Some Say My Touch is Tru (Truphone that is)

Andy Abramson from VoIP Watch had a very interesting piece today about Truphone having made the Apple iPod Touch into a WiFi phone. Yeah, that’s right and if you take a minute to read Andy’s article, I think you will agree that it is an exciting opportunity for folks that have the Apple iPod Touch on a lot of different fronts.  In part, Andy said:

Yesterday Mike Butcher, TechCrunch UK broke the news about the new Truphone application that works on the Apple iPod Touch, giving the Touch users around the world the ability to call one another. It can be found in the Apple App Store.

What I see as the big deal here is what else the geniuses at Truphone are throwing into the mix. A complete set of calling capabilities that shows just how far they have thought this opportunity through.

For starters Truphone will soon be adding PSTN In and Out Calling to the platform along with calls to Skype pals and MSN Messenger buddies. This in essence means Truphone has made the Apple iPod Touch into a full blown WiFi phone, and truly a universal calling solution.

iPod Touch 2G and iPod Nano 4G Guided Tours

Thanks to Gadgets on the Go, here are a couple videos of the 2G iPod Touch and the 4G iPod Nano.

iPod Touch

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i-Kit iPhone FM Hands-free car kit & FM transmitter

I should probably let you know that I am the master of Jerry-rigging stuff. A few examples: I have a  screw/ring that I use to tune one of the broken machine heads on my 1939 Johann Nurnberg double bass… I have two broken guitar pedals that that I use to balance and  prop up the front feet of my 1970 Fender Rhodes organ (that is missing one of the leg extenders)… For years, I used a toothpick to hold in the bass boost button on my home stereo… the list goes on and on.  It’s just who I am and how I operate. I am cool with it.

Even though I am fairly practical about form/function and am usually forgiving when it comes to aesthetics, I also don’t want you all to think that  I am not capable of appreciating something that is beautiful or works well. On the contrary, I’d pimp any Harold Van Doren object, any day of the week. I can appreciate something that is elegant or makes it easy on you, while not always requiring it. I’m kind of “Jekyll and Hyde” like that. Dig?

So when I received the MediaGate i-Kit FM Hands-free car kit & FM transmitter to review, at first I think I questioned if I needed it, but after about 2 days, I really began to appreciate it. Now, I am not trying to say it’s beautiful, like a Van Doren scooter or anything, but for $50-$60 it looks reasonably good and works pretty well. It definitely makes it easy on you, if you want to screw around with your iPhone/iPod in the car.

In a nutshell, the i-Kit is an FM transmitter for you iPhone/iPod that transmits the output of your device, wirelessly, to your car stereo, while at the same time keeping it charged. It has a couple of other extra features too, so lets just go ahead and list them all.

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GTS World Racing for the iPhone

A demonstration of GTS World Racing for iPhone and iPod touch.

Gold iPod Touch 32GB for David Beckham

I think I could go for the iPod Touch if I could get this one (with my name instead) for a reasonable price….

Golden-ears? A gift from his team-mates to mark David Beckham’s 100th England cap.

As you can see it is not just your standard Apple product but rather a golden 32-gigabyte personalised version to mark the occasion.

I’ll take mine when I post my 10,000 post or maybe on the forums 5 millionth post. Where are we at now? 1,573,101 post… wow, nevermind, we have a long way to go.

Source: Telegraph via Gizmodo

Tax Time Toys

I saw a great article at Computerworld called Top 10 tech toys to blow your tax refund on, and it inspired me to write this article.  According to USAToday.com, the average tax refund in 2005 was $2436.  Expect that to grow 8-10% for this year’s refund.  In my fantasy world I get to actually spend that money on gadgets.  What should I buy? 

When I was young we didn’t have computers or internet.  We shopped from catalogs.  I remember the Service Merchandise catalog very well.  I yearned for high end stereo equipment and would read that same catalog every morning with breakfast.  I used to leave the pages open (bookmarked - yes that’s where that word came from) to the items I desperately wanted, and hoped my parents would notice and surprise me.  I’m still waiting.  But gone are the days of 4 head cassette decks, turntables and $1000 cd players.  Catalog houses are falling to the wayside, and internet shopping has grown outrageously.  I have put together a list of the top 10 gadgets I salivate for.  In no particular order, here they are.

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iPhone SDK Downloads Top 100,000

Apple today announced that more than 100,000 iPhone developers have downloaded the beta iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK) in the first four days since its launch on March 6. The iPhone SDK provides developers with the same rich set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and tools that Apple uses to create its native applications for iPhone and iPod touch.

“Developer reaction to the iPhone SDK has been incredible with more than 100,000 downloads in the first four days,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “Also, over one million people have watched the launch video on Apple.com, further demonstrating the incredible interest developers have in creating applications for the iPhone.”

