IPhone game development market is thriving, thanks to the efforts of thousands of creative companies and individuals involved in development games for iPhone.This article shows how individual developers and programmers can develop games and submit them to the iPhone app store. iPhone game development has helped a number of talented and creative developers to leave their day jobs and start working on their own projects. If even a single game of yours reaches the top of the iPhone app store, you can make thousands of dollars per day. Developing an interesting game that connects with iPhone users can change your life and free you from all your financial worries-and you do not have to be a hardcore programmer to develop a game for iPhone.
As long as you have a clear idea of the kind of game you wish to develop, you can train yourself to develop that game for iPhone. Follow the below mentioned steps to stop being a wannabe game developer and turn into a bona fide member of iPhone game development (with your own game on the iPhone app store!).
Get the right kind of PC, understand the iPhone SDK
To develop games for iPhone, you require a PC with Intel Processor and MacOS X. You also need a good internet connection and the ability to use the iPhone SDK. Your PC doesn't need to be a huge, costly monster; a simple PC with a decent internet connection should do the job. You can download the iPhone SDK from its developer site for free and it got everything you need to develop and test your game: development environment Xcode, reference library, interface builder and iPhone simulator.
Learn Objective C, practice
You cannot embark on your journey as an iPhone game developer until you have a good command over objective C. If you're already good at C/C++, all you need to do is to get acquainted with the API's of iPhone. You will easily find all the other information and assistance you need on the iPhone developers site. If you are at first step of the development ladder, you can learn programming through introductory books and Objective C tutorials. Don't get hung up on theory, start making a program with Objective C and get as much hands-on experience as you can get.
Join iPhone Developer Program, Get Ready for Hard Work:
Once you have the right idea for iPhone game development in your mind, you need to build a strong skill base to transform your ideas into an iPhone game. Join the iPhone Developer Program. You need to sign up for this program and agree to Apple's terms and conditions to put up your finished game on the app store. Also, even if you are far from finishing your iPhone game project, you will still need to register for this program to gain access to test your code on actual iPhones. Your game development process can last from up to 2 months to a year, or more-so gird your loins for an intense iPhone game development effort!
Submit your game and start marketing it
Once you are ready with the final version of your game, you need to submit it to the iPhone app store. If you complete the process without making any mistakes, the game will be accepted and put online within a week. You won't start making record sales in the first few days; you will have to market your game and make it attractive to the users. Launching a 'Lite' free version can be a great way of making your game popular.
Monday 20 August 2012
Sunday 17 April 2011
Free T-Mobile G1 Games Download: Path of a Warrior (Android OS Action Games)
Path of a Warrior – The great empire is in chaos and its people agonize in pain and suffering. After the beloved Emperor Tristan the Holy passes away, five hundred years of peace and tranquility shatters. Turmoil and unrest arise as the three now voracious and overzealous kings of the empire defy Tristan's successor, Emperor Duncan. Where does your allegiance lie? Prepare for a revolutionary change in mobile gaming; reunite the empire, become a legend and choose your own destiny as you lead the Path of a Warrior.
Features:
- Experience a seamless blend of action, role-playing, and massively multiplayer online game play. - Be a part of the world's most successful mobile MMORPG with over thirty-thousand online games played daily in Korea alone! - Choose between four characters and become a legend as you lead the Path of a Warrior and unveil twenty-four alternate endings! - One hundred different game characters, and find over one thousand collectible items. - Upgrade and enhance your character in story mode, then go head-to-head and take on the best in four different GAMEVIL LIVE multiplayer modes! - Discover rare and unique items only available in GAMEVIL LIVE mode. - Barter and trade items to your advantage in Path of a Warrior's community marketplace. - Co-op: Allows four players at one time to battle against unique enemies only encountered in GAMEVIL LIVE mode. - Battle: One-on-one melee destruction, winner takes all. - Guild War: Fight for your guild's bragging rights in the ultimate mobile MMO experience. - Siege Warfare: Usurp a rival's castle by brute force or put down an attack on your own land! Not tough enough yet? Hire mercenaries.
