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Well I’m not real sure how you couldn’t be satisfied with today’s headlines. Whether you were excited to see Steve back on stage or anxious to download ringtones, I think there was satisfaction spread evenly. Even though we’re not going to get every little detail desired (cameraless iPod Touch), Apple has shot below par by introducing iTunes 9, 3.1 firmware, and new line of iPod Touch’s. Here’s a quick briefing of what you missed encase you couldn’t make it out to Cali for the day.
First up, iTunes 9. With the upgrade available for download today, you will be see changes to help enhance your App Store experience. With an added horizontal navigation bar added to each page, less time is spent jumping from viewing apps to searching for movies. And the best of iTunes 9 is being able to easily manage your apps on your device through iTunes. Additionally, you will now be able to specify what artists, genres, and playlist you would like to automatically sync.
iTunes LP will also be a new face to the community. Here’s Apples take:
“The visual experience of the record album returns with iTunes LP. Get a gorgeous, immersive version of select albums — right in your iTunes library. So while you listen to your favorite songs by your favorite artists, you can also five into beautiful animated lyrics and notes, performance videos, artists and band photos and more.”
Another road Apple has decided to take is selling ringtones. A little late on the draw, but better late then never. However, priced at $1.29, I’m not sure if that will fly or not. With most songs costing $.99, it would be hard pay more for a fraction of a song. But I’m open minded and will wait to see what kind of reaction Apple is given.
The bigger news of the day is the third generation iPod Touch. Unfortunately, no camera is included. However, there are some reasonable tradeoffs. A similar 3.1 update the iPhone will bounce up to will also appear for the Touch. A 50% speed improvement , OpenGL ES 2.0 for improved graphics, Genius App Recommendations, and voice control will be the selling points that drive you to make a step up to the third gen.. Not only will you have the options of the 8GB ($199) and 32GB ($299), but you’ll have a chance to get your hands on the granddaddy of them all, 64GB ($399)!!
iPhone users will also have the option to upgrade to 3.1 firmware. It’s recommended to upgrade iTunes beforehand. And to all you Jailbreakers and unlockers, I would advise to hold up until the coast is clear.
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Coincidence? Doubtful. iPod Touch’s prices are falling as Apple prepares to take the stage. Maybe to indroduce the new Touch? Only time will tell. But for those of you interested for settling with today’s iPod Touch will have to wait to seal the deal with the price-drop. Apple’s store is currently closed and I would say reopen later on today.- 8GB – $189
- 16GB – $249
- 32Gb – $279
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Time is closing on the announcement’s of Apple’s future. Kickoff is around 1:00PM est.. What new iTunes features will we see? Camera on the Touch? We’ll see what Mr. Jobs has waiting to pull out of the hat. Stay tuned for updates.
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A surprising (and very welcomed) app is available in the app store from Wyse named PocketCloud. How is that for an opening line? Does it grab your attention? No? Not interested? No, this app isn’t very sexy, and quite frankly, it has zero mass appeal. You will not see this app on an iPhone Commercial, no Diggs, no attention from the media. This app has no place in pop culture. In the commercial, the PC guy will be using this, not the trendy and cool mac guy.I can tell you that, from an IT Professional’s perspective, I would purchase an iPhone just for this app. This app is my new best friend; and just in time for a well earned vacation next week. To sum it up, this app does remote desktop better than any other app available today; throw in VMware support, and you have an extraordinary tool for network support staff that can easily jusify the cost of an iPhone and data plan for yourself and your staff. $29.99 is stiff, even for a tech-savvy person that wants to control his home or office PC, but not for an IT Pro that is working 24 hours a day already. What this app means to me, is that I can quickly (as in as little as 90 seconds with good 3G) login to my Cisco IPSec VPN (that post is coming in two weeks) and access my Windows Servers and VMs. The client connects flawlessly (and stays connected!), the screen scales effortlessly using the iphone multi-touch; it has the typical pop-up keyboard, and finite mouse control utility (easy right-clicks). Scrolling is fast and smooth. Mouse selection using your finger takes some practice, but that is understandable. You can only connect to one session at a time. WiFi is better of course, but access over 3G is damn good. Considering the name, and the obvious investment from VMware, I expect more to come in later releases, although it is highly recommended at version 1.0 (repeat that to yourself a few times, you will not hear it often). Actual usage is fast and reliable. You can solve problems, get things done, and get back to what little life your job permits. Can a geek make a higher endorsement?
If you don’t know who Wyse is, you’re wasting your time and do not need this app. These apps will do nicely for you.
