New review tweak for the App Store
We’re not really a breaking news site, but here’s a quick blast of relevant news – especially as we’re doing a few more reviews on All About iPhone these days.
Apple have released a new tweak to the review system on the App Store – reviews are now more pertinent to the current version, and receive two ratings – current and all versions (click image for bigger).
Hopefully there will be more tweaks like this to improve the App Store experience, as Apple works through the growing pains of managing a store with (at last count) 27,000 applications on it.
Head over to AppleInsider for more: http://bit.ly/f9L0y
Thanks to Andy for the tip.
App Review: AppSniper
[Andy’s the first of our new reviewers – so welcome to him, and I hope you enjoy his review! – Matt]
The success of the App Store has been one of the key factors in the continued success of the iPhone (and iPod Touch), allowing developers to fill holes in the functionality of the device and widen its appeal to more users than the base functionality alone might attract. Giving the platform a way to regularly refresh itself also helps keep the device from gathering dust on a shelf somewhere once the initial thrill of a shiny new gadget has worn off.
But the success of the App Store has led to problems of its own. With dozens (often a hundred or more) new apps appearing daily, keeping track has gone beyond the realm of the casual user. The onboard App Store application itself no longer gives the user an easy way to keep track of all the new applications. Also, with increasing competition among the developers, one or two day sales mean there are often bargains to be had but how are users meant to know?
(more…)
The Unborn, Watchmen and interactive mobile billboards
How do you market a film these days? Billboards, newspapers and TV channels are everywhere. But none of them are right in front of your face all day; you don’t constantly check them. The same is not true of your mobile. It’s your most personal device, your conduit to the outside world. It’s a marketer’s dream location.
And the best way to get that promotion on people’s phones? Make them want to install it themselves. I’m going to look at two movie tie-in iPhone apps have been released recently: The Unborn and Watchmen. Just how well do they deliver, for the film studios and for the consumer?
(more…)
Hardware Review: Optoma Pico PK101
Think for a moment about the wealth of video content available to iPhone owners. You’ve got YouTube, BBC iPlayer, Joost, Daily Motion and of course the treasure trove of video content that is the iTunes Store – movies, TV shows, music videos, video podcasts, etc. What other phone, or indeed other handheld playback device, has access to so much video media?
Not too surprisingly then the iPhone is a stonkingly good media player. I’m sure I’m not the only one that has watched many hours of video on the iPhone’s glorious display. But there are times when you want to share the experience. Thankfully Apple endowed the iPhone with a pleasing TV output mode. Often overlooked the TV output feature is quite powerful, providing control over aspect ratios and image scaling. Combining TV out with a half decent TV will get you more than acceptable results for the most part, even when viewing video from some of the streaming services such as BBC iPlayer. (more…)
Listen to live BBC radio on your iPhone
I’m a fan of BBC iPlayer, and I noticed recently that if you sign up for BBC iPlayer Labs, you can now get radio via:
New high quality AAC+ streaming, plays back in our Flash player, no need to install Real Player.
Sweet! No need for Real Player! Wait a minute though – Flash? That means there’s no additional iPhone joy. So here’s a way around it (and it’s not one of those jailbroken iPhone-only hints). And it’s currently the closest thing to a native BBC Radio iPhone app.
Building an iPhone application in a month
Here’s an interesting document I found about iPhone development, via Guy Kawasaki on Twitter.
Ten23 Software built PhotoKast from scratch in a month. It says plenty about the iPhone’s development environment and distribution channel (not to mention their tenacity) that they were able to do this.
(more…)
It’s Convergence, Jim, but not as we know it…
Regular watchers of my Phones Show will note that I recently did a feature on Convergence, listing ten things which my phone did that used to require separate devices – quite an impressive (theoretical) list of now redundant ancillary bits of hardware.
For my list, I pointedly used the Nokia N82, reckoning it as the ‘most converged device on the planet’ – how would the Apple iPhone hold up against this convergence list? And, more to the point, what about the ways in which it offers extra means of Convergence beyond the original somewhat-Nokia-centric top ten? Let’s find out…. (more…)
Reviewers wanted!
Recently, I’ve started getting loads of review requests, and I only have time to review a fraction of them. So, if you’d like to write a review for All About iPhone, you’d be very welcome. All that’s required is:
- 200 word minimum (concentrating on what’s good and what’s bad!)
- Review submitted within a week of receiving the app
- at least two original screenshots
I can’t offer any payment right now because, well, this site doesn’t make any profit! But if it’s an app you’re interested in, then you’ll be able to grab a free copy in exchange for your thoughts.
Email me if you’re interested. I’lll also do a weekly round-up of apps available to review, on our Twitter feed.
[edited by Steve to clarify the bullets!]
App Review: ePhotos
I almost entitled this “I shouldn’t have to write this review”. Why? Well it’s not the fault of the application. ePhotos does exactly what it says it will, which is send multiple photos via email.
(more…)
App Review: aSleep Kids Edition
Sometimes an application just cuts to the heart of life in the real world and proves a perfect match. aSleep Kids Edition is such a program – it’s designed for one scenario and one only, but it fulfills its role perfectly, getting your baby or toddler off to sleep reliably and with you in full control, with music, light and sensible power management.
