Leave a Comment

News: Mix: CastCatcher, Ferrari + iPod, Cook as CEO, Ocarina
iLounge | All Things iPod, iPhone, iTunes and beyond — Apple has rejected the latest version of iPhone developer return7’s CastCatcher Internet Radio application for using too much cellular bandwidth, according to a post on the developer’s blog. “CastCatcher Internet Radio cannot be posted to the App Store because it is transferring excessive volumes of data over the cellular network, which as outlined in the iPhone SDK Agreement section 3.3.15, is prohibited,” Apple said in its rejection correspondence. The developer notes that basically every competing Internet radio app also works over cellular connections, and that Apple has approved three prior versions of the CastCatcher application. In celebration of its ...

Smule's iPhone App Turns iPhone into an Ocarina
iPhone Hacks — Before I get into the details of Ocarina, the iPhone app, let me give you some background about Ocarina, the instrument. A description of Ocarina, the instrument from Wikipedia : "The ocarina is an ancient flute-like wind instrument. While several variations exist, an ocarina is typified by an oval-shaped enclosed space with four to twelve finger holes and a mouth tube projecting out from the body. It is often ceramic, but many other materials, such as plastic, wood, glass, and metal, may also be used. The ocarina is a very old family of instruments, believed to date back some 12,000 years." Ocarina - The Instrument A description of Ocarina, the iPhone app: The ...

First Look: Ocarina for iPhone
The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) — Filed under: iPhone, App StoreIf you're a Zelda nerd like most of us on the blog (not to mention any names), then you will most likely run out and buy the app we're about to discuss. Ocarina [iTunes link] is a new musical entry to the iTunes App Store that allows anyone to be just like Link in the Ocarina of Time (probably one of the best N64 games next to Super Mario 64... just sayin'). When you launch Ocarina.app, you are presented with four buttons that control the pitch. You make sounds with the Ocarina by blowing into the microphone on the iPhone. You control the pitch of the sound by pressing one, two, or ...

The App Store millionaire club
The Apple Core — December 15th, 2008 The App Store millionaire club Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 10:22 pm Categories: Software , iPhone , App Store , iPod touch Tags: Apple iPhone , Developer , App , Ocarina , Jason D. O'Grady The App Store millionaire club Despite the recent comments by some iPhone developers on the harsh economics of the App Store, other developers are making a killing by cranking out inexpensive but popular apps. Newsweek’s Dan Lyons profiles Ge Wang and Jeff Smith the brain trust behind Smule , creators of four $1 and $2 apps including a virtual lighter ( ...

20 Great Apps For Your New iPhone Or iPod Touch (AAPL)
Silicon Alley Insider — ... in to the Pandora Web site. Voice recorder, $1: Record a conversation, take verbal notes for later, or eavesdrop on the table next to you. Scribble, free: Make simple drawings, scribble on photographs, save and email them. Koi Pond, $1: Watch beautiful fish swim around your screen, and scare them away with a touch. Great for your kids or if you've had too much egg nog. Ocarina, $1: Neat, bizarre musical instrument. Also see/hear what others are playing ...

Smule's Zephyr sends snowy messages around the world
The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) — Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Odds and ends, Internet, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch As much as I hate to do it, I'm always willing to admit when I'm wrong, and I was wrong about Ocarina. Not about the app itself, per se -- I still think it's one of the silliest, most pointless apps I've see on the App Store. But it has been nothing but popular since its release, so apparently lots of people out there are into it. That's fine -- I'm willing to accept that there are best-selling apps out there that I think are dumb. And maybe ...

2008 Best iPhone App Ever winners announced
The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) — Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Software, Freeware, iTunes, iPhone, iPod touchThe voting only went underway a while ago, but they've just announced the winners for the 2008 Best App Ever awards, celebrating (according to 148apps.com and the people they got to nominate and vote in their contest) the best iPhone apps of last year. As I said for the voting, you can probably take most of this with a grain of salt, but there's no question that there are some awesome apps in here, and probably at least one or two you'll be interested in checking out if you haven't yet. Shazam won big in ...

What’s on my iPhone
The Apple Core — January 17th, 2009 What’s on my iPhone Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 6:19 pm Categories: Games , iPhone , App Store , iPod touch Tags: Apple iPhone , Apple iTunes , Digital Music , Digital Media , Personal Technology , Consumer Electronics , Jason D. O'Grady What’s on my iPhone A common pastime at Macworld Expo was comparing iPhone apps with friends. You could see people everywhere huddled around  their iPhones sharing tips on their latest and greatest app discoveries. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m anything but a gamer, but I loaded up on a few extra games than I’d normally ...

