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iPhone MVP Effect? Trillian Astra FINALLY approved for App Store!

Adam Wyss — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:03:32 +0000

Just two days ago, I wrote about Trillian Astra, a multi-protocol IM app for Windows, Mac (soon), and now the iPhone and iPod Touch. I called for Apple to stop impeding the business of other companies such as Cerulean Studios. Well, I’m happy to report that Trillian Astra has been approved and is available now in the App Store for $4.99. Even if you have an Astra Pro account on the desktop, you still have to buy the iPhone app because of all the server-side stuff going on such as session logging and push notifications. Being a very big Trillian user, the $4.99 price of entry was very reasonable especially when you consider other apps such as Beejive IM go for $9.99. One thing that disappointed me was the lack of Facebook chat, but I’m happy just to see this app finally launch! Make sure you hit the link for all the juicy details complete with video demos, many of which show the tight iPhone/PC integration.

[Cerulean Studios' Blog]

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App Store approvals: Still more transparency needed

Adam Wyss — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:31:10 +0000

There has been a lot of news during the past week about the App Store, and the approval process that comes along with it. Apple clearly needs to work on this process and absolutely must be more transparent. One thing that I’m not sure they understand is that they are impeding other companies such as Cerulean Studios from doing business entirely or severely hindering it. That being said, here’s a roundup of some of the more popular App Store horror stories over the past week or so:

1. Facebook for iPhone developer Joe Hewitt has very publicly quit developing for the iPhone platform out of protest to Apple’s policies. (TechCrunch)

2. Apple implements a new software tool for app approvals to check API usage. Developers are only allowed to use documented API’s in their apps and Apple has a new toy to make sure developers are really playing by the rules. (Twitter via @Gruber)

3. Rogue Amoeba, the developers of AirFoil and AirFoil Speakers Touch for iPhone, have also decided to stop supporting the iPhone platform until things change. Their big issue is that a bug fix update was held up for over 3 and a half months because of some API’s that their Mac app uses to send images of the computer and application to the iPhone app. What it turned into is a trademark dispute and Rogue Amoeba decided just to back down and ship an update without the pictures in it. This is ridiculous because the API’s are public, documented API’s on Snow Leopard and they had not violated any written iPhone SDK or any of Apple’s rules on 3rd parties using their trademarks. If you look at any of the 3 following articles, head over to the last link at Daring Fireball first. It gives a good 3rd party breakdown of the situation, and even dissects another blog’s response which actually defends Apple in this case.
(Rogue Amoeba original post)
(Rogue Amoeba update post)
(Daring Fireball)

Cerulean Studios, developers of the ever popular Trillian IM client have developed an iPhone version their newest version, Trillian Astra. This app was submitted on August 14, 2009. As of this writing, it has been “In Review” for a whopping 94 days now! In my opinion, this is freaking ridiculous! As you can see, Apple really desperately needs help here. While Cerulean Studios has not posted a blog update since the 60 day mark in the review process, I want to help get the word out on their iPhone app and help get the word out even more about how broken Apple’s review process is. There are other (great) IM apps out there with push notifications and Trillian Astra is just another one to fall into that category, so what’s the deal with the holdup Apple? Please pull your heads out of your tails and work on this!
(Cerulean’s blog post at 60 days)

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iPhone Devs can now track their App Store approval process

Chris Leckness — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:24:32 +0000

This should provide some sort of sanity for the DEVELOPERS, DEVELOPERS, DEVELOPERS, DEVELOPERS, DEVELOPERS, DEVELOPERS, DEVELOPERS, DEVELOPERS. Seriosly though, I think this should give them a good tool to track and know that Apple is actually doing something with their particular case. The only thing that would suck is to see your app sitting at “In Review” for 20-30 days. All the wondering would still not be avoided then. If this tool were to allow for fair and consistent reviews of their apps, it would be perfect. right?

Source: Engadget

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Rock Band for iPhone: Quick First Impressions

Adam Wyss — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:03:54 +0000

Well, first off, let me say that if you have ever played Rock Band in any way shape or form (except the watered down PlayStation 2 version, but I won’t go there) then you will be right at home on the iPhone version. The UI elements are very true to the Rock Band line, but also, feel “iPhone natural” at the same time. EA did a good job with this in my quick 1am opinion. That said, one thing I have wanted in all of these iPhone guitar games is landscape support. In portrait mode, the frets are too close together for my fat fingers to hit a chord with 2 notes right next to each other. I’m sure I’ll get used to it, but it never hurts to ask too! So how about it EA? Can we get some landscape lovin’?

