The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) http://www.tuaw.com The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/feedlogo.gif The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) http://www.tuaw.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Stink Different with an Apple toilet]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/14/stink-different-with-an-apple-toilet/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/14/stink-different-with-an-apple-toilet/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/14/stink-different-with-an-apple-toilet/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We've long heard jokes of the iCar, the iToilet, and other iCrap, but until now we'd never seen a real, working example of one of these things. Well, here's your iToilet, gang. It doesn't connect to the internet in less than three steps, but it does connect to a series of tubes.


Tipster Mike Jones actually had this made for himself, but through Rival Toilets, makers of custom, printed potties. Yep, the owner of Rival, Fred, has figured out a way to get decals under a coat of specially-formulated finish (a trade secret), resulting in some glorious toilets you see in the gallery. They last, they are custom and they are really quite something to see.

Rival's specialty? Sports team toilets with rival team logos in a "special" place on the bowl. I'm told the Apple version seen here has a similar "rival" logo in the bottom of the bowl. I'll leave the specifics to the reader's imagination. I don't think it's IBM, however.

Gallery: Custom toilets by Rival



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TUAWStink Different with an Apple toilet originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apple toiletAppleToiletcult of macCultOfMaccustomfanboyitoiletrivalthink differentThinkDifferentSat, 14 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Walk and talk feature added to Agile Messenger for iPhone]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/12/walk-and-talk-feature-added-to-agile-messenger-for-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/12/walk-and-talk-feature-added-to-agile-messenger-for-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/12/walk-and-talk-feature-added-to-agile-messenger-for-iphone/#commentsFiled under: , ,

There have been some important upgrades to Agile Messenger [iTunes Link] since I last wrote about the multi-client chat app. Notably: a "walk and talk" feature that uses an iPhone camera to give you a view in front of your phone if you want to chat and walk at the same time. That's useful if you're going to type and walk around, but the under-the-hood upgrades are worth a mention as well. The biggest update for me was the ability to search contacts. If you have dozens of contacts, being able to search by name is essential; scrolling a huge set of lists is a chore. Searching works great in Agile Messenger, I'm happy to report. Push notifications work exactly as they did before.

There are some cosmetic tweaks and performance tweaks, and I noticed the performance seemed snappier overall. Still, BeeJive recently added (somewhat limited) chat room support, which Agile still lacks. The iPhone IM wars are still on!

Agile Messenger is only $1.99 for the next couple of weeks, which is a steal for the normally $9.99 app. If you use IM a lot, it's a great experience.

TUAWWalk and talk feature added to Agile Messenger for iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aimapp reviewAppReviewcommunicationgtalkhggIMinstant messagingInstantMessagingiphonejabberThu, 12 Nov 2009 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[iMac touchscreens, iPod HD radio and iPhone sync issue fixed]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/09/imac-touchscreens-ipod-hd-radio-and-iphone-sync-issue-fixed/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/09/imac-touchscreens-ipod-hd-radio-and-iphone-sync-issue-fixed/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/09/imac-touchscreens-ipod-hd-radio-and-iphone-sync-issue-fixed/#commentsFiled under:

Thumbnail for Gigaware adapter brings HD Radio to iPod touch and iPhone for $80 Gigaware adapter brings HD Radio to iPod touch and iPhone for $80
Up until now, there have been just two ways to get HD Radio in a portable, handheld solution: buy a Zune HD, or opt for Insignia's NS-HD01. As of today, Gigaware is changing all that...		 Thumbnail for New iMac and MacBook touchscreens debut, thanks to Troll Touch New iMac and MacBook touchscreens debut, thanks to Troll Touch
Troll Touch -- the fun little company with the unfortunate name -- have announced more of their award-winning analog resistive touch kits for 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMacs as well as unibody Macs...
Thumbnail for Gigabyte fixes iPhone sync issue with BIOS update Gigabyte fixes iPhone sync issue with BIOS update
The Intel P55 Express chipset snafu that caused iPhones to lose their syncing minds has now been remedied -- at least by one motherboard maker.		 Also of interest:

All above via Engadget

TUAWiMac touchscreens, iPod HD radio and iPhone sync issue fixed originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blog postBlogPostengadgetinformationnewsMon, 09 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Yes, the Apple Store is <strike>down</strike> up]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/08/yes-the-apple-store-is-down-dont-get-too-excited/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/08/yes-the-apple-store-is-down-dont-get-too-excited/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/08/yes-the-apple-store-is-down-dont-get-too-excited/#commentsFiled under:



Yep, the Apple Store is down (all over, it seems) and our inboxes runneth over. Don't get too excited, however. This has happened before and will happen again. And again. And again. And again.

If you see anything new when it comes back online, be a dear and leave it in the comments.

UPDATE: Store is back up with holiday cheer. And there was much rejoicing.

thanks to everyone who sent this in!

TUAWYes, the Apple Store is down up originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:45:00 EST<![CDATA[The week in TUAW]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/07/the-week-in-tuaw/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/07/the-week-in-tuaw/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/07/the-week-in-tuaw/#commentsFiled under: ,

Thumbnail for Need a Mac or iPhone developer? TUAW job boards are here! Need a Mac or iPhone developer? TUAW job boards are here!
Notice anything new at TUAW? We've had our job boards up for a week now, making sure all the tape would stick when new jobs were posted, and I'm proud to say that the doors are wide open for job...
TUAW Video: a tour of Freeverse
Welcome to the first of what we hope will be many, many TUAW Videos to come. We've done lots of video on TUAW, from Macworld Expo coverage to WWDC interviews to fart apps and more. This time we're...
Thumbnail for Hands-on with the Magic Mouse Hands-on with the Magic Mouse
Well, I got my Magic Mouse a few days ago, and I've been using it for my everyday tasks for a few days (and I'm still using it), and here are my impressions. Packaging: This packaging is...		 Also of interest:

TUAWThe week in TUAW originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>job boardsJobBoardskanexmagic mouseMagicMouserounduptuawwaveboardSat, 07 Nov 2009 00:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Tons of software on sale thanks to One Finger Discount]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/06/tons-of-software-on-sale-thanks-to-one-finger-discount/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/06/tons-of-software-on-sale-thanks-to-one-finger-discount/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/06/tons-of-software-on-sale-thanks-to-one-finger-discount/#commentsFiled under: ,


How does a 20% discount sound? How about 20% off software from over 30 developers? This list has been growing since One Finger Discount started this week and continues to grow as developers jump on board with a pretty darn good deal if you're in the market for any one of these awesome applications. They run the gamut from productivity to games to blogging software.

Kudos to Daniel Jalkut of Red Sweater Software for putting these deals together on one page, somewhat cheekily as a response to MacHeist, it would seem. The One Finger? Well, that comes from 1/5, 20% discount as opposed to a five-finger discount (free). 20% is still a steal, right? Very clever, Mr. Jalkut -- we'll leave the readers to consider which finger they should order with.

