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iPodcaStudio ($0.99, available here) is an all-in-one podcast solution that launched last fall. It allows casual users to record, edit, and transfer audio right from their iPhone or iPod touch. They can also edit audio and transfer files via Wi-Fi, e-mail, or FTP. Check out a review of the program here at tuaw.
Despite its position as a mobile competitor, Google continues to support multiple platforms that compete with its Android-powered devices. Rejected by Apple fo the App Store, Google Voice is now available as a Web app for both iPhone and Palm Pre. Get the full story here at InternetNews.com and here at Google.
PCMag.com has put together a list of what it considers the Top 100 Free Apps for smartphones. The list includes 40 iPhone apps consisting of "news compilers, fun games, time- or money-saving utilities, social networking services, and more," 20 for BlackBerry, 20 for Android, 10 for Windows Mobile and 10 for other specific handset models, including the Palm Pre (webOS), Nokia E71x (Symbian), Motorola RAZR (Java), etc. The top ten iPhone apps include AP Mobile 3.1, Chess With Friends Free 3.04, CNBC 1.1, Cube Runner 1.2, eBay Mobile 1.4.1, eBuddy 3.2.1, Epicurious 1.1.0, Evernote 3.1.1, Facebook 3.03, and Fandango 2.0. See here for the rest of the iPhone list. ;
The DROID isn't likely to deliver a knock-out punch to the iPhone any time soon, but it is worthy of serious consideration by anyone shopping for an "App Phone" this holiday season. Get the full story here at Wi-Fi Planet.com.
Yurtopia makes customized ear buds called yurbuds (also known as earbud enhancers) that, as advertised, fit comfortably, stay in the ear, and greatly improve the sound of standard headphones and headsets--particularly of the iPhone and iPod persuasion. I highly recommend them to anyone look for an easy and inexpensive way to improve the audio quality and performance of their earphones.
Yurbuds come in six sizes. To get fitted simply upload or send Yurtopia a picture of your ear with a standard reference object; preferably an Apple-style ear bud in your ear, but a quarter will do, for example. In the near future, the company plans to offer an application that will size people's ears and more in the App Store.
Turns out I'm a size five by the way.
I tested out a review pair of yurbuds with both Apple's standard headphones for iPod and iPhone and Yurtopia's yuphones, which were virtually indistinguishable from Apple's earphones. In both cases the yurbuds performed admirably.
In fact, the yurbuds enhanced the sound of the headphones so much, I had to turn down the volume on my iPhone and iPod considerably. According to Yurtopia, yurbuds concentrate sound so well, users can reduce volume by as much as 50 percent, saving both their hearing and reducing power consumption.
Although the yurbuds fit snuggly in the ear, you barely notice they are there after a while. Best of all, they did not fall out constantly, as the headphones I tested them with usually do without yurbuds attached. And, unlike in-canal headphones, yurbuds don't put too much pressure on the inside of your ear and do not totally block off ambient sounds, which is essential for runners and other athletes--a key part of Yurtopia's target demographic--and others who need to stay in touch with the outside world when listening to music.
Unlike with Apple's standard iPhone and iPod earphones, some in-canal headphones may require adapters, called yurAdapters, that are available or will become available for several manufacturers. For example, an adapter for Apple's $79 (and great sounding) Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic--whose silicon tips occasioonaly get stuck in this writer's ear, pop out, and irritate the ear canal--is due to become available shortly. I can't wait to pair the yurbuds up with the those headphones, as they'll make them sound even better, but without the irritations. Here's a video that shows you how to use the a yurAdapter with one of Apple's in-year headset.You can order yurbuds online for $19.99 each. Pick up a pair of them and the price is an even more reasonable $29.99. Yurtopia's Apple-like headphones, called yurphones, sell for $19.99. And you can buy a pair of yurphones with a set of yurbuds included for $29.99.
Forbes.com ranked the Yurtopia number nine in its list of America's Most Promising Companies. The company's co-founders include a triathelete with a background in minimally invasive surgical devices who found the headphone options on the market--particularly the ones offered by Apple--lacking and prone to falling out, and a marathoner with a background in business management and development.
See here for a list of upcoming events, mostly marathons, where Yurtopia will be showing off Yurbuds. Here you'll find a video showing you how to put yurbud onto an earphone.
The Monoprice Backup Battery Pack is an iPhone/iPod power accessory with a capacity of 2200 mAh, about twice that of the iPhone. Simply plug the dongle in to charge up a drained iPhone up to two times. The accessory, which is rated for a charge time of 3.5 hours, is compatible with the iPod touch, iPod Classic, iPod nano, iPhone, iPhone 3G, etc. It measures 62 x 68 x 16 millimeters and weighs 68 grams. At $14.50, the Backup Battery Pack's price is (perhaps) its best attribute of all, as the peripheral is considerably cheaper than other similar solutions. Check out a review of the Monoprice here at tuaw.
PDAs and smartphones have long been used by healthcare pros to help treat patients, who have in turn leveraged these devices to try and stay healthy themselves. The iPhone and iPod touch are no exceptions. InformationWeek's Mitch Wagner recently identified what he considers the top apps (free and paid) for Apple's mobile devices in this category. The apps cited included Epocrates, AllOne Mobile, Calorie Tracker, Weight Watchers Mobile, soundAMP, iFitness, Islet, Good Food Near You, MotionX GPS Sport / Sport, Weightbot, and Lose It!. He also recommended Documents To Go and Simplenote (although they aren't healthcare apps) and the iPhone and iPod touch's native apps. See here for price, descriptions and download information.
Amos Winbush credits his iPhone with both starting his business and keeping it running. With the iPhone's built-in functionality and a few well-chosen apps, he could hold meetings, keep in touch with business contacts, and keep a close eye on his bank account. Thinking of starting your own business? The following is a list of apps that Winbush used when starting CyberSynchs, plus other apps that a young entrepreneur should have on hand. Get the full story here at Datamation.com.
In this collection of apps, you'll find tools for getting work done on the road, keeping in touch with coworkers, and getting quick information. Best of all, every app in this list is free.
That means you can try them out at no risk: keep the ones that help your business and delete the others. Your work is crucial, and a free iPhone app is a top-notch assistant.
Get the full story by Troy Dreier here at Datamation.com.
Labor day will soon be upon us. For most students that means school is about to start up again. With that in mind, Sillicon Valley Insider's compiled a list of ten iPhone applications -- educational tools and reference guides -- it thinks every student should have in his or her backpack. Selected apps include iStudiez Pro ($2.99), AlgebraPrep Series ($2.99 each), Convert - The Unit Calculator ($0.99), Dictionary.com (free), MyHomework (free), The Chemical Touch Lite (free), Simplenote ($1.99), Amazon Kindle App (free), Free Language Tutors (free), Snood ($3.99). See here for descriptions, download links and screen shots.