Online options look good so far, Facebook integration is a plus and is quickly becoming one of "go-to” networks to use for online multiplayer on the iPhone and for me, that is huge because I’m already on Facebook, why should I sign up for yet another social network for one app that probably none of my other friends have? Facebook gets it out there that you have the game and other people can see that you are playing and looking for band members. Feel free to challenge me if you want!

The music itself is a bit bare compared to the big brother console versions, but knowing EA, I wouldn’t expect things to stay that way for long and I would expect the Music Store to expand quickly!

More to come soon as I get some more hands on time. Anybody wanting to play with/against me, you can find me on facebook and message me or tweet me (@wyssaj01)

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“The seductive angel of death for computing…”

Zealot — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:19:10 +0000

David Weinberger, at his always interesting JoHo the Blog wrote about the Motorola Droid today, noting it probably will not be as pretty or have as many apps as the iPhone, but he would be switching to it from his Blackberry 8830 as soon as possible,

His key reason why he would switch to the Droid after resisting the iPhone for all this time is a perfect and concise statement of everything I have always feared about the App Store and Apple in the silent depths of my soul but have never been able to express well enough to put into writing…

Most of all, though, there won’t be an AppStore. The AppStore is the seductive angel of death for computing. It enables Apple to keep quality up and, more important, to keep support costs down. But a computer that can’t be programmed except by its manufacturer (or with the permission of its manufacturer) isn’t a real computer. The success of the AppStore is a gloomy, scary harbinger. From controlling the apps that can go on its mobile phone, it’s a short step for Apple to decide to control the apps that can go on its rumored slate/netbook device. And since so much of the future of computing will occur on mobiles and netbooks, this portends a serious de-generation of computing, as predicted by Jonathan Zittrain in The Future of the Internet and How to Stop It.

YES…what he said.

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The App Store Effect and the Race to the Bottom

Zealot — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:15:09 +0000

John Herrman published a fascinating story at Gizmodo over the weekend looking at the effect that Apple’s App Store is having on the economic realities of mobile software. There is no way to deny that, at least in the US, the App Store is the Mecca of mobile software. Sure I can complain endlessly about all the iFart apps and useless programs, but nothing even comes into the same galaxy as the App Store in terms of applications sold and money made. That is a simple fact, like it or no.

The fact that the App Store is in a class by itself is beginning to have a profound and possibly destructive effect on software developers, according to Herrman. He has tracked the prices of the same applications across multiple platforms, and has discovered that consistently the same applications are priced at least 50 percent cheaper for the iPhone then they are for other platforms. While one could say this is supported due to the economy of scale (you sell more through the App Store, you can charge less), what the rush to succeed in the App Store is doing is driving prices for applications continually lower, with Apple’s encouragement.

That may look great for users on the surface…but is it really?

(...) Read the rest of The App Store Effect and the Race to the Bottom (274 words)

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In app purchases coming to a free app near you!

Adam Wyss — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:42:00 +0000

In a somewhat surprise move, Apple sent out an email to developers today with an announcement regarding in app purchases. Now, even free apps can have in app purchases. When this feature was announced, I thought that the decision to make it paid apps only was stupid to begin with as there were many apps that have a good reason to be free but allow for an in app purchase. One that I immediately thought of was the Amazon Kindle application. For those who can’t make the connection, if Amazon puts the effort into programming it, we can have an iPhone native version of the Kindle store! Also, the new version of Tap Tap Revenge was priced at $.99 specifically to allow them to use in app purchases to power the new Tap Tap Store. We’ll have to see how this change plays out for Apple and for us as users but I for one welcome this change as long as developers stay honest about in app purchases.

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Can you become addicted to iPhone apps?

Chris Leckness — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:57:44 +0000

This is a good question and one that Shiny Shiny looks at a little closer…

Well, we love silly questions like this so of course we’re diving in. And besides, USA Today stirred up the whole debate with an article "Are you addicted to Apple iPhone’s ubiquitous apps?". They cite the case of Beth Akins, 54, of Louisville, who can’t get out of bed in the morning without switching on her Shake & Spell iPhone app.

I haven’t been on the iPhone long enough to really say for myself. When I first bought the original iPhone back in 2007, the App Store was crowded with crap, but not as robust as it is today.

