iPhone 4G Coming Out This July

At this point, a lot of people are eagerly awaiting the coming of the iPhone 4G. And for now, all we can rely on is the CDMA version of the iPhone 4G which is being tested by Verizon Wireless. But you don’t have to fret since by June, official specs of the much anticipated iPhone 4G will most likely be released at the WWDC conference.

And so for now, we can just imagine what the new iPhone 4G would come out with. Rumors have it that it will have awesome features that include video chat, multi-tasking and extreme downloading. This iPhone 4g could also have dual core processors and higher and powerful graphic chips that can deliver higher video resolutions and better "still" images when taking pictures.

Well these are all speculations and while we don’t want to ruin the party, just wait and see. The iPhone 4G looks promising in terms of being sleek, packed with new hardware and multi-tasking software.

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Google Voice Eventually Appears in iPhone

Apple is a company that has superior quality gadgets, but I felt it necessary to focus on the way they deal with possible competitors. One of their biggest news this year was the way did away with Google Voice applications--and one of these was VoiceCentral. Now a few months later, it seems that Google Voice will be making a comeback to the iPhone through Black Swan anyway.

How will it be able to bypass being banned in the App Store? Easy: it'll run in the browser.

When you dial a number, Google Voice simply makes a call to your iPhone while simultaneously calling the number of the person you are trying to reach, so you still pay for the voice minutes. But the appeal of having Google Voice on your iPhone is the ability to read transcribed voicemails, or play them, and avoid SMS charges by texting through Google Voice.

You can't use the contact list in the iPhone as it's running on the browser. So to get around this I suggest you duplicate your contact list in your iPhone in Google Voice. Although you may access the mobile site freely, using it will require you to pay an amount.

This is a good sign for developers who feel that Apple's App Store is just too strict or for those who want to earn more for themselves. Is this the beginning of paid applications on the browser for the iPhone and the end of application hosting on the App Store? New year coming, new ways of using the iPhone coming...

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Apple Leaks! 3MP Cams in iPhone and New Tablets

Image via CrunchBase

Finally we get to read some Apple leaks again! And it's not just about the iPhone mind you, we'll be talking about the iPod and another possible Apple gadget that may take the tech world again by storm. Will this mean that the next year is going to be Apple's year again?

3MP Cams in iPhone 4 Gen and Future iPods?

If Digitimes wrote it right, they just inadvertently spilled the beans that the iPhone 4Gen and the next sets of iPods will be having 3.2 Megapixels over the old 2 Megapixels they have today:

"The sources said OmniVision has secured 5-megapixel CIS orders for the next-generation iPhone model, which will hit shelves sometime during the second half of 2010. OmniVision snatched 3.2-megapixel CIS orders for Apple's iPhone 3GS, beating out Aptina Imaging which supplies the 2-megapixel CIS solution for the iPhone 3G."

Hopefully this means better camera shots and videos coming out of the iPhone 4Gen and iPods in the next year.

Apple Tablets are coming!

According to Boy Genius, they're certain that a 7 inch Apple Tablet is in the works and will be announced next month.

"Our connect said there is 100% a 7″ Apple tablet, to be announced in January, and whether this is in addition to a 10″ model, they don’t know. Would we bet the farm on this? No, but they’ve been amazingly accurate for us in the past..."

So we're actually waiting on TWO tablets? Wow! How will this affect current Netbooks? Will the tablets be better than the Mac? Are Apple shooting themselves in the foot?

Source of New 3MP Cams
Source of Apple Tablets

Droid: Jailbroken and Beats iPhone in Time Mag List!

It's been a long time since I wrote about the Motorola Droid. The last time I did was when it launched, after that there was nothing. A lot of people praised the Motorola Droid as the one to beat Apple's iPhone 3GS and if Time's correct, it already did. However, with such a high profile phone, there's bound to be people who want to break it like they did the iPhone, and they just did.

Droid is Jailbroken!

There have been reports going around that the Motorola Droid has been finally "rooted" or for those not technically inclined--the Operating System has been opened up and anyone can muck around with it. The one who announced it was Cyanogen who tweeted it. However the one who hacked it was a person named Zinx Verituse.

