iPhone iPad iOS 5 Accessories News App Store Apple Cydia Themes Videos Photography Games Kids
7

Facebook Update 3.1 & 3.1.1 Adds Push Notifications, Contact Syncing & Lots of Bugs

FacebookA recent update (3.1) to the Facebook app was not so great for many. Personally mine would freeze after about 10 seconds of using the app. I removed the app and reinstalled and that seems to have fixed it. The new features in this update are push notifications and contact syncing. I seemed to get push notifications fine but contact syncing failed on the first try as did for some other friends. They too had issues with the app. One person couldn’t even get the app to open but again, reinstalling the app fixed the problem. Here are some other problems people were having that I found in the App Store reviews:

aclevelandjr: Awesome app but it erased my entire Google contacts list and I can’t get them to sync back… Beware!!!!!

DMB Fan 36: I’m happy to see a walk into new frontiers, but this address book sync thing seems to miss the mark in two basic places:

1) Facebook Links are sent over the contacts labeled as the default “Homepage” not a URL field called something more user friendly like “Facebook”. (the API let’s you do this easily)

2) Contact pictures are sent in a very small resolution! A picture with a quality of at least the iPhone screen res should be used instead. Most facebook contact photos have a nice higher res picture behind them. When a phone call comes in or goes out you get a silly little postage stamp instead of a nice full screen image like pictures chosen on the phone itself.

Tigger H.: Great concept, poor execution. The new “sync” feature decided to sync random facebook users I am not even friends with to difference phone contacts of mine.. Some profile pictures are on more then one contact.. Many contacts facebooks are not even remotely close to being theirs… I just wish i did not touch that sync button….

D4VIDS: I just updated my facebook and hit the sync friends button…big mistake!!! Now my fb won’t even load and it keeps crashing. Not a very good update

14

Apple Tablet Coverage

AppleIn my previous article I talk about the new tablet from Apple and the possibility of it running App Store apps. Hypothetically speaking, if they do release a tablet and it does run apps from the App Store (regardless of what OS or variation of OS it’s running) would you want us to write reviews and cover news stories about it? Right now I am considering it but I want to know what the readers think. Let me know by voting below. Also let me know in the comments what you think.

Would you like us to cover the upcoming Apple Tablet?

  • Yes. (79%, 833 Votes)
  • No. (8%, 83 Votes)
  • Don't care. (13%, 141 Votes)

Total Voters: 1,056

Loading ... Loading ...

13

Why Apple’s Tablet Will Run iPhone OS

AppleMoney. That’s why the new tablet from Apple will run the same operating system as the iPhone and iPod touch. Apple has a lot of options to make money through iTunes with the upcoming tablet. If they just put OS X on the device, they just sell another tablet that not many would want. I would, but it wouldn’t be enough people to make a good profit. You can already work at home with an iMac, Mac Pro, or Mac Mini. You can work away from home with a MacBook, MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. Both of these types of systems, desktops and laptops have keyboard, this way you can work and play. If you want to have a constant connection to the web, you can get an iPhone and if you’re not interested in the $60 a month or more, you can get an iPod touch. So, why a tablet and why iPhone OS?

The tablet does not need to replace any of the above. It’s a whole new device. Whatever connection is has, wifi or cellular, whatever ports, USB or video, here’s some ideas I have or have heard of for the new tablet.

Newspaper & Magazine

More and more newspaper and magazine companies are closing down or switching to all digital content these days. This will help to revive this market. Think of things like the New York Times, National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, etc.

500x_apple-tablet-natgeo

0

Shiftmaze

ShiftmazeThis new game is pretty simple. You slide the maze pieces around to help the guy escape. You can also double tap to guide him where to go once you create a path. It starts getting harder when you add enemies wandering around and when the maze shifts on it’s own. It’s only $0.99 and was released on Dec 18th, 2009.

Shiftmaze

Video


Video review by dailyappshow.com.

ScreenShots

2

Engadget Releases iPhone App

EngadgetEngadget has released a very nice iPhone app that gives access to their blog. It has a very nice design and does a lot more than just display blog posts. Something I’m excited about is the interface for when they live blog. Here are some of the features:

• A non-stop, daily stream of all the news on Engadget, Engadget Mobile, and Engadget HD
• See features, reviews, unboxings, and hands-on coverage as it happens
• Check out photo galleries of the latest gadgets
• Watch streaming video of “The Engadget Show” without leaving the app
• Share news, photos, videos, and other tech stories via Twitter, Facebook, and e-mail
• Get quick access to the Engadget Podcast
• Use the in-app option to tip Engadget on breaking news
• Commenting fully supported
• Saving feature to bookmark articles and view while offline
• Integrated mini web browser for viewing web content without leaving the app
• Intuitive and clear interface

Engadget

1

Motorcycle iPhone Installation

MotorcycleSo, what could be better than an iPhone? An iPhone attached to a Ducati… This article shows you how to mount your iPhone to your motorcycle using the biologic™ BIKE Mount for iPhone and other parts for a total of $106.

