∞ PCalc now available for the iPad

April 7, 2010

∞ PCalc now available for the iPad

One of the Mac industry’s long time developers, TLA Systems, has brought its RPN calculator, PCalc, to the iPad. (more…)

April 6, 2010

∞ Apple's use of private APIs for iPad gives it unfair advantage

The fact that Apple’s recently released iBooks is using private APIs means very little to most of us. In fact, the majority of users want the apps to be the best they can, regardless of what kind of programming they use. Unfortunately, for developers, it’s another story entirely. They aren’t allowed to use private APIs in their apps, which may cause some unfair competition.

Apple’s specially privileged, private-framework-using iPhone apps were relatively few, but their first-party area of influence on the iPad has just spread to e-readers, word processors, spreadsheets, and presentation tools: four major markets in which competitors may be at a severe disadvantage by not being able to do the same things as Apple’s alternatives if Apple chooses to play this card there.

iBooks and private APIs [Marco.org]

∞ iPad tips from TidBITS

You could pretty much count on the folks at TidBITS to come up with some great tips and tricks for the iPad. Jeff Carlson posted some on Tuesday that range from adding apps to the dock to quickly muting the volume. My favorite, and one that I’ll use a lot, is typing an apostrophe without having to use the secondary keyboard screen.

Instead, press and hold the comma key. A pop-up variation appears with an apostrophe, and it even appears highlighted, which means you don’t have to move your finger to select it. Simply tap, hold for a moment, then release to create the apostrophe.

Tips to Improve the iPad Experience [TidBITS]

∞ Dr. Seuss iPhone books updated for iPad, for free

Oceanhouse Media has announced the release of apps for the iPad, including Dr. Seuss e-book apps. “The Cat In the Hat,” “Dr. Seuss’ ABC” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” are each priced at $2.99. But if you’ve already bought the e-books for your iPhone or iPod touch, the updates are available for free. (more…)

∞ Gelaskins releases iPad protectors

Gelaskins, makers of removable art prints for iPods, iPhones, MacBooks and other devices, has announced the release of Gelaskins for iPad. Each Gelaskin costs $29.99, but if you buy three, you get the fourth for free. (more…)

∞ Nintendo: Apple not 'a viable profit platform for game development'

Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime doesn’t think Apple is having any impact on Nintendo’s business in terms of hardware or software sales volume. He said “I’ve seen data that suggestions [sic] while consumers are constantly downloading Apps, they play with them for a few times and then they are moving on to the next thing. Clearly it doesn’t look like their platform is a viable profit platform for game development because so many of the games are free versus paid downloads.”

Waxing metaphorically, Fils-Aime suggests that while Nintendo’s games range between “snacks and full meals … (Apple’s) aren’t even a mouthful, in terms of the gaming experience you get.”

Nintendo doesn’t, shouldn’t fear the iPad [Kotaku]

∞ AT&T investing $1 billion in its infrastructure

I can’t even imagine the scope of what it takes to upgrade a network like AT&T’s, but for some customers, it’ll be too little, too late. Especially if rumors of a Verizon iPhone hold true for later this year. I talked to some people in New York that refused to even try an iPhone because of AT&T’s network.

Its exclusive contract with Apple is due to end this year and, although there’s no word on whether other carriers will be allowed to even touch the beast, there have been some pretty persistent rumors that Verizon will be getting its very own CDMA version of the iPhone. AT&T has, however, got its paws on the Android-powered Nexus One, perhaps shoring up its smartphone stable in the event of Apple deciding to spread its iPhone love.

AT&T to Throw $1 Billion at Its Network [Fast Company]

∞ Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online launches, for Mac and PC

EA Sports on Tuesday announced the general release of Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online, a golf video game you can play in your Web browser. (more…)

April 5, 2010

∞ Analysts: iPad will cannibalize netbooks, but not iPhone

Apple’s iPad has been the talk of the technology world for months and after its release one analyst believes it will have a bigger effect on the netbook market than the iPhone.