So what does this mean for current Droid owners who wants to root their phone?

A rooted Droid means the user will have administrative rights and the ability to control every aspect of the phone, not just those that Motorola or Verizon have provided access to. A person will be able to download widgets that allow them to overclock their processor or install themes that dramatically change the appearance of their phone. Cyanogen offers custom builds that truly customize a device and provides easy access to hidden features.

Just remember that rooting your phone has also a great chance of totally bricking it.

Droid Beats iPhone in Time List!

According to Time Magazine, the Motorola Droid is the number one gadget of 2009, beating the iPhone (who sits at a lowly four).

"The Droid is a hefty beast, a metal behemoth without the gloss and finish of the iPhone, but you don’t miss it. The Droid’s touchscreen is phenomenally sharp and vivid, it has an actual physical (not great, but good enough) keyboard, and best of all, the Droid is on Verizon’s best-of-breed 3G network. It’s Android’s first credible challenge to the iPhone."

Congrats to Motorola for beating the iPhone on this list!

Jailbreaken Droid Source
Time Magazine Top 10 Gadgets of 2009

Dell to Dive Into Smartphone Market

Being successful in business means going out on a limb a lot to ensure that your company will be able to develop new products and services for the current and potential customers. This is what Dell's going to do with their intent on making it on the mobile phone market.

Dell, one of the best desktop computer makers out there, has decided to try their hand on the booming smartphone market. They've created a mobile division with the reorganization of the company. Although they failed before with the Axim, they're going to try again with the Mini 3i.

Dell’s new mobile phone division will be run by one Ron Garriques, a former Motorola boss who was leading Dell’s consumer computer division. When Garriques was brought to Dell (reportedly personally by Michael Dell) in 2007, it spurred rumors that Dell would reattempt something in the mobile product line.

Dell’s PDA line, Axim, was produced from 2002 to 2007, but sold poorly in the ‘BlackBerry era’ of smartphones with well designed e-mail and other business features. Dell’s Mini 3i is their first phone attempt, although it is only going to be sold (at first) in China and Brazil. Dell said that in addition to phones, Dell will also produce MIDs (mobile internet devices) and possibly a tablet.

Good luck to them as the market for smartphones is really getting rough and tough with all the hoopla with Apple's iPhone 3GS and the various Android phones (most prominent as of the moment: Motorola's Droid).

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Maemo: Linux Powered OS for Future Nokia Smartphones

Image via Wikipedia

Although the Symbian OS for the Nokia N-series has been profitable to both parties, there seems to be a Linux powered OS coming over the horizon in the next few months: the Maemo. We reported last time that Nokia is thinking of dropping Symbian for Maemo but it will do so in a very slow and deliberate way. We're reading reports now that are saying that only one Nokia will carry Maemo next year. Actually there's already one in production: the Nokia N900.

The question begs: why not just continue with Symbian and help develop it further? According to Reuter's:

"Nokia's Linux Maemo operating system is seen as a key for the top cellphone maker in its battle against Apple's iPhone, and many analysts and industry players have expected the firm to roll out numerous Linux models already next year."

What makes the iPhone OS such a hit with the "in" crowd is not just its Operating System but also its technology. Unless Nokia does better at that category, it doesn't matter what OS they use on their smartphones. Another to look into would be the applications that are one of the selling points of having an iPhone in the first place. Although Symbian does have its fair share of applications available for its user base, some are just way too expensive or cumbersome to be used on such a small screen as Nokia's. Lastly, it's the "coolness" factor. You look better with an iPhone on your hand rather than a Nokia's. In this case, it's a marketing problem that has been haunting Nokia for a long time in the US.

Hopefully with the new Linux powered Maemo, they also take a step back and look at the overall Nokia phone as something to overhaul.

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Rumors: iPhone 3GS 8GB by Xmas and XBox 360 New Adapter

Welcome to the part of the tech blogging life where we take a look at leaks and rumors. We've got two excellent of each with the Xbox 360 802.11n adapter and the Apple iPhone 3GS 8GB.