Monday 11 April 2011
Windows Phone 7 first impressions
The first reviews of Windows Phone 7 paint a picture of an OS that still trails Apple and Google, but with plenty of kick left for later in the race.
Now that Windows Phone 7 products have finally hit stores – in New Zealand at least – reviews are finally starting to trickle out. Unfortunately, my own favorite, the Dell Venue Pro, hasn’t been made available yet, and most are using the HTC HD7 or Samsung Focus for their reviews. However, some clear advantages and shortcomings have been identified, which should point out who will like this mobile OS a lot, and who won’t.
Who will love Windows Phone 7 Ironically, the folks who really like Windows Phone 7 will likely be those that liked the simplicity of the initial Palm Pilot. The device does a few things really well, and they mostly surround PDA-like functionality. Granted, the phone really prefers a Microsoft Exchange environment for full capability, but e-mail, contacts, calendar and even SharePoint support stand out ahead of the pack. If you are a Zune user, you’ll likely prefer this phone as well, because it provides the full subscription Zune experience, eliminating the need for multiple devices.
The interface is simple and intuitive for once and it gets out of the way of what you need to do, once again building on the idea that if what you want is a good phone that does a few things well, this platform may appeal to you over the others. The browser is one of the best in the market, though it, like Apple’s, doesn’t support Flash at the moment (it will likely be added early next year).
Finally, this phone loves Facebook and has the best connectivity with that service I’ve so far seen.
Who will hate Windows Phone 7 Windows Phone 7 doesn’t yet have cut and paste, but that is due early next year and, personally, I’ve never used that feature in a phone. Since you can click-call a phone number, the only reason I might use that feature is already handled better, so the omission is really much to do about nothing. However, there are some bigger issues, starting with multi-tasking and state retention, which is why you’ll note I left off Xbox Live gaming from the “loving it” section. This is because while the phone is capable of multi-tasking, it is not accessible by most of the existing applications. In addition, these applications don’t remember state, so if you have to leave them to do something else or the phone suspends, you’ll likely have to re-launch the application and restore from a saved state, assuming the application has one.
For gaming on a phone, the lack of multi-tasking can be forgiven, because it would kill phone performance, but not remembering the state the game was in, something earlier versions of Microsoft’s phone platform did well, is huge omission. I think this is a deal breaker for those who want to game on the phone.
Applications are light, and my own favorite, TweetDeck, is not yet available on the phone. This means if you are in love with a number of applications on the iPhone or Android platform, there is a good chance what you want isn’t yet available on Windows Phone 7 yet, and you’ll likely miss it a great deal.
So while this could have a gaming advantage, because it doesn’t retain state, it doesn’t, and if you love a lot of applications, particularly popular ones like TweetDeck; it may be awhile before they show up. I’d wait until they did.
Looking Forward The first batch of Windows Phone 7 devices being reviewed are largely pre-release phones, and the full application suites aren’t available yet, which means they will likely get better over the next few weeks. However, the lack of the ability to retain state in games and other applications will probably not be corrected for some time, perhaps even not until the next version, so if that is an issue for you, you’re best off waiting until it is fixed.
On the other hand, reviewers are trending toward the unanimous opinion that this Windows Phone 7 is a contender, because of how well it does a few things, and the elegance and competitively advanced user interface. The fact is that while Microsoft didn’t pass Apple or Google, they did get within shooting distance, and started so far behind most didn’t think they could even get that far. They made the race, and enhancements this year or early next should significantly close the gap, but contending for the lead will likely have to wait until Windows Phone 8. For Microsoft, it is often the last little bit they didn’t get done that screws them up, and this time it is the inability to retain state or more effectively multi-task.
Recommendations If you love simplicity, want an easy-to-use phone that just does the basics well, and don’t like the complexity of existing Android or Apple products, this might be a better alternative for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for something similar or more capable than an iPhone or Android product, you’d be advised to wait. In the end, it is all about knowing what you want and finding the best product to meet your own unique needs.