[via Macworld]

TUAWTons of software on sale thanks to One Finger Discount originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dealdiscounthahaone finger discountOneFingerDiscountsoftwareFri, 06 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TUAW Video: a tour of Freeverse]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/04/tuaw-video-a-tour-of-freeverse/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/04/tuaw-video-a-tour-of-freeverse/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/04/tuaw-video-a-tour-of-freeverse/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Welcome to the first of what we hope will be many, many TUAW Videos to come. We've done lots of video on TUAW, from Macworld Expo coverage to WWDC interviews to fart apps and more. This time we're trying something a bit different. This time we're taking it slow and profiling Mac and iPhone users, developers, mavens and anyone with a story to tell. If you've ever seen MacHeads or Welcome to Macintosh (both of which are awesome), you know there are plenty of passionate Apple fans out there. If you're reading this blog you probably know this, right? Well, now's the time to tell these stories.

We visited Freeverse in Brooklyn, NY and spent some time checking out the factory where Skee-ball, Moto Chaser, Big Brain Games, Burning Monkey Solitaire and the awesome Flick series of iPhone games come from. We found a passionate, creative team of coders and designers working hard to keep you entertained. We also got a peek at Warp Gate, which looks like a huge game to cram into an iPhone.


Watch the video and tell us if you'd like to see more of these profiles. If you're a passionate Mac user with an interesting story to tell you can get in touch with us here.

On an iPhone? Here's the link for the iPhone version of this video.


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TUAWTUAW Video: a tour of Freeverse originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>freeversegamestuaw videoTuawVideovideoWed, 04 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hippo Remote is a great app, now you can win a copy]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/03/hippo-remote-iphone-remote-app-review/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/03/hippo-remote-iphone-remote-app-review/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/03/hippo-remote-iphone-remote-app-review/#commentsFiled under: , ,

I've become very accustomed to remote-controlling my computers for a while, but nothing ever seemed to get it right. Apple's Remote for iTunes is great, of course, but what about all my other stuff on my Mac, like Boxee or VLC? Yeah, you can get some specific remotes for those apps (frankly the VLC remotes I've used were terrible and would just quit working sometimes). But what you really want is a master remote that'll take all those tasks over for you. Enter Hippo Remote [iTunes Link], a wonderful, simple, brilliant little remote app for your iPhone or iPod touch and Mac -- or PC.

Hippo Remote starts off as a trackpad, and supports gestures, multi-touch (like scrolling and zooming) and even replicates circular scrolling. There's a keyboard with F-keys, a history and navigation keys. There are app profiles for Powerpoint, Boxee, VLC, even Gmail and Windows Media Center. There's also a login manager for stuff like Gmail or Twitter, so it's very, very fast at getting you to where you need to be all via iPhone screen.

Hippo Remote's response is like butter. Scrolling, swiping, tracking are all wonderful, even on my congested network. I can even use wake-on-LAN or wake-on-wireless to zap those computers alive from anywhere in my house.

All this and the only setup was to add a password for VNC connections in my System Preferences on my Mac. There is a HippoVNC application which enables a few other features, but I don't use it. Instead, I have a saved profile for the Mac I have hooked to my HDTV, and with one tap I'm controlling that Mac via iPhone. It just doesn't get any easier.

Now you can win a copy of Hippo Remote for your own iPhone or iPod touch. Just leave a comment on this post and you're entered. Promo codes are only available for the US, sorry.
  • Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 and older.
  • To enter leave a comment on this post.
  • The comment must be left before Saturday, November 7, 2009, 11:59PM Eastern Time.
  • You may enter only once.
  • Five winners will be selected in a random drawing.
  • Prize: One promo code for Hippo Remote (Value: US$4.99)
  • Click Here for complete Official Rules.

TUAWHippo Remote is a great app, now you can win a copy originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apple remoteAppleRemoteboxeegiveawayhgghippo remoteHippoRemotehome theater macHomeTheaterMachtpciphonetvvlcwifiTue, 03 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Need a Mac or iPhone developer? TUAW job boards are here!]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/03/need-a-mac-or-iphone-developer-tuaw-job-boards-are-here/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/03/need-a-mac-or-iphone-developer-tuaw-job-boards-are-here/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/03/need-a-mac-or-iphone-developer-tuaw-job-boards-are-here/#commentsFiled under:

Notice anything new at TUAW? We've had our job boards up for a week now, making sure all the tape would stick when new jobs were posted, and I'm proud to say that the doors are wide open for job seekers and for those looking to fill positions. We've got a button up top that'll take you straight to the boards, and on every post there's a handy button (see below) which will start populating with relevant job searches based on the content of our posts.
tuaw job application emurse work employer
Still not convinced? Did I mention that those looking for hires will see their jobs on our boards, on the boards at Download Squad, plus those jobs are sent over to Juju, Simply Hired, Indeed and other job aggregation services. TUAW and Download Squad together serve up over ten million views a month, and serve over a million visitors each month. If you don't think your job posting will get seen, think again. We'll also write up interesting and amazing people and positions right here on the main page of TUAW from time to time, further extending your hiring reach.

If you're looking for developers, designers, Mac sysadmins or just about anything else, stop by the TUAW job boards and give it a try.


TUAWNeed a Mac or iPhone developer? TUAW job boards are here! originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designerdeveloperemursefor hireForHireiphonejobsmactuawworkTue, 03 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Win a copy of Boxhead - The Zombie Wars]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/30/win-a-copy-of-boxhead-the-zombie-wars/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/30/win-a-copy-of-boxhead-the-zombie-wars/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/30/win-a-copy-of-boxhead-the-zombie-wars/#commentsFiled under: ,

If you've seen Minigore [iTunes Link] or played iDracula [iTunes Link] you're familiar with this game mechanism, now quite popular on the store: left thumb moves, right thumb aims and shoots, all in an isometric 3/4 view. Boxhead Zombie Wars [iTunes Link] brings some nice weaponry to the game, plus a raft of defensive tools to allow a little more strategy than either of the comparison apps I mentioned.

Boxhead offers a Flash-based version of the game here if you're interested in how much gore and mayhem is involved. It's a lot, really, but perfect for the genre.

Now you can win one of 10 promo codes to try Zombie Wars yourself. If you don't win, there's also a Lite version [iTunes Link] to try before you buy. Good luck!

Here's a video of the game in action:

  • Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 and older.
  • To enter leave a comment on this post.
  • The comment must be left before Sunday, November 1, 2009, 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time.
  • You may enter only once.
  • Ten winners will be selected in a random drawing.
  • Prize: One promo code for Boxhead Zombie Wars (Value: US$1.99)
  • Click Here for complete Official Rules.

TUAWWin a copy of Boxhead - The Zombie Wars originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamesgiveawayhalloweenidraculaiphoneminigorezombie warsZombieWarsFri, 30 Oct 2009 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[iTunes 9.0.2 is out, Apple TV 3.0 as well, and they love each other]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/29/itunes-9-0-2-is-out-apple-tv-3-0-as-well-and-they-love-each-ot/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/29/itunes-9-0-2-is-out-apple-tv-3-0-as-well-and-they-love-each-ot/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/29/itunes-9-0-2-is-out-apple-tv-3-0-as-well-and-they-love-each-ot/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Engadget is reporting what everyone who has a twitchy refresh button already knows: iTunes 9.0.2 is out, bringing support to Apple TV 3.0. The iTunes update is available through Software Update, and the Apple TV update is right there in the box that says "Apple TV" on it.

The Apple TV update refreshes the look of the main menu, Genius Mixes and internet radio. It also adds iTunes Extras and LP support. Here's the official press release.

Notice any other new stuff? Tell us in the comments.