AT&T releasing an iPhone 3GS 8GB before Christmas?

It seems that Verizon's Motorola Droid special have a lot of people in AT & T quaking in their digital boots. Although I never thought that Motorola's Droid would make such an effect on the mobile phone landscape, but I'm willing to bet it's no the hardware rather it's the Android 2.0 that's really moving and grooving the hype on this phone.

This has obviously gotten attention from AT& T, the official carrier for Apple's iPhone 3GS and as early as now, they're already making moves to make sure that people go for their phone over Verizon's. The move? As reported by BGR:

"Definitely not confirmed, but rather interesting nonetheless. We’ve heard now from two sources that AT&T, and we guess Apple, are contemplating launching an 8GB iPhone 3GS at the $99 price point before Christmas. One source said this was AT&T’s way of combating the DROID madness."

If this is true, they'll likely get a lot of people go for their phone over Verizon's. That is, until Verizon matches their pricing and service; then it would be a very interesting Christmas indeed.

Peek a boo, I see an Xbox 360 802.11n adapter!

We're not really sure if this one is a leak, a misprint, or the real deal but it sure is interesting: an Xbox360 802.11n was put up at Costco's site for a few minutes then eventually pulled down. Reason? No one's sure.

"After discretely showing up on US retail sites and subsequently managing to drop off into internet obscurity, the 802.11n-compliant peripheral has returned to the scene via Costco's site, this time with a November 10th shipping date and a more attractive than before $88 price tag."

We'll see on November 10 what this whole thing is really about.

iPhone 3GS 8GB Source
XBox 360 Adapter source

iPhone Gen 4?

It seems that with all the hoopla that Android powered phones and devices have been getting, Apple has been secretly developing a new iPhone for 2010. Yes, it may all be rumor now, but according to Gizmodo's usually good sources, it's all true!

"Now, China Ontrade is claiming that this iPhone midboard belongs to the next-generation iPhone 4, which in theory is supposed to come out next summer, like all the previous iPhones. If confirmed, this means they have the piece about eight months before the actual iPhone 2010 release."

It's a no brainer that most iPhones are usually constructed overseas (usually China) for low labor cost reasons and it's no surprise that there were some pieces leaked. However, what boggles us is that the iPhone 3GS was just released a few months ago and they're already building a follow up pretty soon. Does this mean that apple has already given up the fight to further market and improve the applications of the current phone? Will this affect sales as people who haven't bought the current iPhone wait for a new gen one? Or is there another reason for this "leak"?

"But this makes little sense given Apple's manufacturing practices and self-imposed yearly-upgrade cycle, so this may all be a publicity ploy. Especially because they claim they will publish actual shots of the product in their web site."

Whether it's all a hoax (balloon boy in the making?) or the real thing, it's great that the iPhone's getting a bit of news again.

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New Designs: Apple's Media Player and Nintendo DSi

Designing tech devices are never easy. There are some that at first I thought was bad but was good when i tried them on, and there are those who look really good but fell apart when I tried using them. Form follows function they say and let's hope that the new Apple media player and Nintendo DSi screens enlargements work.

New Apple media Player?

Apple has always been considered as design masters by the tech world. Their works have been copied or emulated in some way by their competitors but they are still considered as the standard to beat. However, with the discovered Apple Patent, we have to say that this design really bugs the heck out of me.

The Baltimore Sun today found an Apple Patent on a device that would integrate a media player into a wireless headset. While only shown in one of the images, the display does show up in some of the diagrams and in the application itself. (marked "214" below)

Yes folks, that's an iShuffle with an earpiece sticking out of its back. From my point of view it's going to look like one of those Bluetooth earphones with speakers built in them. But wait there's more!

Will this design work? I personally have troubles with earphones as they have a tendency to slip off from time to time (and usually at the most inopportune time). Good luck with that Apple...

Nintendo DSi gets larger screens!

Since we're talking about designs, Nintendo's DSi will have another makeover with larger screens!

