Mac Forums - iPhone News Discussion http://forums.macrumors.com discuss news/blog items en Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:31:20 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forums.macrumors.com/images/misc/rss.jpg Mac Forums - iPhone News Discussion http://forums.macrumors.com <![CDATA['eBay Deals' Alerts Users to Best Auction Bargains]]> http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=825896&goto=newpost Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:06:05 GMT






eBay today announced the release of eBay Deals [App Store, Free], a new iPhone application highlighting the best bargains available on the popular auction site.
Quote:
The new eBay Deals app for iPhone presents a constantly changing view of deals across ebay.com, highlighting must-have products in popular categories, such as apparel and games; all listings in the eBay Deals app have less than four hours of listing time remaining, zero bids, no reserve and free/fixed price shipping calculated into the total cost.
The application comes pre-configured to provide listing from eBay's top eight mobile search categories, and users can customize and save their own deal searches for easy access. eBay Deals also offers Twitter and Facebook integration to allow users to easily share listing with others.

In the announcement, eBay also touts the performance of its eBay Mobile [App Store, Free] application, which has been downloaded over 5 million times. eBay Mobile was updated last week to add Facebook and Twitter integration, support for eBay's "Best Offer" feature, and direct phone connection to customer support.

Article Link: 'eBay Deals' Alerts Users to Best Auction Bargains ]]> iPhone News Discussion MacRumors http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=825896 <![CDATA['Airfoil Speakers Touch' Update Restores Disputed Icons]]> http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=825449&goto=newpost Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:08:33 GMT

Earlier this month, we mentioned Rogue Amoeba's run-in with Apple over the use of "Apple-owned" images in Rogue Amoeba's Airfoil Speakers Touch [App Store, Free] iPhone application. The incident involved an over-three-month App Store review process for an update to the application that was held up due to the inclusion of the Apple-owned images, despite Rogue Amoeba's assertion that the images were not included in the iPhone application and were instead being served from the companion desktop application in a manner exactly as Apple had intended.

Rogue Amoeba ultimately removed the images from the application in order to allow it to be approved, replacing the images in question with an Electronic Frontier Foundation logo and a link to an explanation regarding their removal. The company also announced that it was ending its iPhone application development due to frustrations over the App Store approval process.

Today, Rogue Amoeba announced the release of an update to Airfoil Speakers Touch that restores the disputed images, acknowledging that it was contacted last Friday by Apple, which had decided to revise its internal policies to address the situation.
Quote:
Following our post detailing the ordeal we had getting Airfoil Speakers Touch 1.0.1 through the store, we were contacted by Apple. They indicated that, due in part to our post, they were changing their internal policies and would allow the desired behavior and artwork to be displayed.

In short, they changed their minds.
While Rogue Amoeba is pleased by Apple's change of heart and the blazingly fast turnaround for approval on the new update, the exact reason for the company's policy revision is not entirely clear, and Rogue Amoeba's decision to refrain from further iPhone application development stands.
Quote:
The problems of the App Store go well beyond our own relatively minor case. We pushed this update to Airfoil Speakers Touch out because we wanted to restore functionality we had to take away from our users. We're happy to be able to do that.

That said, the App Store and iPhone platform still have myriad problems, detailed in many places. Among other issues, the potential remains for months of effort to be wasted as an app sits in limbo, or is never even released. As well, the long lead times needed before updates reach users are still in place.

At this time, we don't believe it makes good business sense for us to commit much in the way of resources to the iPhone.
The company does not close the door on returning to the iPhone platform at some point in the future, but it is clear that it will not consider to do so until it feels that Apple enacts more developer-friendly policies for the App Store.

Article Link: 'Airfoil Speakers Touch' Update Restores Disputed Icons ]]> iPhone News Discussion MacRumors http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=825449 China Mobile Strong-Arming Vendors Not to Sell iPhone? http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=825308&goto=newpost Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:24:55 GMT

iPhonAsia reports on an article [Google translation] from Chinese web portal Sina.com noting that a number of retailers that had reached agreements with China Unicom to offer the iPhone there have received threatening letters from rival China Mobile warning them that offering the iPhone is not permitted.
Quote:
Many cell phone distributors received formal notification that "Selling iPhones is not recommended," or "Selling iPhones is not allowed or China Mobile will fine you or stop cooperation with you."
The issue appears to be with vendors who have distribution agreements with China Mobile and have also been selling phones and service for other wireless carriers such as China Unicom. According to the letter:
Quote:
Any social channel that signed a contract with us (China Mobile) is not allowed to engage and process related business for our competitors, is not allowed to display and sell competitors' products, is not allowed to market or recommend competitors' products in any form.
Just last week, it was reported that China Mobile is still working to try to land a deal to offer the iPhone, despite having been passed over by Apple in favor of China Unicom after negotiations between Apple and China Mobile faced a number of stumbling blocks.

