Thursday, March 26, 2009

Apple releases updates for iLife '09 and iWork '09

Apple releases updates for iLife '09 and iWork '09
Apple on Thursday afternoon released updates for all the component applications of its new iLife '09 digital lifestyle suite with the exception of iDVD. It also released a recommended update for iWork '09. Full details and download links follow.


Speck launches new fitted cases for iPod touch, Nano
Speck is launching fitted hardshell cases for the iPod touch 2G and iPod nano 4G, expanding on the line that is already available for the iPhone 3G. The new cases are carrying patterned designs; some are colorful, others are designed with a refined look in mind. Among the cases are the BubbleSpotDot Aqua and CheeryPlum Purple for the iPod nano 4G and the Lovely Roger White/Pink, Lovely Roger Black...



iLuv debuts new iPod shuffle 3G cases
iLuv has a launched a new pair of case options, designed for the third-generation iPod shuffle. The iCC12 and iCC14 are both intended to provide protection against various scrapes and scratches. The iCC12 is a pack that includes four silicone cases, arrayed in black, white, blue and pink colors....



The price of popularity: "hottest" iTunes songs will cost $1.29 on April 7

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Remember in 2007 when Apple started selling "iTunes Plus" tracks as DRM-free and 256 kbps AAC files? Much later you were able to upgrade your songs on a per-track basis, if you were so inclined. Well, get ready for more pricing changes. The LA Times reports a date has been set for the kickoff of the variable pricing model Apple announced at Macworld this year: April 7. While I doubt most people care about a slightly better listening experience (seriously, have you used an FM transmitter to play music in your car?), I think simply paying more because a song is popular won't go over so well.

I'm not alone in thinking there will be backlash against the policy of selling more popular songs at a higher price. Jim Guerinot, who manages Nine Inch Nails, a pretty vocal opponent to the labels' stranglehold on the industry, feels the increase in prices will only ramp up piracy -- again. I'm inclined to agree.

Yes, we knew this was coming. But the average consumer embraced the iTunes Store not only because it was Apple, or the iPod, or iTunes itself, but also because the one-price-fits-all model is easy to understand. People don't pay taxes with Zune Points or Disney Dollars, they prefer to think "Hey, it's just a buck." The psychological impact of having a price point at $0.99US for everything makes impulse shopping a no-brainer. Just ask all those fart app devs.

The only upside is that less popular songs will be priced lower. Essentially, it's the bargain bin of the iTunes store, featuring one-hit wonders and college radio flops and a random assortment of attic-dwelling musical pieces as low as $0.69. I only hope it doesn't play into the theory of perceived value, which Joel Spolsky noted when iTunes Plus tracks debuted. Apple also said at Macworld "many more songs" will be available at 69 cents versus the $1.29 price point. It'll be interesting to see what develops and if sales suffer as a result of the changes. The labels certainly love variable pricing, and they've been right about this new digital era all along, haven't they? In the meanwhile, get your Top 40 Radio fix while you can; it'll soon be a premium experience to join the "in" crowd.

TUAWThe price of popularity: "hottest" iTunes songs will cost $1.29 on April 7 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

iPhone apps: Convertbot, MyTrainer, Twice
Convertbot ($1) is a conversion tool that allows users to convert between different units such as, currency, length, mass and time. The interface features large input buttons with audio feedback and allows users to enter mixed units such as a combination of feet and inches or pounds and ounces. In addition to the previously mentioned units Convertbot also features support for categories such as ar...



iApp updates ready for download

Filed under: , ,

Earlier today, Apple released updates for iWork '09, iWeb, iMovie, iPhoto and iLife Support. As usual, the cryptic descriptions of each disclose very little about their contents. Along with the usual "...overall application stability improvements," the iWeb update fixes FTP issues (what those are we don't know) and iPhoto fixes issues with Faces, Places, photo sharing, and slideshows.

You can grab them now via Software Update. They range in size from 1.4MB (iLife Support) to 88.8MB (iPhoto Update). A restart will be required. As usual, let us know if anything goes wonky after installation.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

TUAWiApp updates ready for download originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

First Look: Convertbot

Filed under: , , , ,

Last October, we posted about another iPhone app -- Weightbot -- written by Mark Jardine and Paul Haddad at Tapbots. Now the company has shipped their second app, an iPhone conversion calculator called Convertbot (iTunes link).

Like Weightbot, Convertbot is a classy-looking and extremely functional iPhone app. Every detail of the user interface shows obvious thought, resulting in an app that is easy to use and look at. As with Weightbot, Convertbot also features sound effects that provide an extra level of fun.

What can you convert with Convertbot? Temperature, time, volume, work, angles, area, currency, length, mass, power, pressure and speed. How do you do it? There's a rotating selector wheel on the Convertbot screen to choose the type of conversion (temperature, for example), and a button to select the units (degrees Fahrenheit, for instance). To enter the known unit, you tap the converter display to bring up a keypad for tapping in numbers. As you tap in the numbers, Convertbot is busily converting the units.

If you're an aspiring developer and want to see a well-designed app, or if you're an iPhone or iPod touch owner who just likes cool apps, check out this US$0.99 app. There are tons of conversion apps in the App Store, but Convertbot is just too nice to pass up.

See the gallery below for screenshots.

Gallery: Convertbot

I hear you knockin', but you can't come in...Help!Select the categorySelecting a unitEnter a value

TUAWFirst Look: Convertbot originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sandvox 1.6 adds search-engine content control, more
Karelia has released Sandvox 1.6, updating the website creation software with the ability to adjust content for search engines on a page-by-page basis. Inserting information into new fields in the Page Details area in a Sandvox document now indicates exactly how a title and short description should appear in search engine listings. Version 1.6 also adds a Discover Plug-ins window, which previews d...



