Jobs Personally Responds to Company’s Plea Against App Name Change

This is an interesting little story. You may have already seen this but, if not, it is an interesting read. It seems that The Little App Factory, a Mac shareware company, received a letter from Baker & McKenzie, the lawfirm that represents Apple.

In the letter the company is told that they must change the name of one of there most popular applications iPodRip and also remove the iPod image from another of their application’s logo.

iRip (formally iPodRip) is an application that allows the user to copy and transfer your songs from iPod™ & iPhone™ to your computer. iRip has been available since 2003 and has had over 5 million downloads.

The Co-owner of The Little App Factory decided to send Mr. Jobs an email addressing the request. Below is that email as well as the response.
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iPhone Commercial: Songs

Another of Apple’s newest commercials again advertises 100,000+ apps in the app store. One of the apps shown is Shazam which recently released a new version of their app, Shazam Encore, that detects what song is playing and now costs $4.99. The apps in this commercial include: Jamie Oliver’s 20 Minute Meals ($7.99), Credit Card Terminal ($0.99), Facebook (Free), The Sims 3 ($6.99), Redfin Real Estate (Free), Shazam (Free).

iPhone Commercial: Gift

New commercials from Apple are now advertising 100,000+ apps in the App Store and though some may be low quality, Apple shows off some of the better apps in this commercial. The apps in this commercial include: Target (Free), ColorChange ($2.99), The Snow Report (Free), Monopoly Here & Now: The World Edition ($4.99), HotelPal (Free), Zipcar (Free).

Apple to Sell $99 8GB iPhone 3GS?

There’s not much info for this rumor, but someone started it, so here it is: Apple will sell an 8GB version of the iPhone 3GS for $99. Currently you can only get the 3GS is sizes as low as 16GB. Having 8GB of space on the iPhone 3GS is pushing it. You have your music, videos & apps. Then you add pictures using the bigger 3MP camera & videos of 640×480 at 30fps you’re going to eat up space quick. Either way, a cheaper iPhone with all the power will be a better choice versus the competition.

Apple Now Allowing In-App Purchase in Free App Store Applications

Apple has announced to developers that they are changing the in-app purchase feature of App Store applications. In the past, only paid applications could use the in-app purchase feature however, Apple is now allowing the feature to be implemented into free apps as well as paid apps.

I’m not sure what I think about this yet but, I do think it could help clean up the App Store a bit. Instead of developers creating a free lite version of their app, they could just make the application free with an in-app purchase to buy the full game thus eliminating the need for free lite versions of applications.

Below is Apple’s memo. Read more

New 3GS Models Come With New Bootrom, Blocks Jailbreak

According to info from some Dev Team members, new iPhone 3GS models are coming with an updated bootrom version 359.3.2. The current exploit, 24kpwn, is not working on iPhone 3GS models with this bootrom. We’ll know more and more as people buy iPhones but beware if you are buying a new one. Although there is no working jailbreak for this bootrom, hackers have always made it past any roadblocks from Apple and will likely make it past this one eventually. Here are a few quotes from the Dev Team on Twitter:

Apple Updates “Apps for iPhone” Page

Apple has recently updated their “Apps for iPhone” page adding an “Apps for Everything” section. The Apps for Everything sections features apps based on specific categories. The current categories include; Apps for Cooking, Apps for Keeping Current, Apps for the Great Outdoors, Apps for Music, Apps for Work, Apps for Students, Apps for Moms and Dads, Apps for Working Out, Apps for Going Out, Apps for Managing Money, Apps for Traveling and Apps for Fun and Games. Each category features between 8-10 applications. A very nice redesign and a great way to find quality applications in specific categories.

You can check out the new page HERE. Read more

iPhone Launches in China on October 1st

I’m sure many of you have heard the news that, after a few meeting with Apple’s top guys, China is expected to get the iPhone. According to Engadget, China Unicom will be announcing today that they will be launching the iPhone on October 1st. Below are the package details. Looks like Apple’s 50 Million device count is about to go way up! Read more

New York Times Interviews Steve Jobs – Answers why iPod touch did not receive a camera.

I’m sure many of you have already seen the interview that the New York Times did with Steve Jobs however, for those of you who may have missed it… they did ask some relevant questions. The two questions that I was glad to see were; Why is didn’t they add a camera to the iPod touch and Why does the iPod nano take video but not still pictures. Below are his answers. Read more

Apple’s New iPod touch Commercial – Next Level of Fun (Updated)

Ok, so I couldn’t find a list (at least the correct one ) of the games that were demoed in the iPod touch ad Next Level of Fun, so I decided to figure it out myself. I think I got them all right. Below is the list in order that they appear (links to App Store).

• Top Gun
• Real Racing
• Monster Trucks Nitro
• 3D Rollercoaster Rush
• Touch Hockey: FS5
• Homerun Battle 3D
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour by EA Sports
• Finger Foos
• Slope Rider
• A tiny second of a game… I can’t tell what it was!
• 2XL Supercross Read more

“It’s only rock and roll, but we like it” – Keynote Now Available

The keynote from today’s Apple event, “It’s only rock and roll, but we like it,” is available HERE. The keynote is not available on Apple’s website yet, but it has been published to their iTunes account. Read more

Steve Job’s Return – Video

Gizmodo posted a video of Job’s entrance at today’s “It’s only rock and roll, but we like it” event. Check it out below.

Apple Store Back Up – Reflects New iPod Touch Sizes and Pricing

Like during all Apple events, the Apple store was down earlier today and throughout the event. It is now back up and reflects the new iPod touch sizes and pricing. For more info on changes to the iPod touch during today’s “It’s only rock and roll, but we like it” event check out THIS post.

iPod touch – $199 8GB, $299 32GB & $399 64GB (No Camera)

The iPod touch did receive some attention today at Apple’s “It’s only rock and roll, but we like it.” event however, it might not have been what everyone was expecting.

Of course Apple gave all the statistics on how the iPod (including the touch) is blowing all other devices out the water and how they have sold over 20 million already. They also spent quite a bit of time demoing games on the device such as; sequel to Assassin’s Creed, Riddim Ribbon (a new game by Tapulous – developers of Tap Tap Revenge), Nova (new game by Gameloft) and Madden NFL 2010 (a new game by EA Games). They went on to say that there are 607 titles on PSP, 3680 on DS, and 21,178 on iPhone OS… not too bad (and much cheaper!). Read more

3.1 Firmware Available Today – Genius and Ringtones

Apple has just announced at the “It’s only rock and roll, but we like it.” event that the 3.1 firmware will be available today in iTunes. The update will be free for all iPhones and for iPod touches that are already on the 3.0 firmware. The 3.1 firmware includes a few new features however, they only touched on a few which include; Genius and Ringtones.

The Genius feature will make recommendations for new apps based on the apps you already own. It will give you a list of recommended apps and why they have recommended them. The Genius section will be located in the App Store application in the Features option. At the top of the Features page it will now have tabs for New, What’s Hot and Genius. Read more

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