Software News Daily » iphone

Microsoft Office 365 Beta

Kyle — Wed, 11 May 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Microsoft has recently announced the release of Microsof Office 365 beta, their new web-based productivity suite. Office 365 is a subscription-based suite of web applications that basically allows small-businesses and larger enterprises to utilize most of the Microsoft Office tools and capabilities from nearly any device: desktops, laptops, tablets or smartphones. It is designed to replace the current Microsoft BPOS (Business Productivity Online Suite) program.

With more and more people using using mobile devices to conduct business, Microsoft developed Office 365 as an online suite of Microsoft Office applications designed almost exclusively for mobile access. Office 365 allows you to share files and documents, manage your schedules and contacts, hold online meetings via your mobile device, and boasts an impressive 99.9% uptime guarantee. In our digital world, communication is an essential part of life and business, and Microsoft Office 365 promises to make that communication even more efficient.

Check out the Microsoft Office 365 Beta testing page and sign up today.

Tether It Up on AT&T with iPhone OS 4.0 Beta

Lansia — Wed, 19 May 2010 05:50:44 +0000

Not too long ago, iPhone OS 4.0 beta 4 was released! I’m not sure if this is old news — I admit, I’m a bit out of the loop…

But tethering! That has to be somewhat fresh news… iPhone OS 4.0 beta has a tethering option! iPhone user? Not excited? Yeah, I wasn’t very excited either when I read about it on Engadget, Boy Genius Report and Gizmodo. Why? I had no idea what tethering was until just a few minutes ago. What was all this hype over tethering!

Contrary to what I initially thought (it’s nowhere near a virtual game of iPhone tetherball), “tethering” is the use of a mobile device as a makeshift modem to connect another device to the internet. The connection is usually made through Bluetooth or a (USB, perhaps) cable. About.com gave the best breakdown I came across in my ADD-limited timespan spent looking up the term. Tethering is particularly useful when you have no other means to connect to the internet. It also may save a bit of dough if you already have an unlimited data plan — no need for a broadband or wireless access card when you can tether off your unlimited data plan. And it may also be more secure than surfing from a public wi-fi hotspot. When I think of tethering, I think of a cell phone… and a wireless card… meshed together. If that confuses you more, I apologize… Anyway, apparently, tethering is highly anticipated.

Now, that I know what tethering is… I’d say I’m more excited… uh… well, for those iPhone users (which I am not — I oddly live in the stone age when it comes to upgrading my tech; I blame this on lack of funds).

To set up tethering — navigate over to your settings to see the new option. A pop-up will ask if you want to set up tethering on this account, just go to the website and follow the directions. There’s a quick video of someone doing this below, for those… more visual learners.

If you aren’t seeing the option to set up tethering, just reset your network settings. Once you’ve got it set up, feel free to share your experiences, frustrations, likes, dislikes, and all that jazz.

Gizmodo iPhone Scoop Leads to iPhone Raid

Lansia — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 05:55:10 +0000

Everyone is excited for the new generation of iPhones. Maybe a bit too excited?

Gizmodo recently posted a huge scoop with photos and video for the next iPhone. But the police are questioning how editor Jason Chen acquired the iPhone prototype for his written review.

Last Friday night, California’s Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team raided Chen’s home (while he was away, but with a search warrant) and confiscated four computers and two servers. There’s a lot of information regarding the situation and questions of legality are being thrown to both sides of the action.

According to TechCrunch, Gizmodo admits to paying $5000 for the alleged iPhone 4g prototype, but “contended the device was found at a bar, not stolen.” Gizmodo also contests, “the search warrant to remove these computers was invalid under section 1524(g) of the California Penal Code.” This code, sometimes referenced in part of the Shield Laws, states “no warrant shall issue for any items described in Section 1070 of the Evidence Code.” Basically, it protects journalists from having to reveal their source(s) and includes any unpublished information. Does that apply to online blogs, such as Gizmodo? Well, the DA has currently halted the police investigation as they thoroughly mull over Gizmodo’s defense statements.

Jason Kincaid at TechCrunch asked Stephen Wagstaffe, Chief Deputy at San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office, if it was “typical for the DA to evaluate the relevance of these shield laws after removing evidence.” Yep, “Wagstaffe did concede that it was unusual.”

