Archive for July, 2008

RWW Live: iPhonemania

by Steve O'Hear

July 15th, 2008 | Posted in Mobile, Other | CommentsNo Comments

Yesterday, we recorded the latest episode of RWW Live, a new regular bi-weekly feature on Sean Ammirati’s ReadWriteTalk podcast show. The idea is to get together a number of writers from the ReadWriteWeb blog network (that includes last100!) for a live discussion on recent events in the technology world.

In episode 4, devoted almost entirely to the iPhone, I was joined by ReadWriteTalk host Sean Ammirati, ReadWriteWeb editor and founder Richard MacManus, ReadWriteWeb writers Bernard Lunn and Marshall Kirkpatrick.

You can listen to the podcast below (recorded using the TalkShoe platform) or subscribe here.

As Richard, over at ReadWriteWeb, notes:

We’re still experimenting with the format, but we’re hoping to get the RWW community involved as much as possible in future episodes – for example by doing a live post at the same time, twittering the chat URL, and so on. We’d love to hear any ideas you have on making this an interactive, read/write experience. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Xbox Live Video Marketplace gets content from NBC, Universal and other E3 tidbits

by Daniel Langendorf

July 15th, 2008 | Posted in Net TV, Other | Comments1 Comment

e3Microsoft’s deal with Netflix and the Xbox 360’s impending makeover wasn’t the only news from the E3 Media & Business Summit Monday. A few other tidbits include Microsoft, Universal, and NBC; hard drives; and a new Wii controller.

New partners for Video Marketplace

Microsoft has partnered with NBC and Universal to bring new content to the Video Marketplace, Microsoft’s online service. TV shows include “Battlestar Galactica,” “The Office,” and “30 Rock,” among others. Movies include “The Mummy” and “Bourne Supremacy.”

With more than 10,000 movies and TV shows in the Xbox Live Video Marketplace, Microsoft contends it is now the world’s largest provider of on-demand high-definition content.

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Netflix is finally coming to Xbox 360, which is getting a dashboard makeover and Mii-like avatars

by Daniel Langendorf

July 14th, 2008 | Posted in Comms, Net TV, Other, Social | Comments1 Comment

netflix xbox 360Long rumored, finally here. Netflix is coming to the Xbox 360.

Xbox 360 owners and Live Gold members who are also Netflix subscribers will be able to stream online movies to their consoles at no extra cost. Netflix is the world’s largest DVD rental service.

The Xbox becomes the only game system that lets users immediately watch movies and TV shows steamed from Netflix. Along with the existing Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store, the Xbox 360 has more access to movies and TV shows on demand than any other device connected to the TV, according to Microsoft.

Xbox owners can also share Netflix movies with friends via Xbox LIVE party so you can watch “Super Bad” together. This will require an Xbox Gold LIVE account however.

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I've jumped on the Netbook bandwagon (MSI Wind U100 / Advent 4211 review)

by Steve O'Hear

July 14th, 2008 | Posted in Mobile, Other, Review | Comments13 Comments

I've jumped on the Netbook bandwagon (MSI Wind / Advent 4211 review)Ever since Asus debuted its first Eee PC, I’ve been fascinated by this new category of mobile device, dubbed the Netbook by chip maker Intel.

The form-factor is a notebook but these devices are purposely cut-down in terms of price – the Eee PC 701 sells for under $300 – as well as size and weight, and to some extent features. While designed primarily as a way of accessing the Internet on-the-go, Netbooks don’t have any pretensions of putting the Internet in your pocket, and instead look to keep the screen size and keyboard small enough to still be extremely portable, yet large enough to be that bit more productive.

See also: Don’t buy a Netbook pleads PC industry

This typically translates into screen sizes between 7 and 10 inches, with keyboards that feature 95% full-size keys, albeit with a rather cramped layout. Also, don’t automatically expect a Netbook to come loaded with a Microsoft operating system, though many offer XP as an option. Instead, in order to keep the cost down, and in recognition that many applications now run in the browser, Netbooks commonly run a flavor of Linux and related open-source software. Another distinguishing feature of the majority of Netbooks is that they do away with a traditional hard drive in favor of solid state storage with less capacity – 4-8GB – again recognizing the move towards Cloud computing.

However, a couple of things about the original Eee PC stopped me from making a purchase – an 800 x 600 screen resolution and an aging and limited processor – both of which have now been addressed by more recent models from Asus itself, along with a host of competitors including MSI and Acer, all three of which run on Intel’s new and improved Atom “Diamondville” processor.

So which of the new Atom-based Netbooks did I go for?

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Weekly wrapup, 7-11 July 2008 (iPhone 2.0 update)

by Steve O'Hear

July 13th, 2008 | Posted in last100 weekly wrapup | CommentsNo Comments

Here’s a summary of the week’s digital lifestyle action on last100. Note that you can subscribe to the weekly wrapups, either via the special weekly wrapup RSS feed or by email.

Enter your email address:

iPhone 2.0 and App Store launch

Inevitably, this week’s last100 coverage was dominated by the launch of the 3G iPhone and the accompanying App Store and first generation of official third-party applications.

Here are the links in chronological order:

Apologies to all of our readers living outside of Steve Jobs’ Reality Distortion Field. Normal business – to some degree – shall resume next week! (Ed. In the interests of balanced reporting, we’re trying very hard to get our hands on some non-Apple mobile devices.)

Update: iPhone woes continue: iPhone software 2.0 upgrade bricking first-gen iPhones

by Daniel Langendorf

July 11th, 2008 | Posted in Mobile | Comments3 Comments

Update: After several hours of waiting, the iPhone 2.0 software update finally resolved itself. It recognized where it left off in the installation, re-started it, and finished. I now am running the 2.0 OS on a first-gen iPhone.

