miércoles, 12 de diciembre de 2012

iPad By Davis: “Savvy Apps releases Today Weather for iPhone” plus 19 more

iPad By Davis: “Savvy Apps releases Today Weather for iPhone” plus 19 more


Savvy Apps releases Today Weather for iPhone

Posted: 12 Dec 2012 01:34 AM PST

Savvy Apps releases Today Weather for iPhone

Savvy Apps, the geniuses behind Agenda Calendar and Buzz Contacts, have released a new type of app for them -- a weather app called Today Weather. Although weather apps aren't a genre that Savvy Apps is known for, they've done a great job with Today. It's simplistic, informative, and unique.

Today Weather consists of three different levels: the "Zoomed" level that allows you to edit your locations, the "Dashboard" that shows the main weather information at all your locations at once, and "Location" that has detailed weather information for the selected location including the 3-day and hourly forecasts, the high and lows, humidity level, windspeed, and more. To move up the levels, you simply tap the little arrow in the lower left corner.

From the Location level, you can swipe left and right to see even more. Swiping to the right will reveal the basic forecast over the next week. This isn't your typical forecast, however, as it is displayed as a bar graph where each bar represents both the high and low for the day. Swiping to the left from the main Location view will display the hourly forecast over the next 36 hours.

I've used a lot of weather apps in my time and Savvy App's Today Weather is a unique take on the popular category. Today Weather is definitely meant for the minimalists as it doesn't include detailed maps or radars, and for those minimalists, Today is an excellent choice. I frequently have readers approaching me during their search for a weather app that displays the current weather conditions of multiple locations at once, and now I have the perfect app to recommend to them.



Edit your photos, mash them up into beautiful collages, and send postcards with Fuzel 2.0

Posted: 12 Dec 2012 12:58 AM PST

There is an abundance of apps in the App Store devoted to making collages of your photos, and Fuzel has always been one of my favorites. It was recently updated to version 2.0, making this great collage-making app even better.

One of the big new features of Fuzel is the ability to create 5.25"x5.25" postcards and send them to friends and family. Shipping within the US is $1.99 and Internationally costs $3.99. This postcard feature is thanks to Fuzel's new partnership with MyPublisher Inc.

Fuzel has also added a new full-featured photo editor so that you can do all your editing directly in the app instead of switching to another app to do your editing. The adjustments you can make include lighting, color, sharpness, blur, and vignette. The editing tool is really simple to use and simply requires you to slide your finger left/right or up/down to apply the intensity of the adjustment (similar to iPhoto).

In addition to making basic edits to your photos, Fuzel also includes 19 different filters with the option to purchase 12 more as an in-app purchase for $0.99.

One of the great features of Fuzel is the ability to add frames, patterns, and labels to your collages and with 2.0, now there's even more to choose from. Fuzel comes with 6 labels and 24 patterns with the option to buy 12 more labels as an in-app purchase for $0.99.

The good

  • Excellent interface
  • Beautiful design
  • Edit individual photos
  • Add filters to photos
  • Choose a pre-designed template or edit your own cuts to make your collage truly unique
  • Choose between several different popular crop ratios (not just square!)
  • Send real postcards to friends and family
  • Add frames, patterns, and labels

The bad

  • Postcards restricted to square
  • Icons for choosing between taking a photo with the built-in camera or choosing one from the Camera Roll are nontraditional and may seem confusing to some
  • "Open in Instagram doesn't work correctly (this could be an Instagram problem, not Fuzel)"
  • Not available for iPad (it would be awesome on iPad!)

The conclusion

With Fuzel's update, it continues to be my go-to collage making app. It has an impressive design and includes a lot of features without feeling cluttered or complicated. Fuzel is an excellent app for creating collages.

Fuzel has a free version and "Pro" version. Purchasing the "Essential Pack" in the free version will make it equivalent to Fuzel Pro. So if you want to give Fuzel a spin before committing to the whopping $0.99 it costs to purchase the Pro version, give the free version a go and let us know what you think!



Time Magazine selects the iPhone 5 as its gadget of the year for 2012

Posted: 12 Dec 2012 12:13 AM PST

Time Magazine selects the iPhone 5 as its gadget of the year for 2012Time Magazine has announced its top ten gadgets of 2012 and unsurprisingly the iPhone 5 made it to number one spot. The list which has been compiled by author Harry McCracken praised the iPhone 5's design claiming that it "is one of the most artfully polished gadgets anyone's ever built".