The Business Insider says Chen may face up to one year in prison if “convicted of a felony for receiving stolen property or aiding a thief.” SND Readers, what do you think? Was Chen in the wrong? Were the police too quick to raid?

typical for the DA to evaluate the relevance of these shield laws after removing evidence

iPhone OS 4 Announced Today, Download It In SDK Now

Lansia — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 05:20:03 +0000

It’s not any sort of secret that Apple unveiled the new 4th generation iPhone operating system today. This will be the new OS powering iPhones, iPods and the recently released iPad. Of course, like all things Apple, this is just the tease… the developer preview as some call it… iPhone OS 4 won’t ship out until at least this summer and not until fall for the iPad.

So what’s the biggest new feature that OS 4 has and none of the others have? Multi-tasking. “We’re not the first to this party, but we’re gonna be the best. Just like cut and paste,” says Steve Jobs. Yeah, what does that mean, exactly? I wondered the same thing when I tried to get the scoop from a friend (unfortunately, I was unable to check out the event as it occurred).

Multi-tasking, cut to the skinny of it, brings in better capabilities to run multiple programs. The iPhone OS 4 utilizes a dock for applications that are running. This makes it easy to jump from program to program… multi-task. Jobs speaks of an example:

I’m gonna launch mail, this has a URL — so I jump to safari — so I want to go back to mail… I double click the home button and a window raises that shows me all the apps that are running. Now I want to go to ebay — I go right to where I left off in the apps, now I want to play a game — now I want to play a game, Tap Tap Revenge, it keeps me where I was. Again, the game stops, let me go back and look at mail. And again, I can go home anytime I want. Boom I’m home. Make sense? Really simple UI, puts all the apps at the bottom that are running…

Other capabilities in regards to multi-tasking include:

running Pandora in the background (music won’t stop when you switch apps)
VoIP for Skype-ing (stay logged on, even while using other apps)
Push notifications now will be “Local notifications” (no longer need to use Apple servers)
Task completion (continue a task, such as uploading photos to Flickr, in the background while doing other things)
Fast app switching (save the current state you are at with one app, switch to another, return to the same state for previous app)

Moving on… so what other cool features were mentioned in the preview today? Here are a couple of my picks…

Folders
Rather than flipping through page onto page for an individual application you are looking to launch… consolidate a logically grouped bunch of applications into a folder — less flipping through pages. Will, say, 2,000 apps be enough? OS 4 allows you to have over 2,000 apps on your iPhone now…

Unified Inbox
All your mail in one place, with the addition of multiple Exchange accounts. ‘Nuff said (sorry to sound thug-like, but the occasion called for it…)!

If you are interested in reading more, Engadget has a live blog from the events held earlier today; they also have a video preview. The Business Insider has a quick and simple slide show explaining the seven features highlighted by Apple. Or if you are just looking to recap every single moment of today’s iPhone OS 4 developer preview, watch the entire event at Apple.

Oh, yes, developers can download the SDK (software developer kit) version of iPhone OS 4 already. Check that out here: iPhone Dev Center.

iPad Pre-Orders Started Today, Hit 50,000+ in the First 2 Hours?!

Lansia — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:49:27 +0000

Pre-orders for the iPad started this morning bright and early at 5:30 AM, Pacific time. This is just for the United States — for those across seas, iPad sales won’t begin until late April. Both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G models are available now at the Apple store. Apple iPad accessories are also available for order — keyboard dock, dock, power adapter, case, headphones, etc…

After just two hours at sale, MacRumors tells us Victor Castroll from Fortune reported an estimated “51,000 orders in two hours.” Insane, but definitely not a shock. In 2007 when the iPhone first came out, Engadget says 270,000 units sold in the first 30 hours of sales. Could the iPad beat those numbers?

If you are still trying to weigh out the cons and pros of getting an iPad, I came upon two articles arguing each side. Dan Frommer at Business Insider “Just Ordered an iPad: Here’s Why.” And SmartMoney takes a hard look at whether or not you should pre-order an iPad. Note that Apple only allows a two per customer pre-order limit.

Apple Has Rules Now, Bans 5000 Too-Sexy Apps

Lansia — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:38:59 +0000

You may have already heard: Apple is cleaning out their apps store. They’ve decided “to remove any overtly sexual content from the App Store.” It’s definitely not a first for Apple… banning a particular genre of apps. According to PC World, Apple also banned GPS apps that feed the user location-aware ads and Apple-brand competing apps (such as Google Voice and “Flash of Genius” which mentions the Android).

TechCrunch uncovered this recent no-no after developed Jon Atherton, Wooble iBoobs, received a letter from iPhone App Review. Then there was the letter from Apple, that didn’t explain much. And today, a few guidelines have been uncovered through Atherton’s blog, ChilliFresh, regarding his app.

