Gizmodo: ipod touch

iPhone Gets Stereo Bluetooth A2DP Adapter

Jason Chen — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:40:00 EDT

The iPhone (both 2.5G and 3G) might not come with an A2DP Bluetooth in place, but you can easily add it on yourself with this Infinixx adapter. It's $62, but works with the iPhone, iPod touch, iPod nano, iPod classic, iPod video, iPod color and iPod mini, meaning you can basically turn any fairly recent iPod into a wireless stereo device. You can also pair your Bluetooth headset to the iPhone directly to answer calls, which isn't supported through the dongle transmitter. Until Apple decides to put A2DP in the iPhone itself—and shorten the battery life even more—this is your only hope for wireless stereo music. [Brando]

Lightning Review: iPhone Tetris App

John Herrman — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:05:13 EDT

The App: Tetris with excellent touch implementation. In a matter of seconds anyone will be comfortably rotating, placing and flicking blocks around the screen, and the block placement preview is a welcome addition.

The Price: $9.99

The Verdict: Tetris isn't exactly the most ambitious project for a company like EA Games. That's probably why the company's iPhone port is just, well, overdone. A good Tetris implementation - one that would have been wildly successful on its own - wasn't enough for EA, who've loaded this port up with so much crap that it sometimes doesn't even run. EA obviously wanted to use a bit of the iPhone's rendering capabilities, but the graphics are gaudy to the point of distraction. Starting or resuming a basic game takes quite a while because of the layers of menus and loading screens, and the secondary gameplay modes and Magic Mode tools will be ignored by most. On our 3G iPhone, the app would often freeze at startup, a problem that has been reported elsewhere among iPhone and iPod owners. An update is forthcoming that should address stability issues as well as introduce a feature that allows you to draw your upcoming shape directly.

These inspired features, though, are sullied by the showy, buggy execution. Anyone looking for a simple, clean port like Tris (from the jailbreak days. See you soon, Tris...) should probably pass on this $9.99 monster as you can expect a decent competitor to pop up at a lower price point, if not for free. Also, there are already web apps that offer a traditional (though gestureless) Tetris experience in your browser that don't have a 40 second startup time. One more sticky point: if you exit out of the game to check email or take a call and return, it will save your game state. But to start playing again you have to sit through 10 seconds of the intro movie. Freaking annoying and a waste of battery.

[iPhone App Marathon Review]

iPod Touch Firmware 2.0 Finally Out

Brian Lam — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 01:03:32 EDT

It's officially up for $9.95 and you can download it from iTunes. [iTunes via Macrumors]

iPod Touch 2.0 Firmware: It's Official

Kit Eaton — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 07:46:35 EDT

The iPod touch 2.0 firmware is now available from Apple for $9.95, officially. In reality, Apple's having a busy day, so they're not quite firing on all cylinders yet. It should be up any minute, we expect. [Apple]

iPod Touch 2.0 Firmware Leaked

Kit Eaton — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 05:06:13 EDT

Over at Pownce an enterprising person has taken it upon themselves to leak the touch 2.0 Firmware unofficially for you. And it'll let you upgrade your iPod touch to iPhone-like 2.0 goodness. Without Apple. We just tested it, and it works... screenshots below. But the download link has gone 404... that didn't last long, at that location, did it? Update: The official firmware is out now guys. [Pownce]

TiVoRemote App Updated with Slick GUI and Handy Features

Christopher Mascari — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:40:00 EDT

TiVoremote, the iPhone / iPod touch Telnet TiVo Remote app, was finally updated a few weeks ago with an ooey gooey GUI, and some really useful new features. Now at version 0.23, the app can now detect TiVos on your home network, allowing for easy selection of the TiVo you want to control. What's even better is the app now has the ability to download the Now Playing list data from the TiVo, allowing the iPhone to show what's been recorded and display each recordings data info. The app can also use the NPL data to start playing the recordings automatically. So if you've got a Jailbroken iPhone / iPod touch, and a Series 3 TiVo, I would suggest giving the app a try, it's surprisingly useful. [TiVoRemote]

Creative's Zen X-Fi to Enter Ring Dominated by iPod Touch, Zune

Elaine Chow — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EDT

New details have been leaked about Creative's answer to the iPod touch and Zune, a wireless music player with Wi-Fi media sharing capabilities called the Zen X-Fi. Pictures show the device sporting a chrome-and-black plastic look that's vaguely reminiscent of the iPhone, along with a nine-point directional pad. Besides certain internet features, X-Fi will also come with an SD card slot and a built-in speaker.

According to leaked specs, the nine-point pad will offer users the option of instant messaging on Windows Live or Yahoo Messenger in a phone-style typing schema. The device will also use wireless to share media between home networked computers and access an internet-based media pool, called a Public Home Server.