Apple may be responsible for more than its share of the tech industry's great leaps forward, but it's at least as good at fussing over the tiny little details other companies ignore. The iPhone 5, which starts at $199 with a two-year contract, is one of the most artfully polished gadgets anyone's ever built, with a taller screen than previous iPhones built into a thinner, lighter case. The camera, with a particularly well-done panorama mode, is another highlight. There are lots of nifty smartphones out there, including the iPhone's impressive archrival, Samsung's Galaxy S III. But when it comes to melding hardware, software and services so tightly that the seams fade away, Apple still has no peer.

Whilst we would have to agree with the number one spot in Time Magazine's top ten gadgets of 2012, we are not so sure about the other places. The Nintendo Wii U claims second place, Microsoft's Surface RT is in 7th place and the Nest thermostat just scrapes in at number 9. Oddly, there is no mention of the new iPad or iPad mini; in fact the only other Apple product in the top 10 is the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display which was described as "a joy to use". What do you think of Time's top ten gadgets of 2012?

  1. Apple iPhone 5
  2. Nintendo Wii U
  3. Sony Cyber-shot RX100
  4. Raspberry Pi Model B
  5. Lytro
  6. Apple 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display
  7. Microsoft Surface with Windows RT
  8. Samsung Galaxy Note II
  9. Nest
  10. Simple.TV

Source: Time



MacBreak Weekly 329: Nobody Died, Yet

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 09:17 PM PST

Leo Laporte, Andy Ihnatko, and yours truly talk Apple TV, Mac Pro made in the USA, avoiding Apple Maps in rural Australia, and more.

Subscribe or download: TWiT.tv



Procreate gets 4K canvas, full screen interface, new blend modes, and much more

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 09:03 PM PST

Procreate, one of the best art apps for the iPad, has been updated to version 1.7, which adds a ton of new features, including support for 4K Cinema canvas sizes, a new, full screen mode, and a bunch of new blend modes including: color, saturation, hue, luminosity, overlay, hard light, soft light, linear burn, color dodge, color burn, difference, and subtract.

However, developers Savage Interactive didn't stop there, they've also redesigned the way layers work:

Now that Procreate can create up to 128 layers (smaller canvases), managing layers can get out of hand very quickly. But with the new Layers interface you can fit 11 layers in portrait or 8 in landscape. Combined with thumbnails that zoom to display the subject of the layer, usability has drastically improved.

Added a fantastic new transform system:

Something we're really excited to show is Distort and Shear. With these new tools perspective distortions are as easy as tapping and holding on a point, and then dragging. Also we've added a Non-Uniform scale, making it very easy to correct proportions.

There's a lot more too, including support for the Pogo Connect stylus, multiple swatch panels, a new eyedropper tool, and still more.

Procreate also still gives all the good, old fashioned, granular controls for things like brush size, opacity, and digital color mixing that many pixel artists grew up on, and in a way that just feels right for a multitouch device like the iPad.

If you're into painting, sketching, drawing, or otherwise art-ing it up, check out Procreate 1.7.

And if you want to hear more about the app, check out our interview with Savage Interactive designer James Cuda from way back in Iterate 2.



Buy themed gift sets for friends and family this Holiday season with Sesame for iPhone

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 08:09 PM PST

Shopping for gifts for friends and family for the Holidays is hard work because not only is it time consuming, but finding gifts that aren't boring or lame is quite a challenge -- and that's where Sesame come's in. Sesame by Sincerely Ink is a boutique gift shop in your pocket that has beautiful and interesting gift sets already created and ready to purchase. These sets include things like everything needed for a relaxing spa day at home, family game night goodies, and an infant starter kit.

Not only is Sesame extremely convenient, but it's also beautiful. The gift sets are displayed as square photo with the set name, who it was created by, and the price dog-eared in the corner. When you tap on a gift set, you can scroll through the photos of items included in the set at the top of the screen and read more information about the set. There will be a note from the creator (sometimes a vendor, sometimes a "regular" person) about the gifts and why they make a great set, a list of everything included, who it's perfect for, and a section "About the Creator".

