I guess there are tons of Linux users that were waiting for this kind of project; Marcan42 is developing Usbmuxd, that it is capable to synchronize your iPhone/iPod Touche with your Linux distribution.
Well there are a few applications already available that are capable to achieve this functionality, but at a small cost, iPhone must be jailbreaked. Usbmuxd represents a library that will be in charge to generate the communication with the device and your machine. Usbmuxd name actually was created from “USB multiplexing daemon”.
Using this daemon, plus other Linux libraries, you will be able to proxy requests from the USB cable to the specific port on the iPhone. Here are some of the libraries involved:
libusb-1.0 provides an advanced API to access USB devices under Linux, replacing the old libusb-0.1 API
usbmuxd coordinates application access to the device and talks the specific iPhone/iTouch USB protocol
libiphone implements the Apple-specific protocols that are tunneled through usbmuxd: it can launch services through lockdown, retrieve device info, send notifications, and access the filesystem via AFC.
iFuse and gvfs-backend-afc both provide access to AFC to regular Linux apps. iFuse does this by mounting via FUSE, while gvfs-backend-afc is obviously a backend for gVFS.
libgpod (the library that traditionally has managed music databases for iPods) is being extended to support the new SQLite format, the new hash, and also to talk to libiphone to properly put the device in to and out of sync mode.
Ok, I know, if you are not a Linux user, some of these concepts might confuse you; but you can be certain about one thing: it is so great to have the opportunity to use your favorite technology and gadgets no matter which platform are you using.
Scoreloop is announcing today that it will make it easier than ever for iPhone game makers to put social networking features in their games.
Scoreloop is a small startup that has 20 employees and has raised $3 million in funding so far. The technology they are introducing today is called CoreSocial and it is described as a white label social gaming platform. The software allows iphone game developers to insert features such as leaderboards, achievement medals, cross promotions and virtual currency with ease. The aim of these features is of course to get gamers to always aim for the next level or achievement and remain active on the game for longer.
Scoreloop gets paid through the purchase of virtual currency. For instance, if gamers want to challenge each other to a match, they have to purchase Scoreloop Coins. Then they can engage in a multiplayer match.
Gumpinger said the platform is good for developers who don’t want to reinvent social gaming features and instead want to concentrate on making a game fun. Big brands will probably like this kind of platform because it gives them an easy way to get into the iPhone game market.
The Hype Machine which is a very influencial music blog aggregator has announced while speaking at the In The City music conference in Manchester, UK, that they are already working on an iPhone application.
The site’s founder Anthony Volodkin discussed his plans for an iPhone app that would provide a “radio-like” experience with royalties for the music paid for by charging for the initial download of the app. There’s no word on when this would be released as of yet.
I know that The Pirate Bay and other such torrent sites has been getting a bit of a lashing of late, but sites like The Hype Machine which lets users listen to files add to the internet, seems to get away with copyright issues. The majority of the files that Hype Machine links to are copyright infringing, but no one really seems to care that much.
The Hype Machine is still in independent site, but the sites owners are always open to acquisition offers. The site currently makes the majority of their revenues from advertising and their audience seems to be growing at a very nice pace, so an iPhone application will only accelerate the growth.
It was just reported by Om Malik that Apple has approved yet another VoIP application. The application in question is Stockholm based Rebtel. Currently, Rebtel is now available to download from the iTunes store, as well as other VoIP applications like Skype.
I still think there is a distinctive difference between the VoIP service and what Google Voice offers. Google Voice offers free calls with no cost at all with the USA and Canada. However, on the VoIP service there is still a cost associated when calling phone numbers (only online calls are free). Thus, AT&T and other mobile carriers of the iPhone feel that VoIP services dont harm their call costs, because they think users are too lazy to open the VoIP applications then call, instead of just calling using their phone carrier.
Ever been on a date, in a meeting, an awkward situation or just bored out of your mind at a party? Well an app called ‘Escape my Date’ can easily get you out of that sticky situation.
Basically, once you have signed up at www.EscapeMyDate.com you’ll be fully equipped to get out of any situation. All you have to do is to send a tweet (which can be done by text or by using a twitter application on you phone) to @escapemydate. The program will then send out your plea for help to a group of your selected friends.
If none of them respond in five minutes for whatever reason (either enjoying seeing you in agony or simply busy) then the program will call you itself so you can fake a drastic emergency and flee the scene.
This is a cool app that you’ll eventually be cursing yourself for not having! It’s available here.
Microsoft has launched Windows Mobile 6.5, but their new TV ad campaign doesn’t emphasis the new version number, its more focused on just advertising “buy a Windows phone”.
Seattle blog TechFlash says the ad is a flop, calling it “downright strange” and lacking the impact of the successful Laptop Hunter series:
Am I missing something here? I’ve watched it three times now, and still don’t think it resonates. We’ve actually been impressed with Microsoft’s “Laptop Hunters” ad campaign — which appears to be making inroads against Apple — as well as some of the more recent Windows 7 ads. But this one is just downright strange.
I have to agree with TechFlash. I dont think the ad is focusing on the right areas, it seems as though they are just focusing on the fact that Windows mobile has apps for all Microsoft products and others.
However, dont they understand that the pretty much all other phones have the basic applications the average users wants on their phones (Facebook, Twitter, etc), and they are focused more on the business market with the Microsoft Office apps, but that market is dominated at the moment by Apple and RIM.
These days there seems to be an iPhone application for practically everything! Well thats what the ads tell me anyways.
The Seattle Woodland Park Zoo has launched what it is calling a first-of-its-kind iPhone application, one which uses the device’s GPS functionality to track your movements as you watch penguins, pythons and pole cats.
The 99 cent app also supports a good cause too, since money will go toward animal care, conservation and education programs.