The player is named after Creative's X-Fi audio technology, which restores lost data in compressed music files to create concert-like audio effects. Users can turn to two X-Fi options—Crystalizer makes audio richer and clearer, and Expand repositions the music to sound like it's coming from in front of you, simulating listening to a live performance on stage. Check out the manual:

[epiZENter]

Moleskine Sketchbook Turned into iPod touch Case/Reader

AddyDugdale — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:15:00 EDT

Wired's Man in Barcelona, Charlie Sorrel, has made a rather wonderful e-book reader using his iPod Touch and a Moleskine sketchbook. The version you see here is Mark One, and he's already working on Mark Two, as the flap he created after the touch kept falling out of the notebook isn't really practical enough. Sorrel claims he did this to look cool and hip in Barna's bars and cafes and thus get the girls, so I'm looking forward to the follow-up post detailing his successes and failures. How-to video is below.

[Wired]

Apple Says White Is Cool Again... But Is It?

Benny Goldman — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:37:35 EDT

In an otherwise surprise-free keynote today, one without booms or "one more thing"s, one bit of news stood out: White made a quiet return to the iPod family in the premium 16GB iPhone 3G. Sure, it never fully left Apple—remaining the default color for earbuds, plugs, power bricks, AirPort products and the cheapest MacBooks—but we were finally getting used to a world without white iPods. Does this mean after nine short months put out to the pastures, white is already retro-cool again?

This time around, white won't be for everybody. Once the staple color of the iPod revolution, white will be a statement for those bold enough to sport a phone that bright. It's incredible; when Jobs dropped a little black on the masses, we thought that was radical, but eventually accepted it as the norm. When most Apple products went brushed-aluminum, we were again stunned, but now we think nothing of it. Today white, the color that we accepted from the beginning, is back, this time on an iPhone, and it looks like the most far-out Apple product yet.

Will the return of white in the iPhone set a pattern for the iPod touch, classic, and others? Will white be the new, well, white, taking back the reins as the most popular color? Will the color make its way back to Apple's high-style MacBook Air? Can Jobs, Jonathan Ive and the Cupertino crew keep us on our toes forever by recycling the same three finishes? Most importantly, are you a person that's bold enough to rock this flamboyant new phone? I, for one, am not. [Apple]

Sling On iPhone: Video Hands On

Adrian Covert — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 20:10:01 EDT

After much speculation, Sling stopped by to show us they have indeed been working on a native app for the iPhone, and gave us a quick hands-on with the proof-of-concept. The demo, which also runs on the iPod touch, offers the ability to connect to your Slingbox and control it using the iPhone's touchscreen.

While Sling plans to develop and distribute the software through the iTunes App Store, the demo build we were shown runs on a jailbroken iPhone because of current testing limitations with the iPhone SDK. And since this is in the early stages of development, the demo was limited in function, but from what I saw, it looks like a totally awesome alternative to mobile TV.

Once you connect to your Slingbox, you control channels with an on-screen remote whose buttons scroll horizontally at the bottom of the screen. There's also a scrollbar full of channel icons that provide shortcuts to specific stations. Video ran pretty smooth and looked good over a wi-fi connection. And it goes without saying, but Sling also has their fingers crossed for a 3G iPhone.

While the current proof-of-concept software is using a WMV codec to stream video, Sling is hoping Apple will make its video decoding assets available on the iPhone so they can use that instead. There's no word on an official release date for the application, but for those iPhone owners with Slingboxes, dreams of mobile TV just became an afterthought. [Sling on Giz]

Apple Back to School Promo: Free iPod touch With Mac Purchase

matt buchanan — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Just a heads-up college students, in case you're in the market for a new Mac: Apple's annual back to school promotion is expected to kick off tomorrow, and it's rumored to top the nano they've been giving out for the last few. College students who buy a qualifying Mac will get a free 8GB iPod touch (or 8GB nano). The promo will supposedly run June 3-Sept. 15, but we'll know more tomorrow (or by WWDC at the latest) for sure. So hold off for another day, just in case. [Mac Rumors]

Griffin WindowSeat Holds Your iPhone/iPod Touch at Eye Level For Convenient Viewing, Face Hitting

Jason Chen — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:00:00 EDT

This Griffin WindowSeat is a suction cup-based iPhone/iPod touch mount for your car, allowing you to keep your phone at eye level for easy map viewing and voicemail checking. What's left unsaid is how sturdy this thing is in case of an accident, and whether it will come careening off your window or dashboard into your face to make a comically iPhone-ish indentation on your cheek. Either way, it's $29.99, which isn't all that expensive for the ability to surf the internet while driving (kidding). [Griffin via PCWorld]

iClooly Stand Gives Your iPod Touch a Mini-iMac Look

Kit Eaton — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 05:14:00 EDT

This iPod Touch-only stand from Rockridgesound blows the iPhone Xtand out of the water in its iMac-alike styling— it's even got the drive slot there on the right-hand side. Handy for propping the iPod up when you're watching movies, the iClooly's got tilt and rotate functions, and you can connect up the dock connector and headphones whilst it's in the mount. You can own this bit of shameless Mac fanboyness for around $47 from RockRidgeSound. [Av Watch]

Clear Armor Brings Apache-Grade Scratch Protection to Your iPhone (But Will It Blend?)

