(Credit:
GoodGuide)
Just in time for the crazed holiday shopping season, San Francisco-based GoodGuide releases the first iPhone app that lets you scan bar codes for what the guide calls "impartial" health, environmental, and social responsibility ratings of not only the products you are scanning but their companies, too.
GoodGuide's free app lets you scan an item's bar code and instantly retrieve info on that product's health, environmental, and social responsibility ratings.
(Credit: GoodGuide)As our Webware staff wrote in August, "GoodGuide is the reason we have awards for tech services and products: it's a small and relatively unknown service that demonstrates real leadership on the Web." And as we report in Health Tech just this week, GoodGuide is an invaluable resource when shopping for toys, as it provides the levels of lead, mercury, chlorine, etc., that might be in the toys.
But GoodGuide's newest app is quite possibly the group's pinnacle achievement thus far. Now, instead of having to be organized enough to do your research online before hitting the stores, or using the app's 2008 iteration, which involves entering a product into a GoodGuide database on your phone, now anyone with an iPhone can literally scan bar codes while shopping.
Seriously, this could become a tick. I kind of want to spend all day scanning bar codes with the same fervor I used to pop package bubbles as a kid. As GoodGuide spokesperson Suzanne Skyvara (mother of two boys, ages 8 and 5) tells me in a delightful English accent that somehow makes everything sound healthy and socially responsible: "It's making it easier to be good. We all want to do this, but god, who's got the time to research it all?"
I envision scoffing with delight at the higher-priced products that don't actually measure up to their less expensive counterparts, a discovery likely as satisfying as catching a poker player mid-bluff. Or, conversely, I can see justifying a slightly more expensive product that is far healthier for my body and environment.
Of course, the value of such a system hinges on how good the information is. GoodGuide licensed Occipital's RedLaser bar code-scanning technology for this app and culled ratings for more than 62,000 food, personal care, household chemical and toy products and companies, and plans to add thousands more every month. Learn more about GoodGuide's rating system here.
Best of all, of course, is that GoodGuide's app is free--a fact that also sounds delightful in an English accent. All you need is the funds to own an iPhone, but that's a different story.
Scan the bookshelves of any serious movie buff and you're almost certain to find a worn, dog-eared copy of "Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide."
Of course, just as encyclopedias work far better as interactive, online guides like Wikipedia, so do reference tomes like this benefit from the digital treatment.
Enter Leonard Maltin Movie Guide for iPhone ($4.99), which not only reproduces the full text of the print version, but also delivers some interactive "plot twists."
In addition to 24,000-plus capsule reviews, the guide provides a couple dozen of Maltin's latest reviews (full length), dynamic searching by title, actor, or director, and, best of all, Netflix integration: With a single tap you can add any movie to your rental and/or Watch Now queue.
(A forthcoming update will add iTunes integration so you can rent/purchases movies from there--assuming they're available, of course.)
Each movie listing includes the director's name and a complete cast list, and you can tap any name to pull up a filmography for that person. That's the kind of hyperlinky goodness that makes the iPhone version of this guide so vastly superior to its print counterpart.
You can also share guide listings via e-mail, again with just a single tap. Great stuff.
I have only one complaint with Movie Guide: speed. Searches run very slowly, and not because of Internet issues--the database resides on the iPhone, not online. In my informal tests, movie-title searches took 12-15 seconds on average.
Developer MobileAge says performance would be better on an iPhone 3GS (I have a 3G). Even so, Movie Guide needs a speed boost. If not for that small wrinkle, I'd call it a must-have app for film buffs.
(Credit:
Apple, Inc.)
Apple released updated User Guides for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The guides, which cover the new features of iPhone OS 3.0 and the iPhone 3G S, total more than 350 pages combined.
You can download the 213 page guide for the iPhone here (PDF) and the 153 page guide for the iPod touch here (PDF).
Apple has posted a short, 14-minute guided video tour of the iPhone 3G S for those interested in a detailed demonstration of the phone's new features. In it, an Apple employee demonstrates new iPhone tricks one by one.
(Credit:
Apple, Inc.)
(Credit:
HearPlanet)
As I made my way around Vancouver, B.C., last week on a business trip and admired the futuristic high-rises and sweeping vistas of ocean and mountains I felt curious--and lost. I wanted to know what the buildings and landmarks were and why they were so striking.
My questions could easily have been answered with the HearPlanet Premium iPhone app. The new version of the "talking tour guide" mobile program, released publicly on Thursday, includes an integrated, interactive map and human voices, in addition to the computer-generated audio.
