The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)http://www.tuaw.comThe Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.tuaw.com/media/feedlogo.gifThe Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)http://www.tuaw.comen-usCopyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/TUAW Macworld 2009 Keynote Predictionshttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/02/tuaw-macworld-2009-keynote-predictions/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/02/tuaw-macworld-2009-keynote-predictions/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/02/tuaw-macworld-2009-keynote-predictions/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Even though Steve Jobs has opted out of giving the keynote at this year's Macworld Expo in San Francisco, and Apple will not be attending another Macworld after this one, there will still be a keynote presentation -- it will just be given by Phil Schiller instead. Of course, since the keynote must go on, even without Mr. Jobs, there will also be speculation and predictions as to what Apple will announce during the keynote.

We at TUAW are not immune to this phenomenon and even though we will be liveblogging the keynote to provide you with the news as soon as it's actually announced, that won't stop us from engaging in a favorite pastime of the tech press: Macworld Expo keynote predictions. Of course, when considering this event and the impending announcements, especially in light of this being the last time Apple will take part, these questions, and many others, come to mind.

Will Phil be as entertaining as Steve? How long will Phil talk about the success of iTunes and the iPod before moving on to the other more exciting announcements? Who will be the musical guest? Will Phil be wearing a black turtleneck and jeans or will he try to start a new fashion trend of his own? Will Phil and Apple do anything "special" to commemorate the last keynote? What will be the "one more thing"? And, most importantly, will Phil talk about where Steve Jobs is and why he isn't doing the keynote?

Your intrepid TUAW writers have considered those very questions, and many more, through long days and nights of deliberation, discussion and discourse. In so doing, we have come up with some interesting, perhaps even controversial, prognostications, pre-visualizations and predictions of what new products and services will be announced at this this year's keynote. Read on for all our (at least partly serious) expectations.

For full Macworld Expo coverage, bookmark the TUAW Macworld Expo 2009 landing page.

Continue reading TUAW Macworld 2009 Keynote Predictions

TUAW Macworld 2009 Keynote Predictions originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)TUAW Macworld 2009 Keynote Predictions originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>keynotemacworldmacworld09predictionsrumorsChris UllrichFri, 02 Jan 2009 21:30:00 ESTCraigsphone brings Craigslist to the iPhonehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/02/craigsphone-brings-craigslist-to-the-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/02/craigsphone-brings-craigslist-to-the-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/02/craigsphone-brings-craigslist-to-the-iphone/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Craigslist is one of my absolute favorite sites on the 'net -- it's been around for years, but kept the same simple look and feel, perfectly fulfilling the service of classifieds without ever once going off that course. Sure, there are issues with spam, but Craig and his minions have worked overtime to make the thing work, and it works well (in fact, if you see any weightlifing dumbells for sale in Chicago, let me know, I need some).

There are quite a few iPhone apps featuring Craig and his list out there (including a few with prices on them), but one that caught our eye as a useful free app is Craigsphone, made by Next Mobile Web (they make the very useful Dial Zero app as well). As you can see from the video above, it's all the features of Craigslist made mobile, and then some -- you can see your history, post and call directly from the phone, and even use the iPhone's location to see craigslist entries nearby (though unfortunately, the Nearby features only work in San Fransisco and Manhattan -- no Chicago?). NMW claims they're still working on the app, too -- they want to "take the best local site in the world and make it truly local." Who knows what that means, but it sounds good, right?

If you spend lot of time on Craiglist, or just want to while you're out and about, Craigsphone seems like a good way to do it. We're interested to see what else they've got planned, too.

Craigsphone brings Craigslist to the iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Craigsphone brings Craigslist to the iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>appappscraigslistcraigsphonedial-zerogpsiphonelocationnearbynext-mobile-webpostingMike SchrammFri, 02 Jan 2009 18:30:00 ESTApple market share tops 10%, Windows share lowest since tracking beganhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/02/apple-market-share-tops-10-windows-share-lowest-since-tracking/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/02/apple-market-share-tops-10-windows-share-lowest-since-tracking/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/02/apple-market-share-tops-10-windows-share-lowest-since-tracking/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Microsoft's share of the operating system market is dropping, while Apple computers and handhelds have topped 10 percent for the first time, according to a new report on Internet-connected computers.