Sean Fallon — Thu, 29 May 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Case-mate has announced the release of a "groundbreaking" new product designed to protect your iPhone, iPod touch, iPod classic (80GB and 160GB) or BlackBerry Curve from scratches using a military-grade Scotchgard film from 3M that was originally designed to protect Apache helicopter blades during Desert Storm. The film is also completely clear, so there are no bulky, ugly cases to contend with. But the real question here is: does it blend? Well, let's find out:

Case-mate's Clear Armor is available now for $19.99. It may not have been released in time for the iPhone case Battlemodo, but look for a review soon. [case-mate]

NBC Streaming Full Episodes of 30 Rock and the Office to iPhones (for Free, No Ads!)

matt buchanan — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:50:10 EDT

Even though there's no love lost between NBC and iTunes, that doesn't mean NBC doesn't love you! At least if you've got an iPhone or iPod touch. They're streaming full episodes of 30 Rock and The Office to iPhones (and touches) in QuickTime, for free, with NO ads. They work, nicely, but the major catch is that if you exit Safari, you've gotta re-DL all over again, and the files are huge, so is this Wi-Fi only, really. This looks weird for NBC, but it's really not.

They're putting their shows out online in a million different ways (you can even download 30 Rock, The Office, Conan and Leno direct to your desktop now) and more than happy to pipe 'em to you, as long as it's in a controlled sandbox of some sort. NBC Direct requires a walled-garden player install with loads of DRM, and they wanted copyright controls from Apple and Microsoft to give just two examples, not to mention Hulu. It's sorta surprising that the QuickTime feed for iPhone is unprotected, but theoretically it's restricted to two devices. You know, if they'd just relax a bit, overall, they'd be in a good place online. [Silicon Alley Insider, Thanks Peter!]

Refurbed 8GB iPod touch for $220

matt buchanan — Thu, 01 May 2008 12:49:55 EDT

Woot's Yahoo deal of the day is an 8GB iPod touch for $220, a whole 65 bucks less than what it costs at Amazon. The catch is that it's a refurb, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, except that it only comes with a limited 60-day warranty, which isn't quite as hardcore as what Apple offers on refurbs. So, save $$$ at your own risk. [Woot]

Question of the Day: How Many iPods Have You Owned?

Sean Fallon — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:10:00 EDT

Yesterday's question involved how much digital music you currently own—if you took part you may have noticed that the distribution was fairly even, but there are plenty of people out there with seriously large collections. That got me thinking about where all this music is being stored—iPods in particular. As my own feeble collection has grown, and my desire for better hardware has increased, I have upgraded my iPod a grand total of 3 times. My guess is that figure is probably pretty average (or even low) when compared to a serious music fanatic. So, my question to you is: how many iPods have you owned?

radJacket CHARGE Case Keeps iPod Touch Juiced, Protected

AddyDugdale — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:08:00 EDT

Gnarly, 80s surf name aside, the radJacket CHARGE (not my capitalizing) is pretty cool, as iPod cases go. As well as keeping your Pretty safe from keys, bag- and pocket-umska, the case acts as a charger, giving your iPod Touch a whopping 46 hours of music, 12 of video and 10 of web browsing, on just a three-hour charge. See it in pieces after the jump.

So far the radJacket CHARGE is Japan-only but it HAS to come over here (those were mine, btw.) [Pocket-lint]

iHome IP99 iPhone Alarm Clock Wakes You Up With No Buzz

Adrian Covert — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:10:00 EDT

IHome today revealed their new IP99 alarm clock/iPhone dock specificially designed to shield out the rather annoying TDMA buzz associated with the iPhone and other GSM phones. The IP99 is the latest to protect against the buzz (the Altec-Lansing we reviewed in February also does this), as this is becoming desirable feature in the speaker docks. The 10W gadget makes use of iHome's Reson8 audio system, which produces pretty decent sound, given the size and price of their devices. The iHome IP99 will sell in June for $150. [iLounge]

