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iPhone App Store Director Makes Fart Apps

Guest Author ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

This is a nice little find. The folks over at Wired report that the man in charge of regulating what gets into the iPhone App Store actually makes his own line of Fart apps. I'm not blowing wind here. Phillip Shoemaker has a few apps that we know of that include Animal Farts, iWiz (which is actually a urine simulator), and a refrigerator magnet app called Medical Poetry.

His company titled Gray Noodle doesn't make the apps for the love of undesired bodily sounds either. The apps cost between $1-$2 and his highest rated entry holds a 3 1/2 star mark. Seems that Shoemaker has pulled all reference to his prestigious selection off his social media sites after learning his secret was out. Embarrassed much?

Does this piss anyone off (pun intended)? Should the head of the App Store even be allowed to include his own entries? Surely his own applications don't get put under the same amount of scrutiny that those submitted by the rest of the developers. Perhaps I'm wrong but I think Phil should stop being so anal, and get back to his respected position at Apple. Thoughts?

USB Spy Stick Allows Access to Deleted Content From Your iPhone

Guest Author ∙ Updated February 19, 2018

Well this sucks. Yesterday iDB reported on comments from the Chicago Police about the usefulness of recovering data from seized iPhones. Now Gizmodo says that a product eerily called the iPhone Spy Stick can access deleted data from your iPhone via USB.

For those asking how on earth a USB device could plug itself into your device, the stick comes with the necessary adapter. Nice eh?

Directly from the Spy Stick's website is the indicated abilities attached to the $199 priced accessory:

Features:

Get access to deleted information Download text messages and view calls made Recover deleted contacts and calendar items View pictures and other multimedia Get access to map history to see locations searched on the iPhone’s map with exact GPS coordinates Get access to notes, voice memos, multimedia files, and dynamic text data Downloading data is as simple as attaching the iPhone and iPhone Data Recovery Stick to a computer and pressing start iPhone information is saved on any computer and can be moved to other drives as a regular file Looks like an ordinary USB flash drive

Popular Uses:

Catch a cheating spouse Monitor your kids iPhone text messaging and Internet use Check on employees using company issues iPhones Restore deleted files

Before you freak out about your iPhone's security, it is worth mentioning that the not-so-friendly USB stick is currently only usable on iPhone iOS 3.2.1 and earlier. I'd venture to say this mostly targets those still using the original iPhone and the iPhone 3G. However the October version is said be coming for iOS 4 devices.

Will this stop users from selling their old iPhone when it comes time to upgrade? Please tell us your thoughts in our totally secure comment section.

Apple Has Already Tested Their LiquidMetal Alloy

Guest Author ∙ August 18, 2010

More and more is being revealed regarding a story we brought you last week concerning Apple's new purchase of Liquidmetal Technologies. Ars Technica reports that the futuristic sounding material isn't so bizarre after all. Remember those hand SIM ejector tools that came with the iPhone 3G? You guessed it, those were composed of the very morphing material that they recently acquired. We should have known that Apple wouldn't have spent a bunch of cash on an item they hadn't tried out.

The co-inventor of Liquidmetal's materials, Atakan Peker, had no doubts about the tool's composition when he unveiled his very own iPhone 3G. Peker said "I recognized it immediately" and "Take it from an expert, that's Liquidmetal". The mind behind the mastery predicts Apple could use the alloy to design a new and improved antenna than the current iPhone 4 sports. The light and rigid material could also be used to make some very creative cases he says, however I don't see Apple going that route.

I'm just glad that the facts behind Liquidmetal's abilities are having some light shed on them. Why you ask? I saw today that the company's stock is trading just under $1 which makes it a potentially lucrative investment. Perhaps there are many exciting plans for the new material and perhaps not. I see the alloy having a behind-the-scenes type use, based on the initial use in the SIM ejector. So now that you have seen it in action, where do you suppose we'll see it next?

Sony Fires a Shot at the iPhone Gaming Ability

Guest Author ∙ Updated February 6, 2016

It seems as if someone at Sony feels threatened by the iPhone and its ability as a gaming device. I'm not sure why since it's quite obvious that the device isn't the first toy you think of when you hear about "serious gaming".

