Archive for the 'Software' Category
Finding the right Bible software is always tricky. Finding a good one for the Mac is even trickier. No fear, though, as we just reviewed Logos Bible Software and wow, what a pretty amazing piece of software it is. This is far beyond just looking for a verse on hell or marriage or what Christ said at the temple. No, no, this far deeper than that and the SvenOnTech review dives right in and lets you know if this pool was refreshing on a hot summer day or something that made us jump right out onto the deck. Don’t dip your toes into the water, just read it now and you’ll know if you’ll be making a dive yourself or not.
SplashData has just brought its popular SplashTravel (iTunes link) suite to the App Store, but with all of the travel utilities combined under one icon. Until now, the suite has been available for Treo devices only.
SplashTravel offers:
* a Trip Organizer for Air, Hotel & Car reservations
* a Flight Tracker with gate, plane, and status info
* a Unit & Currency Converter
* a Tip Calculator
* a World Clock
* a Time Calculator
* a Packing List
* an Expense Report tool
* lists of country codes, clothing size charts, etc.
Beyond the existing travel applications included in the suite, SplashData also added the powerful Trip Organizer and Home screen features to bring it all together in a cohesive user interface.
SplashTravel is available in the App Store for $4.99. The company’s website is www.splashdata.com.
Azure Talon Software has launched version 2.0 of its popular iLaugh jokes database for iPhone and iPod touch users. With iLaugh on-hand, iPhone and iPod Touch users no longer have to rely on their memories to come up with hilarious jokes at the office or social events - or even when needing something clever to say to begin a speech or presentation. iLaugh 2.0 puts a database of over 50,000 jokes at anybody’s fingertips and is loaded with social features such as voting, favorites and sharing via Facebook and Twitter.
With iLaugh, users have complete control over which jokes they want to read. The Categories feature enables users to only read the jokes that are of interest to them. Further, iLaugh 2.0 offers filtering options to screen out adult jokes or jokes voted down by the iLaugh community.
“People need a good laugh these days, and my hope is that iLaugh will offer the humor our customers need when they need it the most,” said Kenneth Ballenegger, CEO of Azure Talon Software. “With such an enormous collection of jokes combined with features that make it a snap to share your favorites, iLaugh is clearly the most polished jokes application on the market.”
iLaugh comes in two editions: a free yet feature-rich “Lite” edition which is supported through non-intrusive ads, and an advertising-free “Premium” edition which gives users double the voting power on which jokes are jokes are hot and which are not. This version is available for the introductory price of $0.99.
A selection of joke categories includes:
* Bar Jokes
* Chuck Norris Facts
* Yo Mama!
* Pick up lines
* Bash.org IRC quotes
System Requirements:
* iPhone or iPod Touch 2.0 minimum
Pricing and Availability:
iLaugh 2.0 for iPhone is only $0.99 (USD) for a limited time only and available exclusively through Apple’s App Store. iLaugh Lite is free and also available at the App Store. For more information about iLaugh, visit its website at www.ilaughapp.com. Azure Talon Software’s website is www.azuretalon.com.
Depending on the physical movements of the two players, slashes and thrusts are interpreted by both devices and immediately registered as successful or blocked. When a player swings and the opponent blocks by holding up another iPhone, the ring of steel on steel is heard from both devices. An unsuccessful block results in the defender’s iPhone emitting one of a number of cries to indicate a hit. Toy Kite has posted videos on its web site (as well as on YouTube) demonstrating the game in action. A training “Dojo” is offered so players can practice the different iSamurai moves.
“With iSamurai, we have been able to implement a two-player sword fighting game that uses the iPhone’s accelerometers to determine when a player attacks with his or her iPhone or uses it to block an opponent’s attack,” said Robert Hogg, CEO and founder of Toy Kite Software. “The iPhones communicate with each other over Wi-Fi in real time, and if a slash is not instantly countered with the correct block, a hit is scored. With iSamurai, we take the game out of the iPhone’s screen and into the real world - players actually sword fight with their iPhones.”