"Don’t look to the DSi LL expecting any special, new features. It’s essentially a DSi, only slightly bigger due to the inclusion of two 4.2 inch screens, as opposed to the two 3.25 inch screens built into a normal DSi, it is bigger. It also comes with more styluses than a typical DSi - it comes with the standard stylus that fits into the DSi and a larger stylus that looks exactly like a ball point pen."

This is the Nintendo DS for adults or kids with really big hands. Is the bigger screens enough for people to replace their Nintendo DSi/Lite/Phat? We'll see after the Holidays.

Source for Apple's Patents News
Source for Nintendo DSi's New Screens

Apple has Met its Rival

The new Walkman X-series isn’t just another iPod killer but rather it’s a Walkman saviour. İt was way back in the 1970’s that Sony dominated for two decades music portability until the iPod tag along. When the Apple iPod was invented and launch, Sony didn’t even give a support about the MP3 and let the Apple iPod dominated and gained its crown.

This time around the new Sony Walkman X-series is turning the tide of the battle. Sony has a huge advantage when it comes to audio. Almost all Walkman players boast superio audio quality unmatch by any media player available in the market. It is equipped with noise cancelling technology and it is integrated with an advanced digital sound processor.

The X-Series supports MP3, WMA and AAC formats and downloading from an Apple iTunes Store music is a breeze. The X-Series has a smaller screen than that of the iPod Touch. It is 3-inches than the 3.5 inch screen from the iPod. Well, the size doesn’t have to be that bad since the screen size is compensated with crystal clear and vibrant images Sony has in store. With just the OLED in place it wipes out the iPod with its LED display, putting a better performance with vibrant video and pictures. Strikingly the Walkman X-Series can recieve digital TV broadcasts which looks stunning as ever.

The Walkman X-series sports a touchscreen compared to the iPod Touch’s unresponsive accelerometer. When it comes to looks, the X-Series is a bit like a block compared to Apple’s more sexier and curvier iPod Touch. Although the X- Series is smaller, putting it in your pocket would be an ease.

All in all this X-Series is a superb all in one media player. Maybe its hight time that the Apple has made its contender.

Google: Apple Said They Denied GV App

When I said last time that the Apple vs. Google Voice App will have more tech drama on the way, well it seems that I'm right. After Apple, AT&T, and Google gave the FCC their parts in the GV App drama,  a small snippet of the confidential document goes online via Google: According to Google, Apple SVP Phil Schiller himself called Google SVP of Engineering and Research and was told that the Google Voice App was rejected.

It now becomes a "He said, She said" as Apple reacted to Engadget's post with:

"We do not agree with all of the statements made by Google in their FCC letter. Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application and we continue to discuss it with Google."

So Apple denies denying Google Voice and Google now looks like an angel. A lot of questions arise from this situation: If the App wasn't denied (and they publicly admitted it with their letter to the FCC), then what's the holdup? Is it that hard to study an App? Don't they have a turnaround time for that? What made Google think it was denied in the first place? As usual tech blogs like Engadget put in their little logs into the fire:

If you'll remember, Apple claimed that while Google Voice hadn't been approved, it also hadn't been rejected, and that its status was in limbo while the folks in Cupertino "studied" the matter. Not so, says El Goog: according to its letter, Phil Schiller himself told Google that GV had been rejected on July 7 for duplication of functionality, following a similar conversation on April 10th during which Schiller rejected Google Latitude in part because it might "offer new features not present on the preloaded maps application."

Did it get rejected or still under consideration? If I was Apple, it would be best to just approve it to prove that it was just all under study and Google was wrong.

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iPod beats the iPhone 3GS anytime!

Image by Steve Rhodes via Flickr

When the first generation iPhone was sold and the iPod Touch came after, a lot of people suddenly felt their iPhone was just an iPod with a phone feature. Now it looks like it's happening again when it was confirmed that the iPod 3rd Gen is faster than the iPhone 3GS.

Macworld’s tests show some impressive gains. Boot went down from 31 to 19 seconds. Launching apps went from 12, 20, and 10 seconds to 7, 15, and 5 for Peggle, HR Battle, and Rolando 2 respectively. Web page rendering for the NYT site was down from 34 to 15 seconds, and the Sunspider JS test went from 34.2 to 15.6 seconds.

