A couple of new reports indicate that Apple has started mobilizing parts for their next generation iPhone. A Commercial Times report claims that Taiwan-based component suppliers have started shipping parts for the new Apple iPhone that is expected t...
Dictionary.com for iPhone. Everyone should have it
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Freeware, iPhone, iPod touch
Every so often a free app comes along for the iPhone/ iPod touch that I think everyone should have. That certainly applies to Dictionary.com [App Store link]. It's an iPhone version of the Dictionary.com web site which gives you definitions, a thesaurus, audio pronunciations, and my favorite, word origins. (I was interested to learn that the word 'waver' goes back to the 13th century German word for moving about. I love stuff like that.) The app also provides a word of the day, and examples of your specified word in sentences. This app is every bit as good as the paid dictionary apps, and oh so more versatile. Happily, Dictionary.com does not need an internet connection for the dictionary and thesaurus, but does need it for the rest of the features. With all that information on board, the download is about 36 megabytes.
As you type a word, the dictionary auto-completes, saving you some time, and when you go back to your 'recents' list you have a choice of seeing the thesaurus or the dictionary. Nice. Pronunciations of the words are quite handy. Sometimes you get a female voice, other times a male.
One small nitpick. You should be able to click on words that the thesaurus finds and get a definition. You have to retype them.
Dictionary.com was released in late March, and I don't think the word is out sufficiently so people know it is there. Consider this the 'word', and consider the occasion a propitious one. Look it up.
Screen shots:
TUAWDictionary.com for iPhone. Everyone should have it originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Apple orders 100 million 8Gb flash chips, for new devices?
Oh Apple, what are you up to? Just like we saw right around this time last year in preparation for Apple's new iPhone 3G and updated iPod touch, Apple is placing huge orders of NAND chips thereby threatening the supply in demand by other tier-one vendors.
TUAW Review: XRoad G-Map US
Filed under: Software, Reviews, iPhone, App Store, Road Tested
During the discussion earlier in the year about why Apple was blocking turn-by-turn GPS navigation apps for the iPhone 3G (it will be "legal" in iPhone 3.0), a reader pointed out that there have been a pair of turn-by-turn navigators in the App Store for quite a while.Upon following the reader hint, I was surprised to find that XRoad G-Map US West (click opens iTunes) and East have the United States covered for navigation. These apps, US$24.99 each, don't have the voice prompts that most of us appreciate, but they do provide surprisingly accurate directions and a 3D navigation view that rivals the more expensive Garmin, TomTom, and Magellan dedicated navigators.
European and Canadian versions of the app are expected to be released by the end of this quarter, while Central / South America and Asian versions should arrive by the end of 2009.
Since I am the resident GPS geek at TUAW, I decided to give XRoad G-Map US West v1.3 a test drive and see how it performed compared to my Garmin nüvi navigator. While the XRoad product has some shortcomings, it's still worthy of a look if you're thinking about purchasing a navigation app. Click Read More to see how G-Map worked...or didn't.
Continue reading TUAW Review: XRoad G-Map US
TUAWTUAW Review: XRoad G-Map US originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
'Wolfenstein 3D Classic': Quick and Dirty iPhone Fun
The first-person shooter game genre has done relatively well for itself in the nearly two decades it's been around. From "Doom" to "Duke Nukem 3D" to "Half Life" to "Crysis," it seems that any action-oriented game that involves shooting at mutants, aliens or other ugly entities falls into either the FPS category or its close cousin, the third-person shooter. Unlike those eggheaded strategy games that require constant consultations with phonebook-sized manuals, there's almost no learning curve for an FPS. What button is shoot? What button is move? OK, go play now.
iTunes makes your life better
Filed under: Multimedia, Internet Tools, iTunes
UsingMac has posted an exhaustive look at iTunes from the perspective of making your working life better. From basic tips like shuffling songs and shuffling movies to more advanced tips like using Terminal to set a half-star rating, it's well thought out.My favorite tip involves browser mode. Many people (in my experience at least) overlook this feature. I find it to be a killer way to categorize and find just what you're looking for, across genres, years, styles, etc. Of course, I'm that annoying guy who gets all excited over tags, charts and graphs, so keep that in mind.
Check out the article and feel free to share you own.
TUAWiTunes makes your life better originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Apple acknowledges MacBook cracking issue
Apple is finally addressing the original MacBook’s cracking issue, even if the notebooks aren’t under warranty.
