Apple Thoughts - News & Reviews on all things Apple

"Good news for all of you Foursquare addicts, after a couple days of noticed absence, the Foursquare iPhone app is now back on the App Store."

This was regarding version 1.6, which was released into the store and then pulled when it was discovered to have been released too early. So they put it back in after fine tuning it, and now they have updated again, since as of yesterday version 1.7 is now available for free in iTunes.

"The first Google Buzz client is now in the app store, The Next Web's Tim Difford reports. Buzzie, from developer Alberto Hierro, gives you full access to your Buzz account, and also lets users who don't have accounts (or don't want to sign in) see what people are buzzing up in their area."

Called Buzzie, it's available now in the iTunes Store for $2.99 USD. I haven't gotten enough use out of Google Buzz to make having an application worthwhile. Have any of you, or do any of you use Buzz frequently? If so, how do you like it?

"Top app maker CJApps has launched a brand new contest to promote the hit game Finger Maniac 1.1, available on the iPhone and iPod touch devices. In the latest update of the game, players are invited to try the 1Million point challenge. Between the dates of 3/1 and 5/1, players will be able to play this challenging mode and the first to reach 1 million points will win a brand new Apple iPad!"

Basically you get 90 seconds to type out as many 10-letter words, as fast as you can. Once you complete this you get rewarded with points. First person to reach 1 million points is the winner! Contest runs until 5/1 so best get going if you want to be in the running, they are already into day 11 of the contest.

"CBS Interactive today released the 2010 March Madness application ($9.99 app store). Big difference over last year? 3G streaming of games! It is just a shame that the iPad won't be out until April."

You can get the paid app here, for $9.99 USD, but the free "lite" version has highlights and pretty much everything the paid version does except for the live streaming video of the games. I agree it's too bad the iPad won't be available for it, but at least you will be able to use the iPad with MLB At Bat 2010!

"Media Memo reports that popular ringtone site Thumbplay has launched a new subscription music service, offering consumers unlimited streaming for $10/month with the option to purchase songs from a catalog of 8 million tracks at the same $0.69-$1.29 price points found on Apple's iTunes Store."

Not only that, but they have also snagged a MobileMe Executive from Apple, Pablo Calamera, and hired him as their Chief Technology Officer. Thumbplay is also planning on offering iPhone and Android apps later this year, so we'll see how that goes. 

"Anyone familiar with Mission: Impossible has heard the famous lines, "this message will self destruct in 5 seconds." Now there's an app equivalent with TigerText."

While the app itself is free, there are costs involved, at least for sending since receiving messages is always free. After your first free 100 messages that you have 15 days to use, it costs $1.49 USD per month for 250 messages or $2.49 USD per month for unlimited. Someone like Tiger Woods (coincidence in the naming of this app per the developers..yea right) definitely could have used this and probably would have opted for the unlimited plan.

"FreshDirect, a leading online grocer in New York City, has released a new application to allow FreshDirect users to place grocery orders directly from their iPhone or iPod touch. Developed by digital firm Schematic, the application is designed to deliver the same functionality as the FreshDirect web site, allowing users to create, submit, and update orders and schedule and update delivery times right from their device."

I wish more stores would do this, as it is no one really does it like this around my area. You can also search the store for items, select from previous orders or your favorite list, and even see product recommendations based on your past orders. If you have an in-progress order, you can save it and resume later. This app, free in iTunes, is also integrated with the FreshDirect web service so if you start an order on your iPhone, you can finish it up on the web. Or the other way around if you prefer. Anyone out there using this store? If so, how does it work?

"The Washington Post, which has stated it doesn't plan to build a New York Times-like paywall, is opening up another source of revenue: A paid iPhone app."

The app sells for $1.99 USD and is in the iTunes Store now. For the price you get a year of "customized access and offline reading." With the slump in newspaper sales, I would imagine more are going to come up with something like this to generate revenue.

"Comcast's app acts as a hub for the company's video, voice, and data services. Now the just released version 2.0 of the app adds new DVR control functions for select markets. Previously Comcast customers could use the iPhone OS app to manage their Comcast voice mail, sync address book, access email, view TV listings, and watch trailers for on-demand programming."

Unfortunately for my friends that have Comcast, it doesn't work yet in Oregon. The only states they are using it in are PA, DE, VA, MD, MA, AR, TN, AZ, and UT but they say additional markets will be brought out soon. The app is free for the iPhone and iPod Touch, and require compatible Comcast services.

"iLuv today made available the latest generation of its iPhone- and iPod-ready clock radios. Unlike nearly any other alarm clock, the iMM178 has a "bed shaker" pod that vibrates to wake those who either don't respond to sound or need to keep the alarm quiet. The shaker also provides a less risky alternative to headphones in bed as it has a speaker for its own listening environment."

This supports 2004 or later dockable iPods and iPhones, and it will use the time from your device in case you lose power so that is a nice feature. It's available today according to the news, however at Amazon they show it as not released yet [affiliate link]. It sells for $99.99 USD, and you can have it in any color as long as it is black. If you want one that works with regular iPods (doesn't appear it works with iPhone or iPod Touch) you can still get the previous version at Amazon [affiliate link] for $41.02 USD.

"Would you enjoy Netflix on your iPhone? Netflix would really like to know. Not that they are considering putting their app on the iPhone, or more importantly, on the iPad. But hypothetically, if they did...would you be interested?"

