NZiPhone.com News

Apple tells us the top Apps for 2008

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:38:25 +0100

Apple have today made available within iTunes, lists of the top apps for 2008. You can view them in iTunes by clicking here. Whilst many of them are to be expected, some surprise ensue, such as the success of Google Earth even though it hasn't be out very long. MobileCrunch has the listings on their site with comments.

Google violated the App Store rules

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:17:13 +0100

The net is abuzz over the release of the new version of the Google app for the iPhone. The newest version includes the ability to search via voice commands (although it doesn't like the Kiwi accent!) and everyone wanted to know...just how did they do that? It seems, not with any common API's that other developers can access. Daring Fireball has the best explanation and poses the questions well. Now Google has admitted (read 1, read 2, read 3) that it broke the rules in creating their app...yet the question remains...how and why did Apple approved its publication on the App Store?

iPhone 2.2 released

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:10:58 +0100

Apple has tonight released version 2.2 of the Apple iPhone OS and it is now able to be downloaded from within iTunes. Enhancements to Google maps and Mail feature, as well as improved performance within Safari. After the controversy of banning a podcast app from appearing within the iTunes store, Apple has done what was expected and introduced the ability to download podcasts on the iPhone themselves. The download is around 246 Mb. Check here on how to apply the update.

Details on the update can be found on this page....http://www.apple.com/iphone/softwareupdate/

The update contains:

Enhancements to Maps
- Google Street View
- Public transit and walking directions
- Display address of dropped pins
- Share location via email
Decrease in call setup failures and dropped calls
Enhancements to Mail
- Resolved isolated issues with scheduled fetching of email
- Improved formatting of wide HTML email
Podcasts are now available for download in iTunes application (over Wi-Fi and cellular network)
Improved stability and performance of Safari
Improved sound quality of Visual Voicemail messages (not available in NZ)
Pressing Home button from any Home screen displays the first Home screen
Preference to turn on/off auto-correction in Keyboard Settings

Notable interface changes

A more obvious Google search box at the top of the Safari browser

When you view applications on the iTunes app store, if they have more than one image, you see a "Tap to view" option...

And can then cycle through each of the images available to look at...

iPhone Your Life

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:02:28 +0100

Apple has launched a new section on their website called "iPhone Your Life" that explores ways in which you can use your iPhone for travel, at home, for fun and games and more. The pages, available on the the main Apple.com website but not the New Zealand one at this point, highlight third party applications in each of the areas and the ways that they will help you with the activities you might carry out in each of these environments.

TechCrunch highlights iPhone exploit

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:19:01 +0100

TechCrunch has highlighted an iPhone exploit that is being reported elsewhere on the net. The exploit relates to the ability of developers to run any code via the fact that they can trigger code through an issue related to a static PNG file. More details are available at the TechCrunch website. Note that the next software update for the iPhone (version 2.2) is rumoured by some sites to be out in the next 10 days.

Welcome and win with Quick Tips

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 08:41:23 +0100

UPDATE Welcome to a new section of the NZiPhone.com website - Quick Tips. This will be an area that users can contribute simple tips for other iPhone users. Some Quick Tips have been entered into the Quick Tips section already. To encourage entries with the launch, NZiPhone.com is giving away a few goodies for those that submit a Quick Tip.

The new Quick Tips section allows for:

Commenting - Registered users can add comments to support a Quick Tip
Yes/No voting to let others know how helpful you found the Quick Tip
The use of categories and tags to help with searching. Quick tips can even be listed in multiple categories.
Registered users of the site can login and submit their own Quick Tips
Users can include images in their Quick Tips

What makes a good Quick Tip?

The easy way to describe a good question for the Quick Tips section is...one with a straight forward answer.

So a question such as..."What game should I buy for my iPhone?" is NOT an appropriate question. It's too open ended.

"How do I change the default email account on the iPhone?" is a great question as there is a simple straight forward answer.

How do I create a Quick Tip or add a comment to an existing tip?

To make a comment or create a Quick Tip, login to the site (you will have had to register). To comment under an existing Quick Tip, navigate to that tip and add your comment at the bottom of it.

To create a new Quick Tip, login and on the main page, a user menu will appear that will feature a link you can click to create a Quick Tip.

