Apple has unleashed a button sized iPod Nano on us and it’s completely different from every Nano that came before it.

Pros:

* A new and smoother OS.
* Smooth navigation, much like an iPhone, but with no no home button. To get back to the homescreen, just tap-and-hold any on screen area where there aren’t any buttons or other interactive doodads.
* Futuristic design. Edge to edge touchscreen display, with the smallest of bezels holding it all together.
* Possibly the smallest touchscreen device.

Cons:

* The screen is too small for a keyboard, and there’s no WiFi or 3G, so no browser or Google Maps. Hence, multi-touch seems a bit redundant now, except to zoom into pics.
* Due to no 3G/WiFi, there’s no App Store.
* It’s small, perhaps too small to hold.
* No camera and video playback.

I think the new iPod Nano will still be a bestseller. It is great for people who want a reasonably flashy MP3 player, but don’t need the expandable frills of an iPod Touch. But I won’t be buying it anytime soon.

TomTom App, a popular GPS software, promises more efficient and safer driving with its new multi-tasking functions as drivers can now receive turn-by-turn directions while running other apps on their iPhone.

Some of the multi-tasking capabilities integrated by TomTom (Version 1.4) includes:

• Seamless navigation while calling – Users can make and answer calls while navigating with the help of visual turn-by-turn instructions. With this feature, users see visual instructions even when they are on a call, so they are not distracted by the call and directions to their destination.
• Background navigation instructions – Passengers can use and view other apps on the screen while receiving spoken turn-by-turn instructions from TomTom app.
• Route Sharing – Car travellers can now send details of their current route, to their iPhone’s contacts via email. This feature lets friends and family keep up to date of your location.
• Departure Reminder – Drivers can now plan upcoming trips and add them to their calendar, with a departure reminder appearing on their iPhone when it’s time to travel.
• Eco-friendly Routing – Drivers can save money and reduce environmental impact by driving on more fuel-efficient routes. By using its advanced routing technology and the driving data of all TomTom users, the TomTom app will provide a more efficient route option.
• Car Symbols – Drivers can now personalise the car symbol on the driving screen by choosing the car icon, symbol and colour that best meets their style.

Availability and Price

TomTom app for iPhone (Version 1.4) is available for purchase via the App Store for USD $59.99. If you currently own a TomTom app, you can update to the new version at no extra cost.

Even though TomTom app (Version 1.4) runs on OS 3.0 and iOS 4, you should upgrade to iOS 4 to take advantage of all the new features.


A few days ago, the much awaited iPhone 4 was launched but the party wasn’t all that great. Yes, long queues were present at Apple stores. Nevertheless, there were some disappointment and tears after the unboxing of the iPhone 4.

Firstly, the hyped Retina display which promises crystal clear pictures that put all camera phones to shame became secondary to the disgusting pale yellow spot on the screen. Not all phones were affected though but you gotta check and it definitely spoils the enjoyment of taking pics and videos with your iPhone 4.

It was also reported that the signal strength may be affected and some calls got cut off, depending on which hand you hold the iPhone 4. Due to the iPhone 4 new design, holding it in your left palm will bridge the 2 antennae, leading to a drop in signals. You can use the Apple “bumper” accessory to solve the problem though.

In terms of shock resistance, the iPhone 4 didn’t pass muster either. Anybody who has used a mobile phone will have dropped it at some point of time. In the case of iPhone 4, such careless moments could be disastrous.

Seeing the smashed iPhone 4, it has lost all aesthetic appeal and pose a safety hazard as you can cut yourself easily. I don’t understand why Apple want to use glass (and it doesn’t look like tempered glass to me). The iPhone 4 will have looked equally slick with a stainless steel back instead of glass. At least it is more durable and resilient.

The manufacturing defects and design issues in this groundbreaking gadget worry me. Apple is gonna make a fortune repairing phones but it will do its reputation no good.

Let’s hope Apple fix these issues for their second batch of iPhone 4.

[Insanely Great Mac, Engadget]

Apple has released a new version of their mobile OS, iOS4 to fanatic iPhone and iPod touch users. I can just imagine their excitement at seeing the announcement on ITunes – “A new iPhone software version (4.0) is available.”

iOS4 is a free update for iPhone 3G and 3GS models. Early adopters of iPhones has to look on longingly at the extremely useful multitasking feature which only work on the latest 3GS models and upcoming iPhone 4.

Well, don’t feel upset if you have a first-gen iPhone as your batttery may not be able to handle multi-tasking… that is a perfect excuse for you to upgrade to iPhone 4.

There are over 1500 changes made to the API, and several new features introduced. Here are some prominent highlights from iOS 4:

- Multitasking – yes, the missing piece in the iPhone jigsaw! A combination of persistent-state applications and backgrounding functions ensures you can tweet and email at the same time.

- Folders – If you have been downloading apps, you soon find that your homepage is overwhelmed. Sometimes you just can’t find what you want amid multiple screens of apps. Not to worry, as you can now organize your homescreen into folders with ease.

- iBooks – iPad has an eBooks reader, so why not the iPhone. In iOS4, just like the kindle app, your books will be synced across all your devices.

- Tap to focus Video – Focus with video capture.

- Bluetooth Keyboard Support – I have not much use for a bluetooth keyboard with my iPhone but for those who don’t have a laptop, it might help you finish a report on the go.

- Better Spell Check – Now available in Mail, Notes and Safari and other apps.

Actually, Apple is playing catch-up to other phone developers as such features are available on other platforms long ago. The playing field is more or less level now.

iOS4 is now available for download by plugging your device into iTunes.