Article Link: China Mobile Strong-Arming Vendors Not to Sell iPhone? ]]> iPhone News Discussion MacRumors http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=825308 iPhone Coming to Virgin Mobile Canada http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=823940&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:08:31 GMT

Virgin Mobile Canada issued a brief announcement yesterday revealing that it will begin offering the iPhone there in the near future.
Quote:
Virgin Mobile Canada will launch iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS in Virgin Mobile Retail Stores and online in Canada in the coming months. For more information on iPhone, please visit www.apple.com/iphone.
Rogers Wireless had been the exclusive iPhone carrier in Canada since the device's introduction there in July 2008 until Bell and Telus began offering it earlier this month.

In a number of countries where Apple has had exclusive relationships with wireless carriers such as Canada, the company has begun transitioning to multi-carrier models, with Orange (UK) and Vodafone (UK & Ireland) recently beginning to offer or announcing plans to offer the iPhone in those countries where the iPhone had been exclusive to O2.

Article Link: iPhone Coming to Virgin Mobile Canada ]]> iPhone News Discussion MacRumors http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=823940 TomTom to Launch Car Kit for iPod Touch http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=823930&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:42:59 GMT

Earlier this week, an updated version of TomTom's GPS navigation application appeared in the App Store, and among the major changes included with the update was compatibility with the original iPhone and all generations of the iPod touch. The iPod touch, however, does not offer built-in GPS and must thus be paired with an external GPS receiver in order to function.

TomTom offers such a car kit for the iPhone to add better GPS reception and other functionality, but the kit is incompatible with the iPod touch due to the slightly different form factor from the iPhone.

In response to that limitation, TomTom revealed yesterday on its official Twitter blog account that a separate car kit specifically for the iPod touch is coming soon for U.S. users.
Quote:
The existing #TomTom car kit is designed for the iPhone. A new car kit for iPod touch will be available shortly in the United States.
Rival Magellan has also released its own GPS navigation application for the iPhone and iPod touch and has announced that a car kit similar to the one offered by TomTom will be coming soon. Magellan's car kit is said to be compatible with the iPhone 3G and 3GS and the second-generation iPod touch, as well as a wide variety of cases and skins for those devices, suggesting that its car kit will offer greater adjustability than TomTom's car kits.

Article Link: TomTom to Launch Car Kit for iPod Touch ]]> iPhone News Discussion MacRumors http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=823930 Google Rolls Out Mobile-Formatted Google News for iPhone http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=823555&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:40:31 GMT Image: http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/iphone/2009/11/19/google-rolls-out-mobile-formatted-google-news-for-iphone/) Image: http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/11/19/153607-google_news_mobile_1.jpg Image: http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/11/19/153607-google_news_mobile_2.jpg Google today announced (http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2009/11/new-google-news-for-mobile.html) that it has rolled out mobile-formatted Google News pages for iPhone, Android, and Palm Pre users. The feature complements similar existing pages for Blackberry, Windows Mobile, and S60 platforms. ---Quote--- This new version provides the same richness and personalization on your phone as Google News provides on desktop. Our new homepage displays more stories, sources, and images while keeping a familiar look and feel. Also, you can now reach your favorite sections, discover new ones, find articles and play videos in fewer clicks. If you are an existing Google News reader on desktop, you will find that all of your personalizations are honored in this mobile version too. ---End Quote--- Users can visit the new mobile-formatted site simply by browsing to the regular Google News site at http://news.google.com using their iPhone. Article Link: Google Rolls Out Mobile-Formatted Google News for iPhone (http://www.macrumors.com/iphone/2009/11/19/google-rolls-out-mobile-formatted-google-news-for-iphone/)






Google today announced that it has rolled out mobile-formatted Google News pages for iPhone, Android, and Palm Pre users. The feature complements similar existing pages for Blackberry, Windows Mobile, and S60 platforms.
Quote:
This new version provides the same richness and personalization on your phone as Google News provides on desktop. Our new homepage displays more stories, sources, and images while keeping a familiar look and feel. Also, you can now reach your favorite sections, discover new ones, find articles and play videos in fewer clicks. If you are an existing Google News reader on desktop, you will find that all of your personalizations are honored in this mobile version too.
Users can visit the new mobile-formatted site simply by browsing to the regular Google News site at http://news.google.com using their iPhone.