If you find a gift set you like, you can share it to Facebook, Twitter, or Email. If you purchase a gift set, it will be hand prepared in a beautiful box, wrapped in white tissue paper, and nestled in craft crinkle. You can also personalize a card to be included with the gift.

If you are the recipient of a gift set from Sesame, there is a section of the app that lets you scan the stamp inside your card to thank your sender or send them a gift or card.

There are currently 13 different gift sets in the Sesame app and new ones will be added each month.

I'm very impressed with the design of Sesame and think the gift sets included are great. I'm the least creative person when it comes to gift-giving, so there's a good chance I'll ended up choosing one of these gift sets as a gift for someone or at least get inspiration to design my own.



How to gift iPhone and iPad apps with iTunes

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 03:24 PM PST

How to gift iPhone and iPad apps with iTunes

With the holiday season coming up, apps are a quick and easy gift to give that don't even require you to leave your own home. As of iOS 6 you don't have the option to send gifts via iOS, but the option is still there in iTunes.

So if you've got a loved one that you know has really been eyeing the entire Angry Birds collection for their iPad, you can still give the gift of flying pigs using iTunes. Not sure how? Follow along.

  1. Open iTunes on your Mac or PC.
  2. Click on iTunes Store in the upper right hand corner.
  3. Choose App Store along the top to browse categories or view the main page. You can also just search for apps if you know exactly what you're looking for.
  4. Once you find the app you'd like to gift to someone, click the arrow that's next to the Buy button that shows the price and choose the Gift This App option.
  5. The gift window will pop up. You can choose between sending the gift via e-mail or printing it out to give yourself. The only difference is that the print method won't require you to give an email address.
  6. Fill out all the information and then click Continue.
  7. You will be asked to enter your iTunes password. Type it in and click Continue.
  8. iTunes will now show you a summary page of your order containing price and your message. If everything is correct, click on Buy Gift.
  9. You'll receive a confirmation page. Just click on Done. That's all there is to it!


BookBook for iPad mini Contest – Winner

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 03:10 PM PST

BookBook iPad Cases

Thanks to all of you who participated in this contest. Good to see so many of you are big fans of Twelve South and especially their line of BookBook cases. And huge thanks to Twelve South for running this contest with us.

Our lucky winner, of the BookBook for iPad mini before you can even buy one, is:

Anthony.

Congratulations Anthony – and please keep an eye on your Inbox as Twelve South will be in touch very soon to get your shipping details and get that prize on its way to you soon.


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Shazam for iPhone gets new listening screen, offline use, Google+ support, and more

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 02:43 PM PST

Shazam, one of the most popular music apps that identifies music for you, has been updated with a new tagging screen, Google+ support, improved offline tagging, and more.

The new Tagging screen in Shazam is now a blue Shazam dial that responds to the music you're trying to identify and will find a successful match after as little as one second. The functionality of the tagging screen hasn't really changed, but it sure does look cooler! When the music (or TV show if you're in the US) is identified, Shazam will now display larger album artwork when displaying the results.

An awesome new feature of Shazam is that if you're trying to tag a song with little or no internet connectivity, Shazam will automatically find a match when you have connection and send you a notification reminding you.

Other new features of Shazam for iPhone include the ability to share tags to Google+, search your tags for artitist titles, tag dates and locations, and a "magic tap" for VoiceOver users that will start tagging immediately with a two-finger double-tap from anywhere in the app.

Shazam users, what do you think of the new update?



Review: Oberon Design Celtic Hounds iPad mini Cover

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 02:08 PM PST

Oberon Design Celtic Hounds iPad mini Cover

I've already mentioned the Oberon Design Celtic Hounds iPad mini Cover once on this site. I referred to it as, and titled my post, The Most Beautiful iPad Case. Ever. I published that post just a day after receiving the case. I've had it for a couple weeks now, and the shine has definitely not worn off at all; I still find this a stunningly gorgeous case.

Having spent some time with it, I'm now ready to review it on more than just its great looks.

Notes

The Celtic Hounds iPad mini Cover comes in three colors – green, wine, and walnut. I chose green and obviously I'm more than happy with my choice – and can also say that all three colors looks extremely handsome.