TUAWiTunes 9.0.2 is out, Apple TV 3.0 as well, and they love each other originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apple tvAppleTvitunessoftware updateSoftwareUpdateThu, 29 Oct 2009 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Pictures from the Beijing iPhone launch]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/29/pictures-from-the-beijing-iphone-launch/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/29/pictures-from-the-beijing-iphone-launch/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/29/pictures-from-the-beijing-iphone-launch/#commentsFiled under: ,

beijing iphone chinaReader Maik Lutze sent us some pictures from in front of "THE PLACE" shopping center in the CBD area of Beijing. As you can see, Apple is planning for a rather large event tomorrow! He notes the activation stations, with copiers for IDs and, sadly, Windows machines for activation. There's also a stage, presumably for live acts, and some very nice seats. If you're there tomorrow, tag photos on Flickr as "tuaw" (no quotes) or submit them to our Tumblr page.

Thanks for sending these in, Maik! His blog, in German, can be found here.

Gallery: Beijing iPhone launch

TUAWPictures from the Beijing iPhone launch originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinaiphonepicturesThu, 29 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GeoMaster makes geography fun - yes, really]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/28/geomaster-makes-geography-fun-yes-really/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/28/geomaster-makes-geography-fun-yes-really/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/28/geomaster-makes-geography-fun-yes-really/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The French developers at Visuamobile make exceptionally well-designed apps. They sent me a promo code for GeoMaster [iTunes Link], and I wondered aloud how they would make geography attractive, both visually and as a game. Guess what? GeoMaster is pretty fun. If you know absolutely nothing about geography, then OK, this is like playing a strange guessing game. But I have to say it starts easily enough, so much so that you may be surprised what you DO know.

The game play is simple: countries, states or capitals appear on the screen, and you must point as close to them as possible on a map within a time limit. You can choose from US cities or states, countries by continent, world capitals or French departments. In the case of cities, accuracy earns extra points.

That's really about it, other than some high scores and an excellent amount of finish. This would make a good learning tool, I think, but it's also a fun casual game. Currently going for US$1.99 on the App Store, this is a good buy for parents and geography nerds, or anyone tired of the traditional puzzle games littering the space. Check out the gallery for shots of the game in action.

Gallery: geo master

Continue reading GeoMaster makes geography fun - yes, really

TUAWGeoMaster makes geography fun - yes, really originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app-reviewgamesiphonevisuamobileWed, 28 Oct 2009 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Giant iPhone wedding cake threatens to devour us all]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/28/giant-iphone-wedding-cake-threatens-to-devour-us-all/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/28/giant-iphone-wedding-cake-threatens-to-devour-us-all/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/28/giant-iphone-wedding-cake-threatens-to-devour-us-all/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Or maybe it was devoured first? Jerry Brito emailed a link to his wedding cake photos, made by the good folks at Charm City Cakes. It's an astoundingly accurate rendering of an iPhone save one thing our own Dave Caolo spotted: four bars on AT&T? Wishful thinking, although in the context of a wedding cake, maybe it's a good signal.

This is neither the first nor the last cake done as Apple gear, although it is certainly one of the best. But Charm City does nothing halfway, which you know if you've ever seen the show 'Ace of Cakes' on Food Network.

Congratulations to Jerry and his wife!

TUAWGiant iPhone wedding cake threatens to devour us all originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cakecharm city cakesCharmCityCakesiphonewedding cakeWeddingCakeWed, 28 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Win a copy of Distant Suns to see the night sky on your iPhone]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/26/win-a-copy-of-distant-suns-to-see-the-night-sky-on-your-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/26/win-a-copy-of-distant-suns-to-see-the-night-sky-on-your-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/26/win-a-copy-of-distant-suns-to-see-the-night-sky-on-your-iphone/#commentsFiled under:

We've covered Distant Suns before, and we missed the Galilean Nights, but we're giving away 10 copies of Distant Suns [iTunes Link] for your iPhone or iPod touch this week. It's always a good time to have the "universe in your shirt pocket," right? The rules couldn't be simpler (unless we allowed everyone to enter, but promo codes are US-only, sorry) so enter a comment to win!

  • Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 and older.
  • To enter, leave a comment below.
  • The comment must be left by Saturday, October 31 at 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time.
  • You may enter only once.
  • Ten winners will be selected in a random drawing.
  • Prize: Promo code for the Distant Suns app (US$4.99 value).
  • Click Here for complete Official Rules.

TUAWWin a copy of Distant Suns to see the night sky on your iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astronomydistant sunsDistantSunsgiveawayiphoneMon, 26 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MyReef 3D Aquarium puts a realistic aquarium in your pocket]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/23/myreef-3d-aquarium-puts-a-realistic-aquarium-in-your-pocket/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/23/myreef-3d-aquarium-puts-a-realistic-aquarium-in-your-pocket/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/23/myreef-3d-aquarium-puts-a-realistic-aquarium-in-your-pocket/#commentsFiled under:

I've always thought aquariums as screensavers were a no-brainer. Most are lacking, limiting themselves to small fish you'd find in just about any aquarium, freshwater or salt water. MyReef 3D Aquarium [iTunes Link] isn't going to shake up the genre, but it is certainly the most realistic, smoothest and most relaxing "fish simulator" I've used so far. It serves no purpose other than to completely mimic the function of a real aquarium: to sit there and look pretty and be relaxing. And it does a good job.

You can add many types of fish, some aquarium decorations and plants, and feed the fish or tap on the glass. You can pinch to zoom in, seeing quite pretty 3D fish. These are not 2D sprites flopping around a flat screen, these are real, OpenGL graphics and they look terrific. In fact, something I love about this app is the attention to detail. Fish behave as their species would behave, including group behaviors and dorsal fin indicators. Those small touches will really appeal to any fish fans out there -- and there are plenty.

If you're an aquarium hobbyist you will love this app. If you want a pretty thing to look at or mess around with or relax to, MyReef 3D Aquarium is quit nice. It doesn't "do" a lot, but what it does it does well. I think it's a fair value at $2.99.

Gallery: MyReef 3D Aquarium


TUAWMyReef 3D Aquarium puts a realistic aquarium in your pocket originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dapp reviewAppReviewaquariumiphoneopenglsimulatorFri, 23 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lil Jon app video demo and giveaway]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/23/lil-jon-app-video-demo-and-giveaway/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/23/lil-jon-app-video-demo-and-giveaway/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/23/lil-jon-app-video-demo-and-giveaway/#commentsFiled under:


Coded by 16-year old developer Gabe Jacobs, the Lil Jon app best speaks for itself. Buttons that make noise is the short version. But hey, if you like Lil Jon, then here you go, 17 phrases shouted by the man himself. We're giving away a few copies of this to save you the $.99 cost. Hey!
  • Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 and older.
  • To enter, leave a comment below.
  • The comment must be left by Saturday, October 24 at 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time.
  • You may enter only once.
  • Five winners will be selected in a random drawing.
  • Prize: Promo code for Lil Jon app (US$.99 value).
  • Click Here for complete Official Rules.