Anyone who’s owned one of the plastic white MacBooks will have dealt with the laptop’s cracking problem sooner or later. Whatever kind of plastic Apple used for the body casing seems to be particularly susceptible to hairlines cracks, even under normal usage.
Apple has been willing to replace palmrest cracks on a case-by-case basis (my own MacBook suffered from these) but until now Cupertino refused to address cracking on the bottom casing.
AppleInsider reports that the company sent out a bulletin to its authorized service providers in March that reverses its stance on refusing to address cracking issues. Both black and white plastic MacBooks can now be sent home to Apple for servicing, regardless of whether the laptop is covered by a warranty or not.
AppleInsider source reportedly claims that four additional areas now qualify for replacement. Apple is still asking its reps to carefully examine MacBooks to determine if the cracks occurred under normal usage or if they are due to dropping, which is not covered.
Even though Apple introduced the new unibody aluminium MacBook last fall, the company still sells the white plastic MacBook as a $999 budget option. We are unsure if these are covered as well.
New iPhone ads. It's all about the apps isn't it?
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Steve Jobs, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
As my colleague Aron Trimble has pointed out today, Apple has launched a new series of iPhone ads. As they have done recently, these 3 new commercials talk about all the added functionality the iPhone gets from having many thousands of apps available.There are some ironies that cross my mind as I look at and enjoy the usual creativity from Apple.
One of the apps highlighted is a point of sale system that runs on an iPhone. Most ironic, since if you go the the Apple Stores the POS system they use is running on Windows CE. They're the little portable credit card units the sales people carry.
These ads emphasizing the variety of apps also makes me chuckle, as I think back to how Steve Jobs insisted in June of 2007 that web apps would be enough for iPhone users. Not only was that not true, but by changing his mind, Apple has generated millions of dollars in revenues it would never have made. It could be argued that the addition of apps has revitalized the iPhone and iPod Touch and given life to a device that was showing some weakness before the SDK was allowed. As the many reviews we've done here show, there truly is something for every taste, or lack of taste at the App Store. Like other good ideas, they're hard to protect. Microsoft, RIM, and the Google Android all have app stores either running or on the way. Let's drink a toast to Steve giving in.
TUAWNew iPhone ads. It's all about the apps isn't it? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Apple Ordering Components and Flash RAM for New iPhone?
A couple of new reports indicate that Apple has started mobilizing parts for their next generation iPhone. A Commercial Times report claims that Taiwan-based component suppliers have started shipping parts for the new Apple iPhone that is expected t...
Dictionary.com for iPhone. Everyone should have it
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Freeware, iPhone, iPod touch
Every so often a free app comes along for the iPhone/ iPod touch that I think everyone should have. That certainly applies to Dictionary.com [App Store link]. It's an iPhone version of the Dictionary.com web site which gives you definitions, a thesaurus, audio pronunciations, and my favorite, word origins. (I was interested to learn that the word 'waver' goes back to the 13th century German word for moving about. I love stuff like that.) The app also provides a word of the day, and examples of your specified word in sentences. This app is every bit as good as the paid dictionary apps, and oh so more versatile. Happily, Dictionary.com does not need an internet connection for the dictionary and thesaurus, but does need it for the rest of the features. With all that information on board, the download is about 36 megabytes.
As you type a word, the dictionary auto-completes, saving you some time, and when you go back to your 'recents' list you have a choice of seeing the thesaurus or the dictionary. Nice. Pronunciations of the words are quite handy. Sometimes you get a female voice, other times a male.
One small nitpick. You should be able to click on words that the thesaurus finds and get a definition. You have to retype them.
Dictionary.com was released in late March, and I don't think the word is out sufficiently so people know it is there. Consider this the 'word', and consider the occasion a propitious one. Look it up.
Screen shots:
TUAWDictionary.com for iPhone. Everyone should have it originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Apple orders 100 million 8Gb flash chips, for new devices?
Oh Apple, what are you up to? Just like we saw right around this time last year in preparation for Apple's new iPhone 3G and updated iPod touch, Apple is placing huge orders of NAND chips thereby threatening the supply in demand by other tier-one vendors.
TUAW Review: XRoad G-Map US
Filed under: Software, Reviews, iPhone, App Store, Road Tested
During the discussion earlier in the year about why Apple was blocking turn-by-turn GPS navigation apps for the iPhone 3G (it will be "legal" in iPhone 3.0), a reader pointed out that there have been a pair of turn-by-turn navigators in the App Store for quite a while.Upon following the reader hint, I was surprised to find that XRoad G-Map US West (click opens iTunes) and East have the United States covered for navigation. These apps, US$24.99 each, don't have the voice prompts that most of us appreciate, but they do provide surprisingly accurate directions and a 3D navigation view that rivals the more expensive Garmin, TomTom, and Magellan dedicated navigators.