Nevertheless Sony has released a PSP commercial taking shots at what is obviously supposed to be an iPhone game. Kevin Butler (whose supposed iPhone has a game titled 'Lame Castle' on its screen) and young Marcus Rivers are featured in what is actually a pretty funny clip. Rivers tells Butler that his phone is for "texting your grandma and calling your girl" and that it can't handle "big boy games".

Engadget has the full video that informs us that the PSP has games as low as $9.99. It's an amusing little clip but why Sony feels the need to compare its PSP to the iPhone games is a bit bewildering.

I don't know about you but when I play a game on my iPhone, it is usually to just pass time here and there. Never have I considered it to be a gamer's device of choice. Is this just friendly banter from Sony or a bit of desperation? Give us your opinion in the comments right after you text your grandma.

eBay Launches Half.com iPhone App for Students

Guest Author ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

It's that time of year again. The leaves are changing, minds are gathering, and the students are trying to plan out how to save as much money as possible for their weekend tirades. If your hoping to cut some of your costs in the textbook department perhaps eBay can help. The online auction site has launched an entry into the App Store from a company they bought 10 years ago to help you cut your rising costs this fall. Half.com is the name of both that company as well as the free application.

TechCrunch tell us this is the first eBay application to offer it's newest feature, barcode scanning which it bought from RedLaser not too long ago. Just a swipe of your iPhone should give you access to great deals on textbooks, DVD's, & games.

The best part is all items are discounted, sometimes in excess to 50% hence the name Half.com. With over 700,000 sellers and access to share through Facebook & Twitter, chances are you'll find someone to help you find that ancient edition classic literature text.

What do you think students and parents? Does this look appealing enough to partake in or will you just break down and buy from your bookstore, or stay with Amazon? Let us know in the education center known as the comment box.

The iPhone 4 is Coming to China

Guest Author ∙ August 17, 2010

It was just over a week ago that it was announced that China would be getting a Wi-Fi capable iPhone 3GS to sell to its masses. Apparently things are moving fast because Apple Insider reports that the world's largest market is set to receive the new iPhone 4 "in the beginning part of September". It doesn't stop there as it's reported that the enormous country will also be getting its version of the iPad.

China Unicom will be unveiling the two products on separate dates following the removal of a ban of Wi-Fi devices. On the surface, it would seem like poor strategy to release the new iPhone so soon after its predecessor, however Apple has keened in on the buying power of the Chinese population. Two stores currently reside there while 25 new stores are planned for the country in which the phone is assembled in.

Is this smart business from Apple? Does the market potential call for both devices at once, or will the competition within itself cause less than expected revenue? Give us your two pennies in the comment section.

Cops Find iPhone Data Helpful

Guest Author ∙ Updated March 9, 2016

After being tipped off by my friend Sully, it seems The Sun Times of Chicago had an article that I found to be just as amusing as interesting. The story relates to criminal cases in which iPhones are seized in a search warrant. Apparently our beloved device has more data stored on it that other smartphones, which can be used by investigators to figure out whose telling the truth, but more importantly, who isn't.

Detective Josh Fazio is quoted saying, "When someone tells me they have an iPhone in a case, I say, 'Yeah!' I can do tons with an iPhone,". He's right, sort of. If an iPhone is already seized in a case that already has had a warrant issued, I would hope that there is more valuable evidence recovered that would actually demand said permission.

Grooveshark Gets Yanked From the App Store

Guest Author ∙ August 16, 2010

Well that didn't last long, did it? Just this week iDB reported that popular streaming agent Grooveshark had been added to the App Store for download. It was noted that the potential of the rights of music being violated existed, and it seems that very issue is the reason behind the short lived app.

Mac Life has the direct quote from the companies official blog, which states:

Earlier this afternoon, Apple sent us a letter notifying us that, due to a complaint they received from Universal Music Group UK, Grooveshark for iPhone has been, strangely, pulled from the App Store.

This comes as an absolute surprise to us, and we are not sleeping until we figure out exactly how to fix this—and get Grooveshark for iPhone back in the App Store. Above all, our biggest concern is damaging the service we provide to all of you guys—our loyal (awesome) users.