Advanced analysis allows the iPhone to distinguish between four different attacks. Each attack can be countered by the opponent using the correct block. The two devices communicate their actions and countering actions to each other over Wi-Fi in real time and use realistic sounds to indicate whether an attack was successful or blocked. After the battle, both devices report the scores with appropriate images for the winner and loser.
iSamurai includes a single-player mode with four levels of difficulty. Four unique characters: peasant, apprentice, warrior and samurai, yell out different attacks, and the player must quickly defend against them and launch offensive attacks by swinging the iPhone. To get players started, iSamurai offers a tutorial featuring animations of the different attacks. The game also includes quotes from The Art of War by Sun Tzu and from The Book of Five Rings by samurai Miyamoto Musashi.
“As robotics engineers, we were excited about the iPhone’s ability to sense motion,” said Arin Morfopoulos, Director of Development at Toy Kite Software. “Using that capability and inter-phone communication over Wi-Fi, we created a game where two iPhones are instantly aware of each other’s motions and respond with the sounds of battle.”
System Requirements:
* iPhone or iPod Touch 2.2.1 or later
Pricing and Availability: iSamurai: Two-Player Sword Fight for iPhone is only $2.99 (USD) and is available now exclusively through Apple’s iTunes Store. For a limited time, iSamurai will be on sale for $.99 (USD). iSamurai 1.0 uses a Wi-Fi connection for two-player mode. iSamurai 2.0 will be a free upgrade for Apple’s upcoming iPhone software 3.0, allowing two players to compete anywhere using blue-tooth communication between their iPhones. To schedule an interview with Robert Hogg, please call 323-982-8243 or pr@toykite.com.
First, Murray wouldn’t answer the Big Question Number 1, what’s the exact release date, and Big Question Number 2, what’s the price? He was firm to point out TomTom is stating the release is to be, “Later this summer,” and was clear to point out to me that doesn’t mean the end of the summer. Hope, folks, hope.
What Murray did tell me is that the Car Kit is a big piece of the puzzle, but the puzzle still can be put together without it. Meaning, you do not have to have the Car Kit in order to enjoy turn-by-turn navigation on your iPhone sometime this summer, it’ll just “enhance” your experience. What’s that mean? Well Murray told SvenOnTech that it was a “combine solution” of software and hardware that was really the “ideal marriage” of the two. With the built-in speaker, mic, and other unspecified electronics - say a compass? - the Car Kit will enable drivers not to lose signal in those urban cannons of downtown San Francisco for instance. It’ll also help your iPhone recalculate a new route if you miss a turn so you don’t crash into a cable car waiting for your next turn.
Now don’t worry if you don’t spring for the Car Kit or you find yourself in need of some turn-by-turn assistance on your vacation to San Diego because Murray told me that it was, “Quite effective without the Car Kit” and ever user would still have a “positive experience”. The Car Kit is really just a “sweetener”. Phewf.
The application will be available on the App Store along with the maps packaged all in one. This means if you purchased the North America maps and wish to take your iPhone and TomTom on a trip to France, you’ll have to purchase that app along with that regions map. There will be no way to simply add maps to your TomTom app, though Murray did say it was a, “Safe assumption,” that you’ll be able to purchase updated maps for your current purchase when made available.
While we won’t know until a, “Later point and time,” if the software will contain TomTom’s Advanced Lane Guidance, voice navigation, Internet POIs, traffic updates, or even the ability to send addresses to it from your desktop computer like the defunct Dash Express, SvenOnTech was told that IQ Route and TeleAtlas maps are definitely in this baby. Again, phewf.
Fictionwise, Inc., the eBook retailer which was recently acquired by Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world’s largest bookseller, today announced the beta test release of eReader for BlackBerry(r). For the first time, BlackBerry(r) smartphone users will enjoy the free, easy-to-use eBook reading application that is already popular on the iPhone and iPod touch. The eReader software enables BlackBerry users to download and read their eBooks anytime and anyplace, and offers an interactive over-the-air shopping experience via the BlackBerry built-in browser on the eReader mobile eBook store.