Apple also previewed the new App Store, a breakthrough way for developers to wirelessly deliver their applications to every iPhone and iPod touch user. Developers set the price for their applications — including free — and retain 70 percent of all sales revenues.

Leading developers such as AOL, Electronic Arts, Epocrates, salesforce.com and Sega have already demonstrated amazing applications using the SDK, and developer response continues to be phenomenal with more developers embracing the platform.

 

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Teenagers Can Use iPods to Watch Driving Safety Video in HD for the First Time

Parents can send teenagers for an instructional drive on the ‘real’   Internet Highway without the high cost of gas, stress.

Teenagers can take the iPod out for a drive so to speak, watching real life driving situations on real roads while listening to a professional driving instructor talk about the traffic and approaching situations.

A new website, http://www.teenlivedrive.com, allows teenagers to download video files that play on iPods, iPhones, iTunes and in QuickTime
on desktops and laptops.

“Most schools don’t teach behind the wheel anymore,” says Jim Grimm,
driving instructor and coach at Reagan High School in Austin, Texas. “I
think an in-the-car instructor is best, still an in-the-car instructor online is great, since many kids wind up tuning out a parent.”

“It would take me weeks and who knows how many gallons of gas to drive
my teenagers through all the scenarios at teenlivedrive.com,” says Bernice
Smith, a mother of three teenagers in St Louis, Missouri. “And it’s
especially nice that I can put something educational on the iPod, a player
teenagers live on.”

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eWallet for iPhone

From Ilium Siftware Blog:

Yep, as you have already heard, Ilium Software is definitely supporting the iPhone. In fact we’ve planned to support it for quite some time, but until the SDK went public we wanted to keep it quiet. We actually started work on eWallet for iPhone earlier this year and have made significant progress. It’s a very exciting opportunity for us because we’re big fans of the iPhone.

We feel that Apple really “got it right” in their design and user interface and the SDK announcement proves that they’ve followed the same philosophy when it comes to the support of 3rd party applications. With that said, I’d like to take a minute just to answer some of the questions we’ve been getting about the iPhone and our support of it.

1. Will you still support Windows Mobile?
Absolutely. Just because we believe in the iPhone doesn’t mean we’ve lost faith in Windows Mobile. Windows Mobile does a lot of things really well, and it offers users a lot of flexibility. It’s an excellent platform and you will continue to see Ilium Software’s products developed for Windows Mobile.

2. What does this mean for the eWallet Companion web application?
Nothing will change here either. We’ve had a fantastic response to the web application and the philiosphy that drove us to develop the eWallet Companion remains true. People aren’t content to wait until they are sitting in front of the “correct device” to get to their information. People want their information available all the time, wherever they go, regardless of the device they have in front of them. The eWallet Companion does exactly this and for that reason we fully intend to continue supporting its development.

3. Will you be developing ListPro, NewsBreak, DockWare, etc. for iPhone?

Keep reading after the break!!!

 

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iPhone/iPod SDK To Be Limiting… Oh Boy…

According to iLounge, they have sources that share some details about the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch SDK….

According to several sources familiar with Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch software development kit (SDK) plans, the company will use a March 6 event in Cupertino, California to formally announce a number of potentially controversial limitations on application development and publishing. Our sources spoke on the condition that their comments were not for attribution, independently confirming the following details, and offering differing opinions of their importance.

They go on to detail the following keypoints of interest…

• iTunes Store as hub
• Apple as application picker
• No accessory connectivity

Well, after reading all the Apple fans call to arms to defend these items, I can understand parts of it. You know, keeping the shady developers from creating applications that could cause harm to the device or even harvest personal information for more devious intent. I guess I can understand that, but I sure as hell hope that making the devs use their iTunes store for distribution doesn’t take money away from these developers.

I have said it before and I will admit it again. The iPhone is a great consumer phone. It’s got a few shortcomings for a business user though. The main issues I have with the iPhone, one of which is why mine collects dust in the guest bathroom, is the lack of push email support. The other major issue I didn’t like was the lack of 3rd party application support. This was to be resolved with this SDK, but it looks like Apple might stifle the creativity of developers with some of these limitations. I don’t think it will kill development for sure. The iPhone has one heck of a following already and 3rd party support is much needed.

Just hurry up and get a nice push email solution and I might have to make some choices on what phone to carry.

Source: iLounge

Hurry up and Enroll at Abilene Christian University and get an iPhone or iPod Touch!

Thanks James for reminding me about this. I have starred this story with Google Reader 2 other times already, but with all the work on the site I have been doing, I had not had a chance to share.

Anyhow, Freshmen at Abilene Christian University will get an iPhone or iPod touch for learning purposes…

An Apple iPhone or iPod touch will become a central part of Abilene Christian University’s innovative learning experience this fall when all freshmen are provided one of these converged media devices, said Phil Schubert, ACU executive vice president.