No images of women in bikinis
No images of men in bikinis
No skin
No silhouettes that indicate that Wobble can be used for wobbling boobs
No sexual connotations or innuendo
Nothing that can be sexually arousing
No apps that in any way imply sexual content

Is Apple going too far? Can we call it censorship? I don’t think I can say they don’t have a right to regulate the Apple App Store… but I can definitely see how they are going too far. As a recent owner of an iPod touch and somewhat recent user of Google Voice (thanks to Michael, one of our IT guys at SoftwareMedia.com), I was completely shocked when I found out there was no Google Voice app — yes, iPod and not iPhone, mostly because my phone is just that… a phone (no data, no text, I’m the worst software techie ever, I know)! Okay, that has nothing to do with these new rules. But still!

C’mon Apple! We already own your expensive toys, can’t we play with them as we see fit (okay, NO pun intended there…)? If you’re curious where (some of) the public stands, CNET started a poll on whether Apple should ban adult-themed apps from the App Store. I agree with the current majority: No, but there should be age restrictions on them. Because you know, then parents don’t have reason to complain (and if kids get to it anyway, maybe your kid is too smart and should build a startup like Chatroulette). Thoughts?

The Day’s Tech Headlines: China Hackers, Google Energy, Photoshop iPhone App

Lansia — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:33:21 +0000

What can I say? It’s a Friday… the week has finally dragged on and there isn’t much longer until the weekend officially starts. Rather than writing on one topic, I thought I’d share the best of what was going on today, in the world of tech and software at least…

Chinese Schools Spurred Online Hacking
Remember the series of cyber attacks not too long after Google first threatened to pull out of China? Although it was never proven at the time, China was highly suspected of launching those attacks. It’s recently been discovered that two schools in China may have been responsibly. According to the New York Times, “a series of online attacks on Google and dozens of other American corporations have been traced to computers at two educational institutions in China, including one with close ties to the Chinese military.”

Google Goes (and Gets More) Green
The Federal Regulatory Energy Commission has given Google the power to “sell energy, capacity and service at market rates,” according to Wired. And now, it can start going green like they’ve been hoping… In the summer of 2007, they had 9,212 solar panels powering their Mountain View headquarters. With the FREC order, the entire Google-polis could be solar powered and maybe even your home! Of course, consumers will have to pay for service… Again, another step in taking over the world.

Photoshop Turns 20 (and transforms into an iPhone app)!
Okay, it’s really not that much of a headliner… but I thought it was cool. There’s a dedicated 20th anniversary site that Adobe created, complete with an informative and interactive timeline. Who knew, layers didn’t appear until five years after the birth? A specially created iPhone app was also given out to a group of selected attendees at the National Association of Photoshop Professionals 20th Anniversary Event. “I really wanted to do something special to commemorate 20 years of Photoshop, and the best thing I thought of was a nostalgic iPhone app,” says Russell Brown, Adobe’s Senior Creative Director.

Loopt and Gowalla Haiti Donations Face-Off

Lansia — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:26:45 +0000

Loopt, a mobile application, announced they are donating $1 for every check-in at Chipotle, Whole Foods or Panera Bread before the end of Sunday. The proceeds will go towards the relief efforts in Haiti and there’s no charge to the Loopt user either. Minutes later, I read that Gowalla, a competing app, will be launching a campaign called “Hearts for Haiti” on Monday, February 8th.

The Hearts for Haiti campaign will take place in the SF Bay Area at three specified locations — two Peet’s coffee shops and the Barenaked Ladies concert. When someone uses Gowalla to check-in at one of those locations during the event, $50 will be donated in to the Red Cross in that person’s name. Gowalla hopes to reach $20,000. In addition to Gowalla’s charitable efforts, the two Peet’s locations will also be donating 10% of sales towards Haiti efforts. Details on when to go where can be found over at the Gowalla Blog.

Okay, it’s great that these two rival apps are working towards a greater cause but… how do you check-in? What does it mean to check-in? Do you live in the dinosaur age and only use your cell phone for calls? It’s okay, because I live in that era as well. In fact, I don’t even do the text thing — I know I know, I get a lot of crap about it…

Well, Loopt and Gowalla are location-based mobile apps for the mobile user. Think of a “Super Twitter” (yes, I agree that Twitter is also very confusing) with an interactive map, sort of… Loopt and Gowalla allow you to share your location, status and photos with friends. These programs also allow you to share events and places with your friends. All this information is then provided conveniently on a detailed interactive map. There wasn’t much information on Gowalla, but Loopt describes itself as a “social compass.” I imagine it’s fairly useful when your friends are out and about and you are looking for something to do that night. Find out where your friends are and what they are doing through the app then, connect. Loopt even alerts you when a friend is nearby!

