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Meebo re-launches improved iPhone chat app

This morning Meebo is releasing a freshly updated version of their chat app for the iPhone. The new iteration is more finger-friendly, requiring none of that pinching nor chat window management of the previous version--which was admittedly a quick fix to accommodate early adopters of Apple's handset. Gone is the classic desktop feel of Meebo, which has been replaced by a simple buddy list that takes up the entire screen, and can be perused with one finger. To begin a chat, simply click on somebody's name. It's very intuitive.

With this latest version, Meebo has done something really cool by pulling up the last few lines of your last conversation, assuming you were using Meebo as your client. Likewise, your saved Meebo away messages are there, along with a spiffy new status changer that lets you choose them from a wheel.

All in all, the update is a nice addition to the lineup of IM apps for the iPhone. I'm still partial to Mundu's offerings, which I believe to be the best of the bunch, but already we've come a long way in a short time towards removing the need for client-side IM apps.

More shots of the new interface after the jump.… Read more

Sony Ericsson unveils its K770i

August is here and like clockwork the cell phone manufacturers start spewing out a host of new models. It's not just Motorola, LG and Helio for today in London Sony Ericsson announced its new K770i Cybershot phone. Also called the "Victoria" (we're not really sure why) the K770i sports the familiar Sony Ericsson candy design but with a 0.57 inch (14.5 mm) profile. As you'd expect from a Cybershot model the features are heavy on photography. There's a 3.2 megapixel camera with a 3x zoom, an auto focus, a lens cover … Read more

iPhone gets a mouthpiece

Given that the iPod seems to have spawned more accessories than any other invention known to humankind, it stands to reason that we can expect the same from the iPhone. In fact, we're surprised it's taken this long--all of six weeks since its debut--for the first speaker dock to appear.

That, at least, is the claim made by U.K.-based Logic3 for its "i-Station Traveler," a portable 4-watt dual speaker system that can accommodate the iPhone, whether it be in an upright or supine position. Once comfortably ensconced, according to SlipperyBrick, the speakers slide … Read more

Razr2 in pictures

Just when you think Motorola has milked everything it can out of the Razr line, here comes yet another version of the now-iconic phone. But instead of just a simple refresh, the Motorola Razr2 series is a complete redesign of the handsets. Believe us when we say we're as tired of the Razr as the next person, but Motorola has managed to pique our interest with this second-generation model. It's attractive, packed with features and for the most part it's a good performer as well. While the original Razr was a Cingular exclusive for the first six … Read more

Facebook for iPhone doubles as a massive phonebook

There's been a lot of buzz over the iPhone optimized version of Facebook in the past couple of days, and with good reason--it rocks. It does nearly everything the full version of Facebook can do, sans apps from the Facebook apps platform, which I assume are on their way later this year. Everything is rolled up into a tight little package using a simplistic set of two rows of tabs to cover core navigation, and a sliding interface that mimics the iPhone's signature UI. To get there, just point your iPhone (or browser) to http://iPhone.facebook.com. … Read more

Audi announces iPhone support

Not to be outdone by its Teutonic rival, Audi has followed BMW's lead in announcing that its cars are now fully compatible with the Apple iPhone. Those lucky souls who own both an Audi and an iPhone will now be able to connect the two for Bluetooth hands-free calling, while those even luckier souls with an A5, A6, A8 or Q7 can use Audi's optional AMI music interface to play music via the phone's iPod function.

If you own neither an Audi nor an iPhone, you can still take some solace in the free Audi-inspired ringtones that … Read more

Good luck with that.

The Macalope noted last week that Apple had been hit with yet another lawsuit (three more and they win a free set of steak knives from the American Bar Association!), this time over the iPhone's on-screen keyboard.

Does this one pass the smell test?

Well, if you disregard the fact that the plaintiff is currently staring down a nickel in the pen for defrauding the health care system, there's the minor problem of Apple's prior art.

OK, the Newton's keyboard was movable and the patent is for an "immutable" keyboard, but do they really … Read more

A watch phone that actually looks decent

With the exception of the iPod lookalike from SMS Technology, most of the Dick Tracy watches and other wrist-mounted combo devices have left something to be desired in where appearances were concerned. That's clearly not a good thing, given that watches are marketed as fashion accessories or fine jewelry.

The "CECT W100 Wrist Watch" is a notable exception, despite its decidedly uninspired name. The Bluetooth watch phone, from China's Qiao Xing Mobile Communication, features an LCD touch screen, 1GB of memory, an FM radio and a 1.3-megapixel camera, according to SlipperyBrick. (Don't ask us … Read more

HarperCollins offering excerpts for iPhone

Publisher HarperCollins released digital excerpts from 14 books on Wednesday that can be read from an Apple iPhone.

The digital excerpts are accessible from a special HarperCollins mobile Web site that can be accessed from the iPhone's Safari Web browser.

HarperCollins refers to the program as an extension of its Browse Inside program for perusing digital books from a computer.

The publisher had previously conducted a pilot project to test out the technology via a Web site run by Libre Digital.

Among the titles included in the roll-out are Soul Catcher by Michael C. White, Winning by Jack Welch … Read more