iPhone 2.0.1 now available through iTunes
Filed under: Cellphones
Well, finally. iPhone firmware 2.0.1 has just been released by Apple, and we’re hoping it solves the myriad problems introduced by 2.0: crashing apps, interminable keyboard delays, choppy scrolling — you know what we’re talking about. We’re pulling down the 250MB file now, we’ll let you know how things turn out — won’t you do the same?
Update: Well, it took its sweet time to install, but things seem a little tighter and snappier all around. We’ll give it a day or so of actual usage before we pronounce things A-OK, though — how’s it going for you?
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
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Two auto performance meters for iPhone
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Hardware, Software, Tips and tricks, Odds and ends, iPhone, App Store
I’ve seen a lot of fun accelerometer uses in the App Store so far, but this is probably the coolest — Dynolicious will actually use your iPhone’s accelerometer to determine all kinds of stuff about how awesome your ‘92 Subaru is, from 0-60 and 1/4 mile time up to lateral Gs and horsepower. Just throw your iPhone somewhere secure in the car, hit go, and Dynolicious will track all that hardware stuff for you (even over multiple runs). Very awesome — it’s in the App Store right now for $12.99, which is pricey, until you see what an actual GTech meter will set you back.
What? Gas is super expensive right now, and you want it even cheaper? Wish granted: our friends at Autoblog have also dug up an app called g-tac, which will track your times and even graph them out for you. Unfortunately, g-tac won’t do the cool accelerometer stuff, measuring out your lateral gs and horsepower for you, but you know the old saying: you can have things fast, good, or cheap, and you only get to pick two.
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First Look: 1Password for iPhone
Filed under: iPhone, App Store
Managing passwords on the go is about to get easier, now that 1Password for iPhone has hit the App Store [iTunes link]. The release features secure notes, wireless sync to your Mac, and all the credential-caching fun you expect from the full-size tool — in a handy pantsable format.
I was able to install 1Password on my iPod touch and (after a few false starts) synchronize my 600+ desktop entries to the device, but unfortunately now 1Password coughs and dies on the touch when launched. I did manage to get some setup screenshots before things went south, including the desktop-side code entry to pair the device and the computer, so feel free to peruse the gallery — once we have a bit more time (and I’ve thinned out my sync list) we’ll give the long-awaited utility the full review it deserves.
1Password for iPhone requires 1Password 2.8.1 on the Mac for synchronization. For a limited time, 1Password for iPhone can be downloaded free of charge.
Update: Agile has let it be known that version 1.2 of 1Password has already been sent in to the App Store, so you should be seeing the upgrade as soon as Apple gets it loaded (which may be a little while).
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Torque Game Engine comes to the iPhone
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Software, Developer, iPhone
We’ve mentioned the Torque gaming engine from GarageGames here a few times before — it’s a pretty powerful 3D engine that makes developing great games on the Mac that much easier. And now, they’ve released a version of it for the iPhone, complete with support for multitouch input and even screen gesture recognition.
I am hardly a game programmer, but my understanding is that this sits on top of the OpenGL ES system in the iPhone — you use the Torque engine to develop, and then the iPhone runs the games developed without any other special software. The benefits are that you can use the Torque Game Builder software (which is also available for many other platforms) to put together iPhone specific games, which makes it not only easier to develop native games, but to port games from those other platforms as well.
At any rate, this is good news for both iPhone game developers and players — the easier it gets to create quality software on the platform, the more games we’ll have to choose from.
[via IMG]
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iPhone 2.1 SDK Disappointments
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Apple Corporate, iPod Family, iPhone, App Store, SDK
Something is rotten in the state of Cupertino. Mr. Jobs, TEAR DOWN THIS NDA.
If the new iPhone 2.1 beta firmware is anything, it’s a perfect excuse to say: “I told you so.” It explains why the NDA failed to disappear on schedule. Apple kept its promise — “Ve shall delivah the 2.0 iPhone und SDK on Yuly 11th” — while working around the fact that that SDK was half baked at best. It was certainly not ready for prime time. The NDA simply expands the beta period. It offers cover to Apple, as they scramble to finish developing ready-to-ship software.
In retrospect, there really was no need for the NDA in the first place, nor this second new 2.1 NDA that just debuted. Anyone, including Apple’s competitors — even the really evil “big brother” ones — can sign up and download the SDK for free. Apple isn’t exactly keeping things hush hush on the down low.
All the NDA does right now is keep developers from talking to each other and blogs, magazines and book authors from publishing how-to articles. Said articles, etc., could actually help Apple reduce its tech support overhead. It would certainly help solidify the brand and allow third parties to make better, stronger App Store entries.
