Category Archives: iPhone

How to distribute Kickstarter apps: Ask Apple

  By Mike Schramm | May 16, 2012 - 7:45 pm | iOS, iPhone
Leave a comment

Republique is an upcoming iOS title that's made a lot of noise by getting funded on Kickstarter recently, to the tune of half a million dollars, but I've had one nagging question about it: How exactly are they going to distribute the app to all of their backers? The most obvious solution would be to put a password gate inside of an app, but Apple doesn't allow that. If you have to lock content in your app, then you're clearly selling it outside of the App Store, which means you're dodging Apple's 30% cut. So what's their plan? Republique hasn't yet said, only that it's still being decided.

Fortunately, however, here's the answer. The folks behind Zombies, Run! say that all they had to do to distribute an app for Kickstarter backers was ... ask. Apple agreed to let them have two versions of the app on the store -- one just for sale, and another that was free with a password gate in it. There were two limits, however: There had to be at least some content in the password-closed app, so people who just randomly came across it weren't confused. And Apple made the app developers take down any preorders once the app went live, so that Apple didn't lose any sales of its own.

Good to hear that distribution this way is possible -- there are a few other Kickstarter projects that will need to make use of a plan like this when they are released. The key, according to Six to Start, is to get in touch with Apple early, and keep that communication flowing.

How to distribute Kickstarter apps: Ask Apple originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Source | Permalink | Email this | Comments

China Mobile reportedly in talks to carry iPhone officially

  By Dave Caolo | May 16, 2012 - 7:00 pm | iPhone
Leave a comment

ImageReuters reports that China Mobile is talking with Apple about selling the iPhone. China Mobile is the world's largest telecom carrier by subscribers. It claimed over 600 million users at the end of September, 2011 and, interestingly, 10 million iPhone users. Those customers either converted from China Telecom (which does sell iPhones), or bought an iPhone from an Apple Store or the black market.

China Mobile Chairman Xi Guohua recently told shareholders, "We've been actively talking to Apple on how we can cooperate," further saying that "both sides" hope for increased cooperation.

Recent speculation has suggested that the next iPhone will use a Qualcomm Inc. chip, which would be compatible with China Mobile's own 3G network.

China Mobile reportedly in talks to carry iPhone officially originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Source | Permalink | Email this | Comments

iPhone could have a four-inch screen, says Wall Street Journal

  By Mel Martin | May 16, 2012 - 5:30 pm | iOS, iPhone
Leave a comment

The Wall Street Journal claims that Apple is ordering screens from Asian suppliers that are bigger than the 3.5 inch screen that has become the one and only standard for the iPhone.

The Journal says iPhone production will begin next month, with new screens that measure at least 4 inches diagonally -- something we've heard before. This could be a response to rival Samsung, who has been featuring larger screens in comparison ads to the iPhone. Samsung offers a 4.3 inch and a 4.8 inch screen on some model phones.

Will an enlarged iPhone screen meet the rumored shrunken iPad? No one knows for sure, but Apple is very good at competing. Some have even shown how a larger screen could work. We know from experience that when Apple says it isn't going to do something that's not always the case. I vividly remember Steve Jobs telling us no apps for the iPhone, that web apps were all we needed. Then there was a quick reversal, and apps are now a multimillion dollar business. Apple has not commented on the report.

iPhone could have a four-inch screen, says Wall Street Journal originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Source | Permalink | Email this | Comments

HTC handsets delayed at US customs due to ITC injunction over Apple patent

  By Kelly Hodgkins | May 16, 2012 - 3:00 pm | HTC, iPhone
Leave a comment

HTC confirmed to The Verge that its One X phone for AT&T and EVO 4G LTE handset for Sprint are being held at the border by customs officials. The shipments are being delayed while the government agency reviews the packages in accordance with an ITC ruling that banned the import of HTC's Android smartphones.

In December 2011, the ITC ruled that HTC violated Apple patents, one of which describe a UI feature that lets you tap on an address or phone number as a link and pull down a menu of appropriate actions. HTC said in a statement to the Wall Street Journal that its products are no longer infringing, "We believe we have worked around our design and are now in compliance with the ITC ruling. We are cooperating with the U.S. Customs to speed up the review process."

Depending on how long it takes for the review, HTC could face shortages of its One X, which went on sale last month with AT&T. It may also have to delay its May 18 launch of the EVO 4G LTE with Sprint.

HTC handsets delayed at US customs due to ITC injunction over Apple patent originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Source | Source | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Daily iPhone App: Ozgood is a lovable piece of puppet tech

  By Mike Schramm | May 15, 2012 - 11:00 pm | iOS, iPad, iPhone
Leave a comment

Image

Ozgood is an interesting little iPhone game from a few developers who've worked for bigger game companies, and have recently gone independent. Most iPhone games deal with the platform's hardware by either just going with 2D graphics or trying relatively simple 3D -- it's usually only bigger developers like Epic Games that can really use an engine like Unreal to wring really colorful graphics out of the iPhone. But RunWilder, the developers of Ozgood, took an entirely different tack: They took video of a real life puppet, and then put it together with 2D backgrounds and 3D items to make this virtual pet game.

The result is a very unique kind of wonderful. Ozgood is a crazy little guy full of personality, and the app (which is free right now) is full of content. There's a "story" you can play through by feeding Ozgood certain things and interacting with him in certain ways, there's a "studio mode" where you can use him to make messages to send along to friends, and there's an ongoing metagame as well, where you can feed Ozgood a fake soda called Chugg and even share six packs of it with your friends online.