I have beaten this horse nearly to a corpse, however I feel another jab is in order. How the hell does Apple (again) validate an application without fully knowing if it is even legal? Did the responsible party just think that because Grooveshark's website runs without consequence, that all the necessary permission slips had been signed? If I were Universal, I would be drafting a threatening letter to not just Grooveshark, but to Apple alike. Maybe that happened, and maybe it didn't.

For those of us who managed to get the app downloaded promptly, Grooveshark tells us we should be able to continue to use it without incident. How come? Not that I'm complaining, but it would seem that if anything legit was violated then Apple should pull the plug, which is something they have the ability to do. Right?

Anyway, I think while the sort the legality of this out, they should figure out how they plan on charging $3 once the 30-day trial is up, without even providing background capabilities. Let's hope it doesn't take another year. Until then, enjoy Pandora!

Adobe Has “Moved On” Without Apple’s Flash Support

Guest Author ∙ August 16, 2010

The Telegraph posted an interview with Adobe CEO, Shantanu Narayen, which inevitably included talk of the Adobe vs. Apple dispute. Narayen stated the following, which basically means that the software company is "over it". Here's the word for word :

They've chosen to keep their system closed and we'd rather work with partners who are interested in working with us.

We believe in open systems. We believe in the power of the internet and in customers making choices and I think a lot of the controversy was about their decision at that point. They've made their choice. We've made ours and we've moved on.

It's a business decision. With the energy and innovation that our company has, we'd rather focus on people who want to deliver the best experience with Flash and there are so many of them.

I can't help but notice the undertones here, but the man has a point. Several capable smart-phones have adopted Flash in their devices. Heck, even a jailbroken iPhone will (kind of) give it to you.

Whether or not Adobe cares anymore is not what Steve Jobs, and Apple, should be worried about. The FCC denied Adobe's request of information regarding their claim against Apple, while the European Commissions recently joined the party. We at iDB will continue to provide you with the drama surrounding this story. Until then, we're gone in a flash. I Couldn't resist.

Apple Slowing Up the iAd Process

Guest Author ∙ August 16, 2010

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple's "revolutionary" advertising service iAd is off to a slow start due to Apple's demand for having creative control. This doesn't surprise this author since everything Apple does usually has to have their "unique" stamp of approval.

According to executives, advertisers aren't typically used to having the outsourcer having such a 'say-so' when it comes to the implementation and design of such ads. This process has left the building of the advertisements to take 8-10 weeks time, from brainstorming to completion. The delay is said to rest in Apple's hands, which partners say is taking 2 weeks longer than usual.

Does Hiring NFC Expert Secure iPhone as an iWallet?

Guest Author ∙ Updated November 12, 2019

Apple announced its hiring of Benjamin Vigier, who for lack of a better word, is an expert of Near Field Communications, or NFC as it's referred as. Computer World's Jonny Evans has posted a lengthy blog that outlines what he says is an inevitable transformation of the iPhone as we know it.

How so? Evans believes that the next-gen iPhone will be designed to, and be capable of handling specific tasks such as scanning your device to pay for things like airline tickets, to fingerprint recognition passkey protection. Sound scary? Yes and no.

What Phone Did You Use Before Your iPhone?

Guest Author ∙ August 15, 2010

It seems like it's been forever ago that my son's momma walked in the door with matching iPhone 3G's. Little did I know that day would literally change my life. Never in my life did I think that losing a trackball would open up the doors to substantial opportunity.

My interest in technology, specifically Apple, compounded itself to an infinite proportion. That being said, I started asking myself today, what device did our iDB readers sport before their current iPhone?

My list isn't anything to write home about, in fact I suspect the gradual trend displayed in my cellular advancement could be an outline for many smartphone users. Here is a brief timeline of the last 5 years of cellphone ownership:

iPhone 4 iPhone 3GS iPhone 3G Blackberry 8300 T-Mobile Sidekick Free flip phone

Needless to say I have been quite happy with the way this sequence unfolded. Next to my son, getting gifted an iPhone was the best present I have ever received. How does your list compare to mine? Let us know in the freedom of speech section, known as the comment box.