TUAWLil Jon app video demo and giveaway originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crunkgiveawaylil jonLilJonFri, 23 Oct 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Reviews and giveaways you might have missed on the TUAW App Hub]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/12/reviews-and-giveaways-you-might-have-missed-on-the-app-hub/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/12/reviews-and-giveaways-you-might-have-missed-on-the-app-hub/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/12/reviews-and-giveaways-you-might-have-missed-on-the-app-hub/#commentsFiled under: ,

Win a copy of the 3-in-1 Bundle #1 from AmbiScience
We're giving away a baker's dozen of codes for a 3-in-1 bundle from AmbiScience [iTunes Link]. The AmbiScience apps are audio "entrainment" generators, which means they generate waves at certain...		 Canabalt makes running for your life fun
Pitfall + War of the Worlds = Canabalt. [iTunes Link] The result of a 5-day coding session with the Flixel framwork, the free, web-based Canabalt quickly acquired fans and was soon ported to the...
Dishy lands in the App Store and your kitchen
I wrote up a sneak peek of Dishy [iTunes Link] earlier in the summer when I saw a preview at WWDC. It was called Bon App at the time, and man it looked tasty. Well the app is now out and it rocks....		 Other reviews...

TUAWReviews and giveaways you might have missed on the TUAW App Hub originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app-hubiphoneipod touchIpodTouchMon, 12 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Win a copy of the 3-in-1 Bundle #1 from AmbiScience]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/12/win-a-copy-of-the-3-in-1-bundle-1-from-ambiscience/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/12/win-a-copy-of-the-3-in-1-bundle-1-from-ambiscience/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/12/win-a-copy-of-the-3-in-1-bundle-1-from-ambiscience/#commentsFiled under: ,

We're giving away a baker's dozen of codes for a 3-in-1 bundle from AmbiScience [iTunes Link]. The AmbiScience apps are audio "entrainment" generators, which means they generate waves at certain frequencies and mix that into some ambient audio tracks. The ambient stuff alone is pretty good, and is a different take on the typical "looping sound effect" sound generators you usually see on the store. Great production values and a healthy choice of sound waves to mix in, plus a nice finish makes AmbiScience a favorite on my iPhone. The purpose of these apps are to either help you sleep, relax, or even focus or "wake up" by using waves to stimulate your brain accordingly. I tend to use them to help nap, and there's a timer that will shut off the audio at the end of a pre-set time period.

Now you can win one of a dozen codes to try the 3-in-1 bundle #1 for yourself. Compatible with iPhone and iPod touch, the app generally sells for a couple of bucks. Not much, but free is good, right? To enter, leave a comment on this post before midnight (Eastern), October 14, 2009. Good luck!
  • Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 and older.
  • To enter leave a comment on this post.
  • The comment must be left before Wednesday,October 14, 2009, 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time.
  • You may enter only once.
  • Thirteen winners will be selected in a random drawing.
  • Prize: One promo code for 3-in-1 Bundle #1 from AmbiScience (Value: US$1.99 )
  • Click Here for complete Official Rules.

TUAWWin a copy of the 3-in-1 Bundle #1 from AmbiScience originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ambiscienceaudioentrainmentgiveawayMon, 12 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mac power tools: charge up your workflow]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/08/mac-power-tools-workflow-productivity/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/08/mac-power-tools-workflow-productivity/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/08/mac-power-tools-workflow-productivity/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I recently bought a new Mac, and I decided not to migrate years of cruft over to a pristine Snow Leopard install. I also decided to shed years of stale workflow and adopt a new way of doing things. Enter the power tools: software that augments the power and performance of OS X to do things faster and smarter. I'll examine some general system enhancements and look at a couple of powerful Mac/iPhone app combos that really work well together.

Step one was finding a replacement for my beloved QuickSilver. I had abandoned QS well over a year ago due to performance issues on most of my Macs, but after a nagging pain in my wrist surfaced, I realized I had to find more keyboard shortcuts. Enter LaunchBar, which fills in for 90% of what QuickSilver used to do for me. LaunchBar is one Ctrl-Space (configurable, of course) away from Spotlight searching, Google searching, application launching, math calculations and much, much more. LaunchBar is $25 around $35 per seat, and worth taking 15 minutes to learn the basics. Go ahead, hate me for giving up QS, but try LaunchBar before you hurl the insults.

Next I needed a better way to juggle 3 Gmail accounts. But I also needed a way to track the metric ton of inbox items that flow through those email conduits. The solution was the combination of MailPlane and Things. I had really dedicated my heart to Toodledo, but there's one trick I couldn't replicate on any setup (The Hit List included): when I get an email in MailPlane, I can select some text and press Shift-Ctrl-Opt-Cmd-0 and the Things HUD pops up and autofills the notes section with a link to the email itself. It is awesome. Not perfect, mind you, but a huge thing for me.

Read on for more power tools and tips.

Continue reading Mac power tools: charge up your workflow

TUAWMac power tools: charge up your workflow originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1passwordbusycalchoosydefault folder xDefaultFolderXfeatureslaunchbarmailplanepathfinderpower toolsPowerToolsquicksilvertextexpandertextmatethingstypinatorvoodoo padVoodooPadvoodoopad liteVoodoopadLiteyojimboThu, 08 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Turn your Flash into iPhone apps with Flash Professional CS5]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/05/turn-your-flash-into-iphone-apps-with-flash-professional-cs5/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/05/turn-your-flash-into-iphone-apps-with-flash-professional-cs5/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/05/turn-your-flash-into-iphone-apps-with-flash-professional-cs5/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

So there's still no Flash in Safari, but once Adobe hatches Flash Professional CS5 you'll be able to port your wacky Flash games or animations out to real, live iPhone/iPod touch apps. Yep, ActionScript 3 nerds rejoice: that tasty App Store pie will soon be yours, never minding the whole plug-in debate.

This is truly quite awesome in one regard, as it lowers the barrier to entry for some app developers, and will ease the port of some cool online games that we've seen floating around the interwebs. Then again, if you've spent a little time at places like Newgrounds.com, you will quickly see the dark side to this announcement from Adobe. All those crummy Flash toys online just got one step closer to coming to life on the App Store (we're guessing most will sell for the low, low price of $.99). At this rate there will be more apps than iPhones!

Still, back when I taught animation and game design, we had a lot of fun playing around in Flash for the powerful prototyping capabilities, if nothing else. It would have been cool to test games on the iPhone so easily. The video on Adobe's site looks pretty cool, with them touting the "responsiveness" of apps. Yeah, unlike the slowpoke performance my kids suffer on our G4 Mac when playing Flash games, eh? I get it -- when Unity 3D for iPhone came out there were problems with performance (it has matured nicely now), and any tool that exports in this way (turning an .fla into an .ipa, essentially) is bound to suffer from performance. Does anyone else find it ironic that a plug-in that was designed to make multimedia on the web lighter has become one of the most bloated? I digress.

No word on what SDK features are supported yet, but you can sign up for the demo when the beta starts. Those SDK features could be a killer, of course. If you can't leverage some of the features on the iPhone (multi-touch, GPS, camera, etc.) these may be relegated to the Entertainment category. One other thing to note about all the CS5 applications: they will be Intel-only, Cocoa and 64-bit native.

Update: Well, lookee there, apparently some games in the store have been using this already. Did you know South Park Avatar Creator was made using Flash? Amazing.