Fring is the World's First True iPhone VoIP App

Jason Chen — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:53:22 EDT

Ignoring previous "iPhone VoIP" apps like Jah Jah, which are only VoIP after you connect to their analog to VoIP bridge, this Fring app seems to be the first real VoIP solution for the iPhone/iPod Touch. To get in on this action you need a jailbroken iPhone, Wi-FI access, and you'll be able to call regular phones using either SkypeOut or SIP (your prices will be determined on which SIP provider you use and how much SkypeOut charges for your particular call). Best of all Fring has built-in IM capabilities for Skype, Google, ICQ, MSN, Twitter, AIM, and Yahoo contacts. The download and install are free. [Fring Install Instructions]

Philips DCP951 Portable DVD Player Likes iPod Touch, Kitchen Counters

Jack Loftus — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:30:00 EDT

The Philips DCP951 portable DVD player ditches the laptop design of previous portables for a shiny tablet layout that works as well on the road as it does in the kitchen. As the successor to the DCP850, this portable has a half-inch bigger LCD screen and a dock for the iPod Touch. Price and info are below the jump.

When the iPod won't cut it, the DCP951 plays standard DVDs, DVD+/-R and DVD+/-RW, VCD, DivX and MPEG4 movies. Don't plan on any epic movies for your cross-country flights, however, as total play time on a single battery charge is a weak 2.5 hours. The resolution isn't much better at 640x220, but the relatively low $199.99 price tag and small form factor are appealing. It's also shiny, did we mention that yet? [Amazon via Chip Chick]

iPhone and iPod Touch Actually Support 720x576 Video Resolution

matt buchanan — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:15:00 EDT

Officially, the iPhone and iPod touch support 640 by 480-pixel video running at up to 30 frames per second. But Ars Technica is reporting that it'll actually take 720x576-resy video churning at 25fps, which is the same resolution and frame rate that PAL (mostly Euro) DVDs run at. Obviously not all that useful if you're just catching flicks on your iPhone, but if you watch them on your computer too (like a rental), the higher res means less squinting on your big boy monitor. [Ars Technica]

iShield Mirror: For Obsessively Vain iPhone Owners Only

Sean Fallon — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 19:30:00 EDT

The iShield Mirror is, at its core, a two-piece hardshell protective case for the iPhone. However, the manufacturer takes it a step further by adding a film to the surface that functions as a mirror when the phone is not in use. When activated, the film is transparent enough and thin enough to allow for normal usage.

If you're into hard cases for your phone, I suppose that adding a gimmick like this can prove useful for the ladies (and the kind of dudes that wear sweaters around their necks), but it seems a bit unhealthy to me. iPhone and Touch versions are available for for $29.99. Hit iLounge for additional pics.[iShield Mirror via iLounge]

The Future of Portable Entertainment Is Not an Apple Product

Jesus Diaz — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:00:04 EDT

The Future of Portable Entertainment has a 2.8" touch screen, a 1.3MP camera and one big honking square orange button. And you all Apple haters can rest now, because The Future of Portable Entertainment "is not an Apple product." Or so says the company that makes this cloned piece of crap metal and plastic called Touch. Your Secret Savings Code printed in an advertisement will get you a "Geeks price" of $69.99 plus shipping. [Crunchgear]

100,000 Apple iPhone SDKs Downloaded So Far

Wilson Rothman — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 08:54:24 EDT

Apple says that over 100,000 iPhone software development kits have been downloaded since its celebrated unveiling on March 6, not a week ago. The announcement below is atypical of Apple: following the standard chest-puffing from execs such as worldwide marketing SVP Phil Schiller, you'll find exec quotes from Namco, NetSuite, PopCap, Rocket Mobile, Six Apart and THQ—I suppose in alphabetical order by company. It's more wind, to be sure, but from the feel of this announcement, it's almost as if Apple had planned to support third-party development all along. Whatever the case, we're looking forward to the resulting apps, both legit and, well, under the table.

iPhone SDK Downloads Top 100,000
CUPERTINO, California—March 12, 2008—Apple® today announced that more than 100,000 iPhone™ developers have downloaded the beta iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK) in the first four days since its launch on March 6. The iPhone SDK provides developers with the same rich set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and tools that Apple uses to create its native applications for iPhone and iPod® touch.

"Developer reaction to the iPhone SDK has been incredible with more than 100,000 downloads in the first four days," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "Also, over one million people have watched the launch video on Apple.com, further demonstrating the incredible interest developers have in creating applications for the iPhone."

Apple also previewed the new App Store, a breakthrough way for developers to wirelessly deliver their applications to every iPhone and iPod touch user. Developers set the price for their applications—including free—and retain 70 percent of all sales revenues.

Leading developers such as AOL, Electronic Arts, Epocrates, salesforce.com and Sega have already demonstrated amazing applications using the SDK, and developer response continues to be phenomenal with more developers embracing the platform.

