Thursday, March 26, 2009

Apple releases updates for iLife '09 and iWork '09AppleInsider

Apple releases updates for iLife '09 and iWork '09AppleInsider
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.


Mars Edit 2.3 adds Tumblr supportThe Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)

Filed under: ,



MarsEdit has long been one of my Mac apps and save my writings for TUAW and Download Squad, it's what I use for almost all of my online publishing. For almost two years, I've been embroiled in a love/hate relationship with Tumblr. I love the idea of the service, but until recently, the simplicity it offers has come at the expense of features I really, really need. This week, I've come one-step closer to making Tumblr a bigger part of my digital life, because MarsEdit now supports Tumblr blogs!

MarsEdit 2.3, which was released on Tuesday now supports Tumblr, in addition to WordPress, Movable Type, LiveJournal and other blogging platforms. Daniel Jalkut, the developer of MarsEdit, announced that he was planning support for Tumblr back in December, after started working with Tumblr's Marco Arment on improving the Tumblr API.

After a brief beta period, official Tumblr support is finally here, and it is good. To my knowledge, MarsEdit is the only blog client, for Mac or Windows, that supports Tumblr. Sure, there are some great iPhone (and even a BlackBerry application), but there hasn't been any support for an actual desktop client.

Inevitably, some users will question why Tumblr needs client support at all. After all, isn't the whole point of Tumblr to be fast, easy and simple? Sure, but when composing longer entries or when you want to write drafts, an external client is still superior. There's nothing worse than having all of your hard work erased by a misbehaving web browser, or wanting to access a draft or an old post while on a plane or some other place without Internet access.

MarsEdit 2.3 supports text, photo, quote, link and chat post templates (though you can easily use HTML to embed video and audio in a regular text post). You can also easily add tags to a post. Image posting is extremely easy, just drag an image from the web, your own library or a folder into the image button at the top of the post.

If I had any real request, it would be that the "tweet this post" toggle be included as a MarsEdit option. Otherwise, my Tumblr needs have been addressed.

MarsEdit 2.3 is a free upgrade for existing users and news users can snag a copy for $29.95. It requires Mac OS X 10.4 or 10.5.

TUAWMars Edit 2.3 adds Tumblr support originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Look: ConvertbotThe Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)

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.

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iPhone apps: Convertbot, MyTrainer, TwiceMacNN | The Macintosh News Network
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...



Presented By:MacNN | The Macintosh News Network


TransDock Micro for iPhone features IntelliTuneMacNN | The Macintosh News Network
DLO has launched the TransDock Micro for iPhone, an FM transmitter and car charger designed specifically for the iPhone. Central is a dial-based interface for one-handed operation, allowing a user to keep his eyes on the road. The TransDock's IntelliTune technology scans the radio dial for the clearest FM frequencies, and displays the best station on an OLED display....



SlingPlayer for iPhone submitted to app storeThe Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)

Filed under: , , ,

It's something many iPhone owners have been waiting for since the iPhone first appeared 2 years ago. It was on again, off again, will they, won't they?

Well, it seems they did. Sling has announced that SlingPlayer for iPhone has been submitted to the app store for approval. The company had previously said the app would be submitted this quarter, and it's in just under the wire.

Sling already has versions for Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Symbian and Palm smart phones. No one can predict when, or if, Apple will approve the software, but there will be iPhone owners with pitchforks and torches outside Apple headquarters if the much sought-after app does not appear soon.

The Slingplayer is a multimedia system that allows people who have one to watch their TV or other video sources on a PC or laptop, from anywhere in the world. The mobile versions allow you to control your home TV from your handheld device, changing channels, even controlling a DVR. It's a tremendously popular system, and that will be enhanced when the iPhone version makes the scene.

Hopefully, AT&T is on board, and Apple realizes that the SlingPlayer will drive even more iPhone sales. Now stand back and watch the buzz build. Yay. Finally.

Thanks to Rob for the tip.

TUAWSlingPlayer for iPhone submitted to app store originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IbisMail take 2The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)

Filed under: , , ,

This is my week to take a second look at some iPhone apps that were less than thrilling on their first appearance, but have been updated with fixes and enhancements. Earlier, I took a look at VoiceMail, and today I'm taking a fresh look at IbisMail, [App Store link] an email client for the iPhone and iPod touch that offers some features Apple does not. The app is U.S. $0.99.

Although the specs indicate that almost all mail protocols are supported, last time around I had no luck with a simple POP3 account, and a complete fail at working with MobileMe. I'm happy to say it now works with both types of mail, although setting up MobileMe mail is not automatic, and the defaults the program enters are not correct. You'll have to do it manually, copying the same information you use on the Apple Mail app. I tried a couple of other IMAP mail accounts, and they worked OK.

Users of the latest version are having no luck with Gmail, and some POP3 port selections don't work, while others do.

There are two big features IbisMail offers that Apple doesn't. First is the ability to create folders and rules for mail. Second, it works in landscape mode. Apple has addressed the landscape feature in OS 3.0 that will be out this summer. There is no evidence so far that Apple will add folders with rules in all email protocols.

One of the other downsides of this app, pointed out in my last review, is that it can't run in the background, which is a pretty important feature for a mail program. That's not the fault of the developer, but Apple. OS 3.0 has some workarounds for this issue, but they still don't plan to support true multitasking in 3rd party applications. If the developers stick to the new Apple SDK, you can probably get alerts to new mail when you are running other apps.

So in summary, some bugs are fixed, some still appear to be there. If you really wanted landscape view for email, I'd wait for Apple to update the iPhone in a couple of months. If you really need rules and folders, IbisMail is worth a look, taking into account the app may not work with your particular mail setup.

