don’t follow Android as closely as we probably should, so this is news to us:  Today’s USA Today says that Google is using an entirely different VoIP neutering strategy at the behest of Tmobile.  AT&T forbids Apple from allowing VoIP applications from running on their network.  T-Mobile makes Android use theirs according to the report.

Apple does allow VoIP applications over Wifi (or at least they had until Google Voice came along), esentially because AT&T doesn’t control any part of that ecosystem.  For instance, should Apple kill Google Voice functionality on the iPod touch because AT&T doesn’t want it on the iPhone?

Strangely, Tmobile/other carriers are forcing Google’s Android to take an entirely different approach.  Instead of allowing full Skype VoIP access on Android, they are only allowing Skype Lite to work on the device.  Skype Lite works a bit like Google Voice – which requires Skype to go over Tmobile’s voice line – which incurs voice minutes and often negates the benefits of VoIP. 

Also, FYI, Tmobile doesn’t allow the Skype application to work in countries where it carries the iPhone.

This policy might even be worse than AT&T…which is why Google is now being investigated by the FCC as well. 

Android "does not support a full-featured version of Skype," Skype told USA TODAY. "In order to make Skype available on Android devices, as well as hundreds of other regular mobile phones, we designed Skype Lite."In a statement prepared for USA TODAY, Google acknowledged that it "has the ability to filter," or block, VoIP. The search giant said it does that "at the request" of individual operators. Right now, there are just two Android devices in the USA: the G1 and MyTouch, both sold by T-Mobile.

Google’s explanation would seem to suggest that T-Mobile requested the block on Skype, but the carrier says that’s not the case. "T-Mobile has not asked Google to block that service," says spokesman Joe Farren, referring to original Skype.Google says the latest version of Android for developers would support full VoIP, but no developer has submitted an app.

It is good to see that the FCC is opening up the inquiry to the whole industry and not singling out Apple/AT&T.  We’re pretty sure Verizon and Sprint could use a good looking over too.

Update: Andry Rubin of Google wants to clarify that the USA Today might have been speculating without cause (and takes a second to jab at the Apple/AT&T situation:

I wanted to briefly set the record straight about an inaccurate claim in Friday’s USA Today. The article stated:

Here are the facts, clear and simple: While the first generation of our Android software did not support full-featured VoIP applications due to technology limitations, we have worked through those limitations in subsequent versions of Android, and developers are now able to build and upload VoIP services.

While individual operators can request that certain applications be filtered if they violate their terms of service, USA Today is wrong to say that:

As we told USA Today earlier in the week Google did not reject an application from Skype or from any other company that provides VoIP services. To suggest otherwise is false. At this point no software developer — including Skype — has implemented a complete VoIP application for Android. But we’re excited to see — and use — these applications when they’re submitted, because they often provide more choice and options for users. We also look forward to the day when consumers can access any application, including VoIP apps, from any device, on any network.

Apple Remote Desktop version 3.3.1 Client and Server was released this morning with the following improvements:

• Improves support for accessing client computers and task servers behind NAT (Network Address Translation) routers.
• Includes Task Server and Directory Server scanners, for finding client computers known by your task server and clients in computer groups on a directory server.
• New "Reporting" tab in client computer Info window, to set a single reporting policy for the client computer, shared by all Remote Desktop administrator computers.
• New "Administrators" tab in client computer Info window, to display and control which admin computers and task servers are associated with each client computer.
• Client settings configurable by Managed Preferences in Workgroup Manager.
• Support for finding and adding client computers via wide-area Bonjour.
• Resolves an issue using Lock Screen or Curtain mode on a client computer that’s at the login window.
• Improves stability when running Remote Desktop Admin on a Task Server.
• Resolves an issue that could cause build_hd_index files to become very large.
• Improves compatibility with the Application Firewall.
• Change Client Settings task now works when the Remote Desktop administrator has an Active Directory account.
• Improves client stability when Sharing Screen.
• Scheduled UNIX Commands stay scheduled.
• When controlling a remote client, function keys and key combinations for actions such as Force Quit, Log Out, and the Application Switcher are now all sent to the remote computer.
• Improves screen sharing performance with RealVNC.
• Improves performance of encrypted file copies.
• Improves performance of encrypted screen sharing connections

For detailed information about using Apple Remote Desktop 3.3, including the improvements listed above, see the Apple Remote Desktop Administrator Guide, Version 3.3, available online or via the Help men