The app is silly -- it's very kid friendly, and Ozgood can sometimes be crass with his burps and various bodily functions. But even for adults, it's wild to see how these developers used a puppet to make this app, and there's clearly a lot of skill in how it's all put together. Ozgood is a free universal download that's definitely worth checking out.

Daily iPhone App: Ozgood is a lovable piece of puppet tech originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 15 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Source | Permalink | Email this | Comments

No comment: Unimpressive iPhone app, Airplane

  By Dave Caolo | May 15, 2012 - 8:00 pm | iPhone
Leave a comment

ImageThere are more than half a million apps in Apple's App Store. Some are stunning achievements. Others are not.

Below is a video demonstration of the app Airplane. Touch the "Take Off" button to hear the sound of an airplane engine. Shake the phone to hear a flight attended tell you to put your seatbelt on. That's it.

We leave you with this free app from the "Entertainment" category (that's a stretch) and a hearty "no comment."

No comment: Unimpressive iPhone app, Airplane originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 15 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Source | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dear Aunt TUAW: Where should I buy my George R. R. Martin fix?

  By Erica Sadun | May 15, 2012 - 5:00 pm | iPad, iPhone
Leave a comment

Dear Aunt TUAW,

I want to buy "A Dance with Dragons" as an eBook and I am hesitating between buying it for Kindle or iBooks, the reason being the Kindle version will be available on my Mac, my iPhone and my iPad. Is it possible to do the same if I buy it for iBooks or will I be "stuck" with reading on my iPhone and iPad?

Your loving nephew,

Andre

Dear Andre,

Although Auntie is looking forward to iBooks for Mountain Lion, she's not holding her breath either. Apple hasn't announced it.

The practical answer is that Kindle books can be read anywhere: from Macs to Windows, Linux to Android, iOS to webOS. Plus, Kindle books can be loaned. iBooks is iOS-only.

So yes, if you buy it for iBooks, you'll be "stuck" reading on your iPhone or iPad, which isn't a horrible thing for most people but keeps you from reading it on your Mac.

Hugs,

Auntie T.

Dear Aunt TUAW: Where should I buy my George R. R. Martin fix? originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Source | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Apple tops ACSI satisfaction survey for cellphone manufacturers

  By Steven Sande | May 15, 2012 - 4:00 pm | iPhone
Leave a comment

Apple has done it again, topping the American Consumer Satisfaction Index survey for cellphone manufacturers and wireless carriers. The company ended up with a score of 83 points out of 100 possible, higher than any other manufacturer.

ACSI polls 70,000 consumers each year, asking questions about customer satisfaction with over 225 companies in 47 industries. This year Apple was nine points above the industry average of 74, and eight points above runners-up Nokia, HTC, and LG.

Arch-rival Samsung was near the bottom of the satisfaction barrel, with a dismal 71 point total. The formerly powerful RIM, manufacturer of the BlackBerry line of smartphones, was at the bottom. It could only scrape together 69 points, a full 14 points below Apple and five points below the industry average.

The survey also listed customer satisfaction with wireless carriers. Sprint came in at the top spot with 71 points, Verizon at 70, and AT&T and T-Mobile at 69 points. Surprisingly, AT&T's score was four points higher than its 2011 score.

[via Wired]

Apple tops ACSI satisfaction survey for cellphone manufacturers originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 15 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Source | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Apple vs. Motorola, HTC cases consolidated

  By Kelly Hodgkins | May 15, 2012 - 3:00 pm | HTC, iPad, iPhone
Leave a comment

According to Florian Mueller of FOSS Patents, Apple is now battling one less lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida. Apple was fighting two separate lawsuits in the courts, one filed by Motorola Mobility and another by HTC. Judge Robert Scola decided to merge the two lawsuits because "the parties have shown a complete inability to agree upon anything and it is frustrating the progress of these cases." Apple reportedly pushed for this consolidation, while HTC and Motorola opposed it.

Apple vs. Motorola, HTC cases consolidated originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 15 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Source | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Daily iPhone App: This Could Hurt dodges danger with ease

  By Mike Schramm | May 15, 2012 - 12:00 am | iOS, iPhone
Leave a comment

I first saw Chillingo's latest title, This Could Hurt, at GDC earlier this year, and back then I didn't really get into it. It's a one-button title that I thought looked a little too simple. But after giving it a longer try post-release, there's actually a lot of surprising depth here. Yes, there's only one control (touch on the screen to make your character stand still), but developers Orange Agenda do an impressive job of wringing a whole lot of gameplay out of just that one mechanic.

As your character runs along, he'll come across lots of strange contraptions designed to hurt him, and the goal of the game is to time your stopping just right so that he isn't harmed by whatever dangers await him. There are powerups in the game, but they mostly just involve moving slower or faster, so really, the game is just a list of ways to test your timing skills. And that list is surprisingly long. There are forty levels in the game, and each one of them puts a new spin on ways to try and avoid getting hurt.

This Could Hurt does a whole lot with very little, and on the App Store, that's always impressive. It's available for 99 cents right now.

Daily iPhone App: This Could Hurt dodges danger with ease originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 14 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Source | Permalink | Email this | Comments