TUAWTurn your Flash into iPhone apps with Flash Professional CS5 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adobeexportflashipaiphonesdkMon, 05 Oct 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dishy lands in the App Store and your kitchen]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/02/dishy-lands-in-the-app-store-and-your-kitchen/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/02/dishy-lands-in-the-app-store-and-your-kitchen/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/02/dishy-lands-in-the-app-store-and-your-kitchen/#commentsFiled under:

I wrote up a sneak peek of Dishy [iTunes Link] earlier in the summer when I saw a preview at WWDC. It was called Bon App at the time, and man it looked tasty. Well the app is now out and it rocks. I've been testing a demo for a little while and I wish more cooking apps worked like this.

Dishy takes you from meal planning to shopping to cooking in one convenient app. It is not like some food apps, which are designed to be recipe databases. Instead, Dishy focuses on a few recipes that have been tested by a real chef and uses those to create a small but tasty (and powerful) database. Don't let the inability to enter or alter recipes deter you -- if you are a beginner cook who wants to cook (nearly) like a pro, Dishy is the best step I've seen in that direction. The great experience coupled with a brilliant way of finding dishes to cook makes prepping food less of a chore, for sure.

The flow works like this: choose your dishes, collect your ingredients, then go through the cooking process for each dish. Dishy handles every step with beautiful panache, as seen in their demo video here. Two key features in Dishy: a graph showing how long each dish takes to cook and the ability to fine-tune recipe options. You don't want cold veggies and burnt meat, and Dishy helps you avoid this common bungle by showing you a nifty chart of when to start each dish (see gallery).

If you love to cook or if you've wanted to try preparing a cohesive meal, I recommend you give Dishy a try.

Gallery: Dishy app

TUAWDishy lands in the App Store and your kitchen originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app reviewAppReviewcookingfoodiphoneipod touchIpodTouchFri, 02 Oct 2009 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[A BBQ in your pocket with Barbecue]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/02/a-bbq-in-your-pocket-with-barbecue/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/02/a-bbq-in-your-pocket-with-barbecue/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/02/a-bbq-in-your-pocket-with-barbecue/#commentsFiled under: , ,

I've always enjoyed miniatures for some reason, and Barbecue [iTunes Link], from Equinux , is an enjoyable miniature barbecue grill. It's a pretty simple thing, really. You launch the app, light a match to get the grill going, then spend your time throwing a variety of meats and corn onto the grill. You double-tap to flip, and drag to serve it on a plate. Once the food is on a plate (only one item per plate), you can send it to Twitter, Facebook and email... something we see on every app, really.

If you're looking for a cute toy with a high degree of realism, a lot of time and energy went into the making of Barbecue, and you can learn all about the process of making the app on the Equinux site. It's only a buck, so what do you have to lose?

Gallery: Barbecue


TUAWA BBQ in your pocket with Barbecue originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app reviewAppReviewbarbecueiphonetoyFri, 02 Oct 2009 11:10:00 EST<![CDATA[BuzzVoice Giveaway]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/01/buzzvoice-giveaway/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/01/buzzvoice-giveaway/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/01/buzzvoice-giveaway/#commentsFiled under: ,

Want to win a copy of BuzzVoice [iTunes Link]?

Here are the rules:
  • Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 and older.
  • To enter leave a comment on this post stating which feed you read the most via RSS.
  • The comment must be left before Saturday October 3rd at 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time.
  • You may enter only once.
  • Ten winners will be selected in a random drawing.
  • Prize: One copy of the BuzzVoice app (Value: US$1.99 )
  • Click Here for complete Official Rules.

TUAWBuzzVoice Giveaway originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buzzvoicegiveawayiphoneThu, 01 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BusyCal is out and just as awesome as BusySync]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/30/busycal-is-out-and-just-as-awesome-as-busysync/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/30/busycal-is-out-and-just-as-awesome-as-busysync/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/30/busycal-is-out-and-just-as-awesome-as-busysync/#commentsFiled under:

busysync
Let's face it, data sync is the real Big Bag of Hurt in our brave, digital world. But since I started using BusySync over a year ago, much of my calendar sync issues have dissolved away. BusyCal, the successor to BusySync, was recently released and it is just as amazing as BusySync at keeping your iCal and Google Calendar data in sync. In fact, it is much, much better than BusySync because it is an iCal replacement.

The idea is simple: you want to have 2-way sync between your iCal stuff, your Google calendar stuff and any local Macs. Simple, yes, but so complicated very few do it right. There's MobileMe if you stick with Apple's solution, and Google Sync if you are a devout Gmail user, but there's still the issue of 2-way sync when it comes to subscribing to calendars. And let's not forget that MobileMe data has to go to Apple's servers when you could sync between computers locally, right?

BusySync fixed all of this for me. Local Macs used Bonjour to connect and sync, and my Google calendars appeared in iCal with seamless 2-way sync. Calendar data is a tricky thing, and the last thing you want to happen is to have all your appointments and reminders vaporize in an instant. However, I can report that BusyCal doesn't nuke anything. Like 1Password, you can always go back to Apple's default tools.

Enter BusyCal as a full application. Why replace iCal? I have to admit, I was a little skeptical. BusyCal is iCal evolved, providing a better experience in several key ways. First, one feature I have longed for in iCal is a list view, a simple top-down view of every appointment within one or more calendars. This makes is much easier to make decisions about nuking an entire calendar at once, and is very handy if you have too many calendars or no time to go month by month, scanning for the right color or words. Second, there's a lot more UI finish to BusyCal, with easy-to-access panes for adjusting event info. Even Snow Leopard's iCal, which reduced the number of clicks it took to edit an event, doesn't allow you to edit events this easily. For you UIX geeks: a frickin' non-modal floating window OR an embedded entry window. What a concept!

Adding to the ease there are some nifty extras, such as seeing your to-do's grouped logically or moon phases and the week's weather in your calendar. Of course, these options are all configurable, as is the Google sync option. More than nifty are features like rich text, adding images and stickies to events, a more advanced alarm window, and offline editing. BusyCal has, in less than 24 hours, become a mission-critical application for my Mac, both at home and at work. If you are a BusySync user, you can upgrade for $10, or buy new for $40 (per computer). It is well worth the price if you deal with lots of calendars.

Be sure to check out our previous coverage here and here. I would also be remiss in pointing out Spanning Sync, which also syncs Address Book with your Google contacts, but works a bit differently.

TUAWBusyCal is out and just as awesome as BusySync originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>busycalcalendaricalproductivityWed, 30 Sep 2009 20:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Five Apps for the Gastroenterologist]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/29/five-apps-for-the-gastroenterologist/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/29/five-apps-for-the-gastroenterologist/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/29/five-apps-for-the-gastroenterologist/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Sometime this summer a wiseacre commenter (we get a few) suggested we do a "Five Apps" for a variety of somewhat offbeat topics. One wasn't so far-fetched however: gastroenterologist. One could say that a gastro doc has about the same needs as any doctor, of course, and that's an easy out. So here are 5 apps that are great for gastroenterologists and possibly any medical specialist... Coming soon: 5 apps for the lemur owner.

Epocrates Rx - This free app looks up drugs and is updated weekly. Epocrates [iTunes link] has already been available for other mobile platforms for a while, this is a must-have for physicians, I would think. There's also a Pro version that is designed for medical professionals, and it requires a yearly subscription fee to work. It's $99 for one year, which is pretty reasonable for what this does -- which includes an amazing pill ID tool.