The HearPlanet Premium app, available for download from the App Store for $5.99, provides text and spoken descriptions for nearly 250,000 points of interest in locations around the world. A free version also is available.
The interface is fairly intuitive, allowing you to type in options to search on "what" and "where." The default is set to the location of the phone and offers a list of items in the vicinity, with thumbnail images and locations on a map.
You can click on the map view to see the items displayed as pushpins and use a pinch-together or pull-apart technique to zoom in and pan out, as well as move the map around with your finger. It's easy to navigate through various content items by toggling between them either in the list view or on the map.
In addition to the computerized audio, HearPlanet has created its own audio descriptions with human readers and has partners that provide additional content. The readings provided by San Francisco Sightseeing Tours, for instance, really lend that feel of hearing it from a tour guide. You can also click a link to visit the content partner's Web site or even to book a reservation on a real-world tour.
You have the ability to read or listen to the descriptions while simultaneously using the map. HearPlanet also allows you to save on power by shutting off the screen with the power button while still playing the audio.
I found the descriptions very informative, detailed, and comprehensive. For instance, I learned that Grouse Mountain, where I went while I was in Vancouver, is a small but well-known ski area overlooking Vancouver to the north. I only needed to type in "Grouse Mountain" when I did my search, and picked the Vancouver mountain (as opposed to the Grouse Mountain located in California).
The map took a little while to display for Grouse Mountain, but was quick when I searched for "Vancouver." That listing offered a variety of options for descriptions. I chose to listen to the information under "architecture and cityscape" and learned that the skyscrapers are positioned in such a way as to preserve mountain views for other buildings because of city guidelines that require that.
I did another test for points of interest in my location in downtown San Francisco south of Market and learned that the monstrosity of a high-rise that arose to obscure my view of the Transamerica Pyramid Building while I was on vacation in August 2007 was expected to take 22 months to complete. Unfortunately, that fact is correct--looking out my window I can vouch that it is done.
On the HearPlanet iPhone app you can search for "what" or "where" and see results in a list view or on the map.
(Credit: HearPlanet)
HearPlanet Premium includes an interactive map that allows you to toggle between items by clicking on the pushpins.
(Credit: HearPlanet)Apple has posted a new version of the iPhone user guide, which includes several additions related to iPhone OS 2.2. These include instructions on Google Street View usage and more.
Some excerpts:
- "If you're taking public transit, the overview screen shows each leg of the trip and the mode of transportation, including where you need to walk. The top of the screen shows the time of the bus or train at the first stop, the estimated arrival time, and the total fare. Tap to set your departure or arrival time, and to choose a schedule for the trip. Tap the icon at a stop to see the departure time for that bus or train. When you tap Start and step through the route, detailed information about each leg of the trip appears at the top of the screen. "
- "Turn Auto-Correction on or off: Choose General > Keyboard and turn Auto-Correction on or off. Auto-Correction is on by default."
On Monday i.TV, the movie and TV show listing service for the iPhone, pushed out a really neat update that marries the idea of its live content guide with services that can take advantage of it as a platform.
The first service to be introduced into the mix is Netflix. I.TV users who are also Netflix subscribers can manage their queue right from the application, as well as start Netflix searches from i.TV's own listings.
If you find a movie in theaters, or recently aired TV show that you'd like to add to your Netflix queue, you can now do it from i.TV.
(Credit: CNET Networks)An example of how this might work is if you're perusing the latest movie listings. If you see a film that you'd like to watch when it's released on DVD, you can simply cross-reference it with Netflix's library. If it shows up (which I found to work with all the latest releases at my local theater), you simply hit the "add to queue" option and it will go into your saved items. This is also helpful for wannabe movie aficionados, since if the film you're looking at is a remake, you can see and rent the older versions from the same interface.
More importantly, with the outcropping of Netflix streaming-capable devices like Apple computers, and soon the Xbox 360--there's going to be a need to help pick out streaming TV content. Using i.TV, you can easily add any content that has a streaming counterpart to your Watch Instantly queue.
As a Netflix manager it's not as competent as an app like Dashbuster, which is currently unavailable from the app store while it works out some bugs. There are no Netflix RSS feeds (which can be a source of rental inspiration), and it doesn't save box art in a local cache, which can give the app a slight speed gain. There is one big plus though--i.TV is free, whereas Dashbuster and several other iPhone-based Netflix queue managers are not.
Though such a procedure is sure to void your warranty, you can (fairly) easily remove the iPhone 3G's screen, gaining access to internal components and allowing possible resolution of certain longstanding manufacturing issues as well as repair of hardware damage.
A post to the Hackintosh forums offers steps for doing so with a standard suction cup, such as the one used by some windsheild-mounted devices.
