Techmeme News Site Goes Mobile and Lands on iPhone
One of the strongest aggregators of tech news online, Techmeme, has gone mobile and is now available on several smart phones, Apple’s iPhone being chief among them. The new site has been designed specifically for readers using a mobile device and is substantially easier to look through than its online cousin. The site will allow users to browse it and choose headlines, expanding them to read each article they choose to, along with the ability to view discussion threads that are related to each article. This goes above and beyond what the actual site itself provides since it does not expand individual stories into their own pages.
After bringing on board an additional three more editors, Techmeme intends to use its expanded staff to bring more of what it is known for to its viewers, that being tech news from all around the web. For many users, the web site was something they checked on a regular basis, multiple times per day, in order to keep abreast of the latest happenings in the swiftly changing digital world that the site covers. The added benefit of being able to browse with convenience while on the go holds high appeal for the site’s core user base, tech enthusiasts and web business people in need of timely news.
Student Created App Helps Keep Track of Homework
With over one hundred thousand apps currently available for Apple’s wildly popular iPhone, consumers have come to believe that there is an app for just about everything. With the popular mobile device’s primary demographic consisting of young people such as teenagers and college students, traditionally among the first to embrace new technologies, it comes as no surprise to mobile industry experts that students would begin to create apps themselves. These apps, according to experts, can be expected to focus on the primary concerns of students, chief among them, their homework.
A fourth year student of computer engineering, Paul Pilone, recently got the idea to create an app that would help students put their iPhone or iPod Touch to solid scholastic use by organizing and keeping track of their school work and impending assignment deadlines. Instead of using an old fashioned planner, students can now keep track of everything with their mobile devices. To do lists and reminders are a big part of the app, and Pilone met with students to develop his program to suit their needs. With the app priced at the standard $0.99, Pilone has already netted over $15,000 in profits.
Competition Heats Up Between Apple’s iPhone and Nokia N900
In the last few years, mobiles phones have been morphing at an ever increasing pace, expanding their range of features until we have arrived in the age of the fully functioning smart phone that hi tech experts have been predicting for what seems like ages. The fact is, the Apple iPhone has utterly dominated this market for years and no other company as been able to carve off so much as a single slice. Now, things are beginning to change as the opposition camps have begun to unveil new and powerful weapons against the Apple strangle hold on the market. The Nokia n900 is expected to do huge business because it offers such a powerful machine capable of delivering broadband internet via a cellular modem device instead of the traditional needed WiFi connection that is not always available. This advance alone could be enough to give the n900 a great deal of stamina in the market as it seeks to push the iPhone down a notch.
However, the popularity of the iPhone and its sprawling grass roots fan base cannot be ignored because Apple has carefully tended its own market to ensure that its consumers have not only a high functioning phone, but a stunning range of apps which they can utilize. The experts say that it will all boil down to mobile phone deals once things get hot because consumers, more than any other factor about a device, are most swayed by its price. Without the right pricing, any smart phone now or in the future is bound to fall by the wayside as the bulk of customers move to a better priced unit. While no one can predict the outcome of the upcoming battles for dominance in the smart phone market place, one thing is for sure: no matter which company comes out victories consumers are bound to be the true winners.
Get the Most From Your iPhone the Smart Way, Say the Tech Savvy
Many in the world of mobile smart phones have chosen Apple’s trend setter, the iPhone. While it definitely has broken a lot of new ground for consumers in terms of what it could provide, it has certainly not come without a very wide and sweeping set of disadvantages that have disheartened many consumers around the world. While the primary carrier that works with iPhone charges quite high fees for air time, text messaging and a range of other services, it has proven to be cost prohibitive for many consumers. Because of this, the allure of the ability to unlock an iPhone has proven to be a powerful one, drawing in many who spent several hundred on the device and had hoped to not end up being controlled by a big corporation’s quest for further profits. Critics agree that Apple has, in a large sense, overstepped its ethical, and potentially legal, boundaries by attempting to force consumers to utilize only the carrier it favors. Due to these measures taken by the global tech giant, there has been a surge of rebellion among tech savvy iPhone fans to help those who do not yet know how to get their phone unlocked.
Since it is now easier than ever to make the smart phone work in favor of the consumer, those who are looking to unlock iPhone 3G phones have discovered the process is not nearly as difficult as some publications, mostly paid off by the big company, have attempted to make it seem. Even consumers who are newer to the world of modifying their own phones have discovered that the process is not daunting, but rather quick and in the end, the consumer is able to have a much stronger level of control over a device they have certainly paid for the right to operate in any way they see fit. The resulting battle between a tech giant attempting to push consumers for every penny possible and users who simply want the freedom to do what they please with their own investment has resulted in a high level of sophistication in terms of help for iPhone lovers.
Games Powered by Unity Engine Rejected by Apple
In a stunning move, Apple is blocking new apps, particularly games, using the Unity engine. While Unity is not being blamed specifically for the problem, due to their use of developer Storm8’s API calls. These calls have been proven to be used for purposes that violate Apple’s iPhone Software Development Kit agreement. Due to this particular falling out, developer’s utilizing the API from Storm8 are now having their upcoming titles rejected as Apple works to defend iPhone users from improper use of software. According to sources no damage has been done to users, but Apple is notably fierce in their protection of customers, often coming down hard on developers perceived as using potentially sneaky code.