NetApplications, the company that tracks browser and operating system market share for a variety of sites across the Internet, released its data for December 2008. According to a Computerworld analysis, the number of Windows users decreased in December by 0.94 percent to 88.7 percent.

The fall was the steepest in four years since Net Applications began collecting data, and was also more than twice that of any similar period in the previous three years. The Computerworld article does note that December statistics do slant slightly towards the Mac due to the reduced number of in-office days for corporate users, but the overall shift is decidedly Mac-ward even once that's accounted for.

Apple's share is just over 10 percent, if one combines the market share for both Macs and iPhones. Macs account for 9.63 percent of computers online. (Windows Mobile devices are included in the 88.7 percent figure.)

Also of note, almost three quarters of Macs online have an Intel processor. This time last year, less than half had one. Overall, Mac OS X's share grew by 31.7 percent compared to a year ago.

Windows XP remains the operating system with the largest installed base, with over 65 percent of the market.

Apple market share tops 10%, Windows share lowest since tracking began originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Apple market share tops 10%, Windows share lowest since tracking began originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>marketmarketsharenetapplicationsresearchsharestatisticsRobert PalmerFri, 02 Jan 2009 17:15:00 ESTTime for a Mac App Store?http://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/02/time-for-a-mac-app-store/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/02/time-for-a-mac-app-store/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/02/time-for-a-mac-app-store/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Way back in June of 2007, I wrote this post, a list of five things Apple could do to bring gamers back to the Mac. I said that Apple should put more games on iTunes, break out the gaming hardware, go casual, and make the experience worth it, from buying to download to playing.

Now, a year and a half later, Apple has basically done just that -- with the App Store. There are casual games aplenty, the iPhone works great as a gaming device, and the App Store itself makes it relatively easy to find new games to buy. There are kinks, of course, that need to be worked out, but no one can say the App Store isn't a gigantic success.

And so, Dennis Sellers of MacsimumNews asks, is it time for a Mac App Store? We have an App Store for your Mac already -- it's called the Internet, where you can see reviews, download software, and even get updates for the programs on your Mac. In fact, Apple already has a downloads page that looks very much like the App Store's front page, though there's no place there were you can easily see what apps you currently have installed, or what apps you have that need updating. It would work like a Software Update, but for every app you've got.

There are lots of benefits, too, the first being that more apps would be sold. Of course, the usual Internet channels would remain open; Apple would just offer a service very similar to the App Store, in that you'd have a program on your computer that would easily add and/or update all the apps you have installed. But would a Mac App Store experience the same price issues that the iPhone's App Store has? It is an interesting idea, though -- the App Store has done very well for both Apple and developers so far, and it might be helpful to look at what works there and how it might be able to come back to the Mac platform at large.

[via MacBytes]

Time for a Mac App Store? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Time for a Mac App Store? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>app-storeappledownloadseditorialiphoneitunesmac-app-storemacsimum-newsupdatesMike SchrammFri, 02 Jan 2009 12:30:00 ESTTUAW Faceoff: Mark/Space Fliq for Mac vs. Mobile DropCopyhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/02/tuaw-faceoff-mark-space-fliq-for-mac-vs-mobile-dropcopy/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/02/tuaw-faceoff-mark-space-fliq-for-mac-vs-mobile-dropcopy/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/02/tuaw-faceoff-mark-space-fliq-for-mac-vs-mobile-dropcopy/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


A few months ago, Mark/Space delivered Fliq for iPhone, a free utility for sending contacts and photos to other iPhones and iPod touches that are also running Fliq. Later, they shipped Fliq for Mac, a US$19.95 application goes beyond the capabilities of the iPhone app by providing an easy way to move photos, contacts and notes from your Mac to any Mac or iPhone on your Wi-Fi network.

There are several free or low-cost utilities that perform similar tasks, most particularly 10base-t interactive's DropCopy and Mobile DropCopy. The latter is a new iPhone app that, like Fiiq and Fliq for Mac, facilitates transfer of non-DRM data between iPhones and Macs. Since news of both of these apps appeared in my inbox on the same day, I decided that a faceoff was in order. So how do these apps compare, or am I comparing Apples and oranges? I think you'll find that they're similar in operation, but different in what they mean to accomplish.