Blog Link

Product Link (biologic™ BIKE Mount for iPhone) $59.99

Video

Product Video

26

WeatherIcon Update 2.3.1

WeatherIconVery randomly I’ve had problems with phone calls to my iPhone not being able to hear the person on the other end. I always assume it’s some hack I’m testing but can’t always figure out which one. Well a recent WeatherIcon update lists one of the bug fixes as “Fixes issue where phone calls may have no sound (usually only an issues for EDGE users). I do use EDGE a lot (unfortunately) so I’m guessing this is going to help. I just upgraded tonight so I’ll check back soon and let you know if the fix worked.

Other updates include: “Fixes issue with night setting not working unless ‘Use Local Time’ is set.” and “Compatibility with WeatherIcon Plugin 1.0.1.” The fix came out on December 23rd so some of you probably already have it. Let me know if it worked for you.

weathericon_2_3_1_update

22

More Cydia Crashing (December 28th)

CydiaMy Cydia started crashing on my today and I’ve heard of others having the same problem. I’m looking for a fix and if I hear of one I’ll let everyone know. I’ve found a solution by searching Twitter :)

It seems the only people having trouble have the macciti/zodttd’s source. There is no need to restore your iPhone. Here is a simple fix:

- Connect to your iphone/ipod via either ssh, mobile terminal, ifile, diskaid or some other type of usb file system browser. Browse to /var/lib/apt/lists/
- Delete cydia.zodttd-1.com_repo_cydia_dists_stable_main_binary-iphoneos-arm_Packages. Mine was actually /var/lib/apt/lists/cydia.zodttd.com_repo_cydia_dists_stable_main_binary-iphoneos-arm_Packages.

4

iPhoneography.com – iPhone Photography and Videography Blog

##ICON_NAME## I’ve really gotten into iPhone photography lately. Really, I’ve always loved the quality of the iPhone camera but with the new touch to focus, autofocus and video features I’ve really started using my iPhone over other cameras due to accessibility. With my iTunes gift card for Christmas I bought a lot of apps that are for photography or videography. I’ll be sharing my reviews soon but I wanted to share a website with you that I like to check in on about photography and the iPhone.

1

SongSuggest – Song Suggestions for Worship Leaders (ON SALE $0.99)

Available In: App Store       Price: $0.99  

##ICON_NAME## As my full time job I’m a Technology Manager for a church. When I saw this app I just had to write about it. I’ve been waiting to ask for a demo copy so I can do a review but I noticed that the app is on sale for $0.99 down from $5.99. The sale only goes until December 31st, 2009.

The app is a database of worship songs categorized by theme, key and tempo. The need for this app comes from the developer’s own experience. They were not iPhone app developers but needed an app that would suggest songs based on the message that was being preached. Sometimes at the end of a message, it’s good to be flexible to what the speaker is highlighting in their message. After networking with others, they released the app in the beginning of December.

26

We’re Back

##ICON_NAME## Now that all the Holiday craziness is over, we are getting back into the swing of things here at AiS. I hope everyone had a good Christmas. Doug got a $25.00 iTunes Gift Card in his stocking and he got a blue-tooth headset… other than that not a ton of iPhone accessories. Let us know in the comments if you got an iPhone, iPod touch or any cool accessories for Christmas!

3

Friday Night Movie Night: Augmented Reality App for Orange Telecom

This isn’t a super productive application but it shows the possibilities.

An promotional augmented reality app by Ogmento. Developed to promote the iPhone launch by Orange Telecom Israel. Point your iphone to an Orange logo and watch a virtual iPhone appears hovering over the logo. Use finger gestures to turn the iphone around, zoom in or out – or even launch applications.

10

2009 iPhone Recap

2009 was a great year for the iPhone. I’ve put together some news, apps and hacks from 2009.

Verizon vs. AT&T

verizonStarting with a commercial that attacked AT&T’s 3G coverage, Verizon released a series of commercials that compared the two networks and eventually the DROID vs. the iPhone. AT&T sued Verizon claiming the maps of AT&T’s network only showed 3G coverage which confused customers into thinking there was no coverage in blank areas of the map. AT&T eventually lost the lawsuit and then started in with their own commercials.
(Read More)

blacksn0w & blackra1n – jailbreak & unlock from Geohot

blackra1nGeohot did it again, creating an jailbreak and unlock for the iPhone 3GS. Of course the cat and mouse game will continue in 2010 but with the addition of hardware encryption on the iPhone 3GS and Apple’s authorization process of each firmware before you can restore your iPhone, jailbreaking has become more difficult to develop.
(Read More)

Facebook iPhone App Developer Quits

FacebookThe developer for the Facebook iPhone app announced he would no longer work on the iPhone app after getting fed up with Apple’s App Store process. Others at Facebook are still working on the app but this was a big PR blow to Apple’s app approval process.
(Read More)

12

Friday Night Movie Night: Bing

Available In: App Store       Price: Free  

BingMicrosoft search on the iPhone. It seems ironic but the app isn’t too bad. Check out this video review from IntoMobile.com:

Bing

2

Friday Night Movie Night: Paperboy

Available In: App Store       Price: $4.99  

PaperboyLoved this game as a kid. Now it’s available on the iPhone! Looks like it was just released today.

Paperboy