DocWrite - Another free app with a service you subscribe to, but this may appeal to more than doctors. DocWrite [iTunes link] is a transcription service that sends your ramblings securely and sends you back a complete transcription in PDF or Word. DocWrite has a web-based dashboard for your stuff, too, so you'll never be without those documents in text or audio.

PubSearch - PubMed is a massive database of medical research papers and PubSearch (free version) [iTunes link] is an iPhone app that'll search them. Yes, of course you need a subscription to the database (noticing a trend here?). PubSearch also has a Mac desktop app, although there does not seem to be any coordination between the two. I'd imagine something like sharing bookmarks would be helpful. PubSearch Plus [iTunes link] costs $1.99 and is really the more functional version as it will show full articles and use EZProxy (where supported).

Medcalc - A free medical calculator? Yep, Medcalc [iTunes link] includes a ton of formulas for doctors, plus a few indices and charts and whatnot to keep a handy reference for those who need it. This app seems to cover a lot of ground, although I'm not sure how much applies to the field of gastroenterology.

Mobile MIM for iPhone and iPod touch - Sadly, this has yet to be released. But I'm guessing it'll be at the top of many doctors' wish lists. MIMvista makes real-deal medical imaging stuff and the MIM app for iPhone was demonstrated at WWDC. The demo was astounding, showing how doctors could merge CT and PET scans right on their iPhone and make notes for later use. The app is pending FDA approval, with no release date or price set.

TUAWFive Apps for the Gastroenterologist originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5 apps5appsdoctorfeaturesfive appsFiveAppsgastroenterologyiphoneipod touchIpodTouchmedicalTue, 29 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Win a copy of Zoom Lens for your iPhone]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/29/win-a-copy-of-zoom-lens-for-your-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/29/win-a-copy-of-zoom-lens-for-your-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/29/win-a-copy-of-zoom-lens-for-your-iphone/#commentsFiled under: ,

I checked out Zoom Lens [iTunes link] over the weekend, and I'll say that as far as zoom tools go, this one is great. A simple interface, simple use and the images look pretty good. Of course, you'll be less impressed when you view them on your Mac, because Zoom Lens, like all iPhone apps of the same nature, just crops the image, really. It's what you find on consumer cameras as "digital zoom" -- not much more than a zoom & crop in Photoshop or iPhoto, really.

But Zoom Lens does give you an interface that looks as though Apple made it themselves. Who knows? Maybe some day the iPhone will have a true zoom lens, although the optics would be tricky... Anyway, the best part is you have a chance to win Zoom Lens for yourself! It only works on the iPhone, of course, and we can only give codes for the US (no Canada, sorry!). But read the rules below and enter by leaving a comment before October 1.

Glimpse a before/after shot of the app in action on the next page.

  • Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 and older.
  • To enter leave a comment on this article (below).
  • The comment must be left before Thursday, October 1, 2009, 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time.
  • You may enter only once.
  • Ten winners will be selected in a random drawing.
  • Prize: Promo code for iPhone app "Zoom Lens" (Value: US$.99 )
  • Click Here for complete Official Rules.

Continue reading Win a copy of Zoom Lens for your iPhone

TUAWWin a copy of Zoom Lens for your iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appcameradigital photographyDigitalPhotographygiveawayiphonezoom lensZoomLensTue, 29 Sep 2009 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Orange UK getting iPhone 3G and 3GS "later this year"]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/28/orange-uk-getting-iphone-3g-and-3gs-later-this-year/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/28/orange-uk-getting-iphone-3g-and-3gs-later-this-year/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/28/orange-uk-getting-iphone-3g-and-3gs-later-this-year/#commentsFiled under:

In yet another "so logical it's gonna happen" rumors-come-true, O2 will no longer enjoy the exclusivity it has enjoyed for two years and Orange UK will begin offering the latest 2 versions of the iPhone "later this year," according to the BBC. O2 will continue selling the iPhone (along with the Palm Pre) and there isn't expected to be much price difference between the two. All of this is occurring while Orange makes plans to merge its network with T-Mobile, which would make it the UK's largest mobile service provider.

Here's to competition -- now if we could get some of that sweet choice in the US of A. If you are an Orange customer or potential Orange customer wanting an iPhone, they have a page for you here.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in.

[via BBC and Engadget]

TUAWOrange UK getting iPhone 3G and 3GS "later this year" originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iphoneo2orange ukOrangeUkukMon, 28 Sep 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Monster Trucks Nitro]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/25/monster-trucks-nitro/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/25/monster-trucks-nitro/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/25/monster-trucks-nitro/#commentsFiled under:

There are a lot of driving games on the iPhone, and like it or not, none that I've played quite get things right. Either the game controls are too twitchy or too mushy. Maybe I'm a Goldilocks when it comes to controls, but Monster Trucks Nitro has been sitting in my inbox for forever and I've liked it since I first played it. Sort of how Aera goes against the grain of traditional control schemes, Monster Trucks Nitro does a great job of simplifying the experience and looks great doing it.

By simplifying the controls and using a 3/4 top-down approach to viewing the truck, you can focus on riding the gas/brake. I don't know if you've ever driven a monster truck before, but the key is NOT to turn a lot, so the issue of twitch vs. mush in controlling is absent.

The physics on the game are a ton of fun. If you like bouncing around a simulated mud track knocking over tiny barrels, this delivers. There's the usual unlockable items (mostly vehicular in nature), and there are 8 tracks to play, plus high scores on each track. Personally I enjoy using the usual pinch/swipe controls on the camera view.

Monster Trucks Nitro looks and sounds great, is a nice 3D pick up and play game for adults and kids. Well worth the reasonable $.99 you'll find it for on the App Store.

TUAWMonster Trucks Nitro originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamesiphonemonster truckMonsterTruckFri, 25 Sep 2009 16:11:00 EST<![CDATA[TUAW Tip: Option-clicking the green button]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/18/tuaw-tip-option-clicking-the-green-button/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/18/tuaw-tip-option-clicking-the-green-button/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/18/tuaw-tip-option-clicking-the-green-button/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When iTunes 9 changed the behavior of the green "maximize" button to shrink the player to the mini player, I adapted quickly. Option-clicking is pretty easy to do since the option key (unlike control) is on both sides of my laptops' keyboards. But I forgot that option-clicking the green button on windows in OS X does other things too.

For many applications, simply option-clicking the green button will "maximize" all the open windows of that application. Of course, maximize behaves differently in some applications. For example, option-clicking the green button in Safari makes all the open pages taller, but not wider. That's by design in Safari, and I rather like it. If you come from Windows, however, you'll be mortified that the window does not occupy the entire screen. In Firefox, it does indeed maximize to fill the screen. It's a matter of preference, but the key point: option-click will max all open windows of that application. Some are "smarter" than others.

As our last trick, try option-clicking the green button Calculator. It toggles between the expanded, scientific calculator to the programmer's calculator to regular calculator. Neat!

TUAWTUAW Tip: Option-clicking the green button originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>calculatorGUIhow-toitunes 9Itunes9maximizeoption-clickUIwindowFri, 18 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[An app about Nothing]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/16/an-app-about-nothing/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/16/an-app-about-nothing/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/16/an-app-about-nothing/#commentsFiled under:

Seinfeld may have been a show about nothing, but now there's an app with nothing... at least, that's the claim. In fact, some people complain that the app does indeed have "something" in the form of a button and some quotes about nothing. That's too much for those expecting a powerful existential statement, I guess.

