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.
Headphones for iPhone Becoming More Important to Consumers
When Apple first released the now world famous iPhone, many users were startled to discover that the headphone jack would not fit standard headphones. As a result, they needed solutions that were custom designed for the iPhone. Some turned to adaptors, but other users wanted headphones that actually worked with their cherished mobile phone.
Headphone technology has long been a standard in consumer electronic devices, especially those of a portable nature. The portable cassette players of the 80’s and the portable CD players of the 90’s were important developments because they allowed consumers to transport their music along with them and listen to it privately. The emergence of the iPhone as a popular consumer device is due not only to its function as a communications device, industry experts say, but also because it allows users to listen to music while on the go. This crucial feature is believed to be largely responsible for the iPhone’s popularity because instead of carrying an MP3 player and a cell phone, users could carry one device that met all of their needs, a breakthrough in both mobile communications and portable music device technology.
With the arrival of high quality headphones for iPhone users, the market expanded to offer durable and high fidelity listening devices from a wide range of manufacturers. Now a variety of styles exist to suit the tastes of different consumers, some of whom want Bluetooth technology capable headsets that allow them a cord free experience. As the market expands, consumers are expected to demand increasingly more complex headphones, particularly as the iPhone rises in popularity as a music listening device.
In the current age of real time web searching, streaming video and instant MP3 downloads, consumers are expected to become ever more reliant on their mobile phones and Apple has poised its iPhone to lead the charge. This means more manufacturers will step forward to offer more products specifically tailored to the iPhone’s unique design, giving consumers precisely what they want at the price they’re willing to pay.
Experts agree that it will not be long before the iPhone ascends to the place that both the Walkman and the Discman once held as a generation’s primary music listening device.