Sirius XM have announced their first radio dock for Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch, the XM SkyDock taking advantage of OS 3.0’s third-party peripheral integration to add a satellite radio tuner to the handheld and have it controlled by the new companion app. The dock slots into a car’s power point, supporting the PMP with a flexible arm and custom cradle, and not only allows for listening to Sirius XM radio but for tagging tracks that you later want to buy on iTunes.
With augmented reality (AR) taking off as smartphone hardware ramps up to support the sort of real-time processing they demand, it’s about time the first such app for the iPhone made it through to Apple’s App Store. Seemingly meeting the Cupertino approval council’s grade where others have reportedly failed, Metro Paris Subway is the handiwork of a French team of developers and overlays information about Paris businesses over a live view of the surroundings as seen by the iPhone’s camera.
Video demo after the cut
Unlocking an iPhone became something of a fascination with people some time ago, and it still goes on today. While there are many ways to do it described online, most notably by the people over at the DevTeam and their unofficial unlocking process, people tend to want it done for them, and even if they have to do it, they don’t want a lot of steps. Let’s consider the fact that many people who go through the unlocking process might not know exactly the ins-and-outs of what their doing, so going through the process might terrify them, and even warrant a pass on the whole ordeal altogether.
RealNetworks have submitted a Rhapsody iPhone app to the Apple App Store for approval; if it passes Apple’s notorious software guardians, it will allow on-demand streaming of Rhapsody’s 8m+ tracks over WiFi and 3G connections. In addition, the Rhapsody To Go iPhone app – which will also run on the iPod touch – gives access to the users’ own library and existing playlists.
Access to the app will require subscribing to Rhapsody To Go, currently priced at $14.99 per month, while the app itself will be free. There’ll also be a free trial for new subscribers, though no word on how long it will last.
Video demo after the cut
Sling Media’s new version of SlingPlayer Mobile for the iPhone and iPod touch, version 1.1, has been approved by Apple. That means users of the place-shifting TV streamers can now watch footage in true widescreen, as well having native DISH Network control with a new on-device navigation app. The new version also improves response times, so the whole experience should be snappier.
Unfortunately there’s still no 3G support, so you’re limited to using a WiFi connection to get your remote viewing fix. Sling did submit a version of the SlingPlayer Mobile app to Apple which supports 3G connections, albeit intended only for international markets rather than in the US, but there’s no word on whether that too has been approved or is still mired in the bowels of Cupertino.
Something to ponder over at the most, debate about at the least. Let’s face it, Apple has been known to put the reigns on things they don’t think is necessary. You may agree with the giant’s work ethic, and others may not, but in the end it seems to be working out for them one way or another. This may be one of those random things that doesn’t amount to anything, but considering what “the Zune HD” can do, maybe it’s time that Apple takes a look at the capabilities of their monster hit, and quit holding it back.
Windows Mobile has been around for a long time. It started life in 1996 as Windows CE (which some say stood for Consumer Electronics and Microsoft insisted was an acronym for nothing) with the first clamshell device coming from Casio, called the Cassiopeia. Over time, it’s evolved into a stable platform, with both enterprise and consumer appeal and devices from multiple vendors available for carriers around the world. Despite selling 20 million devices last year, there’s still a lot of negative buzz about the platform. Bloggers, analysts and journalists have all called the platform’s future into question (while still calling for a mythical Microsoft-created phone) and continue to raise the question of platform viability. I think the latest version of Windows Mobile, 6.5 addresses many of those issues along with strong support from OEMs who are still committed to the platform and will help drive business adoption further over the next 18 months.
Apple are reportedly beginning an investigation into the various cases where iPhones have exploded in Europe, a sensible tactic considering the spate of hissing, steaming and smashing smartphones we’ve heard of over the past few weeks. The company maintains its belief that “these are isolated incidents and that there is not a general problem”, however.
TomTom’s PND app for the iPhone 3G and 3GS may already be splitting opinion among early reviewers, but we’re yet to see how the company’s dedicated car-kit fares. Even if you pick one up and find you’re less than enamored with the TomTom app, the company has confirmed to Mac4Ever that not only does the mount have an integrated GPS receiver but that it is compatible with other PND apps. They’ve also revealed that the iPod touch will work in the car-kit just like the iPhone 3G and 3GS.
After Palm’s Pre was heavily criticized last week over claims that the handset collected location data regarding the user and transmitted that back to the company, a developer has spotted that at least one third-party iPhone library, in use by several apps, does something similar. The library is by Pinch Media and is used to track app owner data; it does this by recording not only location when you first start the app but your physical movements (among other things) while the app is open.
Pinch Media’s library is used by developers – such as those behind free iPhone titles Camera Zoom and Twitterfon – to collect analysis data on app usage and common problems. However the library does not give the user any way of monitoring or shutting off the tracking; agree to it when you install the host software, and it will continue to gather data for as long as you use the app. If you don’t have a network connection then the location data will be cached and sent when you’re next online.
Full list of collected personal information after the cut
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