General advice holds for this OS: Wait for three months until all of the initial bugs are worked out, and most of you will like the second version much better than the first. My recommendation would be to wait until more apps and bug fixes are available on Windows Phone 7 before picking up a phone. Early adopters are not being rewarded with anything special at this point.
Sunday 10 April 2011
iPad 3.2.1 Jailbreak with JailbreakMe 2.0
The gate has been opened and you can jailbreak iPad 3.2.1 on Wifi and 3G Models. JailbreakMe can be illustrated as an single tool comprising an untethered jailbreak for iPhone 4 3GS 3G and iPod Touch 3G 2G along with iPad 3.2.1. JailbreakMe 2.0 can jailbreak 3.2.1 iOS on any iPad model.
Caution: It is recommended to synchronize and backup your data using iTunes before employing JailbreakMe 2.0. After you have successfully executed JailbreakMe 2.0, you should save SHSH Blobs to avoid future loss in case you update to a new firmware.
The following tutorial will aid you to carry out jailbreak iPad 3.2.1 with JailbreakMe 2.0.
Function 1: To jailbreak iPad 3.2.1, stock 3.2.1 iOS should be installed. [Download Link at Bottom]
Function 3: Visit JailbreakMe.com on your iPad.
Function 4: Follow the instruction by JailbreakMe.
Function 5: Let JailbreakMe 2.0 do the assigned duty and wait till it flaunts a message of Success.
Function 6: Gosh! You have a jailbroken iPad 3.2.1.
Grove bamboo iPhone 4 cases
Grove updates its classic bamboo cases for the iPhone 4, with predictably chic results.
Back when we toured Grove’s Portland-based workshops in May, the crew’s CNC machine was still busy buzzing away at standard iPhone 3GS cases, but not for long.
The leak of iPhone 4 photos just weeks later sent Grove founder Ken Tomita back to his digital drawboard in a frenzy, mocking up cases for a phone which – officially at least – did not exist.
It all paid off in June, of course, when the real deal hit the streets in the same form Tomita anticipated. Although his crude mockups didn’t quite fit the iPhone 4 he lined up at 6 a.m. to buy, it was only a matter of tweaks to perfect it, and in weeks it was churning out some of the first iPhone 4 cases on the market.
And here we are.
The redesigned Grove bamboo case for the iPhone 4 follows Apple’s change in design from curves to a more angular, slab-like design. Even so, Tomita makes concessions to comfort with 45-degree chamfers all around – nobody likes bamboo splinters – and special attention to the recesses for the power and volume buttons, which have knocked-downedges to make them easier to access.
You can still snag a Grove case in natural or amber finish, but Grove has nixed the labor-intensive all-black option this time around. (Keep your eyes peeled for inky black special editions, though.)
As with the first Grove cases, the hard-wearing, organic nature of bamboo remains the central appeal here. While plastics lose their mirror finishes with every trip in and out of a pocket, Grove’s bamboo cases gain softened edges and a natural patina, plus a little extra character from every nick and scuff. Despite the cost, hand crafting the cases domestically produces quality unmatched by any factory in Tawain – they feel precisely manufactured, almost supernaturally snug, and even sturdier than the old models.
Friday 23 April 2010
Can the HTC Legend Compete With the iPhone?
The HTC Legend is the newest cell phone offering from HTC. HTC has been making touch screen cell phones for many years, and they are one of the few companies besides Apple who have managed to get these right.
The HTC Legend is an upgrade to the current version of HTC's latest phone, the HTC Hero. In addition to many hardware improvements, HTC has also improved upon the software of the device, and this new software is available to all current HTC Hero owners.
So let's take a look at the new THC Legend:
The first thing you'll notice about the HTC legend is that it has a full unibody metal casing. This makes it appear very similar to Apple's original iPhone. This full-metal enclosure is great, because you never need to worry about dropping the phone or accidentally sitting on it.