Due to this particular event, many titles are going to be locked up in development for a much longer period of time than would normally be expected. Apple alleges that Storm8’s titles Mobsters and also Vampires Live are in violation, so those are going to be summarily banned, but other titles such as Gameloft’s hot selling Modern Combat: Sandstorm also face potential to be removed. Unity’s long awaited role playing title Ravensword is of particular concern for gamers who have been awaiting a gaming experience similar to massively popular RPGs such as Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, available on gaming consoles.
ShopSavvy Makes Its Way to iPhone At Last
After impressing users of Google Android with its ShopSavvy app last year, developer Big in Japan. At that time, the app was known as GoCart and it won the grand prize of the Android Developer Challenge, it was expected that the app would make its way over to the Apple iPhone and meet phenomenal success. It has taken some time, but ShopSavvy app is now available for users of the iPhone and users can scan the barcodes of any product to perform a product look up.
This feature is expected to woo in consumers in droves because it allows them to find a wide variety of products they encounter while shopping. The app use’s the iPhone’s built in camera to scan the barcode and then return information to consumers such as the product’s availability online, its price online and its price and availability in nearby stores. While it would seem that retailers would despise such an app due to the power it hands to consumers, they are actually turning to ShopSavvy in increasing numbers to help make it easier for shoppers to keep their dollars within their store.
Now that the iPhone’s camera is equipped with an automatic focus feature, users can download the app for free online.
My Maps Now Available on iPhone via Google Earth 2.0
While iPhone users were definitely wowed by access to Google Earth when it came out last year, some key features were not provided that many had reported wanting to see from this powerful app. The ability to scan a virtual replication of the globe was definitely a strong feature, particularly since it could be accessed anywhere that an internet connection was available. However, the tool itself didn’t have a lot a direct application for user’s day to day lives because the crucial mapping and turn by turn directions features were not part of the package. This meant that it was primary an entertainment tool, rather than an essential must have for iPhone owners.
Thanks to recent innovations, fans of Google Earth 2.0 for iPhone will be able to utilize the My Maps feature that is part of the Google Earth website. The process easily allows users to log directly into Google Earth and import all of the maps from the Google Earth site into their iPhones for immediate use, allowing them to get an idea of where they are going through routes that they have saved onto the site. The tool will not have the same directions offering feature, but this is expected in upcoming updates of Google Earth for iPhone. Thirteen languages will be supported in this particular release of the app.
Latest iPhone Unlock for 3G, 3GS, 3.0.1, 3.0 and 3.1 Firmware Available
Despite its massive success in the market, some consumers are loathe to go along with Apple’s intended plans for the iPhone in terms of which networks they are permitted to use. Due to this demand from the market, Unlock iPhone now offers a service that will unlock many smart phones running the latest firmware versions and thus allow consumers the option of making an individual decision about which network they prefer to use with their iPhone.
The Unlock iPhone service is intended as a low cost alternative for those who want to widen their choices when it comes to phone service and so far, the company reports it has sold over one million unlockers worldwide. The iPhone Unlocking Solutions package asserts that it is the safest way to unlock the phone without any mishaps which typically run the risk of disabling the handsets, rendering them unusable. Through their website the company offers support for the process and promising a quick, easy solution for customers who want to get their service changed over to a provider they feel more comfortable with as opposed to the typically standard AT&T.
The tool purports to unlock iPhones running firmware of the following versions: 3G, 3GS, 3.0, 3.0.1, and 3.1. A fifteen day money back guarantee is offered at the time of purchase.
Popularity of iPhone May Be On the Rise in Japan
While Apple’s iPhone enjoys overwhelming success in many markets across the world, highly exclusive Japan remains a market where Apple struggles to gain a foot hold. Japanese operator Softbank has seem moderate success by offering a selection of models free with any of its two year contracts. However, this year, Japan’s annual Ceatec exhibition has shown signs of Japanese audience being more receptive to considering Apple products based on the apps being offered for the smart phone. Audio company Yamaha and auto maker Nissan unveiled prototypes off apps they plan to deliver, a first for the Japanese market.
Nissan announced that it will be test piloting an eco-driving app through a trial program run in cooperation with the city of Yokohama. The auto maker chose the iPhone platform to work with because it allows for easier software development by software developers, according to a company spokesperson. Thanks to support from Apple, Nissan Research Center developers were able to create the app within weeks. The functionality the app offers includes monitoring acceleration, deceleration, tracking speed changes of the vehicle and estimating fuel consumption for cruising speeds.
Yamaha partnered with Densan System to create a virtual piano keyboard for the touch screen featured on iPhones. This concept app, called Finger Share Piano, taps into geotagging through the Sekai Camera app and is designed to work in conjunction with MIDI-equipped Yamaha pianos.
Vodafone Set to Market iPhone in UK and Ireland
Vodafone has recently announced that it will commence selling the iPhone in UK and Ireland markets in early 2010. This comes hot on the heels of a similar announcement by Orange that it, too, will be selling the iPhone in the UK in late 2009. Both competitors are choosing to keep the details of their launches obscured from the public until they are further along in their preparations. Details on tariffs, pricing and availability are yet to come from both companies, but expected to be announced in the coming months as they battle for position in this emerging market.
Industry experts believe that Vodafone’s earlier released 360 suite of services that include a connected address book which interfaces with Windows Live Messenger and Facebook may make an appearance on the iPhone, but a spokesman for the company confirmed this is not yet confirmed. However, with 360 being offered on phones by Samsung and Nokia, more handsets are expected to be eligible for the suite in the coming months.
The news comes as O2 loses its exclusive right to sell iPhones in the UK, a deal it has reaped the benefits of over the past 2 years, selling 5.4 million iPhones in that time.