With over one million downloads, the eReader application has become one of the most popular ways to read books on mobile devices and smartphones. The new BlackBerry version of eReader features flexible controls that allow the user to adjust the application as they wish to ensure a heightened reading experience. The ability to change font sizes improves readability in any lighting condition, while navigation features such as bookmarks, linked Table of Contents, and text search simplify locating specific pages and chapters.
Using wireless access to the eReader.com catalog, users can easily browse titles, make purchases and download books directly to their BlackBerry smartphones. Users may access their own personal bookshelves directly from their devices, giving them the ability to pick and choose from their entire collection of eBook titles they have purchased from eReader.com or fictionwise.com.
“Book lovers everywhere enjoy the eReader application because it gives them access to their favorite best-selling authors as well as to tens of thousands of free classics,” said Scott Pendergrast, CEO of Fictionwise, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, Inc. “The BlackBerry platform is the most requested platform that we didn’t already support, and we’re thrilled to be able to introduce it to an entirely new segment of the mobile marketplace.”
The eReader application works on iPhones(tm) as well as Palm(r), Windows Mobile(r), Pocket PC and Symbian smartphones, and Windows(r) and Mac(r) laptops or full sized computers. It may be downloaded free of charge and is able to work immediately on any BlackBerry device released within the past few years.
With much anticipation, Apple took off the covers of its latest version of the iPhone OS today from its Cupertino headquarters. As believed, Cut and Paste, MMS, and tethering support was announced. Actually, tethering was brought up during the Q&A and was confirmed by Scott Forstall, Senior Vice President of iPhone Software at Apple, telling the audience, “We’re supporting tethering in the client side, we’re building that support in. We’re working with our carriers around the world.” Dozens of other features, mostly for developers, where announce as well such as support for Google Maps so applications will no longer have to send a user to the Google Maps application but rather integrate it directly into its application. This also means turn-by-turn directions will be supported though it will be “bring your own maps” for licensing reasons. TomTom has a chance!
Forstall early on admitted blowing it on a feature that should have been out last year saying, “Next, Push. You know, we’re late on this one.” Working with developers and listening to their suggestions lead to a re-tooling of Push and now Apple believes the version that is in 3.0 is much better than what it once had. Examples of push, such as IM, were shown to work very nicely much like SMS or reminders in the current version of the iPhone.
Subscriptions will also now be available for software making way to purchase multiple levels of a game or more months for a sports service, for example. Peer to Peer connectivity is also added allowing for easier connection between two or more iPhones for multi-player games or for address card exchange, though the latter was not mentioned.
Hardware vendors will also have use of the iPhone via the dock connector, finally. Examples shown were the iPhone docked in a speaker system in which you could control the tone with an onscreen EQ. SvenOnTech is aware of Altec Lansing showing off alpha hardware to Apple in January and suspects that this very hardware was shown in the slide show, today. Other items shown were a blood pressure cuff and a blood tester for diabetes. With this access, it’s quite conceivable third-party vendors can finally tap into the phone and possibly tie it into car stereos or home dock systems. The ultimate speaker phone.
Copy and Paste looks fantastic. When asked what the hold up was all about the answer given was “security” without any further explanation. I find this a very interesting response since nearly every device on the market has this feature and these manufactures, such as Microsoft and RIM, seem to have not been worried about “security”. It’s hard to say if it was a cover-up excuse or something deeper RIM and MS haven’t considered.
Other goodies include landscape support for SMS, Mail, and Notes. Speaking of Notes, you’ll finally be able to sync those scribbles in your iPhone with 3.0. Voice notes was also shown off which looks to be quite nice. Steaming video was demonstrated by ESPN which looked incredible. YouTube will now allow you to enter your account information keeping favorites and subscriptions synced between phone and desktop. Multiple pictures can now be sent in Mail as well as direct access to the mail application for other apps. Safari users will also be happy to know Auto-fill has made its to the upcoming summer release of 3.0 as well.
