phones

Snapshots from the NYC iPhone line: Sellouts and power hounds

With under six hours to go, some people in line for the iPhone in New York are seeing if they could make a few bucks off the product hype by selling their places in line. As far as I can tell, there have not yet been any takers.

Considering the exorbitant amounts they're asking, you wonder if they're actually serious about it.

iLiner #12 (software consultant Scott Conley), however, has been in it for the long haul. In order to power his MacBook Pro, he brought a portable generator. He's able to tap into the Apple store'… Read more

'Star Wars' PocketModels offer nerdy tabletop fun you can try out for free

It's a slow summer for Star Wars game fans. Star Wars: Force Unleashed is a very long way off, LucasArts hasn't even officially announced its inevitable lightsaber-oriented Wii game, and let's face it, there hasn't been a good X-Wing/TIE Fighter title since the late 90's (hint, hint, LucasArts). Not all is lost, though: a new Star Wars game just came out that lets you play with all the Star Destroyers, Nebulon B Frigates, and even the copious, not-nearly-as-memorable prequel ships as you want. Best of all, you don't need a game console or … Read more

Game company's big mistake? Solve this puzzle, get a free iPhone

The hot topic at the front of NYC's biggest iPhone-waiting location right now: whether or not the early "iLiners" will even have to pay for their phones. As I reported earlier, the game company Imagination Games has a bit of a publicity stunt going in the 5th Avenue Apple Store "iLine." Someone claiming to be a company rep handed out "Tetris Cubes" (think Rubiks cube, but Tetris) to the first dozen or so people in line, along with a press release that said anyone who could solve it would get his or … Read more

Apple pushes out iTunes 7.3

As expected, Apple on Friday issued iTunes 7.3, which adds support for that ringy thingy that hits the market today.

The software contains a link in its help section to the iPhone manual, but when I went to check it out it was a dead link. I'm leaving the link here, because I assume at some point Friday it will be live.

There is also an iPhone tab in the preferences page. But if, like me, you don't have the super-gadget, all you get is a painful reminder that you are leading an iPhoneless existence.

"The … Read more

Steve Jobs' other major Friday launch

The whole world is watching as Steve Jobs' Apple launches perhaps its most-anticipated product ever, the iPhone, Friday.

But in technology circles at least, I've heard few, if any, references to the fact that Jobs' other company, Pixar--OK, Disney-Pixar--also has a major launch Friday.

And that, if you haven't been paying attention through the iPhone haze, is Ratatouille, Pixar's latest film and, if the early reviews are indicative, its latest hit.

Jobs is already noteworthy among tech titans for running two vital companies at the same time (at least when Pixar was independent), but I'm having … Read more

It's official: 'iDay' has dawned

At the 5th Avenue Apple store in Manhattan, which recently passed 100 people in line for the iPhone's release, there was a countdown at midnight to mark the official start of what's being referred to as "iDay." The rain has passed, and it's a surprisingly tolerable night; some people have set up tents and are asleep, while others have set up board games and are planning to stay up all night, or are engaging in guessing games to figure out other line-waiters' occupations. Still others, recently arrived and looking better outfitted for the beach than … Read more

Fans, clowns meet in S.F. iPhone line

San Francisco finally got into the iPhone game Thursday, as the first few folks started lining up outside Apple's downtown store at the corner of Stockton and Ellis Streets.

Jerry Taylor was first in line. Unlike Greg Packer, the professional line-waiter on 5th Avenue in New York, or the charity-minded folks in SoHo, Taylor was in a gambling state of mind. He was either hoping to trade his spot in line for a cash offer, or buy an iPhone with hopes of selling it later.

"I'm playing with my rent money," Taylor said, although he also … Read more

CNET Live - Episode 12 - Show Notes

I had the "pleasure" of being joined by Mr. iPhone today. We definitely ruined one man's career on this show and maybe two. But while dealing with the seriously delusional co-host, we also got some questions answered and gained a little mor einsight into the search for the iPhone.

Watch the show on CNET TV.

Things we Crave

Lap Blaster

Live Wires custom earphones

Insider Secrets

Spencer wrote "Hey I love your show, I'm from Nanaimo, BC, in Canada. Can i stream music from my laptop through ethernet to my xbox 360 or do I … Read more

MacTech Community News Scan (iPhone App)

It stands to reason some of the first people to own the iPhone will be those in the tech community or at least interested in Mac technology. For all the latest tech news, grab this app for your iPhone that combs all the most popular Mac sites for news stories and information. It offers a great list of headlines along with short summaries so you know what you're getting before you jump to the Web site.

iPhone link: http://www.mactech.com/commapplenewsforiphone.php

Web site link: http://www.mactech.com/

Listingly (iPhone App)

Just about every household chore and Saturday errand is born on a list. But instead of breaking out the pad and paper, why not make your lists on the iPhone? This app is the mobile gateway to the Listingly site, which allows you to make complex, customizable lists and share them with other people. Go to the Web site link below for a quick 1-minute tour of Listingly's many uses.

iPhone link: http://www.listingly.com/iphone/

Web site link: http://www.listingly.com/