US iPhone, App Store mania builds as iPhone 2.0 launch nears

Even though the iPhone 3G won't be out in the US until tomorrow, users are already getting new software a day early. An update to iTunes, the launch of MobileMe, the introduction of the App Store, and some leaked iPhone 2.0 firmware offer plenty of pre-iPhone Day entertainment. Read More...

Shopping Trip to App Store for Your iPhone

The best feature in Apple's second-generation iPhone 3G is the "App Store," a distribution mechanism for third-party programs. In general, the process of choosing and downloading apps is easy and quick, and most of the programs are useful or entertaining. Here's a guide to choosing the apps for your iPhone.

Apple has some work to do with iTunes 7.7, iPhone 2.0, and the App Store

Section: iPod + iTunes, iPod touch, iTunes, iPhone + Communications, iPhone, iPhone SDK & AppsApple’s recent launch of a few very popular services and products has brought many complaints and problems to the company. Despite this, the iPhone 3G has sold out practically everywhere, and the App Store is a huge hit, but Apple really needs to get on top of these issues. These products, namely iTunes 7.7, the App Store, and the iPhone 2.0 software, are near perfect, but each have its own flaws. After the break I will outline some of these issues. iTunes 7.7 Although this product’s initial failure could be blamed on the huge toll the servers were taking due to everyone trying to activate, it still needs some work. For one, syncing with the new iPhone 2.0 software isn’t quite there yet. For example, when you delete an app off of iTunes, but not your iPhone, that app will just be put back onto iTunes during the next sync, even though you don’t want it. Also, backing up iPhones with the new software takes an unbelievably long time, and some people have said those backups usually turn out to be corrupt. Let’s hope this gets fixed. App Store This part of the new iPhone was a huge success, with 10 million downloads in its opening weekend.  It has brought amazing third party apps to the device that make it much better than competing phones. That said, the App Store isn’t perfect, either. For example, it still has some difficulty when it comes to determining which applications need updating and how many updates there are. In addition to this, many developers are not at all happy with the review system and how hard it is to debug their apps and talk to their customers. iPhone 2.0 Software This is probably the part that needs the most work. Many iPhone users are experiencing all sorts of lag when typing, opening applications, and doing everyday stuff. Along with that, many applications are crashing upon launch, even Apple made apps. Some may argue that the growing list of lacking features (copy and paste, turn by turn nav, etc.) could even be an iPhone 2.0 software issue. Items such as this are making the iPhone seem like a bad device even though it isn’t. Did I miss anything? Do you agree? Let us know in the comments. Full Story » | Written by Josh Holat for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »

Freeverse’s Moto Racer and Sudoku in iPhone App Store

Section: iPod + iTunes, iPod touch, iPhone + Communications, iPhone, iPhone SDK & AppsFreeverse announced its Moto Racer and Big Bang Sudoku games for iPhone and iPod Touch are now available from the new Apple App Store. Video trailers and screenshots for both games are available on the Freeverse website. “Over the years, we’ve always tried to be among the first to adopt new Apple technologies and platforms, but we’ve never been more excited than we are at this moment with the launch of the Apple App Store,” said Ian Lynch Smith, President of Freevese. “The iPhone is an amazing gaming device, and Freeverse is committed to building great titles for it. Moto Racer exists on no other platform but the iPhone, and, as designed, there is just no other mobile platform for which it even could exist.” Moto Racer is a gorgeous 3D motorcycle racing game designed specifically for the iPhone and iPod Touch, utilizing exciting accelerometer tilt-steering controls. Through forest, beach and city environments, the player will fend-off evil bikers, gather time-trial bonuses and special nitro boosts to garner high scores. An original development, Moto Racer is a true showpiece of the iPhone and iPod touch as a powerful worldwide gaming platform. Wingnuts Moto Racer is localized into French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese as well as English. To view a video and screenshots of the game, please go to the Freeverse website. Big Bang Sudoku is the iPhone version of the popular Big Bang series of puzzle and board games. With over 10,000 unique puzzles across three levels of difficulty, Big Bang Sudoku for iPhone offers nearly unlimited mental challenges Gorgeous fireworks reward the player for completed puzzles. Big Bang Sudoku is localized into French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese as well as English. To view a video and screenshots of the game, please go to Freeverse’s website. Other classic games in the Big Bang series will be available on the Apple App Store in the coming weeks. Wingnuts Moto Racer will be priced at $9.99 and Big Bang Sudoku will be available priced at just $4.99 from Apple’s App Store on iPhone and iPod touch. Products [WingNuts Moto Racer, Big Bang Sudoku] Full Story » | Written by Kirk Hiner for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »

iPhone roundup: iTunes remote, Apple ready for real software in the App Store

Who would've thought that rumored iControl app would not only turn out to be real, but survive the inevitable internal politics, delays, and feature cutbacks to make it all the way through to a summer release? Sure enough, iTunes 7.7 has been pushed out to developers in the past several hours, and the installer encourages iPhone and iPod touch owners to "use the new Remote application for iPhone or iPod touch to control iTunes playback from anywhere in your home -- a free download from the App Store." No further details are given -- and it's not clear whether the "iControl" name seen earlier has been scrapped altogether -- but we can guess that it'll use WiFi to hook up with your mainframe, which really makes the idea of an AirPort Express appealing all over again. On another note, Apple has released Beta 8 of the iPhone SDK and is using the occasion to kick off acceptances of applications to the real, live App Store in preparation for its July 11 launch. It appears that Beta 8 is actually required to complete the process, so don't go jumping the gun now -- goodness knows the rest of the iPhone-toting world doesn't want your half-baked apps in a couple weeks, you shady developer, you. Read - iPhone / iTunes Remote app Read - Applications to App Store now being acceptedPermalink | Email this | Comments

Apple Launches iPhone App Store (TechWeb)

TechWeb - InformationWeek - The App Store opened its virtual doors with about 500 applications for Apple's iPhone, ranging from games to business tools.