There have been many reports today of an iPhone doing 1080P video.  Engadget even tested the claims (below) by playing a 1080P movie on the iPhone 3GS’s 480×320 screen.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

http://www.viddler.com/simple_on_site/ff88d8c7

Getting the video to work on an external screen might be impossible however, since the processor in the iPhone, the Samsung S5PC100,  simply doesn’t do 1080P. It maxes out at 720P (see graphic below).  On the other hand, the iPhone has a PowerVR GPU which may supply it with enough additional horsepower to play those movies on real 1080P screens.  This is also interesting because that means that, to create the video above, Apple is using the GPU to offload some of the video rendering – just like they are also doing on newer Mac desktops.

For now, all we know is that the iPhone is probably capable of downsampling 1080P movies into 480×320.  We’re looking forward to seeing some video out to full 1080P at some point in the future.

The Beatles may be the most successful band in history and may have captured and inspired the minds of a generation, but when it comes to the online music world, they remain a few steps away from “Revolution Number 9”, or so it appears.

The long-running rumour that music from the band may eventually make it to iTunes has a long and storied history. It is part of the regular hubbub of chatter which pops up from time-to-time. It seems to have a life of its own.

We’ve even noted here that the mooted (but don’t forget, still not officially confirmed) September 9 iPod product refresh Apple keynote may see music from the band at last appear on iTunes. That’s because the band’s label, Apple Corps. will release The Stereo Albums boxed set on that day, as will the Beatle’s Rock Band game make its debut.

To the strains of “Revolution Number 9”, some observed the date – 9/9/09 – could be perfectly starred for music from the band to make it online, particularly given the coincidence between Apple Corps. and Apple Inc.’s September 9 event date.

We’re sorry to report that Apple Corps. has since made a slight move to defer this speculation, with an updated press release announcing the band’s boxed set now saying: "Discussions regarding the digital distribution of the catalog will continue. There is no further information available at this time."

More on the boxed set, which also drove speculation the music would be made available within Apple’s rumoured Cocktail format: “For a limited period, each CD will also be embedded with a brief documentary film about the album. On the same date, two new Beatles boxed CD collections will also be released.”

“Within each CD’s new packaging, booklets include detailed historical notes along with informative recording notes. With the exception of the ‘Past Masters’ set, newly produced mini-documentaries on the making of each album, directed by Bob Smeaton, are included as QuickTime files on each album. The documentaries contain archival footage, rare photographs and never-before-heard studio chat from The Beatles, offering a unique and very personal insight into the studio atmosphere.”

Now that Apple Corps. has changed its tune slightly, speculation can still continue, after all, are the two Apple brands simply trying to quell such discussion so as to make a bigger splash when they announce the news? Or do fans of The Beatles have to continue to wait while Apple Corp’s digital music release discussions wend their way down the ‘Long And Winding Road’.

We’ll see. We do think Apple Corps. needs to get something going on digital downloads, as fans will eventually become frustrated at the delay of such an initiative…

"Apple has changed the way the game is played," Loke Uei, senior technical product manager for mobile developer experience at Microsoft said at the company’s first Windows Mobile Developers Camp (WinMoDevCamp) yesterday.

His comments came during the developer meeting at which Redmond hopes to inspire/attract application developers to its platform. Attendees also got to see a preview of Windows Mobile at the event.

The company hopes to take on Apple when it launches its Marketplace for Mobile later this year, essentially a Microsoft version of the App Store. However, Apple has the lead in this, offering over 65,000 Apps already and furnishing 1.5 billion downloads since launch. Apple also has 100,000 developers signed up for the platform.

Microsoft’s clearly playing catch-up: “The first WinMoDevCamp event drew approximately 40 to 50 developers – and only a handful of those said they have developed and sold mobile applications previously,” reports InternetNews.com.

As reported, Microsoft attempted to woo the few developers present at the event, and will offer similar events worldwide as it attempts to drum up support for Windows Mobile.

Microsoft is also attempting to tempt developers with the promise of cash: "The business opportunity is the ability to target more than 30 million devices globally today," Uei said, and clearly with the App Store in mind, he added, “Ninety-nine cents is interesting, but I think your work is worth more than that – $5.99 or $9.99.”

