Category: I-phone

The Google Voice app for iPhone was updated today with support for the iPad and iPod touch. According to the official Google Voice blog, the update will let your iPod touch or iPad send and receive messages and enjoy other features of the service, except making calls.

However, you can use your iPad or iPod touch running Google Voice to initiate a call on your iPhone with something called Click2Call. The way it works is simple. Just select the number you’d like to call and then tap the phone you’d like to use. That phone will ring and when you pick up, Google Voice will complete the call. I don’t know why you wouldn’t just use the iPhone in the first place, but there it is.

There are some other cool features as well. For instance, enabling push notifications disables text forwarding, so you don’t receive duplicate messages. Plus, a new “Do Not Disturb” setting sends callers straight to voicemail. Finally, there’s a new Contacts button in the dialer tab for easy access and texting is quicker with the removal of the OK button.

It sounds like a nice update and you can grab it here.

Google Voice app update supports iPad, iPod touch originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thanks to questionable security practices at Gawker Media (publishing parent of many high-profile websites including Gizmodo and Lifehacker), a number of people are busy scrambling to change their passwords on a lot of different sites today. Gawker stored encrypted passwords on its servers instead of password hashes (and stored those passwords using the deprecated DES standard), so as a result of some weekend hacking, a lot of email addresses and passwords were stolen.

Gawker Media is asking anyone who uses its comment system to change their password immediately, and if they used the same email address and password on other websites, they should change those passwords as well. If you have used any of the Gawker sites in the past, you can use Slate’s Gawker Hack widget to determine if your email address and password was part of the group that was compromised. Some other sites like LinkedIn are proactively disabling the accounts of users who were included in the data dump, requiring them to reset their passwords before they can get back in.

Common sense dictates that for the best security, every website account should have a separate password; you should never use a dictionary word, birthday or family name as your password; strong passwords always need a mix of capitals and lowercase letters, numbers and (if acceptable to the service you’re logging into) punctuation/non-alphanumerics. (The number of people who used ‘password’ or ‘123456’ as their comment login in the Gawker system is truly shocking.)

However, our puny human brains don’t work well with strong passwords; we just can’t remember a lot of passwords that are random gibberish, and even using mnemonics and other tricks for password generation can fill up the ol’ brain pretty quickly. There are some ways to generate strong passwords that are associated with just one website — and keep them recorded securely on your Mac or in the cloud — so click that Read More link to see how.

Continue reading Mac 101: Securing your passwords after the Gawker breach

Mac 101: Securing your passwords after the Gawker breach originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A group of Japanese publishers are censuring Apple after copyrighted material was reportedly scanned and distributed through the iOS App Store. The group points to numerous App Store applications that are illegally re-publishing the works of well-known Japanese authors, including Haruki Murakami and Keigo Higashino.The Japanese group, which includes book, eBook, digital comic, and magazine publishers, is requesting a meeting with Apple’s Japan unit to discuss this problem with piracy.

Heightening the tension is Apple’s response to these copyright violations. The Cupertino company says it does not have the resources to scan every app submission for copyright violations. Its current policy is to remove the app when a copyright violation is reported. This apparently is not sufficient for the Japanese publishers who claim this is “a wholly unconvincing explanation.”

This dispute is reminiscent of the ongoing legal between YouTube and Viacom over copyrighted material that appears on the popular video website. From the start, Viacom has pushed YouTube to improve its pre-approval screening process to detect and filter out copyrighted material before it is published.

As the iPad and the iPhone continue to gain in popularity, look for this App Store copyright problem to continue. Right now the Japanese publishers are willing to talk, but other publishers may not be so amicable in the future. Let’s hope Apple can work out any kinks before they are forced to duke it out in court.

Japanese publishers censure Apple over App Store violations originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba is rumored to be building a factory to manufacture high-resolution LCD displays for Apple, according to a report in the Nikkei Business Daily. The Japanese company may spend 100 billion yen ($1.9 billion USD as of this writing) to build the factory which is expected to be ready for production in the second half of 2011. With this new plant, Toshiba will be able to double its current LCD production level, which now hovers around 8.55 million units per month. Apple is reportedly investing an unknown sum into the construction of this plant and will use it to produce retina displays for future iPhone models. This a switch for Apple as current iPhone models use a retina display manufactured by LG.

Apple’s investment in a manufacturing facility to build retina displays is a wise move. Rival HTC struggled earlier this year with display panel shortages that affected sales of its flagship Android handset models. Both the Verizon Wireless HTC Incredible and the Sprint EVO 4G were out of stock for over a month due to LCD shortages. The manufacturer reportedly slowed production on the Nexus One and the HTC Desire as AMOLED shortages forced them to shift to a Super LCD display. By investing in a dedicated manufacturing facility, Apple would be able to secure an ample supply of display panels for its popular mobile devices. If shortages hit the overall LCD market, the effect on Apple will be minimal.

Hopefully, this rumor pans out as it would put Apple in a good position to meet the ever increasing demand for the iPhone. While Apple has not commented, Toshiba has denied the report, claiming it is has not made a commitment to produce LCD panels for Apple.