The other advantage for this type of casing is that all the innards of the phone can be accessed simply by removing a single snap-on case at the bottom of the device. This gives you access to the battery, the SIM card, and all the antennas. If you've ever tried to change the battery on one of your older touch-screen phones, this will come as a welcome relief.
Another improvement that will surely get other cell phone companies to take notice is HTC's implementation of an optical trackball rather than a traditional trackball. The trackball is usually used to change home screens and to otherwise navigate around the phone. The problem with these trackballs is that dirt or grime can get in them and cause them to stop working as effectively. The optical trackball is more like a "virtual trackball". It senses the movement of your finger, and it is surprisingly responsive.
One of the best new features is FriendFeed. If you like chatting with your friends on social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr, then you will love this feature. It basically combines all of the social networking sites into one place so that you don't need to keep hopping back and forth between them to keep checking your status updates.
The other great thing about the HTC Legend is the camera. Compared to most cell phone cameras, the Legend is capable of taking bright, crisp, and clear pictures. Even in the dark, the pictures are still pretty good. This is a feature that HTC consistently works hard at to continually improve.
The computer connectivity of the HTC Legend is implemented very well. It uses a Micro-USB port, so it should be compatible with all of your other Micro-USB devices. This is a welcome relief if you've been using a cell-phone which uses proprietary connectivity ports.
The HTC Legend is an upgrade to the current version of HTC's latest phone, the HTC Hero. In addition to many hardware improvements, HTC has also improved upon the software of the device, and this new software is available to all current HTC Hero owners.
So let's take a look at the new THC Legend:
The first thing you'll notice about the HTC legend is that it has a full unibody metal casing. This makes it appear very similar to Apple's original iPhone. This full-metal enclosure is great, because you never need to worry about dropping the phone or accidentally sitting on it.
The other advantage for this type of casing is that all the innards of the phone can be accessed simply by removing a single snap-on case at the bottom of the device. This gives you access to the battery, the SIM card, and all the antennas. If you've ever tried to change the battery on one of your older touch-screen phones, this will come as a welcome relief.
Another improvement that will surely get other cell phone companies to take notice is HTC's implementation of an optical trackball rather than a traditional trackball. The trackball is usually used to change home screens and to otherwise navigate around the phone. The problem with these trackballs is that dirt or grime can get in them and cause them to stop working as effectively. The optical trackball is more like a "virtual trackball". It senses the movement of your finger, and it is surprisingly responsive.
One of the best new features is FriendFeed. If you like chatting with your friends on social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr, then you will love this feature. It basically combines all of the social networking sites into one place so that you don't need to keep hopping back and forth between them to keep checking your status updates.
The other great thing about the HTC Legend is the camera. Compared to most cell phone cameras, the Legend is capable of taking bright, crisp, and clear pictures. Even in the dark, the pictures are still pretty good. This is a feature that HTC consistently works hard at to continually improve.
The computer connectivity of the HTC Legend is implemented very well. It uses a Micro-USB port, so it should be compatible with all of your other Micro-USB devices. This is a welcome relief if you've been using a cell-phone which uses proprietary connectivity ports.
Thursday 8 April 2010
iPhone Insurance Benefits
The iPhone is somewhat of an icon in the world of mobile phones these days but it does not come cheap. As a lucky owner, you may want to protect your pride and joy as much as possible. One way of providing peace of mind may be to take out iPhone insurance. So what are the benefits to taking out insurance for your iPhone?
After the warranty period
Your new iPhone comes with a manufacturer's warranty; however, this typically only lasts for a set period of time, often only a year. If it breaks down after the warranty expires, you'll usually have to fund the repair or even a replacement yourself.
Without iPhone insurance to rely on you need to find someone capable of repairing such a complicated phone, and also have to find the money for the repairs yourself, which may be costly. You may also be without your phone for quite some time if you have to send it away for repairs. That is if it is possible to repair it! If not, you are left holding what may be nothing more than an expensive paperweight.
