All Articles Tagged iPhone

Twitbit [$4.99 - iTunes link] is a Twitter client for iPhone and iPod touch that includes built-in push notification for not only @mentions but direct messages as well.

It was not long ago that Rene introduced us all to the app, and we wouldn’t be telling the truth if we didn’t say things started off pretty rough with the initial launch. TiPb is happy to report, however, with the latest upcoming update, 1.1, things have changed greatly.

• More granular push configuration
• Selectively push DMs, mentions, neither, or both.
• Better push support while the app is running (new message badges, vibrations, etc.)
• New direct message workflow
• Summary/inbox view that’s modeled after the built-in “Messages” app, organized by user
• Threaded conversations
• Landscape tweet and direct message composition
• Built-in photo browser with landscape support
• Landscape mode in the built-in web browser
• Saved searches
• Person search
• Saved timeline position
• More tweet actions (open in browser, send in email)
• More browser actions (send in email, post link in tweet)
• Customizable tab order
• Customizable re-tweet format
• Fix for the “HTTP 401″ error when posting tweets and direct messages.
• Lots of other UI enhancements and bug fixes

TiPb has been putting this latest beta through it’s paces the past two weeks and so far so we’ve been impressed. Look for Twitbit 1.1 to hit Apple’s App Store any day now.

Pictures of Twitbit 1.1 in action after the break!

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UPDATE: Gizmodo received a statement from Apple regarding the 3.0.1 software update:

We appreciate the information provided to us about SMS vulnerabilities which affect several mobile phone platforms. This morning, less than 24 hours after a demonstration of this exploit, we’ve issued a free software update that eliminates the vulnerability from the iPhone. Contrary to what’s been reported, no one has been able to take control of the iPhone to gain access to personal information using this exploit.

ORIGINAL: Apple just went ahead and dropped the iPhone OS 3.0.1 software update for all users to grab directly from iTunes. Still no mention on Apple’s site of what exactly this update includes besides the patching of the recently discovered SMS vulnerability – just don’t expect much of anything else except for the possibility of some potential bug fixes.

Updated yet? Notice anything new? Not going to update? Let us know in the comments below!

As with any update from Apple, if you are currently running the 3.0 software jailbroken, do not update if you wish to keep your device in it’s current state. Updating will break your jailbreak.

Apple has finally gotten around to posting a support article based upon the dangers of hacking your iPhone via the process of jailbreaking. The list of possible side effects are indeed accurate, lets take a look at what is listed:

• Device and application instability
• Unreliable voice and data
• Disruption of services
• Compromised security
• Shortened battery life
• Inability to apply future software updates

The article is then ended with the warning that if you do jailbreak you run the risk of Apple denying you any type of service to your device if needed.

It is also important to note that unauthorized modification of the iPhone OS is a violation of the iPhone end-user license agreement and because of this, Apple may deny service for an iPhone or iPod touch that has installed any unauthorized software.

So everything mentioned here is 100% legitimate based upon what TiPb has seen with many users in our forums. On the flip side, many users have zero issues, including myself.

In the end, if you are considering jailbreaking your device or already have – you should be well aware of the possible negative side effects this process may cause.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

The Jabra SP200 Speakerphone for iPhone 3G/3GS [$59-95 - TiPb Store link] is a great Bluetooth headset alternative that you really have to try yourself to fully appreciate. I can not recommend it enough.

I’ve been using the Jabra SP200 for about a month now and I can honestly say that I’ve stopped using every single Bluetooth headset I own while driving my car. Simply connect the SP200 to your cars visor, flip the power switch and you are good to go. And go you will – Jabra claims the battery life comes in at 10 hours of talk time and 23 days of standby time. I am happy to report that these claims are dead on accurate.

Now to get to the most important part of a Bluetooth device, sound quality. I was pleasantly surprised on how well not only the person I would speak to sounded, but how well I came across to them as well. Volume is definitely not an issue with the SP200 as not once have I had to turn it up to it’s full capability.

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UPDATE: DaringFireball claims a source has confirmed that Apple pulled Google Voice apps at the request of AT&T. GigaOm, by contrast, wonders why AT&T would ban Google Voice (and Skype, and SlingBox) on the iPhone and allow them on BlackBerry, for example. We don’t know of course, but we guess nothing else scares AT&T like the iPhone — it’s the first multi-million selling consumer smartphone success, people actually use its features, and it hits their balsa-wood network like a freight-train. -Rene

ORIGINAL: Apple has systematically removed and/or rejected all Google Voice apps for the iPhone (and iPod touch) from the iTunes App Store, whether by Google themselves or by third party developers.

Rejection is something we’ve all become very familiar with since the inception Apple’s App Store. However, Apple picking off the two Google Voice applications that were already available in the App Store (GV Mobile and Voicecentral) along with flat out rejecting Google’s official application, is something else.