Here are some of its key features:

    • Covers have a camera lens opening (detail not currently shown on all cover images).
    • Corner straps provide 'shake & drop' security.
    • Cord & tab platform device for horizontal tabletop reading.
    • Built in slanted surface for iPad keyboard use.
    • Case easily folds & stays open.
    • 100% wool felt LED screen protector.
    • Large side pockets & a small pocket for I.D. or cards.
    • Matching Britannia Pewter button.
    • Marine grade replaceable mini bungee cords (includes extra bungee).

It's also worth noting that Oberon's products are handcrafted here in the USA – the story of the company and its founder's history in this craft is actually a great read. Since I have some Irish ancestry, I was also interested to see some background on the Celtic Hounds pattern on this case:

The universal meaning attached to the spiritual knot work art of the Celtic culture is the symbol of the endless wheel, unending line or regeneration and the inter-connectedness of life. No recorded history attaches specific meanings to different knot work styles; however it is generally agreed that spirals honor the Goddess and reflect themes of consciousness and balance, interlacing knots the unending cycle of life and death, and key or maze patterns the twists and turns of life's journey. Animal or bird images symbols, known as zoomorphic knots are more straightforward.

Hounds or dogs represent loyalty; dragons symbolize rebirth and bird's purity or nobility.

(...)
Read the rest of Review: Oberon Design Celtic Hounds iPad mini Cover (630 words)


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Apple's problems with SkyDrive might actually run Office deep

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 02:14 PM PST

Apple/Microsoft SkyDrive fight may actually be about Office

There may be something bigger behind Apple and Microsoft's argument over SkyDrive and in-app purchases than SkyDrive itself -- Office. Microsoft is reportedly trying to pressure Apple into cutting a special deal over Office 365 subscriptions. With Office for iOS still rumored to be coming next spring, and with Office 365 subscriptions rumored to be required to perform any real creative functions, there could be a considerable amount of money on the line for both companies. John Paczkowski of All Things D reports:

So [Microsoft] has been pushing Apple to adjust the 70/30 revenue split in its developer license agreement. Predictably, Apple has refused to comply. It's not yet clear what sort of concession Microsoft is seeking, but whatever it is, Apple's evidently not willing to consider it. Indeed, I'm told it's taken a "the rules are the rules" stance, which would suggest it's not at all willing to negotiate a different split. Apple's position: If a customer comes through its gateway, it feels it is deserved the commission outlined in 11.12 of its developer license.

Now, it's possible that it's less straightforward than Microsoft wanting a lower rate. That's undoubtedly true, yes, but in paying for Office 365 through their iTunes account, even if a user switched to a different platform such as Android or Windows Phone, unless they also changed their payment method, Apple would still take a 30% cut of the subscription revenue.

It would be understandable for Microsoft to be concerned about this. But Apple won't create special rules for different companies, at least not any time soon. A similar arrangement already exists for other companies that provide subscriptions to their services through iTunes, including Netflix, Hulu, and Rdio. The best that Microsoft can do in that particular situation is heavily encourage users to change their payment method away from iTunes.

So it could come down to who needs Office on iOS more -- Apple or Microsoft?



Having sound issues on your iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S? Here's how to fix them.

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 12:21 PM PST

Having sound issues on your iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S? Here's how to fix them.

If you've got an iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S that's having some issues with sound, you probably aren't alone. Issues could range from system sounds working but your iPhone not actually ringing or system sounds not working unless plugged into the headphone jack. While sound can be caused by several issues, symptoms like this are typically fixable with a pretty simple DIY repair.

If any of the above symptoms sound like what you're experiencing, follow along for a more detailed list of symptoms and how to correct the problem.

This week we're doing things a little differently and instead of giving you a new repair, we're going to take a look at some existing mods that should fix very common sound issues pertaining to both the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4.

Disclaimer: As with any repair, neither iMore nor The Pod Drop can be held responsible for any damage you may do to your device. It's also worth considering that opening up your device to perform any repair or modification can and will void your Apple warranty. If you don't feel comfortable opening your device, don't. Use extreme care and caution when performing a repair on any device.

Not comfortable with DIY repair? Leave it to the pros

If you aren't comfortable performing a DIY repair on your own, don't. It is possible to cause more damage or run into issues you aren't ready for. In this case, it's probably better to either pay the money for a replacement device from Apple or use a local or mail-in service that will handle the repair and any issues that may arise for you.