Nothing [iTunes link] goes from free to $.99 pretty frequently, so if you're looking for a cheap gag, you'll be in luck either way. Does the app overdeliver in the worst way? Perhaps. Or perhaps the field of nothing apps is only getting started.

TUAWAn app about Nothing originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gagiphoneipod touchIpodTouchnothingWed, 16 Sep 2009 00:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Infectious 'Cut to the Core' design challenge winners]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/10/infectious-cut-to-the-core-design-challenge-winners/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/10/infectious-cut-to-the-core-design-challenge-winners/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/10/infectious-cut-to-the-core-design-challenge-winners/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We reported the Infectious "Cut to the Core" design contest a while back, but the winners have just been announced and their designs are truly gorgeous. I rarely sticker my computers, but the Infectious skins are vinyl and won't leave a mess behind when you remove them. These designs are created to work around the glowing Apple logo on the top half of your notebook computers, and the winners really hit the mark.
Congratulations to Jun Nuñez who takes home first prize of $1000 for his vision of the Apple logo as the pulsing heart of a robot with ReCharged. Kudos as well to Aren Vandenburgh and his design "Creative Workflow, Dimo Trifonov and his old-school rainbow striped Back to Basics and to Jamal Issawi and his arcade game-inspired Mac Man.
You can buy the winners' designs directly from Infectious for your 13", 15" and 17" Mac laptops. Skins cost $29.99 each. Check out the winners in the gallery, below.

Gallery: Cut to the Core Winners

Back to BasicsMacmanRechargedCreative Workflow

TUAWInfectious 'Cut to the Core' design challenge winners originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessorydesigninfectiouslaptopmacbookmacbook proMacbookProskinThu, 10 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[iTunes has a fan page on Facebook]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/09/itunes-has-a-fan-page-on-facebook/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/09/itunes-has-a-fan-page-on-facebook/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/09/itunes-has-a-fan-page-on-facebook/#commentsFiled under: ,


Yeah, like everyone else, iTunes has fan page on Facebook. If you can stomach the process, you can even get 20 songs for free by becoming a fan. The process is a bit clunky, however, which seems to be par for the course on Facebook. First, you become a fan. Then, you'll need to allow the "Free On iTunes" app to get access to your profile (typical of a Facebook app, of course). Then, you click a link that says "redeem now" -- a link which took me to a blank page.

After digging back into the fan page again, I found that button again, and clicked it again. This time I got the right page, but iTunes never woke up (that is, the store link didn't work). Then I tried yet again to "redeem now" and voila! A page warning that I'd already done all this appeared. Luckily there was a redemption code on this page, and the "redeem now" button finally worked. I am now downloading iTunes 9, iPhone OS 3.1 and 20 songs by indie artists.

If you can suffer the mess that is Facebook, you can get some free tunes.

Gallery: iTunes on Facebook

Congrats, you FAIL!ERRORFinally

TUAWiTunes has a fan page on Facebook originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookfreeitunesui disaster areaUiDisasterAreaWed, 09 Sep 2009 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Tick Talk is your little newsreading friend]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/09/tick-talk-is-your-little-newsreading-friend/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/09/tick-talk-is-your-little-newsreading-friend/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/09/tick-talk-is-your-little-newsreading-friend/#commentsFiled under: , ,

I'm still amazed by the diversity and fun of iPhone apps, even after downloading over 1,000 of them (yes, seriously). Tick Talk [iTunes link] wandered into our review queue and I happened to be delighted by what is a clever little app. It doesn't set out to change the world, and it's about a hair away from being just a tech demo, but I found it a lot of fun. What does it do? It is a clock and alarm, but it will read the time and top headlines off an RSS feed aloud, in a British-sounding computer voice.

It's easy enough to add an RSS feed (no Atom that I could see, just RSS) by typing in a website that you know has an RSS feed. I typed in TUAW.com, for example, and it switched from The New York Times to our TUAW feed. Remember, it only reads the headlines. Things can get garbled, of course, but the glowing blue mouth and eyes are soothing to watch. Maybe I just want a pocketable robot assistant, but I found Tick Talk quite fun.

Current price is $1.99.



TUAWTick Talk is your little newsreading friend originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appiphonetick talkTickTalkWed, 09 Sep 2009 16:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Win another big bag of goodies from Stylit.tv and TUAW]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/09/win-another-big-bag-of-goodies-from-stylit-tv-and-tuaw/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/09/win-another-big-bag-of-goodies-from-stylit-tv-and-tuaw/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/09/win-another-big-bag-of-goodies-from-stylit-tv-and-tuaw/#commentsFiled under: , ,

TechStyle has begun round two of their giveaway on Stylit.tv, and this one ends September 15. There are even more prizes in this bag, and TUAW readers need only enter a special promo code to get extra chances to win. Thanks to our friends at Stylit.tv, host Shira Lazar and the vendors who donated the loot.

On the next page you'll find the special code, a video of Shira at Macworld Expo (plus see us give away the two other bags of goodies at the event) and a list of what's in this giveaway.

Continue reading Win another big bag of goodies from Stylit.tv and TUAW

TUAWWin another big bag of goodies from Stylit.tv and TUAW originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresgiveawaymacworldtechstylevideoWed, 09 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Eleven iPhone games I won't delete]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/08/eleven-iphone-games-i-wont-delete/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/08/eleven-iphone-games-i-wont-delete/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/08/eleven-iphone-games-i-wont-delete/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

This won't be a detailed review of eleven games. This is a quick list of games that I've found impossible to remove from my iPhone -- some for fun, some for kid entertainment and some just because they are cool to show off. Several are free, some I caught on sale, but ones like Fieldrunners and Sway I'd buy at any price.

Cro-Mag Rally [iTunes link] -- I used to play this on the older PPC-based iMacs and it was also an early entrant to the store. Cro-Mag is cute but it also plays exceedingly well. If you want something like Mario Kart on your iPhone, this is about as close as I've found. For a quick racing game that nearly anyone can enjoy, Cro-Mag is a true iPhone "classic."

MotionX Dice [iTunes link] -- You never know when you're doing to need some dice. Plus, MotionX gives this app away, and it's a beautiful example of what can be done on the iPhone. When someone wants to "see something" on my iPhone, often I'll show them how the shadows cast by the dice change as I move the iPhone. Then we'll play some dice games.

Flick Bowling [iTunes link] -- There are faster, cheaper versions of bowling on the iPhone. I find Flick provides just enough eye candy and immersion to suit my taste. Plus, it loads pretty fast and you can get to bowling without a lot of setup. It's a casual game that looks bigger than it is.

Dizzy Bee [iTunes link] -- One of the big, early hits for the iPhone, in no small part because the super cute free version moved a lot of units. Dizzy Bee is the app everyone seemed to give to the kids to play with, but the challenges get pretty tough. Like any great game: simple to learn, hard to master. Plus, there's now a sequel.

Keep reading for some games that are a little more under the radar and some genuine iPhone essentials...

