Apple Thoughts - News & Reviews on all things Apple

"When congress calls, Apple answers. According to CNet, Apple general counsel and senior vice president of legal and government affairs, Bruce Sewell, has sent two congressmen a 13-page letter detailing the whys and wherefores of Apple's policies and procedures for collecting location-based data."

iPhone users have expressed privacy concerns over Apple's practice of collecting location-based data for use in applications and advertising. Congress was listening, and asked Apple to explain their policies and procedures. Apple's 13-page response described in detail how everything works, including their privacy policies, and how latitide and longitude information is converted to a ZIP code for use by iAds and Apps. In iOS 3.2 and later, information is stored in Apple's own proprietary format using information that they've collected from cell towers and WiFi access points - they no longer use Google or Skyhook Wireless databases. They stressed that personally-identifyable data is -not- stored anywhere. Congress seemed to be satisfied with Apple's responses - for now.

"Good news for those of you who love to listen to an audiobook before bed: Audible, the Internet's number one digital audiobook provider, has just released a free iPhone application that works like a charm."

I never really got into audiobooks because, while I can see the appeal, listening to various podcasts was something I liked better. But if you do like the audiobook method for "reading," you can now get Audible.com on your iPhone/iPod Touch. The app is free, but there is a monthly subscription for the service. Right now they are offering a discounted price of $7.95 USD per month for the first three months on their Gold Plan [link], and then $14.95 USD per month after that. I see they also offer podcasts and magazines so I may investigate further. Do you use Audible, and if so, how do you like it?

"PlayOn, a program that takes content from streaming video sites like Hulu and displays them on game consoles such as the Xbox 360 or PS3, is coming to the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad."

A somewhat convoluted way of getting streaming videos onto your mobile iDevice, PlayOn runs on an iDevice, and its software talks to "host" software running on a Windows PC or Windows on a Mac with BootCamp or Parallels (no mention of VMWare Fusion or VirtualBox). PlayOn acts as a remote control device back to Windows, and the PC software manages content formatting for the mobile device. WiFi is necessary for the content transfer. Current limitations:

• A Windows PC or virtual instance is required, with PlayOn software running. No plans for a native OS X (or Linux) version.

• Devices must all be on the same WiFi network.

• Cost. A free "lite" version can play back only local media on the Windows system and network, plus Pandora streaming radio content. PlayOn Premium costs $39.99 for the first year, and $19.99 for subsequent years. To contrast, HuluPlus costs $120 per year.

PlayOn has a growing list of third-party plugins ( link ), so if you're interested in viewing streaming video (today) on your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch, PlayOn may be worth trying.

"The iTunes Connect Mobile (iTC Mobile) app for iPhone allows you to review your sales and related trends, and make informed business decisions while you're on the go."

And now you can get it from iTunes, free of charge [link].

"Travel much? Then you are no doubt familiar with the many flight tracker Apps available on iOS devices. However, despite their relatively simple function, there's a bunch of questions that need to be asked in order to find the right one for you."

A pretty good selection of apps that they go over in this article and it's sure to help you make up your mind on exactly which app you need to fill your needs.

"The iTunes App Store offers downloads of iHandy Level for iPhone / iPod touch for free."

Free is a very good price, and it just so happens that iHandy's Level [iTunes link] fits that bill. The app is one of 5 in the iHandy Carpenter app [affiliate link], and no word on how long this will last. Looking at the iHandySoft website [link], I can see how they get their name as the apps do look like they would come in "handy."

"If you are picking up a Bimmer in 2011, you'll notice a new level of iPhone and iPod integration."

I would have thought this would have been in place long before now. At least now I'll know how far to go back to if/when I start looking at used BMWs in a few years.

"KONNET Technology announces the release of the PowerEZ Plus, a 1000mAh external charging solution for the iPhone and iPod family of devices, including the new iPhone 4. Affordably priced at $29.99 (US) or $34.99 (CDN), the PowerEZ Plus is the ultimate double-tasking battery pack: it also serves as a sturdy, retractable prop for iPod/iPhone movie watching in widescreen format."

This seems like a pretty handy charger to have since, besides being affordable, it works across the line of iPods and iPhones, even the iPhone 4. I also like the fact that you can tell how much life is left in it from the number of blue lights displayed and that it shuts down when it has charged your device. One thing I don't particularly like is having something sticking out of the end of my iPhone, but I can see using it to supply power while watching a video. They even have a contest going on their facebook page [link] in case you want to try your luck!

"The free Hulu Plus app just hit the iTunes App store, kids, with the promise of 720p streaming over WiFi or 3G to iOS devices including the iPad, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and 3rd generation iPod touch."

Can't wait to give this a try, especially since it is free [link] and provides limited free viewing. Soon they will be setting the monthly subscription for around $10.00 USD and it's only available now in the U.S.

"ComiXology has done it again. First the Marvel Comics app was released, powered by the company's familiar engine, and then one recently for BOOM! Studios. Now DC Comics has finally released its own app, running on ComiXology's familiar interface."

