iPhone Alley - News

Patent Describes Method Of Pushing Interface To Touchscreen Device

Edward Kirk — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:42:37 -0500

A new patent from Apple (#20090284476) describes a method in which a device might push it's user interface to a smart remote. The patent doesn't talk much about the device, describing it loosely as a small "accessory" with a touchscreen that changes it's UI to match that of the device it's controlling to control playback of audio or video remotely.

China Unicom Executive States 10% Chinese Adoption Rate for iPhone Within Three Years

Chris Barylick — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:15:08 -0500

In spite of a slow sales start, China Unicom continues to hold high hopes for the iPhone with an unnamed senior executive citing that the handset will carry 10% of China's 3G users within two to three years. In addition, China Unicom Chairman Chang Xiaobing publicly said this week that he expects the iPhone to be the best-selling smartphone in all of China.

TabToolkit Stores Your Tabs & Plays Them Back To You

Michael Johnston — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:24 -0500

After I began learning guitar last year, I grabbed a copy of Agile Partners' guitar companion app, GuitarToolkit [App Store, $9.99] to help me learn chords and keep my guitar in tune. But after a while, I wanted a way to store tabs and music to look at while I was away from my computer. TabToolkit [App Store, $9.99], which was released in late September, is exactly what I needed. It allows you to store tablature and music notation in various forms and play them back in landscape or portrait mode. It even comes with a synthesizer that'll play the parts back to you and a metronome to keep you on time.

The bottom of the screen can display a fretboard (guitar or bass) or keyboard for finger positions while the top shows musical notation and chords. If you play guitar or piano, you should definitely check this app out!

TurkeyTimer Helps You Take The Guesswork Out Of Cooking A Turkey

Michael Johnston — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:30:06 -0500

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and that means cooking a turkey. But how long do you cook your turkey? I honestly don't know, but now there's an app for that too. TurkeyTimer [App Store, $2.99] was designed to help you figure out just how long to cook your turkey based on your turkey's weight, whether its stuffed, and by its desired internal temperature. As time passes, TurkeyTimer will show you how brown your turkey should be and even when it's time to baste!

We haven't tried this app ourselves, but it looks solid based on the reviews and the app's description. Thanks to reader freshjive for the tip!

TomTom Announces Car Kit For iPod Touch

Edward Kirk — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:08:13 -0500

Closely following the announcement that Magellan's car kit and iPhone nav app, RoadMate 2010 North America [App Store, $79.99] TomTom has announced that they plan to release a second car kit geared directly to the iPod touch.

Google News For Mobile Updated For iPhone

Edward Kirk — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:11:38 -0500

Google announced earlier today that they have launched a mobile-formatted version of Google News for viewing on smartphones, geared directly toward iPhone, Android, and Palm Pre users.The new version offers similar features to the desktop homepage, displaying more stories than the other versions, while still keeping with their distinctive style.

Virgin Mobile to Carry iPhone in Canada

Chris Barylick — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:20:47 -0500

Virgin Mobile's Canadian division will soon carry the iPhone, according to an announcement delivered today. The company has currently revealed few details, except that it will sell both the 3G and 3GS models and that a launch should happen sometime "in the coming months." The device will also be the carrier's first HSPA-based phone, possible through an upgraded Bell cellular network.

AT&T Responds To Verizon With Their Own Ad

Michael Johnston — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:07:55 -0500

Since AT&T's request to have Verizon's ads temporarily pulled from the air has been denied, AT&T has begun airing their own commercials to respond to Verizon. The ad features a quizzical Luke Wilson pointing out which company has the fastest 3G network, the ability talk and surf at the same time, access to over 100,000 apps, and more.

Honestly, I'm not too sure if AT&T should start throwing some of these claims around; they may have a counter-lawsuit coming their way. Maybe Luke should have just asked "which network has the iPhone?" Ad follows below!

Judge Denies AT&T's Request To Stop Verizon's 3G Map Ads

Edward Kirk — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:01:26 -0500

A federal judge has denied AT&T's request to temporarily block Verizon Wireless from airing advertisements comparing coverage maps for Verizon's and AT&T's 3G data networks. AT&T argued that the ads were "misleading," as some would misinterpret AT&T's comparatively sparse 3G coverage map as a map of their actual network, making it appear that there was no service available in those areas not covered on the map.

iBreath Breathalizer Out Now, Doubles As FM Transmitter

Edward Kirk — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:34:30 -0500

Just under a year ago, we heard about iBreath, a breathalyzer accessory that attaches to your iPhone and tells you your approximate blood alcohol content, and even doubles as an FM Radio transmitter. The time for waiting is over, as the iBreath breathalyzer is now available for just $49.95, down from its normal price, $89.95.

Rumor: Google Phone to Hit in 2010

Chris Barylick — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:43:07 -0500

Software giant Google is rumored to release its own custom-built Android phone in early 2010, allowing the company to control all of the facets of the software and hardware, much like with Apple and the iPhone. Per Michael Arrington of TechCrunch, the Google-branded phone has been "confirmed" through reliable, anonymous sources, and will be sold directly through retailers very soon. Though the handset was originally planned to release this holiday, it has slipped to early 2010. Albeit the device will be created by a major manufacturer, much like Microsoft did with the first Zunes from Toshiba, it will only have the Google brand on it.

iPhone Receives Approval From South Korea Telecommunications Commission

Chris Barylick — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:35:12 -0500

Apple looks ready to expand the iPhone to South Korea after earning approval from the nation's telecommunications director on Wednesday. The Korea Communications Commission approved the iPhone at its meeting, which means Apple can now sell the device whenever it chooses
The handset is now expected to arrive in a matter of weeks, perhaps before the end of the month.

Smartphones Risk Attacks On Unprotected Wi-Fi Networks

Edward Kirk — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:50:30 -0500

You might want to be careful with what you do on your iPhone over an unprotected Wi-Fi hot spot. A recent report from mobile security research firm SMobile Systems says iPhones and other smartphones connected to unencrypted Wi-Fi hotspots are easy targets for hackers with certain tools that are currently available to them. Their study used a laptop with software tools that intercepted communications between smartphones connecting to a Wi-Fi access point, and then to bypass SSL. The information was then used to access several email accounts, but could also be used for things like bank accounts.

O2 Begins Unlocking iPhones In UK

Edward Kirk — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:24:11 -0500

O2 has started unlocking iPhones in the UK for users who want to switch from their network to Orange UK, the newest carrier to get the iPhone there. Users who signed up to have their devices unlocked have begun receiving texts messages instructing them to replace the O2 SIM card with that of a different carrier (in their case, Orange), and connect the device to iTunes. It's as simple as that.

Magellan Car Kit To Bring Turn-By-Turn To iPod Touch

Edward Kirk — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:22:13 -0500

Yesterday we told you about Magellan's new turn-by-turn navigation app, RoadMate 2010 North America [App Store, $79.99], the latest in a long line of navigation apps. You might also be interested to know that they have an upcoming car kit similar to TomTom's. Unlike theirs, both Magellan's app and car kit will work on the iPod touch and non-GPS iPhones, ~~being the first solution to bring turn-by-turn GPS to the non-GPS Apple handhelds.~~