Read on to see how they fare in a TUAW faceoff!

Continue reading TUAW Faceoff: Mark/Space Fliq for Mac vs. Mobile DropCopy

TUAW Faceoff: Mark/Space Fliq for Mac vs. Mobile DropCopy originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)TUAW Faceoff: Mark/Space Fliq for Mac vs. Mobile DropCopy originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>dropcopyfile transferFileTransferiphonemacmarkspacewi-fiSteven SandeFri, 02 Jan 2009 10:00:00 EST2008 Best App Ever awards voting is underwayhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/02/2008-best-app-ever-awards-voting-is-underway/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/02/2008-best-app-ever-awards-voting-is-underway/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/02/2008-best-app-ever-awards-voting-is-underway/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The nominations are out and voting has begun for the "Best App Ever" awards for 2008, recognizing the best iPhone and iPod touch apps of the year. Nominations have already happened -- the public submitted almost 18,000 nominations, and a panel of developers and experts was assembled to finalize the choices. You can vote right now over on the website for the winners in categories like "Best App Ever," "Best Musical App," and "Most Creative Use of IPhone Hardware" all the way down to "Best Word Game."

Quite a list of choices. Voting ends on January 6th (so get started testing those apps if there are some in here you've never heard of), and the winners will be announced next week at Macworld Expo.

Unfortunately, the App Store changes so fast and is so varied that some of the most useful apps (SnapTell Explorer is in for the hardware award, but it's missing on the "Most Useful" list) are not on the list in favor of more popular or well-known apps (Weightbot is a great app and very well done, but "Most Innovative"? And you know how I feel about Ocarina). Still, as a popularity contest, it'll be fun to see what comes out as the winners, and I can guarantee that in all of the many categories presented, there are a few really great apps that will come to your attention for the first time.

2008 Best App Ever awards voting is underway originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)2008 Best App Ever awards voting is underway originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>2008app-storeawardsbest-appsbest-apps-everiphoneipod-touchocarinasnaptell-explorervotingweightbotMike SchrammFri, 02 Jan 2009 07:00:00 ESTLugaru shows why game devs should support OS X and Linuxhttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/30/lugaru-shows-why-game-devs-should-support-os-x-and-linux/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/30/lugaru-shows-why-game-devs-should-support-os-x-and-linux/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/30/lugaru-shows-why-game-devs-should-support-os-x-and-linux/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Jeff Rosen of Wolfire Games has an intriguing post up about why developers of videogames like himself should go out of their way to support the OS X and Linux markets. Their game, Lugaru, is available on Windows, OS X and Linux, and the upcoming sequel, Overgrowth, is also being developed for OS X.

Rosen says right out that the prevailing opinion, that the smaller markets aren't worth developing for because the audience isn't there, is just plain wrong -- Mac sales accounted for a full half of Lugaru's sales. The people who are buying software, his data seems to say, are using Macs.

And he has five main points why it's worth the time and effort to release builds on these smaller platforms: you have sites like ours (and the great Inside Mac Games) to talk about your game for you. We Mac gamers respect companies that take the time to make sure we have just as great a gaming experience as our PC counterparts, and we talk about it when they do. He says that a Linux version gained them a mention on Slashdot, one place they'd likely never have been mentioned if they were "just another Windows game." And power users are often Mac users as well -- you want someone who will spend an entire night coming up with new content for your game just because they love it so much? Mac users are nothing if not disturbingly obsessive about the software they love.

Good points all around. Many game developers, both large and small, continue to scoff at the Mac markets as too small while at the same time wondering why they can't get a foothold of a community on the Internet. Of course, releasing a Mac version doesn't guarantee you higher sales and a rabid group of fans -- you have to make a good game first and foremost. But some of the most influential and insightful game players online are Mac users, and by shrugging them off as "not a big enough audience," you're shooting yourself in the foot.

