iPhone Savior

Pocket Tunes Now Plays Sirius Satellite Radio

  

If you already own the Pocket Tunes Radio app ($9.99) for iPhone, you'll notice a great leap forward with their 5.2 update which has recently added support for Web-based stations including Sirius Satellite Radio. The update enables users to access web based Internet stations that typically require a PC rather than a mobile device. Pocket Tunes could be the perfect gap filler until Sirius/XM deliver their own app.

I gave Pocket Tunes a test drive with Sirius Radio and the results were stellar listening to music channels at 128kbps. The process on the first time thorough is a tad long, but after signing in your information is saved allowing instant access on repeat visits. You must have a paid subscription to Sirius Internet Radio to use this feature with Pocket Tunes.

There are roughly (8) steps to glory but the effort is worth it for the payoff. I was listening to Howard Stern and then quickly moved onto several other music stations with ease. Pocket Tunes Radio is a powerful app that offers a huge variety of station options for iPhone and iPod touch users at $9.99. The addition of web based Internet stations like Sirius just made this app all the more appealing.

The NormSoft website has posted all of the mission critical steps [link] to access Sirius Satellite Radio along with screenshots for both US and Canadian Sirius radio users to follow. If you've been asking the question; "Can I play Sirius Satellite Radio on Pocket Tunes Radio?", the answer is yes you can. Big thanks to Todd at NiceMac for the tip.

[NormSoft]    Get Pocket Tunes

Skype For iPhone Now Available In The App Store

The much talked about Skype app for iPhone is now available for download in the App Store. The interface is clean and simple with both call and chat on board. My connection when ringing up Skype's automated call girl showed off a clear connection during my test call. iPhone to laptop sound was extremely clear as well. You can easily grab any photo from your albums to create avatar images.

The big buzz killer here is that the app only connects via Wi-Fi rather than over AT&T's speedy and powerfully efficient 3G network. Sign in using any Wi-Fi connection and talk with other Skype users for free.

9 to 5 Mac has posted a video showing Skype for iPhone working perfectly with a 3G connection when launched on a phone using software 3.0 which may only be because it's an unrefined beta version. Either way it's cool to see it function as the nerds at Skype intended. You'll need a third-party microphone accessory to enjoy talk functionality if you own the original iPod touch which does not include a built-in microphone like the second-generation model does. Do you Skype?  [video after jump]

Get Skype for iPhone

I'm Lauren, I'm A PC and I'm A Paid Actress!

 

LOS ANGELES - If you remember Lauren, she's the supposed regular girl in Microsoft's new "Laptop Hunters" ad where she's paid cash and then picks herself out an HP Pavilion laptop for under $1,000 dollars. Of course Lauren has a negative experience visiting the Apple store in the advert finding only one Mac laptop in her price range. It's scandalous!

It turns out that the lovely miss Lauren DeLong is actually an LA-based, SAG-eligible actress. Not that anything is wrong with that! But I feel duped! I thought Lauren was just some regular girl, randomly selected by the Microsofties.

"I'm just not cool enough to be a Mac person," Lauren said in a sarcastic tone while driving in the Microsoft ad. Maybe that's because she's only acting like a regular person who's 'not cool enough' to be a Mac person. You see, that's what actors do, they play pretend for money. Not that anything is wrong with that! Don't believe the hype people... it's all pretend! I can sleep sound again knowing the truth.

CONGRATS LAUREN! Best of luck on your next audition for a national computer brand ad. [video after jump]

Style Guide: Creating 'Snow White' MacBook Envy

 


STYLE GUIDE - Tired of your MacBook looking like every other one in the room? University student Christian, decided to customize his white MacBook by flaunting a classic Disney darling in full color. His fantastical design featuring "Snow White" holding the Apple has now become the envy of every student in Lubeck, Germany. A brilliant design idea that's simple to achieve.

"The MacBook is very popular at my university. When you're having a coffee while surfing with your MacBook the possibility is very high that the guy next to you does the same. So I decided to customize my MacBook. It's pretty well done." Christian wrote on his Flickr stream. [more photos after the jump]

Chicks love a guy who's in touch with his sensitive Snow White side.

iPhone Nut Sizer Tells You Just How Big Yours Are

Finally! I can use an iPhone to measure my nuts. This ingenious $.99 Nut Sizer app makes measuring nuts, bolts and washers simple for both US and metric sizes. Developer Robert Soliday, has gone to great lengths to design an extremely useful app that makes you laugh out loud every time you use it.

I don't do enough handy work myself to truly appreciate the usefulness of Nut Sizer. But if you handle nuts on a daily basis, I'm certain you'll find this app a welcomed addition to your your iPhone toolbox. Nut Sizer also contains a handy ruler to make measuring other mission critical parts just as easy.

It takes more than just a quality product to get noticed, it takes a huge set of great marketing ideas and a clever name to rise above the rest. Nut Sizer is the most ingenious utility app I've found for iPhone and iPod touch. Though I wouldn't use it without some kind of screen protection.

It's not a game, it's a tool broseph! How big are your nuts?

Get Nut Sizer

'Cute Asian Girls' App Pimps Cure For Yellow Fever

The sole purpose of this man-tastic app is blatantly obvious. It's called "Asian sexploitation". Discover photos of Asian beauties outfitted as school girls, some with guns and others with guitars laid out in a huge variety from naughty to nice. Download your favorite images directly onto your iPhone or iPod touch to use as wallpaper then email them to your "Fave 5'.