Apple releases updates for iLife '09 and iWork '09
Apple on Thursday afternoon released updates for all the component applications of its new iLife '09 digital lifestyle suite with the exception of iDVD. It also released a recommended update for iWork '09. Full details and download links follow.


Speck launches new fitted cases for iPod touch, Nano
Speck is launching fitted hardshell cases for the iPod touch 2G and iPod nano 4G, expanding on the line that is already available for the iPhone 3G. The new cases are carrying patterned designs; some are colorful, others are designed with a refined look in mind. Among the cases are the BubbleSpotDot Aqua and CheeryPlum Purple for the iPod nano 4G and the Lovely Roger White/Pink, Lovely Roger Black...



iLuv debuts new iPod shuffle 3G cases
iLuv has a launched a new pair of case options, designed for the third-generation iPod shuffle. The iCC12 and iCC14 are both intended to provide protection against various scrapes and scratches. The iCC12 is a pack that includes four silicone cases, arrayed in black, white, blue and pink colors....



The price of popularity: "hottest" iTunes songs will cost $1.29 on April 7

Filed under: , ,

Remember in 2007 when Apple started selling "iTunes Plus" tracks as DRM-free and 256 kbps AAC files? Much later you were able to upgrade your songs on a per-track basis, if you were so inclined. Well, get ready for more pricing changes. The LA Times reports a date has been set for the kickoff of the variable pricing model Apple announced at Macworld this year: April 7. While I doubt most people care about a slightly better listening experience (seriously, have you used an FM transmitter to play music in your car?), I think simply paying more because a song is popular won't go over so well.

I'm not alone in thinking there will be backlash against the policy of selling more popular songs at a higher price. Jim Guerinot, who manages Nine Inch Nails, a pretty vocal opponent to the labels' stranglehold on the industry, feels the increase in prices will only ramp up piracy -- again. I'm inclined to agree.

Yes, we knew this was coming. But the average consumer embraced the iTunes Store not only because it was Apple, or the iPod, or iTunes itself, but also because the one-price-fits-all model is easy to understand. People don't pay taxes with Zune Points or Disney Dollars, they prefer to think "Hey, it's just a buck." The psychological impact of having a price point at $0.99US for everything makes impulse shopping a no-brainer. Just ask all those fart app devs.

The only upside is that less popular songs will be priced lower. Essentially, it's the bargain bin of the iTunes store, featuring one-hit wonders and college radio flops and a random assortment of attic-dwelling musical pieces as low as $0.69. I only hope it doesn't play into the theory of perceived value, which Joel Spolsky noted when iTunes Plus tracks debuted. Apple also said at Macworld "many more songs" will be available at 69 cents versus the $1.29 price point. It'll be interesting to see what develops and if sales suffer as a result of the changes. The labels certainly love variable pricing, and they've been right about this new digital era all along, haven't they? In the meanwhile, get your Top 40 Radio fix while you can; it'll soon be a premium experience to join the "in" crowd.

TUAWThe price of popularity: "hottest" iTunes songs will cost $1.29 on April 7 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

iPhone apps: Convertbot, MyTrainer, Twice
Convertbot ($1) is a conversion tool that allows users to convert between different units such as, currency, length, mass and time. The interface features large input buttons with audio feedback and allows users to enter mixed units such as a combination of feet and inches or pounds and ounces. In addition to the previously mentioned units Convertbot also features support for categories such as ar...



iApp updates ready for download

Filed under: , ,

Earlier today, Apple released updates for iWork '09, iWeb, iMovie, iPhoto and iLife Support. As usual, the cryptic descriptions of each disclose very little about their contents. Along with the usual "...overall application stability improvements," the iWeb update fixes FTP issues (what those are we don't know) and iPhoto fixes issues with Faces, Places, photo sharing, and slideshows.

You can grab them now via Software Update. They range in size from 1.4MB (iLife Support) to 88.8MB (iPhoto Update). A restart will be required. As usual, let us know if anything goes wonky after installation.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

TUAWiApp updates ready for download originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

First Look: Convertbot

Filed under: , , , ,

Last October, we posted about another iPhone app -- Weightbot -- written by Mark Jardine and Paul Haddad at Tapbots. Now the company has shipped their second app, an iPhone conversion calculator called Convertbot (iTunes link).

Like Weightbot, Convertbot is a classy-looking and extremely functional iPhone app. Every detail of the user interface shows obvious thought, resulting in an app that is easy to use and look at. As with Weightbot, Convertbot also features sound effects that provide an extra level of fun.

What can you convert with Convertbot? Temperature, time, volume, work, angles, area, currency, length, mass, power, pressure and speed. How do you do it? There's a rotating selector wheel on the Convertbot screen to choose the type of conversion (temperature, for example), and a button to select the units (degrees Fahrenheit, for instance). To enter the known unit, you tap the converter display to bring up a keypad for tapping in numbers. As you tap in the numbers, Convertbot is busily converting the units.

If you're an aspiring developer and want to see a well-designed app, or if you're an iPhone or iPod touch owner who just likes cool apps, check out this US$0.99 app. There are tons of conversion apps in the App Store, but Convertbot is just too nice to pass up.

See the gallery below for screenshots.

Gallery: Convertbot

I hear you knockin', but you can't come in...Help!Select the categorySelecting a unitEnter a value

TUAWFirst Look: Convertbot originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sandvox 1.6 adds search-engine content control, more
Karelia has released Sandvox 1.6, updating the website creation software with the ability to adjust content for search engines on a page-by-page basis. Inserting information into new fields in the Page Details area in a Sandvox document now indicates exactly how a title and short description should appear in search engine listings. Version 1.6 also adds a Discover Plug-ins window, which previews d...


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