The Pod Drop has many locations in the midwest and is a rapidly growing company. You can check for a Pod Drop location near you, mail it in, or use another third party repair service. For more information on mail-in repairs or possible Pod Drop locations near you, you can visit their website.

If you are comfortable with repairing your own device, put your ninja pants on and keep reading!

Symptoms

Sounds issues are a common problem we see with the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. Some users have been experiencing quite a few simliar issues lately that can be solved quite easily using repair guides we already have readily available to you. If you're experiencing any of the following symptom combinations, we would suggest trying the repair solutions linked below.

No system sounds

Your iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S will ring when someone calls it or you can go into Settings and get sounds to play but system sounds don't work throughout iOS such as keyboard clicks, lock/unlock sounds, and certain system notifications.

No alert sounds

If you can go into Settings and hear system sound previews but no sound actually produces when an alert such as a phone call, text message, or email come in.

Combination of no alert and/or system sounds

If your sounds work sporadically or in any combination of the above symptoms.

How to fix sound issues

Try a DFU restore first

Before performing any kind of hardware repair, you should always try a restore first to rule out software issues. A DFU restore is the kind of restore we recommend for issues like this. If you aren't sure how to put your iPhone in DFU mode, you can follow our guide:

Replace the dock connector

Wait, what? You may be asking yourself why replacing the dock connector would fix sound issues. Actually, the dock connector component contains some wiring and components that delegate sound throughout your iPhone. In our experience, if you're experiencing the sound issues like we've described above, 9 times out of 10 a dock connector replacement fixes the issue.

Depending on whether you have an iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S, you can check out our guides and replace the dock connector on the device on your own. It'll cost you a lot less than a brand new iPhone and will only take about 30 minutes. The best part is, you should have sound again.

Other sound issues

If you're experiencing no sound at all or it is heavily distorted, your issue may be the actual loud speaker itself or another component related to how sound is handled. We have many tutorials and guides for replacing other components related to sound in our DIY section that you can access via the links below.

Get more DIY help

If you're running into issues with a DIY repair or need some more answers, our DIY and mod forums are a great place to start. Still have questions? Feel free to email us.

Additional resources:



Find my iPhone now has driving directions to device locations

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 11:23 AM PST

Find my iPhone now has driving directions to device locations

Apple's Find my iPhone app has been updated to include driving direction to device location. The Play Sound, Lost Mode, and Erase buttons also now appear separately from the map view. The driving directions feature requires iOS 6, so users still on iOS 5 will not be able to enjoy this convenience.

Find my iPhone is Apple's app that will let you use another device to find your lost or stolen iPhone and protect your data by remotely wiping it. In addition to just finding your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can also choose to send a custom message to the screen, play a sound for two minutes at full volume, and remotely lock it.

Thankfully, I have never needed to use Find my iPhone to locate a stolen device, but I have used it to find my misplaced iPhone in the house. The sound that emits from the iPhone for two minutes is extremely loud (and rather annoying) making it super easy to find my iPhone during those times I'm trying to rush out the door but can't seem to find my iPhone that has wedged itself under the couch cushions... or mysteriously made its way into my daughter's toy box.

What about you? Do you have any great stories related to Find my iPhone? We would love to hear them!

Free - Download Now



Mac AirPlay Mirroring App Has a New Name: Reflector

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 10:17 AM PST

Reflector Mirroring App

Reflection was the first Mac app to allow AirPlay Mirroring from iPad (or iPhone) to a Mac. I posted on it back in March when it launched and was quite impressed with it. Since then I've used the app often and it has only continued to make a great impression. It couldn't be easier to use. Although you can adjust some settings you can also just install it, open it, and fire away with AirPlay Mirroring right away with zero configuration.

I've even had a chance to use it in live webinars and it has performed like a champ and never missed a beat.

The app has recently changed its name: Reflection is now Reflector. Here are its key features:

Record. Easily capture the screen of your iOS device and save it as a video file for later review.

iOS On Your Mac. View your iOS device on your Mac and continue using it while you're mirroring.

Password Protection. Control access to your Mac by setting a password to prevent unwanted connections.