Weekly App Store Roundup: Jan. 31, 2009
TheAppleBlog — Good Saturday and a Happy Weekend to one and all, it’s time to sit down, relax and wrap your big eyes round this week’s App Store Roundup. This week on TheAppleBlog, we got in there super fast with an in-depth look at iMovie ‘09, iPhoto ‘09 and iWeb ‘09. Of particular note was our very own Liam ...

If MacGyver Only Had an iPhone / VANITY FAIR
MacBytes.com — ... laughter and tumble to the ground in uncontrolled fits of hilarity. With his two hardened foes temporarily incapacitated, MacGyver runs into the lair and finds a remote detonator. MacGyver toggles to iHandy Level Free and places his iPhone on the detonator. There is no need for this, but MacGyver loves that app. Breaking from his trance, MacGyver switches to iPaperClipBombDefuser , an app he just invented, and saves the day. He saunters out of the cave, playing his ocarina . MACGYVER!!!

App Review: Leaf Trombone: World Stage — Like American Idol But With Leaves
TheAppleBlog — App Quick Stats Leaf Trombone $0.99 iTunes Link Learn to play the leaf trombone, perform your repertoire before a global audience, and prepare to be judged. ...

News: Apple posts iPhone developer video profiles
iLounge | All Things iPod, iPhone, iTunes and beyond — image On the official website for its upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference 2009 event, Apple has posted four new video profiles of various iPhone developers, explaining how the iPhone OS and SDK altered their views on what was possible on a mobile platform, and how it has affected their development processes. Included in the profiles are Dr. Ge Wang of Smule, developer of Ocarina , Werner Jainek of Cultured Code, developer of Things , Steve Demeter of Demiforce, developer of Trism , and Christina Wick of AOL, which has a variety of apps on the store, including AIM . Apple’s WWDC 2009 conference is scheduled for June 8-12 at ...

Found Footage: iPhone Developer Profiles
The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) — Filed under: WWDC, Found Footage, iPhone, App Store, SDK, iPod touchIn anticipation of the Apple Worldwide Developer Conference coming up June 8 - 12 in San Francisco, Apple has posted four videos highlighting developers who are creating apps with the iPhone SDK. Each video shows how the developer is creating a unique app with the iPhone SDK, using the tools and frameworks, and then selling the app through the App Store. The videos highlight: Dr. Ge Wang of Smule, the developers of Ocarina and Leaf Trombone: World Stage (clicks open ...

Weekly App Store Picks: April 18, 2009
TheAppleBlog — Put your iPhone in the air and shake it like you just don’t care, because it’s time for my pick from the week’s freshest apps. Before you start waving your iPhone with a blatant disregard for those around you due to the sheer excitement you feel from reading about the latest apps, I’ve got a brief rundown of the ...

Why The iPhone Is Revolutionary: Leaf Trombone Edition
Silicon Alley Insider — We're blown away every day by new uses and milestones for Apple's (AAPL) iPhone and its App Store. Today's is courtesy Smule, the company that makes goofy iPhone music apps like Ocarina, the no. 14 most-purchased iPhone app of all time. Smule's newest game, Leaf Trombone World Stage, is a hit, too. The company says "Leaf Trombonists" have already played more than 100,000 times on the "World Stage," getting judged by other app owners. (The app launched two weeks ago.) Smule adds: "In addition to performing, users of Leaf Trombone have already created more than 1,442 compositions using Smule's new online Leaf ...

Apple Celebrates First Anniversary of App Store
MacRumors : Mac News and Rumors — ... ] highlighting their favorite applications and games. While the App Store officially launched on July 11th 2008, many MacRumors readers were able to access the App Store early after the 2.0 firmware was inadvertently leaked by Apple. The special page lists several of Apple's favorite apps, though the lists seem to vary by country. Some of the favorites in the U.S. listings include (links to iTunes): - MLB at Bat ($9.99) - Brushes ($4.99) - Ocarina ($0.99) - Things ($9.99) - Real Racing ($9.99) - Toki Tori ...

17 Best iPhone Apps for Musicians
iSmashPhone — ... 17. Ocarina by Smule iTunes $0.99 Practice makes perfect and you too can play beautiful music with the Ocarina iPhone and iPod touch app.  In the most recent update, Smule developers have included a touch mode which allows iPod touch users to play strictly with their hands.  iPhone users blow into the mic, then press the holes to change the pitch. So whether you are a musician or simply an enthusiast of music, you can enhance your performance (or just have some fun) with any of ...