Lugaru shows why game devs should support OS X and Linux originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Lugaru shows why game devs should support OS X and Linux originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>developerdevelopmentgaminglinuxlugarumentionsos-xrosenslashdotwolfireMike SchrammTue, 30 Dec 2008 15:00:00 ESTMunster: New Macs for MWSF, small iPhone by second quarter '09http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/30/munster-new-macs-for-mwsf-small-iphone-by-second-quarter-09/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/30/munster-new-macs-for-mwsf-small-iphone-by-second-quarter-09/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/30/munster-new-macs-for-mwsf-small-iphone-by-second-quarter-09/#commentsFiled under: ,

Our favorite-named analyst, Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster, predicts that Apple will announce new Mac models at Macworld Expo, and a smaller iPhone for the March quarter.

Piper Jaffray expects that Apple will sell 45 million iPhones during 2009, though that estimate is predicated on the fact that Apple will release a lower-cost iPhone model early in the year, priced between $99 and $149.

As for Macworld Expo, the expectation is that there won't be any groundbreaking announcements, since Phil Schiller will be giving the presentation. They do expect new iMac or Mac mini models, however.

Piper Jaffray is maintaining its "buy" rating, and $235 price target, on shares of AAPL. The stock was up slightly during morning trading.

[Via StreetInsider.]

Munster: New Macs for MWSF, small iPhone by second quarter '09 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Munster: New Macs for MWSF, small iPhone by second quarter '09 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>aaplanalystimaciphonekeynotemac miniMacMinimacworld expomacworld09MacworldExpomunstermwsfnanophil schillerPhilSchillerRobert PalmerTue, 30 Dec 2008 14:00:00 ESTApple makes Fortune's list of bonehead moves (twice), still a best place to workhttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/30/apple-makes-fortunes-list-of-bonehead-moves-twice-still-a-be/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/30/apple-makes-fortunes-list-of-bonehead-moves-twice-still-a-be/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/30/apple-makes-fortunes-list-of-bonehead-moves-twice-still-a-be/#commentsFiled under: , ,

With the end of the year comes the cavalcade of best and worst lists, just in case you didn't know what was best and what was worst over the course of the year.

Apple made glassdoor.com's list of "50 Best Places to Work," placing 19th. It scored a 3.8 out of five, and 90 percent of employees approved of the job that CEO Steve Jobs was doing. 303 employees completed reviews at the site, contributing to its score. (The reviews themselves are interesting to read, incidentally, if you have a few minutes to kill.)

On the other hand, Apple made Fortune magazine's list of 21 Dumbest Moments in Business for the year, twice -- but the second time really wasn't its fault.

The first head-smacker, at number six, was for the approval (and subsequent removal) of the "I Am Rich" iPhone application. "The real losers?" Fortune asks: "The eight suckers who bought it."

The second blooper, number 19, actually goes to CNN and Bloomberg for two false stories about Steve Jobs' health. Bloomberg accidentally released an obituary on August 28, and retracted it the same day. In a similar gaffe, a post on CNN's iReport site falsely claimed that Jobs had suffered a heart attack. CNN took down the post -- but not after Apple's stock dipped 10 percent in 10 minutes. Ouch.

[Via Macsimum News and MacNN.]

Apple makes Fortune's list of bonehead moves (twice), still a best place to work originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Apple makes Fortune's list of bonehead moves (twice), still a best place to work originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>bestbloombergcnnglassdoorhealthi am richIAmRichmoransplaces to workPlacesToWorksteve jobsSteveJobsworstyeRobert PalmerTue, 30 Dec 2008 13:00:00 ESTSeeing the future from the pasthttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/30/seeing-the-future-from-the-past/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/30/seeing-the-future-from-the-past/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/30/seeing-the-future-from-the-past/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We'll be seeing a lot of predictions about the immediate future in the coming days. We're not immune here at TUAW and you'll likely get some predictions from your humble bloggers, but it is really interesting to look back and see how our current technology was (or was not) predicted in the past.

Here is a link to a talk by Nicholas Negroponte from 1984. At the time, Negroponte was head of the MIT Media Lab, and company CEOs were always taking their people there to see what the future might have to offer. This video is from the year the Macintosh appeared. Negroponte talked about touch screens, high resolution monitors, and the future of user interfaces. It is a fascinating presentation, and his predictions for the most part are right on target. It's almost 30 minutes long, but give it a try and I think you'll find it pretty eye-opening.