Selectable Frames. Change the color of the device frame on your screen to match the actual skin of your device.

The app sells for $14.99 for a single user license or $49.99 for a 5 seat license. It's compatible with Macs running OS X 10.6.8 or later and Windows PCs running Windows XP or later.

You can see more detail or buy the app at the Reflector website.

If you need help with mirroring, be sure to check out my how-to post on AirPlay Mirroring from the iPad to Mac.


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Man of Steel gets second teaser trailer

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 09:45 AM PST

After successfully rebooting Batman under Christopher Nolan, Warner Brothers and DC Comics are trying to do the same to Superman, with Nolan serving as producer, and Zack Snyder of Watchmen and 300 as director. So, Dark Knight, here's your Man of Steel.

Right up front, I miss the John Williams music. It's like seeing Star Wars or Bond without their themes. I'm also concerned about some of the scenes in the trailer. Hopefully they'll make more sense when in context. But it does look like Snyder's iconic style meshes well with Superman's iconic look. He's the first modern superhero, and he had the first successful modern superhero movie. He's a tough character to write well, however.

Nolan started strong with Batman Begins, and created some of the best Batman moments committed to film, but his endings were terrible, he missed key parts of the Batman character, and in Dark Knight Rises, succumbed to a lot of bloat and bad choices. The 300 was Frank Miller's comic shot for shot, and Watchman was quite a achievement, given the scope of Alan Moore's original work, but the fight scenes verged on silly and the wisely-altered ending never quite gelled. Hopefully the pairing will bring out the best of both of their approaches.

No spoilers here, but if you want to discuss the trailer and the upcoming movies, jump into our movies forum.

Man of Steel comes out next year, but there's a ton Superman for you to enjoy on your iPhone or iPad in the meantime, including the original movies, Bryan Singer's beautiful but misguided previous attempt at a reboot, and some amazing stuff from the folks at Warner Animation. (Here's why: deadly John Byrne Luthor > comedic Donner Luthor.)

I particularly recommend the original Donner movie (Superman: The Movie), All Star Superman (based on the Grant Morrison comic), and Superman (the animated series), and, of course, Superman: The Fleischer Cartoons.



New Gelaskins for iPad Look Great

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 09:04 AM PST

El Guitarista Gelaskin for iPad

Gelaskins are superb ultra-thin skins for the iPad (and numerous other devices). And when these guys say ultra-thin it really means ultra-thin. I've tried a number of different skins from many leading vendors and have yet to find any that are as thin and light as Gelaskins.

I've written often here about a Smart Cover and a Gelaskin being my favorite 'outfit' for the iPad. So of course I'm excited to see that Gelaskins have a 'Fresh Crop' of new designs for the iPad. There are a number of lovely images that caught my eye in the new collection, but the one above is my current favorite. It's called 'El Guitarista' by BUA.

I also like the look of this whole section:

New Gelaskins for iPad

These all go for $29.95 and you can check out the whole fresh crop for iPad (2nd, 3rd, 4th gen) at the Gelaskins page for them.

Do you already use a Gelaskin on your iPad? If so, which one and which are your favorite designs?


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Holiday app section shows up on Apple TV, turns out to be lump of coal

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 09:44 AM PST

Holiday app section shows up on Apple TV, turns out to be lump of coal

A new content section called "Holiday" appeared on the Apple TV late last night, and in addition to being a collection of holiday movies, users were also presented with banners for various holiday apps. The section, shown here in a photo from Mac OS Ken, was inactive, and nothing happened when you attempted to delve further into the menu, and no apps are for sale:

Just as Blair said in his email, there is nothing for sale when one clicks on one of these tiles, nor is there even anything displayed (and inexplicably nothing under the tile for "A Celtic Christmas" either). And yet it sure seems as if Apple has plans for apps for Apple TV very soon. How popular will "Holiday Cooking Apps" be 16 days from now?

The section is now gone, and was most likely placed on the Apple TV in error, meant to be served to the iTunes Store on the iPad or desktop. Apple is probably exploring apps for the Apple TV, and indeed they have placed apps on the device before, including Netflix, Hulu Plus, and an iTunes Festival app. But there are issues to solve when it comes to getting full-fledged apps on to the Apple TV. We might seem them someday, maybe even someday soon, but right now, this seems to be much more smoke than fire.