Article Link: Google Rolls Out Mobile-Formatted Google News for iPhone ]]> iPhone News Discussion MacRumors http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=823555 TomTom Version 1.2 Released, Adds Compatibility With Original iPhone and iPod Touch http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=822958&goto=newpost Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:28:25 GMT

Version 1.2 of TomTom U.S. & Canada [App Store, $99.99], submitted last week, has gone live in the App Store, bringing text-to-speech, lane guidance and a number of other new features to the popular GPS navigation application. Similar updates for a number of other international versions of the application have also begun appearing.

One other important feature of note is the addition of support for the original iPhone and all iPod touch models. The iPod touch lacks internal GPS, however, so those devices would have to paired with an external GPS receiver such as the TomTom car kit in order to function.[quote][i]AWARD-WINNING NAVIGATION EXPERIENCE
- Improved search and route summary screens

DETAILED, UP-TO-DATE MAPS
- FREE updated map from v8.30 to 8.35
- Updated points of interest database

IQ ROUTES TECHNOLOGY
- Updated IQ Routes database with millions of new measurements

ADVANCED SAFETY FEATURES
- Added Advanced Lane Guidance in both portrait and landscape mode
- Added Text-to-speech in English US, English UK, English Australia, French Canada, Spanish Latin America
- Added Help Me! emergency menu

DESIGNED AND OPTIMIZED FOR THE IPHONE AND IPOD TOUCH
- Added iPod player support

COMPATIBILITY
- Added support for original iPhone and iPod touch (all models).

Article Link: TomTom Version 1.2 Released, Adds Compatibility With Original iPhone and iPod Touch ]]> iPhone News Discussion MacRumors http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=822958 China Mobile Still Working to Land iPhone http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=822920&goto=newpost Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:12:00 GMT

AFP reports that China Mobile, the largest mobile phone provider in China, is continuing to work with Apple on bringing the iPhone to the carrier's network.
Quote:
"We really are still in talks with Apple...In our negotiations in the past, we insisted on sticking to our conditions," company chairman Wang Jianzhou told reporters on the sidelines of a regional mobile phone conference in Hong Kong.

"We are still very sincere about completing this negotiation."
China Mobile has been in discussions with Apple regarding the iPhone for quite some time, but a number of roadblocks have prevented the companies from striking a deal and allowed China Unicom to become the first carrier to offer the iPhone there.

Despite the setbacks and reports of slow sales for China Unicom, China Mobile apparently remains committed to landing the iPhone, having reiterated its interest several times in recent months.

Article Link: China Mobile Still Working to Land iPhone ]]> iPhone News Discussion MacRumors http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=822920 iPhone Gains Final Regulatory Approval in South Korea http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=822702&goto=newpost Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:58:47 GMT

Reuters reports that the iPhone has gained final regulatory approval in South Korea, paving the way for a release there in the very near future.
Quote:
Korea Communications Commission said in a statement on Wednesday it would grant Apple's South Korean unit a licence that allows collecting information on locations and provide services such as map, phone locating and related marketing.
Exactly when the iPhone will launch there is not yet confirmed, but reports have suggested that it may be before the end of the month.
Quote:
KT Corp, the country's No. 2 mobile carrier which has been negotiating with Apple to introduce iPhone, said sales could start soon but did not provide a date for the launch.

Korean newspapers said iPhone's sales could start as early as late next week.
It is not entirely clear how this regulatory approval differs from a similar approval reported in September, but today's development certainly appears to be the final step needed before the device can launch there.

Article Link: iPhone Gains Final Regulatory Approval in South Korea ]]> iPhone News Discussion MacRumors http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=822702 AdMob Introduces Interactive Video Ads for iPhone http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=822034&goto=newpost Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:06:10 GMT




Mobile advertising firm AdMob today announced that it is launching interactive video advertising for the iPhone and iPod touch. The ads, which will be available as either auto-play or click-to-play implementations, will begin appearing in a limited number of top App Store applications.
Quote:
For the first time, mobile video is truly interactive as we’ve included customizable in-player action buttons enabling consumers to engage with Web content and more video content without leaving the video player. Advertisers can also include action buttons that open the app store and iTunes store to drive downloads of branded content. This ad unit helps advertisers and agencies extend their existing campaigns to mobile by using video assets created for other mediums and overlaying interactive elements in the highly measureable mobile environment. Advertisers can opt for action buttons that allow users to share video content with their friends or connect to social networking sites within the video player, making it easy to add a social media element to their campaigns.
Video ads will begin as soon as the user launches an application targeted by the ads and will include buttons that will allow the user to perform such functions as viewing related Web content, directly accesings the App Store for the product being advertised (when applicable), or viewing additional video content. Users may also skip the advertisements at any time to proceed to their desired iPhone application.