Well, it shouldn't be news to most iPhone and iPod fans but even the iPod 2nd Gen was much faster than the iPhone 3GS. What's worse, is that not only is it faster at loading but faster at everthing!

But it’s not just in benchmarks such as these where the new iPod wins out. Just as the iPhone 3GS was faster than the iPhone 3G at everything, the new iPod touch feels much faster at any task you throw at it: applications launch (and quit) faster, Web pages load more quickly, processor-intensive games and programs perform better—you name it.

Is it time to change to a cheaper and faster iPod third gen, sell that iPhone 3GS, and just buy a really cheap mobile phone? Depends if you're happy with what you got. If you ask me I'll take the iPhone anyday whether it's slower or not.



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iPod Touch and iPod Nano Upgrades!

Image via CrunchBase

Apple's latest event, "It's just Rock and Roll", surely had a large impact on raising the bar when it comes to mobile gadgets! This post will tackle the new iPod Touch and Nano.

iPod Touch 3rd Gen: a new mobile gaming platform?

Ok, I admit it, I was one of the bloggers who thought that the iPod Touch 3rd Gen would have a camera. I was proven wrong when Steve Jobs presented the newest one without a camera on the back. However, what bothers me and almost every Tech Blogger I talked with, is besides the memory bumpage and hardware upgrade, what is there to look forward to with the new iPod touch? New games? Is Apple serious in going up against mobile gaming giants the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS? Looks like the iPod Touch is Apple's foray into the gaming world:

According to Steve, Apple wasn't "exactly sure how to market the touch" at first, but once they listened to their customers and started to focus on gaming, "it just took off."

Good luck on that Steve.

Prices will range from $199 for the 8GB, $229 for 16GB, $299 for 32GB, and the brand new 64GB for $399.

iPod Nano gets vid cam!

The biggest upgrade was the iPod Nano as it now comes with a camera at the back and FM Radio. It'll also have speakers and microphone on it to enable you to hear the video without speakers. It'll also have a wide range of colors from red, pink, orange, silver, black, purple, blue, green, and yellow. They will cost $179 for 16GB and $149 for the 8GB.

Source for Ipod Touch
Source for iPod Nano

Spotify has been approved!

When we wrote about Spotify a few weeks ago, we were concerned that Apple might not approve this application for the iPhone 3GS because it will be going up against the iTunes Store. Well, lo and behold! It was approved!

Apple’s Cupertino spokesperson tells us it has approved the iPhone app from Spotify, the music service that many people believe represents a threat to iTunes: “The current status as of right now is it’s been approved and we hope to add the app to the more than 65,000 apps on the app store very soon. We’ve been in constant communication working with the developer and have already notified Spotify that the app will be in the app store very soon.”

However, this will only be available in the following countries: United Kingdom, Finland, Spain, and France. So if you live in the United States and other parts of the world, you may have to wait awhile. Besides, just because Apple approved it for Europe doesn't mean that it's a shoe in here as well.

So how has Spotify affected Apple so far?

Universal Music in Sweden is already reported as saying it’s earning more now from Spotify than from iTunes. Some cynics had even wondered whether Apple was delaying Spotify approval to unveil its an unlimited music service of its own in its upcoming September 9 event.

Wow! Hopefully Apple will be able to survive Spotify's reign by creating a superior product. If they ever do, we'll be covering it!

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Palm Really Needs More Apps

Image by renaissancechambara via Flickr

We reported a few days ago that Palm's Pre was in dire need of games in its App Catalog to liven it up a bit. Unfortunately it was just the tip of the iceberg as Palm explained the reason for their low number of apps in their store:

Palm said the low number of apps initially were because it had been offering its Software Developers Kit (SDK) called Mojo only to a few select developers. On July 16, the company made its Mojo SDK available to all.

After a week the Pre was launched last June 6 only 30 apps existed. Most can probably attribute it to the SDK not being released early enough, but it's really losing big time to Apple's App Store up until now.

