Tag: iphone

Apple eases up on iOS developers

Apple logo carved into red Apples
Apple has just released a statement that they are easing up restrictions for developers of the iOS platform. More specifically in sections 3.3.1, 3.3.2 and 3.3.9. Exact information is scarce so far but Gizmodo is digging hard right now and Engadget has found out that this means Apple will allow “any and all” third party development apps including Flash CS5!

Apple also says they’ll the App Store Review Guidelines to “help developers understand how we review submitted apps”.

Great day for iOS developers!

iPhone 4 bumper case review


The iPhone 4 is an amazing looking product. And it feels even better. I can best describe it as sleek, it’s thinness and glossy glass body makes it smooth to touch and to get out of a pocket.

The bumper takes all that away. With a thick rubber edge that sticks to your hand, your pocket, the table, everything really. With plastic sides making the bumper pretty useless for protecting the phone from dropping it on the sides.

I don’t know. I can’t figure out what it’s for.

Basically, don’t go near this thing. It really sucks.

1 Million iPads have been sold

After the release of the 3G iPad reports are coming in that the 3G version has already sold over 300 thousand units. Added to the over 300 thousand pre ordered iPad WiFi’s the iPad platform is now close to or already has passed the million unit mark.
We can now officially regard the iPad as a great success, both for Apple and for the Tablet computer.

Update: It’s now official.
Apple said in a press release today that they sold their millionth iPad last Friday, 28 days from platform launch. Less than half the time it took to sell that many iPhones. Anyone still not believing in the iPhone OS? Find out more here

Why Apple is loosing money on making crappy headsets

Design is all about focus. What to focus on, what to disregard. There is limited time and no designer has the time to make anything perfect.
Apple is sublime in making the 90% mostly used parts of the user experience near perfect.
Except one thing.

You have an iPod, what do you listen with?
You have an iPhone, what do you listen and make calls from?
Apple’s headset and/or head phones.

In the 2002 article Mind your language,  by Game Developer Ben Cousins, Cousins explains what to focus on to make a successful product. In short: whatever the user spends most time with. Apple is usually great at this but seem to be missing the headsets.

It’s not that the headsets / head phones are bad per se. They just aren’t really good. And the quality is awful, I’m on my 6th pair this year and mad as a hat when the sound goes in one ear.

Apple should really look into making a better headset, ensuring that customers are using headsets with the intended functions.

The iPad – short and simple

The most over hyped machine ever has been unveiled and a torrent of fanboyism and hatred has echoed over the blogosphere. So now should be a good time to talk about what the iPad really is.

It’s just a larger iPod touch!

Yes. Yes that’s exactly what it is. Well ok not exactly, it’s a lot faster. But basically just a large iPhone without the phone. Not sure why people are complaining about this though since I’ve heard tens or possibly hundreds say they wanted a larger iPhone when it was first launched.

Why isn’t it wide screen?
Because it’s a doubled iPod touch screen, this way apps will work with very little fuss and developers don’t have put too much effort into designing specific apps for the iPad and iPhone.

So, will it be awesome?
Probably yes, your iPhone is pretty awesome right? Imagine not having to squint at the screen to surf and you’re there already. Also we know Apple will release a software update for the device before launch. It probably won’t mean too much but we’re likely to see at least one more feature that we’ll like. Just because Apple likes to push positive.

So it will sell a billions units?
Apples track record says yes. But they have failed before. and all tablets so far have died a gruesome death. Mind you, smart phones weren’t exactly a super hot market before the iPhone launched. They certainly didn’t cause the amount of hype and development that Apple created in the marketplace.

That’s it. The iPad. We haven’t seen all it can do, but this is what it is. A larger iPhone, just like millions of users have been clamoring for.

Just because it doesn’t cure cancer and live up to the pre unveiling hype doesn’t mean it won’t be awesome. It’s to early to tell if the iPad will be a hit or a miss. But regardless it will push general computing further towards touch UI. Which is really the innovation Apple is bringing to the table. Not a new UI. But a new use for their most successful one.

Why can’t my Mac run iPhone apps?

When the iPhone opened the app store to third party developers and basically anyone who could afford the $99 SDK we we’re all amazed at the enormous success. Thousands upon thousands of great apps have been launched transforming the mobile marketplace forever as it can now compete with laptops on the go.
So, I ask, why the hell can’t I run my apps on my mac?!
I know that the iPhone OS, while based on OS X technology, isn’t the same operating system. But as a consumer I don’t care. Sure, most apps are just boiled down versions of larger applications for Mac or the web. But some of them are not, games especially are available only on the iPhone in that form.

Well I want to use some of them on my Mac!
And it shouldn’t be that hard, the SDK for developing apps can already emulate apps directly in OS X.
But I want to run them from iTunes or, better yet, directly from my dock. I already own them and they’re already stored on my Mac from constant syncing.

Please Apple, let me run my Apps on my Mac as well.

If you agree with this, retweet as far as you can!

The seamless music experience of Minigore

Minigore is a small promotional iPhone top down shooter created by developer Mountain Sheep. It was launched to get a publishing deal to an adventure game based on the characters, gameplay and art style that sets Minigore apart.
So far so good. That Minigore is one of the best looking and most polished feedback titles in the App store doesn’t make it any less good.

But what I really wanted to talk about is the seamless music experience. Minigore takes advantage of iPhone 3.0’s API for the iPod player. Which means it won’t stop your music when you launch Minigore. On the contrary.

The music plays through the loading screen as well as the menu and into the game itself. The game also understands that music is playing and doesn’t play its own soundtrack.

Compared to playing Minigore there can be no more persuasive argument for creating seamless experiences. Whether through sound, interface or social functions. Seamlessness really does add enormous amounts of emotional goodwill to your product.

Don’t believe me? Try it yourself, it’s 99 cents and worth every penny.

Apple conference, iPhone OS 3.0, iTablet?

WWDC is today. In approximately 7h.
What do you think will happen? I sincerely hope for an Apple Tablet, basically a larger, more powerful, iPod Touch with a huge battery. But I don’t really think it will happen. Apple is working on it and when they can get price, performance and form factors together to really blast the market with tablets they will. I just think it’s to expensive today.

iPhone OS 3.0 will launch today however. Which brings a huge amount of updates to the iPhone and the App Store. Let’s see those landscape SMS’ and ad hoc multiplayer games flourish!