It isn't easy predicting the future. I remember seeing the General Motors film about the future done for the 1939 Worlds Fair in New York. Most of those predictions were wrong, and very 'Buck Rogers.' Robots doing housework, automated cars and a lot of other things that haven't come to pass, at least not yet.

Negroponte, who now is behind the One Laptop Per Child project, has had a very keen eye over time. Many of the things he predicted came to pass in products released by Apple, which have benefited users immensely.

[via Funky Space Monkey]

Seeing the future from the past originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Seeing the future from the past originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>1984Media LabMediaLabNicholas NegropontepredictionsMel MartinTue, 30 Dec 2008 07:00:00 EST12seconds, Animoto release iPhone apps for video slideshowshttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/29/12seconds-animoto-release-iphone-apps-for-video-slideshows/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/29/12seconds-animoto-release-iphone-apps-for-video-slideshows/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/29/12seconds-animoto-release-iphone-apps-for-video-slideshows/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

12seconds.tv is a site that started up a little while ago that seems to be aiming at a "Twitter-for-video" kind of idea -- you upload just twelve seconds of video, whether that's you saying something, video of a short scene, or whatever else you want. The site was in alpha but has recently opened up to beta (so anyone can join), and they've also released an iPhone app, available for 99 cents in the App Store right now.

"But wait, Mike," I hear you saying, "the iPhone doesn't record video!" And it still doesn't, but it does record pictures and audio, and the 12seconds app will combine a slideshow of three pictures you take with any 12 seconds of audio you record, thus creating a close approximation of a 12 second video. You can see my sample upload here, just a few pictures of my apartment's hallway and some Mountain Goats playing from my speakers. You can use pics you've already taken, and the whole process of recording, combining, and uploading works pretty well. You don't have any control over how the images slide across: it's more of a "throw it all into the mix and hope something good comes out" thing.

It's an interesting idea, and while you're paying a buck for a social networking video app that can't actually record video (not that that's 12seconds' fault, Apple), you could probably come up with some pretty creative stuff, from the artistic and witty to the requisite cat videos (because no video site is complete without a cute kitty). It's definitely not a video replacement for the iPhone, but for uploading quick and simple snippets of experience from wherever you are, it does the job.

For a different approach to photo-based videos generated on your iPhone, you can check out the free Animoto app, released last week by the website of the same name. Animoto will take 8-16 photos from your iPhone or iPod touch, let you order them and select musical accompaniment (from a provided but fairly ample list of tracks; you can't use your own music or record a soundtrack). The app then uploads your images to the Animoto site and cranks out a 30 second, montage-style video for you. You can stream the video back to your iPhone, or send it along to friends. If Techcrunch gushes about it, well, you know it must be just awesome, right?

12seconds, Animoto release iPhone apps for video slideshows originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)12seconds, Animoto release iPhone apps for video slideshows originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>12secondsapp-storeappleaudioiphoneiphone-apppicturesrecordingslideshowuploadingvideoMike SchrammMon, 29 Dec 2008 19:00:00 ESTChristmas iPod touch and iPhone gifts boost App Store volumehttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/29/christmas-ipod-touch-and-iphone-gifts-boost-app-store/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/29/christmas-ipod-touch-and-iphone-gifts-boost-app-store/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/29/christmas-ipod-touch-and-iphone-gifts-boost-app-store/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Hello and welcome once again to The Obvious News. Our top story today: the sky remains blue, and we'll have a full report by our man on the scene Chip Thompson about that later. But first, this: apparently App Store downloads are up thanks to large holiday sales of the iPhone and iPod touch. This comes as a shock to absolutely no one, but reports are coming in from developers, publishers, and browser reports and search terms alike that App Store downloads and interest have jumped up three and four times over, thanks, it seems, to more people receiving iPhones and iPod touches for Christmas and the other winter holidays.