What's curious is that Apple's iPhone 3GS has more apps in its store than the Palm Pre's even though it's regarded to have such a "closed" platform compared to Palm. Why is there a lack of interest in creating applications for the Pre? Is it because the developers feel that they won't earn anything off it? Most likely...

Now with the App Catalog e-commerce beta program, Palm has taken the next step towards having a complete app store. Developers will receive 70 percent of the revenue from their apps, with Palm collecting the rest 30 percent. The split is similar to what Apple charges for iPhone apps. Pre users will be able to purchase apps using Visa and MasterCard credit cards, said Palm.

With this carrot dangling in front of application developers, hopefully it will change things around for the excellent yet app/games thirsting Palm Pre.

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Palm's Lack of Good Games is Showing

Image by PatrickMoorhead via Flickr

Despite some security issues, the Palm Pre is a magnificent mobile phone. It's almost gone toe to toe with its main rival, Apple's iPhone 3GS. However, it does lack one feature that their rivals have: good games.

Should they be bothered with the lack of games in their phone? Both phones may not have been originally marketed for gamers, but let's admit it: a lot of gadget lovers are gamers as well! It may not beat the Nintendo DS nor the PSP, but if people get stuck in traffic or in a commuter train, some would wish for a game to whittle away their time rather than listen to some mp3s.

We're familiar with a lot of games for the iPhone 3GS, but none yet coming from Palm Pre. As far as we know only emulator hackers and homebrew heroes have tried using the Pre, but none yet coming from big time gaming companies or even from Palm itself.

It's nice to know that Palm Pre's really serious about putting games into their phones by posting a "webOS™ and Game Development" article on their site. However with the phone's WebOS, 3D games will surely be out of the picture. Instead, they are promoting "puzzles, word games, card and board games, innovative social games, and the list goes on – even simple arcade games." The question here, is how can they beat the iPhone's games with such?

Hopefully with Palm Central's list of Homebrew games for the Pre, it should urge the company and some developers out there to try using Palm's newest baby as a "somewhat" platform for gaming.

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Apple Airport Express

Now with blazing 802.11n, the affordable Apple Airport Express is powerful enough to run a home Wi-Fi network, yet small enough to take on the road. Share your wireless network with up to 10 users, print documents, photos, and more from any room in the house to one central printer, play iTunes music through your stereo or powered speakers using AirTunes, and more.

AirTunes takes the music from the iTunes library on your computer and sends it wirelessly to any stereo or speakers in your home. All you have to do is plug an AirPort Express into an electrical outlet near those speakers, then connect them with an audio cable. In iTunes, you can choose which speakers you want your music to play on--in your den, living room, or bedroom.

If you have more than one AirPort Express connected to speakers, you can play the same music on all your speakers at the same time to create a whole-house musical experience. Plus, if you already have a wireless network in place, you can use AirPort Express to add music to its capabilities.

(Source) Amazon

Apple iPod touch 8 GB 2nd Generation

The iPod touch has always been an amazing iPod. And with its groundbreaking technologies--including a Multi-Touch screen, the accelerometer, and 3D graphics--and access to hundreds of games, iPod touch puts an amazing gaming experience in the palm of your hand. It comes in 8 GB, 16 GB, and 32 GB models with new volume controls and a built-in speaker. Play hours of music.

Create a Genius Playlist of songs that go great together. Watch a movie. Surf the web. View rich HTML email. Find your location and get directions with Google Maps. Browse YouTube videos. And shop the App Store for games and applications.

Price: $214.99

(Source) Amazon

Apple App Store: NESynth and some really weird apps

With Apple finally patching the SMS vulnerability of the iPhone 3GS OS, everything seems to have settled down (well, if you don't count the FCC asking for an explanation regarding the GV Mobile bruhaha). Let's take a look at some iPhone apps that recently piqued our interests.

NESynth: Make 8-bit music goodness on your iPhone

Using the iPhone as a music medium is a great idea and has been tackled with before, however, they aren't as fun as NESynth. Why? The NES part of the name stands for Nintendo Entertainment System. Here's a sample of it:

If you're a SNES child, you'll recognize the sounds and music. Even if you weren't born at the time, you'll definitely appreciate it anyway. Available for $1.99 US iPhone App Store only.