PocketCloud supports SSL and has limited support for RSA 2-factor authentication. PocketCloud fits into an established VMware View host environment and does not require any special setup or software installed. The app will run on the Touch and the iPhone, and supports MS Server 2003 and later sever versions, as well as XP and later desktop operating systems (home versions are not supported). Although I’ll primarily use this remotely, this is a tool that will prove to be indispensable to on-site support staff that roam about an office building or a factory (especially at $229 for a touch).
PocketCloud integrates with an available Windows (32-bit only) host-based agent that provides advanced capabilities such as Thin-Browser: an enhanced, server-side browser capability, enabling full access to websites for rich and interactive content such as Flash, Silverlight, and Java, and ActiveX content. The Thin-Browser is available from the options screen when connected to a Windows host running the agent and provides a web browsing experience that is much more complete and robust than Safari; but despite the Wyse claim, is not noticeably faster. Regardless, when you need to access Flash or ActiveX content, you can. And that is definitely a pickup.
The PocketCloud App is available for $29.99 from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/. PocketCloud Windows agent can be downloaded for free from www.wyse.com/iphone.
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Sling Media is back in Apple’s headlights bringing their new version of the popular Slingplayer to the table. Hopefully, this will be a much smoother process than the last time we waited, waited, and….waited for Apple, AT&T, and Sling to come to terms. Now that the groundwork is laid, we shouldn’t see much of a delay for Apple to hopefully allow Slings new updates. Here is what you possibly might be seeing in the near future for 1.1:- 16×9 widescreen
- Enhanced remote control UI
- Improved speed throughout the application (connections, channel navigating, and response time)
- DISH integration (draws the guide by connecting to the receiver instead of streaming)
As of now, your SlingPlayer will only work over Wi-Fi. It has been rumored that Sling has introduced a seperate app that will work on 3G support for outside US carriers. Good chance AT&T won’t take the bait. There is a higher chance Apple might allow this into the App Store since AT&T has no weight to hold them down.
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Even though Google received a rejection letter for wanting their Google Voice app a part of the App Store, they have went to plan B and introcduced it as a web app. When the news broke of this matter, you shouldn’t be shocked Google wasn’t KO’ed.Already, Google says it is readying a replacement for the Google Voice app that will offer exactly the same features as the rejected app–except that it will take the form of a specialized, iPhone-shaped Web page. For all intents and purposes, it will behave exactly the same as the app would have; you can even install it as an icon on your Home screen.
A Google spokesperson was unable to confirm how much of the process is completed, but did release this statement: “We will continue to work to bring our services to iPhone users, for example by taking advantage of advances in mobile browsers.”
Now the question becomes will Google be able to satisfy its Voice users as well as the origional app drowned by Apple through a web app? Stay tuned…
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In March 2005, Judge Robert Restaino jailed 46 people when a mobile phone rang in his New York courtroom and no one would admit responsibility. So a company called Two Forty Four a.m. created Locale. Problem solved. But not for us; you see the Locale App is for Android only. And this has introduced a totally new and uncomfortable sensation for iPhone users: App Envy.I am disappointed that this little app is not available for the iPhone, but I believe it will prove to be good for us over time by introducing some real competition. The app itself is amazingly simple in concept: create “situations” based on the Android phone profiles (ringers, volume, wallpaper, WiFi settings, etc.) that are activated based on your location via the built-in GPS. So, as you roam about your day moving from place to place, your phone will automatically set the correct profile. No need to turn off your ringer in church, go ahead turn on and grab the free WiFi at your favorite lunch stop, and can even turn-off WiFi or other power drains during low-battery times. Very imaginative. Very iPhone like. I’m not even going to mention the SDK from the author which will take this little App to even greater heights.
Why is this app not available for the iPhone? Simple: No profiles. As this App gains in popularity, some one might be able to pull together some of the features and make a similar app; but without native profiles built-in, I doubt it would be possible to replicate the effectiveness. Please note that RIM has used sound profiles for years on the Blackberry; so this concept is hardly new and one the Apple should have included in the original version.
Locale is not a “Killer App” which will drive iPhone users to Android; but it is a great reminder that Apple/iPhone industry has not totally cornered the market on innovation. And lets hope a little competition will push the iPhone industry to stay on the leading edge. And congratulations to the folks at Two Forty Four a.m. for a truly remarkable app.
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What!? Quit the iPhone? Are you kidding me? That would be like Gollum saying, “F#$* that ring. I didn’t like it anyway!” Not me. I’m never giving up my Precious. However, that is exactly the view a few people are starting to mumble.People are getting tired, REAL tired of Apple and AT&T’s bull….! The latest controversy to ignite a firestorm … Apple pulling Google’s GV Mobile off App Store. The app that connects iPhone users to Google’s newly released beta, Google Voice.
“I have loved the iPhone, but now I am quitting the iPhone.
This is not an easy decision.”
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