July 2008

Auto Word Correction
There’s been some changes to the iPhone auto word correction.  Typing “its” now gives you the option of “it’s” as the default option.  Typing “ill” gets you “i’ll”.  I used type “itsa” to get “it’s”.

App Store
The ability to run third party applications is the major new feature in iPhone 2.0.  Applications are purchased and installed through Apple’s App store.  It can be accessed directly on the iPhone or through iTunes.

A few little quirks in the App Store on the iPhone.  You can browse the store through categories, featured, and top 25 in sales.  On the categories screen it lists Games (15).  I’m assuming the number in the parentheses are the number of games in the category, but there are by far more than 15 games in the category.
I haven’t been able to find out how to change the sorting view, currently alphabetical by application name.

I find that in general, there’s not enough description about the applications and the lack of a demo makes it hard for me to purchase an application that I’m not familiar with.  The good thing is that there are a lot of free applications to try out.

I did purchase two games, Super Monkey Ball by Sega and the puzzle game Enigmo by Panagea.

Mobile-Me
I don’t think it’s quite working yet.  I seem to get some mail pushed to me, but my calendars and contacts aren’t being updated yet over the air.  I’m actually having issues with the sync hanging on syncing contacts when I’m using a direct cable.

Remote for iTunes
This is an amazing free application that makes your iPhone a remote for iTunes or an Apple TV.  It works really well.

Screen Capture
Press the home button and then click the power button to snap your picture.

Calculator
Access the new scientific by rotating the screen to horizontal.  Clever!

From NYTimes.com: In an Iranian Image, a Missile Too Many

As news spread across the world of Iran’s provocative missile tests, so did an image of four missiles heading skyward in unison. Unfortunately, it appeared to contain one too many missiles, a point that had not emerged before the photo appeared on the front pages of The Los Angeles Times, The Financial Times, The Chicago Tribune and several other newspapers as well as on BBC News, MSNBC, Yahoo! News, NYTimes.com and many other major news Web sites.

Doctored photo that was shown on major news sites:
Original Photo

The Iranian news agency originally released the 4 missile photo, but later released the three missile photo after the authenticity of the photo was called into question.

It seems that the Iranian’s doctored the photo to cover up the failure of one of the missiles to launch.  There have been examples of altered photos showing up in the media, but this has to be one of the most blatant examples of such.  The media’s going to have to be extremely diligent in sourcing photos and confirming authenticity.

From toucharcade.com: Bomberman Touch: The Legend of Mystic Bomb

Veteran game developer Hudson Soft is breathing new life into its classic arcade-style maze game Bomberman with the forthcoming release of Bomberman Touch: The Legend of Mystic Bomb for the iPhone and iPod touch.

The interesting thing about this is how you control the game with the iPhone.  It uses a combination of flicking and tapping the screen with tilting the iPhone.  I’m interested in seeing how other developers use the strengths of the iPhone to make up for missing dedicated gaming controls.  Follow the link to see a YouTube video of the game in action.

From NYTimes.com: Pickens Says Gas And Wind Would Slash Oil Imports

Texas energy tycoon T. Boone Pickens on Tuesday called for a massive switch to natural gas as a transportation fuel and a boost in wind power in a plan aimed at reducing U.S. foreign oil dependence by a more than a third.

The one thing that is clear, is the government is not going to be able to solve our energy problems.  It’s going to be entrepreneurs and visionaries that will lead the way.  Wind may not be the answer to all our problems, but it’s a start, especially when an old oilman is leading the way.

From NYTimes.com: A Private Dance? Four Million Web Fans Say No

Nice a little profile of Matt Harding, creator of the Where the Hell is Matt video, now viewed over 4.6 million times!

Here’s a good way to keep your cats nice and trim!
Cats On A Treadmill – Watch more free videos

From NYTimes.com: Rising Convention Costs and Delays Worry Democrats

Am I alone in thinking that way too much money is being spent for Political Conventions?  What purposes do these Conventions serve these day with the nominees already in place?

Found this display of Independence Day decorations at Lowes in Cincinnati. 

From Knight Rider Online: Mio Knight Rider GPS has voice of KITT Inside

It might be fun to have KITT give you turn by turn directions, but I could do without the picture of David Hasselhoff appearing every time you turn it on.