Amamiya Momo iPhone App: bordering on lewdness

The following app is kind of disturbing--wait--it's REALLY disturbing. If you think the XXX iPhone App should be taken down, then you should check this out as well: Amamiya Momo.



Some may think it cute, especially those Otakus who just like cutesy anime girls or those who just plain like cartoons. But nevertheless, the way that one can just swish on her body is a bit suspect. Although I do have to comment that Tamagotchi, an electronic pet, is a great (and less messier) alternative to real ones, this was not marketed to be a pet but rather as a virtual girlfriend. If you want to check it out, it's $2.99 at the App Store.

Is Apple cleaning up at the App Store?

And lastly, here's an actual Apple third party developer named Perfect Acumen that's getting their whole list of apps getting taken off from the App Store for the somewhat right reasons. Does this mean that the app Store's finally learning from the whole GV Mobile fiasco and taking out the really disgusting apps?

Yes and no. No, in the sense that this, the removal of the 3rd most prolific app-shitters in the whole store, doesn't have anything to do with a change in policy, or an increase in transparency. Yes, in the sense that Apple is finally enforcing some of their clearer prior rules. Like, "DON'T STEAL THINGS."

Ok, granted that they the app developer was taken out still shows that somehow Apple is putting their marbles back inside their hands and trying to put in some quality apps in their store. Now if they can only re-think about putting GV Mobile back there...

Source for NESynth

Source for Amamiya Moto App

Source for Perfect Acumen and its 900 applications pulled from App Store

Apple and ATT: Explanation time?

Apple's hot news for any tech blog and that's why it's in here today--and it's still bad news for the giant company.

FCC wants explanation from Apple and AT&T re: GV Mobile

Image by somefool :: ɹǝqɐɯ ʍǝɥʇʇɐɯ via Flickr

When GV Mobile was removed from apple's app Store, there was quite a large uproar from the tech community. They instantly thought that AT&T was the culprit here; influencing Apple to take the app out of the store. However, with such a large amount of attention, the Feds have sent a letter to both Apple and AT&T asking them to explain why GV Mobile was treated that way. Obviously the FCC didn't like what they read and wanted the 4 W's and 1 H: What, where, when, why, and how the whole thing started.

The FCC’s new chairman Julius Genachowski made it clear Friday in announcing the letters that he was not pleased by Apple and AT&T’s actions, while leaving wiggle room about what, if anything, the feds would do.

“Recent news reports raise questions about practices in the mobile marketplace,” Genachowski said in a press statement. “The Wireless Bureau’s inquiry letters to these companies about their practices reflect the Commission’s proactive approach to getting the facts and data necessary to make the best policy decisions on behalf of the American people.”

How will both companies reason out that they eliminated GV Mobile just because Google's VOIP was messing with Apple's other apps? Everyone's dying to know how they'll get out of this one.

VoiceCentral finally gets response from Apple, but it's weird

Image by B Tal via Flickr

The other app taken out surreptitiously after it was approved 4 months ago and was already downloaded and being used was VoiceCentral. We reported last time that the developer was pretty much confused and angry and is now was faced with emails from angry users asking for their money back. What was even more frustrating on his side, was that apple never gave him a straight answer as to why it was taken out without even a notice coming from them. Well, Apple apparently needed time to carefully construct their words as they replied the next day:

On June 30, the team was finally contacted by Richard from Apple, a cordial person who was profoundly unable to provide specific, useful information to Duerr, details beyond the fact that “VoiceCentral has been removed from the App Store because it duplicates features of the iPhone … and was causing confusion in the user community.” When Duerr pointed out that other apps like Textfree, Skype, fring, and iCall also duplicated iPhone features, Richard said he couldn’t discuss other apps.

Apple and AT&T sure have a lot of explaining to do after this. I see this as a game changing event with the way carriers and mobile phone makers make their contracts and exclusive deals.

Source of FCC sent a letter of explanation to both AT&T and Apple

Source of apple's reply to VoiceCentral