European and Canadian versions of the app are expected to be released by the end of this quarter, while Central / South America and Asian versions should arrive by the end of 2009.
Since I am the resident GPS geek at TUAW, I decided to give XRoad G-Map US West v1.3 a test drive and see how it performed compared to my Garmin nüvi navigator. While the XRoad product has some shortcomings, it's still worthy of a look if you're thinking about purchasing a navigation app. Click Read More to see how G-Map worked...or didn't.
Continue reading TUAW Review: XRoad G-Map US
TUAWTUAW Review: XRoad G-Map US originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
'Wolfenstein 3D Classic': Quick and Dirty iPhone Fun
The first-person shooter game genre has done relatively well for itself in the nearly two decades it's been around. From "Doom" to "Duke Nukem 3D" to "Half Life" to "Crysis," it seems that any action-oriented game that involves shooting at mutants, aliens or other ugly entities falls into either the FPS category or its close cousin, the third-person shooter. Unlike those eggheaded strategy games that require constant consultations with phonebook-sized manuals, there's almost no learning curve for an FPS. What button is shoot? What button is move? OK, go play now.iTunes makes your life better
Filed under: Multimedia, Internet Tools, iTunes
UsingMac has posted an exhaustive look at iTunes from the perspective of making your working life better. From basic tips like shuffling songs and shuffling movies to more advanced tips like using Terminal to set a half-star rating, it's well thought out.My favorite tip involves browser mode. Many people (in my experience at least) overlook this feature. I find it to be a killer way to categorize and find just what you're looking for, across genres, years, styles, etc. Of course, I'm that annoying guy who gets all excited over tags, charts and graphs, so keep that in mind.
Check out the article and feel free to share you own.
TUAWiTunes makes your life better originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Apple acknowledges MacBook cracking issue
Apple is finally addressing the original MacBook’s cracking issue, even if the notebooks aren’t under warranty.
Anyone who’s owned one of the plastic white MacBooks will have dealt with the laptop’s cracking problem sooner or later. Whatever kind of plastic Apple used for the body casing seems to be particularly susceptible to hairlines cracks, even under normal usage.
Apple has been willing to replace palmrest cracks on a case-by-case basis (my own MacBook suffered from these) but until now Cupertino refused to address cracking on the bottom casing.
AppleInsider reports that the company sent out a bulletin to its authorized service providers in March that reverses its stance on refusing to address cracking issues. Both black and white plastic MacBooks can now be sent home to Apple for servicing, regardless of whether the laptop is covered by a warranty or not.
AppleInsider source reportedly claims that four additional areas now qualify for replacement. Apple is still asking its reps to carefully examine MacBooks to determine if the cracks occurred under normal usage or if they are due to dropping, which is not covered.
Even though Apple introduced the new unibody aluminium MacBook last fall, the company still sells the white plastic MacBook as a $999 budget option. We are unsure if these are covered as well.
New iPhone ads. It's all about the apps isn't it?
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Steve Jobs, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
As my colleague Aron Trimble has pointed out today, Apple has launched a new series of iPhone ads. As they have done recently, these 3 new commercials talk about all the added functionality the iPhone gets from having many thousands of apps available.There are some ironies that cross my mind as I look at and enjoy the usual creativity from Apple.
One of the apps highlighted is a point of sale system that runs on an iPhone. Most ironic, since if you go the the Apple Stores the POS system they use is running on Windows CE. They're the little portable credit card units the sales people carry.
These ads emphasizing the variety of apps also makes me chuckle, as I think back to how Steve Jobs insisted in June of 2007 that web apps would be enough for iPhone users. Not only was that not true, but by changing his mind, Apple has generated millions of dollars in revenues it would never have made. It could be argued that the addition of apps has revitalized the iPhone and iPod Touch and given life to a device that was showing some weakness before the SDK was allowed. As the many reviews we've done here show, there truly is something for every taste, or lack of taste at the App Store. Like other good ideas, they're hard to protect. Microsoft, RIM, and the Google Android all have app stores either running or on the way. Let's drink a toast to Steve giving in.
TUAWNew iPhone ads. It's all about the apps isn't it? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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