Google announced last week that it has agreed to acquire AdMob for $750 million in stock. In a follow-up story yesterday, it was reported that Apple had apparently also considered making an offer for the company in the weeks before Google's announcement.

Article Link: AdMob Introduces Interactive Video Ads for iPhone ]]> iPhone News Discussion MacRumors http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=822034 <![CDATA[Apple Releases Two New iPhone Ads: 'Song', 'Gift']]> http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=821767&goto=newpost Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:05:27 GMT




Apple today posted two new iPhone commercials to its ad gallery and also began airing them on prime-time television. The commercials each continue Apple's recent theme of highlighting six App Store applications in quick succession and each touts that there are now over 100,000 applications available on the App Store.

Song
- Jamie Oliver's 20 Minute Meals [App Store, $7.99]
- Credit Card Terminal [App Store, $0.99]
- Facebook [App Store, Free]
- The Sims 3 [App Store, $6.99]
- Redfin Real Estate [App Store, Free]
- Shazam [App Store, Free]

Gift
- Target [App Store, Free]
- ColorChange [App Store, $2.99]
- The Snow Report [App Store, Free]
- Monopoly Here & Now: The World Edition [App Store, $4.99]
- HotelPal [App Store, Free]
- Zipcar [App Store, Free]


Article Link: Apple Releases Two New iPhone Ads: 'Song', 'Gift' ]]> iPhone News Discussion MacRumors http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=821767 <![CDATA['Google Earth' for iPhone Updated, Adds 'My Maps' Compatibility]]> http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=821573&goto=newpost Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:46:16 GMT

Google today announced that it has issued an update to Google Earth [App Store, Free] the companion iPhone and iPod touch application to the company's desktop application offering virtual globe and other geographic information.

Among the biggest changes in Version 2.0 of Google Earth is the ability to view custom maps stored in the "My Maps" section of users' Google Maps accounts.
Quote:
By logging in directly to your Google Maps account, you can view the same maps that you or others have created, using the My Maps interface. Maybe you're on a trip and want to see where Tony Wheeler, the co-founder of Lonely Planet, most likes to travel. Or perhaps you're walking around looking for a restaurant and you want to see where world-famous chef Ferran Adrià likes to eat. All you have to do is click "Save to My Maps", open Earth on the iPhone, log in with the same account information, and voilà, you have your same collection of My Maps right in your pocket.


"My Maps" on Desktop




"My Maps" on iPhone
The update also adds visual feedback to highlight icons when they have been touched.
Quote:
Now, when you touch an icon, a small glow appears under your finger to let you know which icon you have picked. If your finger touches more than one icon, you'll be taken to a list of all icons, so you can select the one you are interested in.
Finally, Version 2.0 boosts language support to a total of 31.

Article Link: 'Google Earth' for iPhone Updated, Adds 'My Maps' Compatibility ]]> iPhone News Discussion MacRumors http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=821573 <![CDATA['Magellan RoadMate 2010 North America' Comes to App Store]]> http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=821368&goto=newpost Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:51:23 GMT




Turn-by-turn GPS navigation applications for the iPhone have been a significant topic of interest since the release of iPhone OS 3.0 earlier this year enabled their deployment, and yet another of the major standalone GPS device companies has finally jumped on board. Magellan RoadMate 2010 North America [App Store, $79.99 for a limited time] appeared in the App Store over the weekend, bringing a full-featured GPS solution including text-to-speech, lane guidance, and a "OneTouch" feature for easy access to favorite destinations.




Quote:
- OneTouch Favorites Menu
The award-winning OneTouch favorites menu lets you bookmark your favorite places and searches so you can easily find them. One Touch, and you’re there!

- Spoken Street Name Guidance
Navigate confidently with spoken street names and directions at each turn so you can keep your eyes on the road.

- Highway Lane Assist
Realistic highway signs guide you into the correct lane when approaching interchanges and exits.

- 3D Landmarks
Incredible 3D images of key landmarks show you the way with stunning visual cues.

- Address Book Integration
With the touch of a button, easily navigate to any contact saved in your iPhone address book.

- In-app Music Control
Take advantage of seamless iPod integration, navigating to any destination while listening to your music.

- Find Your Car
Automatically saves your parking location so you can easily find your way back to your car.

- Pedestrian Mode
Want to find a good espresso after dinner? With pedestrian mode you can quickly find and walk to a café near your current location.