John Sargent of The Obvious Institute tells us why: "Well, iPod touches are pretty boring without apps, you know? And I guess people probably want to try out apps on their new iPod touches." Thank you, John -- painfully obvious. Our technology analyst Ms. Common Sense also tells us that any time Apple sees a bump in sales of their devices, the App Store will have its own sales bump soon after.

In other Obvious News, having too many meetings can apparently make you grumpy. We'll be back after these messages. Obviously.

Christmas iPod touch and iPhone gifts boost App Store volume originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Christmas iPod touch and iPhone gifts boost App Store volume originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>app-storechristmasdownloadsgiftsholidaysinterestiphoneipod-touchobvioussalesMike SchrammMon, 29 Dec 2008 18:00:00 ESTSmule's Zephyr sends snowy messages around the worldhttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/29/smules-zephyr-sends-snowy-messages-around-the-world/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/29/smules-zephyr-sends-snowy-messages-around-the-world/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/29/smules-zephyr-sends-snowy-messages-around-the-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

As much as I hate to do it, I'm always willing to admit when I'm wrong, and I was wrong about Ocarina. Not about the app itself, per se -- I still think it's one of the silliest, most pointless apps I've seen on the App Store. But it has been nothing but popular since its release, so apparently lots of people out there are into it. That's fine -- I'm willing to accept that there are best-selling apps out there that I think are dumb.

And maybe this will be another one: Smule, the company behind Ocarina, has decided to follow up with a new app called Zephyr (not to be confused with the MacBook cooling system) that seems just as silly to me. You can draw out messages with an airy sound-and-snowflake interface, and then send those messages blowing around the world (represented, in the official video above, by Las Vegas) to random people who, if they like your messages, will pass them on around the Internet. "What's the point?" you might say, and in that opinion, I'd agree with you. There are lots of ways to send messages around the world, and more than a few of them are quite free and will let you be clearer than drawing snow with wind sounds in the background.

But then again, I didn't see a point to Ocarina, and that made plenty of money. Zephyr is available on the App Store right now for 99 cents. And if you do jump in and buy it, make sure to tell us exactly why in the comments below.

Smule's Zephyr sends snowy messages around the world originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Smule's Zephyr sends snowy messages around the world originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>app-storeholidayiphonelas-vegasmessageocarinasmulesnowworldzephyrMike SchrammMon, 29 Dec 2008 17:00:00 ESTVatican approves iPhone apphttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/25/vatican-approves-iphone-app/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/25/vatican-approves-iphone-app/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/25/vatican-approves-iphone-app/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Vatican's Pontifical Council for Social Communications has approved an iPhone app called iBreviary, which is apparently a virtual version of the liturgical book. The app itself was created by an iTalian (and yes, pun intended) priest, and during a trial release in Italy, was downloaded 10,000 times.

Now, the app has made it to the worldwide app store (in English, Spanish, French, and Latin, with Portugese and German coming in a later version), and is available for 74p (or 99 cents on the US store).

A while back, we heard about an iPhone saving a wedding, and who knows -- maybe this app will save a mass. If you've been looking to keep from having to carry a breviary and Apple's handset in your pocket, your day has come.

Vatican approves iPhone app originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Vatican approves iPhone app originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>breviarycommunicationsiphoneitalianlanguagelatinpopeprayersvaticanMike SchrammThu, 25 Dec 2008 10:30:00 ESTAurora Feint announces two new iPhone gameshttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/24/aurora-feint-announces-two-new-iphone-games/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/24/aurora-feint-announces-two-new-iphone-games/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/24/aurora-feint-announces-two-new-iphone-games/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Stick with us here: first, there was the free Aurora Feint: The Beginning, which has recieved some pretty rave reviews as one of the first iPhone games. Then there was Aurora Feint II: The Arena, which added multiplayer and some much-awaited MMO features. And now the folks behind it all have announced two more Aurora Feint games: there's Aurora Feint II: The Beginning, which features the gameplay of the first game with new graphics and the extra MMO features included, and Aurora Feint II: The Tower Puzzles, which contains more of the gameplay seen in the "Tower" location in the full game. Got all that?