If you have iPhone insurance to fall back onto, typically, the policy covers repairs or replacement after the manufacturer's warranty has expired. While of course you are still without a phone, if the claim is successful, you may be issued with a replacement or have your phone repaired and back to you in as little as 48 hours, with some insurance providers.
Other benefits of iPhone insurance
Accidents may happen no matter how careful you are with your iPhone. If you drop your phone, even on carpeting, your precious phone may become damaged or break. If this happens and you have insurance for your iPhone, depending on the insurance provider's terms and condition relating to accidental damage, your phone may be repaired or replaced.
One of the biggest problems with owning the latest gadgets, which of course an iPhone is, is the fact that they are often targeted by thieves. Phones are typically easy to steal in the street from your hand or pocket; they may be targeted in home burglaries, or stolen out of your car. Typically, insurance for iPhones covers theft of your mobile providing the theft meets the terms set out by the insurance provider.
When choosing iPhone insurance, do note that exclusions and limitations will generally apply and terms and conditions as well as price will vary from provider to provider. Therefore, it is important to always ensure that you are buying the cover that is most suitable for your needs, so always shop around and check that the gadget insurance you are buying ticks all the boxes in relation to what you want from it.
After the warranty period
Your new iPhone comes with a manufacturer's warranty; however, this typically only lasts for a set period of time, often only a year. If it breaks down after the warranty expires, you'll usually have to fund the repair or even a replacement yourself.
Without iPhone insurance to rely on you need to find someone capable of repairing such a complicated phone, and also have to find the money for the repairs yourself, which may be costly. You may also be without your phone for quite some time if you have to send it away for repairs. That is if it is possible to repair it! If not, you are left holding what may be nothing more than an expensive paperweight.
If you have iPhone insurance to fall back onto, typically, the policy covers repairs or replacement after the manufacturer's warranty has expired. While of course you are still without a phone, if the claim is successful, you may be issued with a replacement or have your phone repaired and back to you in as little as 48 hours, with some insurance providers.
Other benefits of iPhone insurance
Accidents may happen no matter how careful you are with your iPhone. If you drop your phone, even on carpeting, your precious phone may become damaged or break. If this happens and you have insurance for your iPhone, depending on the insurance provider's terms and condition relating to accidental damage, your phone may be repaired or replaced.
One of the biggest problems with owning the latest gadgets, which of course an iPhone is, is the fact that they are often targeted by thieves. Phones are typically easy to steal in the street from your hand or pocket; they may be targeted in home burglaries, or stolen out of your car. Typically, insurance for iPhones covers theft of your mobile providing the theft meets the terms set out by the insurance provider.
When choosing iPhone insurance, do note that exclusions and limitations will generally apply and terms and conditions as well as price will vary from provider to provider. Therefore, it is important to always ensure that you are buying the cover that is most suitable for your needs, so always shop around and check that the gadget insurance you are buying ticks all the boxes in relation to what you want from it.
Tuesday 6 April 2010
7 Tips to Find the Top Service for iPhone Music
iPhone owners are getting excited about loading their new gizmos with iPhone music downloads. After all, the phone-cum-digital portable media player can store up to 100 songs easily and allow a playtime of up to 24 hours of audio. This article will show you 7 hot tips to find the top service befitting of your new toy when it comes to iPhone music downloads.
1. Free or Paid
Freebie seekers probably would argue with me on this. There is nothing wrong with wanting free iPhone music downloads. Who doesn't anyway? But the trouble is that free websites that give you music for free are often associated with exposure to viruses, spyware and adware when downloading media files there. Our phones are too new and precious and to risk exposing them to these harmful elements is a No No.
How about downloading each iPhone song for $0.99 or more at online music services like HMV, iTunes and so on? People wouldn't mind if it is only one or two song. But if we are going to load up at least a 100 songs or soundtracks, this is going to be expensive.
There are now services that offer a lifetime membership for a flat fee of lower than $49.95 to access unlimited iPhone music downloads. These are the real gems!
