1110consulting

The long-awaited google app has hit the Apple iTunes App Store (download again even if it shows the “old” version and sync).

I did it and it is there in all it’s glorious voice recognition splendor… I played a little. Using my 1st Gen iPhone with the system it works AWESOME!

Put the phone to your head, small tone and speak. Take it away from your head and it “works”. Fills in a google search and poof! Find the weather, stock price, movie times, Chinese restaurants…

I found in the tests I just did 90% speech accuracy and quick and great search results (plus well formatted for the iPhone). Open iTunes and get your download on!

Since the release of iPhone 2.0, I have been very happy with the solution.  It works well with Exchange, software and the phone itself is A LOT more stable and some nice new features - though STILL NO cut & paste

iPhone 2.2 will take things to the next, next level.  Google street view, some new advances in the software and hopefully some general speed boosts (and HOPEFULLY) cut and paste.

Apple has put together a great app store for the iPhone and iTouch. Many free or low-cost tools, games and random items (e.g. lighters) that have deepened the iPhone and iTouch solution.

Recently, there was some talk of Apple using the app store as a method of limiting items that may compete with the systems they have in place. The most recent example is Opera mini for the iPhone. Opera make a really nice browser - personally I have never gotten too into it, but it is an option to Safari. If mozilla were to release something for the iPhone I think I would download it in a heartbeat.

This is where it gets interesting. It seems like Opera is an option to Safari and Apple is not “encouraging” the competition - but limiting it. Hopefully Apple begins to see that not only would some of these Apps expand the user base, they could encourage their own applications to excel.

Thoughts, let us know.

i know more and more people using facebook. it has been a lot of fun to catch up with people and reconnect with friend and acquaintances from pervious jobs, college or even high school…

i actually have seen a value in just peaking into people’s lives on a regular basis without having to directly communicate with them day to day (or even week to week).

if you are a facebook user and have an iPhone/iTouch, update facebook on your device. it seems to be the update that ties most aspects of facebook into the portable solution. check it out…

Following the iPhone 2.1 update from Apple, I have found a few things have improved drastically. The backup and sync process is only momentary vs. the previous 5-15 minutes I experienced…

The install process of a new app is quick and the process of syncing is the same (limited by how fast USB2 actually is). Since I had some issues with the MacBook in the last few days, the rebuild of the MacBook to 10.5.5 and a restore iPhone 2.1 have proven to be a real good improvements in the system in general.

The reports from the 3G front are improved battery life, better and faster network operation and general “good stuff”. Your experiences and reports since 2.1 - let us know!

the iTunes magic appeared this morning with the release of iPhone 2.1. Around 9am this morning the system provided the update and all has been working well.

Anyone else? The software (about 240MB) is quicker and smoother and so far I have been happy with what I see (backup, app install and internet access - 1G iPhone).

Let us know

(from the NYTimes)

The Apple event today (Sept 9) provided the release of iTunes 8 (as well as Front Row and Quicktime updates) will provide “genius” understanding to your music and finds items that match the music style.  Take a look at the updated software from Apple and see what you think.

In line with the new iTunes, new iPods and iTouch players are now available.  Prices down, capacity up!  New Nanos (8 and 16gb $149/199), new Shuffles (1/2gb for $49/69) and classics (120gb for $250).

Lastly, the iTouch has been updated to make it a bit more like the 3G iPhone. I also think Apple took a page from the last issue they had and did a little staggering of the updates. Today, iTunes 8 - Friday (Sept 12) they will release iPhone/iTouch 2.1 which will “improve battery life and reduce the bugs…”

after much talk and anticipation, spore was released for the PC, Mac and iPhone (there was already a version for the iPod).

all three versions were expected to be available from EA on the same day (Sept 7). The box copies were in the store (you do not know how many people tweeted, “installing spore”), but the iTunes App store had nothing (until around 3p EST). TUAW, posted it and i downloaded it.

I had seen the demo, I really like sim games (and there is a sim coming to the iPhone from EA too “soon”) but never played Spore.

When I had the chance, I started it up on my iPhone. Nice, very nice! Graphic are good, controls will take some getting used to, but a fun game and at around level 8 (I was playing on the train on the way home) I hit a wall and I’m still there. I need to make some changes and see if I can pass this level.

As of 7am EST it still is not displayed prominently on the iTunes home page (which is weird) but Apple also has something else going on (iTunes 8 this afternoon - maybe).

Anyone else playing Spore on the Mac/PC or iPhone? This is a neat idea…

after a couple of weeks of rumors and speculation about this event coming on tuesday - i’m very excited about itunes 8 and the updated iPhone software…

i have also been waiting for the new macbooks. latest “news” has been that a couple of new iPods will be introduced, prices will drop and the software will be updated, but the macs (laptops or desktops) will be left out of the announcement… Urg

for the first time in my life i am on the edge of buying a new computer (macbook) and they just are not coming. generally they would be out for school season (which we are in the throws of), now the next thought would be holidays - but they try to get this all together so they do not appear on december 1 (i hope).

more to come tuesday! stay tuned.

My last post, I outlined tap tap tap and their beautiful and thoughtful apps for the Apple App Store.

Now there are some bigger operations out there that have jumped on the bandwagon wit the App Store - One is linked-in. Now I have used Linked-in for years. I really like it and when I saw one app on the iTunes store - I jumped on it. Downloaded and gave it a shot.

I logged into the App, it pulled my data and through the simple Linked-in interface I could see status updates etc. This works just as I would like. The issue is the next sentence…

I shut the app down and a day later launched it again - it asked me to login (email address and password) AGAIN! I thought - oh bug so i restarted the phone, tried another app and relaunched Linked-in - Username and Password please…

EVERYTIME I want to use the app I need to login (am I the only one?) This SHOULD be a simple fix. It does not need to be the most beautiful app - it does need to make me want to use it.

I deleted it this morning and I’ll wait for an update… Urg, come on! People can make wonderful, beautiful apps and you guys cannot hold my login info somewhere…