I can say in the 6 days that I have had my iPhone 3GS, I have downloaded over 50 apps and spent almost $50 doing so. I am testing, playing, and enjoying most of them. I plan to do a massive series of reviews soon, but until then… I can just say that I am amazed with the quality of many of the apps I’ve looked at so far. I think I can say that, for now, I am addicted to checking out the apps.

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CoPilot Live receives another new update

Adam Wyss — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:06:20 +0000

The folks at ALK Technologies never stop, I’m beginning to doubt if they even sleep to be honest. They just had their second update to CoPilot approved and is available now in the App Store. This new update brings with it some big new features and one that is not so big but was on my personal wish list when I was working on my review.

First up we have the stock iPhone keyboard. This has been the #1 requested feature for users and was one of the things I mentioned in the review because for me, the iPhone keyboard is the best soft keyboard I have ever used and when combined with the autocorrect feature of iPhone OS, it has even bested my previous device, the AT&T Tilt.

Next, and this is a big one…….Text to Speech voice directions! Instead of “Turn left just ahead” you will hear “Turn left on Spring Street”. Current users will need to read on past the break to read how to enable TTS on your iPhone app however this does not apply to new users as of this writing.

We also get more map updates and along with that a new button that will check for MapSure updates. These are monthly maintenance updates and quarterly full map upgrades. These are, and always will be, free for CoPilot Live 8 users. Users can expect to receive these updates as noted for the life of the app and for 6 months afterwards. For example, if CoPilot Live 9 is released as a new app in January 2010, CoPilot Live 8 will get updates through the end of June 2010.

There are also some other various fixes such as improved GPS performance, improved walking mode, and better address book integration.

Also, I’d like to send out a congrats to the folks over at ALK for making the What’s Hot section of the App Store! It seems to me like they are a hard working group of people and really deserve the recognition!

(...) Read the rest of CoPilot Live receives another new update (104 words)

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So Apple DID kill Google Voice!

Adam Wyss — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:48:57 +0000

Today, the Google Policy Blog announced that due to several Freedom of Information Act requests they worked with the FCC to simply release the entire contents of their response letter to “Google Voice-gate”. Here is the PDF of the full release if you wish to read it for yourself or you can see the juicy part below, which was question #2.

What explanation was given (if any) for Apple’s rejection of the Google Voice application (and for any other Google applications for iPhone that have been rejected, such as Google Latitude)? Please describe any communications between Google and AT&T or Apple on this topic and a summary of any meetings or discussion.

a.     Apple’s Explanation for Rejection of the Google Voice Application
Apple’s representatives informed Google that the Google Voice application was rejected because Apple believed the application duplicated the core functionality of the iPhone. The Apple representatives indicated that the company did not want applications that could potentially replace such functionality.

b.     Apple’s explanation for Rejection of the Google Latitude Application
Apple’s representatives informed Google that the Google Latitude application was rejected because Apple believed the application had the potential to: (i) replace the preloaded maps application, (ii) create user confusion since the preloaded maps application on the iPhone is a version of Google Maps, and (iii) offer new features not present in the preloaded maps application (which might contribute to the user confusion referenced above). The Apple representatives indicated that the company did not want such applications that could potentially replace such functionality and potentially create user confusion.

c.     Communications between Google and AT&T on this Topic
None

d.     Communications between Google and Apple on this Topic
A series of in-person meetings, phone calls, and emails between July 5 and July 28, 2009, Apple and Google representatives discussed the approval status of the Google Voice application that was submitted on June 2, 2009. The primary points of contact between the two companies were Alan Eustace, Google Senior Vice President of Engineering & Research, and Phil Schiller, Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing. On July 7, Mr. Eustace and Mr. Schiller spoke over the phone. It was during this call that Mr. Schiller informed Mr. Eustace that Apple was rejecting the Google Voice application for the reasons described above in 2(a)

In a series of in-person meetings, phone calls, and emails between March 5 and April 10, 2009, Apple and Google representatives discussed the approval status of the Google Latitude application that was submitted on February 27, 2009. The primary points of contact between the two companies were again Mr. Eustace and Mr. Schiller. On April 10, Mr. Eustace met with Mr. Schiller in person at Apple’s offices. It was at this meeting that Mr. Schiller informed Mr. Eustace that Apple was rejecting the Latitude application for the reasons described above in 2(b).

So what I want to know is who is committing perjury here? Apple or Google? Maybe a way around the Latitude problem would be for Google to just work with Apple to use Latitude as a replacement for the stock Maps application. As far as Google Voice goes, hoping for iPhone OS integration may be a bit much but it sure would solve “user confusion”. I think though that if you go through the trouble to find, download, and install Google Voice, you probably won’t be confused by GV and the stock Phone app.

