Pandora Update Includes Retina Display for iPhone

Guest Author ∙ August 11, 2010

For those of you who are like myself in the regard of not checking the App Store daily, the streaming sensation Pandora has updated its iPhone app.

The largest feature implemented is the support for Retina Display. It does look nice.

What's New In This Version:

uses high resolution graphics for iPhone 4 yields control of external volume buttons when backgrounded and paused improves detection and notification of device audio failures fixes several crashes improves album art loading other minor bug fixes and improvements

I thought my usage of Pandora would greatly increase with the background capabilities, but I was mistaken. Perhaps it's the lack of 3G in my area, which makes it's functionality nearly unusable. Nevertheless, the update makes it look cleaner on my home-screen.

How often do you use Pandora?

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Motorola CEO Sees Opportunity Of Verizon iPhone

Guest Author ∙ August 11, 2010

This story fits into the category of a CEO saying what sounds good, but with little believability in what they've said. MacWorld reports that Sanjay Jha, Co-CEO of Motorola's Mobility group said, "I'm comfortable with the dynamic that (Verizon iPhone) would create". I don't know what kind of comfort he's referring to, but the way I see it, Apple will be benefiting far more than Motorola from such an acquisition.

As we reported this week, more iPhone-to-Verizon rumors have been floating around the web-waves. The same Verizon who has pumped a lot of energy and money into the promotion of the operator owned OS. Android was first featured on Motorola, thus Jhasays doesn't see Big Red deviating from their big investment, even with an iPhone on their roster.

I agree that the Droid is here to stay. I also agree with the CEO when he says he's confident in continuance of loyalty regarding the promotion of Droid-driven Moto devices. What I don't buy into is the chipper level of comfort that he proclaims, when it comes to the inevitable competition that a Verizon iPhone would bring. To be blunt, they would undoubtedly lose out on potential customers. How could they not?

I know Jha is saying what any decent CEO would say when he faces tough competition. But for those of us who don't have to keep the shareholders and carriers happy, I say different. It would be like a starting quarterback saying he's happy that his team just acquired a better rated QB to compete for the job. It sounds noble, but the level of truth behind it is questionable. Clearly a Verizon iPhone would mean more money for Apple, and less for Motorola. Again I ask, how could it not?

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4,000,000 iPhones Are Downloading Apps Illegally

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated November 25, 2016

The guys over at App Advice got to talk with Dissident, the creator of the infamous cracked app store AppTrackr. In this candid but revealing chat, Dissident shared some interesting numbers about iPhone app piracy.

According to Dissident, Installous, the app used to download these cracked applications is installed on 4 million iPhones, which represents about 4% of all iOS devices in the world. That's insane, isn't it?

Last week we reported about the logic behind iPhone app piracy. Dissident holds the same kind of speech. Here are some of the excerpts from his interview:

I know for a fact that a good share of our users trial applications, and that’s the only reason I continue to work for the community. A very, very considerable portion of our users do so. The user should be able to have a risk-free trial of the application. The user should not have to purchase the application for any amount of money. The user should be given ample time for testing. This trial system should be available for all applications. Developers can be given some flexibility on a per-app basis, but abuse cannot be tolerated and the policy cannot be too lenient.

I do agree that Apple should let people try out applications for a period of 24 hours. I however doubt the honesty of Dissident when he claims his service's sole goal is to help people try applications out.

Apple can work around the edges to either please us or displease us, and that’s really all it comes down to. Indeed, our services will no longer be required if Apple implements such a system.

I don't believe one word of that.

What about you? What do you think about app piracy? Do you download cracked apps? Do you do so because you want to be able to try applications before buying them?

[9 to 5 Mac]

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The EU Joins the Flash Flood

Guest Author ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

Steve Jobs must really hate Flash. Aside from his public comments on the software, which he basically cited that Adobe's prize-fighter wasn't good enough to adapt into productive mobile use, he just (seemingly) won't give in. His hand might be getting forced, however, as it seems the European Union regulators have joined forces with the Federal Trade Commission, regarding "mobile software developers". This, of course means Flash.

The guys over at 9 to 5 Mac brought this ever evolving story to our attention, which cites the New York Times reporting, the European Union has brought itself into what it calls, a "Digital Agenda". Sounds scary. The "agenda" is aimed to (forcefully) encourage interoperability between technology. Basically they're making sure everyone plays nicely together.

Whether or not this correlation of forces will be what finally tips Apple's hand in the never-ending game of Rummy, only time will tell. We at iDB will continue to bring you the latest and greatest from this evolving beast. Until then, Apple and Adobe will have their respective lines drawn in the sandbox, as assurance to not let their balls into each other's playpen.

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Next iPhone Made to Morph?

Guest Author ∙ August 10, 2010

It has been a relatively slow couple of days in iPhone land, however it's been brought to our attention that Apple is interested in some Terminator material. The newest SEC discovery states that the folks in Cupertino are in the market for some liquid metal. For what? Nobody is sure, however my imagination feels a morphable iDevice would do just fine.