Apple, Toshiba to build $1.1B Retina Display factory originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As the Xserve approaches its end-of-life, Apple has eliminated the SSD build-to-order option. Instead, you’ll have to choose either a 160GB, 1TB or 2TB serial ATA ADM drive at 7200-rpm to fill each of its three bays.

AppleInsider and 9to5 both note that SSD promotional copy was in place this morning, but it has since been removed from Apple’s Xserve page. Apple announced the Xserve’s eventual demise in November. Remaining stock will be sold until January 31st, and machines still in operation will continue to be supported until they give up the ghost.

If you still want one of these machines, hop to it as the clock is ticking. In the meantime, Apple has published the transition document [PDF] for those moving to the Mac mini server or Mac Pro with Snow Leopard Server.

Xserve no longer offers SSD option originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dropbox is already a very powerful utility for Mac OS X, but if you’re knowledgable in Unix, you can make it even better. Here are five ways that you can use Unix to get more out of Dropbox.

1. I wanted to update my copy of the HTML processing tool Tidy today. I was happy to find instructions for building Tidy under Snow Leopard, but it also reminded me of another way that I’ve been using Dropbox for some time now.

If you compile and install Unix utilities on your own instead of using MacPorts, Fink or Rudix, you will most often be asked where you want to install these utilities to. Normally the answer is /usr/local/, and you would use ./configure -prefix=/usr/local. I became frustrated with installing programs to /usr/local/ because I use two or three different Macs, and I would inevitably find that I was trying to use a program on a computer where it wasn’t installed. I’d have to find it, download it, configure it, compile it and install it before I could actually do whatever it was that I wanted to do.

Continue reading Five Dropbox tips for Mac Unix nerds

Five Dropbox tips for Mac Unix nerds originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Here’s a quick heads-up. MobileMe will go down for maintenance tonight. Specifically, MobileMe account maintenance will take place on 12/14/2010 between 22:00 and 23:00 PT, while MobileMe sync maintenance will occur on 12/14/2010 between 22:00 PT and 12/15/2010 00:00 PT.

Apple notes, “Due to scheduled maintenance, some MobileMe members may be unable to sync between their computers, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch or view their contacts and calendars at me.com. Normal service is expected to be restored at the end of the maintenance window. We apologize for any inconvenience.”

Just get your work done before then and we’ll see you on the flip side.

[Via 9to5 Mac]

MobileMe will go down for maintenance tonight originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I first covered Winta (styled WINtA on the App Store) back at GDC Online in October, and found it an enjoyable music game from the creator of Parappa the Rapper, Masaya Matsuura. It’s a simple title — different shapes appear on screen, and the player is meant to tap them in order, which ends up going along with the rhythm of the song’s vocals. There’s one free track included with the app (which itself is free to download), and then a number of different songs are available via in-app purchase, each with their own themes and displays.

Plus, the whole project is part of the OneBigGame initiative, so 10 percent of the profits on each track purchased will go to two charities, Save the Children and the Starlight Children’s Foundation, to support the lives of children around the world. OneBigGame has teamed up with both Matsuura and developers Triangle Studios to create the game, and Ngmoco has joined in to share the game (and some achievements) on its own Plus+ social network.

It’s definitely an interesting title — I wouldn’t say it has quite the appeal of a game like Parappa the Rapper, but it’s an interesting multi-touch take on the music genre, and helping out OneBigGame and its cause is definitely an excellent idea. If nothing else, give Winta (short for “War is Not the Answer”) a free download and see what you think.

TUAW’s Daily App: Winta originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Investigative reporter Joshua Kors recently switched to the Mac … then switched right back. It turns out that he and his iMac weren’t a good fit for one another. That’s potentially understandable; switching to the Mac is easier for some people than for others. If a switcher doesn’t have anyone there to walk him through the process, he might get so frustrated by the little differences between Windows and Mac OS X that he may wonder why he bothered switching at all.

On the other hand, some of the more minor difficulties and situations that crop up in the first days of Mac use really shouldn’t have been beyond the grasp of someone with Kors’ impressive credentials. Those of us who are experienced in using Macs may read through Kors’ piece and either laugh or shake our heads in wonder, but someone who knows nothing about using a Mac may read it and take it at face value.

To anyone who’s read through Joshua Kors’ account of his nightmare experience with the Mac, here’s a disclaimer you may be familiar with from commercials: results may vary. In fact, if you have even basic computer literacy skills, you’ll likely find switching to the Mac a far more pleasant experience than Kors did. Click “Read More” to see how Kors’ poor switcher experience could have been improved at several points, and why switching to the Mac is nowhere near as difficult as he’s made it out to be.

Continue reading Switcher Profile: Joshua Kors has no idea how to use a Mac, returns it

Switcher Profile: Joshua Kors has no idea how to use a Mac, returns it originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In yet more news of increasing links between Apple and Verizon, a job posting for a Verizon iPad system engineer has recently surfaced. Although the “engineer” title might make it sound like Apple’s looking for someone to direct, say, putting a CDMA or LTE chipset into the iPad, the job description tells a different story. Apple wants someone who “will be responsible for developing carrier relationships within the carrier technical teams” and “play a critical role in helping key corporate accounts develop confidence in the Apple solution.” Apple’s ‘System Engineers’ are the technical professionals who assist the sales and marketing teams working with key clients, not the folks in the underground laboratories who actually design the products.