Source: Mac OS Ken

Apple and Microsoft reportedly fighting over revenue sharing, SkyDrive app caught in the crossfire

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 08:41 AM PST

Apple and Microsoft reportedly fighting over revenue sharing, SkyDrive app caught in the crossfire

Apple and Microsoft are reportedly wrestling over Apple's 30% cut of items sold in the App Store, specifically SkyDrive subscription revenue for the SkyDrive app. The SkyDrive app was intended to not only allow users to view and open their files, but to upgrade their storage though the iOS app. According to the App Store rules, however, Apple's entitled to a 30% cut of any in-app purchases. According to Alex Wilhelm of The Next Web, however, it's gotten even more complicated:

Microsoft has persisted in trying to work out a compromise with Apple, but has thus far failed to come to an agreement. The company offered to remove all subscription options from its application, leaving it a non-revenue generating experience on iOS. The offer was rebuffed.

At issue could be one thing: the SkyDrive app has a "Sign Up" button that takes the user to a web page where they can purchase a subscription. This is against Apple's policies, and there have been problems with apps doing this before. When Apple first implemented these rules, there was an issue with the Kindle app linking back to Amazon so that people could purchase books outside of Apple's system. Apple doesn't have a problem if your content comes from outside of its ecosystem, you just can't directly link to said content in any fashion, which is what Microsoft is doing with the SkyDrive app.

This is also a issue for developers who integrate with SkyDrive. If their apps link to the SkyDrive sign-up, then their future updates will also be rejected, leaving their users out in the cold.

Apple's policy feels like it was originally designed to stop dishonest developers from abusing Apple's support of free apps by switching all payments to post-purchase up-sells. However, as time goes on its increasingly obvious that larger vendors like Microsoft, Amazon, and others should fall into a different category.

Hopefully for SkyDrive users, Apple and Microsoft figure this out.

Source: The Next Web



1Password 4 Coming Soon, This Week

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 08:38 AM PST

1Password 4

Here's some very good news for iPad and iOS users: 1Password 4, a brand new version of the best password manager app around, will be hitting the App Store this week. The AgileBits Blog has a short, sweet trailer video up for it right now. The trailer doesn't give much away apart from the release date, but you have to love the wording of the blog post:

An unforgettable journey. An epic battle. A fellowship strengthened. Ancient truths protected by the one password you need to remember.

1Password 4 for iOS is coming.

1Password has been an absolutely essential app for me on the Mac and iOS for years now. It syncs flawlessly and effortlessly and is easy to use. It now supports Windows PCs as well. The app has been the leader in its category for a long time, but the developers never rest on their laurels. The app gets frequent and significant updates and is constantly improving.

Even Apple has recognized what an effective solution it is for Mac and iOS users:

In the Better Together section of the Mac App Store that highlights apps that work and sync well across OS X and iOS, Apple listed 1Password among some excellent company.

I imagine 1Password 4 will be a brand new app and I'll be installing it as soon as it hits the iPad App Store.


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Angry Birds turns 3 years old, adds Pink Bird, 30 new levels, more

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 06:40 AM PST

Angry Birds turns 3 years old, adds Pink Bird, 30 new levels, more

Angry Birds is not only a breakthrough iOS game, and one of the first new franchises to become a household name in years, it's also just turned three. That's three as in third birthday AND three as in 3.0. To celebrate, Rovio has once again updated their $0.99 wonder with new characters, new levels, and new challenges.

Happy Birdday! Can you believe that Angry Birds is turning three? We sure can't! Celebrate with 30 NEW LEVELS, birdday cake, and the bubbliest bird ever -- Pink Bird! But watch out for the cake -- it's not a lie, but it packs a BIG punch!

The 30 new levels include 15 party levels and 15 Bad Piggies inspired levels. The update also includes iPhone 5 and iPod touch 5 widescreen support.

Since the launch, Rovio has added Angry Birds Seasons, Angry Birds Space, Bad Piggies, and most recently, Angry Birds Star Wars.

All of those build on the concepts, mechanics, and charm of the original. If by some chance you haven't played it yet, go and grab it and see where it all began. If you've been playing it since day one, go grab the update and enjoy the celebration.

Congrats Rovio, and happy birthday, Angry Birds!



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