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Samsung Applications Get New Digs

Marilyn Torres — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 03:14:15 +0000

Coming up on September 4th, Samsung will be opening their new app store! The value of the TouchWiz UI just skyrocketed. At first the only devices that will be able to support the app store will be the Omnia and I8910 HD, but the selection of devices able to download from the store will later expand. Customers will be able to download over air from a compatible selections of apps specific to their devices.

Over 300 native applications meeting Samsung’s content guidelines will be available at launch, expected to grow to over 2,000 by the end of 2009. Users can browse the website, www.samsungapps.com, for details, see featured applications and participate in online events.

Companies like Capcom, Diotek, Electronic Arts, Handmark, and Paragon SW are among the first providers of applications in the app store so this whole app marketplace looks like it will offer variety without sacrificing quality. As long as internal storage and other specs for Samsung devices’ specs keep improving, the only way is up. The UK, France, and Italy will be able to reap the appy goodness at www.samsungapps.com while 30 other countries will have to wait a little longer.

Source: NewsWire

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BlackBerry App World Up On The Interwebs

Sam Hobson — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:57:00 +0000

RIM just launched the online desktop version of BlackBerry App World. It used to just be a client on the phone. With the online version, you can browse all of the available apps and search by name, free apps only, paid apps only, newest apps, etc.

While you can browse the apps, you cannot purchase or download from the online storefront. The feature is just around the corner, but for now we have a “Get It Now” button that will send a link to our Berry that will open up App World to the app.

Check it out!

via BlackBerry Cool

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TomTom Goes Live

Adam Wyss — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:15:26 +0000

Over the weekend TomTom went live in the App Store down under leading many to speculate a pending US release. Well those people were right as the much anticipated TomTom iPhone app is now live in the App Store and like many of us feared, it is not cheap. The price of just the US app is $99.99! My guess is that they did that as to not cannibalize the sales of their standalone GPS units. TomTom is a big player in the GPS market and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Garmin try to get in on this too since we have TomTom and Navigon selling iPhone apps next to their standalone units.

In other GPS news, there is still no price on the TomTom car kit however it was confirmed that the app would work with the iPod Touch when paired with the car kit despite the app being listed as iPhone only in the App Store listing. TomTom also confirmed that the dock would work with other 3rd party programs. We’ll have to see how this will work. Hopefully it will be a seamless experience that doesn’t require any coding on the part of Navigon, Sygic, and other 3rd party devs.

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CoPilot Live Released…Actually Affordable

Adam Wyss — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 22:34:49 +0000

Last night we saw the release of yet another turn by turn GPS application to the App Store: CoPilot Live. In just one week in the UK App Store, it became the #1 paid navigation application and #20 overall! This app is similar to offerings from Navigon, TomTom, and Sygic in that you only pay for the app once and all the maps and POIs you need are included, unlike AT&T Navigator which charges a monthly service fee. Also unlike their competitors, this app is priced to move! Here is a quick price comparison chart:

Name	Price	Monthly Fee
CoPilot	$34.99	N/A
Navigon	$69.99	N/A
Sygic (US Only)	$39.99	N/A
Sygic (North America)	$79.99	N/A
AT&T Navigator	Free	$9.99 on AT&T bill
TomTom	???	???

CoPilot Live has all the features of the “big boy” apps such as voice guided turn by turn directions and even “live” features such as a 5 day weather forecast and location sharing via their proprietary CoPilot LiveLink service.

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iPhone 3.0 Changes: 2 Steps Forward, 1 Step Back

Adam Wyss — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:12:30 +0000

Currently, when you are downloading an already purchased app via the App Store on the iPhone that you have already paid for, Apple allows you to download that app again for free. Well, the free bandwidth bandwagon may be coming to an end soon once 3.0 is rolled out to the masses. Many major blogs are picking up on this story from over the weekend and to me this seems like a major step backwards for 3.0. Many people are speculating that it is because Apple is allowing people to switch between multiple accounts in the OS itself and that this is their way to curb app piracy. While I can understand this point of view, I feel that this is a huge mistake on Apple’s part. If they will not allow us to have expandable storage via SD or micro SD like Windows Mobile, Android, Web OS, and Symbian, then we should be able to redownload our apps on the go. We may finally be getting MMS and copy & paste however I would be willing to give up official copy & paste in order to keep the free downloading.

(Image Courtesy: MobileCrunch)

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