Which sounds great – but it doesn’t matter what a Microsoft man who is trying to bring developers on side thinks about price, it’s what Windows Mobile users are willing to pay, and about how immersive and pleasant an experience Microsoft manages to make on mobiles.

Despite the obstacles to truly grabbing a slice of the market that’s currently dominated by Apple, RIM and Palm, Microsoft has managed to sign-up some, chiefly corporate, developers: AccuWeather.com, the Associated Press, CNBC, Developer One Mobile Software, EA Mobile, Facebook, Gameloft, MySpace, Netflix, Pandora, Sling Media, and Zagat Survey, have all signed up to offer Apps.

Due to a glitch in the iTunes publishing system, the third episode of season 3 of the popular Mad Men television show was briefly available for download last night.  

In an unrelated matter, it was revealed last week that the show is the first to go "Internet only" on iTunes in Canada.  

AMC, the US network carrier of the show released the following statement:

The third episode of Mad Men’s new season was made available prematurely to some iTunes Season Pass holders for a short time late last night. We urge those who received this episode in error to please refrain from spoiling plot lines out of respect to other ‘Mad Men’ fans who are looking forward to watching the story unfold.

Spoiler Alert: stop reading here

"I’m Peggy Olson and I want to smoke marijuana."

"The episode features some modernist poetry, fabulous lindy hop, Roger in blackface, a new substance of choice in the offices of Sterling Cooper, and Joan rocking out in French while on the accordion. There is also a strange subplot between Sally and her grandpa."

We’re not sure what kind of processors are going into the new Blackberries, but they are going to have to be pretty burly to handle the new technologies being thrown at it.  BGR this morning has the news that future versions of the Blackberry browser (based on the same Webkit framework as Mobile Safari, and Android’s Chrome browser) will have FULL Flash support and Full Silverlight capabilities.

Full Flash support, not Flash lite.  You know when the word “planning” is used in the same sentence as RIM, however, that it probably means it’s a while away. And it is. We’ve been told this won’t happen until next summer or right before it as RIM needs their devices to be more beefed up as well as have access to higher data speeds for this to work effectively (HSPA and LTE). RIM has already achieved over 10Mbps downloads on next generation BlackBerrys in the test labs with test LTE equipment so it’s looking good, folks.

Strangely, we don’t realy miss Flash on our iPhones, but have to wonder if this could be used as a differentiating factor vs. the iPhone in the future.

The Boy Genius is at it again with possible new screenshots (probably not – check out that "9" font above) of iTunes 9 displaying Facebook playlist integration as well as the ability to play Blu-Ray discs.  September can’t come soon enough!  More shots below.

We’ve been unable to corroborate this claim which has been sent in by one of our readers (who chose to remain anonymous), and we’re warning that this should be treated with a rather large pinch of salt.

We’re pretty certain some Apple retailers read our stuff from time-to-time, so perhaps they’ll be able to shed a little light in comments.

It appears Apple’s preparing to introduce new form Apple TV, and to release (we think) new software for existing models of the device.

Our source told us: “New Apple TV SKU’s have appeared on Apple’s back of house systems.” Which means new product people.

The reader also said: “Specifically we have a European Apple TV refresh coming as well,” then speculating, “I hope they’ve tied up some BBC content. iPlayer for the Apple TV would be a win.”

OK – we’re not saying this is a factual report – it is entirely based on one reader’s claim, but we think the timing feels pretty good and it is eminently the case that Apple TV deserves a little love. So we’re optimistic. We’ll let you know if and when we learn any more.

Microsoft seems scared, wooing iPhone developers to bring their WWDC-invented ideas to its Windows Mobile platform, while inventing a dual platform pitch to compete with Android and Apple.

Microsoft isn’t expected to introduce a fully updated version of Windows Mobile until next year, but will ship it the upgraded Windows Mobile 6.5 in October. But Windows Mobile partners won’t feel the magic touch – Microsoft won’t be enabling touch interfaces until a little later, in February 2010, reports Digitimes.

(Just how long is it since every other mobile maker began fielding touch? Just saying…).

Then, in typical Microsoft style, the company makes its usual attempt to confuse the market – in future, Digitimes reports, the company plans to lower the price of Windows Mobile 6.5 and keep selling it even after the late 2010 release of Windows Mobile 7.

“The dual-platform strategy will allow Microsoft to compete with Android-based platform using Windows Mobile 6.5 and also compete with iPhones leveraging Windows Mobile 7, the sources asserted.”

Right, we suspect Apple will be looking at iPhone Software 5.0 by then, so we’ll see if Microsoft’s in dev Win Mob 7 has a fighting chance around then. Looking at these figures it seems to us the company’s got some catching up to do. Perhaps it should stick with making Xboxes and mice?

In related news, Microsoft has filed an appeal against the ruling which requires it to stop selling Office or pay a developer a huge chunk of cash – $290 million.

Back before Compact Discs there were two other music formats, cassette tape and vinyl. These are beloved of music purists, who pine for that warm, analogue sound.

We can’t bring the analogue back, but we can make the experience a little more nostalgic using this new pair of applications which made their way to the App Store this week: Vinyl DJ and Cassette Deck.

Vinyl DJ (99c) lets you play songs from your iPhone”s music library using an on-screen record player – and lets you mess with vinyl-replicating sounds such as added dust, crackle, scratch and mechanical noise.

Cassette Deck (99c), on the other hand, does the same thing but using a virtual tape player. This lets you “skin” the image on your screen so the cassettes change as the songs cycle. You also get the delight of watching the tape spin, a virtual eject button and more.

We think these low cost apps could be a little retro fun this Wednesday morning.

iPhoto 8.1 is out with a variety of updates totaling a 170MB download. Chief among these is the holiday greeting cards which you might as well start working on now, slacker.

NPD came out with widely quoted numbers today which state that iTunes is responsible for 25% of music sales.  While this is great news for Apple, it is only part of the picture.  Most of Apple’s sales are singles in the $.99 range while most traditional sales are full CDs which are more than ten times the cost.  We’re sure all of the intricacies of the data will be poured over in detail at next month’s iPod/Music event, rather than Apple just throwing up a "We own 25% bitches" logos everywhere.

While still trailing significantly behind Nokia, Apple has passed RIM’s Blackberry to become the number two smartphone vendor in Europe, according to estimates made by Canalys.  The market share increase is staggering (over 1000% growth)!

Other interesting stats: Apple’s iPhoneOS accounts for 13.7% of global handsets.  In the US, the iPhone is 23.3% of smartphones (compared to Blackberry with over 50%).  In Asia, Sharp and Fujitsu trail Nokia who has over 50% of the market.

Would you consider a 6-inch iPod touch to be a tablet?

Businessweek spoke to Richard Doherty, a director at market researcher Envisioneering Group on Apple’s upcoming Tablet(s):

"There’s no hotter topic [than tablets] in Asia right now," …Apple has developed prototypes of two different tablet machines—one that resembles a large-sized iPod and boasts a 6-inch screen, and another that features a larger display. Apple may launch one or both devices as early as September, Doherty says. A decision on whether and when Apple takes the tablet plunge lies with Apple CEO Steve Jobs, Doherty says.

Obviously tablets have been tried and failed before.  He has some answers on why Apple’s could be different.  He guesses a much lower cost than has been predicted before as well as 65,000 apps on launch.

Price, for starters. Apple’s tablet may cost as little as $679, Doherty says. Then there’s the Apple software mystique. "Apple has a real opportunity to take the magic of the iPhone interface and give that more real estate to do the tasks," Kay says. "It’s an iPhone, but bigger. It’s something that you know, but bigger." The device may be able to wirelessly access iTunes and Apple’s App Store, which offers more than 65,000 apps such as games, e-books, and calendars. Apple declined to comment for this story.

Really? Apple declined to comment for this story?  Shocker.

But the iPod tablet isn’t the only tablet being built in Cupertino.  Doherty says there is a Mac tablet out there somewhere too.

One of Apple’s prototype devices is able to run all Mac applications, and allows for video and audio editing and graphic animation, Doherty says. Another, which looks like a larger iPod, lends itself to watching videos, playing games, and reading e-books.

This may not be such a boring September after all. Perhaps Apple leakers are saying 2010 for the Mac tablet and 2009 for the iPod tablet?

Apple has responded to the European Commission’s enquiry concerning widely reported cases of exploding iPhones, saying these are “isolated incidents”.

Officials in Brussels this morning confirmed Apple to be investigating possible causes for these few incidents in which the iPhone screen reportedly spontaneously shattered. Meanwhile the company insists there’s no general problems with its product, said a commission spokeswoman, Helen Kearns.