It all started with Sean Kovacs’ GV Mobile client, which originally became available last week (according to Kovacs after being approved by Apple VP Phil Schiller himself), being yanked from the App Store for allegedly duplicating the iPhone’s calling and text messaging features. When Apple contacted Kovacs, no specifics were given on what needs to be changed to get his app back into the store and Kovacs claims Apple refused to send an e-mail to confirm that GV Mobile was yanked. The following is from Kovacs blog:

Richard Chipman from Apple just called – he told me they’re removing GV Mobile from the App Store due to it duplicating features that the iPhone comes with (Dialer, SMS, etc). He didn’t actually specify which features, although I assume the whole app in general. He wouldn’t send a confirmation email either – too scared I would post it. I’ll see what I can do to get it back up there gang…

Voicecentral has since also disappeared from existence within the App Store. They have been less vocal as there is not a single mention of the disappearance on their website.

Is this Apple’s doing or more of a carrier-forced rejection? TiPb thinks the carriers are pulling Apple’s rejection strings on this one as Google Voice has the potential to hit the carriers where it hurts – free SMS messages, cheaper phone calls, etc…

What do you readers think about these rejections?

[Via AppleInsider]

While all of the 2010 Verizon iPhone/Tablet rumors are still in the air, Verizon has seen a very real loss of profit this last quarter. Their total profit was $3.16 billion, which was down from $3.4 billion one year ago. According to Denny Strigl, Verizon’s president, this loss is partly due to AT&T and iPhone 3GS.

“When you think about what Apple has done in bringing the iPhone into the marketplace, it truly has accelerated innovation. And as we talk to all of our manufacturers, everybody has come out with their own iconic device, and I think that this has been very good overall for our customers.”

Verizon is planning to launch a few iPhone competitors in the near future with the Palm Pre and the new BlackBerry Storm 2, along with some Google Android phones. Make no mistake, those are some nice phones, but none of them have an Apple logo on the back side.

2010 should be a very interesting year…

[Via AppleInsider]

Still searching for that perfect online music streaming application for your iPhone? Spotify may be exactly what you are looking for.

Spotify is a online streaming music service that gives you access to over-the-air streaming of their entire music library, as well as playlist access. Where this application has a leg up on the competition is that you’ll be able to cache playlists locally on your iPhone while in WiFi areas so that you’ll be able to play them back at any time without any data connection. Spotify will be available as a free app download but will only be available to premium customers who pay £9.99 a month for the service.

Now comes the disappointing part of the story — Spotify is not available here in the United States or Canada due to licensing restrictions. Sorry folks, we will have to make do with Pandora, Pocket Tunes, etc…

How many of you, our valued readers, think Apple will let this one slip into the App Store? Will it get rejected for “duplicating functionality”? Or will it mysteriously disappear into the abyss like so many applications before it?

[Thanks to icebike & Sam for the tip!]

Speaking at Fortune’s Brainstorm tech conference, AT&T CEO, Randall Stephenson, discussed the iPhone and it’s exclusivity with AT&T.

“There will be a day when you are not exclusive with the iPhone.”

Nothing was discussed regarding any negotiations that may be taking place at this time between the two companies but be assured that AT&T will do everything and anything in it’s power to keep Apple’s device under lock and key for as long as it possibly can.

All good things must come to an end, however. With that being said, AT&T’s exclusitivity deal with Apple’s iPhone is no different. It will eventually end. Sure there are those of you out there that can’t wait until Apple breaks free of it’s chains from AT&T, just don’t count on that happening anytime in the near future.

[Via Engadget Mobile]

It’s that time again where TiPb selects some of the hottest topics on the forums and spotlights them right here. In order for you to reply to any of the following threads, you must be a registered member. Becoming a member is a painless process that will only take a few minutes of your time, so if you haven’t already, head on over and register now.

First thread for today revolves around iPhone hardware and how well it’s held up for you. So how is your iPhone hardware? Did you get a device that is pretty much perfect or are you one of the unlucky people who got a lemon? So far the majority of forum members are very happy with their defect-free iPhones. Cast your vote now!

Next up we have forum member, rrrl17, posing an interesting question – what do you think about Apple adding a extra button on iPhone? My personal opinion is if it is not broke, don’t fix it. What are you thoughts on this one?

So you say the ringtones that comes preloaded on iPhone just don’t cut it for you. Well if you are in need of a certain ringtone and can’t seem to find it – check out the following thread started by Live Free, Ringtone Requests. This is the perfect place to get that hard to find ringtone that you’ve been searching for.

Today’s final thread is very straight forward – what is your favorite Twitter application? You have a ton of them to choose from. Anything from Tweetie, Twitterriffic, Twitbit, Tweetdeck, etc… the list goes on and on. What’s your favorite?

See you on the forums!

As part of the just-completed Q3 2009 conference call, Apple chief operating officer Tim Cook revealed that the iPhone OS, the software behind both the iPhone and iPod touch, now enjoys an install base of over 45 million.

Combined with previous announcements of 65,000 apps, 100,000 registered developers, and 1.5 billion downloads, and it looks like Apple has quite the mobile platform on their hands. Scratch that, they have quite the platform in consumer hands.