TUAWIbisMail take 2 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Apple releases updates for iLife '09 and iWork '09AppleInsider
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.


Mars Edit 2.3 adds Tumblr supportThe Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)

Filed under: ,



MarsEdit has long been one of my Mac apps and save my writings for TUAW and Download Squad, it's what I use for almost all of my online publishing. For almost two years, I've been embroiled in a love/hate relationship with Tumblr. I love the idea of the service, but until recently, the simplicity it offers has come at the expense of features I really, really need. This week, I've come one-step closer to making Tumblr a bigger part of my digital life, because MarsEdit now supports Tumblr blogs!

MarsEdit 2.3, which was released on Tuesday now supports Tumblr, in addition to WordPress, Movable Type, LiveJournal and other blogging platforms. Daniel Jalkut, the developer of MarsEdit, announced that he was planning support for Tumblr back in December, after started working with Tumblr's Marco Arment on improving the Tumblr API.

After a brief beta period, official Tumblr support is finally here, and it is good. To my knowledge, MarsEdit is the only blog client, for Mac or Windows, that supports Tumblr. Sure, there are some great iPhone (and even a BlackBerry application), but there hasn't been any support for an actual desktop client.

Inevitably, some users will question why Tumblr needs client support at all. After all, isn't the whole point of Tumblr to be fast, easy and simple? Sure, but when composing longer entries or when you want to write drafts, an external client is still superior. There's nothing worse than having all of your hard work erased by a misbehaving web browser, or wanting to access a draft or an old post while on a plane or some other place without Internet access.

MarsEdit 2.3 supports text, photo, quote, link and chat post templates (though you can easily use HTML to embed video and audio in a regular text post). You can also easily add tags to a post. Image posting is extremely easy, just drag an image from the web, your own library or a folder into the image button at the top of the post.

If I had any real request, it would be that the "tweet this post" toggle be included as a MarsEdit option. Otherwise, my Tumblr needs have been addressed.

MarsEdit 2.3 is a free upgrade for existing users and news users can snag a copy for $29.95. It requires Mac OS X 10.4 or 10.5.

TUAWMars Edit 2.3 adds Tumblr support originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

First Look: ConvertbotThe Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)

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

iPhone apps: Convertbot, MyTrainer, TwiceMacNN | The Macintosh News Network
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...



Presented By:MacNN | The Macintosh News Network


TransDock Micro for iPhone features IntelliTuneMacNN | The Macintosh News Network
DLO has launched the TransDock Micro for iPhone, an FM transmitter and car charger designed specifically for the iPhone. Central is a dial-based interface for one-handed operation, allowing a user to keep his eyes on the road. The TransDock's IntelliTune technology scans the radio dial for the clearest FM frequencies, and displays the best station on an OLED display....



SlingPlayer for iPhone submitted to app storeThe Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)

Filed under: , , ,

It's something many iPhone owners have been waiting for since the iPhone first appeared 2 years ago. It was on again, off again, will they, won't they?

Well, it seems they did. Sling has announced that SlingPlayer for iPhone has been submitted to the app store for approval. The company had previously said the app would be submitted this quarter, and it's in just under the wire.

Sling already has versions for Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Symbian and Palm smart phones. No one can predict when, or if, Apple will approve the software, but there will be iPhone owners with pitchforks and torches outside Apple headquarters if the much sought-after app does not appear soon.

The Slingplayer is a multimedia system that allows people who have one to watch their TV or other video sources on a PC or laptop, from anywhere in the world. The mobile versions allow you to control your home TV from your handheld device, changing channels, even controlling a DVR. It's a tremendously popular system, and that will be enhanced when the iPhone version makes the scene.

Hopefully, AT&T is on board, and Apple realizes that the SlingPlayer will drive even more iPhone sales. Now stand back and watch the buzz build. Yay. Finally.

Thanks to Rob for the tip.

TUAWSlingPlayer for iPhone submitted to app store originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

IbisMail take 2The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)

Filed under: , , ,

This is my week to take a second look at some iPhone apps that were less than thrilling on their first appearance, but have been updated with fixes and enhancements. Earlier, I took a look at VoiceMail, and today I'm taking a fresh look at IbisMail, [App Store link] an email client for the iPhone and iPod touch that offers some features Apple does not. The app is U.S. $0.99.

Although the specs indicate that almost all mail protocols are supported, last time around I had no luck with a simple POP3 account, and a complete fail at working with MobileMe. I'm happy to say it now works with both types of mail, although setting up MobileMe mail is not automatic, and the defaults the program enters are not correct. You'll have to do it manually, copying the same information you use on the Apple Mail app. I tried a couple of other IMAP mail accounts, and they worked OK.

Users of the latest version are having no luck with Gmail, and some POP3 port selections don't work, while others do.

There are two big features IbisMail offers that Apple doesn't. First is the ability to create folders and rules for mail. Second, it works in landscape mode. Apple has addressed the landscape feature in OS 3.0 that will be out this summer. There is no evidence so far that Apple will add folders with rules in all email protocols.

One of the other downsides of this app, pointed out in my last review, is that it can't run in the background, which is a pretty important feature for a mail program. That's not the fault of the developer, but Apple. OS 3.0 has some workarounds for this issue, but they still don't plan to support true multitasking in 3rd party applications. If the developers stick to the new Apple SDK, you can probably get alerts to new mail when you are running other apps.

So in summary, some bugs are fixed, some still appear to be there. If you really wanted landscape view for email, I'd wait for Apple to update the iPhone in a couple of months. If you really need rules and folders, IbisMail is worth a look, taking into account the app may not work with your particular mail setup.

TUAWIbisMail take 2 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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