2. Variety & Size of iPhone Music Library
Music lovers probably have their preferred music. You may not like pop but to another, pop may really sound heavenly. If you love all kinds of music, go with the services that offer multiple genres from Rock, Hip Hop, R&B, Classical to many unheard music genre. Several top sites now offer over 100 million media files including music videos, TV shows and even movies and games.
3. Download Interface
This is a key feature that must not be overlooked. For easy navigation, the interface must be simple to use and does not take long to search and find your music files. One way to get a rough idea is to see how professionally done the site is and to read comments of existing users.
4. Software Applications for Download and Conversion
Several of the more established services are providing free software applications required to download iPhone music as well as movie and video files. They also provide the conversion software needed to convert movies and music file formats into iPhone-compatible formats. The top services also offer you a free DVD conversion software that transfer movies from DVDs to your iPhone.
5. Fast Downloading Speeds
Make sure that the download speeds are fast. Music file sizes are about 3-4 MB per song. Assuming you are downloading 20 songs at a go, the service must not limit your bandwidth usage by slowing down the speed. This is what some poorly run B-grade services do.
6. Safe Download Environment
Some services do not provide good secured environment with a high level of security and safety when you download iPhone music downloads. The last thing you want to worry about is adware, spyware and viruses that could make their way to your computer because the music store refuses to buck up on its system architecture.
7. After-sales Customer Care and Support
Many services just want to make more money. While they promise a 24/7 technical support to entice you to join them, they are hardly around when you need them to help troubleshoot when you face difficulties. Thankfully, there are a few reputable ones who can deliver an excellent level of after-sales service.
1. Free or Paid
Freebie seekers probably would argue with me on this. There is nothing wrong with wanting free iPhone music downloads. Who doesn't anyway? But the trouble is that free websites that give you music for free are often associated with exposure to viruses, spyware and adware when downloading media files there. Our phones are too new and precious and to risk exposing them to these harmful elements is a No No.
How about downloading each iPhone song for $0.99 or more at online music services like HMV, iTunes and so on? People wouldn't mind if it is only one or two song. But if we are going to load up at least a 100 songs or soundtracks, this is going to be expensive.
There are now services that offer a lifetime membership for a flat fee of lower than $49.95 to access unlimited iPhone music downloads. These are the real gems!
2. Variety & Size of iPhone Music Library
Music lovers probably have their preferred music. You may not like pop but to another, pop may really sound heavenly. If you love all kinds of music, go with the services that offer multiple genres from Rock, Hip Hop, R&B, Classical to many unheard music genre. Several top sites now offer over 100 million media files including music videos, TV shows and even movies and games.
3. Download Interface
This is a key feature that must not be overlooked. For easy navigation, the interface must be simple to use and does not take long to search and find your music files. One way to get a rough idea is to see how professionally done the site is and to read comments of existing users.
4. Software Applications for Download and Conversion
Several of the more established services are providing free software applications required to download iPhone music as well as movie and video files. They also provide the conversion software needed to convert movies and music file formats into iPhone-compatible formats. The top services also offer you a free DVD conversion software that transfer movies from DVDs to your iPhone.
5. Fast Downloading Speeds
Make sure that the download speeds are fast. Music file sizes are about 3-4 MB per song. Assuming you are downloading 20 songs at a go, the service must not limit your bandwidth usage by slowing down the speed. This is what some poorly run B-grade services do.
6. Safe Download Environment
Some services do not provide good secured environment with a high level of security and safety when you download iPhone music downloads. The last thing you want to worry about is adware, spyware and viruses that could make their way to your computer because the music store refuses to buck up on its system architecture.
7. After-sales Customer Care and Support
Many services just want to make more money. While they promise a 24/7 technical support to entice you to join them, they are hardly around when you need them to help troubleshoot when you face difficulties. Thankfully, there are a few reputable ones who can deliver an excellent level of after-sales service.
Friday 2 April 2010
Apple Cage Match - iPad Vs iPhone and iPod Touch
Many people consider the iPad a bigger version of the iPhone or iPod Touch, and admittedly there is overlap in functionality. But I don't see Apple purposely making a product that directly competes with their iPhone and iPod cash cows. With that in mind, let's look at where these devices will cross paths and which one has an advantage.