Anyway, when you “check-in,” you are basically sending an update to your friends. Does that make sense at all? If not, the Business Insider has a step by step slideshow of how Foursquare, a similar app, works. Sorry, this has been a very confusing post… Please comment if you can help explain things better!

Apple Tablet Officially Announced as the “iPad”

Lansia — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:45:13 +0000

Apple’s press event wrapped up not too many hours ago announcing the official release of its tablet device: the iPad! Before Business Insider, Gizmodo, Engadget or any other tech blogs got a hold of the rumors, could you believe that MadTV was the first? Check out the 2006 episode below. Be forewarned that this is not a clip for the conservative viewer…

Okay, tell me that ad won’t run through your head every time you hear “iPad” from now on?! iPad is a HORRIBLE name!! But the product itself is pretty snazzy, I admit.

The press event, held at Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco, lasted about two hours. And to my slight disappointment, only included a long presentation about the the tablet. I was looking forward to hearing about the iPhone 4 and possible Verizon ventures, but I guess that will be later down the line. Nevertheless, my highlights for today’s event as follows…

“We call it the iPad.”

Basically, it looks like an over-sized iPod touch.

Maps. Address book. Calendar. iTunes, YouTube. Also syncs to iTunes like an iPod touch or iPhone. “More intimate than a laptop” and “more capable than a smartphone.”

Photo scrubber bar at the bottom is awe-some. And built-in slideshows!

It’s 0.5 inches thin, 1.5 pounds and green tech evolving. There’s a “9.7 inch IPS display.” 10-hour battery life (a month on standby) with the “latest in wireless: 801.11n, WiFi and Bluetooth 2.1 plus EDR.”

Fancy apps, just like iPhone and iPod.

iBooks app that will give Kindle a run for its money.

AT&T team-up for a $14.99 250mb per month data plan or $29.99 unlimited data plan.

It starts at only $499. Not bad.

Thoughts? Comments? Let us know; we want to hear your comments! For more thorough coverage of today’s event, check out gdgt.com or engadget.com‘s live blogging coverage.

iPhone Helps Man Survive the Haiti Earthquake

Lansia — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:46:08 +0000

It’s difficult to imagine what we would do without cell phones and Internet nowadays. I remember not too long ago when my friend didn’t have a cell phone — the frustrations of meeting up, not being able to call to find his ETA or telling him I was running late. Soon thereafter, he signed up for a cell phone plan and things have been easier ever since. Being online for over eight hours a day with my cell phone next to me, it’s hard for me to even think about not being connected — especially after becoming so accustomed to the convenience of it all.

So, what would the aftermath efforts of the Haiti earthquake be like sans cell phones and Internet? I mean, text messaging has accumulated over $24 million in donations to the Red Cross alone. This is a significant jump from just one week ago when history was made with the $4 million record. And now, a man is telling his tale of how he survived the Haiti earthquake with the help of his trusty iPhone?! How can we not live without these modern conveniences!

Dan Woolley, a documentary filmmaker for Compassion International, had just finished a day of shooting before the earthquake struck. “I just saw the walls rippling and just explosive sounds all around me,” Woolley tells The View‘s Meredith Vieira. By using his digital SLR camera to illuminate his surroundings, Woolley was able to take refuge in an elevator shaft.

Woolley sustained a compound fracture of the leg and cut to the head while caught in falling rubble. Knowing that he could die, he downloaded a first-aid app on his iPhone. It was like if an EMT was right beside him. The app gave instructions on how to treat his wounds. With directions from the iPhone app, Woolley stopped the bleeding from his head and safely applied a tourniquet to his leg. The app also warned him not to fall asleep, a possible fatality for those going into shock. So, he programmed his iPhone alarm clock to alert him every 20 minutes.

For the next 65 hours, Woolley waited until a French rescue team pulled him out. Just last night, four days after his rescue, he returned home to his family in Colorado Springs. MSNBC has in-depth coverage, including Meredith Vieira’s interview with Woolley and his wife.

Would Woolley have survived without his iPhone? It’s amazing how far technology has come…