• app store,  apple,  mac,  mac os x,  macbook pro

    Mac App Store Arrives Tomorrow

    January 6, 2011 /

    Apple is set to fling open the virtual doors of their new Mac App Store tomorrow if reports around the web are accurate.

    The Mac App Store will bring the iOS App Store experience to Macintosh computers running Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.  Mac users will be able to browse the Apple hosted selection of Apple and third-partyy developers applications for Mac OS X, and with one click, purchase, download, and install the software on their computers.

    Apple will list free and paid apps, and developers will be given the same 70/30 revenue split currently in effect in the iOS App Store.

    The Mac App Store will go live tomorrow, Jan 6, at 12 noon eastern, 9am pacific.

    [Via AppleInsider.com…]

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  • hp,  web os

    HP webOS Event Scheduled for Feb 9

    January 6, 2011 /

    HP has sent out invitations to a press event they will be holding on February 9 to talk about the new things, big and small, that are coming to the webOS platform.

    The text, “Think big.  Think small.  Think beyond,” is being taken by some to believe that HP’s Palm unit is getting ready to introduce the world to their next devices: the PalmPad and Pixi 2.  The HP Pre 2, running webOS 2.0, is already been launched so it makes little sense to hold an event like this to talk about the coming soon Verizon edition of the Palm Pre 2.

    So there will be no love for the Palm fanatics this year at CES, however, webOS maniacs will be able to get their freak on in just 35 days.

    [Via BoyGeniusReport.com…]

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  • apple,  ipad,  iphone,  itunes,  touch

    Apple Resumes iTunes App Approvals

    December 29, 2010 /

    9To5Mac.com has posted a note today to let us know that Apple’s iTunes Connect department is back from their week long holiday shutdown.

    That means that we will start seeing new apps and updates to exiting apps showing up in iTunes and on our iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches in the next day or so.  It also means that the pricing freeze is over, and we should expect to see applications and games that were heavily discounted during the Christmas holiday returning to normal.

    If you have been putting off getting that game or app while it has been on sale, better get it soon!

    [Via 9To5Mac.com…]

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  • apple,  att,  blackberry,  droid,  evo,  google,  hp,  iphone,  ipod,  palm,  pre,  sprint,  torch,  touch,  verizon

    Year End Deals on iPods, iPads, iPhones, Smartphones

    December 27, 2010 /

    Didn’t get the cool new phone or iDevice for Christmas that you were hoping for?  Are you sitting on a pile of cash or gift cards?  Don’t worry!  There are still deals to be had on new and refurbished hardware between now and the end of the year.

    Apple (Refurbished Hardware)

    • iPod Classic (Silver or Black) – $209
    • iPod touch 32GB (third generation) – $229
    • iPod touch 64GB (third generation) – $299
    • iPad Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G – $50-100 off refurbished units

    AT&T Wireless (Refurbished Hardware)

    • Apple iPhone 4 16GB – $99, $36 activation fee
    • Apple iPhone 4 32GB – $199, $36 activation fee
    • Apple iPhone 3GS 8/16/32GB – $29/$49/79, $36 activation fee
    • BlackBerry Torch – $9.99, activation fee waived
    • HP Palm Pre Plus – $0.00, activation fee waived
    • HTC Aria – $0.01, activation fee waived

    Keep reading for Verizon Wireless and Sprint phones.

    Sprint

    • BlackBerry Bold 9650 – $150 off online order
    • BlackBerry Curve 3G – $200 off online order
    • HP Palm Pixi – Free when ordered online
    • HTC Evo 4G – $150 off online order

    Verizon Wireless

    • HTC Droid Incredible – $149.99, BOGO
    • BlackBerry Curve 3G 9330 – $49.99, BOGO
    • BlackBerry Bold 9650 – $99.99, BOGO
    • HP Palm Pixi Plus – $0.00

    Depending on the phone model and service plan, a $36 activation fee may apply.

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  • games,  ios,  iphone,  touch

    Angry Birds for iPhone/iPod Touch Updated to 1.5.0

    December 23, 2010 /

    Angry Birds for the iPhone and iPod touch has been upgraded to version 1.5.0 following Monday’s update to Angry Birds HD for the iPad.

    The Angry Birds 1.5.0 update includes:

    • A new theme in the Frontier Badlands
    • 15 new levels and one new golden egg
    • Game Center support
    • Introduces the Mighty Eagle

    [Notes] The Mighty Eagle feature is a $0.99 in app purchase.

    Head over to the iTunes Store or hit the App Store on your iPhone/iPod touch to get in on all the new bird flinging action!

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  • android,  apple,  appletv,  google,  ipad,  itunes,  podcast

    SPF360 Podcast Show 2

    December 22, 2010 /

    For the second SPF360 podcast, I discuss:

    • Google Nexus S smartphone
    • “Price Wars” in the iTunes App Store
    • Apple sells 1 million second generation Apple TVs
    • Angry Birds HD 1.5.0 for iPad
    • In-App purchases and how to protect yourself from unexpected charges

     Listening Options
     
    I have submitted the SPF360 .m4a podcast feed to Apple for review, and with any luck, publication.  In the meantime, please use the following listening choices.

    SmartphoneFanatics.com RSS feed (for use in your favorite podcast catcher)
    Direct .m4a Download
    Direct .mp3 Download

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    • apple,  appletv,  itunes

      Briefly Noted: 1 Million Apple TVs Sold

      December 21, 2010 /

      By way of a brief Apple press release, we have learned that sales of Apple’s second generation Apple TV have crossed the 1 million mark.

      Long considered a “hobby” by Apple CEO Steve Jobs, the Apple TV has not been met by the same commercial success as iTunes and the iPod.

      “Apple® today announced that it expects sales of its new Apple TV® to top one million units later this week. The new Apple TV offers the simplest way to watch your favorite HD movies and TV shows, stream content from Netflix, YouTube, Flickr and MobileMe℠, all on your HD TV for the breakthrough price of just $99. iTunes® users are now renting and purchasing over 400,000 TV episodes and over 150,000 movies per day.

      Now with AirPlay®, recently available in iOS 4.2, users can wirelessly stream their music, video and photos from iPad™, iPhone® and iPod touch® to their new Apple TV, making it the perfect iOS accessory. Users can also control Apple TV with their iPad, iPhone or iPod touch using the Remote app, available as a free app on the App Store℠.”

      The second generation Apple TV is available now from Apple’s online store, Apple retail stores, and authorized resellers for $99.
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    • games,  ios,  ipad

      Angry Birds HD 1.5.0 Update Released [UPDATED]

      December 20, 2010 /

      Rovio Mobile, the makers of the insanely popular bird launching game, Angry Birds, has released Angry Birds HD 1.5.0 for the Apple iPad last night.

      This update includes:

      • A new theme in the Frontier Badlands
      • 15 new levels and one new golden egg
      • Game Center support
      • Introduces the Mighty Eagle

      [Update] The Mighty Eagle feature is a $0.99 in app purchase.

      My kids have been watching the trailer for the Mighty Eagle for weeks now and can’t wait for this update.

      For current owners, this is a free update.  If you haven’t yet gotten in to an avian flinging addiction yet, you can purchase Angry Birds HD from the iTunes Store (link) for $4.99.

      Read More