"At the end of last week, we asked Apple and the member states where the incidents occurred to provide us with information on the matter," commission spokesperson Ton Van Lierop, currently charged with the industry and enterprise dossier, told EUobserver.

The move followed reports of at least three iPhones or iPod music players overheating and exploding in France and Britain.

According to French financial daily Les Echos, witnesses to the most recent incident in Aix-en-Provence, France, reported that an iPhone suddenly began to "crackle and pop like a deep-frier" before breaking apart and hurling pieces of its screen everywhere. Bits of glass hit an adolescent boy in the eye, according to his parents.

If you have Real Player installed you can watch the EU briefing on the matter this morning right here.

So speculation this morning is buzzing as claims are made Apple plans a special music-focused event on September 9 – and yet again there is some some small coincidences to suggest The Beatles could be part of this all-new music product launch.  (Yes, this rumour yet again)

We know to expect new iPods, with the iPod touch and nano possibly equipped with cameras. We also know to expect a new and more socially-connected iteration of iTunes; we hope for some news on the Apple TV and you’ll note tablet speculation has gone down a notch or two on the news that product won’t be showing its face next week.

But the Beatles may well be: think this through. Apple’s event is on September 9 – we’re not sure where at this point, but we do note the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts is open for business on that date – and, mysteriously for Apple’s most beloved local hall – has nothing scheduled for September 9.

Did we mention the Beatles? Well, apart from remaining digital music’s chief stand-outs and presumably the most file-shared musical ouvre on the planet, the band has a game coming out next month. Rock Band. When’s it ship? September 9. Is there a connection forming here?

We’ve buzzed up the increasingly positive relationship between Apple and the games developers before. And we can’t imagine Apple Corps. and Apple Inc. aren’t on speaking terms – after all a huge sum of money changed hands in settlement of the trademark battle between the two firms.

Also Paul McCartney is an iPod user, with Macs in his recording studio, and indeed gave all the crew who joined him on a US tour a year or two back iPods.

So over to the Beatles “people”: “Apple Corps Ltd. and EMI Music have announced the release of the original Beatles catalog, which has been digitally re-mastered for the first time, for worldwide CD release on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 (9-9-09), the same date as the release of ‘The Beatles: Rock Band’ video game.

Note the date – is Rock Band coming to iPhone? Or are we seeing the first sight of Apple’s much talked about “Cocktail” project? Back to the loveable Liverpool mop-tops, “Each of the CDs is packaged with replicated original UK album art, including expanded booklets containing original and newly written liner notes and rare photos.

“For a limited period, each CD will also be embedded with a brief documentary film about the album. On the same date, two new Beatles boxed CD collections will also be released.”

“Within each CD’s new packaging, booklets include detailed historical notes along with informative recording notes. With the exception of the ‘Past Masters’ set, newly produced mini-documentaries on the making of each album, directed by Bob Smeaton, are included as QuickTime files on each album. The documentaries contain archival footage, rare photographs and never-before-heard studio chat from The Beatles, offering a unique and very personal insight into the studio atmosphere.”

So, we’re asking – are the Beatles going to join Apple for what we all hope will be a Steve Jobs-led product introduction? Will he be flanked on stage by McCartney and Ringo Starr? We know this would be a high point for Jobs, a great way to return to the keynote fold, a career affirming moment even if he doesn’t.

Or the dates could be a coincidence.

All eyes will be watching with great interest in the coming week.
 

As predicted (after finding out about Labor Day), the iPod event is going to be held on Wednesday 09/09/09….that’s according to AllThingsD’s John Paczkowski

And according to sources close to the company, the date is Wednesday Sept. 9. The event will be held in San Francisco — most likely at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, where it has occurred in years past — and is expected to showcase upgrades to the iPod line and an update to iTunes that may involve some sort of social element. Our sources insist it will not involve any discussion whatsoever of the tablet that Apple is reportedly developing.

His sources neglected to mention whether or not Apple CEO Steve Jobs would be making an appearance or even keynoting the event.  They did stress that there would be absolutely no tablet whatsoever.

The event is likely to bring us new iPods with GPS and camera capabilities.  We’re also expecting to see the 16/32/64GB iPod Touch varieties with $199/$299/$399 price points.  Depending on the nature of the event, we’ll also try to bring you a stream of the event, live as it unfolds.