The Arena and The Beginning are not compatible -- The Arena offers multiplayer, while The Beginning is all singleplayer. And the second version (II) of The Beginning is still singleplayer, but offers the MMO features introduced in The Arena along with the singleplayer gameplay. And The Tower Puzzles is more puzzles based on the "Tower" mode, and according to the iTunes description, does not include the MMO features. Whew. Complicated, no?

The good news is that it's all cheap -- for now, anyway. The very first game is still free. The Beginning (version II) and The Tower Puzzles are both 99 cents right now as an introductory price, to go up to $2.99 and $1.99 respectively in January. And The Arena is $7.99 -- pricey, but it's the only place you can dive into multiplayer (and it's also not compatible with both versions of The Beginning). All are available in the App Store right now, and even if you don't want any of them, feel free to scan your eyeballs over the pretty pictures below.

Gallery: Aurora Feint

Aurora Feint announces two new iPhone games originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Aurora Feint announces two new iPhone games originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>app-storeaurora-feintaurora-feint-iigamesgamingiphonethe-arenathe-beginningthe-tower-puzzlesversionsMike SchrammWed, 24 Dec 2008 22:00:00 ESTiControlPad goes into productionhttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/24/icontrolpad-goes-into-production/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/24/icontrolpad-goes-into-production/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/24/icontrolpad-goes-into-production/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


I'm not so convinced any more that the iPhone really needs buttons or a d-pad (Rolando makes do with just touchscreen controls, and even a game like Tatomic uses "buttons" well on the touchscreen), but especially for retro gaming, they'll really help. So it's probably good news that the iControlPad, which we posted as a concept a while ago, is now real. The picture above is the final prototype before production (though the final product will apparently be black rather than white).

Of course time (including a little playtime) will tell whether it works or not -- Engadget thinks they need some official Apple support, but all they'll really need is developer support in the App Store (they say they already have strong support from the jailbreak folks). And of course that depends on lots of things: how it sells out of the gate, how easy it is to implement the buttons, and whether there's a need for extra controls on the iPhone as well. We'll keep an eye on this one -- it'll end up just another silly iPod accessory, or a must-have add-on for iPhone gamers.

iControlPad goes into production originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)iControlPad goes into production originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>appledev-supportdevelopergamesgamingicontrolpadiphoneipod-touchrolandosdksupportMike SchrammWed, 24 Dec 2008 10:15:00 ESTSocial networking getting bigger on mobile phoneshttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/23/social-networking-getting-bigger-on-mobile-phones/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/23/social-networking-getting-bigger-on-mobile-phones/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/23/social-networking-getting-bigger-on-mobile-phones/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

This is a big duh to anyone (like me) who's switched to a smartphone within the last year or so, but according to "new research" (I've never heard of them either), social networking applications and websites are blowing up on mobile phones, including none other than the iPhone.

Things are going both ways -- social networks are reaching out to mobile users with mobile versions of their sites and device-specific applications, and mobile phones are reaching back by allowing quick and easy ways to take pictures or upload text or video. That dude on his phone in the bar next to you is just as likely to be texting his entire network as he is texting that friend he's waiting for.

The end of The Guardian's article about this notes that search is up on mobile phones, too. Throw one more tick on the list of ways the iPhone has influenced how, when, and where we're using the Internet on our phones.

[via textually]

Social networking getting bigger on mobile phones originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Social networking getting bigger on mobile phones originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>facebookiphonemobile-phonesmyspacephotossocial-networkingsocialnetworkingtext-messagestwitterMike SchrammTue, 23 Dec 2008 12:00:00 ESTThe case for AppleCarehttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/22/the-case-for-applecare/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/22/the-case-for-applecare/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/22/the-case-for-applecare/#commentsFiled under: , ,

With the holidays approaching, I know more than one family will be getting a new Mac. Many first time buyers whom I've guided through the purchase of their first Mac ask me, "is AppleCare worth it?"

For your new Mac, absolutely; I speak from first-hand experience. Now, I'm a pretty capable guy. I can fix application problems, recover data, and reinstall operating systems like a champ. I've replaced power supplies, installed memory, and upgraded hard disks. I thought I didn't need AppleCare. That is, until I bought my iMac G5 a few years ago.