While I expect the installation process to improve — as demands on the servers decrease — I have one word of advice for those who have yet to upgrade: patience.

Patience is something we need for the entire iPhone experience — from MobileMe, to the App Store, to the 2.0 OS upgrade, to waiting in life to buy and activate an iPhone 3G.

My original post

It’s happened to me. My iPhone is bricked.

The iPhone 2.0 software upgrade bricked my iPhone.

And here I thought I was home free.

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Surprisingly, Apple botches the debut of MobileMe. Where is it?

by Daniel Langendorf

July 11th, 2008 | Posted in Mobile | CommentsNo Comments

mobilemeIt’s not often that Apple botches the debut of a product or service, particularly under the direction of Steve Jobs, but when it comes to the introduction of MobileMe the Cupertino boys blew it big time.

Where the hell is MobileMe?

MobileMe was supposed to have replaced .Mac, Apple’s $99-a-year personal Web service, sometime Thursday. .Mac was taken offline Wednesday night at 9, Pacific time, with the promise of a return a few hours later.

It was supposed to go MobileMe first, then the debut of the App Store, followed by the iPhone 3G. But MobileMe stuck its head above ground only a few times Thursday, remaining unlaunched for a majority of subscribers. They were given repeatedly the error message “This service is temporarily unavailable.”

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Amid the App Store fanfare, Apple releases significant update for AppleTV

by Daniel Langendorf

July 10th, 2008 | Posted in Mobile, Net TV | Comments1 Comment

remoteWhile we’re waiting for MobileMe to become available for longer than five minutes, it’s worth noting among the App Store fanfare that Apple has also updated its AppleTV.

Early Thursday Apple released iTunes 7.7, making the App Store possible. It also provides support for a new iTunes remote app — appropriately named Remote — that allows any iPhone or iPod Touch to control iTunes media playback on a computer connected to the same local network.

In addition to iTunes 7.7, Apple also made available AppleTV 2.1 software; you can find it by checking software updates under the AppleTV settings panel.

The non-sexy part of the updated AppleTV software are security improvements, which Apple discusses here. The sexy enhancements are support for Remote and MobileMe — if it ever gets here.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog folks went the extra mile, as they say, and photographed the setup, including MobileMe. Among MobileMe’s features is the ability to upload photographs from the phone’s camera or a computer and have the galleries available on the iPhone and AppleTV, a nice cross-product, platform feature.

Once we get MobileMe, we’ll see how well the iPhone, AppleTV, and MobileMe integrates.


First look: window shopping at App Store

by Daniel Langendorf

July 10th, 2008 | Posted in Mobile | Comments6 Comments

App Store on iPhoneIt’s a gorgeous day outside so why not go shopping? Indoors. In front of my computer. At the App Store.

Yes, Apple’s App Store has arrived in iTunes via a free software update for older iPhones and the iPod Touch ($10 fee); it will be included on the iPhone 3G, available tomorrow. And it’s everything we hoped it would be, with a few exceptions.

As you would expect, the App Store is easy to browse, shop, and purchase, just like it is in iTunes for music and video. It’s colorful, well-organized, informative, and fun.

For now, though, I must window shop. The 2.0 software update hasn’t arrived for me to load programs and begin playing.

Nevertheless, I could still shop, and I never even broke a sweat.

The Process

It’s just like buying music or video.

All apps are nicely organized into categories: New, What’s Hot, Staff Favorites, Quick Links, Top Apps, Top Free Apps, in addition to Business, Education, Entertainment, Finance, Games, Healthcare & Fitness, Lifestyle, Music, Navigation, News, Photography, Productivity, Reference, Social Networking, Sports, Travel, Utilities, and Weather.

Each app page includes all the information you need to make a purchase: multiple screenshots (a nice touch), a (usually) detailed description, appropriate links (developer’s site, support, license agreement), and social touches like Tell A Friend.

When you download an app, be careful. For free apps, it’s no problem. Click on “Get App” and the program immediately begins downloading. When it’s done it shows up in your library under “Applications.”

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What’s in store for the Apps Store: third-party applications for iPhone finally arrive

by Daniel Langendorf

July 9th, 2008 | Posted in Mobile | Comments6 Comments

iphone 3gAll that remains is the App Store.

Late tonight we’ll get our hands on MobileMe, which we’ll take for a test drive tomorrow.

The big three tech writers — The York Times’ David Pogue, the Wall Street Journal’s Walt Mossberg, and USA Today’s Ed Baig — gave the new iPhone 3G mixed but positive reviews today. The iPhone 3G will be available Friday morning.

Leaving the App Store and third-party applications as the only unfinished business for the second generation iPhone. The App Store also is expected to debut Friday morning.

We’ve been given a taste of what to expect after Apple’s World Wide Developers Conference last month, when we saw programs such as Loopt, Twitterific, Typepad, the Associated Press Mobile News Network, and other apps in action.

But what else is going on out there? What can we expect when the App Store doors are thrown open for business?

More than the iPhone 3G hardware, more than the MobileMe service, the App Store and third-party applications is where the action is.

Thanks to The Unofficial Apple Weblog, who more than any other Web resource, has kept tabs on upcoming iPhone apps since the developers conference in early June. Here is a sampling of apps from TUAW, and others. It is by no means comprehensive as we expect to see all kinds of applications — from super polished to rough around the edges, from the big guys to the little guys — come opening day.

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