[Engadget, Mashable]

Apple fans were sleepless from waiting for iPhone 4 updates at WWDC 2010 in San Francisco. Considering all the leaks around the internet, Steve Jobs still impressed the audience with new fanciful features for iPhone 4. As he said: “I’m sure some of you have seen it but you’ll need to see it to SEE it”.

The iPhone 4 design (glass lining and stainless steel) is similar to the prototype that got Gizmodo into trouble with the police. IPhone 4 is 24% slimmer compared to the “bulky” 3GS. In fact, at 9.3mm, the iPhone 4 is the world’s thinnest smartphone.

Besides physical improvements, iPhone 4 has a Retina display whereby Apple squeezed four times the pixel density into a 3.5 inch, 960 x 640 screen at 326 Pixels Per Inch (PPI). There is also a 800:1 contrast ratio and IPS technology for better colour and wide angle viewing. Consumers will definitely get clearer pictures and smoother fonts compared to 3GS.

Another nifty feature in iPhone 4 is the 5 Megapixel camera with a LED flash, 5x digital zoom and tap autofocus. That means we can capture sharper pictures in low light environment from the iPhone 4. Apple has also solved a constant gripe by adding the ability to record 720p HD video at 30fps. Coupled with the new iMovie, the iPhone 4 is almost a wet dream for amateur video makers.

The iPhone 4 also has a front facing camera. With a feature called “FaceTime,” you will be able to make video calls! However, you must be on WiFi and it only supports iPhone 4 to iPhone 4.

There has been no news of the pricing but iPhone 4 will come in white or black and 16Gb and 32Gb models.

Will you guys be getting the iPhone 4? If you have a 3GS, I think upgrading may be too costly (unless you are a real gadget fanatic) but if you are stuck with a first generation iPhone, then it is time to join the queue.

[Engadget]

Apple fans may wish to consider boarding Jetstar the next time they fly to Australia. This is because Jetstar has come up with an innovative idea of offering iPad (on trial basis) as their in-flight entertainment devices on selected domestic routes.

Customers would able to rent the device for only AUD 10 and enjoy all the pre-loaded contents inside it such as music, videos, e-book and also, games throughout their journey.

The allure of Apple products is really impressive. iPhone has now replaced Blackberry for corporate gifts and now airlines are using iPad for their in-flight entertainment. In fact, Apple iPad has sold 2 million iPads in under 2 months. No wonder Steve Jobs is smiling all the way to the bank.

[The Age, Slashdot]

We know Apple and Adobe are not on good terms but in business, there are no lifelong enemies.

Since Apple dropped Flash and opted for HTML5 in iPhone and iPad OS, Adobe has gone for a tit-for-tat by withdrawing investments on all iPhone app development in Flash.

However, there is a good chance that the two companies could collaborate again with Adobe’s new flash player dubbed ‘Gala’.

This latest flash player will harness H.264 video hardware decoding on Mac OS X 10.6.3 which is good for a Mac user. If you installed the right graphics card, your flash playback will be smoother. Your browser won’t take off but at least it won’t run like a snail.

I don’t know when iPhone will start using Flash, if ever; but at least Mac users can now watch Youtube without consuming all their RAM and CPU.

[Engadget]

The impending iPhone 4G has every tech geeks in a mania. Almost everyone has something to say…

But in the best journalistic article so far, Gizmodo came up with an exclusive by finding Apple’s next generation iPhone in a bar in Redwood City which was camouflaged to look like an iPhone 3GS. They dismantled the beauty and examined the details.

Boy, did they do a good job. Check out what is new in the iPhone 4G prototype…
• Front-facing video chat camera

• Improved regular back-camera (the lens is quite noticeably larger than the iPhone 3GS)

• Camera flash

• Micro-SIM instead of standard SIM (like the iPad)

• Improved display. It’s unclear if it’s the 960×640 display thrown around before—it certainly looks like it, with the “Connect to iTunes” screen displaying much higher resolution than on a 3GS.

• What looks to be a secondary mic for noise cancellation, at the top, next to the headphone jack

• Split buttons for volume

• Power, mute, and volume buttons are all metallic

[Gizmodo]

The wait for Apple’s next generation iPhone is nearly over. iPhone 4G, is expected to launch in June this year along with the iPhone 4.0 software.

Some sources mentioned that Apple has booked the Yerba Buena Centre for the Arts in San Francisco. The last event that Apple held at this venue was the iPad launch, and they have launched many products there too.

Then AT&T “coincidentally” barred its employees from taking vacations in June. AT&T did this during the previous iPhone releases as well, so the writing is on the wall that iPhone 4G will launch in June.

While Steve Jobs will be keeping his cards to his chest, it is hard to ignore all the evidence. Anyway, all the speculation and hype will be working in Apple’s favor.

I am sure Apple fans will be counting down the days to iPhone 4G launch. Meanwhile, to quell your curiosity for the iPhone 4G, let’s look at some of “leaked” photos which have been circulating on the net.

Engadget: iPhone 4G, is this it?

Products Reviews: iPhone Release Date and Photos

Geeky Gadgets: Pictures of Apple iPhone 4G

This pretty Korean girl (YouTube nick Applegirl002) is conversant in Korean, Japanese and English but her impressive talent is her vocals and ability to create beautiful music with iPhones.

In the above video, she uses 4 Apple iPhones to play Lady Gaga’s Poker Face, and sing it flawlessly with a clean voice. I can comprehend most of the words in her rendition which is definitely a pleasant surprise for an Asian singing an English song!

Her performance of Beyonce’s hit song is amazing as well. Check out the video below.