Have you got an interesting photo to share that can make news headlines? Seen a celebrity with her child in the departmental store or with a mystery partner? Or, clicked a social awareness appropriate snap of someone defying traffic rules or garbage dumped in the wrong place? Well, if you have a fascination for captivating sizzling incidents on your iPhone camera as such, Photofame 1.0 application is the one for you.
Photofame 1.0 app can bring you name and fame. You can facilitate with Photofame 1.0 app by taking advantage of your inquisitiveness in clicking photos that can be relevant in making news with your iPhone. The application is the brainchild of a very talented trio – Gedgers, who in alliance with SWNS and Mark Humpage developed this innovative app for iPhone users. Photofame 1.0 Features
- The application enables users to send images to the news agency quickly effortlessly.
- The basic requirement for installing Photofame 1.0 is iPhone or iPod touch 3.0 or later version.
- The app works merely by taking a photo with your iPhone camera (or pick a photo from album); enter a simple description of the event – where and when it has been taken etc. Once that is done, you can press the ‘Submit’ button.
- Once your photo is received by the news agency, they will definitely get back to you, if they find it interesting and also inquire a bit about it. Thereafter, they will keep you informed probably through email, if the photo has been published.
Making Money with Photofame 1.0 app
Photofame 1.0 is a very easy to use application facilitating users to take a photo and then attach and forward the image off to the news agency. Moreover, the app also boasts of its collaboration with SWNS - a news and image agency, which offers the platform for iPhone users to earn money from their photos. As one of the largest and most successful agencies supplying photos and stories; the application’s partnership with SWNS will ensure quick, smooth, transmission of iPhone photos to the agency’s lead news team.
Just as Mark Humpage, one of the creators of the app reveals – most photos published in newspapers, which you may quote as ‘amazing facts’ about your city are sent by public. Although, it is not sure if your picture will bag you money, but you never know when you can hit the jackpot; just as a customer’s entry bagged him £20,000 from the agency.
The Photofame 1.0 application is now available at the Apple iTunes App Store for only $0.99.
The i.TV iPhone app is one of the popular and adored applications amongst the television and movie buffs. However, now they will not have to wait much longer for better and bigger entertainment as i.TV 2.0 app will be made available in the Apple App store shortly. IntoMobile, the developer of the upgraded version i.TV 2.0 app has declared that the new version will be more sophisticated and will come packed with innovative features in comparison to the prior version.
The good news is that, i.TV 2.0 iPhone app is available for free download for iPhone users from the iTunes App Store.
i.TV 2.0 app Features – Innovative, Sophisticated and User-friendly
- The user-interface of i.TV 2.0 app is claimed to be more streamlined and user-friendly.
- The updated application will also come loaded with provisions like television listings, movie listings and trailers.
- The application will also allow users to purchase movie tickets, managing users’ Netflix queue, reviews, etc.
- With this iPhone app, users go about rating shows, mark favorite shows and view YouTube clips, besides viewing show details.
- i.TV 2.0 app will provide integration facilities with the iTunes; thereby, facilitating users to discover related TV and movie content.
- The app will also come along with features like Push notifications that will help alert users when their favorite TV shows are aired.
- Reports indicate that i.TV 2.0 app will also feature innovative i.TV Remote Control Framework which facilitates users to exploit the app with a number of devices.
- The TiVo, which is at the planning stage for developing a remote within the i.TV framework will allow users all basic functions – surf channels, rewind, forward and fast forward, play and record their favorite movies and shows as well.
- i.TV 2.0 app also makes it possible for iPhone users to use their Apple device as a universal television remote with the help of Bluetooth , Wi-Fi or via connection with a dock connector.
A new application being launched on Apple iPhone is no more a celebration, except when exclusive websites launch their app for the iPhone or iPod Touch. Recently, Wikipedia created a stir by launching ‘official’ iPhone application. The launch of the app named ‘Wikipedia Mobile' by the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation will be available free for download now from Apple iTunes App Store.
This Wikepedia app is termed ‘official’ since there is also other application for the iPhone which makes Wikepedia accessible. Wikepedia has been a favorite with iPhone developers who have then and now developed Wiki-style encyclopedia apps for the iPhone and iPod touch. Some of the apps influenced by Wikepedia have also been much appreciated. Even, Wikimedia Foundation has gone on record to acknowledge that some features of ‘near to’ Wikepedia app are better in comparison to the official software; which in this version is mainly focusing on speed and simplicity.
Is Wikepedia iPhone app an upgrade of mobile version?
The newly launched 1.6 MB open-source Wikepedia application is considered by analysts as an upgraded and sophisticated adaptation of the mobile version of the Wikipedia website. However, one of the spectacular advantages of the iPhone app (not seen in the mobile version) is that, it provides you with the pioneering feature of saving your Wikipedia browsing history for quick access and later use.
Prime Feature focus – Wikepedia Mobile
The developers of Wikepedia Mobile iPhone app in the current and its first iPhone version is concentrating on speed and simplicity. One of the positive aspects from the promoters of this iPhone app, Wikimedia Foundation is that they are aware of their short-comings and are ardently requesting feedback from users, and welcoming suggestions from other developers and programmers as well. Wikimedia Foundation is confident that in the next version, it will be able to come up with a full-featured version of Wikepedia Mobile.
Wikepedia touches the 3 million mark
In a recent announcement, Wikipedia has confirmed that web users had contributed more than 3 million English-language articles to the user-generated website. This is an amazing achievement for Wikimedia Foundation whose mission is to spread free knowledge and pursuit everything to meet its goal.
Now with Wikepedia being accessible to millions of iPhone users worldwide; it is for sure Wikepedia has many other milestones to explore. And Wikimedia Foundation is honest in its duties to take Wikepedia to the next level by housing the source code and continuing to update the application through Apple channels with successive releases.
The iPhone camera is perhaps one of the prime attractions of the device and what better than having some add-on applications for an endearing user experience. Moobila, a mobile iPhone application Development Company which specializes on custom-designed applications has recently come up with innovative app - iPicolo and iPicEd that can explore the iPhone’s camera totally.
iPicolo - How it works
The iPhone app from Moobila makes photo uploading easier than never before. Here, the iPhone users using the camera device can upload pictures instantly, just minutes after being clicked with the help of iPicolo. In this way, iPicolo is a boon for all those intending to capture an event and share them immediately by uploading them into social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, Flickr or PicassaWeb.
It is rightly said in iPhone circles that there cannot be a fastest mode of sharing picture messages and photos other than iPicolo as yet. This pioneering iPhone app will help you share memorable moments with your friends and relatives located in any part of the world, with just the tap of a button. Moreover, you can also customize the iPicolo platform to build-up a photo uploading application for several photo-sharing websites. iPicEd – How it works
If iPicolo has revolutionized photo uploading from iPhone, another application from Moobila, iPicEd has simplified the entire process of picture editing on the iPhone. With this application, users can start editing pictures on the iPhone immediately after the app is uploaded into your device. However, it must be noted that iPicEd is in sync to the iPhone photo uploading application iPicalo and it enables users to upload the edited pictures as well.
Viable alternatives to iPhone camera
Moobila has quoted the iPicolo and iPicEd applications as viable alternatives to the built-in iPhone camera. The catch in these two applications is that, iPicolo can function independently in uploading your pictures; while iPicEd will have to rely on iPicolo for uploading of the edited pictures. Both these applications are now available at the Apple iTunes store for download.
If you are an enthusiast of car navigation applications, here is good news for you. Heavy duty car navigation app for theiPhone - TomTom has been launched and is available at the Apple App Store.
TomTom is primarily a leading manufacturer of autonomous, stand-alone GPS systems, and its new app for the iPhone is industrial (heavy) strength car navigation software cutting across the time zones. One of the fascinating aspects of this program is that it takes advantage of APIs in the 3.0 software to provide turn-by-turn navigation for iPhone users.
TomTom at WWDC
TomTom’s navigation software and the specially designed car kit on the iPhone was much appreciated during Apple’s World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC ‘09) and TomTom promised to offer its huge base of customers worldwide with two new TomTom products – the navigation app and car kit. The company believes, it will provide users with state of the art in-car navigation on their iPhone 3G. However, what has spurred a debate in the iPhone app circle is its ‘regal’ pricing.
Is the pricing worth it?
TomTom as a premium car navigation iPhone app (along with maps) has been priced at $99.99, considered quite exorbitant for an iPhone application. However, analyst opine that the deal is fair considering the features included; and also, it is pitched to be a worthy alternative to Navigator app from AT&T. Navigator app, in spite of being a free app and a subscription service calls for an additional $10 charged to your monthly mobile phone bill.
TomTom Features: Custom-made for iPhone OS
- Tap and go: All you need to do to choose your starting point and destination is just tap the multi-touch screen. Just scroll through the menu, or pinch to zoom in and out on a map.
- Audible Navigator: The application has audible turn-by-turn directions and local points of interest.
- Meet your friends: The TomTom app can help you meet your friends by finding entry in your iPhone contacts list.
- Restaurant locator: the navigation app also helps you choose a restaurant, make calls for table reservation, and then all you need to do is follow the directions and reach the restaurant quickly.
- Maps available: TomTom iPhone app comes complete with maps of the United States and Canada from Tele Atlas; and users can purchase maps of Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.
- Smartest route finder: One of the most favored feature of the application, TomTom IQ Routes system claims it can evaluate and ascertain the smartest and the most efficient route to a certain location, based on the collective experience of millions of drivers.
More to come…
TomTom is slated to launch a car kit later this year, which will enable users to attach their iPhone to the car's dashboard. This specially developed car kit can be used for enhanced GPS performance, secure docking, hands-free calling, clear voice instructions and in-car charging. Moreover, the kit will also take advantage of new APIs in the 3.0 firmware. This car kit in not inclusive in the present price of the application, and will be priced separately (although TomTom has not yet disclosed the price).
Was the MMS feature ofiPhone OS 3.0 and the iPhone 3GS one of the key reasons that led to the decision in purchase of your new Apple iPhone? If yes, then you are not the only one. There are several others in thousands who chose Apple iPhoneover others relying on big promotions by the company on TV, radio, newspapers, direct mailers, and on the Internet.
However, now after 2 months of release of the new software and the device in June this year, the iPhone customers in the U.S are still left in the lurch without the iPhone MMS feature. Further investigation has revealed that AT&T, the official carrier of Apple iPhone is not yet adept in offering MMS service and the company's cell towers don't support it.
The customers ofApple-AT&T feels that they have been let down by the company duo as they drifted away from their promises. This has also led to a few lawsuits being filed against Apple-AT&T at various districts courts across United States under the Unfair Trade Practices Act and other laws in the state.
Lawsuit filed against Apple - AT&T
If reports are to be believed, several lawsuits on ‘breach of trust’ from Apple-AT&T have been filed in district courts across America. Although, reports of lawsuits being filed have come in from Illinois and Louisiana; it is much anticipated that similar lawsuits must have been filed in other jurisdictions as well.
The new class-action lawsuit filed in a Illinois district court against Apple and AT&T by Tim Meeker and the one in Louisiana court by Christopher Carbine, Ryan Casey, and Lisa Maurer claims in unison about Apple and AT&T’s misrepresented material facts regarding iPhone's support of MMS feature.
The claims in the lawsuits mainly laid stress on the fact that the MMS support was promised to be added in a forthcoming update to the iPhone OS in June. However, there was no MMS support to be found on installation of the update as reported by the complainants.
Moreover, Apple support on being questioned about the problem failed to provide a satisfactory answer to customer queries. The only explanation Apple Inc. gave to the iPhone customers seeking MMS facilities was that, “AT&T hadn't upgraded its towers to support MMS”.
Why Apple couldn’t keep its ‘MMS’ promise
Apple’s response to customer queries regarding AT&T’s inability to provide MMS service is considered as quite irresponsible since Apple also has a shared responsibility as the MMS functionality has been featured on its iPhone device, triggering many sales. Not only that, Apple had already made an announcement during the launch of iPhone OS 3.0 that it would support MMS on the iPhone 3G and the upcoming iPhone 3GS.
Apple had however; during the WWDC keynote address hinted that AT&T wouldn't be ready with MMS support at launch; even though it has shown optimism about a late summer release of the multimedia message feature. If Apple is to be believed, ‘summer is not over yet’ and the iPhone giant is hopeful that AT&T is making some serious system upgrades so as to ensure fantastic user experience with MMS.
So, the BIG question remains – Were the lawsuits filed on the MMS issue misinterpreted and a little too early? Well, time will tell….Till then watch this space. We’ll keep you posted!
It’s August, and the much anticipated Q2 results for the smartphone market is out! As all smartphones in the fray have tried to put their best foot forward in fighting global meltdown and cut-throat competition, Apple iPhone still rules the roost with higher sales and increasing market share.
Apple iPhone is on the winning spree with 13.3 percent of market share and 375 % growth leaving behind the drifted sales record of Nokia's Symbian smartphones, the gradually sinking Microsoft's Windows Mobile and the Palm Pre, which is just able to make a ripple in the global smartphone market. The other smartphone which is able to pull through the competition with a slight positive swing is RIM’s BlackBerry.
Gartner's Q2 mobile phone report: Smartphone sales outnumber Mobile phones
Market research firm Gartner's 2009 Q2 mobile phone report is ecstatic about the burgeoning market trends of smartphones over mobile phones as its sales went up 27%. At the same time, worldwide Q2 results for mobile phone sales which amounted to 268.1 million i.e. down 6.1 percent against the Q2 of previous year citing global recessionary trend.
Similarly, Apple has had a fantastic increase in market share among smartphones in the second quarter with a jump to 13.3 percent from 10.8 percent in first quarter and from 2.8 percent in Q2 2008. The only smartphone that Apple is closing in on is Research in Motion (RIM) BlackBerry with an 18.7% share from 17.3 % in Q2 2008. While simultaneously, the market leader Nokia seems to be slowly losing its ground as its share went down from 47.4% in Q2 2008 to 45% in this year.
Gartner's Q2 mobile phone report: Apple iPhone is the winner The report has also hailed Apple as the strongest contender and a winner with its sales growing leader more than 500% year-to-year, and a growing market share of 375%. Not only has Apple iPhones sales propelled in the last quarter, the company as per Gartner report has also gone in to maintain third place in global sales among smartphone companies.
The growing sales record of Apple Inc. own much credit to its business and marketing strategy that includes foraying into new markets, making price adjustments (e.g. the recent price adjustments on the 8GB 3G iPhone to $99) and product strategy of consistently offering its customers new and upgraded iPhone devices at the service of its huge and growing customer base.
If you ever intend to make a case study of the recent launch of the much-anticipated iPhone 3G S, you can observe a breakthrough increase in sales figures in the second half of 2009. So, you can very well anticipate the growth in sales for the Q3 and Q4 for Apple iPhones. This goes on to show that whatever new strategy is invested in the present quarter, its results will henceforth, be reaped in the following quarter.
Going to banks have been minimized; thanks to the internet revolution as banking goes paperless and online banking becomes predominant. Until now, there was one aspect of banking that was still beyond the scope of being virtually handled – and that is Check Deposit. However, recently United Services Automobile Association (USAA), a privately held bank and insurance company mainly for members of the U.S. military and veterans has pioneered to update its iPhone application.
This new application proposed to be launched in August, 2009 and termed USAA Deposit@Mobile will introduce the check deposit feature, which will enable a customer to photograph both sides of the check with the iPhone camera. And the best part of the application is that on taking the check image with your iPhone camera and hitting the button, your check will be sent for processing into the bank’s deposit-taking system as any other check would.
How it works
- To make a deposit, you use the USAA Deposit@Mobile app to log onto your account,
- Enter the amount of the check; simply sign the back of any check and then use your iPhone camera to take a picture of the check's front side and back side.
- Enter information into the application — including the amount and where it's to be deposited.
- Touch the "Send" button. The bank sends a confirmation.
- Funds are credited to the designated account.
- You will not require mailing the check to the bank later.
- The entire process of check deposit will be handled electronically.
- The bank proposes voiding the check and filing or discarding it.
- However, USAA has made stringent methods to reduce the potential for fraud. Only customers who are eligible for credit and have some type of insurance through USAA will be permitted to use the deposit feature.
The story behind the Innovation….
USAA, in spite of its ranking in size just below the top 20 banks in the United States has proved itself time an again as one of the most unconventional innovator in mobile banking. The iPhone check deposit feature is an extension of its pioneering venture USAA Deposit@Home program launched 3 years ago in 2006, which offered the option of depositing checks from home using a scanner. Since then, with just one branch operating in San Antonio, USAA has been catering to customers all over the globe with its innovative banking strategy.
USAA has been rather quick to cash in on the important role cellphone’s play in banking today. Recent statistics has shown that about a million of USAA’s 7.2 million customers have been using their cellphones to access their accounts — either through text message, a mobile browser or an iPhone application introduced last May.
The future of mobile banking is here…
The iPhone app which USAA released in mid-May, allows people to access their accounts, make bill payments, fund transfer and locate an ATM. The application attained the position of one of the top free financial applications in the App Store within the first 4 weeks of release with more than 90,000 downloads.
However, the new feature in USAA Deposit@Mobile app was an ardent need for ‘on the move’ check deposit facility. This was the only way customers could avoid visiting banks, wait in queue and deposit checks; and just accomplish all their banking needs without going to the bank with the trendiest device – the iPhone.
With Apple choosing to stick on to its old ways of rejecting applications approaching for approval into the App Store; and Cydia welcoming the App Store rejection apps with open arms – the cold war between Apple and Cydia seem to be intensifying. Moreover, the developers once shunned by Apple are queuing up to Cydia without a second thought.
While time will tell if Apple’s loss was Cydia’s gain or not, it is however a fact the developers are at least getting an alternative podium to showcase their product and in many cases even earn good returns. Similarly, iPhone users can get access to numerous apps available through Cydia; all you need to do is just jailbreak your iPhone.
Cydia – The Emerging alternative to App Store
Cydia, indeed is fast emerging as the viable alternative to Apple App Store. With an existence of barely 5 months, Jay Freeman, fondly addressed as Saurik in the iPhone jailbreaking community, has successfully promoted Cydia as the alternative platform to all the iPhone application which could not make it to the App Store, or were either removed or banned from the App Store.
A recent statistics revealed that the number of iPhone users visiting Cydia ‘per day’ has increase from 350,000 to 470,000 in just a few months. Moreover, the unique device identifiers at Freeman’s server have tracked down amazing records of the number of users using Cydia. As Freeman claims, 4 million iPhone and iPod Touch owners have installed Cydia, which is 10 percent of the total 40 million iPhone users till date.
Apple’s loss is Cydia’s gain
Several worthy apps presented before Apple for approval into its App Store were rejected, which many believe were reminiscent of Apple’s abrupt policies and high handedness. However, the existence of Cydia has made way for the developers rejected at App Store to sell and showcase their application and even earn returns. A recent study has shown that apart from the many free apps, there are also 15 paid apps in Cydia; and the overall sales of the store in just five months is over $220,000, which is very encouraging.
Some of the most befitting examples defending the analysis that ‘Apple’s loss is Cydia’s gain’ are iPhone apps like Google Voice app - GV Mobile, which was recently made available ‘free’ at Cydia by its developer developer Sean Kovacs, after it was pulled out from the App Store.
Similarly, 3G Unrestrictor developer Kim Streich who has developed the most successful Cydia app to date has sold 9,500 copies and garnered a whopping $19,000 in sales in just two weeks through Cydia Interestingly, 3G Unrestrictor, priced at $2 allows the iPhone to evade any network limitations imposed by Apple.
The Rise of Cydia
Cydia's success story is more of a rebellious idea where the community of developers and users ‘jailbreak’ their iPhone to use Cydia and explore the complete functionality of iPhone. The developer’s foraying into Cydia with their apps may not always have huge success and millionaires as some have in the App Store; but one must also remember that not all apps in the App Store have made their developers millionaires. Most of them are crap, which come and go unnoticed.
At Cydia, the market is small, competitors few and customer base is reasonably large – offering a higher chance for each developer to make a quick buck. Another big advantage of Cydia is its quick accessibility. Developers submitting their app through Cydia only need to contact Freeman, and their app can be made available almost immediately unlike App Store, where approval from Apple may require months of waiting.
Freeman is hopeful that his growing community will support more developers to sell off their products and is optimistic that Cydia would be able to provide developers stable incomes in the near future.
As iPhoneapps continue to amaze us with their innovative offerings, one more application was launched on Thursday, August 6, 2009 that is designed to give users’ real-time road information – the Waze iPhone application. This application works based on input from other users' iPhones. It provides traffic speeds, reports on accidents and notable road conditions besides others.
The Waze app was already very popular in Android, and has finally made its debut in the iPhoneApp Store. This ‘free’ social mobile app is 100% user-generated, and drivers can easily update each other on traffic, road construction, accidents, hazards, police traps, and more.
Besides providing iPhone users with real time maps and traffic information, the Waze application is also equipped to offer turn-by-turn navigation and rerouting options as conditions on the road change. Moreover, users may also send out tweets based on reports they make while driving. Waze iPhone App – Building community
A very interesting aspect of Waze iPhone app is that it is a crowd-sourced traffic sharing application with an entirely functional turn-by-turn navigation system. It also plays a vital role in building a driving community for an area. It has great features and an exceptional design and the best part of the app is that, it can be your ‘genie’ when you are caught in a rough patch of traffic - helping you with information on an alternate route, thus facilitating a quick drive back to your destination.
Moreover, as a Waze user you can feel comfortable as you can stay connected with other drivers on the way - informing each other about what's happening on the road in real time and also keeping abreast of what's coming up ahead. The application also helps you track the location of other driver’s nearby who is also running Waze as you can see them popping up on the map.
Waze iPhone App - Features
Almost real-time. Waze is designed to offer drivers real-time information about the roads they commute on, generally with no more than a 30-second delay. The developers of the app insist that for best results and to have real utility, the app will require a critical mass of users; because, as of now only about 5 to 6 users are found popping out in the Waze iPhone app in a 30 minute driving time.
Analyzing traffic speed. The Waze app constantly shows and makes you aware of the speed of traffic (on the roads) in the locality you are driving. This service is possible courtesy GPS as it reports back your movements.
Anonymity ensured. Waze is committed towards upholding user privacy and is making sure by constantly upgrading, to ensure that complete anonymity of all users is respected. This feature is mainly to prevent users from being discouraged as they are sending out information about the location of speed traps and speed cams, or warnings about the position of police, etc.
Earn Points. Waze also offers an opportunity for users to be the first to drive along unconfirmed roads and earn points for being the first to confirm them. There are several roads in the Waze’s map provided by the U.S government, which are displayed as "unconfirmed" and are depicted by lines of small, gray dots. So, if you are the first to create a new road (one that is not depicted on the map), your action will be promptly rewarded with a solid red line on the map as you drive.
Local map administration. You as an active Waze app user can be valuable member of the local map administration. The major criterion required to serve as local area managers is done by collect points as you drive around by being the first to confirm roads.
Waze’s ultimate Business plan
If you are wondering what business plan Waze has up in its mind for earning revenue through this wonderful application, while it is giving it away for FREE at the Apple App Store; hang on. Waze is optimistic about its goal of reaching out to a maximum number of people, so as to ensure a steady flow of new road data to add to the Waze database. Now, what the company plans to do is, license that raw data to other companies at their discretion, and in the process get hold of as much of what it thinks is a $4 billion market.
The only notable flaw in the Waze business plan is the iPhone app’s dependency on the AT&T's network. This dependency according to Waze, is meant to provide access to the Internet. Not only that, the service is also profoundly dependent on connectivity over that network.
Google Voice iPhone app GV Mobile is the latest to face the wrath of Apple’s high handedness in its efforts to streamline the efforts of all seeking association with the iPhone giant. In a surprising move, Apple removed the GV Mobile App and rejected the official Google Voice App; apart from putting a ban to all other Google Voice Apps from the App Store. The reason cited mentions of duplicating features that the iPhone comes with (Dialer, SMS, etc), although no actual specification about the features has been provided.
However, their rather irrational antics seem to boomerang on their actions. In a latest development, Sean Kovacs, the developer of GV Mobile disappointed by Apple’s action has decided to take Apple head on; and has announced to add GV Voice app for free on Cydia. There is also news of a possible connection between GV Mobile joining Cydia and the increase in the number of jailbroken iPhones from 8.0% to 8.43% in the week the GV Mobile was released on Cydia. Moreover, there is also a noted increase in the percentage of jailbroken iPhones sessions from 6.2% to 6.65%. Big blow for Apple?
Many consider this new development of GV Mobile joining Cydia a big move, since Apple Inc. has been trying all possible means to discourage people from unlocking and jailbreaking their iPhones. As reported earlier, Apple has placed their concern over possible terrorist threat from jailbroken iPhone and has approached the U.S Copyright office in this regard.
At the same time, Cydia of late has become the ultimate de facto application storehouse for iPhone apps that Apple has debarred or removed from the AppStore. And GV Mobile in Cydia has popularized the ‘jailbreaking’ of iPhones manifold, believes experts. Since, GV Mobile or Google Voice App had already created a lot of hype and was later removed from the App Store, all those who thought of getting the application, now just had to jailbreak their iPhone – go to the Cydia app and search for “GV Mobile” by Sean Kovacs. And, once downloaded and installed, GV Mobile’s jailbreak application works just like it did when it was available on the App Store. So, who’s at loss anyway?
GV Mobile now available Free on Cydia
Sean Kovacs of GV Mobile is so baffled by the sudden turnaround of events and on the app being removed from the App Store. He instead decided to make GV Mobile available on Cydia for free on jailbroken phones rather than see his work go waste.
You all have always known that a dictionary is meant to provide you with the meaning of any valid words and the best dictionary is considered one, which offers its readers with meanings of the most and rarest words. However, what lately happened to Ninjawords App for the iPhone has put a question mark to what actually is expected of a dictionary. Apple Inc. has censored certain words in the Ninjawords dictionary app for iPhones, which it has earmarked ‘objectionable’; and had even refused to sell Ninjawords app unless the developer removed those words from the dictionary.
Now, what is unacceptable is Apple’s moral policing attitude, as it goes to the extent of screening ‘words’ in a dictionary that has come to it for approval – even despite the fact that Ninjawords carries a 17+ age rating. It has also further come to light that Apple had already taken two months to finally approve the app for sale. It is heard that Ninjawords had to succumb to a lot of Apple’s pressure for removing some of the swear words ‘objected’ by Apple for inclusion into the iPhone dictionary.
Should Apple decide what’s offensive?
Apple’s concern on curbing porn content and reviewing app, so as to prevent iPhone being a malware target is understandable. However, does that also include screening dictionary and censoring words which ‘Apple thinks’ is unethical?
The debate over Apple’s alleged censorship of certain words in Ninjawords dictionary app is heating up on Apple’s role in playing a moral guardian to users in deciding what is offensive and what is not. There is a general opinion developing that Apple should leave the prerogative of using an app on the iPhone owner and the parents. Many agree that Apple’s job as the security cover for iPhones should be limited to keeping off malicious or illegal software prone applications away from the App Store.
Behind the scenes….
As all of us are grappling with the curious case of Ninjawords app, not many know how stressful it was for the developers of the Ninjawords app to strike a deal with Apple and then being curbed of a dictionary’s literary liberties. A shocking tell-tale by Phil Crosby, a Ninjawords app development team representative from Matchstick Software reveals that the app was simply rejection several times since its first submission for approval in May, 2009 on the grounds of containing ‘swear’ words.
Ninjawords had earlier reiterated that the iPhone dictionary contains words found in standard English dictionaries. They have also clarified that the application has been so developed, that the user has to type the ‘complete word’ or in its entirety to get the require meaning and there will be no ‘suggestive typing feature’ available i.e. the dictionary app will not suggest any words on the typing of a few alphabets. Therefore, any user typing a vulgar or swear word is seeking its meaning under complete knowledge of his actions.
Finally, Ninjawords has managed to get on board the App Store in mid-July after doing away with a lot of censored words and approving the app with a 17+ age rating. You too can now avail Ninjawords dictionary app from the App Store for a basic price of $2. Most people who have used the app has appreciated it, do share with us your experiences with the Ninjawords app if you have used it.
Unlocking and jailbreaking of iPhones, since its advent has been giving Apple representatives sleepless nights and headaches; considering the number of times they have been caught unaware of the iPhone Dev team’s next move. It is not that Apple hasn’t tried to stop them; however, their endeavors just did not work and many a times have garnered bad PR for themselves.
In its latest endeavor, Apple has placed a complaint with the U.S. Copyright Office on iPhone unlocking and jailbreaking - suggesting that the practice be outlawed, citing fears that terrorists could use jailbroken iPhones to attack cell phone towers. Many believe, this move is nothing less than a sign of frustration from the smartphone giant, soon after its latest release the new iPhone 3G S was also unlocked, following which, it is now trying to rope in the attention of security agencies, cashing in on America’s commitment to ‘war against terror’.
Apple struggles for iPhone security
Apple's struggle for iPhone security is not new. Analysts have often taken a dig on Apple iPhones internal protection technology and consumer security as they turned out to be quite weak and poorly implemented. And with the recent jailbreaking of the iPhone 3G S, Apple has turned to none other than the U.S. government for help.
Analyzing Apple’s Claim
You all must be as interested as me to know about Apple’s claim on the possible terror threats courtesy unlocked and jailbroken iPhones. Well, Apple has based its claims on the fact that an unlocked iPhone offers easy accessibility to the iPhone’s BBP or the BaseBand Processor software, which enables a connection to cell phone towers.
Now, what Apple in its report to the U.S. Copyright Office has cited are unknown possibilities of the BBP being trespassed by anti-social elements. Concerns have been raised about the possibility of a local or international hacker initiating commands (such as a denial of service attack). Such an eventuality could crash the tower software, causing collateral damage to the tower and making it entirely inoperable to process calls or data transmission.
Further explaining the threat factor, Apple goes on to say that taking control of the BBP software would be much equivalent penetrating the firewall of a corporate computer. Therefore, any intrusion by unethical hackers with the intention of terrorism can prove to be potentially catastrophic with unlocked and jailbroken iPhones.
Apple speaks…
Apple has gone on record in citing the anticipated problems due to iPhone unlocking:
Unpredictable Data: Slow or unreliable data connections, together with delayed or inaccurate location data.
iPhone device and app instability: Reports of regular and sudden crashes of the device, apart from crashes and freezes of built-in apps and third-party apps leading to loss of data
Disruption of services: Reports of disruption as well as termination in services of Visual Voice mail, YouTube, Weather, Stocks, etc, including push-based third party applications on the devices.
Inability to apply future software updates: A few unauthorized modifications cause irreparable damage to the iPhone OS.
Compromised security: Introductions of security compromises due to the modifications, allowing hackers to steal personal information, damage the device, attack the wireless network, or even introduce malicious software or viruses.
Shortened battery life: The hacked software of your jailbroken device causes an accelerated battery drain that goes on to shorten the operation of an iPhone or iPod Touch on a single battery charge.
What provoked Apple to report?
Apple’s plea to the U.S. Copyright Office comes in response to an ongoing request by the Electronic Frontier Foundation to legalize the widespread practice of unlocking. Apple Inc. which already is fighting against all odds to prevent iPhone unlocking is now optimistically seeking help from the U.S Government as its final assault by treading an altogether different direction make unlocking and jailbreaking the phone illegal.
However, EEF in response to Apple’s filing of report has termed it as ‘preposterous’; claiming that with an estimated 1 million unlocked iPhones operating in the U.S. so far, no such threat perception has been detected and Apple’s apprehensions are more theoretical than practical.
The war of words continues….
As the war of words continues between Apple and all those favoring unlocking and jailbreaking of iPhone, the catch is that unlocking the iPhone may currently be banned under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998. This act states that "no person shall circumvent a technological measure that effectively controls access to a work protected under this title." If Apple wins the bid to banning iPhone unlocking and jailbreaking is yet to be seen.
Finding an iPhone app in the Apple App Store seems to be a daunting task for me. Is it the same for you? With the feedback received from iPhone users all over the globe, it is confirmed that almost everybody at some point of time might have faced problem searching for apps.
However, it is obvious that with more than 65,000 applications currently available in the App Store, it will gradually become difficult for users to find new applications with the current categorization methods. News is rife that Apple is working towards improving its search functionality with keywords-based search.
Reports suggest that Apple has now requested iPhone developers to enter 255 comma-separated characters as keywords to iTunes Connect to be used for search in the App Store for the iPhone and iPod touch. Interestingly, iTunes Connect is the same application, developers use to upload and submit their iPhone and iPod Touch apps to Apple. Industry analysts consider this as a welcome change and are optimistic that this easy-to-use App search functionality will definitely improve sales for the App Store. The Flip-Side of App keywords
An update from Apple reads, "It is important to enter keywords for all applications as soon as possible so your application can continue to be successfully located on the App Store. Keywords can be updated with the submission of a new binary." While Apple has called for a rather quick implementation of the keywords, which is anticipated to make finding iPhone apps easier at the App Store, there has also been a certain undercurrent of apprehension regarding the move.
Many believe, this move may encourage unethical practices amongst the developers and it won’t be surprising if a few developers exploit, by adding popular keywords for apps, which may be completely unrelated and just for the prospect of gaining added exposure. We can only hope that Apple Inc. will take note of this and make amendments to fix the loose ends.
Have you got an interesting photo to share that can make news headlines? Seen a celebrity with her child in the departmental store or with a mystery partner? Or, clicked a social awareness appropriate snap of someone defying traffic rules or garbage dumped in the wrong place? Well, if you have a fascination for captivating sizzling incidents on your 