"The iPhone SDK gives us the tools we need to create powerful iPhone applications and is an important part of our overall mobile strategy," said Rick Jensen, senior vice president, Small Business Group at Intuit. "We're excited that the iPhone expands the ways our customers can solve key financial tasks wherever they might be."

"We're very excited about Apple's new SDK and reaching every iPhone user through the new App Store," said Scott Rubin, vice president, Sales and Marketing, Namco Networks. "We can't wait to show off great new versions of arcade classics like PAC-MAN and Galaga that use the revolutionary features of the iPhone and iPod touch."

"Apple's tools have provided our development team the flexibility to make the SuitePhone application richer and deeper," said Luke Braud, vice president, Software Development, NetSuite. "NetSuite is excited at the opportunity to give every iPhone customer access to their critical business data anytime, anywhere."

"Apple's become an important mobile game platform with the iPhone SDK," said Jason Kapalka, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, PopCap. "The new SDK gives us the tools to innovate and reinvent games like Bejeweled, Zuma and Peggle. With the new App Store we can reach every iPhone and iPod touch user on the planet."

"Seventy percent of the retail price is hands-down the best deal out there in mobile. It's simple and motivating for developers," said Wayne B. Yurtin, president and CEO, Rocket Mobile, Inc. "We can't wait to get our first iPhone applications on the revolutionary App Store."

"Six Apart pioneered the mobile blogging experience with an iPhone-optimized blog service," said Chris Alden, CEO, Six Apart. "We're taking it to the next level with our native iPhone application for TypePad that's already in development."

"The iPhone is the mobile platform game developers have been dreaming of," said Scott Zerby, vice president, THQ Wireless. "We're looking at how we can use the iPhone's innovative user interface to create new game experiences for our big brand entertainment partners that consumers love."

Pricing & Availability
The free beta iPhone SDK is available immediately worldwide and can be downloaded at developer.apple.com/iphone/program. The iPhone Developer Program will initially be available in the US and will expand to other countries in the coming months. A QuickTime® video of the iPhone roadmap event is available to view at www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/iphoneroadmap.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

G-FI: "The World's First Wireless GPS Accessory for the iPhone"

Haroon Malik — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 04:02:00 EST

Hot off the heels of yesterday's press event, PosiMotion is laying claim to the first wireless GPS accessory for the iPhone and iPod touch. I'm sure the built in locator and google maps program will be just fine for most, but the GPS add-on will actually be compatible with any device with a Wi-Fi connection, but will ship with software to allow for proper iPhone/iPod touch integration. The G-FI is said to be in the final stages of production, and it shall be released in the "next few months," whatever that means. In the meantime, make do with the rendering of the G-FI unit, which shows it running on the late Cingular network. PosiMotion, it's back to the Photoshop with ye. [G-FI; Thanks, Tony. M]

iPhone SDK Rumor Checklist

Wilson Rothman — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:30:00 EST

Now that we've heard what's up, we can see which iPhone SDK rumors came true. As it happens, the insiders were pretty damn close to dead-on—Hulk doesn't have to do a lot of smashing today. Let's review:

• Beta only with final coming at WWDC?
True - Today's SDK announcement was beta, and though it's available today to anyone who wants to try it out. They can even run the iPhone Simulator on their Mac. The iPhone 2.0 software isn't going to be out until June at all, unless you happen to be a "selected developer or enterprise customer."

• Free through Apple Developer Connection?
Not exactly - It's a free beta for anyone, but Apple launched the iPhone Developer Program which will charge developers $99 per year for the right to publicly release iPhone apps, and distribute them via the new App Store.

• Mac OS only (because of XCode)?
Yes... and no - The SDK runs mainly on the iPhone itself, with a very cool new Cocoa Touch multi-touch interface. There's a debugger and an iPhone simulator that run only on the Mac, but theoretically you can develop without either Mac or PC. (OK, that sounds like a dodge: No, nothing Jobs mentioned today works with Windows.)

• Camera access?
Yes - During the SDK briefing, they said "Image picker will allow you to grab images from the camera/iphone library."

• EDGE and Wi-Fi for data?
Yes - Among the Core Services are Net Services and Networking options, as well as something called "Core Location," which will let developers create "location-aware" apps.

• Bluetooth 2.0 open?
No - Sorry we don't have more of a backstory there.

• Flash support?
No - Jobs' preemptive trash-talk stuck.

• Dock connector for accessories blocked?
No That is to say, "Yes, it is blocked" - We're being told that dev for docks is not available at this time. Fingers crossed for the future!

• iTunes as application hub/Apple as app picker?
Yes, sorta - There's an iTunesy App Store which can be used both over-the-air on the iPhone (or iPod touch) itself, or sideloaded via a Mac or presumably a PC, via iTunes.

• Unfettered freeware?
No - Here's one for the smashing block: Free software will be available, but only through the App Store, where programs will be edited for content.