It was a great computer, but it had some manufacturing defects that reared their ugly heads well after the standard one year warranty expired. Turns out I needed a new logic board (or motherboard, for our PC friends). Outside of the one year warranty, that was a $900 proposition.

Continue reading The case for AppleCare

The case for AppleCare originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)The case for AppleCare originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>applecarehardwarerepairRobert PalmerMon, 22 Dec 2008 15:30:00 ESTRank and sales data could help figure out App Store popularity algorithmhttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/20/rank-and-sales-data-could-help-figure-out-app-store-popularity-a/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/20/rank-and-sales-data-could-help-figure-out-app-store-popularity-a/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/20/rank-and-sales-data-could-help-figure-out-app-store-popularity-a/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Joel Comm, publisher of the highly-useful app iFart Mobile, has published some data about how sales related to popularity in the App Store.

While I have only a high-school understanding of statistics, it would appear from Comm's data that as sales rise in a linear fashion, App Store ranking increases (or I should say decreases, because lower numbers are better) logarithmically.

Comm admits that his data isn't carefully tabulated: he hand-counted the sales, as they're broken down by country, and says he didn't include countries "where one or two units were sold." Comm's data was collected between December 12th and 17th.

On Sunday's talkcast, the Iconfactory's Craig Hockenberry and Gedeon Maheux lamented the lack of analysis tools for sales, and said they'd appreciate more transparency about how rankings are mathematically determined.

Comm anticipates more data will be forthcoming from other developers. With more data, a more detailed statistical analysis can be performed, and preferably from someone other than a TUAW blogger who majored in art.

Rank and sales data could help figure out App Store popularity algorithm originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 20 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Rank and sales data could help figure out App Store popularity algorithm originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 20 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>analysisapp storeAppStoreifartiphonejoel commJoelCommstatisticsRobert PalmerSat, 20 Dec 2008 11:00:00 ESTChristmas gifts Apple could give mehttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/20/christmas-gifts-apple-could-give-me/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/20/christmas-gifts-apple-could-give-me/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/20/christmas-gifts-apple-could-give-me/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

It's the Holiday Season, and over the years I have happily spent a lot of my XMAS money with our favorite fruit named company. My love affair with Apple products goes back to the venerated Apple II. I do have a couple of PC laptops in the house, and of course I can also run Vista on VMWare Fusion, but I'm pretty much a Mac guy through and through. Always have been. Always will be.

Nevertheless, I'd like to find some gifts from Apple under my tree this year. They are not big deals, but would be greatly appreciated. So Kris Kringle, if you're listening, pass these on to Mr. Jobs and friends.

  • How about some documentation? I know Steve thinks books are dead, but in the old days Apple documentation was really first rate. Remember that old MacWrite manual? Apple, I know you are in the electronics business, but reading help files on a laptop screen that covers up the application I am trying to learn is a bit of a pain.
  • When you release an update to an iPod, iPhone or OS X how about telling me what the update really does. I know you have gotten better at this, but why should people have to guess all the features and fixes that you have put in? Just own up to it and trust your customers.
  • Find another partner in addition to AT&T for the iPhone. My phone is a great product that is significantly damaged by an inferior, unreliable network. To me, "more bars in more places" means I'm looking for bars to find a stiff drink so I can recover from my frustration with dropped calls, poor signal strength, and sporadic 3G coverage.
  • A lot of your products get really warm. My MacBook Pro can be a sizzler on my lap. My Mac Pro keeps my office pretty warm, and I don't need those high temperatures since I'm in Arizona. Don't get me started on the Apple TV. I do think it is a great product, but I'm thinking I could make a fondue on that top surface. There is no fan in the Apple TV and when I put it in standby to spin down the hard drive it wakes up by itself paying no attention to my command. If I want to be ignored, I can walk into any Home Depot. (Update: Some users say the Apple TV does have a fan. I regret the error. It's still too darned hot!)
OK. it's not a big list, but it's a list just the same. What's on yours? And to all, a good night!

Christmas gifts Apple could give me originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 20 Dec 2008 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Christmas gifts Apple could give me originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 20 Dec 2008 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>ATTcomplaintsdocumentationheatimprovementsMel MartinSat, 20 Dec 2008 07:00:00 EST