Continue reading Eleven iPhone games I won't delete

TUAWEleven iPhone games I won't delete originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamesgaminglistvideogameTue, 08 Sep 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The TUAW App Hub and a weekend of giveaways]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/04/the-tuaw-app-hub-and-a-weekend-of-giveaways/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/04/the-tuaw-app-hub-and-a-weekend-of-giveaways/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/04/the-tuaw-app-hub-and-a-weekend-of-giveaways/#commentsFiled under:

Last week we launched the TUAW iPhone app to much rejoicing (and a tiny bit of consternation). We also launched our App Hub, currently in beta. By that I mean that we're not quite done adding all the features we'd like to add, but we've put together what we think makes a compelling stop during your search for the Ultimate App. Or, at least a few good apps. We realize there are lots of places to get app info and reviews, and like Apple was to CD burning drives, we're a little late to the game in collating our data.

The App Hub isn't as powerful as Macworld's App Guide, for example. But our hope is that, over time, we can provide a useful resource for finding our reviews and news, and some handy time-saving links. Plus, soon there will be reviews on the App Hub which never make it to the front page of TUAW -- all in an effort to balance the Mac and iPhone sides of the house. There's lots more goodness planned for the future, as we'll slowly be peeling that beta label right off the wrapper.

To celebrate the Hub, the weekend (a holiday in the US) and the general awesomeness of you, our readers, we're starting something pretty cool: regular, frequent app giveaways right on the Hub itself. Chances are you won't see these on the main page. Instead, you'll need to hit the hub for the App Store Giveaway of the Moment. If you're a developer and would like to give away some promo codes, you can get in touch with us here.

We've got another couple of non-app giveaways going on too. In the meanwhile, enjoy the weekend!

TUAWThe TUAW App Hub and a weekend of giveaways originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app hubAppHubfeaturestuawFri, 04 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Traveling this weekend? Win a $100 gas card from App Cubby and TUAW]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/04/traveling-this-weekend-win-a-100-gas-card-from-app-cubby-and-t/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/04/traveling-this-weekend-win-a-100-gas-card-from-app-cubby-and-t/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/04/traveling-this-weekend-win-a-100-gas-card-from-app-cubby-and-t/#commentsFiled under: , ,

According to statistics released this week from AAA, 39.1 million Americans are expected to take a trip of 50 miles or more away from home. That's a lot of driving, a lot of gas, and consequently a lot of cold hard cash. TUAW and App Cubby would like to help make this holiday more fuel efficient -- and for one lucky TUAW reader, a lot less expensive.

Tracking fuel economy over time is the best way to make sure you and your vehicle are driving as efficiently as possible. With Gas Cubby [iTunes link] on sale from now until Labor Day for only $2.99, you've got one less excuse for not being more aware of your gas consumption. Gas Cubby makes tracking fuel economy quick, easy, and, dare we say, fun (that's what Dave had to say in his review of Gas Cubby 2.0).

Leave your favorite green driving tip in the comments and we'll select someone at random and send that person a $100 Shell gas card.
  • Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 and older.
  • To enter leave a comment telling us your favorite green driving tip.
  • The comment must be left before Monday, September 8, 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time.
  • You may enter only once.
  • One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
  • Prize: Shell gas card ($100 value)
  • Click Here for complete Official Rules.

TUAWTraveling this weekend? Win a $100 gas card from App Cubby and TUAW originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app cubbyAppCubbygas cubbyGasCubbygiveawayiphonetravelFri, 04 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Win a copy of Triazzle for iPhone and iPod touch]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/04/win-a-copy-of-triazzle-for-iphone-and-ipod-touch/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/04/win-a-copy-of-triazzle-for-iphone-and-ipod-touch/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/04/win-a-copy-of-triazzle-for-iphone-and-ipod-touch/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Triazzle [iTunes link] is a fun, quick game for you puzzlers out there. It's a casual thing, but with beautiful graphics and sound and a nice replay factor. David reviewed it here.

Now you can win one of 3 promo codes and get Triazzle for free! Just follow the directions below.
  • Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 and older.
  • To enter leave a comment on this article.
  • The comment must be left before Tuesday, September 8, 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time.
  • You may enter only once.
  • Three winners will be selected in a random drawing.
  • Prize: One promo code for Triazzle (Value: US$2.99)
  • Click Here for complete Official Rules.

TUAWWin a copy of Triazzle for iPhone and iPod touch originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>falsegamegamesgiveawayiphoneipod touchIpodTouchtriazzleFri, 04 Sep 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fourteen ways to enjoy TUAW]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/02/fourteen-ways-to-enjoy-tuaw/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/02/fourteen-ways-to-enjoy-tuaw/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/02/fourteen-ways-to-enjoy-tuaw/#commentsFiled under: ,

We're always trying new things around here, from apps to web services to hardware and all kinds of novel ways to do what we do. We also appreciate the fact that many of you read us via RSS or even the iPhone. To that end, here's a list of the many ways to enjoy TUAW in all its myriad forms. If you think we're missing something spectacular, let us know in the comments.

Heeeere's TUAW, in reverse order of no particular importance:

#14 - TUAW on Facebook

We can't really ignore one of the biggest social networks in the world, can we? For weeks I teased the iPhone app on Facebook, and a few of you caught it. We've also been posting deals, newsy tidbits and videos on there. It's a good way to share items, but so far we've kept our RSS out of it. It's entirely likely that we'll put more teasers on Facebook in the future. Let us know in the comments if you'd like to see more or less Facebook interaction overall.

#13 - TUAW on Tumblr

This has been fun. It's so easy to share stuff on Tumblr that a few of us have simply let the bookmarklet do the talking. We see something cool or useful or worth a mention; within seconds it is on our Tumblr page. If you're looking for something a little off-the-menu at times, this is a good place to look.

#12 - TUAW on Flickr

On the right we have a little widget that shows the last three items on Flickr tagged "TUAW" -- so try it! Sometimes we run a "Flickr Find" post showing a crazy Mac setup, so don't be bashful about your workspace. We weren't. You can check out our TUAW rig Flickr pool here.

#11 - TUAW on Video

There's no shortage of TUAW video to choose from. From Blip.tv to Viddler to YouTube and our aggregator VodPod, there's quite the buffet. You can also do a search on Truveo and find our videos across many video sites.

#10 - TUAW on your iPhone

Oh, you haven't heard? TUAW has an iPhone app. In fact, we broke into the top 100 free apps the weekend we launched. Thanks for that, TUAW fans!

#9 - TUAW on Twitter

Of course we're on Twitter, you silly Billy. We have our primary Twitter account, where we'll share cool posts and other fun things, and our Ask TUAW account where you get to ask us Mac, iPhone, iPod and mystery-of-life questions (and hopefully get an answer).

#8 - TUAW on Kindle

What? Yes, we are on the Kindle. Life is strange that way.

#7 - TUAW on Stitcher and TalkShoe

In case you've been hiding every Sunday, we do a regular live Talkcast on TalkShoe. It's a hoot, and you get to chime in via phone, live each week. Once that show is "in the can" and uploaded to iTunes, etc. we also appear on iTunes and in Stitcher. That's handy, given the awesome Stitcher app.

Want to know more? Keep reading...

Continue reading Fourteen ways to enjoy TUAW

TUAWFourteen ways to enjoy TUAW originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookfeaturesflickrfourteen waysFourteenWaysiphonemobilersstwitterWed, 02 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST