Stuff.tv - Apple iPhone

iPhone app of the day: Dropbox

Julian Whitehorn — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:30:25 GMT

The Dropbox iPhone app promises to make it easier to keep track of all the files and photos you probably have scattered between phones, work and home computers right now.

Dropbox is already a massive help to a lot of people; syncing content between devices and allowing users to share large files and photos easily.

Now it's launched the iPhone app it means that you need never be without that essential file, or feel like your head's going to explode because you've lost track of the whereabouts of the latest version of that novel you've been working on.

The app itself is free, and you'll have to sign up for a Dropbox account to use it. But never fear – the basic 2GB account is also free, so there's no reason for not giving it a go now. If you fancy a bit more storage and some more sharing options, you can pay for an account with up to 100GB.

iPhone 3GS + heads-up display = amazing augmented reality sat-nav system

Mic Wright — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:52:29 GMT

It might seem like our love affair with augmented reality is a little OTT but seriously, it's cool isn't it? Here's yet more proof – an experimental augmented reality sat-nav system using the iPhone 3GS.

Created by Tokyo-based firm Ubiquitous Entertainment, the iPhone ARider uses the iPhone 3GS and teams it with a retractable head-mounted display.

Attach the system to a helmet and you can see your map projected on your glasses and make hands-free calls. It'll even connect to Twitter with the Twitbird Pro app which handles push notifications.

Turning your head controls the iPhone 3GS's compass and GPS, altering the orientation of the map projected on to your glasses.

The obviously cool thing about the ARider is that you don't have to look at the iPhone screen. However, we're still not convinced that the proejction wouldn't distract you from the road.

Also: if you did take a tumble off your bike, you'd be guaranteed to smash your iPhone with it strapped to your bonce.

Nonetheless, the ARider is just another example of why augmented reality is one of the biggest concepts in future (and current) tech.

If you want to find out more about augmented reality and join us in our ever growing obsession, try our 5 Things You Need To Know About Augmented Reality.

(good spot by Crunchgear)

Worksnug – hands-on with augmented reality WiFi finder

Linsey Fryatt — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:17:00 GMT

We've just had a first hands-on with a brand-new augmented reality app for the iPhone 3G S that's got us quite excited. The Worksnug concept is simple but ingenious – it uses an augmented reality overlay to guide you to the nearest WiFi hotspot and/or urban workspace.

Just point your phone in any direction and a list of your nearest WiFi cafés and meeting places will pop up over your screen. But the best bit is that the Worksnug team has rated each destination in terms of ambience, charges for WiFi, signal strength, meeting facilities and even how good the coffee is.

Richard Leyland, founder of Worksnug, told us the plans for the future of the app. "We are ready to roll out in London, pending Apple approval, and plan to release soon in San Francisco, with other UK cities to follow. There will also be an Andoid app in the not-too-distant future."

Users can also use a one-button push to submit their own reviews to Twitter, or email them directly to Worksnug. Richard adds: "The idea is to open out Worksnug as a community-based app – users can already upload their own reviews, and our website will launch fully next year. Users will be able to submit new places and user reviews of existing ones."

The app is free and completely independent, so you won't have to tolerate loads of Starbucks or Maccy D's logos popping up over your augmented experience and if, like us, you spend even a fraction of your time working on the go, we think that you'll find this app an absolute gem.

London Buses augmented reality app – video and picture gallery

Linsey Fryatt — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:36:00 GMT

Just released today is what looks like another kick-ass augmented reality app, this time with the focus on London transport.

It's called London Buses, but this undersells its full functionailty – as well as furnishing you with the latest tfl bus maps for central London and helping you plan a comprehensive route on our big, red friends, you can also buy London Tube info as an additional plug-in, meaning you can plan your route to perfection.

And if you happen to have an iPhone 3GS, there's even some augmented reality fun to be had, as you can be gently guided to the nearest cinema, hotel, tourist attraction, WiFi zone or place to eat.

OK, the choice of eateries is limited to big-standard feed from the likes of KFC, McDonald's and TGI Friday's at the moment, but if you're a tourist in need of some sightseeing fuel, you can just follow the red arrows to the nearest Pizza Hut.

We can't wait to use this in the wilds of Central London, but in the emantime, here's a taster of what's on offer...

O2 iPhone app first hands-on: your call and data stats revealed

Mic Wright — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:15:31 GMT

It's all very well having thousands of texts and oodles of minutes at your disposal, if you don't know how many you've got left, it's easy to go over your limits. Thank the tech gods then for the new O2 iPhone app. A super-small download, it gives you access to your current allowances and crucially how much you've spent in the past month.

You can see above how the app gives you access to your current balance and the amount of minutes, text and data you still have to use.

Meanwhile on the second screen you can see your recent charges. You might notice from my stats that two recent foreign trips meant serious data roaming charges. £3.74 in calls and almost £200 in data. Ouch! Time to change my tariff I think.

For you non-iPhone folk, don't worry, O2 says it'll be rolling out the app to other handsets soon. If you've downloaded the app tell us: were you surprised with your iPhone usage stats?

The day the downloaded music died: why did Apple approve Spotify's iPhone killer?

Mic Wright — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:25:50 GMT

I didn't believe Apple would approve the Spotify iPhone app. Not for one moment. Apple has jealously protected the built-in functions of the iPhone – hence the Google Talk controversy. So why has it approved an application that will shake the foundations of the iPhone/iTunes eco-system?

The ability to access Spotify through your iPhone and buffer songs for those times when streaming just won't work (when 3G or WiFi are non-existent) is the service's killer feature. It's the ability it needs to convert those people who just can't bring themselves to pay for the £10 premium subscription with just a PC tethered service.

Apple just gave Spotify its first leg up towards true dominance of music consumption. But in the process it may have effectively taken iTunes out into the yard and put a bullet in its brain. While occasional consumers of music, the people who pop on to iTunes to pick up the odd single they like, will still not be convinced by a £10/month outlay, serious music fans will find it hard to resist all-you-can-eat, wherever-you-go music.

Steve Jobs and the Apple leadership team are some of the shrewdest business brains in the world. They would not have given Spotify this gift without asking for something in return. So what have they got out of the bargain? Well, there's a few possible motivations for the Cupertino Mafia bringing Spotify into the fold:

One: Apple has done a deal with Spotify to take a cut. Apple receives a percentage of all app sales in the store but Spotify's application will be free. So Apple will have had to negotiate Spotify into some kind of fairly complicated revenue sharing deal that takes in to account the reach and power of the iPhone as a platform for applications. This option drags another firm in to the fray – 7Digital is Spotify's current download partner but those ties are bound to be frayed by a close alliance with the iTunes juggernaut.

Daniel Ek, Spotify's head honcho, said on Twitter: "We're happy but have had a great dialogue with Apple all the way. They've been great!" Either he's happy that Apple agreed fairly pleasant terms on the deal or they didn't impose serious conditions on Spotify at all. If it's the latter, why would Apple allow Spotify into the bosom of its hero device?

Apple has taken a bruising recently over the US controversy where it refused to approve Google's Voice app because it felt it replicated the iPhone's own phone and voicemail features. Though the waters are muddied by the fact that Apple can point to Google's web version of the service working on the iPhone, the US regulators at the FCC are involved and it's a tricky legal tangle.

By allowing Spotify on to the iPhone – especially after Spotify effectively blackmailed Apple by establishing public demand with a clever preview campaign – Apple could simply be trying to damp down charges of anti-competitiveness. Rumours of Apple working on a brand new way of bundling content in the iTunes store and the revelation that it has purchased a vast new data centre – perfect for cloud computing – could mean that iTunes itself will go to the cloud, creating a personalised and highly mobile music library.

If Apple creates a service that will put the music you've already purchased into the cloud, coupled with streaming options and luxurious new download packages with custom content, it could create a compelling Spotify competitor. Building its services to be more integrated in to the iPhone's hardware platform, it would capitalise both on the laziness of iPhone adopters and the reverence shown towards it by the Apple fanboy contingent.

Then there's the possibility that Apple is simply aware that if it does not welcome Spotify into its world, competitors will. Google Android is establishing a compelling open source app infrastructure and rumours suggest Facebook is seriously interest in Spotify. Apple could be protecting itself by getting in a preemptive strike. Spotify is likely to still turn up on other devices (an Android app is already in the works) but it will not become a killer feature to tempt people away from iPhone.

Finally there's a more way-out possibility: Apple plans to invest in Spotify. Li Ka-Shing, the owner of both the 3 mobile network and INQ, the social media mobile creators, recently invested in Spotify. His stake follows a similar investment in Facebook prompting suggestions that a tie-up between the social network and Spotify could be on the cards.

Could Apple have also seen the potential in the smaller firm and sought to neutralise the threat by taking its own piece of the pie? It's not impossible but financial statements would reveal these moves and, as a public company, Apple would have to announce this course of action if it took it.

Another interesting element to throw in to the "Paul Is Dead" style conspiracy theory tying Facebook and Spotify together is the suggestions that the next version of iTunes, iTunes 9, will feature a raft of social networking features.

Is it too wild to imagine a time when iTunes, Facebook and Spotify are integrated to form a social web that ties your media consumption and social lives together? And wouldn't the fabled Apple Mac Tablet be the perfect kind of device to make that experience work?

Spotify is not perfect and it will not simply do away with the need to own music that many people still have. It's also by no means exhaustive despite its vast catalogue. Its coverage of marginal genres is poor, it needs to make new bands feel more confident that they will be compensated and it has to draw in the dinosaur holdouts that so far have refused to join the digital age.

But the problem has troubled iTunes (just look at the repeated rumours that the Beatles will finally come on board at a September 9 event). Yet the old rockers are starting to move with the times. Zeppelin's Robert Plant recently told Stuff's sister publication What Hi-Fi: Ultimate Guides that he wants his music on Spotify.

Spotify on the iPhone is fantastic news for music fans. But don't be fooled in to thinking that it must be terrible news for Apple – the capitulation of a firm forced into action by public opinion or fear of government regulators. Steve Jobs remains the great maverick of American business and he will not have let Spotify into Camelot without concessions or a long term game plan. It may not even be that long term. Roll on September.

Why the iPhone 3GS is the new king of cameras on Flickr

Mic Wright — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:24:55 GMT

In the top 5 cameras most used to take pictures uploaded to photo sharing site Flickr, there's one mobile – the iPhone.

Despite the fact that even the iPhone 3GS, the latest version of Apple's uber-phone only has 3MP camera and no flash, it beats the grunt of Nokia's N95 and Nokia N97.

The iPhone's also far ahead of Sony Ericsson which despite its dedicated Cybershot snapper line only makes an appearance at number 5 in the "Top Cam Phones on Flickr" chart.

The iPhone (which includes all three generations of the Apple smartphone) is currently running a close second to Canon EOS 400D, a 10.1MP prosumer DSLR. However, it has overtaken the EOS 400D several times over the past six months. Why has a phone with a camera which at first seems antiquated compared to many other mobiles and compared to DSLRs, managed to top the Flickr charts?

The answer is most likely connectivity and simplicity. Other phones could easily batter the iPhone family in a specs fight but have user interfaces that are as simple to use as the iPhone OS. you want to sling your snaps (with the iPhone 3GS) videos, the iPhone is arguably the best option. For the great majority people, it makes sharing snapshots easy.

Interestingly, the iPhone is not just the only mobile phone in the 5 most popular cameras on Flickr, it's the only point and shoot to make the running. The rest of the most popular cameras are DSLRs with Canon filling three out of the five slots with the Canon 400D, EOS 450D and EOS 40D. The final member of the fabulous 5 is the Nikon D80.

Flickr users are obviously a self-selecting group – a sub-section of Internet users with an interest in the art of photography and/or sharing their pictures. But the top 5 cameras shows a clear split between two main types of Flickr photographer – the snap happy amateur and the truly committed lens-toting DSLR slinger.

The iPhone's popularity on the site continues to grow while the Canon EOS 400D (given the US name of the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi in Flickr's graphs) has seen a decline in popularity due to age. Meanwhile the other four cameras have grown in popularity or remained steady.

Among its own kind, in the camera phone chart, the iPhone is far-and-away the most popular device. It streaks ahead of the now slightly aging Nokia N95 which has seen its popularity steadily decline.

Blackberry makes a strong showing too at number 3 and 4 in the top 5 cam phones with the Blackberry Curve and Blackberry Storm. Its appearance adds weight to the idea that taking pictures is more about convenience than ever. People use what they carry with them.

If the next generation of the iPhone manages to up the megapixels and add a flash into the equation, its lead could become even more pronounced.

Do megapixels and superb specs still matter to you? Let us know what camera you use to share your snaps on Flickr and whether you think iPhone can hold on to the crown for good. Tell us in the comments.

Vodafone iPhone portal gets tongues wagging

Verity Burns — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:38:03 GMT

Vodafone is up to something, but what exactly, we can't quite put our finger on.

The mobile operator has just launched an iPhone portal in the UK that allows iPhone users – predominantly O2 customers – to create a custom page made up of headlines, sporting news and whatever else takes their fancy, from the likes of the BBC, Sky and the Premier League.

Nothing that interesting, you might think. But considering the buzz surrounding the new iPhone, and whether O2 are going to hold on to its exclusivity, this move certainly starts raising some questions about whether we're going to see Vodafone distribute the phone over here as well.

Vodafone already has the iPhone in its grasp in other European countries, and ElectricPig has had word that Verizon – which is co-owned by Vodafone – is in talks with Apple to introduce the iPhone to its network over there as well, so it doesn't seem a far-fetched idea.

Ultimately it could just be a very clever way to get people talking, but the idea it would put the money and effort to building a site for O2 customers (jailbreakers aside) seems slightly suspicious to say the least.

I guess, as always, we'll just have to play the waiting game to see if anything comes out of this, and we will of course keep you updated. Until then, let us know what you think about the iPhone exclusivity and whether Vodafone should be allowed a look in.

Baby Shaker iPhone app causes outrage

Verity Burns — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:57:46 GMT

An app that squeezed its way through Apple's notoriously tough approval system has caused outrage, forcing it to be pulled after two days being up for grabs.

Ominously titled Baby Shaker, the game featured scarily realistic sketches of various crying babies, coupled with a timer. The aim of the game was to shake your phone until red crosses appeared over its eyes – pretty disturbing to say the least.

The game may well have been pulled pretty swiftly but the question is, how did it make it up there in the first place?

Apple has often been criticised for scrutinising proposed apps too heavily, turning away a game based on the President Bush shoe-throwing incident because it "ridiculed" a public figure, not to mention the denial of countless applications that compete with anything Apple offers itself.

So what went wrong? Of course, you have to first question the taste of developer who made it, encouraging players to "find a way to put the baby down", in the description of the game. But secondly you have to question how – when the subject of the game was so blatant in both the title and description – Apple didn't think twice before ticking it for approval.

It's all well and good to say that it's just a bit of fun, but when an app taking the mick out of the president doesn't make it through and an app where you kill babies does, it may well be time for Apple to have a rethink of its approval process.

iPhone app of the week – Radio Times

Joe Minihane — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:48:49 GMT

Sky's iPhone app has only just got official, but if you're after something a little more meaty in the TV listings stakes, then the new Radio Times app is ideal.

You get access to listings on every channel imaginable, from BBC One to, er, Shed. In true Radio Times style, you get full programme descriptions too, just in case you're not 100 per cent clear on what World's Wildest Police Videos actually covers. However, there's plenty more than exhaustive lists of what you'll be wasting your time on in the evening.

There's one touch Wikipedia access for trivia and background on your favourite shows, YouTube clips and official trailers, and, here's the clincher, links to BBC iPlayer for cacth–up episodes. Perfect if you missed Sir Alan Sugar going spare at some preeening business wannabe on last week's Apprentice.

Oh and just to make things even better, there are full movie and show ratings, so you don't end up watching a duff flick ever again. The app costs £1.79 now, with that price rising to £2.99 very soon. Best hurry up and download it then.

iPhone app of the week – Tap Tap Revenge: Coldplay

Linsey Fryatt — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:19:46 GMT

Now, Coldplay might not be the first act that spring to mind when thinking for a buddy-up for the utterly addictive Guitar Hero-style iPhone Tap Tap franchise, but, well, here it is.

Following on from Tap Tap Dance and Tap Tap Revenge, this special Coldplay version features even more crazy-wild multicoloured graphics than the other titles, and even those with twelve fingers will find playing Yellow in Extreme mode pretty testing.

If Coldplay isn't your bag (astonishingly, some people think they are a little lame) then the also-new Tap Tap Revenge 2 has over 150 different titles for you to beat out on your iPhone.

What next? Tap Tap Leonard Cohen? Frankly, just for the pun value, I'd like to see Tap Tap Spinal Tap.

iPhone and iPod Touch app of the week – Sky+ Remote Record

Joe Minihane — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 09:19:53 GMT

Sky's Remote Record app has been doing the rounds on Symbian phones for ages. But now Murdoch's band of TV lovers have brought an official version to the Apple App Store.

The free app couldn't be easier to use. Fire it up and you'll get Sky's 7 day EPG. Just choose the programme you want to nab (even if it's Project Runway, we won't judge), it'll send a message to your set top box and then you'll get a message saying it's all been done.

It'll also work with Sky's Never Miss service which gives you reminders about your favourite flicks and shows. When you get your reminder on the move, you can set a record time and ease back knowing you don't have to rush home from the pub.

iPhone and iPod Touch app of the week - Metal Gear Solid Touch

jools whitehorn — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:26:00 GMT

Playstation's ever-popular Metal Gear Solid series continues, but this time Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is breaking ranks and making the jump into your pocket in the shape of an iPhone/iPod Touch game.

You can sneak and shoot your way around 12 stages using a swipe of the finger to aim, a tap to fire and a pinch to zero in on your target. For extra content fans, you can earn Drebin points and use them to buy over 40 different MGS wallpaper.

Download the first half now for £3.49 from iTunes, and when the full release comes in late Spring you'll then be able to get the update for nowt. Happy shooting.

iPhone and iPod Touch app of the week - Watchmen

Ruth Owen — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:32:59 GMT

There are two types of graphic novel adaptations: ones that make you
shed tears over the wanton Hollywood destruction of your favourite
comic book heroes; and ones that are actually quite good.

Admittedly the latter is a much rarer product, which is why we were cheered to
hear Zack Snyder, director of the movie version of Frank Miller's 300,
was at the helm of the new Watchmen movie.

The downside is, of course, that the queues for screenings of the Alan Moore comic masterpiece are proper block winders. So while you're waiting for your midnight slot, check out the Watchmen app for iPhone and iPod Touch. As complicated as the flick itself, it's a smorgasbord of behind the scenes footage, interviews and interactive content that unlocks the more you explore.

We particularly like nosing around Adrian Veidt aka Ozymandias's Antarctic lair with pokes of our fingers. Plus there's your usual trailers and wallpapers, but this app is really a lot more than run of the mill promotional material. And the best thing is it's free.

iPhone and iPod Touch app of the week - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Lee Comley — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 11:04:52 GMT

With the film riding high in the movie charts, this week's iPhone and iPod Touch app of the week is the eBook version of the story that 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' is based on.

With the Kindle 2 brewing up quite a storm across the interwebs (and us feeling very left out that a UK release has still yet to be announced) this offers a way for us to enjoy a taste of that experience on the go, all for the princely sum of nothing.

It's a bizarre tale of a man who starts life aging backwards, starting old and getting ever younger. As you can imagine this makes certain parts of his life rather difficult, especially in the romance department. The film is based on the book, rather than being a complete telling of it, so don't go screaming 'it's nothing like the film' like some people reviewing the app have done.

So a simple one this week, and a chance to try out reading books on your iPhone or iPod Touch.