The last time a survey came out they were in preparations for PS3 and Wii versions so hopefully this means that Netflix will offer something for use on the iPad at least, if not the iPhone. In case you are wondering, the text of the survey was this:

"Imagine that Netflix offers its subscribers the ability to instantly watch movies & TV episodes on their iPhone. The selection availability to instantly watch includes some new releases, lots of classics and TV episodes.

There are no advertisements or trailers, and movies start in as little as 30 seconds. You can fast-forward, rewind, and pause or watch again. The movies & TV episodes you instantly watch are included in your Netflix membership for no additional fee.Whenever you want to instantly watch content on your iPhone, your iPhone must be connected to a Wi-Fi network (such as one you might have at home or at work, or in public places like coffee shops, book stores, hotels, airports, etc.)If this functionality were available, how likely would you or someone in your household be to instantly watch movies & TV episodes on your iPhone via a Wi-Fi network?"

I would likely watch, what are your thoughts?

"With spring training beginning this week, Major League Baseball has rolled out today the 2010 version of the popular iPhone app, At Bat 2010."

Last year At Bat 2009 was a great app, but it was priced at $9.99 USD if I remember correctly. MLB At Bat 2010 is available now in iTunes for $14.99 USD. This is causing me to really debate the need for it, even though I did get a lot out of last years version. I don't see a lot of upgrades for $5.00 USD premium over the previous version. Now if this works on the iPad, which I'm assuming it will, then I may have to change my way of thinking. Anyone out there going to spring for this version?

"Before Cloud, Squall, and Yuna there was Princess Sara, Garland, and Firion. Though most known for the later installments of the iconic fantasy RPG series, Final Fantasy has been a successful franchise since the late 1980s. Now, thanks to the efforts of Square Enix, Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy II (the first two installments of the series) are available on the iPhone and iPod Touch."

Final Fantasy I and Final Fantasy II, both available now and both a hefty $8.99 USD. However if you are a fan of these games it might be worth it. One bonus is that each game features extra dungeons that weren't in the original Nintendo releases, and are available after you complete the adventure mode. They have also "optimized" the control systems for the iPhone and iPod Touch according to the press release.

"Ubisoft has released a multiplayer version of its popular Assassin's Creed II game exclusively for the iPhone and iPod touch."

Head on over to the iTunes Store and download this normally $2.99 USD game for free, but only for approximately 48 hours. This version allows you to compete with up to three other player-controlled assassins via Wi-Fi connection. This is part of a 48-hour launch promotion.

"The application provides its users with real-time information on travel warnings, including terrorist threats, disease outbreaks and natural disasters."

iTravelAlert is normally $1.99 USD but is available now in the iTunes Store for $0.99 USD. According to the developer, iTravelAlert is the "only application offering complete, real-time news and information for international travel safety and health." It seems to cover all the bases, providing data and alerts from Homeland Security News, Emergencies and Disasters News, H1N1 Pandemic and various other communicable disease news sites and current travel alerts and warnings.

I don't see that it has Push Notifications however, and that would be a valuable quality for an application such as this one.

""On the list of "I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes" apps, this one takes the cake... and chokes on it."

Love the visual aid he uses to start the program, a nice tomato, ready for choking on! The sound effects are a nice touch too.

"Esse Quam Videri Music Group today is pleased to announce the release of iGovernment 1.0 for iPhone and iPod touch devices. iGovernment brings over 50 feeds of news, photos, blogs, and videos from departments and offices across all three branches of the Federal Government into an easy-to-use, fast, and beautiful package."

iGovernment is available now in iTunes for $1.99 USD and includes feeds from Featuring feeds from the White House, House of Representatives, Senate, Supreme Court, NASA, and the Departments of State, Homeland Security, Justice, Treasury, Health and Human Services, Energy, and Labor.

We posted a news story on this nifty program about a week ago (sorry the Valentine's Day greetings are no longer part of the program) and now the great folks over at Star Walk are giving away 3 copies of this program to our readers (US iTunes customers only, sorry). This is a great program, and especially so if you can take advantage of all the features by having an iPhone 3GS. To enter, simply reply to this post. Simple as that. The contest ends at midnight Pacific time February 28th 2010. Remember, if you are new to the forums, give it 72 hours for your post to show up.

And, in case you missed it, we still have the contest going for a copy of PixyMe. Same rules, just reply to the thread to enter. Good luck everyone!

"Apple has quietly increased the limit for over-the-air downloads from the App Store and iTunes Store on the iPhone. Until recently only content under 10MB in size could be downloaded over an EDGE or 3G connection-downloading of larger apps and media content had to be done over Wi-Fi."

No one knows for sure, but speculation is that it is related to the pending iPad release. Whatever the reason, it is welcome news.

"Maybe you've had a great idea for an iPhone app. You've nailed down the concept, outlined the look and feel, and even figured out a catchy name that's sure to stand out from the 140,000 or so other apps competing with yours for attention. The only thing standing in your way? You don't have a lick of programming experience, and you're not sure where to find someone who does."

If you fit the bill, then perhaps this service is for you, as it connects those with ideas and those with the talent to bring your ideas into reality. Interesting concept, and it seems to me it certainly does fill a niche. If you want more info you can go to their website at www.iPhoneQuotes.com. Of course, they aren't the only game in town. YAPPER and iPhone App Builder are two other options worth checking out if you want to go this route.