I am pretty sure that they are paying for it via tuition anyhow, but at least they don’t have to talk mom and dad into it in addition to tuition. Either way, it’s pretty cool. I love seeing technology being used for learning.

Sources in order of bookmarking: Gear Diary, Crunchgear, and JKontheRun

iPhone and iPod touch updates to get 1.1.4 firmware

Apple’s 1.1.4 firmware update for the iPhone and iPod touch just hit the wires, courtesy of iTunes 7.6.1.9.

Source: Engadget

iPhones, iPod to be $100 cheaper very soon?

CrunchGear is reporting a rumor that the iPhone and iPod Touch might be selling for $100 less real soon. So, how does that business model work? Gouge your faithful iSheep early, then lower the prices for those that can wait? Sort of like like the original iPhone gouging… well, not sorta… more like just like.

Anyhow, Crunchgear’s source, 9to5Mac, claims to have gotten some inside info on this price drop. No reason to doubt this info since it seems to be consistent with the past price drops. With the 3G iPhone supposedly coming soon it makes sense to get stock sold fast so everyone has to pay $599 to get the 3G version. hehe..

We just got a tip that Apple is planning on dropping the prices again on the iPhone and iPod Touch line within the next month or two - perhaps at the late February event, perhaps as late as mid-April.  Our tipster says that Apple will drop the prices by $100. 

Also, the 8Gb iPod Touch will be dropped from the lineup according to the source.  It might also make sense that the 8Gb iPhone would get phased out as well, but it wasn’t mentioned in the tip.  Inventories will likely be a big factor in the timing so we’re keeping an eye out for shortages.

Source: 9to5Mac via CrunchGear

“American Idol” Performances Available Exclusively on the iTunes Store

Music & Video Performances Available the Next Day

Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox Interactive Media, 19 Entertainment, FremantleMedia and Apple, for the first time, have partnered to bring music fans all of the contestant performances from Season Seven of television’s most popular show exclusively on the iTunes Store (www.itunes.com). Kicking off with the “American Idol” Top 24 semifinalists this week, customers can purchase music performances for 99 cents per song, and viewers will be able to purchase the full video of Top 12 finalist performances for $1.99, starting March 11. In addition, beginning today, fans can pre-order performances of their favorite contestants from the iTunes Store, which will be automatically downloaded the day after the show airs.

“We have some truly outstanding talent this year, and by working with Apple and iTunes, we’re giving viewers another great way to enjoy America’s brightest new stars from ‘Idol,’” said Simon Fuller, creator of “American Idol” and Founder of 19 Entertainment. “I’m sure there will be many memorable performances that viewers will want to relive from this 2008 season.”

“We’ve created a special section on the iTunes Store for ‘Idol’ fans with an incredible array of music and video performances from television’s most popular show,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes. “We think ‘American Idol’ viewers are going to love the ability to purchase and download ‘Idol’ performances from iTunes.”

iTunes will also provide exclusive direct links from the free streaming performance videos on americanidol.com (www.americanidol.com), the official website of the show and home to MyIdol, the Internet’s largest “American Idol” fan site. Fans will be able to simply click through to iTunes if they want to purchase their favorite performances to own and enjoy on their iPod®, iPhone™ or Apple TV®.

iTunes 7.6 for Mac and Windows includes the iTunes Store and is available as a free download from www.itunes.com. Purchase and download of songs and videos from the iTunes Store requires a valid credit card from a financial institution in the country of purchase. American Idol music and video content is available in the US and Canada only. Music performances are 99 cents (US) and video performances are $1.99 (US) per episode and can be viewed on a Mac or PC, iPod nano with video, iPod classic, fifth generation iPod, iPod touch, iPhone or on a widescreen TV with Apple TV.

Source: Apple press release

Double Trouble… Proporta Dual Skin Silicone Cases

Proporta are certainly the ones who know how to give your device the protection it truly deserves, but offering protection and style at the same time can sometimes be a little trickier. Proporta hit the nail on the head with their Dual Skin Silicone Cases - offering your iPod even more protection than it could ever wish for, and making it funkier than ever before.

Two tough protective skins make up the Proporta Dual Skin Silicone Case and protect your device from scratching and impact damage, as well as complimenting it in a wide variety of colours.

Both silicone layers have all the necessary cut aways enabling access to all ports and controls so that your iPod can still be used when it’s inside the two layers. The upper layer also offers cut outs along the side of your iPod for anti-slip confidence, and a little bit of extra style.

Proporta’s Dual Skin Silicone Cases are available for all the newer members of the Apple iPod family, including the iPhone, iPod touch, iPod classic 80GB / 160GB and 3G iPod nano.

Colors available : white and clear, grey and black, and pink and black

Price: $22.95

Source: email, Hannah Saffman, Marketing and Advertising Executive - Proporta Ltd.