Convenience
Since the iPhone is you know, a phone, it will often never leave your side. It rules as a go to device when you need to get access to something right this second. The iPad's size while svelt, won't exactly fit in your pocket. While more convenient to drag around than say a laptop, the iPad won't replace the iPhone as the go to device when needing to know the population of Kazastan during a conversation, or an replace an iPod when working out at the gym.
Usability
While the iPhone has greatly improved, if not reinvented, the user experience for a smart phone, the screen is only so big. I have tried using the iPhone as a ebook reader and personal video device and I can only stand the eye strain for so long. Even viewing webpages for any extended period of time can become bothersome on an iPhone or iPad Touch. The iPad's 9.7 inch screen, nearly 4 times larger, will allow for much more pleasant extended viewing sessions. The larger screen will also allows us fat fingered types to navigate apps easier and allow developers more screen space to display data.
Cost
Compared to a $99 iPhone or a $199 iPod Touch, the $499 for the 16GB iPad may seem steep. But we must remember the the iPhone price is subsidized by At&T and requires a 2 year contract to get that price. Also the $199 iPod Touch is only an 8GB model, the 32GB will cost you $299. Given Steve Job's statement of the iPad being positioned between the iPhone and the MacBook in Apple's product line up, we should also compare the iPad's price to the $999 cost of an entry level MacBook. While not exactly cheap, $499 for a 16GB iPad isn't unreasonable.
Apps
Since the iPad will run nearly all iPhone and iPod Touch apps, there will not be a lack of applications at launch time. If you already have a large library of apps in iTunes, you will be able to use these on an iPad without repurchasing. The iBook Store and iBook app will be limited to the iPad, and as developers come on board, exclusive iPad only apps will begin to appear. The price premium for an iPad optimized app is still unknown, but I would not be surprised to see an average price of $4.99.
Final Thoughts
Will the iPad cannibalize sales of other Apple products? For those who do not currently own an iPod Touch, or don't/can't get an iPhone, investing instead in an iPad could be a logical move. But since you won't be jogging with your iPad to listen to music, or answering phone calls with it, I don't see sales of iPhones and iPods being affected much. I will be very curious to see the numbers on people who bought an iPad and also own an iPhone or iPod Touch versus those that don't.
Convenience
Since the iPhone is you know, a phone, it will often never leave your side. It rules as a go to device when you need to get access to something right this second. The iPad's size while svelt, won't exactly fit in your pocket. While more convenient to drag around than say a laptop, the iPad won't replace the iPhone as the go to device when needing to know the population of Kazastan during a conversation, or an replace an iPod when working out at the gym.
Usability
While the iPhone has greatly improved, if not reinvented, the user experience for a smart phone, the screen is only so big. I have tried using the iPhone as a ebook reader and personal video device and I can only stand the eye strain for so long. Even viewing webpages for any extended period of time can become bothersome on an iPhone or iPad Touch. The iPad's 9.7 inch screen, nearly 4 times larger, will allow for much more pleasant extended viewing sessions. The larger screen will also allows us fat fingered types to navigate apps easier and allow developers more screen space to display data.
Cost
Compared to a $99 iPhone or a $199 iPod Touch, the $499 for the 16GB iPad may seem steep. But we must remember the the iPhone price is subsidized by At&T and requires a 2 year contract to get that price. Also the $199 iPod Touch is only an 8GB model, the 32GB will cost you $299. Given Steve Job's statement of the iPad being positioned between the iPhone and the MacBook in Apple's product line up, we should also compare the iPad's price to the $999 cost of an entry level MacBook. While not exactly cheap, $499 for a 16GB iPad isn't unreasonable.