So, what about that MMS and A2DP (stereo Bluetooth support) caveat? You know, how Apple just kinda breezed over the fact that you’ll need to have a 3G iPhone to get that working? Mmm, kinda fishy, we think. While it’s solely possible that the lack of support for stereo Bluetooth may be so on the older hardware, we’re at a loss why MMS cannot be supported. Let’s see, you can take a picture in the Facebook app and send it to your profile, today. Same with Twittelator Pro to post pics and embed the link in your Twitter posts, but Apple can’t open the camera in SMS and grab a shot to send because of hardware? Doesn’t make sense to us. Other 2G devices do MMS just fine, so why not Apple’s? We believe it’s a way for Apple to force users to purchase new hardware though we could be wrong on this. Still, can’t see how hardware other applications use without issue for photos can’t be used by Apple.
All-in-all a great announcement for developers at the iPhone OS 3.0 preview announcement. If they use the tools given to them today, this free update for all iPhone users, $9.99 for iPod touch, could be a mean and exciting update for sure. Guess that puts egg on our face for last nights post, huh? 
Excitement is brewing with anticipation for the iPhone 3.0 OS update preview tomorrow. Rumors are already spilling details that include Copy and Paste (FINALLY!), MMS, and built-in tethering (at a cost, I’m sure.) Unfortunately, folks, I really don’t see this as a major update, just like 2.0. Apple, with Steve Jobs on stage, does a great job of making nothing seem special. Tomorrow it will have a difficult job pulling that task off without iCon front and center. If you’re honest with yourself, you’ll agree with me, there’s nothing special in what we’ve heard thus far. Copy and Paste should have been released in a minor update with 1.x. MMS should have been there on Day One and tethering introduced no later than 2.0. So if these rumors are true, and most likely they are as Kevin Rose is backing some of them and was dead-on with his last predictions concerning Apple, why are we all getting excited? Give me a break, the Plane Jane Motorola RAZRs have 2 out 3 of these features. Yawn.
Some may point out the addition of the Premium App Store as another rumor for 3.0 but I discount that since it’s not tied to the OS and more to the back-end of the store. Who cares. This is nothing more than Apple trying to make more money, encourage better games, and crack deeper into the PSP and DS market. This is not an operating system advancement.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m happy that these reported features will finally make it to the phone I love to use, but I’m just trying to add perspective here. There’s no reason to get all giddy for nothing short of what we should have already had. I truly hope there is MUCH more coming and that the Palm Pre tit-for-tat reports are correct. It would be nice to see a turn-by-turn GPS application announced (which again, nothing new for many other smartphones), video support (more same-old-same), and push-notification finally supported promised by Apple at its last software upgrade preview nearly a year ago. I want to be dazzled like I was at Macworld when Steve announced the iPhone. Please Apple, don’t just repackage your competitions features as something new and amazing. Do us right.
Jeff Musa, the founder and former CEO of Cutting Edge Software, Inc (now operating as Quickoffice, Inc.), has launched a new company named One Moxie Ventures LLC. The new company is focused on developing quality mobile applications and web services for the education and lifestyle markets.
Mr. Musa’s previous company was a leader in business productivity applications for Palm OS powered mobile devices. The company’s core product platform, Quickoffice, earned numerous awards and served a user base of over 350,000.
One Moxie Ventures released its first iPhone application titled Math Flash Cards, which is available now (iTunes link) from the Apple App Store. The application has already broached the Top-20 list of paid-for educational applications.
The cool factor is Apple’s signature. Math Flash Cards combines rich graphics, a fun-to-use interface, and the educational outcome that parents are craving.
“The iPhone is a natural fit for education titles because kids are drawn to the crisp graphics and rich media on the device,” said Mr. Musa. “The cool factor is Apple’s signature. Math Flash Cards combines rich graphics, a fun-to-use interface, and the educational outcome that parents are craving.”
The company is in the process of developing several additional titles for the iPhone platform to be released throughout 2009.
Having been a Parallels user from pretty much day one all the way back to my MacBook Pro Rev. 0, VMWare Fusion came too late to get on my MacBook Pro. But as any good reviewer should do, I tested the competition and put it through the paces in the past month. Surprise, surprise, to be sure Goymer Pyle! I was impressed with many things from Fusion and I think those sitting on the fence, or sitting well within the grass on Parallels front lawn, might be interesting in reading this review. Take a look.