The poster, flash31, describes using the procedure to resolve the "light leak" issue that has affected some units:
- "Pull the suction cup toward you and the screen should come out (bottom first)
- You will see 3 cables running from the top right corner of the screen to the main board of the phone. 3 cables are numbered 1, 2, and 3. Remove the cables in that order. (Note: in the picture, my number 1 cable has already been detached, number 3 is underneath number 2)
- Once the three cables are detached, the entire LCD unit is now separate from the main board. I found two youtube videos that might aid.
- Look on the left side of your iPhone LCD unit; you will notice that Apple has already applied a small strip of electrical tape to the metal casing. Unfortunately, this strip is sometimes misaligned, causing light leakage. Simply add more electrical tape to anywhere you experience light leak. Note: the tape does NOT have to cover the black rubber gasket (the part that meets the bezel when assembled). Simply apply electrical tape to anywhere on the metal frame supporting the LCD unit. Apply tape to all the places you experience light leak.
- Reassemble the phone, reconnecting cables 1, 2, and 3, and then re-screw the two screws holding the LCD unit in place."
We certainly don't recommend performing this procedure in-house, though it does reveal the iPhone 3G's internals as significantly more accessible than those of its predecessor.
As previously reported, many accessories that were compatible with the first-generation are not compatible with the iPhone 3G, either failing to charge the device or losing functionality completely.
We've compiled a list of incompatible devices based on user reports. If you have any to add, please let us know.
Will not charge the iPhone 3G: The explanation for this issue is as follows: most accessories on the market charge iPods/iPhones through either USB or a 12V connection that works through the FireWire portion of the pin connector. The latter method is cheaper, and hence more common. Apple has removed 12V (FireWire) charging from the iPhone 3G; this means that these devices are no longer able to deliver a charge. As such, some accessories will still perform their intended function, but fail to charge the iPhone.
- Alpine 9856
- Alpine KCE-422i Connection Cable
- Apple iPod HiFi
- Belkin Auto Kit for iPod with Dock Connector.
- BlueTouch
- BOSE SoundDock
- Dension ICE
- Homedics SoundSpa
- iTeufel Dock
- Kenwood KCA-IP 500 iPod Interface
- Monster car charger
- Monster FM tuner
- OEM iPod Connection Kit for several cars (Mazda 3, Scion XB, Audi)
- Onkyo docking cradle
- Pioneer D3
- Pioneer Elite AV receiver VSX-84TXSi
- Scion TC iPod connection
- SIRIUS Soloist Universal Sound System
- Sony XA-110IP iPod Interface Adapter
- Subaru Forester '09 iPod connection kit
- USB Fever iPod Direct Cigarette Plug FM Transmitter and charger
- VW OEM iPod adapter
Audio echo occurs with the iPhone 3G Several iPhone 3G owners are reporting an issue in which severe echoes are generated through car audio systems with which the phones are paired. Generally, the driver hears echoes while the call recipient does not. The issue affects iPhone 3G models running iPhone OS 2.0, but not first-generation iPhones running the same:
- 2007 Prius
- 2008 Nissan Altima
- 2008 Nissan Rogue
- 2008 Toyota Tundra
- Ford Focus with Microsoft Sync
- Infiniti G35
- Infiniti G37S
- Various BMWs
Broken or hampered iPhone 3G functionality Some accessories simply will not function with the iPhone 3G in any fashion while others have partial functionlality.
- 2008 Nissan Pathfinder via aux connection (device not recognized)
- Cardo Scala Bluetooth Headset (pairs, makes and receives calls, butdDOES
- NOT connect when listening to voice messages like it did on my 2.5G.
Feedback? info@iphoneatlas.com.
Earlier this week, the iPhone Dev Team released WinPwn 2.0, a tool that allows Windows users to jailbreak iPhone 3G units. However the initial release was affected by an issue that caused the Ipwner component to crash. A new version, 2.0.0.3, has now been released, resolving this and other issues.
Jailbreaking allows full read/write filesystem access and the installation of unofficial third party applications.
Notes accompanying this release:
- You must do a full uninstall of winpwn before installing the new version
- Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes ( Currently 7.7)
- WinPwn uses 300MB of ram at peak due to the ipsw being extracted in memory
- You must first click browse and load an IPSW to use WinPwn
- For 2.0 only the *5A347_Restore.ipsw files are valid. The 345 image will not work
- If you see "Failed to load image catalog/payload catalog", ignore it
- If you already have service with AT&T do not activate or install Youtube Fix
The new release and usage instructions are available from this download link.