- QuickSpell Address Entry
Our highly-acclaimed QuickSpell® with SmartCity Search allows you to quickly enter addresses into the oversized keyboard. With a few touches, you narrow your location search, making destination quick, easy and error free.

- NAVTEQ Maps
Travel with confidence using NAVTEQ onboard maps. The maps are pre-loaded onto your iPhone so you can navigate worry-free. Even access your maps when your coverage fails.
Magellan has also posted dedicated pages on its site covering the features of the iPhone application and announcing that an enhanced car kit very similar to TomTom's offering is coming soon. The car kit will be compatible with both the iPhone (3G and 3GS) and iPod touch (second generation), and its capabilities will be compatible with any GPS application.




Magellan RoadMate 2010 North America offers maps for the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, and the company's promotional materials indicate that versions for Eastern U.S., Western U.S. and Europe should be available soon.

Article Link: 'Magellan RoadMate 2010 North America' Comes to App Store ]]> iPhone News Discussion MacRumors http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=821368 Rogue Amoeba Retreats from iPhone Development Over App Store Policies http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=819780&goto=newpost Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:39:21 GMT

In yet another example of a high-profile developer team stepping back from Apple's App Store, Rogue Amoeba today announced in a lengthy blog post that it will no longer develop applications for the iPhone following an extended run-in with App Store reviewers over a bug fix update to the company's Airfoil Speakers Touch application. The application allows users to stream any audio content from a host computer directly to an iPhone or iPod touch.

In simplest terms, Apple's objections to the use of "Apple Logo and Apple-owned Graphic Symbols" in the application led to multiple rejections of an update designed to fix a critical performance bug, leading to a delay of over three and a half months before the updated version was finally approved and made available to the public.

While Apple's objections to the use of Apple-owned images in iPhone applications are well-known, Rogue Amoeba's situation was rather unique in that the images did not originate from the iPhone application itself, but were being sent from the host computer sending audio to the device. Those images were generated using Mac OS X tools specifically designed to aid developers in this process.
Quote:
As you can see, Airfoil Speakers Touch displays an image of the sending Mac, with a screenshot showing the source application. If you're sending from an iMac with Safari as your source (as pictured), it shows your iMac running Safari. If you're sending from a MacBook Pro, it shows a MacBook Pro, and so on. These computer images are provided by Mac OS X itself, using a public function expressly for this purpose.

We also show the source application's icon - Safari in the above example. This icon also comes from a public function provided by Apple as part of Mac OS X. These functions are expressly made to enable developers to get this artwork, and use it just as we are.
After multiple rejections, including one involving a sympathetic Apple employee who attempted to assist with the situation, Rogue Amoeba was finally able to satisfy Apple's reviewers by stripping out the "Apple-owned" images and substituting in an image of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) logo linked to an explanation page detailing the company's difficulties with Apple.

The lengthy and frustrating experience has clearly led the developers to reevaluate their efforts for the iPhone platform, and they have decided to step back from further App Store development.
Quote:
The chorus of disenchanted developers is growing and we're adding our voices as well. Rogue Amoeba no longer has any plans for additional iPhone applications, and updates to our existing iPhone applications will likely be rare. The iPhone platform had great promise, but that promise is not enough, so we're focusing on the Mac.
Article Link: Rogue Amoeba Retreats from iPhone Development Over App Store Policies ]]> iPhone News Discussion MacRumors http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=819780 Undercover 1.5 Adds Push Notification Tool to iPhone Theft Recovery App http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=819077&goto=newpost Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:28:42 GMT

Macworld reports that Orbicule has updated its Undercover [App Store, $4.99] theft recovery application for the iPhone and iPod touch to include a tool that utilizes push notifications to entice thieves into opening the application to allow it to transmit the device's location to Orbicule's recovery center.
Quote:
Now you have the ability to send push notifications with any message of your choosing directly to the iPhone - yes, just like MobileMe. But the comparisons end there. You can make the messages as enticing as you want - say, by having them pretend to be a notification from your bank account.

If the crook chooses to view the push notification, Undercover will launch, disguised either as a game that's taking its sweet time to load or loading any Website of your choosing, such as the aforementioned bank's. While the thief is distracted, Undercover will be happy to save the device's GPS coordinates and IP address to Orbicule's Website. Each time that Undercover launches, it will save a new set of coordinates that you can view in Google Maps. They'll also be sent directly to any police officer you've contacted to work on the case and registered in Orbicule's Undercover Center.
Orbicule has also posted a video preview of Undercover demonstrating the new push notification feature.



Article Link: Undercover 1.5 Adds Push Notification Tool to iPhone Theft Recovery App ]]> iPhone News Discussion MacRumors http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=819077