The idea of having instant access to hundreds of photos featuring the most beautiful Asian girls on planet earth will make this iPhone app an instant classic. Cute Asian Girls is free for early adopters and then the girls will be pimped out for $.99, with the promise that this photo collection will be growing by the truckload.

According to developers StuckPixel, "If you have yellow fever, this app is the cure!" What's the cure for tasteless tag lines?

Get Cute Asian Girls

Apple Stores Now Selling 'No Contract' iPhone 3G

Apple Stores have quickly jumped in to "one-up" AT&T by offering unlimited, iPhone 3G devices with "no contract" required. I confirmed this information myself by phone with several large Apple retail locations across the country. The inventory clearance priced iPhones are still locked to AT&T with the 8GB model being sold at a whopping ($599) and the 16GB model for ($699). Apple is offering their deal to anyone, not requiring customers to have an existing AT&T contract. The premium-priced devices can be activated at home by customers through iTunes. A 24-month AT&T contract will not be required, but standard calling plans, text and data rates still apply.

Apple's is definitely 'thinking different' as they aim to sell off their remaining iPhone 3G inventory at premium prices, making way for the upcoming launch of the new 2009 iPhone expected to be unveiled on June 8 at the 2009 Worldwide Developers Conference. 

It's also being reported that AT&T stores are now offering their existing customers early upgrades to the wildly popular Apple handset at subsidized pricing.

"Typically, the carrier would only offer non-iPhone customers the option to upgrade from their non-Apple phone to an iPhone 3G at the $199 (8GB) and $299 (16GB) subsidized price points after their 24-month contract had run its course". Source: AppleInsider

I would expect that if iPhone wannabes hold out long enough, prices on last year's iPhone will eventually be offered by Apple at true inventory clearance discounts. If you hold out just a bit longer you'll be able to own the 2009 next-generation iPhone without too much buyers remorse.

You can always purchase an inflated iPhone 3G device, unlock it yourself and keep your T-Mobile contract intact. But I would be more concerned with what AT&T and Apple are not revealing as they rush to force old inventory out the door. Delivering the real buyers remorse come June 9th.

[AppleInsider]

Apple's 2009 WWDC Signals Countdown To Next-Gen iPhone

With Apple announcing dates for their Worldwide Developers Conference taking place on June 8-12 in San Francisco, the official countdown to the next-generation iPhone has begun. The WWDC in 2008 was the epic event where Apple chose to launch iPhone 3G. Many are also expecting the release of OS X Snow Leopard, as the latest major update to Apple's wildly popular operating system.

It's likely the next-gen iPhone revision will be unveiled by Steve Jobs himself using the June event to signal his own triumphant return to the helm as Apple's CEO. Jobs said he would be out on medical leave until the "end of June", so it's difficult to believe he would pass up the opportunity to announce the new iPhone.

A major iPhone hardware upgrade is expected along with some key features Apple is still holding close to the vest. I'm convinced the iPhone 3.0 preview only revealed the obvious, concealing the biggest bang for last. I want to believe.

The price of admission is $1295.00 when you purchase by April 24 — a $300 savings.

[WWDC 2009]

When A Good iPod Goes Horribly Bad

Some ideas are just destined to end badly, which seems to be the case here with Apple's new talking iPod Shuffle. This iPod with a conscience may end up spawning a triumphant return for John Travolta in "Look Who's Talking Trash". Which then may set in motion another awful sequel. I hope not.

This original idea of an iPod with a dark side is well played and bound to make you chuckle.

[Gizmodo]

Next-Gen iPhone Info Leaked By AT&T

Another leak coming from high up inside the walls of AT&T confirms a mid-June announcement for Apple's next-generation iPhone as many have speculated. The annual summer iPhone blockbuster event is becoming somewhat of an Apple tradition according to The Boy Genius Report who were spot on recently when reporting a rumor that AT&T will be releasing no contract iPhones on March 26th.

Here's what we can expect this summer.

• New iPhone will be faster and have a more seamless experience unmatched by any device (could be just talking about 3.0, but we think it’s also a new iPhone)
• U-Verse iPhone application; will allow control of your home DVR (play, pause, rewind, etc.)
• Nothing official is being confirmed, but they said that people should prep for an exciting time this summer.
• AT&T is said to be working with Apple to create a unified product with an unparalleled experience across all their products and services.
• Apple’s 3.0 software should tell us where the iPhone platform is going (video?)
• They said customers shouldn’t need to choose from AT&T’s high-end devices because of features, they should choose based on preferences. The gap in capability should be filled with the new iPhone. Ok, bets on slide out QWERTY, auto-focus camera, video sharing, blah blah?
• Seems like the higher speed HSDPA (7.2Mbps) is being hinted at too which should confirm the earlier rumors of the new Infineon chipset.
• The $99 3G netbook will start selling this summer, and the first one won’t be a Windows OS.
• New iPhone announcement will be around mid-June

Many have speculated that the next-gen iPhone will include video capabilities based on recent clues uncovered in the 3.0 software beta. The AT&T leak even points to the fabled Netbook which is still a thing rumor.

The original iPhone was launched on June 29, 2007 while iPhone 3G was released on July 11, 2008 which makes June 26th or July 10th strong possibilities for 2009 if Apple stays the course with official summer release dates. The Boy Genius Report is calling their leaked information 100% confirmed.

[The Boy Genius Report]    [Design by iVicio]