It made no sense then. It makes no sense now. But that’s not where the grumbling ends. Our TUAW tipsters have been busy. They tell us that Apple is busy rejecting Applications from the App Store for grammar mistakes in onboard help files (not a joke) and for not presenting the user with the best playability options (also not a joke). Many of these frustrated developers tell us that some of their products have been waiting for review for four weeks and up and that their updates are getting caught in the gears. One wrote that his apps are getting poor reviews while fixes can’t see the light of day.
And if the TUAW tipsters’ tips are true (thanks TUAW tipsters), the new SDK throws a further wrench into the gears. 2.0 SDK Applications will not be immediately compatible with version 2.1 (although that could change between beta and release).
Other tremendously terrific tipsters tell us that the newest beta program isn’t fully open. Apparently only a subset of iPhone SDK development members have been granted access. That once again puts some developers at a tremendous financial disadvantage.
All in all, the buzz in developer circles is not happy. While some look forward to their first August paychecks from App Store, others remain waiting and frustrated in the wings.
As always, please continue to use our tip line if you have anything you want to add anonymously to the discussion. Otherwise, feel free to opine in our comments.
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iPhone OS 2.1 and SDK 2.1
Filed under: Developer, iPhone
Attention iPhone developers: get ye to Apple’s iPhone Dev Center. Apple released the image for the iPhone OS 2.1 and SDK 2.1 last night. You must be registered to get at these files, which means that you have to agree to an NDA (First rule of iPhone development: don’t talk about iPhone development), though for those curious registering for Apple’s dev center is free (as noted below, the free account won’t get you access to these files).
According to numerous tipsters this .1 release includes the beginnings of the iPhone notification services as well as some improvements in the location awareness area. iPhone users, this is an advanced release of the software so that devs and make sure their apps work, and start whipping up new apps. This won’t be available for phone in the wild until some later date (that only Steve and his hairdresser know for sure).
One thing to note: apps created using this SDK/OS combination cannot be sold on the App Store at this time, so I hope you have an extra iPhone or iPod touch laying around.
Update: I was mistaken, this new files aren’t available via the free Apple Dev accounts. You have to have a paid membership to get them (though I would imagine they will trickle down to the freebie accounts at some point in the near future), and be a registered iPhone developer.
Update 2: Some folks in the comments are saying they are paid, registered developers and they can’t see these files so your mileage may vary.
Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
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Palringo Now Available for iPhone: Multi-Client IM FTW!
Folks who’ve transitioned over from Windows Mobile (or BlackBerry) to the iPhone (or folks who, like me, are dual-wielding) take heed: one of our favorite IM apps from those other platforms has finally made its way into the App Store. It’s Palringo (iTunes Link) and it’s free. Palringo is an instant messenger app that’s able to talk to AIM, MSN, Yahoo, Google Talk, etc. It will also let you send media files (like photos). There is one downside — you do need to set up a Palringo account to get it all going, but for now at least, if you want multi-client IM, Palringo’s your best option.
That’s good stuff, but the better stuff is coming: Palringo’s custom ‘Vocal IM,’ which is somewhere between sending audio files and VOIP chat. We’re also hoping that Palringo will be able to add background notifications when the iPhone supports it.
I’m downloading now, but I tell ya, I’m excited for this app. Seems like an excellent idea for a lightning review, don’t it?
iTunes 7.7.1 is out… and then nothing
Filed under: Desktops, Laptops
That’s right chicks and dudes, iTunes 7.7.1 is now available for your downloading pleasure. Does it snap the App Store liberties you’ve been taking? Will it enhance your audio? Is it spying on you and your loved ones? Only Apple knows for sure.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
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PerversionTracker returns
Oh yes. The site that hates Mac software — all of it, without exception — is back to hate some more.
PerversionTracker has returned after a long, long hiatus, and now it has iPhone software in its sights. (For the uninitiated, the old PerversionTracker took Mac apps and ripped them to pieces while screaming with joy.) No word on whether the folks at VersionTracker are irked, peeved or fuming.
Why has it returned now? What could possibly have got those hate glands working again? After all, everything in the App Store has to be approved by the gods of Apple before it goes live. There won’t be anything worth hating. Will there?
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Torque Game Engine comes to the iPhone
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Software, Developer, iPhone
We’ve mentioned the Torque gaming engine from GarageGames here a few times before — it’s a pretty powerful 3D engine that makes developing great games on the Mac that much easier. And now, they’ve released a version of it for the iPhone, complete with support for multitouch input and even screen gesture recognition.
I am hardly a game programmer, but my understanding is that this sits on top of the OpenGL ES system in the iPhone — you use the Torque engine to develop, and then the iPhone runs the games developed without any other special software. The benefits are that you can use the Torque Game Builder software (which is also available for many other platforms) to put together iPhone specific games, which makes it not only easier to develop native games, but to port games from those other platforms as well.
At any rate, this is good news for both iPhone game developers and players — the easier it gets to create quality software on the platform, the more games we’ll have to choose from.
[via IMG]
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