Nicely done app, although they don't have a lot of choices, at least so far. This is a free app [link], and works on iPad or iPhone/iPod Touch. 

"As has been rumored for a while now, Microsoft has released Windows Live Messenger for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad in the US, Canada, UK, and France. The app is available for download from the iTunes App Store."

Available now for free in the iTunes App Store [link].

"Today is iPhone (and iPod touch) software update day, as Apple should introduce iOS 4.0 later on today. The company often pushes out its iPhone patches at 10am PDT. While you wait for the update to emerge, I thought you might be interested in this ten-minute video (via TiPB) which is a great little guide to the new features of the OS."

10 minute run through of iOS 4, since today is the release day. This update will only work on the iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4 and 2nd and 3rd generation iPod Touch (the ones with the volume control on the side). But not all features will work on the iPod Touch and 3G iPhones, such as multitasking, custom wallpaper and Bluetooth keyboard support. Before downloading make sure you have upgraded to iTunes to 9.2, and if the past is any indication, be ready for some delays.

"Here's something that will either warm your heart or make you gag, depending how you feel about Apple's penchant for self-congratulatory schmaltz."

Makes you want to go get that developer's kit doesn't it? They even work in a not so subtle jab at Android by saying it's nice to be working on a platform that is mature and not something "invented two years ago."

"As rumored, Apple has released an official retail store app. Simply called "App Store," the new app lets users shop the full line of products available at The Apple Store. But it's more than shopping."

It's actually called "Apple Store" so make sure if you search you use the correct title or it won't come up right away. You can read reviews, locate retail stores and check in on the in-store events, all from this new free app from Apple. You can also schedule appointments at the Genius Bar or One on One sessions. You can download it now for free.

This weekend only, to promote the USA versus England World Cup kickoff, they are offering the game in the iTunes store [affiliate link] for only $0.99 USD, which is down $4.00 USD from the normal price. If you like soccer, this is the game for you. And no, you aren't limited to just the two teams, you get over 100 teams to choose from to set up your own World Cup matches. 

"One of the most interesting things I saw from Case-Mate at CES in January was the I Make My Case Web app, which allows you to create your own iPhone case using design elements from popular designers and graphic artists that you can arrange on your case yourself."

I tried going to the Make My Case page, but it still only lists the 3G/3GS version of the iPhone, so in the near future I'm sure it will be up and running. Regardless, the page is pretty cool and it allows you to pick from a variety of artists to customize a case for your iPhone, Blackberry Bold or Curve and iPod Touch. You can pick designs already done by the artist or customize one for yourself, based on the artists style.

"Astraware is excited to announce a limited time offer on games for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. It's almost the weekend, and what better time to treat yourself to some new games at special low prices!?"

So if you want to get a deal on a game so you can play OddBlob (pictured above) for example, now is the time. The sale on all the games starts at 5am Eastern time (UTC -4) today, and will go through 5am Eastern on Tuesday June 1st. While all of the games will be $0.99 USD or lower, many of them will be free. The free games include Crazy Daisy, Plantastic! and Buble Shuffle, while games such as Tradewinds 2, Glyph, Astraware Casino, Astraware Sudoku and Hellfire are $0.99 USD. This is just a partial list, and best of all the sale is worldwide. Oh, and as a bonus, OddBlob, Astraware Solitaire, Astraware Casino and Astraware Sudoku are universal binaries which are optmized for iPad.

"Mission Repair, an award-winning repair center for popular consumer electronic products, announced a special two-year maintenance performance guarantee service for the popular iPhone. The new program goes above and beyond the iPhone extended warranty available from the manufacturer by including coverage for broken glass."

Sounds like a good option, especially if you have an older iPhone that is out of warranty. But it isn't bad insurance for new iPhones or iPod Touches either, especially when it costs $199.00 USD to replace the glass on one at an Apple Store. They also provide repairs for laptops and are going to be providing iPad plans in the future. If you have questions, check out the FAQ.

"Gameloft makes some of the biggest App Store gaming titles, and they're celebrating their ten year anniversary."

And the announcements look like the screenshot above. Follow Gameloft on Twitter to get your updates and they give you two hours to get the games for free from iTunes. Per Gameloft, "For two hours every day, from May 10th through May 21st, with the exception of the weekend, one Gameloft iPhone/iPod Touch game will be available for free. There will be unlimited downloads allowed during the two hours. Ten different games will be given away during the promotion. The specific title and hours for the giveaway will be revealed daily on @Gameloft's Twitter feed. The daily reveals will occur at random times so participants are encouraged to follow Gameloft on Twitter to be the first to know."

Sounds easy enough right?

"They're taking their time, but it's coming; CBS just announced this week that it's turning its entire video content on CBS.com into the iPhone-friendly HTML5. This means that by this fall, you'll be able to enjoy Horatio Caine, Barney Stinson, Anthony DiNozzo and many more right from your iPhone OS devices."

And it will be direct streaming from their website, unlike ABC, so it even makes watching on your iPhone or iPod Touch possible. Sweet. Now all we need is NBC and Fox to get onboard the HTML5 train.