Apps
Since the iPad will run nearly all iPhone and iPod Touch apps, there will not be a lack of applications at launch time. If you already have a large library of apps in iTunes, you will be able to use these on an iPad without repurchasing. The iBook Store and iBook app will be limited to the iPad, and as developers come on board, exclusive iPad only apps will begin to appear. The price premium for an iPad optimized app is still unknown, but I would not be surprised to see an average price of $4.99.
Final Thoughts
Will the iPad cannibalize sales of other Apple products? For those who do not currently own an iPod Touch, or don't/can't get an iPhone, investing instead in an iPad could be a logical move. But since you won't be jogging with your iPad to listen to music, or answering phone calls with it, I don't see sales of iPhones and iPods being affected much. I will be very curious to see the numbers on people who bought an iPad and also own an iPhone or iPod Touch versus those that don't.
Tuesday 30 March 2010
Controversial iPhone "Spoofing" Application Allows You to Fake Your Number
Caller ID spoofing has been around for several years now and the controversy surrounding it has not waned. Call spoofing is the act of changing the phone number that appears on someone's call display when you place a call to them. Instead of blocking or revealing your real number, you choose the number that is displayed.
Although it is still somewhat unknown to the general public, this type of service has continued to gain in popularity and is used by everyone from regular individuals to professionals, law enforcement, and even celebrities. It's a tool that allows people to retain anonymity and keep their identity, or at least their phone numbers, private. Even when placing a call to someone that is familiar and trusted, there is a chance that the person's telephone could be lost or stolen with your number contained on it. For celebrities in particular, this could be disastrous.
There are several providers that offer the call spoofing service to anyone. In addition to call spoofing, other services and calling features have been added over the years. Some of these include voice changing, call recording, SMS spoofing, personal Spoof Numbers, and, most recently, mobile applications.
SpoofTel, one caller ID spoofing provider, has recently released an iPhone application that allows you to use its service from your iPhone. Due to its controversy, it has not become available on the iPhone store but is still available for download on other sites. Although it is still fairly new, the application has already been downloaded by thousands of iPhone users.
Caller ID spoofing has appeared in various news stories over the years, typically related to some type of proposal to ban or outlaw the service. There is a lot of controversy surrounding call spoofing because it has been know in the past to be used by scammers. Certain individuals have used spoofing services for fraudulent and illegal purposes in the past. However, most providers have become quite successful at preventing scammers from exploiting their services and it has not been as large of a problem as it was in the past. As well, spoofing services are used by many individuals for a multitude of purposes. The majority of individuals use spoofing services legitimately.
With spoofing providers continuously producing additional services and features, it doesn't look like caller ID spoofing is going anywhere any time soon.
Although it is still somewhat unknown to the general public, this type of service has continued to gain in popularity and is used by everyone from regular individuals to professionals, law enforcement, and even celebrities. It's a tool that allows people to retain anonymity and keep their identity, or at least their phone numbers, private. Even when placing a call to someone that is familiar and trusted, there is a chance that the person's telephone could be lost or stolen with your number contained on it. For celebrities in particular, this could be disastrous.
There are several providers that offer the call spoofing service to anyone. In addition to call spoofing, other services and calling features have been added over the years. Some of these include voice changing, call recording, SMS spoofing, personal Spoof Numbers, and, most recently, mobile applications.
SpoofTel, one caller ID spoofing provider, has recently released an iPhone application that allows you to use its service from your iPhone. Due to its controversy, it has not become available on the iPhone store but is still available for download on other sites. Although it is still fairly new, the application has already been downloaded by thousands of iPhone users.
Caller ID spoofing has appeared in various news stories over the years, typically related to some type of proposal to ban or outlaw the service. There is a lot of controversy surrounding call spoofing because it has been know in the past to be used by scammers. Certain individuals have used spoofing services for fraudulent and illegal purposes in the past. However, most providers have become quite successful at preventing scammers from exploiting their services and it has not been as large of a problem as it was in the past. As well, spoofing services are used by many individuals for a multitude of purposes. The majority of individuals use spoofing services legitimately.
With spoofing providers continuously producing additional services and features, it doesn't look like caller ID spoofing is going anywhere any time soon.
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