[Apple iPhone SDK Launch on Giz]

iPhone 2.0 Update Available for Free in June, Touch Users Get to Pay Up (Again)

matt buchanan — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:40:18 EST

All of the awesomeness you've been reading about—from an AIM client to Enterprise goodness—will be coming your way in June with the final 2.0 software update. For free! Unless you've gotta an iPod touch, then due to those nefarious "accounting practices" you have to pay to get the update. Again! ($20? less? more? You should've just gotten the phone, asshole.)

Apple Announces iPhone 2.0 Software Beta Includes SDK & Built-in Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync
CUPERTINO, Calif., March 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Apple(R) today previewed its iPhone(TM) 2.0 software, scheduled for release this June, and announced the immediate availability of a beta release of the software to selected developers and enterprise customers. The iPhone 2.0 beta release includes both the iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK) as well as new enterprise features such as support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync to provide secure, over-the-air push email, contacts and calendars as well as remote wipe, and the addition of Cisco IPsec VPN for encrypted access to private corporate networks.

"We're excited about creating a vibrant third party developer community with potentially thousands of native applications for iPhone and iPod touch," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "iPhone's enterprise features combined with its revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface and advanced software architecture provide the best user experience and the most advanced software platform ever for a mobile device."

The iPhone SDK provides developers with a rich set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and tools to create innovative applications for iPhone and iPod(R) touch. Starting today, anyone can download the beta iPhone SDK for free and run the iPhone Simulator on their Mac(R). Apple today also introduced its new iPhone Developer Program, giving developers everything they need to create native applications, and the new App Store, a breakthrough way for developers to wirelessly deliver their applications to iPhone and iPod touch users.

With the iPhone SDK, third party developers will be able to build native applications for the iPhone with a rich set of APIs, including programming interfaces for Core OS, Core Services, Media and Cocoa Touch technologies. The iPhone SDK will allow developers to create amazing applications that leverage the iPhone's groundbreaking Multi-Touch(TM) user interface, animation technology, large storage, built-in three-axis accelerometer and geographical location technology to deliver truly innovative mobile applications.

Apple has licensed Exchange ActiveSync from Microsoft and is building it right into the iPhone, so that iPhone will connect out-of-the-box to Microsoft Exchange Servers 2003 and 2007 for secure over-the-air push email, contacts, calendars and global address lists. Built-in Exchange ActiveSync support also enables security features such as remote wipe, password policies and auto-discovery. The iPhone 2.0 software supports Cisco IPsec VPN to ensure the highest level of IP-based encryption available for transmission of sensitive corporate data, as well as the ability to authenticate using digital certificates or password-based, multi-factor authentication. The addition of WPA2 Enterprise with 802.1x authentication enables enterprise customers to deploy iPhone and iPod touch with the latest standards for protection of Wi-Fi networks.

The iPhone 2.0 software provides a configuration utility that allows IT administrators to easily and quickly set up many iPhones, including password policies, VPN setting, installing certificates, email server settings and more. Once the configuration is defined it can be easily and securely delivered via web link or email to the user. To install, all the user has to do is authenticate with a user ID or password, download the configuration and tap install. Once installed, the user will have access to all their corporate IT services.

The iPhone 2.0 software release will contain the App Store, a new application that lets users browse, search, purchase and wirelessly download third party applications directly onto their iPhone or iPod touch. The App Store enables developers to reach every iPhone and iPod touch user. Developers set the price for their applications — including free — and retain 70 percent of all sales revenues. Users can download free applications at no charge to either the user or developer, or purchase priced applications with just one click. Enterprise customers will be able to create a secure, private page on the App Store accessible only by their employees. Apple will cover all credit card, web hosting, infrastructure and DRM costs associated with offering applications on the App Store. Third party iPhone and iPod touch applications must be approved by Apple and will be available exclusively through the App Store.

The iPhone SDK provides a reliable, fast and secure way to create innovative applications for the iPhone and iPod touch. In addition to the rich set of iPhone OS APIs, the iPhone SDK also provides advanced tools for creating native iPhone and iPod touch applications including: Xcode(R) for source code editing, project management and graphical debugging; Interface Builder with drag and drop interface creation and live preview; Instruments to monitor and optimize iPhone application performance in real time; and the iPhone Simulator to run and debug applications.

During the beta iPhone SDK program, a limited number of developers will be accepted into Apple's new iPhone Developer Program and offered the ability to get code onto iPhones for testing. The Standard Program costs $99 (US) per year and gives members an iPhone SDK and development tools; access to pre-release iPhone software; technical support; the ability to get code onto iPhones for testing; and distribution of applications via the new App Store. The Enterprise Program costs $299 (US) per year.

In addition to these new iPhone network and security features, the beta iPhone 2.0 software provides several new Mail features such as the ability to view PowerPoint attachments, in addition to Word and Excel, as well as the ability to mass delete and move email messages.

Pricing & Availability

Apple plans to release the final iPhone 2.0 software, including the iPhone SDK and new enterprise features, as a free software update for all iPhone customers by the end of June. Third party applications created for the iPhone will also run on the iPod touch, and iPod touch users will be required to purchase a software update to run these applications. The free beta iPhone SDK is available immediately worldwide and can be downloaded at developer.apple.com/iphone/program. The iPhone Developer Program will initially be available in the US and will expand to other countries in the coming months. Apple is accepting applications beginning today from enterprise customers who would like to join the private iPhone Enterprise Beta Program (http://www.apple.com/iphone/enterprise).

App Store Exclusive Distributor of iPhone Apps

Wilson Rothman — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:04:47 EST

Today in Cupertino, Steve Jobs announced that Apple would sell iPhone (and iPod touch) applications over App Store, which can be used over-the-air on the iPhone itself, or can be sideloaded via iTunes on a computer. It comes with the 2.0 firmware update. Apple says it's exclusive, meaning it's the only place people will go to get iPhone apps.

It looks a lot like installer.app, but with icons. It's got top 50 apps and search. The apps will automatically update programs, like installer.app.

On the developer side, developers pick price, and get 70% of the revenue. There's No credit-card or hosting fees. Free software will be supported, too, but porn and other raunch will be omitted. [Apple SDK Live Blog]

Naja King Stand a Flexible Friend for iPhone and iPod Touch

AddyDugdale — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 08:07:49 EST

The bizarrely named Naja King flexible stand grips your iPhone or iPod Touch into either a horizontal or vertical position. Its head, with its anti-scratch grippers, rotates 360º, and the three-foot-long cable, which packs flat for travelling, can be bent into just about any position. This, I think, makes it the Kama Sutra of iPod and iPhone stands—as you can see from the SFW gallery, below. Cost is $40. [thought out via Red Ferret]

iPhone's First Native P2P Torrent App is Up and Running

Haroon Malik — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 19:40:00 EST

Core, an iPhone Hacker with mad hacking skills, has managed to port to the iPhone a functioning P2P client based on Transmission, which is a popular torrent app for Macs. This is the first time P2P torrent software has run natively on the iPhone, and the prospect has us in tizzy fits of excitement.

Tests have been carried out, and they have worked a charm. However, before you guys go nuts about downloading completely legal torrent files, there are some things you should know:

• This is a command line client at present, and although someone will chuck a GUI on it in the near future, steer clear unless you can handle messing with terminal.
• EDGE and P2P will screw your shit up. If you plan to get your download on, it's WiFi all the way.
• If you start a download immediately before having sex, your iPhone's battery will be dead before you are finished; i.e. torrenting will drain your battery extremely rapidly.
• You won't see this up in installer.app, hit through on the link for further instructions.

All that aside, this is a neat development and bodes well for the post-SDK era. If anyone does give this one a go, let us know how you get on. [Wickedpsyched via TUAW]

Dealzmodo: Free iPod Shuffle With 32GB iPod Touch

Jason Chen — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:20:59 EST

The Venn Diagram of people who really want a 32GB iPod touch and people who really want a 1GB iPod shuffle looks less like 2/5 of the Olympic Rings and more like an eight-year-old's crayon drawing of a pair of boobs, but if you're going to buy a touch, why not get a free shuffle to go along with it? [Amazon via Bargainist]

snes4iphone v1.0.0 Tested (Verdict: Playable)

Eric Sheline — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:00:15 EST

ZodTTD's snes4iphone v1.0.0 was recently released and it works surprisingly well. After a few games of Mario All-Stars and Super Mario World it's obvious this emulator has come a long way. While in-game audio is still missing, background music plays fine. Gameplay is fairly smooth with frameskip enabled, and the emulator supports landscape and portrait display modes. Perhaps the best feature is the well implemented save system. Basically, you're not going to beat any crazy speed runs using snes4iphone, but it's a nice distraction for the bus. [ZodTTD via BGR]

Palm Emulator for iPhone and Touch Looks Good, Bad

Jesus Diaz — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 08:38:14 EST

StyleTap's proof-of-concept Palm OS emulator for iPhone and iPod touch makes us scratch our heads asking ourselves "why?" but we are sure it would make all Palm users very happy. All the five of them, including Rob from accounts. It's quite fast, as you will see in the video: 423% faster than a Palm IIIc. Unfortunately, it's not available yet but it may be released after the official iPhone SDK and distribution channel are revealed. Someday. [The Mobile Gadgeteer]

iPod Touch 8GB for $249, Refurbished

Haroon Malik — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 10:00:00 EST

Hey boys and girls, you can now grab a refurbished 8GB iPod touch for $249 from Apple's special deals store for the first time. The discounted 8GB refurbished iPhones are also back in stock. Remember that these are limited-time offers based on available stock. [Apple]

Touchpad For iPhone Turns Your Phone Into a Wireless Mouse

Jason Chen — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 20:40:46 EST

This Touchpad app for the iPhone/iPod Touch is similar to a regular VNC app, but instead of mapping screen taps like a touchscreen, it maps screen taps like the touchpad on your laptop. You'll get what we mean if you watch the video. Connect your iPhone to your computer via Wi-Fi and start gesturing around the screen—it'll be just like you were fiddling with a touchpad. People who hook up their Mac or PC to their TVs to act as a HTPC should definitely pick this up. [Touchpad iPhone]

LiveSpeakR Makes Your iPhone a Boom Box

Benny Goldman — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:20:00 EST

The LiveSpeakR is a speaker that fits snugly behind the iPhone—or iPod touch—to provide a much needed sound boost. The speaker is unique because it plugs into the USB port unlike many others made for these devices. It also has RF protection so you won't have to worry about interference from the phone. The speakers work in landscape or portrait mode to match what you are doing, and run on two AAA batteries or an AC adapter. The creators, two early iPhone adopters, anticipate a late summer release for the LiveSpeakR, their first product. Pricing information is not yet available. [LiveSpeakR via TUAW]

Hand-Carved Wooden iPod Cases Deliver a Touch of Class

Adam Frucci — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:20:00 EST

While these iPod Touch cases aren't the most pocketable or practical cases out there, they're beautiful and unique enough to warrant sharing. Handcrafted from cedar and mahogany, they feature really lovely detailing and look to be really high quality. They range in price from $31 to $80 and come in a variety of styles. The version above is carved out of a single, solid piece of sustainable-grown mahogany, which is a big step up from whatever plasticky crap you currently wrap your iPod in. [Product Page via Technabob]

Stream Mobile TV To your iPhone, iPod Touch via Wi-Fi

Jason Chen — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:40:46 EST

Packet Video's latest Mobile Broadcast Receiver, which looks like a small white box, is able to stream mobile TV to devices with no mobile TV reception capability, such as the iPhone and iPod Touch.

It works by receiving DVB-H, MediaFLO or WiMax (depending on the standard for your particular market—Verizon uses MediaFLO) and transcoding it on the fly to a video stream sent out via Wi-Fi. Your device (the one you're actually watching the video on) then grabs the video stream over Wi-Fi and displays it. It'll be available later in the year, but Packet Video usually works with service providers and not directly with the consumer, so your only option may be to buy a branded one. [Tech Radar]

iPhone 16GB and iPod Touch 32GB Available

Jesus Diaz — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 08:30:00 EST

The iPhone 16GB is now available for ordering at the Apple Store. Same specifications, no 3G in the iPhone, just more space so you can put double the music, double the images or double the non-authorized applications. Both the iPhone 16GB and the iPod touch 32GB will be available for $499. Full press release after the jump.

Apple Adds New iPhone & iPod touch Models
CUPERTINO, Calif., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Apple(R) today added new models of the iPhone(TM) and iPod(R) touch which have double the memory, doubling the amount of music, photos and videos that customers can carry with them wherever they go. The revolutionary iPhone now comes in a new 16GB model for $499, joining the 8GB model for $399. iPod touch now comes in a 32GB model for $499, joining the 16GB model for $399 and the 8GB model for $299. "For some users, there's never enough memory," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPod and iPhone Product Marketing. "Now people can enjoy even more of their music, photos and videos on the most revolutionary mobile phone and best Wi-Fi mobile device in the world."

Both iPhone and iPod touch feature Apple's revolutionary Multi-Touch(TM) user interface and pioneering software that allows users to find and enjoy all their music, videos, photos and more with just a touch of their finger. All iPhone and iPod touch models include the latest software enhancements announced last month including the ability to automatically find your location using the new Maps application*; create Web Clips for your favorite websites; customize your home screen and watch movies from the new iTunes(R) Movie Rentals. Both iPhone and iPod touch feature the world's most advanced mobile web browser in the world with Safari(TM) and great mobile applications including Mail, Maps, Stocks, Weather and Notes.

Pricing & Availability
The new 16GB iPhone is available immediately for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) through the Apple Store(R) (http://www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores and AT&T retail and online stores. The 32GB iPod touch is available worldwide immediately for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) through the Apple Store (http://www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. iTunes Movie Rentals are available in the US only. iPhone and iPod touch require a Mac(R) with a USB 2.0 port, Mac OS(R) X 10.4.10 or later and iTunes 7.6; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional (Service Pack 2) or later and iTunes 7.6.