Here are some of the features:
–GPS-enabled zoo map with “Near Me” recommendations for animal exhibits, play areas, concession stands and restrooms.
–Daily schedule of zoo activities including zookeeper talks and children’s programs.
–“Friend Finder” to locate other iPhone users in your party on zoo grounds.
It would be cool if they added animal sounds, territorial ranges and other information about the animals. You can get an inside look at the app in this video:
The iPhone currently isn’t very big in Japan, but that hasn’t stopped Nissan from developing an iPhone application for Yokohama City residents.
The app is called E1 Grand Prix and here is how it works: The app connects to your car’s On-Board Diagnostics (OBD), and extracts information in real-time to determine how efficiently you’re driving (you know, from a saving fuel perspective). Step on the gas and then break too much, and you’ll get a low score; accelerate just enough to coast to the corner before the light turns red, and you’ll get high marks. The app connects to your OBD via in-car mobile Wi-Fi, and then spits back your results on your iPhone screen and via e-mail. The results are also uploaded to an online site, where you essentially compete with other folks to be the most ‘eco-efficient’ driver — hence the ‘Grand Prix’ name).
Nissan is still yet to announce if they will be launching the application in locations all over the world, but im sure it is only a matter of time.
It has been reported over at MobileCrunch that Rock Band will soon be getting its own iPhone and iPod Touch version.
While wandering the halls of CTIA convention in San Diego today, we spotted a small kiosk dedicated to Rock Band Mobile. Sure enough, no iPhones in sight – just a couple of Verizon handsets. Above the kiosk, however, was an LCD screen endlessly looping through a demo reel of EA Mobile’s portfolio – and therein lied the gold. Right at the end of the reel, it pops up clear as day: Rock Band for iPhone and iPod Touch.
The screen only pops up for about half a second (we actually had to watch the reel loop through three times to get a good shot of it), so we didn’t see much in person that you aren’t in a photo. They’re obviously rolling with the same kinda-grungy, kinda-cartoony look and feel as they have on all of the other platforms. You can see just a smidgen of the game mechanics on the right; the notes flow down the fretboard in the same manner as all of the other games, with 4 guitar pick shaped buttons that I presume are pressed to trigger a note.
The first issue that pops into our head, here: Where does this leave Tapulous, with their Tap Tap Revenge series? Tap Tap Revenge already has a massive following on the platform, but it’s very similar to Rock Band. They’ve just launched Tap Tap Revenge 3, which banks heavily on premium content through In-App Purchase. After the success of the console series, the Rock Band name would likely carry a bit more weight with content/license owners than that of Tapulous/Tap Tap Revenge; are we about to see a content war, or will the two games roll together harmoniously?
Reading the Bible, for those who are interested can be difficult in some regards. The most obvious being that the thing is huge with thousands of years worth of literature crammed in one binding, not exactly making it a pocket-sized reader.
iBible is a web app which makes reading and referencing the Bible easy.
Basically, because it’s all so simple and plain; consisting mostly of buttons for each chapter and the rest being text, loading it on any device connected to the internet is quick and easy. This makes it suitable for PC users as well as when you’re on the go such as on a mobile phone using GPRS Internet, a PSP or iPhone.
It’s available in several languages including English, French, German and Polish. The home screen is where you select you language and the screens after this whittle your choice down from Testament, to books, to chapters such as the one I read; Genesis 6.
According to Techcrunch and TUAW the new Tap Tap Revenge 3 game for the iPhone and iPod touch should be live by now, but still doesnt seem to be.
The new app brings with it plenty of gameplay enhancements, but the biggest change here is support for in-app song purchases. This means you’ll be able to choose from a roster of premium songs created by well known artists and buy the ones you like — giving users more choice than ever, and giving Tapulous a lucrative new source of revenue.
Tapulous CEO Bart Decrem says that the company has sold over 500,000 premium apps at $5 each, so obviously they weren’t exactly struggling. Now they’re be able to sell track packs through a single application.
Up until now the basic Tap Tap Revenge games have been completely free with Tapulous only selling premium games for specific artists. However, with the release of the iPhone 3.0 firmware in which now allows in-app purchasing, this now means that Tap Tap Revenge 3 costs $0.99 in the USA iTunes store.
Here’s a sampling of the tracks available:
BLINK 182 – “Adam’s Song” / “All the Small Things” / “Dammit” / “First Date” / “The Rock Show” / “What’s My Age Again”
FALL OUT BOY – “Thanks for the Memories” / “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” / “Dance, Dance” / “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race” / “I Don’t Care” / “American Suitehearts”
FOO FIGHTERS – “The Pretender” / “Wheel” / “My Hero” / “Best of You” / “Monkey Wrench” / “All My Life”
THE KILLERS – “Mr. Brightside” / “Sweet Talk” / “Human” / “When We Were Young” / “All These Things That I’ve Done” / “Read My Mind”
So taking medication can be a nuisance but at some point in our lives we’ll all have to. Most likely under strict orders of a doctor about when to take them and how often. Great, just one more thing for us to remember.
For situations like this most of us would simply create an alarm on our phone but I think that iPills does a much, much better job.
It’s an app for the iPhone that is basically a virtual pillbox. You program in what pills you have to take and when. You can also set them up to re-occur if you have to take them more than once. Each pill in your pillbox can be customized to look like the real thing or to set it apart from the rest. When you have taken the pill you simply tap it and it is moved into the ‘Taken’ box.
This is an incredibly simple app to use which is good seeing that many people on numerous types of pills are of an older generation and may not be as tech savvy as younger people.
But then it isn’t just for old timers. Many of us take vitamins, birth control pills (don’t forget that one!) and other such meds. So keeping track of it all just got that little bit easier. iPills is available here.