(more…)

∞ Apple to hold special event April 8 to unveil next iPhone OS

Apple on Monday announced a special media event at it’s Cupertino, Calif. headquarters to give users a sneak peek at “the future of the iPhone OS.” (more…)

∞ Super Monkey Ball 2: Sakura Edition rolls onto iPad

Super Monkey Ball 2: Sakura Edition is now available for the iPad for $9.99, according to developer Other Ocean Interactive. OOI collaborated with Sega of America to bring the game to the new Apple device. (more…)

∞ Analyst: Apple will sell 4.3 million iPads in 2010

After raising his iPad sales estimates to 600,000 to 700,000 over the weekend, Piper Jaffray Senior Research Analyst, Gene Munster, admitted he misgauged the online pre-orders for the device. (more…)

∞ LED Football goes player vs. player for iPad

TouchGrove’s LED Football strikes a familiar chord in the hearts of iPhone-wielding old school gamers everywhere by bringing back the joy of 9 volt battery-powered Mattel handheld games from the 1970s. TouchGrove’s newest game creation is a title for the iPad – LED Football Player vs. Player. It costs $2.99. (more…)

∞ Freeverse enters iPad market with four games

Freeverse has announced four games for the iPad – NBA Hotshot HD, Flick Fishing HD, Warpgate and CastleCraft. They’re priced at $2.99, $2.99, $7.99, and for free respectively. iPhone and iPod touch versions of the new games are also on the way. (more…)

∞ Apple sells more than 300,000 iPads on first day

Apple on Monday announced that it sold more than 300,000 iPads in the United States, as of midnight on Saturday, April 3, 2010. That number includes deliveries of pre-ordered iPads, deliveries to channel partners and sales at Apple retail stores. (more…)

∞ GameSalad game creation tool supports iPad

Gendai Games has announced the expansion of GameSalad’s platform support to include the iPad. GameSalad now supports game creation on the iPhone, iPod touch, Web and Mac. (more…)

April 3, 2010

∞ Analyst: Apple sold 600-700 thousand iPads the first day

We don’t know for sure exactly how many iPads Apple had available to sell on Saturday, but one analyst says the number beat his previous expectations. (more…)

∞ iPad launch pictures from the 5th Ave. Apple Store

As expected, there was an excited crowd outside Apple’s 5th Ave. Apple Store on Saturday. Apple retail employees put on quite a show, cheering and clapping well before anyone even entered the store. You’ve got to give Apple employees credit, they sure know how to lay out the red carpet for its customers. (more…)

April 2, 2010

∞ Flight Control HD, Real Racing HD not just updated for iPad, says Firemint

While it’s easy to discount some iPad reworks of existing iPhone games as mere updates, Firemint’s new game offerings for the iPad definitely fall into a category of their own. The games each feature extensive differences from their iPhone and iPod touch counterparts. (more…)

∞ Taito and Square Enix bring 'Japanese chess' to iPad

Taito and Square Enix on Friday announced the release of Morita Shogi HD, a $3.99 game for the iPad. It’s based on a previously released game for iPhone and iPod touch. (more…)

∞ Gameloft adds eight iPad games

Gameloft on Friday announced the release of eight games for the iPad, all available from the App Store immediately. (more…)

∞ iPad first thoughts: It's a remarkable device

I flew down to New York yesterday and picked up my new 64GB iPad from Apple to give readers an early look at it. I had used the iPad after the launch in January and wondered if my initial thoughts would hold true. They did. (more…)

∞ FileMaker offers Bento for iPad

FileMaker has introduced a version of its personal database software Bento for iPad, pricing it at $4.99. It’s a standalone version of the database software that also synchronizes with its Mac and iPhone counterparts. (more…)

∞ Namco launches three games for iPad

Namco Networks is kicking off the launch of Apple’s iPad with three games for the new device – Pac-Man for iPad, Pool Pro Online and Noby Noby Boy, for $4.99, $6.99 and $1.99 respectively. (more…)

April 1, 2010

∞ Freeverse unveils CastleCraft, new iPhone MMO

Freeverse has unveiled plans to release its first massively multiplayer online (MMO) game, called CastleCraft. It’ll work on the iPhone and iPod touch. It’ll be free to download. (more…)

∞ TouchGrove to release Air Harp for iPad

TouchGrove is best known to iPhone and iPod touch users for its LED Football and LED Basketball games, simple games based on those classic 9 volt battery-powered handheld games from the 1970s. The company is breaking out of that mold with Air Harp, a new app designed for the iPad. (more…)