Lots to like about new iPhone 2.2 software update

Apple released iPhone OS 2.2 last night, the latest update for the iPhone and iPod touch. A number of new features and fixes have arrived across the board, making this a must-have update.

November 21, 2008 - 11:09AM CT - by David Chartier

Apple files for dual-backlight iPhone notification patent

Users asked for a simple LED light to let the iPhone alert them of things like missed calls or new e-mail messages. Apple responded by concocting a secondary, low-power backlight system that can display dynamic icons and a wealth of information without ever turning the iPhone on. Touché, Apple.

November 21, 2008 - 09:18AM CT - by David Chartier

Apple releases iPhone OS 2.2 update

It's a bit strange for an Apple software update to land around midnight. Nevertheless, iPhone OS 2.2 is upon us, and it brought most of the changes we've heard about over the past couple months, as well as a handy new Home screen trick.

November 21, 2008 - 12:37AM CT - by David Chartier

Brightkite aggregates location content for businesses, fun

Location may be the next holy grail for social networking, and plenty of startups are already chasing it. Brightkite, a location-based social network focused on meeting friends and making new ones, has just introduced a new way to show off what everyone is doing in a particular location. Businesses, meet location-based social networks.

November 20, 2008 - 05:40PM CT - by David Chartier

Apple launches "iPhone Your Life" site, touts third parties

Apple has taken its embracing of third parties in the iPhone platform up a notch by introducing an "iPhone Your Life" section to its iPhone 3G product pages. Various third-party apps and tips are recommended in categories like work, play, and everything in between.

November 20, 2008 - 03:59PM CT - by David Chartier

Google to shut down Lively, its interactive 3D world

Google launched its Lively project in July as a customizable, interactive world that website owners could us to foster a new kind of interactivity with their visitors. Lively never received much adoption for a variety of reasons, though, and Google says it will shut down the service at the end of 2008.

November 20, 2008 - 12:45PM CT - by David Chartier

Growl Tip: Make MarsEdit, any app, play custom sound alarms (Updated)

Growl is a great Mac OS X utility that lets third-party applications, and even some of Apple's, display visual alerts for things like new e-mail or new RSS headlines. With a simple trick, you can enable audio alerts in Growl, and even add your own custom sounds to accompany these notifications.

November 20, 2008 - 09:32AM CT - by David Chartier

Xobni Outlook plug-in gets more social, integrated

Xobni made its public debut earlier this year as an Outlook plug-in that let users visualize e-mail habits and make better use of their contacts. Now, it's back with an update that offers integration of social networking tools and services like Skype, Facebook, Hoovers, and more.

November 19, 2008 - 08:05PM CT - by David Chartier

Tumblrette rocks Tumblr blogging on iPhone (Updated)

Tumblr is a clever blogging service with a focus on the fundamentals and polished style throughout. Tumblrette is a third-party iPhone client for Tumblr that integrates well, and even brings a few of its own tricks to the table. After using Tumblrette for the last month, we think it's about time for a review.

November 19, 2008 - 02:31PM CT - by David Chartier

iPhone 3G may be on its way to Walmart after holidays

The iPhone 3G is supposedly "confirmed" to be arriving on Walmart shelves, though a little late for the holidays. While rumor has it that the iPhone could get a discounted price at the massive retailer, we aren't holding our breath.

November 19, 2008 - 11:36AM CT - by David Chartier

Analysts say Mac sales up 28% despite production cuts

Reports from Apple's part suppliers have said that the company reduced both its MacBook and iPhone production earlier this month. New analyst numbers, however, suggest that things are going quite well for both products.

November 18, 2008 - 01:43PM CT - by David Chartier

Hands on: Google lets you search with your voice on iPhone

Google has brought voice recognition to its iPhone app, allowing users to speak their queries and receive location-based search results. It's a useful and surprisingly accurate feature, though not without its drawbacks.

November 18, 2008 - 12:30PM CT - by David Chartier

Hands on: Zenbe's social, collaborative e-mail works well

Zenbe is a fresh-out-of-beta service that wraps together a new perspective on e-mail with a social, collaborative dashboard of rich media wiki tools and even Twitter and Facebook integration. You can keep your current address when giving Zenbe a try, so we did exactly that.

November 18, 2008 - 06:10AM CT - by David Chartier

Apple brings HDCP to a new aluminum MacBook near you

HDCP has finally arrived in Apple's hardware, thanks to the latest aluminum MacBook update. The technology is being used to protect (what else?) iTunes Store files from playing on any HDCP non-compliant devices.

November 17, 2008 - 03:52PM CT - by David Chartier

Google updates, smartens SketchUp 3D modeling apps

New versions of Google's SketchUp 7 and SketchUp Pro 7 bring software vector rendering for complex objects, smarter modeling components that can "understand" what they are, and more powerful tools for professional and business users.

November 17, 2008 - 01:40PM CT - by David Chartier

Flash and AIR coming to ARM, but not necessarily iPhone

Adobe announced a partnership today to bring its full Flash 10 and AIR platforms to ARM processors. While this could eventually bring Flash and AIR applications to the iPhone, we don't think you should get your hopes up just yet.

November 17, 2008 - 11:17AM CT - by David Chartier

Hands on: XIOS becomes a better "icloud," still isn't viable

Xcerion's icloud "web OS" is one of the most ambitious we've seen. After nearly a year of updates and an increase of full-time developers, we thought it was time to stick our heads back into the cloud.

November 17, 2008 - 06:20AM CT - by David Chartier

Google to bring Skynet to iPhone in voice recognition update

Google's Mobile App for iPhone will receive voice recognition search abilities in an update that could arrive as early as today. Users will be able to ask Google's servers for business locations, trivia answers, and even look up contacts in the iPhone's address book.

November 14, 2008 - 09:52AM CT - by David Chartier

Microsoft Live Search Cashback yet to pay off in market share

Microsoft gave a positive update on its Live Search Cashback initiative that rewards users for purchasing products from ads in search results. Advertiser interest is up, and so is shopping from its engine. But according to various web metrics, it has yet to result in a meaningful uptick in search market share.

November 14, 2008 - 05:10AM CT - by David Chartier

iPhone gaming gets two more thumbs up from industry giants

The iPhone and iPod touch have received a few more thumbs up as gaming devices from major publishers like Sega and EA. Even Apple is finally using the word "game" in much of its marketing, but there is still a lot of work to be done.

November 13, 2008 - 01:04PM CT - by David Chartier