is Roberto Mateu’s geeky blog.
Skype Now Supports Multitasking →
From the Skype Blog:
This means you can receive Skype calls while other apps are running, even when your iPhone is locked. And during a call, you can keep the conversation going while you switch to another task, such as checking a movie listing or reading an email.
If Apple comes out with an iPod touch 3G, things are going to get pretty interesting.
John Gruber's iPhone 4 Review →
Daring Fireball review of iPhone 4:
The overall build quality seems impossibly good. The iPhone 4 is beautiful to behold and feels like a valuable artifact. It’s like a love letter to Dieter Rams.
If you want the inside Steve Jobs head review, this is it.
Also, take a look at Andy Ihnatko’s review, for the most thorough one.
Apple Worldwide Developers Conference 2010 →
Dustin Curtis said it best:
Santa Jobs comes tomorrow! Too bad Gizmodo opened the presents early.
Dustin Curtis
dcurtis
The roundup:
Update: One of my favorite tech writers, Andy Ihnatko, is also going to try a Keynote Liveblog. The blog will probably crash, but if you want news with really smart commentaries, look no further.
Really excited about the new iPhone, Safari 5, and Xcode 4, but you never know what else might come up.
Time for Apple to open up the iPhone →
Jason Snell, from Macworld:
These days, when I talk to people who are not immersed in the minutiae of the technology industry, I notice a troubling trend: They tend to speak about Apple’s products with some affection, but it’s increasingly tempered with assumptions that the devices are largely incompatible with competing technologies.
In other words, Apple’s getting a reputation
Been noticing this as well.
The weird thing is, people have issues with Flash not being available (which I’m fine with), but not with the walled-garden control of the AppStore (which I’m not).
Chirpy: Twitter Direct Messages App
If you want to start using Twitter DM’s more like an IM, this is the best app. Very polished for a version 1.0, super fast push notifications and only $1.99.
My favorite Google Read app just got a major update.
The top new features:
- Features fast navigation between items with a simple swipe gesture.
- Improves browsing by showing individual feeds in addition to folders.
- Features integration with Twitter, Instapaper, and Read It Later.
Byline is one of those iPhone apps I always miss on my Mac.
Textie - Free and beautiful texting for iPhone and iPod touch →
Textie.me, a new iPhone-to-iPhone texting/IM app:
Textie™ Messaging app lets you message free between iPhones, iPods and iPads.
I’ve being using WhatsApp, and while it works fine, it feels too busy (same with Ping!). Textie looks very clean and the way it lets you interact with those without the App is clever and functional.
/via Daring Fireball
When traveling abroad, how you use your iPhone changes. Not only should you be looking outside -rather than checking twitter/facebook- but also, your phone should be either in airplane mode, or with data roaming off.
Without a constant connection, it’s important to think ahead a bit so you can have most of the functionality you come to expect from your iPhone. There are also little apps that help you make the most out of your trip.
Below my most used ones:
City Maps 2Go $1.99
City Maps 2 Go is a perfect application for tourists on city trips and locals who need an offline-available, quick and cost-effective tool to navigate with their iPhone and iPod Touch.
Google Maps for iPhone is amazing, but without internet (or a jailbreak), it’s totally worthless. This app uses the OpenStreetMap data, and while limited, it’s a lifesaver when you’re lost in a new city trying to find your hostel. Remember to download the maps of cities before hand, since they’re fairly large.
GlobeMaster $0.99
Offline world-wide travel guide for 260+ countries and 1400+ cities.
This is basically a curated Wikitravel content for the iPhone. It’s no substitute to a good city guide. But if you’re just passing by, it has most of what you need.
Global SOS $0.99
Are you a traveler? Do you frequently go abroad? In an emergency would you know the right foreign emergency numbers to call for help?
Luckily I didn’t have to use this app. But everywhere I went, it displayed the important numbers. It’s an useless app, until you need it.
I need to read to fall asleep, that’s just the way I’m wired. If you’re staying in hostels or sharing a room, you usually can’t turn the light on. With the white on black setting, these app let me read without bothering anyone. If you own a Kindle, you get the added benefit of picking up where you left once you get back.
AutoStitch $1.99
This application unleashes the power of your iPhone’s camera to create wide-angle views and panoramas with any arrangment of photos.
Sometimes you want to record exactly what you’re seeing. I haven’t found a better way than a wide-angle shot.
Every so often you’ll find an open Wi-Fi: call your mom.
Extended Battery
Not technically an app, but without juice, you won’t be able to use any of the above for long. I have the RichardSolo 1800 ($69.95) which is on the expensive side, but it has a standard mini-USB connector and a LED flashlight. There are cheaper options, but do get one.
I used all of these with my iPhone 3GS, of course, your milage may vary.