What can I win?

If you submit a new Quick Tip (not a comment on an existing Quick Tip) and it is accepted and published on the site* by 9pm on Saturday, November 29th, you could win one of many prizes on offer...

$30 NZ iTunes credit
An Apple iPhone 3G dock**
An iPhone 3G "Crystal Case"** courtesy of Toshcomputers.com
A Universal Dock for iPhone and iPod that includes an FM Transmitter** courtesy of Toshcomputers.com
An iPhone 3G Leather Case with Belt Clip** courtesy of Toshcomputers.com

* Quick Tips must be relevant and useful to other users of the site. The decision to accept Quick Tips will be at the discretion of NZiPhone.com. Prizes will only be sent to a New Zealand postal address.
** These items have been opened as they have been evaluated and entered into the Reviews section of NZiPhone.com, so they are provided 'as is'

[Update 1] The contest has now closed

10 Million and counting

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:02:02 +0100

In early 2007, with the introduction of the iPhone, Steve Jobs stated that Apple hoped that when the iPhone ultimately launched, it would capture 1% of the market within 12 months. That amounted to 10 Million iPhone sales, which pundits at the time speculated was far too ambitious. In fact today, Apple announced they had reached that amount with two months to go.

This shows the staggering success of the iPhone in what for Apple is a completely new market. Think how the iPod has impacted the audio player market and you can see how Apple continues to define the markets it is involved in. Already, with the release of the Google Android source files and the release of the T-Mobile G1 phone, other companies are rushing to mimic the ease of use of the iPhone.

It certainly is an incredibly impressive result and was announced today in discussions after Apple reported (yet again) impressive financial results.

Have your say on iPhone fixes

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:34:10 +0100

A new site has launched allowing site visitors to vote on (and add) lists of the needed fixes to the iPhone and iPod Touch. The website, pleasefixtheiphone.com lets you vote an what features you think the iPhone is sorely lacking, such as cut and paste or the ability to display Flash. Take a look at the site and vote on your favourite, much needed feature.

iPhone does well at Brit Tech Awards

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:10:31 +0100

Apple did well at the recent British Technology Awards, scooping 5 awards in total. 4 of these were for the iPhone, with the associated client software for it and all things media and music related (iTunes) winning Best Music Technology. The 4 awards that the iPhone won were Best Mobile Technology, Gadget of the Year, Most Stylish Technology (hmm...an interesting category!?) and Technological Innovation of the Year.

Apple tightens grip on developers

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:00:35 +0100

UPDATE Over recent weeks Apple has tightened control over the acceptance of applications published within the iTunes App Store, and now appears to be broadening its control beyond the App Store but within the iPhone environment. In previous weeks some developers have complained when their apps were rejected with little or no explanation from Apple, or that they received an explanation that (to some) seemed anti-competitive. Apple has now made it more difficult for these developers to share their experiences or to create workarounds for distribution.

The most visible rejection of an application to the iTunes App Store has been the podcast application that Apple rejected on the basis that it mimicked iTunes functionality. At the time numerous complaints appeared on the Internet against the move by Apple. The developer of the application provided those interested in using the application an alternate route to using the application via a donation model directly from his website.

One of these alternate routes has allowed developers to let users download applications direct to the iPhone whilst circumventing the iTunes App Store. MacNN is reporting that the approach of binding software to serial numbers of iPhones is being revoked and that such an approach (away from the iTunes App Store) will not work in the future. This leaves little reproach for developers wanting to create acceptable and genuine applications that Apple reject for (it is argued) reasons beyond causing harm or damage to the iPhone.

At the same time, both AppleInsider and MacRumors are reporting rejection letters to developers are now including (but may have previously included, but were not noted) the clause...

{xtypo_quote}THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MESSAGE IS UNDER NON-DISCLOSURE{/xtypo_quote}

Whilst it is understandable to see Apple want to have private communications between itself and developers, the new clause seems to be an attempt to stop any discussion of reasons for rejection. Whilst some rejections may be because an application causes damage to the iPhone (and such communications should understandably be between developer and Apple alone) any blanket attempt to stifle dissent or any open discussion is of concern, and (some are speculating) could lead to calls of anti-competitive practices by Apple.