Still, it’s also a sign that Apple and Verizon’s iPad relationship may soon go beyond merely selling the existing iPad in Verizon’s stores. We’ve already had word recently that Verizon wants to sell the iPhone and may start selling an LTE iPhone 4 immediately after Christmas, so it’s not surprising that Verizon and Apple’s relationship may be getting much cozier in the near future.

[via Electronista & 9to5 Mac]

Apple’s looking for a Verizon iPad client support person originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A crew of well-known independent Mac developers has banded together to offer a pretty good deal on some Mac software this holiday season. The Indie Mac Gift pack is offering six great Mac apps (Acorn 2, Delicious Library 2, MarsEdit 3, Radioshift, SousChef and Sound Studio 4) for just $60, a savings of more than $200 if purchased separately at full price. That’s a phenomenal deal — in fact, the only reason you probably wouldn’t want to take advantage of it is if you already own a few of these apps, which you might already, given that they’re pretty darn good.

But if you haven’t yet picked these up to use in the past, the gift pack is a nice little bonus right before Christmas. The sale’s going on for over two weeks (right through the holiday season), so you’ve got plenty of time to head over there and both get some great software and support some of our favorite indie Mac devs.

Indie Mac Gift Pack offers discounted Mac software for the holidays originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I’ve been a trivia buff forever, and it seems like my brain has an endless capacity for relatively useless information while it has difficulty remembering important things — like my name, for instance. With over 3,500,000 articles in the English version of Wikipedia, there’s plenty of fodder for gathering information, whether it’s real knowledge or just fun trivia.

One thing that always amazes me is the connections that you can find in Wikipedia. For example, many times I’ve found connections between rock bands while reading about a particular musician. I’ll find that one of his or her bandmates in a certain band later leaves to play in another band that I like. Those kind of connections are what the iPhone game 3 Degrees of Wikipedia (US$0.99) by developer Ivan Zhao is all about.

Upon loading the app for the first time, a five-screen tutorial describes how to play the game. You need to solve puzzles that link two Wikipedia pages. The example used in the tutorial has you link the “Halloween” page on Wikipedia to the “Candy” page. How would you do that? Simple — you’d look for a link to an article on “Trick-or-treating,” which would have a link to the “Candy” page.

Continue reading Play with your brain: 3 Degrees of Wikipedia

Play with your brain: 3 Degrees of Wikipedia originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Surrounded by the likes of singer Justin Bieber, video chat site Chatroulette and rapper Nicki Minaj, the iPad was was among the top Google search engine queries for 2010 according to the annual Google Zeitgeist report. The report is an indicator about what Google users were searching for throughout the year, and coming in second place among the “Fastest Rising” terms of the year and first for “Fastest Rising in Consumer Electronics,” the iPad was definitely on everyone’s mind.

This shouldn’t really come as much of a surprise, with the iPad taking home top honors in Time Magazine’s Top 10 Gadgets list this year while also placing third on Yahoo’s 10 Obsessions of 2010 list. With rumors popping up about the iPad 2 starting to ship by the end of February 2011, I imagine the iPad will maintain a healthy position in the Zeitgeist for next year, too.

Also interesting to note is the “Fastest Falling” list for the year, which includes Susan Boyle, Circuit City and MySpace layouts. I am going to go out on a limb here and assume that MySpace won’t be making a big comeback in 2011, but I’ve been wrong before.

[via Engadget and CNET]

iPad leads gadget search queries in Google’s 2010 Zeitgeist report originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Those TUAW readers who watched TUAW TV Live last Wednesday afternoon were treated to a live unboxing when an 11-inch MacBook Air arrived at my office. The Air was a replacement for a MacBook that I sold to a client, and since I had previously owned (and loved) one of the original MacBook Airs, I decided to go for the 11-inch model.

To be honest, I had a bit of cognitive dissonance after I ordered the little laptop, but that’s gone now since I gave it a real workout last Friday and Saturday at the 360MacDev conference.

In the rest of this short review, I’ll give you my opinions on the speed, battery life, display and other features of the 11-inch MacBook Air. If you’re considering purchasing a MacBook of any type as a Christmas present, be sure to at least take a look at this model.

The price of the 11-inch model starts at US$999 — that’s for a machine with 2GB of RAM, a 64GB SSD and a 1.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor. While that doesn’t sound like much power, the combination of the CPU, the fast SSD and an NVIDIA GeForce 320M GPU makes for a laptop that is much faster than the raw tech specs would indicate.

Continue reading 11-inch MacBook Air review: Tiny awesomeness

11-inch MacBook Air review: Tiny awesomeness originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Three Night Before Christmas versions arrive for iOS

Three Night Before Christmas versions arrive for iOS originally appeared on TUAW on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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