Amazon releases free beta of Kindle for Mac eBook reading software
With Apple's eBook-capable iPad looming ominously in the face Amazon's fledgeling electronic book business, the online bookseller on Thursday released a new application for Mac users as part of its ongoing bid to promote its proprietary Kindle platform and prevent defection of its existing user base to a emerging array of alternatives.
published today, 5 hours 4 minutes ago, appleinsider
iLuv ships App Station speaker with iPhone clock app
iLuv this afternoon began shipping its one-of-a-kind iMM190 App Station speaker dock. The single-piece unit provides a potentially cheaper alternative by using an attached iPhone or iPod touch for more advanced functions. A free iLuv App Clock (App Store) serves as an alarm clock that can wake up the owner, play music without interrupting the display, and provide weather....
published on Tuesday, the 16. March 2010, macintosh-news-network
Cellcos hoping to cash in on iPad with 3G/4G mobile hotspots
Though the 3G-equipped version of the iPad will only be able to get data services from AT&T, Verizon apparently sees the introduction of Apple's tablet device as "an opportunity" for the company to sell data services. A supposed internal sales memo published by Engadget reveals Verizon's plan to push its MiFi mobile hotspot for the WiFi-only version of the iPad, which will be available April 3. The memo points out that the WiFi + 3G iPad won't go on sale for at least a few weeks after the WiFi model, costs $130 more, and can only get service through AT&T, which the memo describes as "an overloaded network with limited coverage." Ouch. To be fair, the extra $130 includes GPS hardware in addition to the 3G radios, and AT&T continues to make improvements to its network. But, if you don't want to wait, don't want to pay extra, or just don't want to use AT&T service, Verizon has a point—a mobile hotspot like the MiFi (which can connect up to 5 devices at once) can make a good alternative. A MiFi 2200 from Verizon will run you $50 with current promotions and a two-year contract; without a contract expect to pay about $250. However, Verizon's plans aren't as generous or affordable as the data options AT&T offers for the iPad. Through AT&T, you'll pay $15 per month for up to 250MB of data or $30 per month for unlimited via AT&T, and those plans don't require a contract. With Verizon, you'll pay $40 per month for up to 250MB, or $60 per month with a 5GB cap. Prepaid, non-contract options start at $15 per day with a 75MB limit. Like AT&T, however, your plan also includes free access to Verizon WiFi hotspots. Sprint offers a branded MiFi 2200 as well, though you can get it free after a $50 mail-in rebate. The company only offers one data plan, though: $60 per month with a 5GB cap (and a 300MB cap on roaming). Sprint also offers the Sierra Wireless Overdrive 4G/3G hotspot for those in an area with WiMAX coverage. Though it costs $100 after rebate, for the same $60 a month you'd get unlimited 4G data and 5GB of 3G data. For a 4G-only option, you can go directly through Clear to get a 4G USB modem and a Clear Spot WiFi adapter that works with up to eight devices for under $200 total. Data plans start at $40 per month for 4G-only access, though bundles with home service or 3G fall-back are also available. Other combinations of mobile data modems and/or mobile hotspots are also possible, and it's probably worth it to check with the provider in your area to see what options are available. Despite the extra cost of the WiFi + 3G iPad and the associated data plans, you're not likely to find a cheaper alternative. But going this route means you'll have data access for other devices, such as a laptop, iPod touch, or Nintendo DSi, and can serve data to multiple devices at the same time. The extra flexibility may fit your particular needs and justify the extra cost. Read the comments on this post
published on Wednesday, the 10. March 2010, ars-technica
reMail iPhone app re-released under Apache 2 license
Two weeks ago, we reported that Internet search giant Google had acquired third-party iPhone mail application reMail. At the time, Google rehired reMail CEO and programmer Gabor Cselle to work as a product manager on the Gmail team. reMail was then pulled from the App Store and Google decided to discontinue the app, only offering support through the end of March. However, Google recently contacted Ars to say that it had decided to make the code available as open source on Google Code under the Apache 2.0 License. The Apache 2.0 License states that the code is free to use, alter, and redistribute as the user sees fit. Further, users can charge for any aspect of the software they choose, including the application itself or support. That means people can use portions of code to add functionality in their own applications or create totally new ones without having to release them under an open source license. Google usually favors the Apache license over alternatives and uses it for Android. This may still mean the end of reMail, but it's good news for anyone looking to incorporate more advanced e-mail functionality into their own applications. As Cselle pointed out in his blog post, he has already dealt with many of the obstacles associated with developing an e-mail client, including communication with IMAP and parsing MIME messages. In other words, there's no need to reinvent the wheel if you don't have to. If you're interested in poking around, the code can be found on Google Code, where there has already been a fair amount of action since the announcement on Friday. Read the comments on this post
published on Monday, the 8. March 2010, ars-technica
Briefly: Free app website, Angry Birds sales success
OpenFeint says that as a result of its Free Game of the Day promotion generating more than 5 million iPhone game downloads, it is launching a new website in hopes of future expansion. The site is designed to push shoppers towards a variety of games, and provides an alternative to searching through the App Store. The site highlights a new app every day and also lets users browse through previously featured ones....
published on Monday, the 8. March 2010, macintosh-news-network
iLuv ships iPhone clock radio with bed shaker
iLuv today made available the latest generation of its iPhone- and iPod-ready clock radios. Unlike nearly any other alarm clock, the iMM178 has a "bed shaker" pod that vibrates to wake those who either don't respond to sound or need to keep the alarm quiet. The shaker also provides a less risky alternative to headphones in bed as it has a speaker for its own listening environment....
published on Monday, the 1. March 2010, macintosh-news-network
Review: EarPollution Luxe Micro Bud with Mic
MacNN has reviewed ifrogz' new EarPollution Luxe Microbud earphones featuring an in-line microphone. With a retail price of $25, the Luxe sits amongst a wide variety of affordable alternatives produced by competing companies. Despite the low price, the earphones were found to provide well-balanced sound with adequate noise isolation....
published on Friday, the 26. February 2010, macintosh-news-network
O2 adds SIM-only iPhone plan, new data plan
O2 UK countered Vodafone's recent SIM-only plan with one of its own just for iPhone users. The monthly "simplicity for iPhone" plans at £15 for a 1-year contract or £20 contract-free give those who already have an iPhone a much less expensive alternative to using the device without sacrificing features. At the base level, these provide 300 minutes, unlimited data, UK texting and Wi-Fi with tethering an option at either £2 maximum per day or a flat £10 per month for 3GB of use....
published on Friday, the 26. February 2010, macintosh-news-network
Download multiple files with Safari's Activity window
There are plenty of hints here involving Safari's excellent Activity window, like this one. I managed, however, to find one more way to use it. I was downloading mp3's from my friends' alternative band music site. The player is in Flash, so I went to the Activity window and copied the first download file, which was at this URL: http://www.nonitz.ic.cz/mp3s/m... When I went to copy the next one, I noticed that the only difference was the sequential number at the end (i.e. .mp3-1.mp3, .mp3-2.mp3, etc.) So I created a text file and copy and pasted multiple lines, edited the numbers, selected all, copied, and then pasted into Safari's Activity window. No surprise here -- it just worked!
published on Thursday, the 25. February 2010, macosxhints
SanDisk ships G3 solid-state drives, drops 240GB model
SanDisk today finally began shipping its G3 solid-state drive to retail. The drives, teased over a year ago, are meant to give both home and business users a faster alternative to a rotating hard disk. Speeds top out at 220MB per second in reads and 120MB per second in writes; the low latency of flash helps it load some files twice as quickly....
published on Tuesday, the 23. February 2010, macintosh-news-network