In all seriousness though, the report states Apple has come to terms with Liquidmetal Technologies, whose speciality is amorphous metals. The alloy materials the company produces could have benefits that are, but not limited to, hardness, elasticity and acoustical features.

Not much more to report on this arrangement, but I will leave you with word for word filing. Just so you know, Arnold could not be reached for comment.

On August 5, 2010, Liquidmetal Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Liquidmetal”), entered into a Master Transaction Agreement with Apple Inc., a California corporation (“Apple”), pursuant to which (i) Liquidmetal contributed substantially all of its intellectual property assets to a newly organized special-purpose, wholly-owned subsidiary (the “IP Company”), (ii) the IP Company granted to Apple a perpetual, worldwide, fully-paid, exclusive license to commercialize such intellectual property in the field of consumer electronic products in exchange for a license fee, and (iii) the IP Company granted back to Liquidmetal a perpetual, worldwide, fully-paid, exclusive license to commercialize such intellectual property in all other fields of use (together with all ancillary agreements, the “Master Transaction Agreement”).

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Locktopus App Password Protects Specific iPhone Apps

Sébastien Page ∙ August 9, 2010

Locktopus is a new applications that will let you password protect specific applications directly from the springboard.

After creating a password in Locktopus, you will be able to protect an application with this password by tapping and holding the app icon and wait until they start wiggling. Then tap the little "lock" badge on the app icon. Next time you try to launch this app, it will ask for the password.

Locktopus is available in Cydia for $2. I haven't tried this app so I don't know how it compares to the free LockDown app, which basically does the same thing. If you try it, please let us know how you like it.

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Steve Jobs Knew About the iPhone 4 Antenna for Over A Year

Sébastien Page ∙ August 9, 2010

This antenna issue will never die, will it? Just when you thought it was fading away, the news get revived, especially due to the firing of Apple's chief of iPhone hardware.

A WSJ article revealed today that Steve Jobs knew about the iPhone 4 antenna weaknesses over a year ago.

It was Mr. Jobs, rather than Mr. Papermaster, who decided to move forward with the development of the phone even though the company was aware of the risks of the antenna design as much as a year ago, according to people familiar with the matter.

Why in hell would Steve Jobs force a product out if  he isn't sure of its performances? Apple clearly prioritized physical design over performances. Why?

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Why Papermaster is No Longer on Apple’s Payroll

Sébastien Page ∙ August 9, 2010

A couple days ago we revealed that Mark Papermaster, the guy in charge of iPhone hardware at Apple had been canned left the company. Of course what came to mind at the time was that he had been fired in the wake of the antennagate.

An article in the WSJ today quotes an Apple spokesperson that claims Papermaster departed the company for other reasons:

Mr. Papermaster had lost the confidence of Mr. Jobs months ago and hasn't been part of the decision-making process for some time, these people said. They added that Mr. Papermaster didn't appear to have the type of creative thinking expected at Apple and wasn't used to Apple's corporate culture, where even senior executives are expected to keep on top of the smallest details of their areas of responsibility and often have to handle many tasks directly, as opposed to delegating them.

One of these people also said Mr. Papermaster had difficulty maneuvering Apple's internal politics.

We'll never find out what really went on. Did Papermaster leave the company because he didn't fit there? Was he fired because of the whole antenna thing? What do you think?

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How Much Time a Day Do You Spend on Your iPhone?

Guest Author ∙ August 9, 2010

The title says it all folks. One recent night, I was about to plug-in my iPhone 4, and I did my usual check of battery life before the USB went in. For the day, I had spent about 7 hours on my favorite toy. Sure this included some iPod time in the car, and of course the research "work" I must do for my role here at iDB. However it seemed like an awful lot of my time eaten up by my "phone". Of course this is what Apple likes to hear, and I know I'm kind of enthralled by the device, but how does this compare?

My use has certainly gone up from that of my 3GS, however the experience is more enjoyable. I can't be the only one who gets "lost" in his Retina Display. My use of camera/photo apps has seen the biggest hike, largely due to the screen and camera combo. Is this the trend, or am I that big of a geek?

What does your usage entail, and how many hours per day does your settings app reveal to you? I'm not so much interested in battery life as I am in where your battery life goes. So step up, and let us know in the comments what is you do on that iPhone of yours, and for how long each typical day. Now, back to mine I go.

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How to Easily Install Frash on Your iPhone

Sébastien Page ∙ August 8, 2010

This morning I told you about a trick to install Frash on your iPhone. This can be a little cumbersome. My Twitter friend @egohot_dev sent me a tip that really automates the whole process.

Step 1: Make sure your iPhone is jailbroken. If it's not, follow these instructions.

Step 2: Go to Cydia and install the following source: http://repo.benm.at/

Step 3: Install Frash from this repo.

Step 4: Reboot your iPhone. Done!

Much easier than doing it manually.

Let us know how it works for you.

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